Question posted 1/11/10 by James Irwin, Westerville, Oh

"I currently publish a 32 page full color magazine, self cover on 60# gloss, and saddle-stitched. It is a monthly publication and I order anywhere from 5000-8000 copies each month. I am tossing around the idea of purchasing my own printing machine to help cut down on the printing costs. Can you recommend or perhaps suggest some manufacturers and models that would be able to accomodate my needs? I don't want to purchase something too big or too small. Thanks!"

Reply to posted 1/12/10 by Ira From www.pbdink.com/index.html

When you price the type of machine that will provide you with cost effective press efficiency you will think again. A 40" press used will be in the neighborhood of a quarter million, before you add the ansilary equipement to go with it for pre press, bindery etc. Unless you are going to offer your services to your competitors, who more than likely will be using a web press anyway, it would not be worth it.

Question posted 11/12/09 by Lou, Nashville, TN

"There's a woman here driving me nuts. We have a Xeikon, and just because the paper is on a roll, she's calling it a "web" press. I've been around web presses, and the rolls are like 1 or 2 stories high, not no little dinky 2500 feet. What IS the definition of a web, a half web, and a didde press? Then maybe I can get her (and me!) to understand! She thinks that just because the paper is on a roll, it's a web press. It's just not what my experience is. Thanks!"

Reply to posted 11/19/09 by Bob From www.pbdink.com/index.html

Technically anything coming off a roll, such as a Xeikon and label presses are web presses. However, since the Xeikon is toner and not ink, you may exclude it on that bases, just like an inkjet plodder. So.......split the baby in half. :-)

Question posted 10/6/09 by Suzi Marshall, San Angelo, Texas

"We have a printing business that is going out of business. We have alot of customers coming in with hard (not digital) copy of their work that was done at the business going out of business. My customers want to be able to get their digital files but, the company says that they don't belong to them. What steps do my new customers need to take in order to get their files? or can they get their files? At my company we feel that if the customer paid us for the graphic design of files they belong to them. Is this not true?"

Reply to posted 10/6/09 by Bob From www.pbdink.com

Theoretically, what you pay for should be yours. However, you should check with the Printing Industries of America, (PIA) on there website and they should have the industry rules posted and materials would be one that would be addressed. The other issue is if your customer signed a contract or accepted by signature the written quote, the question of ownership of materials is usually addressed there. If nothing is in writing, small claims court is your best bet. On another note, if these designers who created the files were doing what they were being paid for, they should have copies of these files. I am hoping they do.

Question posted 3/9/09 by Little Reiko, California

"What is the correct terminology for the end cuts of paper after a job has been run? The portion which is not used? Is this something the printer is willing to give away?"

Reply to posted 3/9/09 by Bob From www.pbdink.com.com

It is simply trim or junk and is saved and resold to companies who recycle paper.

Question posted 8/9/08 by T. Parr of Travel Graphics

"I am interested in producing a selection of 3D cards with easel backs for counter tops. What would be the most efficient printing method to mass produce a selection? "

Reply to posted 8/9/08 by Bob From www.pbdink.com/index.html

The form of printing that you are referring to is called "lenticular printing". It is a form of printing that uses multiple images flattened into one digital file. it is somewhat similar to animation as it is created. There are many companies that offer this and you can Google lenticular printing to find one. It is not an inexpensive process. :-)

Question posted 7/19/08 by Valda Smallwood,txprinters

"We have a 4 color GTO that perfects after 2 head. The press operator tells me he can't perfect 80# gloss text? "

Reply to posted 7/19/08 by Bob Fromwww.theprintingexperts.com

It may be because you are perfecting, printing top and bottom of the sheet at same time and he feels that the "see through" or opacity of the sheet may not be suitable. He has a point on that. However as to the technical aspect of what the machine can do, you should address that to the equipment manufacturer. 

Question posted 9/21/07 by

Nat Frissken, Swag Design

" Is it possible to print the foil blocking on a pack before the colours when it is on press? I thought all the foil blocking was done at the end of the run and therefor it would not be possible? "

Reply to posted 9/21/07 by Matt From www.pbdink.com

The short answer is no. If you try to run a foil through a press it will be destroyed by the heat. Foiling is only done following printing. Also, if you were asking (blocking not term used here) if it can be run inline on the same press the answer is no. They are two different types of presses, one offset and one letterpress.  

Question posted 7/16/07 by Donna West, Fox's Biscuits

" Can you please provide me with the definition of a cromalin and uses for them?. "

Reply to posted 6/11/07 by Pre Press From /font>www.losangelesprintingcompany.com

Cromalins were used as a contact proof from the film in order to show color and registration. This is also a product from DuPont, and the generic name is Match Proof or Matchprint.It is actually 3 layers of materials made by outputting from the press ripped file as separations. They are then assempbled as a CMYK composit and a clear overlay is added to the top to hold all in place.It is no longer an accurate guage as film was never quite accurate due to stretching and registration issues due to the material as compared to todays digital offset printing where the file is burned directly to the plate by laser.  

Question posted 6/6/07 by Jerwin Po, Cityshirt, Manilla, Phillipines

"I wonder where I can source metallic gold or silver paperboards, and are these suitable for offset printing?. "

Reply to posted 6/7/06 by Matt From www.pbdink.com

In this country all of the paper houses offer "cast coated stock" with many in both text and cover weight. King James is a popular brand but there are many other less expensive ones and they all print well. There are other substrates such as mylar, foil, plastic, etc. but they are not suitable for the average offset press. 

Question posted 6/6/07 by George Janes, Ontario, Canada

"What causes a single fold on, for example a greeting care, to open up? What other considerations other than point thickness should be taken into consideratio in selecting a qulity card stock. "

Reply to posted 6/7/06 by Matt Fromwww.pbdink.com

Not to overly simplify your response, but your fingers cause a greeting card to open as it will not pop open itself.:-) Other than point thickness, you can also take into consideration paper type. Point grade stocks are of less quality than cover grades and will more than likely require die scoring thus raising your cost to produce, thus the price to the customer.Therefore it is generally best to use a good cover grade than a C1S or C2S board. Anything over 100# gloss book (5 pt) should be scored by at least a rotary bindery score. Grain direction will also help in folding. If you fold with the grain, you will be less likely to see cracking on the fold.