CEC Document Services

CMYK, RGB and Spot Colors

CECdoc.com — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 18:33:03 +0000

One of the most frequent issues we encounter when setting up client files for printing is color matching. Due to the number of unique output devices, substrates, methods, and any combination of the three, there can be significant differences in results. CEC adheres to a “pleasing color” standard. We cannot guarantee that the finished piece will exactly match your printed sample, but we will make every effort to create an attractive, professional grade digital print.

The common cause for inaccurate color matching is the method in which the files were originally set up. It is always best to start the design in the size, resolution, and color modes in which they will ultimately be output. For an on-screen presentation, RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is the best as monitors output color using this light-based method. For printing, CMYK builds are preferred as most printers use Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Blank inks/toners. Spot colors, such as those in the Pantone Matching System, are typically best for offset printing where the specific colors used in the file are the actual inks used in the printing process. CEC’s digital press can match some spot colors, but it is always best to check with us in advance to see if the colors used in your project fall within the range our press can recreate.

Probably the most important thing to keep in mind when creating a file for digital color printing is to be consistent. If you have already started setting up a file using RGB images, try to keep using RGB images. Files with a mix of CMYK and RGB builds are the most difficult to color match. At that point, the client often has to decide which elements they want to be the most accurate.

As always, we are willing to work with our clients to reach a pleasing result. One benefit of our digital printing process versus traditional offset printing is that we will proof your project on the same press it will ultimately run on. So the proof you receive will often be an accurate representation of the final piece. If you do require a precise color match, please contact a client service representative to arrange for a digital color proof.

For more information on color matching, please visit our Knowledge page.

Direct Mail Marketing with CEC

CECdoc.com — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:11:56 +0000

As you probably know, Direct Mail Marketing is how most businesses advertise promotions to both existing and potential clients. Your company most likely uses this method of marketing as well. What you may not know is that CEC Document Services can streamline this process by handling the project from printing all the way through mailing, saving you money in the process. Plus, by using CEC’s mailing permit, you save time and a trip to the post office because CEC will mail the finished pieces as soon as they are ready.

Once the mail piece is designed, you can send us your digital artwork files (PDF files preferred) and mailing list/database (comma delimited text file (.csv) preferred).
CEC will then:

Check the art for mailablility
NCOA process the mailing list
Presort the mailing list for the best possible postage discounts
Combine the sorted mailing addresses with the artwork via our Variable Data Printing capabilities
Sort the finished mail pieces
Submit the finished product to the USPS for mailing

And since all of these steps are handled at one location, there are fewer people you need to contact about the project, fewer chances for mistakes, and the whole process takes less time than if you relied on a different vendor for each step. And soon, CEC will be offering template based design services for mailing projects to further expedite the process.

If you would like to know more about CEC’s services, please check our Knowledge page. Or if you have an upcoming mailing project, please contact a client service representative to see how CEC can help. We may even be able to help you in the design of your mail piece.

Create PDF Files For Free

CECdoc.com — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:57:40 +0000

Do you know how to create a PDF file? While CEC is able to work from most native application files, Adobe’s PDF (Portable Document Format) is CEC’s preferred way to receive files. This is because many other file formats can look and print differently from one computer to another. Also, PDF’s are just much easier to exchange than native files. With native files – Quark, InDesign, Publisher, etc… – there may be images linked to the document that you need to remember to send to CEC or the document won’t print at high quality. Fonts are another item that would need to be sent to CEC in order for the printed files to appear as you would expect them to. So to send us a file in Quark, for example, you’d have to include not just the .QXD file, but also all of the support files (fonts, images, etc…). With a PDF file, you send us a single file for each document. And typically, a single high-quality PDF file will be smaller in size than the native and support files combined.

But what if you don’t have and don’t want to pay for Adobe Acrobat or other design software that allows you to create a PDF? There are numerous free options available that will allow you to save your document as a PDF. There are even some websites that allow you to convert the file almost instantly and without having to install any software on your computer. Below are just two examples of free PDF creation alternatives that CEC’s clients have used in the past.

There is one thing to remember no matter how you create your PDF files: always open the PDF after creating it and look through it to make sure everything looks OK. Just because the file saved does not mean that everything saved correctly or looks as you would expect it to. So always check the PDF file before sending it to CEC. This step could potentially save time in the proofing process so you can get your finished job back in the fastest time possible.

Please note that these are just suggestions. There are other options – both paid and free – that you are welcome to try. The free options listed below are the ones CEC has had the best luck with in the past.

Free installable PDF printer:
CutePDF
You will need to download & install 2 files. Read the installation instructions on the CutePDF site for details. Clicking this link will open the CutePDF website in a new tab/window.

Free PDF conversion website:
Free PDF Conversion
Clicking this link will open the PDF conversion website in a new tab/window.

Check back often for updates on PDF creation and other tips, tricks and news!

Variable Data and Variable Image Printing

CECdoc.com — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:51:11 +0000

Did you know that CEC offers Variable Data Printing? Variable Data Printing – or VDP – improves on the traditional marketing campaign that has a single message for all clients & prospects and personalizes the message for each individual. Variable Image Printing – or VIP – takes the personalization one step further, allowing for each individual to receive a design – not just a message – that is specific to them and their interests.

A common example is a car dealership sending postcards out to people who have visited or previously purchased a vehicle. Normally, they might send out a postcard to all of their clients and prospects that has a picture of a red 4-door sedan and a generic message saying “come check out our new deals”. Using VDP/VIP, they can instead send out cards that target the specific desires of each person.
So when Tom, who test drove a silver pick-up truck receives his card, it will have a message reading “Hey Tom, did you enjoy driving the silver truck?” accompanied by a picture of a silver pick-up truck. When Joe, who recently purchased a blue sports car receives his card from the exact same campaign, it will read “Hey Joe, are you enjoying your blue sports car?” along with a picture of, you guessed it, a blue sports car.

For more information on Variable Data and Variable Image Printing, check out the Variable Data section of our Knowledge page.

CEC Launches New Website

CECdoc.com — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:40:23 +0000

Today, CEC Document Services officially launched our redesigned website. But I guess if you’re reading this blog post, you already knew that. Thank you for visiting our new site. Take a look around and come back often. We’re going to be updating the site frequently with more helpful information in the Knowledge section as well as news and special promotions occasionally in our blog.

While you’re here, please go to our home page and sign up for CEC’s mailing list. This will sign you up for our newsletter which will also include exclusive news, tips & tricks, and occasional promotional deals available only to newsletter subscribers.

You can also follow us on Twitter, sign up for one of our RSS feeds, or like us on Facebook.

Let us know what you think of the new site. As with any web page, it is always a work in progress and feedback is welcomed!

CEC’s Blog

CECdoc.com — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:37:54 +0000

Welcome to CEC’s blog site. This blog will be a resource for us to share tips, answer questions, and share interesting print industry information.
Please stay tuned as we will be updating this blog frequently.