Frequently Asked Questions

To help you better understand how your printing job is handled, we have enlisted the below queries that are most commonly asked by customers.

  1. How long does it take to complete my order?
  2. How well does the final print match the image I see on my monitor?
  3. I heard a lot about RGB and CMYK, so, what is the difference between these two acronyms in color space and how are they regarded in printing?
  4. Are you able to match a sample I printed out on my own printer?   How about matching a print sample done elsewhere?
  5. What is a "proof"?
  6. Why do I need to look at a proof if I've already prepared everything as per your request?
  7. Do I still need to approve a proof if I bring my files in on disk?
  8. What kind of file formats can you take?
  9. I still have questions specific to my print project, where can I find additional information before I decided on the color, materials…etc?

1. How long does it take to complete my order?
There really isn't a quick answer to this question. Some jobs can be completed in minutes, others may take days.  First we have to understand your requirements, and time constraints, then we can gauge the production lead time according to your schedule.  We are willing to go to great lengths to meet your most stringent demands.

2. How well does the final print match the image I see on my monitor?
Due to the wide differences in monitor calibration and technologies used, some printed colors may not match the colors on your specific monitor. For critical color concerns, and to mitigate disappointment, we strongly recommend the Pantone Process Color Guide.  Once you have decided on the colors with reference to the Pantone guide, getting a hard copy proof before the final printing ensures the best proximity of the end result.    Practically, be aware that…

  • Monitor types vary in how well they can display color and graphics. Generally, CRT monitors have the best color and resolution; flat & LCD monitors have poorer color quality and limited resolution.
  • Individual monitor settings such as brightness, contrast, frequency, temperature, etc. will also affect your color accuracy.
  • Monitors display color with light, presses print colors with ink.  The net is, images on your monitor will always look somewhat different from the final print piece.
3. I heard a lot about RGB and CMYK, so, what is the difference between these two acronyms in color space and how are they regarded in printing?
RGB refers to the primary colors of light, Red, Green and Blue, that are used in monitors, television screens, digital cameras and scanners. CMYK refers to the primary colors of pigment: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. These are the inks used on the press in "4-color process printing", commonly referred to as "full color printing".   The combination of RGB light creates white, while the combination of CMYK inks creates black. Therefore, it is physically impossible for the printing press to exactly reproduce colors as we see them on our monitors.   In short, only CMYK color system matters in hard copy printing.

4. Are you able to match a sample I printed out on my own printer?   How about matching a print sample done elsewhere?
Inkjet and laser prints are known to look substantially different than true offset lithography, let alone their noticeable variations in printouts produced by different brands.   More so, in commercial offset printing, there are added complexities during continuous tone proofing, high-resolution film-based proofs which vary from one commercial printing firm to another.  As a result, there can be significant differences in the end product from one commercial printing firm to another.   Therefore, there is no guarantee that your finished piece will resemble 100% of your printed sample.

5. What is a "proof"?
A proof is a way of ensuring that everything is positioned and colored that best complies your requirements. Typically, we will produce a proof which will be sent to you online or printed on paper which can be viewed in our store or delivered to your premise.   On multiple color jobs, we can produce a color proof on our color output device to show what various colors look like when printed on the chosen medium.

6. Why do I need to look at a proof if I've already prepared everything as per your request?
Our technical experts strive to produce the best result per your requirements. However, there are still chances of deviations or human errors during the pre-printing process. Your approval on the final proof ensures that you have looked over every aspect of our work and approve it as accurate and acceptable. It benefits everyone if blemishes are repaired and rectified in the proofing process rather than after the job is completed and delivered.

7. Do I still need to approve a proof if I bring my files in on disk?
It may seem like a proof wouldn't be needed in this case but it really is. Output devices process digital information using a variety of processing languages. Your approval of the proof which we will provide assures that the output device used has correctly interpreted and processed the information you have provided.

8. What kind of file formats can you take?
We can take any Mac or PC version of Quark, InDesign, CorelDRAW!, Illustrator, Photoshop, Publisher, Word, any file output as a PDF.   We can take your files on a CD, DVD or Zip disk.   You can send your files electronically to sales@lg-online.com. 

9. I still have questions specific to my print project, where can I find additional information before I decided on the color, materials…etc?
Our friendly staffs are always ready to take your questions further and they are more than happy to walk you through all the procedures before you decided who will handle your job.   Give us a call at 416-298-9475 or email to us at sales@lg-online.com at your convenience.