FAQ

Have you ever had a question and either didn’t know where to find the answer or were a little embarrassed to ask? If so, you have come to the right place.

If you can’t find the answer to your questions on this page, please do one of the following:
-email your question to: info@copecatsprinters.com.au
-call 07 5443 3031
-visit us at 17 / 125 Sugar Road, Maroochydore Qld 4558

What file formats do you accept?
To ensure the accuracy of your print job, it’s best to upload your project as an Adobe PDF (Portable Document Format) file.  By nature, PDFs create print-ready files and provide a preview of your project that is as close to the final print job as possible.

How do I choose an appropriate paper for my printing project?
Glossy Vs Matt:  Glossy papers convey quality and sophistication, and they make photos “pop,” but their shine also can make text harder to read.  Matt papers project an “environmentally friendly” image, and their soft white appearance makes for good text legibility.
Light Vs Heavy:  Lighter weight papers say “value” and are economical for mailing, while thicker papers typically are more opaque and more durable, making them a good choice for pieces that feature a lot of text or are intended to have a long shelf-life.

What resolution is right for my images?
Because offset printing is extremely precise, any images you include should be provided in a minimum of 300 dpi (dots per inch) at size (100%).  Images that are of a lower resolution are likely to be blurry or will appear “broken up.”

What is RGB? CMYK?
RGB refers to the colors red, green and blue, which computer monitors use to display images.  A four-color, offset printing press, however, prints images using a different set of colors: cyan (blue), magenta (red), yellow and black (CMYK).
Files created in RGB must be converted to CMYK before they can be printed on a four-color press.  (Follow the instructions provided by your design program or we can do this for you.)  Keep in mind that files viewed in CMYK provide a more accurate representation of how your printed piece will look than what you can see in RGB mode.

RGB is best for websites and digital communications, while CMYK is better for print.

How can I reduce the file size of the artwork I want to upload?
We recommend that you compress file using WinZip for PCs and the Apple zip process or Stuffit for Macs.  This decreases the file size and the chances for file corruption.

How well will my job match what I see on my monitor?
Because computer monitors vary, PDF proofs can be used to help display layout, text accuracy, and image placement and proportion, and to give a fairly accurate interpretation of color or density.  Although we make every effort to match colors and/or ink densities as shown on PDF proofs, we cannot guarantee exact matches between our offset printing proof and the PDF proof you print from your office or home printer.

A monitor can't show true CMYK, CMYK is reflective light, or subtractive colour. A computer screen is projected light, or additive colour. They take up different (albeit overlapping) colour spaces. Because of this, the image on the screen will never be a prefect match to your print material. Your software does its best to emulate the RGB colours converting them to CMYK, but it simply can't replicate them exactly.

What should I look for when I get my proof?
When you retrieve the PDF proof we provide, please review it carefully.  This is your opportunity to check your layout and graphics, and your last chance to find typographical errors or misspelled words, and mistakes in grammar, punctuation and content.

How do I get a quote on a print product not listed on your website?
For custom quotes, please email your information (quantity, size, quality) to: info@copecatsprinters.com.au

How soon will I get my proof?
On the next business day following your email, we will email you with instructions for approving your PDF proof.

How soon will I get my printing order?
Upon receipt of your approval, your job will be sent to press.  It will then be printed and shipped within our standard turnaround time, generally 4-5 working days for offset printing and 1-2 working days for digital printing.

Does turnaround time include shipping?
Turnaround time begins when you approve your PDF proof and “send your job to press.” Turnaround time does not include shipping time since that varies depending on the shipping option you choose.  Therefore, turnaround time is the number of days between your approval of a proof and the time your order is shipped.

What methods of payment do you accept?
Copecats Printers accepts Direct Deposit, Cheque, Cash and Credit Card (Visa & Mastercard 1% surcharge applies)

Do you charge GST on my print order?
All prices are exclusive of 10% GST (except Copying prices, these are inclusive of GST),  this amount will be clearly identified on your invoice.

When am I billed for my print order?
You will be invoiced on order confirmation, you can pay electronically or by using a valid credit card.  All orders must be paid before printing/shipping.

Shipping and Handling
We will email you a price for shipping, depending on the urgency, on average the cost for a courier on the Sunshine Coast is $6.00, Brisbane $11.00, Sydney $18.00, Melbourne $18.00.

What if I need to make a change after I’ve received my proof?
If you need to make changes to your artwork after receiving your proof, please resubmit your files.

What if I need to make a change after I’ve approved my proof?
Once you have approved your proof and we sent your job to press, you can make no additional changes to your order.

What if I want to cancel my print order?
Prior to proof approval, Copecats Printers allows customers to cancel orders. Contact info@copecatsprinters.com.au.
Once you have approved a proof, your job is “sent to press” and there can be no cancellations or changes to the artwork files, job specifications or printing turnaround time.

What is your return policy?
ALL SALES ARE FINAL.  In the unlikely event that you find what you believe to be a manufacturing error, please contact us within three days of the receipt of your order.  On a case-by-case basis, we will evaluate the work and determine if a discount, reprint or other resolution is appropriate.