Free Shipping Over $200 to Canada's Biggest CitiesAll Prices in Canadian Dollars ($CDN) 
Customer Service Hotline : 877-503-2679
Free Shipping Over $200 to Canada's Biggest CitiesAll Prices in Canadian Dollars ($CDN) Customer Service Hotline : 877-503-2679
New to printing? That's okay. We've answered the questions we hear most often, in plain language.
Not sure where to begin? Start here.
For most products, you need three things:
If you're new to printing, don't worry about knowing every technical term. Start with the product you want and follow the options provided on its product page.
The most important thing is to understand the difference between the finished size and the file size.
The finished size is the size of your product after it has been cut or finished.
If your product requires bleed, your artwork extends beyond that finished edge.
If you're not sure whether your product requires bleed, check the specific product instructions before preparing your file.
That's okay. Here are some of the terms you'll see most often:
Here's how to make sure your artwork is ready for printing.
For most products, PDF is the preferred file format.
PDF keeps the document size, layout, fonts, images, and graphics together in one file and is much less likely to change when opened on another computer.
Depending on the product, CanadaCopy.com also accepts various other formats through the upload system, including common image and design formats.
Whenever possible, send one complete PDF containing all of the pages in the correct order.
Separate files may be appropriate for situations such as:
If you need to send more than three files, contact CanadaCopy.com for assistance.
Your artwork should be built around the finished size of the product you ordered.
For example, if you order an 8.5" × 11" (215.9 × 279.4 mm) finished product, the finished page size is 8.5" × 11" (215.9 × 279.4 mm).
If bleed is required, the artwork extends beyond that finished size by the specified amount.
Bleed is extra artwork that extends beyond the edge of the finished product.
When the product is trimmed, the bleed is cut off. This helps prevent a thin white line from appearing along the edge if the trimming shifts slightly.
Whether bleed is required depends on the product and how it is produced. Always follow the specifications for the particular product you're ordering.
If you need bleed but aren't able to create it yourself, file-preparation services may be available when ordered.
The safe margin is the area between important content and the finished edge of the product.
We recommend keeping important text, logos, faces, and other critical information at least 0.25" (6.35 mm) inside the finished edge.
Backgrounds and images intended to reach the edge are different. Those should extend into the bleed when bleed is required.
CanadaCopy.com recommends approximately 300 DPI to 600 DPI for images, with 300 DPI being suitable for most customers and applications.
Low-resolution images taken from websites may look blurry or jagged when printed.
CanadaCopy.com can perform certain file-preparation services when they are requested and applicable.
Files requiring work such as resizing, pasting, editing, or other preparation may be subject to a $25.00 setup charge per file.
This does not mean that every design problem will automatically be fixed. Customers remain responsible for the content and accuracy of the artwork they provide.
Check spelling, images, page order, dimensions, margins, bleed, colours, and all other important details before submitting or approving your file.
If you create your document in Microsoft Word, we strongly recommend exporting it as a PDF before submitting it.
Word documents can change appearance because of differences in fonts, software versions, page settings, and other computer settings.
A PDF gives you much more control over the final appearance of your document.
Your monitor and a printing press create colour in very different ways.
Your monitor creates colour using light. Printing creates colour using ink or toner on paper.
Because these are different processes, the colour you see on your screen is not a guarantee of the exact colour that will appear on paper.
Your monitor's brightness, calibration, and colour settings also affect what you see.
CanadaCopy.com recommends saving images and graphics as CMYK for the best printing results.
RGB files can produce less predictable results when converted to the colour space used for printing.
CMYK stands for:
These four colours are combined to create a wide range of colours on a printed page.
RGB, on the other hand, stands for Red, Green, and Blue and is primarily used for screens.
No. A printed piece cannot be guaranteed to exactly match a monitor, home printer, previously printed piece, or another commercial printer.
Standard production uses controlled ink densities and calibration to produce consistent, pleasing colour.
Different paper stocks, finishes, printers, and viewing conditions can all affect the appearance of colour.
Your proof is your chance to make sure the file is correct before production.
A proof is a version of your artwork that you review before CanadaCopy.com produces the final order.
It gives you an opportunity to check the layout, page order, images, text, and other details.
CanadaCopy.com offers two proofing options on applicable products:
When a proof is requested, the order remains on hold until the proof is approved.
Before approving your proof, check:
Once a proof has been approved, the order can move into production and changes or cancellation may no longer be possible.
Once a proof has been approved for production, the order cannot be cancelled or refunded.
