Resources & FAQs


Check out the answers to some of our most frequently received questions below. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Contact us and a friendly team member will be happy to assist you.

Order Questions

  • How do I get an estimate?
    You can fill out an online estimate request form, or call 205.979.2373 and talk with one of our team members.

  • How long will it take for my order to be completed?
    If you’re working within a time constraint, let us know when you call for a quote. Because our production time can change daily and the time commitment of every job is unique, we will look at our schedule at the time you request a quote to estimate a turn around time. Hard deadlines can be ensured once your job has been given the go-ahead to begin production. 
  • Do you require minimum quantities of any of your products?
    We do not. In some instances, it may be more cost effective per piece to print at higher quantities. If you would like a quote for different quantities, sizes or paper options, your sales associate will be happy to walk you through different options. 
  • Why is there a design charge to resize a file?
    Our design department maintains the responsibility to prefilght all files before they move on to our printing and sign department. Many files will need some type of attention before moving onto the final stage of print. While it may not be specifiaclly graphic design, resizing files, checking for resolution, setting up cut paths, and extending edges to have bleeds when needed are all processes that are handled by our designers. An indication for design charge on your invoice means that your files required time spent for adjustments before printing. 

    We do our best to minimize this cost for our customers and often re-request files that will need less or no attention from our design department, however there are certain preflight processes that are unavoidable to render files for our specific printing and cutting machines.  

File Details

  • What file format is preferred for digital documents?
    We prefer PDFs (Portable Document Format). Most office and design programs allow you to save or export your files into a PDF format. Occasionally, the original file may be needed if artwork edits are required.

    If your document bleeds, the file needs to be saved with 1/8” bleed. See the image below to have a better understanding of bleeds. A document needs to bleed if there is color all the way to any of the edges of the document. If this is the case, the document needs to be saved with color BEYOND the edge of the document. This is called a bleed. For further explanation, see here.

    example of bleed in document

    bleed settings
  • What resolution do my photos and graphics need to be set to?
    Resolution should be set to a minimum of 240 dpi (dots per inch/resolution) at the size that your image needs to print. 300 dpi is preferred. If your image is 8x10, it should saved at 300 dpi and 8 in x 10 in. As size increases, resolution decreases proportionally. If your 8x10 300 dpi image is changed to 16 in x20 in in size, resolution will decrease to 150 dpi. 

    Pictures and graphics pulled from the internet are often very low resolution, typically 72 dpi. Avoid these graphics, as they will appear pixelated, blurry, or blocky when printed. Unless permission has been given, grapics and images pulled from the internet are property of the original creator and should be not be used for this reason as well.

    Save all photos in CMYK color mode, not RGB, when possible. 
  • How do I know if my fonts will look correct?
    The best way to ensure your artwork fonts will print correctly is to ask for a hard proof before going to final print. Occansionally fonts will not be recognized when going from one computer to the next. This is more prevelant if your document uses a less than ordinary font that our computers may not have. A few ways to avoid font mishaps is to convert your text to outlines before saving the file, or if your program doesn't have an option to do this, send the font file with your document. 

 Printing and Design

  • What is a proof and why is it important?
    A proof is a one-off copy of your document after all modifications and printing setup processes have been completed. It is your last, and best, opportunity to make sure that your print job comes out the way you envisioned. Carefully inspect your proof for possible spelling errors, to make sure the color is accurate, and to verify all fonts are correct. When files are trasferred from your computer to someone else's (your printer), funky things can happen so a proof gives you and us a chance to make sure that everything is going to print exactly how you have envisioned. 
  • What does bleed mean?
    Document bleed is when color runs to the edge of the trim area. When this happens, there needs to be some color running beyond the final cut size of your print job. Take a look at the image below. The pink box represents the final size. Let’s say the pink box equals 9”x12”. The first image has a white background. No color is printed to the edge of the pink box. This file can be saved at 9”x12”. The second image DOES have color running to the pink box (it bleeds) but is NOT saved properly. The third box shows how it SHOULD be saved. When creating a PDF to print, look for bleed options in your save menu and add .125” all around. The final size of image number three will be 9.25” x 12.25” and will be trimmed down to 9”x12”.

    example of bleed in document


    bleed settings
  • Is white considered a printing color?
    For basic printing on paper, not typically, because white is the default color of paper. It is simply recognized as the absence of ink.
    For more complex and larger projects, like metal or acrylic signage, white would be considered a printing color. However, for a graphic designer's purpose, white should be used in a project just as any other color. Your designer does not need to change how his/her document is created to account for how our printers use white in different projects. 
  • What paper types do you offer?
    Paper comes in several different weights and finishes. We have a large collection of in-house papers stocked in our production area. If you have a specific style in mind, we can check our inventory to see if our selection is able to match your tastes. 

