Frequently Asked Questions

About Printing

What type of printing do you do?

We provide both Offset and Digital (dry toner based) printing services

What is the difference between an Offset Press and a Digital Press?

Offset Press	vs	Digital Press
Cost effective for larger quantities		Cost effective for smaller quantities
Higher Print Resolution —175 lines per square inch		133 Lines per square inch
Better color matching capabilities		Quick turnaround time
More paper options

What paper stock do you print on?

We can print on all types of paper. Our postcards and brochures are typically printed on 100lb (10 pt. equivalent) gloss cover stock.

Can I request custom SPOT colors?

Yes. Additional costs may apply.

What does (4 over 1) or (4 over 4) mean?

4 over 1 refers to full color on one side and black (or any other color) on the other side. 4 over 4 refers to Full Color on both sides.

Can I send you already designed files?

Absolutely yes-we prefer high-resolution PDF files. We do, however, accept other types of file formats. Please contact us so we can help you package your files.

What is dpi?

Dots Per Inch. The measurement of resolution for page printers, photo type setting machines and graphics screens. Images and photos that you view on your computer screen and on the Internet are usually reproduced at 60 to 72 dpi (low resolution). Images or photos that you wish to print should be at least 300 dpi (higher resolution) at the size you are printing.

About Mailing

What is the turn around time for mailing postcards and other materials?

48 hours after final approval, we will deliver your pieces to the post office for mailing.

What is the difference between First Class Mail and Standard Rate Mail (Bulk Rate)?

First Class Mail is your best choice for time-sensitive materials. First Class Mail is generally delivered in 3-5 days nationally and 1-3 days in California and the Southwest. Standard Mail (also known as U.S. Bulk rate) offers lower postage rates but with a longer delivery time. You can expect delivery in 10-14 days nationally and 4-6 days in California and the Southwest U.S. Additionally, First Class delivery is consistent throughout the year while Bulk rate can take considerably longer at peak mailing periods such as the holidays.

What is the minimum number of pieces I can mail?

If mailing by Standard Mail, the minimum number of pieces is 200. If mailing by First Class, the minimum number of pieces is 500. If mailing First Class and the mailing is less than 500 pieces, mailings are priced at the actual full First Class postage plus an additional Mailing Services fee.

Do you create and attach mailing labels to the pieces or do you ink-jet directly to the piece?

We inkjet the address information directly to the piece for a cleaner, more professional appearance.

What is included in the Mailing Services costs?

For one low price, we've included all the services and postage needed to mail your cards.

For every job we include:
Processing one database (charges may apply for additional databases)
CASS certification - standardizes addresses and adds Zip+4
Presorting and USPS documentation
Ink Jet setup and addressing
Postage and delivery to the Post Office

What is CASS certification?

Coding Accuracy Support System (CASS) improves delivery of your mail piece and maximizes postage savings by adding Zip+4 codes to your mailing list where possible. The CASS Certification process also helps determine some address problems and standardizes addresses to Postal Service formatting. The correct Zip+4 allows us to apply postal barcodes to your mail pieces, thereby qualifying your mail for Presort discounts.

What is Zip+4?

This system enables the Post Office to sort and dispatch mail quickly and accurately. The first 5 numbers of the zip code identify an area of the country along with the Post Office where the mail will be delivered. The additional 4 digits identify a specific range of delivery addresses.

Why do you need to print the barcodes?

Postnet barcodes are the small vertical lines in the lower right on your mail piece. The lines represent the Zip+4 codes. Barcodes enable automated processing of mail, which lowers mail-processing costs. Savings in processing costs at the Post Office are passed on to you through lower postage rates. The area in which the barcode is placed must be blank, as it will affect the rate of postage.

I may want to mail out my leftover cards. Can I simply put them in the mailbox if they already have your ‘Postage Paid’ on them?

We pay the Post Office for each piece mailed at the appropriate rate for the mailing class you specify. If you want to mail your leftover cards, you will need to place a postage stamp on each piece.

About Marketing & Design

What is your standard sized postcard?

Our standard sized postcard is 5.5" x 8.5". We can create other sizes as well. We believe our standard size is optimal because they are economical to print and mail, they are large enough to stand out among other pieces of mail and are less likely to get lost compared to its smaller counterparts.

What is the typical turn around time to design a postcard?

In most cases, we can deliver a proof to you within three business days. Of course we will do our best to accommodate shorter time frames if needed. For a Personalized Master Shell that incorporates creating an identity and branding, we can usually turn around a first draft within 7 business days.

What is a Personalized Master Shell?

Personalized Master Shells are designed as a ‘template’ to be printed in large quantities and stored as inventory for subsequent mailings. When it is time for a mailing, the master shells are imprinted in black ink with a message. It’s a great way to mail full color postcards each month without the full color price.

What types of things do you imprint on a Personalized Master Shell?

The benefit and value of these dynamic postcards is that you can present a variety of messages and do it economically in full color.

