FAQ

Welcome to our FAQ page! You'll find answers to common questions about our products and services here. If you're wondering about general inquiries like how to place an order or payment options, you're in the right place. Curious about our art setup requirements or how to prepare your files for printing? We've got you covered. And suppose you're interested in shipping details, such as delivery times and options. In that case, you'll find all the information you need here. Explore our FAQ to make your custom printing experience smooth and hassle-free!

For more answers, you can also visit our support page.

General

What type of paper does PrintKEG™ offer?

To see a listing of most of the paper selections we offer at Printkeg.com, visit our papers page.

How do you pack the prints?

Orders of print sizes 13x19 are packed flat using bubble wrap, chipboard, and durable boxes. Larger prints are shipped in tubes.

Does PrintKEG™ offer free samples?

Not anymore, but you can order print samples by ordering paper samples of single prints.

How do I get an invoice?

The order confirmation we email you includes an invoice. A Printkeg representative can also email a "paid" invoice for previous orders.

Why can’t I see a proof before placing my order?

You can add a digital proof to your order. One of our artists will review your file and then send you a PDF visual, usually within one business day. 

Will I receive an order confirmation?

Yes, our site works like most other e-commerce websites. You will receive order confirmation, status updates, and shipping confirmation via email.

How do I contact Customer Service?

Check our Contact Us page for all the details of contacting Printkeg.

How do I check order status or tracking?

Status updates are emailed to you. You can also check the current status of any order here.

What payment methods do you accept?

Printkeg accepts all major credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Paypal, as well as select cryptocurrencies.

Art Related

What is resolution? What resolution should my file be?

Print resolution, measured in dots per inch (DPI), determines the detail and clarity of a printed image, with higher DPI values resulting in sharper and more detailed prints. For example, 300 DPI is typically required for high-quality photographic prints, whereas text generally looks crisp at this resolution. The print resolution impacts the file size, with higher resolutions producing larger files. The printer's capabilities also play a role, as high-end printers can achieve much higher resolutions than standard ones. Additionally, the source image's resolution must be high enough to maintain quality at the desired print size, as a low-resolution image won't print well at a high DPI. Understanding print resolution is essential for achieving optimal print quality in various applications.

What does full bleed mean?

Full bleed refers to a printing technique where the design or artwork extends all the way to the edge of the paper or material being printed on without any white borders or margins. This edge-to-edge printing is achieved by printing an image slightly larger than the desired print size, which is then trimmed down.

Do I include crop marks?

No, do not include crop or trim marks in your art files.

When do I upload my art file?

An upload feature is available on every product page. If you overlooked the upload feature, you can also email art to us after an order is completed.

My art file is large so I cannot upload or email it - any suggestions?

Services like Dropbox are perfect solutions for this scenario.

Do you print in RGB or CMYK?

CMYK.

How do I contact the Art Department?

You can email our art department any time at art@printkeg.com.

Colors

What is CMYK color mode?

CMYK color mode specifies the colors used in printing. It stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. These are the primary colors used in printing to create a wide range of colors. Here's what each color does:

• Cyan: This is a bluish-green color.
• Magenta: This is a purplish-red color.
• Yellow: This is, well, yellow!
• Black: This adds depth and detail, especially in darker areas.

In CMYK mode, colors are created by combining different percentages of these four ink colors. For example, you might use a lot of Cyan and Yellow to create a bright green but no Magenta or Black. CMYK is essential for printing because it ensures that the colors you see on your screen can be accurately reproduced on paper.

How can I guarantee color accuracy?

We can't, but CMYK is one significant way to help us meet the colors you imagine.

What if I want to create a solid black area?

Using CMYK, creating a solid black area involves using only black ink (K) without any Cyan (C), Magenta (M), or Yellow (Y). This is because when you mix all three CMY inks together, they do not create a pure black; instead, they make a dark brownish color.

So, to achieve a solid black:

• Use 100% of the Black ink (K).
• Set Cyan (C), Magenta (M), and Yellow (Y) to 0%.

In printing, this meticulous process ensures that the area you want to be black will appear as a rich, solid black without any other colors mixed in. This is particularly important for text and line art, where sharp contrast and clarity are needed.

Does lighting impact color quality?

Yes, lighting can significantly impact how colors appear to our eyes. It's important to understand that there's a wide variety of light sources, each with unique characteristics. Natural daylight, incandescent bulbs, fluorescent lights, or LED lights-each emits a different spectrum of light, and each can affect how colors are perceived.

1. Color Temperature: Different light sources have different color temperatures, measured in Kelvin (K). For example, daylight is typically around 5000-6500K and is considered more relaxed, while incandescent bulbs are around 2700-3000K and are warmer. The color temperature can influence how warm or cool colors appear.
2. Color Rendering Index (CRI): This measures how accurately a light source renders colors compared to natural daylight. Light sources with higher CRI (closer to 100) tend to show colors more accurately, while lower CRI sources can distort colors.
3. Color Shifts: Some light sources can cause specific colors to appear more saturated or dull. For instance, fluorescent lights sometimes make colors appear slightly bluish or greenish. This awareness can help you make more accurate color judgments in various settings.
4. Metamerism: This occurs when colors appear differently under different lighting conditions. For instance, a color that matches under one type of light may look different under another kind of light due to how the light source interacts with the color's pigments.

In practical terms, the lighting in which you view colors can affect how true or accurate those colors appear. This is important in various applications such as interior design, photography, printing, and everyday tasks like choosing clothes or painting walls.

Shipping

Should I use my business name or my personal name?

The more information provided, the better. If you are shipping to a business address, a contact person and company name will be helpful to the carrier.

Do you charge for shipping?

Yes, you can learn more about the carriers, shipping rates, and transit methods on our "understanding flat rates and shipping" page.

What shipping options do you offer?

Ship your prints via UPS or USPS via many different transit methods. Learn more on the "understanding flat rates and shipping" page.

Why can’t I ship to a P.O. Box?

You can. If you select a PO BOX, always choose USPS as your carrier. We may ask you to switch to UPS and request a physical address for extremely heavy packages.

Where does PrintKEG ship?

We ship prints to anywhere in the United States, including US islands and territories, Canada, Mexico, the US, Germany, and Australia.

How do I find my tracking number and track my shipment?

We will email you tracking information as packages ship. You can also locate your tracking on the Shop Pay app by Shopify or on our status update page.

Can I use my own shipping account?

Not at this time.

Do you offer Saturday Delivery?

We do not.

Can I ship my order to multiple locations?

For now, we recommend making separate orders if you are shipping to multiple locations.

Can I upgrade my shipping method once I place my order?

If your order has not yet shipped, we should be able to accommodate changing your shipping method. Once an order is in transit, however, we can no longer do so.

Will you ship my order if it finishes early?

Yes.

Will I be notified when my order ships?

We will email you tracking information as packages ship. You can also locate your tracking on the Shop Pay app by Shopify or on our status update page.

What is blind shipping, and why do you offer it?

All orders are blind shipped since most of our customers are artists.

Your shipping fees seem high…why?

We do our best to keep shipping rates low. This is why we offer many shipping methods, two carriers, and flat rates.