the essentials
Here are the calming essentials about working with us.
Our favorite way to receive files: send a press-ready PDF file (with fonts embedded) for platemaking and fax-in a hard copy for the proof. Our second favorite way: send an EPS file for platemaking with a press-ready PDF for the proof. We also accept digital files in current versions of all major design programs (i.e. Quark, Pagemaker, Illustrator, InDesign, Freehand). Use Photoshop only for your images (not text!). We don’t accept Publisher and Word files. If you need scanning, mail us your images and art work.
File prep in brief: CMYK only (no RGB!); use grayscale only if you want an image to be a halftone; if you don’t want a halftone, use a bitmap mode; don’t use hairlines; if your plate has 94 or 95 in its name, make lines at least a 0.2 point/.003" thick; if your plate has 145 or 152 in the product name, make lines at least .35 point/.007" thick; your documents should be the same size as your desired plate; include linked images; if ganging up your files, keep .25” between each file for plastic-backed plates; .5” for steel-backed plates.
Plate size: For the 94FL, KF95, KF152, and 152SB plates, the largest size plate we can process is 18 x 24. For all other plates, the largest size plate is 16 x 23. To keep your negative costs down, set-up your files (if possible) so the width is a maximum of 17.75".
Ordering: Order on-line through our web site, and upload your files through our web site too.
The guarantee: Send an output form, your properly prepared files, and a hard copy all at once. We guarantee that your plate will be identical to the file & hard copy that you sent in—or we’ll overnight you replacement plates at our cost.
Hard copy: Hard copies are good. We need a faxed hard copy, or a press-ready PDF hard copy (as long as we’re not creating plates from your PDF), at the same time you submit your order—or else, unfortunately, we can’t guarantee your plates will be exactly like your file. Please ensure that the hard copy you send in is accurate!
Turnaround: 2-day standard; 1-day rush; or (with files in by 1 p.m. EST) a same day rush. These turnaround times do not include shipping times and assume that your files are in good working order and complete. Read more about our turnaround...
Plate proofs: We include proofs of your plates, made on 100% recycled proof paper, for any letterpress plate smaller than 17 x 22.
Plant a tree. Cool the globe. Place a platemaking order over $100, and Boxcar Press will plant a tree for you through a donation to American Forests.
Free adhesive: Any plate that will be printed on a Boxcar Base will have Boxcar film adhesive applied free of charge.
Trimming: Plastic-backed plates are simple to cut! We don’t want to take that enjoyment away from you, so please don’t request that we trim your plastic-backed plates. Steel-backed plates are difficult and painful to cut. We don’t want you to cut open your fingers, so if you include a simple cutting diagram, we’ll cut your steel-backed plates for you.
Plate-choice: 94FL (for Standard Boxcar Base users); KF152 (for Deep Relief base users); 152SB (for most magnetic base users); Bunting users: you need to measure your base thickness carefully then call us! Plastic-backed plates come with adhesive already attached. Read more about plate choice...
Payment: Pre-paid with credit card (Visa, Mastercard, AmEx) or establish an account with us after your initial credit card order.
Shipping: UPS Ground; UPS Next Day (10:30 a.m. next day); UPS next day air saver (by end of day); UPS 2nd day air (by end of day); UPS 3 day (by the end of the day)
Help: contact us!
