Quality
Are all Color Cards the same? Full color cards
are becoming more popular and people don't always
know if they're comparing apples to apples. How
can you make sure you're getting a quality product
without paying too much? At Go 4 Color we give
you the best product at the lowest cost possible.
We realize there are companies that are more expensive
and some that are less expensive but we have yet
to find anyone who offers our quality at a better
price. We want to be your number one source for
cards and we realize that we have to earn your
business with outstanding value! Let's start with
the basics.
1) Is it digital or offset
printing?
If your business cards are being run on a color
copier you're paying for champagne but getting
grape juice. If the answer is offset printing
thats good but don't stop there. Some digital
presses are being named offset presses when they
just can't achieve the quality of a traditional
off set presses yet. Quickmaster, Speedmaster,
Indigo, DI and other such words in a press name
indicate digital printing e.g. Hiedelberg D.I.
is a digital press. We print offset on a 5 color
Heidelberg.
2) Is if film or computer
to plate?
Computer to plate is superior because your registration
will be better so type and images appear crisper.
The color fits better for a clearer image. We
output C.T.P. at 175 lpi and 2540 dpi.
3) What about the paper?
Some cards feel a little light, while others
are almost cardboard. What does the paper say
about your business? If its too heavy it's like
wearing a cocktail dress to work - it's overkill.
If its too light it's like showing up to a business
meeting with shorts on. Your paper should be professional.
We use a professional 12 pt. cornwall cardstock.
It is the thickest card stock that professional
cards are printed on. It is flexible and durable.
Anything heavier starts to feel like cardboard
and is much less flexible for inserting into business
card sleeves etc. Some people advertise a 13 pt.
but it feels like a 12 pt. because they are using
cheaper no name paper which isn't as thick as
12 pt. 14-15 pt. is a cheaper temboard as well.
8-10 pt. is too light and doesn't have the substance
a quality card should.
4) What about coated stock?
All our stock is coated whether it is a flyer
paper or business card stock. For cards it's important
that the card stock be coated on both sides. This
prevents the cards from curling at teh edges.
Curling happens on cards where there is a coating
on only one side. Humidity affects the uncoated
side warping it or expanding it so that the card
curls on the uncoated side. The coated side prevents
humidity from seeping in. Coating on the back
of the card also makes the type and images appear
more vibrant. Our paper is specifically designed
to allow you to write on teh back with a regular
pen.
5) What about UV coating?
We UV coat the front of our cards to seal in
the ink. This prevents it from rubbing or smearing
at the corners. We don't UV coat the back so you
can still write on it with a regular pen. Cards
that aren't UV coated on the front do have a more
matte look but it comes at a price. The ink starts
to rub off especially on the corners of the card
resulting in a ratty edge. When people touch a
card with no UV coating on it the sweat on their
fingers or oils in their skin can cause the ink
to smear as well. One of our customers is always
able to smear the ink on cards that aren't UV
coated - quite funny when it's not your card.
UV coating also keeps the colors looking vibrant.
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