FAQ

FAQ

 

I have shopped around a bit, your prices are low...How do you do it?
We are able to offer Full Colour Process printing at a much lower price than our competitors. Is that we are not a broker, we own the presses and no one adds there little bit to the job before you pay! The end result is that it saves you money!

I like the prices but I require you to design my artwork, how long will it take for my proofs and for the print to be ready?
We are more than happy to produce your artwork for you and have our creative designers team work on your project. If you require any artwork there is a minimum charge (depending on the product) which is available on request.

We normally take 3-5 days to produce your artwork. Our creative designers team work hard to produce creative artwork and so proofs can sometimes take longer than this. If your print is urgent please call our Customer Services Team on 0121 359 8777 before ordering.

We can take orders for design only or even for print only but will be much happier to receive your design & print order. We only start work once an order has been placed and we have received a purchase order or a deposit as confirmation of order. We are also unable to undertake prospective artwork (artwork with the assumption that if you like the design you will place the print). If this is something you think you may require its probably best for you to seek a freelance designer or use a design agency, get them to produce your artwork (pay the fees) and then get them to send us your artwork. Once we have created your artwork and if for any reason your artwork does not proceed to print we will refund the print and delivery element of your order but we will not refund any artwork fees.

I like your prices but I would like a different stock (paper) is this possible?
We can print on anything you require, we are happy to quote on this, but for most Stationery, flyers & leaflets we find our standard stock are most suitable and are the least expensive.

I ‘m a after a bespoke job...can you quote?
Yes! email the specifications of the quote to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we will get a back to you normally within a couple of hours or so (during busy periods quotes can take upto 24 hours).

I am looking for a flyer or leaflet but am unsure what size....help?
Choosing the size of your flyer or leaflet depends primarily on what it is intended for. Night club flyers, for example, are normally A6 as this size is easy to distribute and fits easily in pockets and handbags. Whereas business applications tend to use A4 and A5 format as they integrate well with standard brochure sizes. If the budget is critical, why not go for a smaller flyer like A7. If you are unsure just call our Customer Services on 0121 359 8777 and we will help you decide.

I have been told that there is is no VAT on flyers is this correct?
VAT on flyers (and only flyers) are normally zero rated with the following exceptions: VAT is chargeable if the flyer is used as admission, discount on admission or product/service. An example of this is "Free (Or discounted) Admission with This Flyer". VAT is chargeable if the flyer is designed to be written on for example a form is incorporated into the design. VAT is chargeable if the flyer is to be used as a Postcard. VAT is applicable on the delivery element of the flyers and leaflets order.

A more detailed description of VAT print rules & regulations is available from HM Revenue & Customs http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/VAT/. All Flyer prices are set as zero rated. If after ordering the flyer is deemed under the current VAT regulations to incur VAT at standard rate we will notify you before we go to print.

In the event that we are unable to ascertain whether the flyer is zero rated or standard rated, VAT will be charged at standard rate and with your agreement we will seek clarification from HM Revenue & Customs. If they advise us your job is zero rated we will refund you.

What are the benefits of supplying print ready files? What does it mean?
Supplying print ready files mean that all images have been converted to cmyk, the resolution is correct, all fonts have been embedded, the bleeds and cut marks are there and the files are supplied in an acceptable format. This means we can go to print with the least of hassle saving both time and money.

Most design software can produce PDF, JPG or TIF files which we can print from these are print ready files. If you are still unsure please call Customer Services on 0121 359 8777 and ask for assistance on artwork.

Is my information safe?
No information we collect for order processing or from enquiries is shared with any other company or website ever!. Your information is only used to contact you when necessary.

How do I get my files to you?
We have a convenient and easy online file transfer. We can always set up a secure server for clients who may transfer artwork regularly. You can always send a CD or DVD via mail. Be sure to include contact information and quote number in your package.

How long should the file transfer take?
Most browsers will display a status bar. File transfer times will vary depending on the size of the file and your Internet connection speed.

Can I send you a PDF file?
Yes, we accept PDF files. Be sure the PDF contains bleeds, and is high resolution.

What design applications do you accept?
We accept: QuarkXpress 8 or lower, Freehand, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe PageMaker, Adobe InDesign, CorelDraw, Microsoft Publisher and Microsoft Word.

What file format do we accept?
We accept TIFF, PDF, JPEG, PSD and EPS file types as well as native document from our accepted applications.

Can I use images from the Internet?
Images from the Internet or web sites are generally 72 dpi and in a GIF or JPEG format. These files usually do not provide a good quality image for printing. Colour and resolution are removed from these images to allow for rapid transfer on the Internet. These images would appear fuzzy and dull if printed.