You'll find your personalized master shell useful for:
Just Listed and Just Sold Cards—shows that you are active in the marketplace, and that you are successful.
Market Comparables—Everyone loves to know what houses are selling for in their neighborhood.
Real Estate Trends—Think of this as an update that lets homeowners know about important changes in the real estate industry. Show off your knowledge!
Seasonal Messages & Greetings—Maybe you hold an annual event around a specific holiday.
Advertising Messages—Messages that will reinforce you marketing message.
Testimonials—How about a just sold card with a testimonial from your happy client.
Community Events—Let people know about an upcoming community event.
Open House Invitations—Invite the neighbors and your direct mail farm to an open house you will be holding.
Handwritten Messages—Use your personalized master shells for quick notes.

What is the process of creating a Personalized Master Shell?

Step 1: Give us a call to set up an appointment. We will come to your office and assess your needs and objectives.
Step 2: From there, we will provide you a questionnaire for to you to fill out. This questionnaire is important because it fuels the design process. We need to know who you are, your likes, dislikes, your personal and professional goals, your target audience etc.
Step 3: Decide whether to take new photos. If you have not had your picture professionally taken recently, we will suggest new photos. It’s important for your audience to see you outside the typical the 2" x 3" box.
Step 4: Once we receive the completed questionnaire and the photos, we will write a creative brief based on the questionnaire, prior discussions about styles, design tastes, color schemes and font types.
Step 5: We will then forward the creative brief to our designers to begin and guide the design process. We develop and maintain a common style and design direction for all products, which ensures visual integrity and branding consistency. Typically a first draft will be delivered to you within 7 business days.
Note: If you are thinking about creating a personalized master shell, start clipping out and collecting advertisements, color combinations, design styles that you like from your favorite magazines, pieces that you have previously received etc. The more collaborative the process is, the happier you will be with the final piece.

What is the typical turn around time to design, print and deliver a property brochure?

This depends on the type of brochure you wish to produce. If you are printing your property brochure on an offset press, we can deliver the brochure within three business days from the date we receive property photos, copy, agent photo and contact information. If we are printing this brochure on a digital press, we can deliver the brochure within two business days from the date we receive property photos, copy, agent photo and contact information. Multi-Folds or fancy property brochures may require additional time.

If I want to take pictures of the property myself, how should I take pictures with my digital camera?

It is very important to make sure that the camera is set to the highest quality setting possible. This means that if you can only save one image on the picture card instead of 12, 64 or 128 images, then this is good! You want to create the best quality picture that the camera can make. This will mean large file sizes and slow downloads from the camera itself, but it will get you the best possible results from your camera. Remember, images should be at 300dpi in their final size in the layout!

How can I tell what resolution the image from my digital camera is?

Some digital cameras will let you know what the image resolution is, while others will tell you what the pixel dimensions of your image are. If you know what the pixel dimensions of your images are from the camera you can do a little math to determine the resolution, and the size you can print the image at for clear and crisp printing.

Simply write down the pixel dimensions of your image and divide those numbers by 300 if the image does not include text and 400 if the image does include text. For example: An image without any text has a pixel dimension of 600 x 900 pixels. Once each dimension is divided by 300 the result is 2 x 3 inches. This means that you can use this image at 2 x 3 inches or smaller in your layout for quality printing results.

If the camera tells you what the resolution is, then you know the maximum size we can use that image in your layout. We recommend that images be at 300dpi in their final size in the layout and 400dpi if the images include text. Please keep in mind that resolution and physical dimensions are in direct proportion to each other. If you have an image that is 2x2 at 300dpi and increase its size in the layout to 4x4 the new resolution is now 150dpi.

Why can’t you download my picture or the property picture from the Internet and use that for my postcard or property brochure?

Internet images are meant to load quickly for visitors and web masters do this by removing most of resolution of the actual photo, which is fine for onscreen viewing. A photo for screen view can be as little as 60 to 72 dpi (low resolution) and it will look just fine. For printing purposes, you want as much resolution as possible. Images or photos that you wish to print should be at least 300 dpi (higher resolution) at the size you are printing. In most cases if we print a photo that has been downloaded from the Internet, the photo would be pixilated and poor quality.

How much should I spend on a Property Brochure?

This is only a guideline: a brochure should generally cost 1/10th of one percent of the selling price of the listing. Therefore, a $550,000 home would deserve a $550 brochure, a $800,000 home would deserve a $800 brochure, and so on.

How can you help me with my direct mail campaign?

Consistency & Frequency—Two words synonymous with direct mail success. We can create a personalized marketing campaign for you with attractive and memorable marketing pieces. We can manage your campaign and keep it on track with a consistent look and feel that promotes YOU and builds brand awareness through fresh, local and timely content. We can maintain your personalized mailing on file for you. Whether you want to focus on the surrounding 1000 homes from your personal residence or 50 specifics streets, or an entire city or realtor area. It’s completely up to you. Have a database already? You can email your database and we will keep it on file for you.

Do you carry other products not on your web site?

Yes, give us a call at (510) 785-3998.