Frequently Asked Questions and Industry Terms

What are the best type files that I can provide for you to print from?
See our PreProduction Guide and File Prep pages.

What's the difference between "spot colors" and "four-color process"?
Spot colors are not blends of colors that create other colors but individual colors that can be assigned PMS (Pantone Matching System) numbers.

What are Process Colors?
Using Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black in various combinations to create all other colors. Also called four-color process or CMYK.

What is a PMS color?
A PMS color, an abbreviation for a color in the Pantone Matching System, is a popular color matching system used by the printing industry to print specific colors. PMS match book are book of color where each PMS color has its own name or number that helps you make sure that your colors are the same each time you print, even if your monitor displays a different color or if you change printing services.

What does (4 over 1) or (4 over 4) mean?
4 over 1 refers to full color on the front and black & white on the back. 4 over 4 refers to full Color on both the front and back.

What is the difference between coated and uncoated stock?
Uncoated stock is a rough porous type of paper. It is normally used in newspapers and tends to be less expensive. Coated stock has a smooth glossy finish. Printing on this type of paper will sharpen your text and graphic layouts. Coated stock, however, can be a bit more expensive.

Is there a difference between Text and Cover stock?
Text stock is the paper thickness used for sales sheets, data sheets, and other printing where the stiffness of cover stock is not required. Text stock is described by pound weights.

Cover (also referred to as Card) stock is a stiff or rigid paper stock and is often used for post cards and catalog covers which require rigidity. Cover stock is usually described by a "Point" size. Point designations state the thickness of the sheet in thousandths of inches (0.001").

What are the differences in binding options?
1. Hard Cover: Page signatures are sewn together and attached to the hard cover.
2. Perfect bound: Pages are glued together on the outside edge of the signatures to create a flat edge and then a cover is glued onto the spine.
3. Wire-o: Spiral of continuous wire looped through holes that allow a book to lay flat when opened
4. Plastic coil: Spiral of continuous plastic looped through holes. Comes in a variety of colors.
5. Saddle-stitch: Uses one or more staples on the fold of the signature.

What are the common sizes for brochures?
Brochure sizes that are considered standard are 8-1/2 x 11 (standard brochure size), 8-1/2 x 14 (legal page size), and 11 x 17. Common brochures are either a bi-fold brochure (a single page printed on both sides and folded in half) or a tri-fold brochure (the same, but folded in thirds).

What are the common sizes for catalogs and booklets?
Catalog or booklets often come in these standard sizes 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", 8-1/2" x 11", or 11 x 17.

What is the difference between flat size and trim size?
The flat size refers to the size of page after printing and trimming, but before folding.
The trim size refers to the size of the printed material in its finished stage. Also called finished size.

What is a Bleed?
Any color or image that extends to the edge of a sheet or page after it is trimmed.

What are Author’s Alterations (AA)?
Any change(s) made by the client after copy or artwork has been given to the Homer Group. The change could be in copy, specifications or both. More often than not AA's are considered an additional cost to the client.

What does camera-ready mean?
This is a printing term used for digitally submitted files. Basically, it means that the image is ready to be transferred to the printing plates. The printer does not have to make any alterations to your files.

What is camera ready art?
Camera ready art is a high quality black and white print that is ready to be scanned.

What are the measurements for the most common business envelopes?
Envelope sizes are often referenced by a number such as #9 or #10. The chart below includes all of the most common types used today.