Please view our guide here to learn one method of adding bleed to your file.

Accepted: TIFF, PDF, Illustrator (with fonts and images embedded), Indesign (with fonts and images outlined and embedded or with a packaged file)

Not accepted: .png, svg, jpeg, Canva files without bleed and crop marks, PowerPoint, Word (needs to be downloaded as a PDF first)

Ideally, we’d like your images to be 300dpi at 100% size.

DPI stands for dots per inch. Think of it as how many tiny dots of color make up your picture. The more dots you have, the sharper and clearer your print will look.

On a computer screen, even low-resolution images can look fine because screens use light to make them appear smooth. But when you print, that same image can look blurry or pixelated if it doesn’t have enough dots.

For the best results, we recommend images at 300 DPI for print. That ensures your photos and graphics look crisp, not fuzzy, on paper.

Colors look different on a screen than they do in print because they’re created in two different ways. Your screen uses light (RGB – red, green, blue), which makes colors appear brighter and more vibrant. Print uses ink (CMYK – cyan, magenta, yellow, black), which blends colors on paper. Because of this, certain bright or neon colors you see on your monitor can’t be matched exactly in ink.

We carefully adjust files to get as close as possible, but it’s normal to see slight differences between what you see on your screen and the final printed piece. For the most accurate results, we recommend requesting a printed proof before full production.

Yes, we can match almost 100%. Tag your files with the appropriate Pantone color and let us know what those colors are so we can make sure we are using the correct profile. We can never guarantee 100% match but we come very close.

For our clients that have portal access, please place your order using our online ordering portal located on the top right corner of our site (ONLINE ORDERING). 

For our clients that do not have portal access, please fill out the Get a Quote form on the website. This email goes directly to our team who will download your files and review your quote request. This typically takes 1-3 hours depending on our schedule in the shop. If you require a faster turnaround on a quote, please call the office at 410-727-1400. Please be sure to add your files (print-ready files), quantity needed, stock preferred, delivery or pick up, and a contact person for billing.

We use Printavo. Printavo is our shop management software, used to streamline communication and order processing. You will receive emails from Printavo regarding quote approvals, artwork approvals, pickup or delivery details, final invoices, and payment instructions.

To complete approvals or make a payment, simply follow the links provided in the emails and click the green action buttons on the left side of the page. All updates made through these links are automatically reflected in our system.

Production timelines depend on the quantity and complexity of your project, as well as our current production schedule. Typically, turnaround time for 3–5 business day. Rush service is available, with a 100% surcharge for same-day turnaround and a 50% surcharge for next-day turnaround.

Your project will go into production. No changes can be made after proof approval. If you feel that there are issues AFTER you approved the proof, please call our office immediately!

We offer local courier services within the Baltimore area, as well as nationwide shipping through trusted carriers such as UPS and FedEx.

Prepress refers to the preparation of files prior to printing, ensuring they meet all technical and quality standards for production. This may include requested edits such as proofing, resizing, formatting adjustments, and other client-specified updates. If prepress services are required, a fee of $45 will be added to the total project cost.

There is a shop minimum of $50. 

Additional fees may include shipping and courier services, rush fees, prepress, and credit card processing fees for purchases over $1,500 (bank transfer preferred). Any of these fees will be previously discussed before the final invoice is sent.

You will receive an email notification as soon as your order is ready for pickup. Our shop is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Holiday hours may adjust this schedule so please reach out to ask.

Our system allows us to keep client orders at least up to one year. We recommend that when you receive your proof, you download it to keep it for future orders. 

Yes, we offer hard proof samples. Typically, the cost is $25 depending on the complexity of the proof we have to make. Please remember that most hard proofs are hand cut and scored. These proofs should be for layout and color purposes only.

Most inquiries can be solved over email (preferred) production@alphagrap.com. We typically respond to emails within 3 hours. Or you may reach out to 410-727-1400 and press 5, then 0. This will direct you to our customer service representative.

Alpha Graphics will print the dissertation book block, then send it to Long’s Roullet Bookbinders, Inc. in Norfolk, VA to be case bound according to NDMU standards. You will receive an invoice both from Alpha and from Long’s Roullet for the printing and binding. Long’s Roullet will reach out to you for final delivery of your book as well as to receive payment.

In order to get your dissertation printed and bound, we need original paper copies of the sealed and signed dissertation by your professors, as well as a PDF of your dissertation. We understand that Dr. Pallett will mail us the signature sheets at your request, but you must reach out to us as well via email–production@alphagrap.com–to send the PDF dissertation file and let us know how many copies you’d like to get printed. Please also provide a good phone number and shipping/billing address so we can send this information to Long’s Roulett on your behalf.

• Alpha Colors™ custom color transfers 
• Professional design services 
• Large format posters, and banners, up to 64 wide
• Vinyl banners (one day use or premium, indoor & outdoor)
• Pull-up banners including hardware, trade show displays &  

  graphics

• Indoor/Outdoor Signage 
• Cut vinyl and other exhibit graphics
• Digital printing (catalogs, booklets, brochures, business cards)
• Invitations, stationery, greeting cards, and business stationery 
• Photograph printing (large format) and framing
• Fine art printing                                      
• Finishing services including lamination and mounting on a variety of substrates and finishes, trimming, folding, binding, and perfect binding
• Data merge and variable data printing

Digital

• Website Design and Development
• Website Maintenance
• Branding and messaging (including social media and email marketing)
• Monthly design and marketing
• WCAG 2.1 AA Accessibility Compliance