Although we tried to build our price calculator so that all the technologies and materials we have are available to you, the program is still not complete. Because, for example, why couldn't you print a book cover on artist's canvas with large-format poster printing? Fortunately, our customers' creativity produces a multitude of products we had never even imagined; these naturally require a personal consultation, where you can get a hands-on feel for the characteristics of the materials and technologies, and where you can wait for the proof prints (after a wait whose length depends on how busy we are and on our workload).
We give every customer the opportunity to check on a proof sheet, before printing, what the file they prepared will look like with digital printing (our printer is color-calibrated regularly, but because of the technology it gives a result that differs from offset printing). We also made our paper sample catalog so that it shows not only the character of the papers (their color, paper weight, surface, etc.) but also the printed image that appears on them, so the quality of the print will be largely foreseeable when you choose the paper. Based on this, and on the proof print, you can decide whether or not you want the job printed, but you have to pay for the prints made as proofs. At the customer's request we can adjust the machine's print curve, but it is not certain that this will give a result that suits you, and of course it comes at a cost. If you waive the proof print, we consider that you have ordered the job sight unseen, and any text or layer error or color deviation is at your risk; these can come from the technology, but they can also come from a CMYK-RGB or UCR-GCR setting error, which in the case of a pdf file can remain hidden from us. The in-person check can be replaced by a color sample or a printed sample; with this in hand, we only print the job if the deviation stays within a minimal tolerance, otherwise we stop and notify the customer.
Although our Xerox Iridesse printer uses low-gloss HD EA toner technology, the general experience is that, on the one hand, the heavier (darker) the print or a part of it is, the glossier it looks, and on the other hand this can make film lamination or pouch lamination more difficult, or possibly make it impossible because of a short deadline. The oiliness does decrease over time, and adhesion can be helped by allowing drying time, but we only take on film lamination of prints of this kind conditionally.
