Frequently Asked Questions

What is your phone number and operating hours?

You can call us at (224) 451-7788 from 9 am to 5 pm CST Monday through Friday. You can request information or request a quote at any time.

What about privacy and security?

No information we collect from inquiries is shared with any other company or website. Your information is only used to contact and respond to your request.

What kind of shipping services do you use?

We ship UPS, FEDX, Speedee or in town delivery.

Will I always receive exactly the quantity I order?

If you require an exact amount IOS will work to accommodate your request. Printing industry standards allow for underruns & overruns of up to 10% and are billed accordingly. If you absolutely need a certain amount, it is recommended to order 10% over the minimum quantity you need.

What if I want to change something on my order after I've placed it or approved the proof?

Please note that some changes cannot be made after certain stages in the production process -- for instance, the quantity cannot be changed once your job has been printed. It is best to call us immediately if you need a change.

What file formats can you take?

A hard copy should be submitted when ever possible along with files.
 

Acceptable Files Formats
Adobe Acrobat     .pdf  this is the most preferred format (a pdf that is prepared to serve as an email attachment or a web posting is not acceptable for printing).  Select "print quality" or "high quality" when converting into a pdf from your design program. Fonts should be embedded in the file, or if there is the option to convert text into curves or outlines (vector art), that is also is a good option to ensure that the font/fonts will not change in the conversion process. Use a common legible font, if using a newer or unusual font, include the font with the file. If fonts cannot be included, they should be turned in to curves or outlines as mentioned above.

We can also accept Word, Publisher, Indesign (CS3 or earlier), Adobe Illustrator (CS3 or earlier) or CorelDraw files, but due to different versions these files are not as stable as a pdf file. Use Publisher Pack and Go and choose option - Take to a Commercial Printing Service. Use this setting if you can not convert it into a pdf and  you may send both files, the pdf and the Pack and Go folder

What types of storage media do you accept?

We can take your files on a CD, DVD, or USB drive.

What types of images will work ok?

Graphics or pictures, keep them within the margins.
Pictures should be at least 300 dpi resolution for best quality printing (72 dpi or pictures pulled from the web are too low of a resolution for good print quality).

What are bleeds, and do I need them?

Bleeds:    If artwork is to bleed off the edge of the page, the cover should be laid out separately from the rest of the booklet. The page size needs to include a minimum of 1/8" larger on all sides, This will insure that the artwork will extend beyond the trim. If the cover artwork is to wrap around to the back cover, then this is best accomplished by laying the entire cover out, front and back, as one page plus the 1/8".
 

Example: If, as above the booklet 5.5 x 8.5, the cover needs to be laid out plus 1/8" all around, which would be 5.75 x 8.75.  If the artwork wraps around to the back cover then the lay out size would be 11 x 8.5 plus the 1/8" all around totaling 11.25 x 8.75. This cover will be trimmed to the 11 x 8.5 size when it is printed.