    We can also check with our paper vendors to see what they have on hand. Keep in mind that special stocks may require bulk purchasing from suppliers and will extend project completion time.
  • Why do the printed colors look different than the colors on my screen?

    Printers and monitors produce color in different ways. Monitors use the RGB (red, green, blue) color model, which supports a wider spectrum of colors. Printers use the CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) color model, which can reproduce around 90% of the colors in the RGB color model. Brighter colors on screen in RGB, like lime green and neon orange, will become dull when printed in CMYK. Request a hard copy/printed proof to ensure that your digital file has translated into the desired color match in your final product.

  • What is a vector file and why is it important?
    A vector file is a lossless, scalable file. Vector files must be created in vector programs, such as Adobe Illustrator or Adobe InDesign. Vector file extensions are .ai, .eps, .svg, and some .pdf files. Vector files allow for the images created in them to be scaled as large as needed without losing image quality. If you have a vector logo that is printed on a business card you should be able to take the file for the logo and enlarge it to print on a road side billboard without losing clarity in the image. 

    Adversely, .jpg, .gif, and .png files are rastor, which means they are made of pixels and are not scalable without the loss of quality and clarity.

    For a deeper dive into vector files, check out this blog post
  • What is the difference between a JPG and a PDF?
    JPG and PDF files are both very common file types that are widely accepted for various uses. So what is the difference between a JPG and a PDF? 

    A .jpg is essentially a photograph. It is a flat image. Serveral programs can create imagery to be saved or exported as a .jpg. JPG files are not editable. 

    A .pdf (portable document format) is a document that can contain mulitple types of information. A PDF can have .jpg files, vector files, and editable text all within one document. A PDF is not a flat document and while it's not ideal, can be picked apart if need be. 

    Take a look at the image below. In a PDF, the photo of our sales team, the white box behind the text ,and the text are all different pieces of information contained within that file. In a JPG, although it will look exactly the same, the photo of our sales team, the white box behind the text, and the text is flattened to make one piece of information - the .jpg image. 

Common Printing Terms

  • Binding: perfect, saddle, spiral, and comb

    Refers to the way a book is put together. We offer several different types of binding. Some of the most common binding options are perfect, saddle, spiral, and comb. If you have a specialty type of binding in mind, give us a call and we can further assist you. 

    Perfect Binding - This type of binding is common in hard back printing and paper back books such as novels, bibles, and curriculum. Perfect binding is created by adding glue to the edge of the inside pages (the book block) that are inserted in a cover. Perfect binding creates a book spine that can be printed. One of the benefits of perfect binding is the visibility it allows for the title to be seen on a book shelf. Perfect bound books may not always lay flat and over time, the glue can break down and weaken the binding.

    Saddle Stitch Binding - this is stapled binding. Common books that are bound this way are magazines and multi-page brochures. These books do not have a printable spine. The staples can be seen on the closed edge of the book. These books usually have fewer pages than perfect bound books. Saddle stitch books must be designed in a number of pages that is divisible by 4. Saddle binding allows for these books to lay flat. Saddle stitched books can only be paperback. 

    Spiral Binding - This type of binding is common in school notebooks and journals. These books are bound by one spiral, slinky like, piece of plastic or metal threaded through holes at the left edge of the book. The benefit to spiral binding is the ability to wrap pages from front to back, as well as lay flat when open. Spiral binding is primarily used for paper back books. The spine can not be printed on. This type of binding is generally very secure although plastic and metal coils can bend and break with rough usage. 

    Comb Binding - comb binding is similar to the look of spiral binding. Where in spiral binding there is one piece of coiled plastic, comb binding is not a continual loop. Comb binding is punched on the left edge similarly to spiral binding, however, the comb is a spine that has round teeth like pieces that grabs each hole and closes shut to keep the book secure. Comb binding is not as secure as spiral binding.

  • Bleed

    Document bleed is when color runs to the edge of the trim area. When this happens, there needs to be some color running beyond the final cut size of your print job. Take a look at the image below. The pink box represents the final size. Let’s say the pink box equals 9”x12”. The first image has a white background. No color is printed to the edge of the pink box. This file can be saved at 9”x12”. The second image DOES have color running to the pink box (it bleeds) but is NOT saved properly. The third box shows how it SHOULD be saved. When creating a PDF to print, look for bleed options in your save menu and add .125” all around. The final size of image number three will be 9.25” x 12.25” and will be trimmed down to 9”x12”. 

    example of bleed in document
  • Branding

    This refers to the process of creating the identity of your company. Assets of brand identity include your brand colors, logo, mission statement, style of photos and graphics, tone of voice, company culture and personality. Knowing what your company stands for is the first step to branding. Once you understand your mission and target audience, AlphaGraphics Hoover can work with you to design elements that support your brand and develop your image in the marketplace. Branding is an important step to take in the growth of your company because it is the visual language that speaks to your audience and makes them want to do business with you. It is also what makes your business memorable. 

