FAQs

There are three options for designing and customizing a product. Click a product on the left-hand panel and choose one of the options.

1. Custom Design: lets you customize the products. Click it to open the design studio and use multiple tools to create your own design.

2. Upload Design: using this option, you can upload your own JPG, JPEG, GIF, PNG, EPS, AI, PDF and PSD images.

3. Browse Design: use this to select hundreds of pre-loaded templates. Work on them or customize them through our design studio.

Matte Paper

Description:

• Matte paper has a non-glossy, flat finish with a smooth texture that diffuses light, minimizing glare and reflections.

Pros:

1. Reduced Glare: Ideal for reading and viewing in various lighting conditions.
2. Professional Look: Provides an elegant and sophisticated appearance.
3. Fewer Fingerprints: Less prone to showing fingerprints and smudges.
4. Readable Text: Enhances text readability with better contrast.

Cons:

1. Less Vibrant Colors: Colors may appear less vivid and more subdued.
2. Not Water-Resistant: More susceptible to moisture damage.
3. Higher Cost: Can be more expensive for high-quality prints.
4. Less Durable: More prone to scratches and abrasions.
5. Longer Drying Time: Ink takes longer to dry, increasing smudge risk.

Ideal Uses:

• Professional documents, reports, business cards, art prints, and photo albums where a non-reflective surface is preferred.

Glossy Paper

Description:

• Glossy paper has a shiny, reflective surface that enhances color vibrancy and detail, giving images a rich and vibrant appearance.

Pros:

1. Vivid Colors: Produces bright, saturated colors and sharp details.
2. Water-Resistant: Often more resistant to moisture and spills.
3. Durable: The glossy coating can protect against scratches and abrasions.
4. Fast Drying: Ink typically dries quickly on glossy paper.

Cons:

1. Glare and Reflections: Can produce significant glare, making it harder to view in bright light.
2. Fingerprints and Smudges: More prone to showing fingerprints and smudges.
3. Less Suitable for Text: Text readability can be reduced due to reflections.

Ideal Uses:

• High-quality photo prints, marketing materials, brochures, and magazines where vibrant colors and sharp details are important.

Luster Paper

Description:

• Luster paper (also known as semi-gloss or satin) has a finish that falls between matte and glossy. It offers a slight sheen without the full reflective quality of glossy paper, providing a balance of color vibrancy and reduced glare.

Pros:

1. Balanced Finish: Offers a compromise between vivid colors and reduced glare.
2. Less Fingerprints: Less prone to showing fingerprints compared to glossy paper.
3. Good Color Reproduction: Colors are more vibrant than on matte paper but not as reflective as glossy.
4. Durable: Often has a protective coating that adds durability.

Cons:

1. Moderate Glare: Can still produce some glare, though less than glossy paper.
2. Cost: Can be more expensive than matte or standard glossy papers.
3. Ink Drying Time: Ink drying time can vary, potentially longer than glossy but shorter than matte.

Ideal Uses:

• Portraits, wedding photos, art prints, and general photo printing where a balance between vibrant colors and reduced glare is desired.

Summary

• Matte Paper: Best for professional documents, art prints, and situations where glare reduction and text readability are priorities.
• Glossy Paper: Ideal for high-quality photo prints and marketing materials where vivid colors and sharp details are crucial.
• Luster Paper: Great for portraits, wedding photos, and art prints where a balance between color vibrancy and reduced glare is needed.

300 dpi (dots per inch) is the resolution of the output PDF file.

We are typically classed as a Dry Lab

Dry labs in the printing industry primarily use two types of printing methods: dye-sublimation printing and inkjet printing. Here’s a brief overview of each method:

1. Dye-Sublimation Printing

Process:

• Dye-sublimation printing involves transferring dye onto the printing medium (usually paper) through the application of heat.
• The dye is converted directly from a solid to a gas without passing through a liquid state (sublimation), which allows it to penetrate the surface of the paper more effectively.
• The process involves three stages: printing the image onto a transfer paper, aligning the transfer paper with the substrate (usually a polymer-coated material), and then applying heat and pressure to transfer the dye onto the substrate.

Advantages:

• Produces high-quality, vibrant, and long-lasting prints.
• Ideal for printing on various surfaces, including fabrics, ceramics, and metals, in addition to paper.

Disadvantages:

• Generally more expensive than other printing methods.
• Limited to materials that can withstand the high temperatures required for sublimation.

2. Inkjet Printing

Process:

• Inkjet printing involves propelling droplets of ink onto the printing medium (usually paper) to create an image.
• There are two main types of inkjet printing used in dry labs: thermal inkjet and piezoelectric inkjet.
  • Thermal Inkjet: Uses heat to create a bubble in the ink, which forces a drop of ink out of the nozzle.
  • Piezoelectric Inkjet: Uses piezoelectric crystals to create pressure pulses that push ink out of the nozzle.

Advantages:

• Capable of producing high-resolution prints with fine details.
• Versatile, can print on a variety of media including glossy photo paper, matte paper, and canvas.
• Generally more cost-effective for small to medium print runs.

Disadvantages:

• Ink can be expensive, and the cost per print can be higher than other methods for large volumes.
• Prints may not be as durable or long-lasting as dye-sublimation prints without special coatings or treatments.

Key Points:

• Dye-Sublimation: Known for high-quality, durable, and vibrant photo prints. Ideal for continuous-tone images and printing on various substrates.
• Inkjet: Versatile and capable of high-resolution printing on various media. Cost-effective for smaller runs but can have higher per-print costs due to ink prices.

Both methods are essential in our dry lab for their unique advantages, catering to different printing needs and ensuring high-quality outputs for various applications.