What should I know about image file formats?
Tiff, EPS or JPG files with maximum quality format are usable. Any other files type used may result in unfavourable print quality such as GIF, PING, CDX, etc. Bitmap images (like those from Photoshop) should be saved as TIFF or EPS files if you are going to place them in a layout program.

What should I know about image resolution?
Image resolution or bitmap image, like those made with Photoshop, should be set at 300 dpi. Enlarging an image will lower the resolution while reducing an image will increase the resolution. Enlarging an image in a layout programs is not recommended. Images less than 300 dpi could reproduce poorly looking fuzzy or pixilated. Images from the Internet are not recommended as most images on the web are 72 dpi and will appear fuzzy or pixilated. An favourable image cannot be resaved as a different type of file. For example, you cannot place a gif file in Photoshop and resave it as an EPS format. This does not change the compatibility of the file. If you have to use low resolution images, we will print only after you consent to the quality.

What media will be accepted for files sending?
CD-Rom and DVD media are accepted. Files may be uploaded using our file upload feature.

What should I know about viewing files on my monitor?
You might notice that the colours on the printed piece may not exactly match the colours you see on the monitor. The age and or calibration of your monitor can determine monitor colours compared to the final printed colours.

What is RGB?
RGB stands for Red, Green and Blue. These colours are used for digital cameras, scanners, computer monitors and T.V. screens. When combined RGB creates white as they are the additive colours of light. Files must be converted from RGB to CMYK if printing on a printing press.

What is CMYK?
CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black and are used in the printing process. Printing with these four colours is often referred to as full color or 4-color printing. CMYK are subtractive colours and create black when combined. Any file that is printed on a printing press must be converted to CMYK.

What is Gamut?
Gamut Converting between the CMYK and RGB colour space can cause a shift in color. This is because each colour format only produces a selective gamut of the full spectrum of colour. The colour range of each format, however, differs. There are areas in the RGB colour space that extend beyond the CMYK range. Those colours will be affected by a conversion from RGB to CMYK.

What about using coloured text?
Sometimes the printing process is not as perfect as the world around it. Minute misalignment can cause the 4 separate CMYK inks to not line up perfectly in small text (10pt or smaller), as well as in white text on a coloured or black background (drop-out text). This misalignment can make small text look blurry. If you need to do this anyway, it is best to keep the coloured text one of the true CMYK colors; black is always an excellent choice.

What is bleed?
One important custom printing term to know is a bleed. Bleed refers to an extra 1/8" of image that extends beyond the trim area of your printing piece. Our printing company prints your job on an oversize sheet that is cut down to size with the appearance that the image "bleeds" off the edge of the paper.

What is Trim Marks?
Trim marks: Indicate where to trim the printed sheet or where the edge of the paper is. Similar to register or crop marks.
Trim size: The final size of the document after the last trim is made.

Do you accept Microsoft Word documents?
Karra can accept Microsoft Word documents as long as the file is accompanied by a hard copy of what the piece should look like. Since Word can tend to shift and alter elements, such as text, when opened on different computers, a hard copy will help us ensure we process the proof correctly.
Also, please keep in mind that Microsoft Word does not embed word art fonts when the file is saved and opened on a different computer. Therefore, the fonts will default when opened on another computer that does not contain the fonts that were used.

I work in Microsoft Word on a PC - can Karra print from this format?
Yes, our ability to handle your job is not limited to the 'run of the mill' programmes favoured by most printers and repro houses. As well as Apple Macintosh programmes such as Quark Express,  InDesign, Illustrator & Photoshop we have developed reliable methods for printing from the majority of programmes available on the PC ranging from Corel Draw to Microsoft Publisher and Pagemaker.

Will colours print as vibrantly on Cartridge paper as they do on Gloss Art Paper?
No, the nature of cartridge paper means that the ink dots will spread more (Dot Gain). This has the effect of darkening images and colours especially colours which are dark to start with. 

Will the colour of my printing match the colours shown on my monitor?
No, unless your monitor has been calibrated to our press then the colours on your printing will not match what you see on screen. It is best to use colours specified in a colour swatch (either Pantones or one supplied by ourselves) to ensure a good match - go to Pantone Colours. Please remember - wherever possible try to work using the CMYK colour scheme.

What is the difference between spot colour and full colour printing?
Spot colour printing is a method that uses a different ink for each colour. By using a single ink for each colour it is possible to achieve exceptional fidelity between print runs and good matching to either existing printing, or to colours from the Pantone spot colour swatches. If your printing only requires one, two or three colours, spot colour printing may have an economical advantage over full colour printing. Alternatively, spot colours can be used if a colour needs to be extremely precise. For example, if you need to reproduce a very specific colour for a corporate logo or to match an existing piece of printing, spot colours should be used. Full colour printing uses four inks mixed in different quantities to produce multicolour images. The colour of these four inks are cyan, magenta, yellow and black. Colour produced using these inks is referred to as process colour, CMYK or full colour printing. Almost any colour can be produced by mixing these four inks.

