Here you'll find answers to common questions our clients ask. Start by selecting one of the links below. If you don’t see what you need – call or contact us online.

1. At what resolution should I save my photos and graphics?
2. Can I order online?
3. Can my artwork bleed if I’m foil stamping?
4. Can the Ultra-tech (Spider) screening machines run conventional ink?
5. Can you use conventional inks for large production runs?
6. Do any type of ring metals not require rivets?
7. How can I decorate a CLEARVISION™ Vinyl Binder?
8. How can I decorate a Casemade Binder?
9. How can I decorate a Poly Binder?
10. How can I decorate my binders?
11. How do I go about getting an estimate from you?
12. How are CLEARVISION™ Vinyl Binders made?
13. Is there someone at your production plant to check on my job?
14. Is white considered a printing color?
15. Since UV inks are not as opaque, how can I get a bright red on a black binder?
16. What is a “choke and spread”?
17. Tips on how to save your design files
18. What are some options to decorate directly on vinyl?
19. What are the major differences in U.V. and Conventional Inks?
20. What are the two types of inks we use?
21. What file format should I use when submitting my electronic document for printing?
22. What is a "proof"?
23. What is a Casemade Binder?
24. What is a Poly Binder?
25. What is bleed?
26. What is a rivet?
27. What is a “handcrafted” casemade binder?
28. What is an appliqué and can any artwork be reproduced using this method?
29. What is another name for a casemade binder?
30. What is the Pantone Matching System?
31. What is the function of the Assembly Department?
32. What is the main difference between a Casemade and a CLEARVISION™ Vinyl Binder?
33. What is the most common tab extension size?
34. What is the name of the automated equipment that constructs casemade binders?
35. What is the term used in measuring board thickness?
36. What is the term used when measuring the thickness of vinyl and other materials?
37. What kind of corners do CLEARVISION™ Vinyl Binders have?
38. What kind of corners do casemade binders produced on the automated Crathern equipment have?
39. What type of ink does Bolder Graphics use the most, and why?
40. What type of ink is used for larger production runs?
41. What type of ink is used for screen-printing screen-tints or halftones?
42. Why Choose Bolder Graphics?
43. Why do the printed colors look different from the colors on my screen?
44. Why does Bolder Graphics not recommend screen-printing large panels of screen tints?

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. Can I order online?

   Yes you can. Call your account manager or call us at 1-800-313-6581 during business hours (8:00am to 5:00pm MST) for details.

3. Can my artwork bleed if I’m foil stamping?

   Yes and No, depending on the product. Yes, we can bleed foil on paper and casemade/turned edge products. No, we cannot bleed foil off vinyl products.

4. Can the Ultra-tech (Spider) screening machines run conventional ink?

   No. The Ultra-techs have UV ink dryers only, no heat dryers.

5. Can you use conventional inks for large production runs?

   Yes, but requires special quote and may be cost prohibitive due to slow production time.

6. Do any type of ring metals not require rivets?

   Prong bushing metal does not require rivets. This style is designed to fasten to board without rivets, allowing the binder design to stretch uninterrupted across the cover.

7. How can I decorate a CLEARVISION™ Vinyl Binder?

   Screen-print, foil stamp, stamp/deep emboss, blind emboss, offset/litho, digital printing (clear overlays), appliqué, appliqué entrapments.

8. How can I decorate a Casemade Binder?

   Screen-print, foil stamp, stamp/deep emboss, blind emboss, offset/litho, digital printing.

9. How can I decorate a Poly Binder?

   A Poly binder can be either Screen-printed or foil stamped.

10. How can I decorate my binders?

    Many decorative options are available, including screen-print, foil stamp, stamp/deboss, blind deboss, appliqué, offset/litho printing and digital printing. Not all for these processes are suitable for every project, so check with the creative team at Bolder Graphics to see which techniques best fit your products.

11. 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, by clicking here. 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.

12. How are CLEARVISION™ Vinyl Binders made?

    CLEARVISION™ Vinyl binders are made using vinyl material for the outside and inside. Board is placed between the cover and liner materials and the vinyls are heatsealed together using special dies in a dielectric machine using heat and radio frequency waves. The second step then adds a clear cover to the spine and front cover of the binder. This process requires no gluing.

13. Is there someone at your production plant to check on my job?

    Yes, every senior account manager has a coordinator (CSR) at our plant in Calgary, Alberta to coordinate and follow your order through production.

14. 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.

15. Since UV inks are not as opaque, how can I get a bright red on a black binder?

    You can do a choke and spread.

16. What is a “choke and spread”?

    When screen-printing a light color on a dark base material, white ink can be laid down first and light color overprinted. Using this method, we can produce a clean bright color on darker substrates. The white is made thinner (choked) and the lighter color is made slightly fatter (spread) to ensure proper registration on press. In so doing there will be a slightly darker outline all around artwork where light ink prints on darker base material. Not all artwork can be printed using this method. Artwork must be approved by our art department prior to production.

17. 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

18. What are some options to decorate directly on vinyl?

    Screen-print spot and process color, foil stamp and/or deboss, appliqué, offset/litho.

