Customer Service Center

At Accelagraphics of New England, you’ll find everything you need for marketing plan development, professional commercial printing, graphic design and mailing services. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions from our clients. If you have others, please give us a call or send us an e-mail. AccelaGraphics is ready to serve you.

How do I know the quality of your commercial printing will be good?
AccelaGraphics provides high-quality professional commercial printing, 4 color business card printing and 4 color newsletters. You can be sure we stand behind every single project you ask us to produce. You have our assurance your order will be done right, and delivered exactly when you expect it.

What if I am not satisfied?
If you are ever dissatisfied, then AccelaGraphics will make it right – no questions asked. Rest assured we stand 100% behind our corporate identity and branding packages, and commercial printing for businesses in Boston. Since 1980, customers have trusted us as their commercial printing company.

How do I go about getting an estimate for my project?
Well, since you are here on the AccelaGraphics Web site, please feel free to use our online estimate request form. Otherwise, the best way to ensure we have all the information necessary to present an accurate commerical printing quote is to give us a call and speak with one of our customer service representatives.

How long does it take for you to complete my order?
There really isn't a short answer to this one. Some orders can be produced in minutes and others – like 4 color newsletters – may take several days. Let us know when you need your professional commercial printing, and we'll go to great lengths to accommodate you.

What is a "proof"?
A proof is a way of ensuring your order is correct before we print it. Typically, we will produce a proof of your professional commercial printing project that you can view electronically, or create one on paper you can view in our center…or we’ll gladly deliver it to you at no charge.

Why do I need to look at a proof if I've already given you everything I need printed?
Making the effort to thoroughly proof your commercial printing order is essential to receiving the results you expect. After all, professional commercial printing still requires human efforts…and people occasionally make mistakes. Catching typos and other errors for the commercial printing of your company ensures your projects stay on budget and achieve maximum impact. It’s the little things that count.

Do I still need to approve a proof if I bring my work in on disk?
It may seem like a proof wouldn't be needed in this case, but it is, because output devices – at AccelaGraphics or other newsletter printers – process digital custom printing information using a variety of processing languages. Your approval of the proof for your corporate identity and branding packages assures the output device is correctly interpreting and processing the information you provided.

Will materials I design myself look the same when you print them as they do on my screen?
Due to differences in monitor calibration and technologies, some commercial printing we quote may not exactly match your monitor. AccelaGraphics will recommend color matching options during the proofing stage to ensure you receive the closest results to your professional commercial printing design.

How do I prepare my text for you?
Adobe PDF is the preferred method for MS Word and MS Publisher files. PDF is a "locked" format, which eliminates problems when professional commercial printing files are saved correctly and opened on different computers. Adobe Acrobat Reader, which may be downloaded free on the Adobe Web site for newsletter printers, makes reading PDF files easy.

What are some general rules for fonts?

Limit the number to one or two fonts only
Use point size, italics and bold variations to create visual appeal
Keep the contrast between type and background as high as possible for easy readability
Black type on a white background is best – reversing it is next
After black, the first color choice for readability and impact is red
Times, Times Roman, Futura and Goudy are more readable options
A serif font – like Times – is easier to read than one without serifs (sanserif), like Arial
White space is your friend – use it well…and often for your commercial printing in Boston
Provide all fonts…and, if you’re using a Mac, remember printer and screen fonts
What are the most common problems I should check for before sending my file?
Wrong or missing fonts
Missing graphic files (ESP, JPG, TIF)
Incomplete or corrupt files
RGB file not converted to CMYK
Inconsistent use of spot colors
Bleeds not set correctly
Image trapping
What do “4 over 1” and “4 over 4” mean?
“4 over 1” is four inks on the front and one ink on the other side, while “4 over 4” is four inks on both sides. This typically means 4-color process printing.

What is “dpi”?
“DPI” stands for “dots per Inch,” which is a measurement of resolution used by a commercial printing company. Higher numbers mean better resolution for your commercial printing quote.

What resolution should my graphics file be?
For best results, create your 4 color newsletters designs in 300 dpi (dots per inch).

What are the different types of binding services available for commercial printing in Boston?

· Perfect: Gluing the outside edge to create a flat edge

· Plastic comb: Plastic teeth fitted into a stack of pages

· Saddle-stitch: Using one or more staples on the fold

· Side-stitch: Stapling on the side rather than the fold

· Spiral: Plastic binding wound through holes

· Three-ring: Holes punched into the paper and fitted into a binder

· Unibind: Upscale product that’s good for financial reports; like velo, with a metal strip

· Velo: Tight, book-like binding, popular in the legal profession, because it secures pages

What are the different types of card stock for postcards?

· 100# Cover, c1s (coated one side) – ideally suited for postcard mailing

· 100# Cover, c2s (coated two sides) – probably the most popular

· 10# Point c1s/c2s (coated one side/coated two sides) – luxurious premium sheet with brilliant finish

· 12# Point c1s/c2s (coated one side/coated two sides) – heavier version of 10# Point

What is the best way to design a brochure?

1. Start with the recipient and work backward: Who is going to receive it? How will they get it? Who is going to print it? [We recommend and AccelaGraphics for all of your 4 color business card printing!] What will it look like? What elements do you need for the design?

2. Determine why you want a brochure: Are you seeking to sell?...inform?...instruct?

3. Simplify your message: Write less, use tables and charts and add graphics.

4. Use selective emphasis: Add visual contrast to emphasize the most important ideas.

5. Stay simple: Stick with one font…and be sure the design doesn’t distract from the message.

6. Use a single illustration on the cover: Make sure it “says” everything about your intent.

7. Make it memorable: Design something your prospect will want to keep.

What is the Pantone Matching System?
The Pantone Matching System, or PMS color system, is a popular color matching system used by newsletter printers to achieve specific colors. A PMS match book gives each color its own name or number to ensure consistency every time you print it. That way your logo on customized business forms and presentation folders always looks right.

