FAQs

  • ABOUT COPIESAMERICA.COM
  • ORDERING & PROOFS
  • FILE PREP & DESIGN
    • Q: What file formats do you accept for printing?
      • We recommend submitting high-resolution PDF files with at least a 1/8” bleed and crop marks. We also accept EPS, TIFF, and AI files converted to CMYK at 300 dpi. Most design and office software can export to PDF. In some cases, we may request the original source file if artwork adjustments are needed. See our full file preparation guide for details.
    • Q: What resolution should my photos and graphics be?
      • For optimal print quality, photos and graphics should be set to 300 dpi at final print size. Images sourced from the internet often have a lower resolution - usually 72 dpi or 96 dpi - which can result in pixelation and a blocky appearance when printed. Whenever possible, save all photos in CMYK mode rather than RGB. If you are unable to save your image in CMYK mode, please let us know when you submit your file.
    • Q: What is bleed, and do I need it?
      • Bleed refers to the area of your design that extends beyond the trim edge, ensuring that your artwork reaches the very edge of the finished piece without any unintended white border. Adding 1/8” (0.125”) bleed on all sides is required for any design element meant to print to the edge of the page. For a full walkthrough with diagrams, please read our bleed guide.
    • Q: What are crop marks?
      • Crop marks (also called trim marks) are small lines placed at the corners of your artwork to indicate exactly where the paper should be trimmed after printing. Always include crop marks when submitting your PDF so our bindery team can cut your job precisely. See our bleed and crop mark guide for examples.
    • Q: What is the difference between RGB and CMYK color?
      • RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is the color model used by screens and digital displays. CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) is the color model used by printing presses. Colors that look vibrant on screen in RGB can shift or appear dull when converted to CMYK at print time. We strongly recommend converting your files to CMYK before submitting. If you cannot, please let us know and we will handle the conversion. See our file prep guide for more detail.
    • Q: How do I send my print files to you?
    • Q: What if I do not have a print-ready file? Can you design it for me?
      • Yes. Our in-house Graphic Design team can create your artwork from scratch or update an existing design. We also offer full Branding services for businesses looking to establish or refresh their visual identity. Contact us to discuss your project and get a quote.
  • PAPER & STOCK OPTIONS
    • Q: What paper stocks do you offer?
      • We carry a wide selection of paper stocks ranging from lightweight text papers to heavy card stocks, including coated gloss and matte, uncoated, recycled, and specialty options such as linen, suede, and synthetic stocks for outdoor use. Visit our paper stock guide for a full comparison of weights, coatings, and recommended uses.
    • Q: What card stock do you recommend for business cards and marketing pieces?
      • For most marketing materials, 14 pt (100 lb cover) Gloss C2S offers vibrant color at a great value. If you want more heft and a premium feel, 16 pt (120 lb cover) Matte or Gloss C2S is an excellent choice. For a truly luxury impression, our 32 pt Suede or Linen stocks provide exceptional texture and durability. The 14-16 pt range strikes the best balance of quality, cost, and professional presentation for most jobs. See also our Business Cards page for product-specific options.
    • Q: Do you offer lamination and coating options?
      • Yes. We offer gloss lamination, matte lamination, cold lamination, spot UV coating, and full flood UV coating. Lamination adds a protective film that guards against scuffs, moisture, and fading while giving your piece a polished, professional look. Cold lamination applies the film without heat, making it ideal for heat-sensitive stocks. Visit our paper and finishing guide for more details.
    • Q: How do prints hold up with extended sun or moisture exposure?
      • Standard paper stocks will gradually show UV-induced fading and may absorb moisture over time. To protect against sun and water damage, we offer gloss or matte lamination and specialty UV coatings, which seal the surface and block moisture. For even greater durability - especially for outdoor use - consider our synthetic stocks (such as polypropylene) or weather-resistant materials designed to withstand prolonged exposure.
    • Q: How does print quality appear on heavy textured card stock?
