Frequently Asked Questions

Billing

What payment forms do you accept?

We take cash, check, money orders, MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover.

There is a 3% fee for credit card usage.

Can you pre-bill or accept money in advance for a job to meet my budget needs?

Yes, we will gladly work with you to meet your budgeting requirements.

I am a designer/freelancer; can you bill my customer directly?

Yes, together we can determine the best options for both you and your client.

Can you email invoices?

Yes, just let us know who needs to receive them and if it needs to be sent to multiple people.

Do you offer payment terms?

Yes, Net 30 upon credit application submission and approval.

General

Is Carter Printing SWAM certified?

Yes, our identification number is 10342

What are some common terms that I need to understand?

While we are happy to explain as you move along in the process, go to our glossary page to become well versed in print!

What file format is preferred?

A PDF file with a 1/8” bleed is optimal for printing. If we need your work in a different format we will let you know.

How do I submit my art?

To send in your work for printing, use the “File Upload” tab to get it directly to us.

Why do some printed images look grainy or pixelated while looking fine on the computer screen?

Images submitted should be set to 300 dpi. Most pictures made for the internet are 72 or 96 dpi. This has to do with the “dots per inch” when something is printed. The higher the dpi, the clearer the picture quality.

Why do colors look different on the computer screen in comparison to the print?

For the highest accuracy, save your file in “CMYK” colors and not “RGB.” This stands for “Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black” as opposed to “Red, Green, Blue.” CMYK settings allow for more consistent and a higher variety of colors.

Some colors are called “PMS” colors, which stands for the “Pantone Matching Program.” This is a standard where all colors are given an identification number to keep them consistent across all printing.

What types of paper do you offer and which would be best for my project?

Every project is unique and we love talking about our paper and what we offer so contact us with specific questions.

Most books are #80 stock but small books with #100 paper feel “thicker.”

Are there page requirements for different bindings?

A saddle stitch book can be up to about 100 pages and anything higher must be perfect bound. Nothing below 16 pages can be perfect bound.