What applications does Phoenix support?
What is "preflight"?
How do I preflight my job?
Can I contact Phoenix for technical assistance while creating files?
What file format does Phoenix Press prefer for images?
What kind of electronic file format does Phoenix Press recommend?
What is "PDF"?
How do I make a PDF?
Can Phoenix make changes to my PDF files?
How do I send Phoenix Press a file?
How do I use your FTP site to send a file?
Can I make changes to my document prior to it being printed?
What does "CTP" stand for?
What is stochastic screening?
Why should I come in for a press check?
What do I look for at a press check?
What is the difference between offset and coated (matte or gloss) stock?
Does the weight of the paper stock effect durability and quality?
What are my options with 2-color printing?
What are the advantages of full color printing?
What is the E-Customer Service Center and why should i use it?
How do I log in to the Phoenix Press E-Customer Service Center?
If I forgot my password, how do I retrieve it?
If you are already a registered user, how do you change addresses?
Can I check the status and track the shipping of my job the Phoenix Website?
How do I contact Phoenix Press for questions or instructions?

What applications does Phoenix support?
We support all major graphics programs on the Mac and PC:
• Acrobat PDF
• Freehand
• Illustrator
• InDesign
• Pagemaker
• Photoshop
• QuarkXpress

What is “preflight”?
Preflighting involves checking that the digital layout of a job has all the elements needed, in their proper form, for the digital file to perform well in the production workflow. For example, software programs check if the fonts are embedded, and if all images are present, and in the right format (RGB or CMYK). Preflight checking fixes problems as early in the process as possible.

How do I preflight my job?
• Make sure the page size of the electronic document matches the page size of the printed piece.
• Images:
– For images to be scanned by Phoenix, mark them clearly with crop marks, final-size information and codes to corresponding hard copy.
– Supply as close to the final size as possible and at the approximate resolution.
– Rotate, scale, mirror or flip graphics in the program used to create them.
– Use CMYK settings for all CMYK jobs.
– Use spot channels for spot color jobs on raster images.
– Save images in a file format Phoenix requires (TIF, JPG, EPS, DCS2).
– Put files in the same folder/directory as the application file.
– Update all images in the page layout file.
– Supply hard-copy originals, proofs or editable copies of graphic files.
• Fonts
– Convert any text, if possible, in EPS graphics to paths before importing into your page layout program.
– Identify all the fonts for your job by including a list of all font names, versions, numbers and types (TrueType, PostScript).
– ALWAYS INCLUDE YOUR FONTS.
• Make sure all bleeds extend 1/8” beyond the edge of the trim-sided pages.
• Include a black and white laser print or color proof with crop marks and bleeds. If you supply a black and white proof, clearly label all elements that print in color, or print out color-separated lasers. If your proof is too large to send at 100% of its finished size, write the reduction on the proof.
• Send a comprehensive dummy that includes folding/backing so that press sheets will fold correctly and the pages back up properly.
• Determine if you need proofs and what type of proofs you prefer.
• Attach written specs to your job that include: number of copies, paper, colors, special graphics or imaging requirements, position and trims for photographs, halftone screens, bleeds, embossing, location of inserts and tabs, size, binding, type of proofs, and delivery date and time.
• Label all media with your name, address, phone number, and email.
• Include a preflight checklist of everything you are sending.
• Give detailed instructions for any special finishing requirements.
• Go over specs with your Phoenix Account Representative, highlighting any specs that may have changed since you submitted them for a quotation.
• Make sure that Phoenix can contact you – provide a daytime phone number and, if you are on a tight deadline or need a quick turnaround, a nighttime phone number or mobile number.

Can I contact Phoenix for technical assistance while creating files?
Definitely. In fact, we encourage it. Contact us. We are always available to offer technical assistance or to advise you on our preferences for file building and manipulation. By working together, we can ensure that your job will be produced the way you envisioned it.

What file format does Phoenix Press prefer for images?
We prefer images as .eps, .tif or .jpeg files. EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) is a file format used to transfer graphic images within compatible applications. TIFF (tagged image file format) is a file format for graphics suited for representing scanned images and other large bitmaps. JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) was formed to create a standard for color and gray scale image compression.

What kind of electronic file format does Phoenix Press recommend?
We can accept many different formats, but your original application files are the easiest to deal with. Postscript and PDF files are the next best file formats.

What is a “PDF”?
PDF stands for Portable Document Format, a universal file format developed by Adobe that preserves all the fonts, formatting, graphics and color of any source document. It allows a file to be read by Acrobat Reader (a free program available from Adobe), regardless of the hardware or software platform on which the file was created.

How do I make a PDF?
Making a PDF requires purchase and installation of Adobe Acrobat, which includes Acrobat Distiller. (These are not the same as Acrobat Reader.) Select Acrobat Distiller as your printer and a PostScript file (.ps) will be produced. Open your PostScript file in Acrobat Distiller and you can distill it into a PDF file.

