FAQ

Additive Color

Acid free

Why aren’t my fonts looking right?

I acquired a set of dies for my project.  Do I own them and are they mine to keep?

Yes you do own any die you create as part of the project you land at Carlisle.  If requested, they can be delivered with your project.  However many dies are small and easily lost or damaged.  Others, like presentation folder die cut panels can be quite large and challenging to manage.  At Carlisle, we archive every die we create in a library system easily recalled for future projects until such time as they are obsolete through use or by design.  We will manage your die storage at no cost protecting your investment and safeguarding the integrity of your original request until such time as you no longer need that service.

I need to repeat a project.  Do you keep my plates and files?

Where appropriate, we do keep print files and useful plates in archive to support future requests for additional print product.  Print files are always archived by job number digitally.  They can be recovered and re used and sometimes updated when requesting additional projects.  Never hurts to ask.  Over the years our archives have helped more than one agency or designer recover files they lost for one reason or another.  If your project was offset on one or more plates and not time sensitive it is very likely they are available for several years following your project and always if you request that option when launching your project.  A set of plates is a large investment particularly if your project is a sizeable book or brochures in four or six color with varnishes.  As long as they are useful, you are able to stretch your original dollars forward.  It costs you nothing to retain plates.  Because eventually we would be a mountain of aluminum sheets, we do retire plates when they are obsolete but they do not go to the landfill.  All retired plates are recycled in keeping with our high standards for environmental conservancy.  Sadly, all print files formerly on film are now retired and as such unavailable for recovery.

Can I change my order?  Why do I need a proof?

Of course you can but the cost associated with the change will become part of the final cost of your order.  Sometimes that cost is an additional day or two simply to acquire more material to increase count for delivery.  But say your project is offset on 64 plates and you find an error after approving the work to advance and call us with a “stop the presses” moment.  It happens.  Removing the error or updating the content of your files may mean new plates, delay, more stock and a restart.  That can be very expensive indeed.  Always request a print file proof and make time to review and approve.  They do have cost but far less than a full stop can drain from your pocket.  A proof is always worth the effort.  Will a PDF do?  Sometimes – it really depends on the project.  A proof is a valuable part of your project showing you exactly what we believe your project to contain and look like coming off the press and out of bindery.  It is your opportunity to check the work one last time.  The print proof is part of the job jacket and remains in your project file for future reference as needed.  Many jobs repeat and we will advance a proof into a new job jacket when appropriate to manage consistency of product.  All proofs belong to the printer as part of the working file.  You can request a full or partial duplicate and we will advise a separate cost for that effort when employed.

How long will my order take to deliver?

It depends on how we are printing your project.  Our basic delivery schedule is based on production days required to complete your request.  Generally we allow one production day for every production step needed to manage completion.  Pre press and Proof, Plating, Printing, Trimming, Folding, Letterpress, Stitching and other forms of binding, packaging and finally delivery give you some idea on how we structure the work.  A typical digital project will usually carry a two or three day turn.  A typical offset project will usually carry a five to seven day turn.  A stitched book in several parts with finishing details will usually carry ten to twelve day turn.  Jobs that require outsourcing of special features will usually carry a twelve to fifteen day turn to accommodate transportation needs.  Your job is never the only job in production on any given day.  Some weeks are light and others sheer chaos to manage.  If you need speed, ask.  We will always give you a realistic estimate based on production at the time your job launches.  When we are able to adjust for more speed, we will do our best to make that happen.

There is a problem – what do I do?

All projects at Carlisle are assigned to a sales representative from beginning to end.  Your rep is your first call.  On those rare occasions where something seems amiss, call, let us know.  We want to know because we genuinely want to make every project a success.  In the world of “custom” communication is absolutely everything.  We are responsive.