  • CMYK
    See Color Profiles
  • Coated and Uncoated Paper

    Paper coating can be compared to paint finishes. In basic terms, paper coating refers to how glossy the finish on a paper is. Just like paint comes in matte, satin, and gloss, paper has similar finishes that makes the gloss soft or super shiny. Some specialty coatings can provide UV protection and protect against outdoor elements. 

    Uncoated is when there is no gloss finish on the paper, like a paper grocery bag. The purpose of coating on paper is to change the way the ink looks when it is printed. Higher gloss papers yield brighter colors, crisper images and better contrast. Uncoated gives a more natural softer feel. Paper coating should definitely be considered when deciding the look and feel for your printed project.  

  • Collated
    This refers to the way sheets are stacked. For example if you print 3 copies of a 10 page document, you can print 3 copies and stack them as pages 1-10, 1-10, 1-10 OR you can print 3 copies of each page and stack them as 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, … and so on. 
  • Color Correction
    This refers to the process of taking a color cast out of an image. Color correction needs to be done in Photoshop.Take a look at the image below. Color correction can be subtle but can make a huge difference in the contrast and tonal range of colors printed in your projects. The left side of this image has been color corrected. Notice in the snow of the mountains, the grays are truer grays where on the right side of the image, there is a purple/blue cast over the entire half of the image.
  • Color Profile: RGB, HEX, CMYK, and GRAYSCALE

    This refers to the way colors are seen. Common color profiles  in graphic design are RGB, HEX, CMYK, and GRAYSCALE.

    RGB - Red, Green, Blue is the color profile that is supported by screens. When saving images that will be uploaded to a digital display, choose RGB. In the RGB profile spectrum, every color is made of a mixed % of red, green, and blue. 

    HEX - Hex numbers are special number codes for colors on the web. HEX colors are representations of RGB, but instead of needing to know the percentage of R,G,B in every web color, a 6 digit number code is given to specific numbers like a spot color ink for a print job. See spot color for reference. 

    CMYK - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and BlacK (K) are the primary color of printing. When saving images that will be printed, choose CMYK. In the CMYK profile spectrum, every color is made of a mixed % of these four colors.

    Grayscale - Grayscale is black and white and the shades and tints within the black and white gradient spectrum.  

  • Comb Binding
    See Binding
  • Copyright/Intellectual Property

    With the development of social media, image sharing has become second nature. However, copyright is something that has to be respected when choosing text and images for any print or digital project. Unless specific permission has been granted in written form OR if you have created the image yourself, someone else holds the copyright of the text, graphic, logo, or photograph, etc and that image can not be used for commercial or personal gain. Copyright or Intellectual Ownership refers to the legal ownership of any original work that has been created and this ownership is retained with the creator unless otherwise stated. 

  • Cover Weight vs Text Weight in Paper
    Cover weight paper feels more like cardstock. Text weight paper feels more like copy paper. Think of it as text weight is the paper that the text of a book would be printed on and cover weight is the paper that the cover of a paperback book would be printed on. Paper thickness comes measured in pounds, however there is a significant difference between an 80lb cover weight and 80lb text weight. The truth is that paper weight doesn’t tell you much when trying to compare cover stock to text stock, but when comparing within the same category, paper weight will come in handy. A 60lb text weight will be thinner than an 80 lb text weight. An 80lb cover weight will be thinner than 100lb cover weight.
  • Crop Marks

    Also referred to as Trim Marks, crop marks is where the paper is cut to final size. Commercial printers generally print jobs on sheets larger than the actual job. At-home printers print one page at a time, but commercial printers print multiple pages on large sheets of paper and then cut down to size. Crop marks show where the page needs to be trimmed and if the document needs to bleed (see Bleed), if it has been saved properly with appropriate bleeds.

  • Cut Path

    If your printing job requires special shape cuts, our design department will create cut paths in your document to die cut (see Die Cut) the shape of your object. Some common jobs that require cut paths are cut out  letters, custom stickers, and wall decals. You don’t need to worry about adding cut paths to your files because we use a specific profile that our printer recognizes, but if you hear that term in conversation with a customer service representative, you’ll know what it means. Adding cut path for set-up is something that will add a design charge to your final invoice.