Can Phoenix make changes to my PDF files?
Yes, to a certain degree. We have software that can go beyond the Adobe Acrobat tools for adjustments. However, in some cases, it is better to make changes in the native file and generate a new PDF.

How do I send Phoenix Press a file?
It’s easy to use our Website to send files. Register for the E-Customer Service Center and you are ready to upload and download files – no software necessary. Once you’ve registered, go to My Files and follow instructions on uploading and downloading files. If you have any questions, please call Ron Prizio at 203.865.5555 or 800.822.1242 for technical support.

How do I use your FTP site to send a file?
Please call Ron Prizio at 203.865.5555 or 800.822.1242 for detailed information on using our FTP site to send files.

Can I make changes to my document prior to it being printed?
Yes, Phoenix Press can make changes for you or you can send us a revised file. In either case, you will need to approve the related charges before we proceed. If we make the changes for you, we must have your approval of a PDF or hard copy proof before we begin printing.

What does “CTP” stand for?
CTP stands for Computer to Plate. Before CTP technology, film was generated to produce proofs and plates. Now plates are generated digitally without film. This allows you to make changes without incurring as much of a charge because the expensive film costs and extra steps are eliminated. It also allows us to create proofs much faster. CTP saves time and money.

What is “stochastic screening”?
Stochastic screening is a technique that uses a random dot pattern, unlike conventional screening, which uses a regular pattern of dots in straight rows. Our stochastic screening provides you with finer detail and truer color. It works best for small images showing fine, angular lines, smooth, reflective surfaces and graduated tones. Images are reproduced with no moirés, rosettes or other unwanted effects.

Why should I come in for a press check?
It’s important to ensure the color of your job is how you envisioned it. A press check gives you the opportunity to make certain color adjustments and have the final say on your job. We want to ensure that the printed piece meets your specific expectations. It’s also a good time to get to know us and the printing processes we use.

What do I look for at a press check?
When checking a press sheet, make sure:
o The color strength, or density, is correct for each process or flat color.
o The overprint colors – red, green, blue – are the correct strength and hue.
o The entire content of the proof is on the press sheet.
o The consistency and density are correct by using a densitometer to track density data.
o There are no unwanted defects such as streaks, scratches, hickeys or ghosts.
o Memory colors such as blue sky, red apple and flesh tones look clean and bright.
o Hues are consistent from one sheet to another.

What is the difference between offset and coated (matte or gloss) paper stock?
Offset stock is uncoated paper commonly used for 1-color pages in books, reports, letters and business forms. Offset stock is usually less expensive than coated stocks. Matte stock is a coated paper that has a dull finish, and is used to make pages easier to read that are text intensive or that contain numerical charts. Gloss stock is a coated paper with a shiny or highly reflective finish. It is most often used in 4-color printing to help full color photographs, images and graphics appear more vivid, real and appealing.

Does the weight of the paper stock effect durability and quality?
Yes, but only within the same type. For instance, if you choose 70# versus 50# offset text stock for a newsletter, the 70# stock would be more durable over time and result in less show through of the printed image from one side of a sheet to the other. However, if you choose 70# gloss text versus 70# offset for your newsletter, the gloss stock would be more durable and result in greater ink holdout and glossier images than the uncoated offset stock.

What are my options with 2-color printing?
Two-color print publications frequently use black and one other color to create a higher impact than can be achieved with 1-color. However, any two colors can often be used to create just the look you need without the time and expense of going to 4-color process printing.

What are the advantages of full color printing?
The highest quality and most appealing print publications are printed in full color using the 4-color (CMYK, or Cyan-Magenta-Yellow-Black) offset printing process. Studies have shown that full color increases readership and that there is over a 60% increase in retention with full color versus black and white. Choose from an almost endless pallet of colors to create your next high quality, high impact document in full living color.

What is the E-Customer Service Center and why should I use it?
Please see our E-Customer Service Center page.

How do I log in to the Phoenix Press E-Customer Service Center?
You can log in to our E-Customer Service Center, featured on the left hand side of the page, by simply filling in your email and password and clicking the Go button. If this is the first time you are logging in and have not yet registered, click on Need to Register. Once you’re registered, you’ll be able to access all the benefits of our E-Customer Service Center.

If I forgot my password, how do I retrieve it?
Click on Forgot Password and simply fill in your email address. We will send you an email with your password.

If you are already a registered user, how do you change addresses?
You may change your mailing or email addresses by logging in to our E-Customer Service Center. Once you’ve logged in, go to My Profile. Be sure to click Update after making the necessary changes. For email address changes, click Edit followed by Update.

Can I check the status and track the shipping of my job on the Phoenix Website?
Yes. To check the status of your job, log in to our E-Customer Service Center and go to My Jobs. To track the shipping of your job, click on the job, and then click on the tracking number.

How do I contact Phoenix Press for questions or instructions?
It’s easy to contact us. We will answer your inquiry promptly. To send your Account Rep an email directly from our Website, log in to our E-Customer Service Center and click on Contact Rep.