Will the colour of my printing match the colour hard copy I have printed out on my desktop printer?
If you would like your printing to match to a colour hard copy then state this in your order and we will ensure that we match to it as closely as possible - if there is going to be a problem in matching it then we will contact you and let you know.

 

Artwork

 
Digital Art Guidelines

Acceptable Mac & Windows Software:

Program Recommendations

  • QuarkXPress 6.5, 7 or 8 Include all fonts and images. Page size must be set to the trim size of your job. Bleeds should extend 3mm beyond the page area.
  • PhotoShop CMYK or Grayscale, 350 to 400 dpi, flattened, no layers, saved as TIF or JPG. Image size must be set to the trim size plus 3mm bleed all around if necessary.
  • Adobe Illustrator Save as EPS file, fonts converted to paths or outlines
  • InDesign Save as PDF for Acrobat 5.0 upwards, Press or Print Optimized (please download distiller settings from our download section). Remember to include bleed.
  • PDF Press or Print Optimized(please download distiller settings from our download section) for Acrobat 5.0 upwards. Include at least 3mm bleed all around. Images & graphics must be in CMYK format.
  • Publisher, Word, Powerpoint and other non-graphics software will require charges for conversion.

Preparing Your Digital Files:

  • Bleeds: Bleed is a printed image, graphic or background that extends beyond the trim edge. For cutting purposes, bleeds must extend 1/8" beyond intended trim.
  • Borders: Borders and text must be at least 5mm inside the trim edge. We don't guarantee perfectly even borders.
  • Rich Black: Black backgrounds run best with a mixture of 50% Cyan, 50% Magenta and 100% Black.
  • Resolution:
    Black & White images (line art, logos): 1200 dpi
    Color & Grayscale images: 350 to 400 dpi at 100%.
  • Colours: Colour images must be saved as CMYK. Colour conversions from Pantone to CMYK may produce unexpected results. There will be a charge for converting RGB images to CMYK.
  • Colour Proofs: Colour proofs for high volume jobs can be ordered for an additional charge. We don't guarantee an exact match to the colour proof on our high volume, gang run jobs. Changes made after the proof will incur additional re-RIP charges. Email proofs (softproofs) are available upon request, however, Karra Design & Print will not be responsible for colour variations between your monitor and the finished job.
  • Scanning Services: We are responsible for colour matching the media we scan. We cannot be responsible for colour matching images scanned elsewhere. Further colour adjustments will incur PhotoShop charges.
  • Booklet work: Files must be arranged in printer spreads.
  • Uploading Your Artwork: Files must be compressed into a single .sit or .zip file before sending using our FTP upload facility. You can use Stuffit or ZipIt for the Macintosh, or WinZip for the PC, available at Download.com.


Acceptable Storage Media:

  • CD-R or DVD-R / DVD+R media
  • USB media
  • Memory Cards
  • FTP Upload using  upload facility from our website


Turnaround Time:
Most proofs will be ready 24 hours after acceptable files are submitted. Standard turnaround for short-run jobs is 3-5 working days after the proof is signed. Rush service is available. Ask for quotes on rush service.

 

Payment Terms

 "Karra Design & Print" has  fairly strict payment terms as stated below not to SCARE you BUT to PROTECT the interests of Karra and it's employees. As a business owner I am certain that you would appreciate what we are trying to achieve. Mr A Karra - Managing Partner

 

  1. 50% deposit required for any design or design & print jobs with order.
  2. Cheques are only accepted made payable to " KARRA DESIGN & PRINT" with valid Bankers card and 5 working days clearance period is required.
  3. Karra can only start work upon receipt of clear funds as deposit.
  4. Funds can be transferred directly into our account to speed up the process.
  5. Full balance payment must be received by Karra as cleared funds before we can send the final approved artwork in the correct resolution in the correct format/s.
  6. Full balance payment must be received by Karra as cleared funds before we can proceed to print.
  7. For PRINT ONLY orders FULL payment is required with order. Karra shall proceed to print as soon as the funds are cleared.
  8. All goods remain the property of KARRA DESIGN & PRINT until paid in full.
  9. No goods will be released in PART or FULL until all due payments have been made.
  10. Accounts are available only after a probationary period.
  11. Karra can accept orders from local / national govt, NHS, chambers, NEC and any company / organisation where Karra is registered as a PREFERRED SUPPLIER without any deposit* when accompanied by an "offical purchase order" after agreeing to our credit terms.

 

 

 

Credit

 

As a general policy Karra only offers credit to companies who agree to our credit terms after satisfactory credit checks and necessary references have been followed. This is necessary to protect our business and it's employees. Mr A Karra - Managing Partner.