What kind of graphic files can I use?
AccelaGraphics, like many corporate identity and branding companies in Boston, accepts the following file formats: SEP, JPG, and TIF. You can send files by E-mail (up to 5 MB), or, for larger files (up to 100 MB), upload to our secure FTP site.

What file formats can you take?
We support Mac or PC versions of Quark, Pagemaker, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Publisher, Word, PowerPoint and PDF.

What types of storage media do you accept?
You may send professional commerical printing files by E-Mail, on disk, or upload to our FTP site.

1. At what resolution should I save my photos and graphics?
2. How do I get to Accela Graphics?
3. How do I go about getting an estimate from you?
4. Is white considered a printing color?
5. Once I submit the documents, how long will it take to finish my job?
6. Tips on how to save your design files
7. What file format should I use when submitting my electronic document for printing?
8. What is a proof and why is it important that I look at it?
9. What is the Pantone Matching System?
10. What type of products and services do you provide?
11. Why do the printed colors look different from the colors on my screen?

1. At what resolution should I save my photos and graphics?

   Resolution should be set to 300 dpi.

   Pictures and graphics pulled from the internet are often low resolution, typically 72 dpi or 96 dpi. Avoid these graphics, as they will appear pixilated and blocky when printed.

   Also note that you should save all photos in CMYK mode, not RGB mode when possible. Images saved in RGB mode may not print properly. If you are unable to save your image in CYMK mode, please let us know.

2. How do I get to Accela Graphics?

   From Boston/Eastern Massachusetts:
   Take MA Pike (Rte. 90) West to exit 12 (Rte. 9 West).
   Follow Rte. 9 West for approximately 9 miles to the Otis Street intersection, just after Herb Chambers Ford. Take a left at those lights. We’re the second entrance on the right.

   From the north:
   Take Rte. 495 South to exit 23 (Rte. 9 West). Follow Rte. 9 West for approximately 4 miles to the Otis Street intersection, just after Herb Chambers Ford. Take a left at those lights. We’re the second entrance on the right.

   From the south:
   Take Rte. 495 North to exit 23 (Rte. 9 West). Follow Rte. 9 West for approximately 4 miles to the Otis Street intersection, just after Herb Chambers Ford. Take a left at those lights. We’re the second entrance on the right.

   From Worcester:
   Take Rte. 9 East to the Otis Street intersection, just after Wal Mart. Take a right at the lights. We’re the second entrance on the right.

3. How do I go about getting an estimate from you?

   Well, since you are here, we would suggest you use our online estimate request form. Otherwise, the best way to ensure that we get all the information necessary to do an accurate quote is to give us a call and talk with one of our customer service representatives.

4. Is white considered a printing color?

   Not typically. Because white is the default color of paper, it is simply recognized as the absence of any ink. However, when using colored paper, white ink may be used if any text or graphic requires it.

5. Once I submit the documents, how long will it take to finish my job?

   Simple jobs are often completed in less than an hour. Some jobs, however, may take several days to complete depending on their complexity and size. We always strive to provide an accurate estimate of the turnaround time for each job we do. And we’ll always work with you to find ways to complete your project when you need it.

6. Tips on how to save your design files

   Make them print ready and acceptable for us to print.

   COREL DRAW:
   Saving your Corel Draw file as an Adobe Illustrator EPS
   • Embed all Images
   • Convert all your text/copy to outline fonts
   • Export as Illustrator EPS

   FREEHAND:
   • Embed all Images
   • Convert all your text/copy to paths
   • Export as Illustrator EPS or PDF

   PAGEMAKER:
   Saving your PageMaker file as an EPS
   • Embed all Images
   • Convert all your text/copy to outline fonts
   • Export your file as an EPS using the below settings:
   Postscript Level 2
   CMYK Mode
   TIFF format and
   Binary

   PUBLISHER:
   You will need to have the full version of Adobe Acrobat PDF. If you don’t please download and use our Adobe Job Ready Program. If you do have the full version of Adobe Acrobat PDF please follow the steps below.
   Under File, Print, select Adobe PDF writer
   Under Properties select Press Quality and Save your PDF

7. What file format should I use when submitting my electronic document for printing?

   PDF (Portable Document Format) is the most common and preferred file format for submitting digital documents. With the installation of a PDF print driver on your computer, virtually any program can generate a PDF file suitable for printing. Both commercial and free PDF print drivers are available online for download from different sources.

8. What is a proof and why is it important that I look at it?

   In printing terms, 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 the print job comes out the way you want. By carefully inspecting the proof, you can help us assure an accurate, flawless delivery of your print job on the first run.

9. What is the Pantone Matching System?

   The Pantone Matching System (PMS) is a color reproduction standard in which colors all across the spectrum are each identified by a unique, independent number. The use of PMS allows us to precisely match colors and maintain color consistency throughout the printing process.

10. What type of products and services do you provide?

    Good question! We are a full service shop and offer a wide range of products and services. To see a full listing and description of what we can offer you, checkout out the Products & Services area in the Customer Service Section of our website.

11. Why do the printed colors look different from the colors on my screen?

    In short, printers and monitors produce colors in different ways.

    Monitors use the RGB (red, green, blue) color model, which usually supports a wider spectrum of colors. Printers use the CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) color model, which can reproduce most—but not all—of the colors in the RGB color model. Depending on the equipment used, CMYK generally matches 85–90% of the colors in the RGB model.

    When a color is selected from the RGB model that is out of the range of the CMYK model, the application chooses what it thinks is the closest color that will match. Programs like Adobe Photoshop will allow you to choose which color will be replaced. Others may not.