  • Die Cut

    The refers to a special shape cut.. Anything beyond a standard rectangle or square will need to be set up for a die cut. Die cutting requires an additional design charge for file set up. 

  • File Format
    .pdf, .jpg., .png, .gif, .doc, .eps are all common file formats. File format is basically the extension on your file that indicates what type it is.
  • Grayscale
    See Color Profiles
  • HEX
    See Color Profiles
  • Laminate
    Laminate is a special, protective, plastic clear coating added to paper through an adhesive machine. Laminate is added after printing and increases durability and protection against the elements. Laminate coating comes in different finishes like matte or glossy.
  • Logo

    A logo is the visual representation of your company. Your logo will consist of graphical elements and the name of your company. Logos are the face of your company. The best logos use 1-2 colors and simple graphical elements, and easy to read fonts.. Logos must be created in vector format so they are scalable files for small to large print jobs. 

  • PDF
    PDF is an acronym for Portable Document Format. A PDF Is neither specifically vector or rastor, rather a PDF will usually contain a mix of elements in a document. For example, a brochure saved in PDF format may have rastor photographs, vector logos, and text. This is different from a .jpg file that would flatten all elements into one non editable rastor image. PDFs can also be interactive, including hyperlinks and forms.
  • Perfect Binding
    See Binding
  • Pixel

    Rastor images (see Rastor) are made up of pixels. A pixel is the smallest unit of a digital image. A pixel is to a photograph as an atom is to a living organism. Pixels work like pointillism art where tiny dots of color are arranged in a way to make a larger image. Resolution correlates with pixels per square inch (ppi or dpi, dots per inch)  in an image. The higher the resolution of an image, the more pixels per square inch that exists, which means better quality. 

  • Rastor Image
    Rastor refers to images made of pixels and are not scalable without the loss of quality and clarity .jpg, .gif, and .png files are common rastor file types. PDF files can contain rastor images within the document, with a combination of vector images and text.
  • RGB
    See Color Profiles
  • Saddle Stitch
    See Binding
  • San Serif Font

    San serif fonts are fonts that do not have extending decorative features, called serifs, on the character. San serif means without serif. Common san serif fonts are Arial, Helvetica, and Futura. In design, these fonts are used to create modern, clean, minimal aesthetics. 

  • Serif Font
    (see San serif) Serif fonts DO have serifs on the letterforms. Common serif fonts are Times New Romans, Baskerville, and Minion Pro. In design, these fonts are used to create traditional, classic aesthetics. Serif fonts are also easier to read in body text when printed at smaller sizes because the serifs visually lead our brains from one letter to the next.
  • Slogans and Taglines

    Slogan and Taglines are both short phrases used in advertising and marketing. Taglines are used to describe an overall brand. If a logo becomes a visual reminder of a brand, a tagline becomes an audible reminder. For example, McDonalds’ logo is the golden arches. This image is embedded in our minds to think of McDonalds when we see the logo. We can also think of McDonalds and easily recall their tagline, “I’m lovin’ it.” 

    Slogans are temporary phrases to market an event or specific facet of a company. Slogan need to be memorable for the moment but less memorable overtime. In other words, the objective of a slogan is not to become part of the branding of a company, but may be to add a fun line to catch the attention of your audience to promote a campaign.

  • Spiral Binding
    See Binding
  • Spot Color
    A spot color is a specific color that is made to guarantee color matching in printing. Unlike CMYK printing, where colors are made from a mix of the 4 primary colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) spot colors are a specialty ink. Spot colors are sometimes referred to as a 5th color. For printers that still print in offset (not digital), spot color printing is an additional charge because the ink is a custom order and this requires additional set up for the press. In digital printing, which is how most printing is made today, spot color are used as reference colors for branding. 
  • Vector
    A vector file is a lossless, scalable file. Vector files must be created in vector programs, such as Adobe Illustrator or Adobe InDesign. Vector file extensions are .ai, .eps, .svg, and some .pdf files. Vector files allow for the images created in them to be scaled as large as needed without losing image quality. If you have a vector logo that is printed on a business card you should be able to take the file for the logo and enlarge it to print on a road side billboard without losing clarity in the image.
  • Wide Format
    Wide format printers are used for the production of large items such as signs, banners, flags, and posters. Wide format printers generally use rolls of paper. One of our wide format printers maxes out at a width of 4ft but, because the printing media is rolled material, rather than pre cut paper, we are able to print 10, 20, 30ft or longer. The other wide format printer we have prints on medium expanding to 4ft x 8th. With this printer, we are able to print directly onto foam core, sheet metal, sheet plastic, plywood and other hard sheet materials.

Still have questions?

Call our team today to learn more about the tools we can use with your printed communications to improve your ROI.

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