If you need to make a change or cancel an order before approval, contact CanadaCopy.com immediately. Cancellation eligibility depends on the current status of the order.
Books have a few additional requirements because the pages need to be assembled and bound.
Your interior pages should normally be built at the finished page size of your book.
For example, an 8.5" × 11" (215.9 × 279.4 mm) book should have interior pages that are 8.5" × 11" (215.9 × 279.4 mm).
The cover is a separate file and has different dimensions when the book is perfect bound.
The spine is the narrow section of a book cover between the front and back covers.
The width of the spine depends on the number of pages and the thickness of the paper.
More pages generally mean a wider spine.
Spine width is calculated using the number of pages and the appropriate paper thickness.
| Paper | Spine Factor |
|---|---|
| 20lb / 50lb | 0.004" (0.102 mm) |
| 24lb / 60lb | 0.0045" (0.114 mm) |
| 28lb / 70lb | 0.005" (0.127 mm) |
| 32lb / 80lb | 0.006" (0.152 mm) |
| 80lb Gloss | 0.004" (0.102 mm) |
| 100lb Gloss | 0.0055" (0.140 mm) |
For example:
This calculation is intended as a guide. Always use the specifications provided for the particular product you are ordering.
A perfect-bound cover is one continuous piece consisting of:
If bleed is required, add 0.125" (3.175 mm) to the applicable outside edges.
Perfect binding is a paperback-style binding method where the pages are gathered together and attached to a wraparound cover.
The cover contains the back cover, spine, and front cover.
It is commonly used for novels, manuals, catalogues, magazines, workbooks, and other multi-page publications.
Saddle stitching is a booklet binding method that uses staples through the folded centre of the publication.
It is commonly used for thinner booklets, programs, brochures, magazines, and similar publications.
You don't need a traditional publisher to have your book professionally printed.
Self-publishing means that you are responsible for producing and distributing your own book rather than working through a traditional publishing company.
This can include writing, editing, designing the interior, creating the cover, arranging printing, and selling or distributing the finished books.
No. You do not need an ISBN simply to have a book printed.
An ISBN is an identification number used for books and other publications. Whether you need one depends on how and where you intend to distribute your book.
Yes. You can create your own interior and cover and submit the finished files for printing.
You do not need to be a professional publisher or graphic designer.
The important part is that the files are correctly prepared for the product you are ordering.
There are many programs that can be used to create a book.
Whatever software you use, export your finished project as a properly prepared PDF whenever possible.
Important information about changing or cancelling orders.
Contact CanadaCopy.com immediately if you need to cancel an order.
Cancellation eligibility depends on how far the job has moved through the order and production process.
Once an order has been approved for production, cancellation or refund may no longer be available.
Contact CanadaCopy.com as soon as possible if you need to make a change.
Whether a change is possible depends on the status of your order. Once production has started or a proof has been approved, changes may no longer be possible.
Contact CanadaCopy.com immediately and let us know that the wrong file was uploaded.
Do not assume that we will automatically know which file you intended to use.
If the job has not entered production, there may be an opportunity to replace the file. Once production has started, replacement may no longer be possible.
Contact CanadaCopy.com as soon as possible if there is a problem with your order.
Provide your order number and a clear description of the issue. Photos may also be requested to help us review the problem.
If CanadaCopy.com determines that the problem was caused by a production error on our part, the appropriate resolution can be arranged.
Low-resolution images, incorrect content, improperly prepared artwork, and other customer-file errors are not considered production errors.
Understanding the difference between production time and shipping time.
Production time depends on the product, quantity, paper, finishing, selected production option, and current production schedule.
Estimated production and shipping information is displayed when configuring and ordering applicable products.
Available shipping methods and rates are shown during checkout based on the order and delivery destination.
Select the option that best matches your required delivery timing and budget.
CanadaCopy.com offers free shipping on qualifying orders over $200 before tax to many major areas within Canada.
Eligibility can vary by destination, particularly for rural or remote locations.
Check the shipping information shown during checkout for the options available to your postal code.
If you're not sure whether your file is ready, run through this checklist.
Make sure the document matches the finished size of the product you ordered.
Check whether your product requires bleed. When required, the typical amount is 0.125" (3.175 mm).
Keep important text and graphics approximately 0.25" (6.35 mm) from the finished edge.
Use appropriately high-resolution images. Around 300 DPI is a good target for most printed material.
Open your final PDF and make sure every page is present and in the correct order.
Check spelling, phone numbers, URLs, dates, names, prices, and every other important detail.
That's okay. If your question isn't answered here, contact CanadaCopy.com and we'll help you figure out what you need.
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