19. What are the major differences in U.V. and Conventional Inks?

    Conventional inks can dry with heat or air-dry, UV inks will only dry when exposed to ultraviolet light. Conventional inks are generally more opaque than UV inks.

20. What are the two types of inks we use?

    UV (ultraviolet) and Conventional.

21. 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.

22. What is a "proof"?

    A proof is a way of ensuring that we have set your type accurately and that everything is positioned according to 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 you in person.
    On multiple color jobs, we can produce a color proof on our color output device to show how the different colors will appear.

23. What is a Casemade Binder?

    Sometimes called a turned-edge or casebound binder, casemade binders are constructed with a non-vinyl cover material that is glued to and wrapped around board.

24. What is a Poly Binder?

    Poly binders are made with a hard plastic type material called polyethelene. The binders are made by die-cutting the shape of the binder and spine hinges are scored to create backbone. Poly binders are extremely durable and can withstand extreme changes in temperatures.

25. What is bleed?

    A bleed is when artwork or printing falls off the edge of final product. In the case of binders, artwork through the spine hinges is also considered a bleed. A bleed requires printing on oversize material and then trimming, welding or wrapping afterwards.

26. What is a rivet?

    Rivets are used to fasten ring metals to the binders. Rivets appear as 2 small round pieces of metal on the outside of the spine or back cover of binders. On some binders, you may order hidden (concealed) rivets.

27. What is a “handcrafted” casemade binder?

    When Bolder graphics produces a binder using 3 boards (front, spine and back), by hand, without automated equipment.

28. What is an appliqué and can any artwork be reproduced using this method?

    An appliqué is a method of decorating on vinyl products. A special die is made in the shape of supplied artwork that is a combination cutting and sealing die. Using this die, a piece of vinyl is heat-sealed onto a base vinyl. The die seals the shape of the artwork onto the base vinyl and then the excess surrounding vinyl is then removed leaving the shape of the artwork. Not all artwork can be reproduced using this method. It depends on detail and how complicated the art is. Artwork must be approved by our art department prior to production.

29. What is another name for a casemade binder?

    Turned-edge or casebound.

30. 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.

31. What is the function of the Assembly Department?

    The main function of our Assembly Department is to insert metals in binders. Along with latches, handles or other production involving hardware.

32. What is the main difference between a Casemade and a CLEARVISION™ Vinyl Binder?

    Casemade Binders are generally made with a paper, cloth, leather or canvas type material that is glued to board with the edges folded around the board and then a liner is glued to the inside to cover the raw board, whereas in a CLEARVISION™ Vinyl Binder, the board is placed between the cover and liner materials and the edges of the vinyl is heat sealed.

33. What is the most common tab extension size?

    1/2” tab extension on an 11x8-1/2” sheet size.

34. What is the name of the automated equipment that constructs casemade binders?

    Crathern.

35. What is the term used in measuring board thickness?

    Point.

36. What is the term used when measuring the thickness of vinyl and other materials?

    Gauge.

37. What kind of corners do CLEARVISION™ Vinyl Binders have?

    Round corners.

38. What kind of corners do casemade binders produced on the automated Crathern equipment have?

    Square corners.

39. What type of ink does Bolder Graphics use the most, and why?

    UV inks. This type of ink is more efficient in production. UV inks do not dry in the screens. This allows the press operator to continue running without stopping to clean ink out of screens.

40. What type of ink is used for larger production runs?

    UV (Ultra Violet).

41. What type of ink is used for screen-printing screen-tints or halftones?

    Only UV inks are used. Because the ink does not dry in the screen, the printing is more consistent and production is more efficient.

42. Why Choose Bolder Graphics?

    Our People - We employ over 60 people of which 40 of our company staff have 10 or more years of service. We’re experienced at what we do!

    Quality - With 40 years as a custom manufacturer and a full-time quality control staff, we pay particular attention to details.

    Lean Manufacturing - Our workforce has been trained in the concepts of Lean Manufacturing and Lean Office.

    Financially Strong - Our company, and is ranked in the top 100 of the nations largest privately held print manufacturers.

    Facilities - Our plant in Calgary, Alberta has over 72,000 square feet. With warehouse capability of 1,000 pallets, we can accommodate your warehousing needs.

    Equipment - State-of-the-art equipment and machines in all departments from Cutting to Shipping.

    Art/Pre-Press - Our in-house electronic art and pre-press artists average 15 years of service and operate current equipment and software. We can provide service for all phases of your project.

    Creativity - In-house product development staff available to create a unique design, provide hand-made samples or recommendations for your custom product.

    Customer Service - An in-plant sales or customer service representative assigned to every order and available to oversee your job through all phases of production.

    You! - We realize our jobs and our company's future come from you, the customer.

43. 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.

44. Why does Bolder Graphics not recommend screen-printing large panels of screen tints?

    In the process of screen-printing, specs and flaws in printing large panels are easily visible. In some cases we recommend printing an additional lighter shade of the same color as a solid.