      • Heavy textured card stock adds an elegant, tactile dimension that instantly elevates your design. The surface's natural grain can soften ultra-fine details or intricate line work, so our process adapts ink density and contrast to ensure bold, crisp images and legible text. For optimal results, pair the texture with strong typography and solid color areas - this highlights the stock's depth and creates a sophisticated, handcrafted impression.
  • DIGITAL PRINTING
    • Q: What is the advantage of Digital Printing?
      • Digital printing removes the need for traditional plates, so you enjoy faster turnarounds and cost-effective short runs with no minimum quantities. Its on-demand nature lets you personalize each piece through variable data printing, minimizes waste, and ensures you get exactly the quantity you need - perfect for tailored campaigns and last-minute projects. Learn more on our Digital Printing page.
    • Q: When should I choose digital printing vs. offset printing?
      • Digital printing is ideal for short to mid-size runs (roughly 25 to 2,000 units) because there are no plate or setup fees and per-piece pricing stays competitive. If you are printing above 2,000 pieces, offset printing often delivers a lower per-unit cost despite its upfront setup charges. Contact us for a quote and we will recommend the most cost-effective method for your specific job.
    • Q: What are the file format requirements for digital print jobs?
      • Please submit your print-ready artwork as a high-resolution PDF, EPS, TIFF, or AI file, converted to CMYK at 300 dpi. Include a 0.125” bleed on every side to ensure edge-to-edge printing. See our file prep guide for the full checklist.
    • Q: Are digital prints as durable as conventional (offset) printing?
      • Yes. We use premium inks and high-grade paper stocks that deliver durability on par with traditional offset prints. For added protection, you can choose finishes like gloss or matte lamination and specialty UV coatings to guard against scuffs, moisture, and fading - ensuring your prints look sharp and professional for years to come.
    • Q: What is variable data printing, and can I personalize each piece?
      • Variable data printing (VDP) allows text, images, or other design elements to change from one printed piece to the next - for example, addressing each postcard with the recipient's name or personalizing offers based on customer data. It is one of the most powerful tools for direct mail and targeted campaigns. Learn more on our Variable Data Printing page.
    • Q: How much volume is advisable for the most cost-effective digital pricing?
      • For digital printing, you will typically see the best value on short to mid-size runs - anywhere from 25 up to 500-2,000 units - since there are no plate or setup fees and per-piece pricing remains competitive. If you are planning quantities above 2,000 pieces, offset printing often delivers a lower per-unit cost. For precise breakpoints and volume pricing on your specific product, contact us for a custom quote.
    • Q: Is cold lamination possible on a print surface?
      • Yes. We offer cold lamination in both matte and gloss finishes, which applies a protective film without heat, preserving print vibrancy and preventing warping on heat-sensitive stocks. Cold lamination enhances durability, guards against scratches and moisture, and maintains the quality of your printed piece.
  • BINDERY & FINISHING
    • Q: What are saddle-stitched (stapled) booklets?
      • Saddle-stitch booklets are stapled through the fold line so that minimal design is lost in the center binding and the booklet opens nearly flat. Available in 8.5” x 11” and 5.5” x 8.5” finished sizes in full color or black ink, they are ideal for programs, brochures, and catalogs and work best for page counts up to 72 panels. See our Booklets page and Binding Styles guide for more.
    • Q: What is perfect binding?
      • Perfect binding applies a strong adhesive to the spine of gathered pages to create a flat, square spine similar to a paperback book. Common uses include catalogs, annual reports, magazines, and paperback books. The cover can include artwork on the front, back, and spine. Minimum: 4 sheets; maximum: 1.25” thick. Available in a range of paper sizes with bleed or no-bleed formats. See our Binding Styles Guide for a full comparison.
    • Q: What is coil binding?
      • Coil binding threads a continuous plastic coil through punched holes along the spine. The book opens 360 degrees and lays completely flat - ideal for recipe books, training manuals, reference guides, and any publication that needs to be opened and used frequently. Available for 8.5” x 11” sheets in a wide range of thicknesses. Front and back covers are available in clear plastic or leatherette.
