• 1. Consult with your print rep early and often.
• 2. Have an established budget, or “print spend,” and know what it is.
• 3. Set and articulate the goals and objectives of the printed piece.
• 4. Get an estimate.
• 5. Determine all your details!
• 6. Establish credit with John C. Otto.
• 7. Release the job and all necessary materials to John C. Otto.

• 1. Consult with your print rep early and often.
  We can offer expert suggestions that are difficult to make once the design is complete. We provide ink draw downs, dummies, and other services to help you make decisions about producing your piece. We’ll help guide you through the printing process, and help you get the most for your printing budget.

• 2. Have an established budget, or “print spend,” and know
  what it is.

• 3. Set and articulate the goals and objectives of the printed piece.
  Share those expectations with your print partner! Knowing why something is being done and how it will be used helps us guide you better. For example, if you’re printing a direct mail piece that is expected to be a “throw away,” and you have it on a #1 sheet, we can save you money by suggesting #2 or #3 grade paper that will achieve the same result.

• 4. Get an estimate.
  Use our online form to submit a request for an estimate on your job. The more details you know, the more accurate the quote will be.

• 5. Determine all your details!
  It is helpful to know all the requirements for a job, or “spec’s,” in order to provide you with the most accurate quote. If you don’t know one of the following, talk with your print rep and s/he will assess your needs, explain your options, and guide you to answers.
  • a) Paper (Stock)
    • – What weight, brand, or grade paper do you prefer?
    • – Paper with color or finish?
    • – Different paper for text pages and the cover?
  • b) Size
    • – Give the flat size if possible (accounting for pockets, spine, glue tabs, etc.)
    • – If you are unsure of the flat size, give the finished size and specify details such as pocket size and orientation
  • c) Pages
    • – Give the number of pages, if appropriate
    • – Indicate whether the number is plus cover or self-cover (same paper as text)
  • d) Pre-Press
    • – What type of file(s) are being sent (Mac or PC platform, software, & version)?
    • – Are the files ready to RIP, or will they require extra work?
    • – For more on how best to send files, refer to the Digital Pre-Press Guidelines
  • e) Scans
    • – Is scanning required? If so, what artwork is being supplied (size, quantity)?
    • – Scanning size and colors (gray scale, duotone, tritone, or quadtone)?
  • f) Finishing
    • – What finishing requirements do you have? (trim, fold, perforate, saddle stitch, perfect binding, spiral or wire-o binding, emboss, foil stamp, diecut)
    • – If diecuts are required, what dimensions, placement, orientation, etc.?
    • Do you need scoring? (we determine type of scoring based on weight of paper)
  • g) Quantity
    • – Typical quotes specify up to three quantities per request
  • h) Ink
    • – What colors will be used? (CMYK, Pantone, etc.)
    • – Coverage (heavy, medium, light)
    • – Do colors bleed off the edge of the page?
  • i) Varnishes
    • – Is varnish required? Will you supply the masks, or do we need to build them?
    • – If we are building them, supply marked up hardcopy indicating areas to receive varnish
  • j) Packaging
    • – Do you require shrink wrap or banding?
    • – Do you require blank cartons or are printed cartons acceptable?
    • – If the job requires labeling, provide instructions, carton weight restrictions, etc.
  • k) Delivery & Shipping
    • – Hand delivery or dock? Any drop shipments or partials?
    • – Providing complete and detailed shipping instructions is essential to a successful conclusion of your job

• 6. Establish credit with John C. Otto.
  If you want to be considered a client and be billed for printing services we provide, be sure to initiate the credit verification process ahead of time, as it takes several days to complete. The alternative is to submit any major credit card for payment.

• 7. Release the job and all necessary materials to John C. Otto.
  Sending the files according to our Digital Pre-Press Guidelines will help ensure that the process goes as smoothly and efficiently as possible. If you are sending the files on disk, also include the work order (including PO#, quote #, date released, expected delivery date, and shipping and contact information) and final hardcopy. If you are sending the files electronically, the work order and hardcopy should follow shortly.