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PROPERLY Printed Business Cards - How and Where ??
Hey guys,
I've been scratching my head lately over a new set of business cards I need for myself. My problem is I can't find a proper printer to get what I want! This is really frustrating as not being a designer I can't really explain myself too. Hope someone can enlighten me here.
1. I want business cards to look like my bank manager's ones. They are not laminated however they are printed in SOLID vivid colours. Last batch of 'test' business cards I got came printed kind of pale (I learned my logo was out of CMYK gamut which is shame) and DOTTED. Like if I were to print colour card on my black laser printer - same effect. SO yeah, I don't want that: 'DOTTEDNESS' or COLOUR_PRINTED_IN_BLACK_LASER-like effect and LAMINATION.
2. RGB to CMYK don't convert to well I see. Especially with my logo which is #0099FF (try it to see). The closest CMYK counterpart is C=100% M=40% Y=K=0% which SUCKS! Still when I look at bank manager's one it is BRIGHT, printed with NO COMPROMISE!
3. Lastly all the cards I have ever printed (except for the metal ones which are pricey) came digitally printed (term I learned from printer). They all are not as good to me. How are banks' and other big guns comanies cards printed? They look like a book cover or a postcard or similar stuff which is difficult to describe however they are NOT printed using retarded DIGITAL PRINTER technology I run into every time. Is it LITHO? What is litho anyway - any examples?? I know it is hard to imagine but pls have a look at some of the known brands or large organizations business cards or flyers/cards/whatever - they are probably what I mean here.
Like I said before I am lost and nobody of them printer seem to understand my needs neither can I explain or describe them properly. I want something I see every now and then but every time I get close but not exact. Basically it comes down to two requirements for cards:
1. Printed NOT using digital printer but something I don't know what's it called.
2. Printed using vivid (RGB-like) colours as opposed to darn CMYK.
Those two above are a MUST as I am sick and tired of wasting money and being UNHAPPY! Please HELP!
PS. My bank manager has no clue where they print the cards. He just gets them from the drawer he says!!!
I've been scratching my head lately over a new set of business cards I need for myself. My problem is I can't find a proper printer to get what I want! This is really frustrating as not being a designer I can't really explain myself too. Hope someone can enlighten me here.
1. I want business cards to look like my bank manager's ones. They are not laminated however they are printed in SOLID vivid colours. Last batch of 'test' business cards I got came printed kind of pale (I learned my logo was out of CMYK gamut which is shame) and DOTTED. Like if I were to print colour card on my black laser printer - same effect. SO yeah, I don't want that: 'DOTTEDNESS' or COLOUR_PRINTED_IN_BLACK_LASER-like effect and LAMINATION.
2. RGB to CMYK don't convert to well I see. Especially with my logo which is #0099FF (try it to see). The closest CMYK counterpart is C=100% M=40% Y=K=0% which SUCKS! Still when I look at bank manager's one it is BRIGHT, printed with NO COMPROMISE!
3. Lastly all the cards I have ever printed (except for the metal ones which are pricey) came digitally printed (term I learned from printer). They all are not as good to me. How are banks' and other big guns comanies cards printed? They look like a book cover or a postcard or similar stuff which is difficult to describe however they are NOT printed using retarded DIGITAL PRINTER technology I run into every time. Is it LITHO? What is litho anyway - any examples?? I know it is hard to imagine but pls have a look at some of the known brands or large organizations business cards or flyers/cards/whatever - they are probably what I mean here.
Like I said before I am lost and nobody of them printer seem to understand my needs neither can I explain or describe them properly. I want something I see every now and then but every time I get close but not exact. Basically it comes down to two requirements for cards:
1. Printed NOT using digital printer but something I don't know what's it called.
2. Printed using vivid (RGB-like) colours as opposed to darn CMYK.
Those two above are a MUST as I am sick and tired of wasting money and being UNHAPPY! Please HELP!
PS. My bank manager has no clue where they print the cards. He just gets them from the drawer he says!!!
- Contact in PM
Opus
Messages count : 87Likes count : 3Registration : 4 February 2008Hard to say exactly what's been done without seeing the examples you refer to, however printers and print techniques can vary tremendously in quality and results. My guess is that your bank manager's cards have been printed on a litho press and probably using spot colours rather than CMYK (the volume of cards that a bank will produce almost certainly make it far more economical to do it this way). Also the paper stock can make a difference to the brightness of the colours. A good printer would be able to advise if they see the card.
I'll attempt to give a quick explanation of the various printing methods. Digital printing is a bit like using a large scale colour photocopier whilst with litho the different ink colours are applied to the rollers on the press – with CMYK, Cyan is applied to one roller, Magenta to another, Yellow to a third and blacK to the final one (overlaying them creates the different colours). With spot colours (also referred to as Pantone colours), the inks are mixed to be an exact match to the desired colours and are applied to the rollers, (rather than overlaying CMYK colours onto the paper stock) - this allows a much greater range of colours to be printed. Certain colours (especially brighter ones) are difficult or impossible to achieve out of CMYK. Converting colours from RGB will often give unreliable and disappointing results as well.
The problems you're having could be down to a problem with how the artwork is set up, how the colours are being converted or how the job is being specified. A good printer or graphic designer should be able to advise and identify the problem if you show them what you're trying to match. Feel free to message me if you need any further help.
DaveOpus Creative Design Ltd - Contact in PM
yamoose
Messages count : 6Likes count : 0Registration : 20 August 2009Hi,
It definitely seems like you've got a problem with the actual creation and artworking of the business cards.
When creating things for print, you should never work with RGB, the RIPS that the printers use to convert will never come out the same, generally it's more muted and softer colours, which is what i think part of your problem is.
Always work with CMYK and if this is a "company colour" you should choose a pantone reference to use, Pantone 299 C is very similar to the colour you need.
I would also tend to agree with Opus about the printing, they'll probably be getting them printed in high quantities so will be getting them printed using Litho.
If i were you, i'd find a local printing company and give them a ring. Most printers will be happy for you to pop in, show you around, explain the printing process and will be able to help you out. Chuck your source files onto a CD and head down there for a chat!
let me know if you need any more info!
ta
Matt