    • Q: What is comb binding?
      • Comb binding uses plastic spines with 19 rings (US Letter size). Sizes range from 3/16” (ideal for just a few pages) up to 2” (holding up to 400 sheets), making it versatile for business proposals and presentation books. Pages can be added or removed easily, which is useful for documents that are updated regularly.
    • Q: What folding options are available?
      • We offer half fold, letter fold (tri-fold), Z-fold, gate fold, and accordion fold. The document must be designed for the specific fold style. Minimum sheet size: 5.5″ x 8.5″; maximum sheet size: 12″ x 18″. Contact us if you need guidance setting up your artwork for folding. See also our Brochures page for popular folding configurations.
    • Q: What is scoring, and when is it needed?
      • Scoring creates a precise crease in the paper along the intended fold line, giving the fold a clean, sharp edge and reducing the risk of the paper cracking. Light-weight papers may fold without scoring; heavier card stocks should always be scored before folding to prevent cracking and ensure a professional appearance.
    • Q: Do you offer custom cutting?
      • Yes. CopiesAmerica is well known for finely edged, smooth cutting services. We can cut your flyers, brochures, and booklets to any customized dimensions and size. Our large-format cutting machines handle large sheets of paper without compromising print quality, enabling us to fulfill large orders efficiently and consistently.
    • Q: Do you offer hole drilling?
      • Yes. Hole drilling produces clean, precisely-placed holes through a thick stack of papers, making it easy to add or remove pages in a 3-ring or multi-ring binder. This is especially useful for manuals, cookbooks, hotel collateral, and archived documents that are updated regularly.
    • Q: Can you add sequential numbering to forms or tickets?
      • Yes. Our consecutive numbering service is widely used for business forms, event tickets, catalogs, and magazines. Numbers can be any digit size (including alpha characters) and color - typically red, but any color is available. Numbering is also a standard feature of our Carbonless NCR Forms. Efficient numbering can significantly reduce your manual time and cost.
    • Q: What stapling options are available?
      • Stapling allows you to bind several sheets into an easy-to-handle packet. In single-staple mode, the staple can be placed in the upper left or upper right corner of the sheets. The number of sheets that can be stapled depends on the quality and thickness of the paper stock selected.
    • Q: What is tape binding?
      • Tape binding uses a cloth strip of adhesive tape along the binding edge, with front and back covers added to form a booklet. It is a clean, economical option for small-quantity jobs such as conference handouts and training session materials. Note that tape binding is relatively stiff and will not lay flat.
    • Q: Is die cutting available for custom shapes?
      • Yes. We offer die cutting to create custom shapes beyond standard rectangles - perfect for unique business cards, hang tags, promotional pieces, and specialty packaging inserts. Combined with our lamination and UV coating options, die-cut pieces make a strong impression. Contact us to discuss your custom shape requirements and get a quote.
  • SHIPPING & DELIVERY
  • ACCOUNTS & ARTWORK STORAGE
    • Q: How long will you keep my artwork?
      • Your artwork will be available for direct re-order on our site for 12 months. After this period, some artwork may be archived. If you need access to artwork that is no longer available on the site, please fill out our contact form or reach out to our customer service department at 1-800-423-2679, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST.
    • Q: Do I need an account to place an order?
      • Creating a free account lets you track orders, reorder from stored artwork, save shipping addresses, and manage billing information. We recommend registering to get the most out of your experience with CopiesAmerica, but guest ordering is also available.
    • Q: I forgot my password. How do I reset it?
      • Click Login in the top navigation, then click "Forgot Password?" Enter your registered email address and we will send a reset link. The new password must be 8-15 characters long with at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number, and one special character. If you do not receive the email, check your spam folder. Still need help? Call 1-800-423-2679.
    • Q: What payment methods do you accept?
      • We accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) and PayPal. Payment options and details will be available on the checkout page.
  • PAYMENT & PRICING

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