Most credit accounts are opened only after the company has served a probationary period*.

Once a credit limit has been set a credit account would be set up.

All orders are accepted only with an "official Purchase order" and the credit is for 30 days.

All accounts are closely monitored for compliance.

Karra has the right to refuse any credit application at its discretion or close any credit account if it is deemed necessary without any prior notification and without the need for an explanation.

 

Deliveries

 

Karra Design&Print can offer you collection and delivery of your goods.
With a large network of couriers and haulers at our disposal, we can offer delivery of your goods anywhere locally, nationally or internationally.

Most jobs are shipped via Palletways and TNT.

We can offer delivery by un-marked vans, this offers discretion if we are delivering work on behalf of an agency for instance. Our drivers are polite, courteous and will place your completed job where ever necessary.

At Karra we recognise the need to despatch on time and the responsibility we have to ensure that we achieve our deadlines. All our staff at Karra Design & Print are dedicated to ensuring that every job we do is completed on time, late despatch is simply unacceptable.

We can personalise your deliveries with your branding giving the impression that the work has come direct from the agency.

We use reputable overnight carriers who publish an on-time success rate of 98.5%.

 

Ask Us

T&C

 
  1. 50% cash deposit required with order.
  2. Deposits can be accepted as cheques, but we will only commence work once cheque is cleared.
  3. All quotes costs and estimates are considered tentative until we receive the job for inspection. Estimates may be revised and the customer will be notified.
  4. The customer must examine the completed order and notify us of any discrepancies within 24 hours of receipt of order.
  5. All deadlines only apply once you have given complete information & confirmed order and agree to our terms.
  6. All deadlines are subject to change for reasons beyond Karra’s control.
  7. Please carefully check proofs and paper samples before signing the proof slips. Any mistakes not spotted by clients before signing a proof slip will be their own responsibility.
  8. No goods will be released in full or part before full cleared payment is received by Karra and goods remains the property of KarraDesign&Print until paid in full.
  9. Balance payment paid through cheque only accepted with a valid bank card or 5 days clearance period required before goods will be released by Karra.
  10. We do not accept payments through any credit/debit cards.
  11. Account available upon application only after probationary period
  12. All prices mentioned are exclusive of VAT unless stated otherwise.
  13. If customer is supplying artwork, must supply print ready in PDF format. Please check artwork guidelines on our website in the FAQ section.
  14. The Job must be signed off and payment terms agreed prior to proceeding to print.
  15. Delivery prices are for standard UK delivery.
  16. Karra Design & Print reserves the right to change any prices mentioned on the website, advertisements or promotional media without any prior notice.
  17. Karra Design & Print reserves the right to withdraw any offer/s mentioned on website, advertisements or promotional media without any prior notice.
  18.  By their nature goods do not have a redeemable value and no refunds or credits for goods correctly supplied will be entertained.
  19.  Upon sight of artwork and at its sole discretion KarraDesign&Print reserve the right to decline to print any item it deems to be inappropriate. Any payments made for work rejected by reason of this clause will be refunded in full.
  20. Our aim is to email you a quote within 24 hours if submitted by 2 pm, Monday - Friday excluding holidays. Our customer service representatives are available to assist you. Call our team on Tel 0121 359 8777 or 0121 359 1333 Monday - Friday, 9 am – 6 pm.
  21. After file review, additional delays may occur if items are missing or the files do not meet our file requirements. Your turnaround time restarts once we receive completed files. Although the majority of our orders are shipped within 5 working days after approval, turnaround times are not guaranteed. Your expected delivery date may change due to unforeseen delays, such as equipment failure, illness or late delivery by a carrier. Weekends and holidays are not included in your quoted turnaround time calculations.
  22. Corrections and new file submissions are billable items and will be added to your invoice and charged accordingly. Corrections are billed at £50 per hour with a half hour minimum and include typographical errors, photo manipulation, colour correction, resizing and fold adjustments.
  23. If we are able to manipulate your files, we can make minor corrections for the fees stated above or a new file can be submitted.
  24. Quotes are valid for 30 days and are subject to change without notice. Overage or undercount will not exceed 5%.
  25. Normal Production time on standard orders is 5 - 8 business days after we receive proof approval. Presentation folders, 4 color envelopes and custom die cutting require additional time. Rush requests are handled according to workload and priced accordingly.
  26. The customer must examine the completed order and notify us of any discrepancies within 24 hours of receipt of order.
  27. KarraDesign&Print reserves the right to subcontract all or any portion of an order to an outside vendor.
  28. We do not offer cash refunds.
  29. Samples of your product may be used for sales or marketing purposes.
  30. Your name may be included in our newsletter and promotional databases.

 

 

 

 


 
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 15 September 2009 14:59 )