Albert Lea: Location #1

Monday - Friday: 8am - 5pm

Fridley: Location #2

Open by Appointment

Frequently Asked Questions

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 and we'll be happy to answer your questions for you.

  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. Yes we can. You will need to complete USPS Form3623 and return to us. We can then use your existing permit number or you can use ours.

  3. Can I do the mailing myself and get the same discount?

    Yes, you can, but there are a few things you will need. Check out the questions below to determine if bulk mail is right for you.

  4. If you are a non-profit organization you may be eligible for further reductions in postage. You must fill out USPS form3624 and file with your local Post Office.

  5. If you are mailing a minimum 200pcs of the same piece the Postal Service offers discounts for bulk mailings because you do some of the work that otherwise would have to be done by the Postal Service (for example, sorting the mail by ZIP Code or transporting the mail to a different postal facility). Everyone benefits from this "work sharing." Mailers make an investment in time and technology, and the Postal Service’s costs are reduced and you pay less postage.
    Standard Mail rates are discounted from "single-piece" rates. "Single-piece" means that you pay the full postage rate; when you put a 37-cent stamp on a letter, you're paying the single-piece rate. Many mailers pay single-piece rates even though they are doing large mailings. Why? Because they don’t want to do any extra preparation work—they don’t have the time, or it’s just not cost effective for their business. Church Offset can take that burden away from you. We will help you make smart choices about your own mail to determine if bulk mail rates are right for you.

  6. 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. 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.

  7. How long does it take for you to complete my order?

    Most orders are completed within 10 working days, however sometimes things need to be hurried along. We will do whatever possible to try and meet your time schedule.

  8. 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.

  9. Next, you need to make smart choices about the design, size, shape and weight of your mail piece. The choices you make here can result in significant postage savings. You can follow this link to USPS form 810 on Design for a mail pieces, or you can contact Church Offset and let our design team and years of experience assist you.

  10. Next, you need a mailing permit and pay an annual fee. If you are interested in obtaining your own mailing permit, you can follow this link to USPS form 3615 & download the form. However, if you choose to mail through Church Offset, you can use our permit at no additional charge.

  11. First, you will need to determine what kind of mailing you will be doing. There are many types of mailings you can do and all have different specifications as to size, shape, thickness and weight of the piece, and you can access USPS form C050 here or contact a Church Offset mailing specialist for our professional advise.

  12. Sorting

    Next, you need to sort your mail piece, fill out the proper USPS forms, tray, tag, and deliver to the correct post office.

  13. 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

  14. Verify Addresses

    Then, you will need to ensure that your addresses are correct. Church Offset has the latest software and can CASS certify and barcode your mail piece to ensure the lowest possible postage is obtained.

  15. These are called “Ancillary Service Endorsements.” There are numerous endorsement lines you can use to obtain different results from your mailing. Beware of what endorsement you choose to use, as some may end up costing you more postage than expected. You can access USPS form 015 here or contact a Church Offset mailing specialist to help determine if any of these endorsements are right for you.

  16. There is a lot that goes into determining the correct and lowest postage available. Check out our rate sheet and contact Church Offset to help determine what rate fits your project the best.

    *** Prices Updated March 2006 ***

  17. 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.

  18. 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.

  19. 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.

  20. Good question! We are a full service shop and offer a wide range of products and services. To see a full listing and description of what we can offer you, check out the Products & Services area in the Customer Service Section of our website.

  21. 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.

Albert Lea: Location #1
1731 Margaretha Ave.
P.O. Box 988
Albert Lea, MN 56007

Monday - Friday: 8am - 5pm

Fridley: Location #2
6230 Highway 65 N.E.
Suite 104
Fridley, MN 55432

Open by Appointment

© Church Offset Printing Inc. & North American Label 2024

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