Have you ever had a question and either didn't know where to find the answer or were too afraid to ask? If so, you've come to the right place.

As the name would suggest, this section is a compilation of answers to the questions our clients commonly ask. Here you'll find answers to common questions about paper, ink, scanning, design, and just about everything else we know about. Just start by following one of the links below.

1. What kind of work does CDS do?
2. How long does it take for you to complete my job?
3. What is a "proof" and why is it important?
4. Why do I need to look at a proof if I've already given you everything I need to have done?
5. Do I still need to approve a proof if I bring my work in on disk?
6. What are the comparative advantages of producing my job on your duplicating devices versus producing them on your presses?
7. How do I go about getting an estimate from you?
8. I got an estimate from you on the design of my project and showed the design charges as a range. Why can't you tell me exactly how much it will be ahead of time?

1. What kind of work does CDS do?
   Duplicating and Digital Printing Services - Our high-speed devices can produce copies or digital prints efficiently and economically whether you provide hard copy or bring in digital files on disk. Our state of the art production duplicating equipment allow us to deliver work quickly and efficiently. We can produce your prints in black & white, with spot color or in full color!
   
   Offset Printing Services - From one-color to full-color printing, our store has the capability to meet your needs. From short run to long run, we can offer a solution that will be just right for you.
   
   Finishing Services - We can cut, perforate, score, number, fold, collate, saddle stitch, bind, and just about any other bindery process you could ever need.
   
   Design Services - We utilize the latest design technology available in order to offer a full range of design services. If you need a brochure produced, we can work from your camera ready copy, use the files you provide on disk, or design your brochure from scratch.
   
   
2. How long does it take for you to complete my job?
   There really isn't a short answer to this question. Some jobs can be produced in minutes and some jobs may take days. Because we can produce over 1,000,000 impressions and almost 250,000 custom index tabs a day, it's quite likely that we will meet or exceed your delivery expectations.
   
   
3. What is a "proof" and why is it important?A proof is our way of ensuring that we will produce your project accurately. Typically, we'll produce a proof which will be sent to you online or physically produced on paper which can be viewed in our facility 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. For full color jobs where more exact color representation is desired, a matchprint proof or a full color digital proof may be furnished for approval.
   
   
4. Why do I need to look at a proof if I've already given you everything I need to have done?
   Your approval on the final proof is assurance that you have looked over every aspect of our work and approve it as accurate. It is to everyone's benefit if errors are caught in the proofing process rather than after the job is printed and delivered.
   
   Production issues like text reflow, font substitutions, duplexing sequence, color variations and pagination, if addressed in the proof, will eliminate disappointment when the project is delivered.
   
   The proof protects us both.
   
   
5. 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 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.
   
   
6. What are the comparative advantages of producing my job on your duplicating devices versus producing them on your presses?
   The advantages of our duplicating devices are best realized on jobs like training manuals or runs under about 3,000. Primarily, the xerographic devices prove more efficient and cost effective for high quality, fast turn requirements. Our Xerox Docutech is capable of producing half-tones and screens that rival our presses. On long runs or where multiple colors are desired, as well as when screens or halftones require higher quality than 600 dpi, offset printing could be the best alternative.
   
   
7. How do I go about getting an estimate from you?
   Well, since you're here, we'd 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, give us a call and talk with one of our customer service representatives.
   
   The information that we would need to do the estimate would include the following:
   
   Size - This would be the flat size of the piece before any folding.
   Quantity - If you would like to know pricing on different quantities just let us know.
   Paper - Tell us if you know what stock you want to use or ask us for some advice.
   Ink - How many and what colors of inks you would like to use.
   Bindery - Is the piece going to need perforating, scoring, folding or drilling?
   Artwork - Are we going to do typesetting, design, or disk output?
   Timeframe - How soon do you need this project completed?
   End Use - Will the piece be mailed? How durable does the piece need to be?
   
   
8. I got an estimate from you on the design of my project and showed the design charges as a range. Why can't you tell me exactly how much it will be ahead of time?
   We will always give you our best estimate of the amount of time needed to set up your job. The variable aspects of design work include the following:
   
   Are we using clip art images or doing original illustrations?
   Do you have a firm layout and are we doing finish work on your layout or are we doing a complete layout from scratch?
   Are the elements that you require in your layout simple or complex (overlapping elements requiring trapping, drop shadows, wrapped type, etc.)
   If you have furnished your files on disk, are all elements assembled for efficient output or will the file require some troubleshooting?
   
   These variable aspects make it impossible to calculate with certainty exactly how much time will be needed to complete the design phase of your job. If you are working with a fixed budget, let us know how much design time you can afford and we'll let you know what we can accomplish within that budget.