Our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page will answer many questions you might have about the services offered by Austin Graphics. If there's anything you're curious about that you don't see covered here, simply email us at support@austingraphics.com or call us at (512) 832-4100.

About Austin Graphics...

Who is Austin Graphics?
Where are you located?
What services do you offer?
What is your normal turnaround time?
Does Austin Graphics deliver?
What forms of payment do you accept?
Can I set up an account with Austin Graphics? Who is the billing contact?
Do you have a price list?

Technical Questions...

Can I send you my PC files for output?
What software does Austin Graphics support?
Can I send my files to you via the Internet?
I'm working in LayOutMaster v1.3, and I can't print. Can you help me?
What does "trapping" mean?
My file uses TrueType fonts. Is that going to create a problem?
What's the difference between RGB and CMYK color?

Grand and SuperWide Format Printing...

How large can you output files?
What is "tiling?"
What software does Austin Graphics support?
Does my file size have to be set up at 100% size?
What is the normal turnaround time for wide format printing?
What is "Flexible Face" signage?

About Austin Graphics...

Who is Austin Graphics?

Austin Graphics began serving the graphics industry of Central Texas in 1997. We offer pre-press services as well as Grand format graphic display capabilities. Our mission from day one has been to offer competitively-priced services with quick turn-arounds and great personal service. (top)

Oh, you meant who are we really? Click here to meet us.

Where are you located?

We're located in North Austin at 2100 Kramer Ln, Suite 100. Our building is just south of the intersection between Braker Ln and Kramer Ln.
Click here to see a map. (top)

What services do you offer?

Austin Graphics produces grand format graphics for trade show displays, banners, in-store P.O.P. displays, window displays, backlit signage, Flexi-Face Signage, Store graphics, fleet graphics, posters, outdoor signage. Austin Graphics is the only Authorized 3M™ Scotchprint® Manufacturer in the Central Texas Market (top)

What is your normal turnaround time?

Wide format printing can take from 24 to 48 hours based on the type of printing and finishing requested. In all cases, of course, special needs can be accomodated.

We've built our reputation on quick turns and great service. While some jobs obviously cannot be completed in the "normal" turn time, we make every effort to communicate the expected turn around to our clients. (top)

Does Austin Graphics deliver?

Austin Graphics can deliver your completed project for an additional fee. Please keep in mind that delivery time is not included in estimated turn times. We use local couriers for delivery in Austin, and Federal Express and UPS for delivery to areas beyond Austin. (top)

What forms of payment do you accept?

Austin Graphics accepts payment via cash, check, Mastercard, Visa and American Express. (top)

Can I set up an account with Austin Graphics? Who is the billing contact?

Yes, we can set you up with an Austin Graphics account. Click here to download an account application in PDF format (Adobe Acrobat Reader required—download it here). You may also contact Peggie Supak at (512) 832-4100. (top)

Do you have a price list?

Please contact one of our Sales Representatives for a quote on your next project.. (top)

Technical Questions...

Can I send you my PC files for output?

Of course. We service both PC and Mac files from a variety of popular software applications. (top)

What software does Austin Graphics support?

Austin Graphics supports most popular graphics software packages including QuarkXPress, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, Macromedia Freehand, Corel Draw and more.

Additionally, we are an Authorized Service Bureau for QuarkXPress®, an Authorized Service Provider for Adobe®, and an Authorized Service Bureau for Corel®.

Of special note: While we can handle Microsoft Office files (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher), we would like our clients to know that these files often require much more production time to convert or "wrangle" to ensure correct output. It is very important when dealing with these files that we receive hard-copy laser proofs to compare your files to! (top)

Can I send my files to you via the Internet?

Files (up to 20MB compressed) may be emailed to output@austingraphics.com. Please include all important information about your project.

For larger files, please use our FTP server. You will need FTP client software such as SmartFTP, Fetch, Cyberduck, etc., to connect. Please note: Austin Graphics cannot offer support for these applications!

What does "lpi" and "resolution" mean? How are they related?

The tiny dots used to reproduce your scanned photographs or artwork are referred to as "halftones." When your printer requests output in "lpi," or "lines per inch," he is referring to the actual number of lines of these halftone dots occurring per inch.

Usually, you'll hear references to "lpi" and "resolution" in the same breath, and there's good reason for this. Higher line screen requirements also call for higher resolution, expressed as "dpi" (dots per inch) or "ppi" (pixels per inch). This is usually calculated by multiplying the lines per inch required by 2; hence a required lpi of 150 calls for resolution of 300dpi, 175lpi at 350dpi, and so on. Of course, resolution is dependent on image size, so it's best to place images in your layout at 100%, as resizing the images can degrade the final output quality. (top)

I'm working in LayOutMaster v1.3, and I can't print. Can you help me?

Our staff is very knowledgeable in most popular graphics applications, and we'll try to help as much as we can within reason. However, there are always questions we won't be able to answer. Of course, there is no substitute for the technical support included with the purchase of your software, so we suggest that as the best route to take if we can't answer your question. (top)

My file uses TrueType fonts. Is that going to create a problem?

Many sources will tell you that TrueType fonts—a technology developed by Apple Computer in partnership with Microsoft—are buggy and unstable, and indeed, some are. But in our experience, the problems are isolated to a few bad apples (no pun intended) that we rarely see. We always try to accommodate our customers' files as best we can. So, our feeling is that if you have to use TrueType fonts as opposed to Type1, so be it. (top)

What is "color correction?"

The color displayed on the standard uncalibrated monitor, in most cases, will not match the actual color you'll see on the final printed piece. If you've scanned your own photos or created your own artwork for process color output, this is an option you may need to consider. Using specially color-calibrated monitors and software, we can make critical color corrections to your digital files before going to film. (top)

What's the difference between RGB and CMYK color?

Full-color images in RGB, (Red, Green, Blue) color mode are optimized for display on a computer monitor. When RGB images are submitted for separations, they will output only to the black plate. For correct separations, images should be submitted in CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) mode.

It's also important to create and edit your images in CMYK mode, as many of the colors reproducible by RBG can't be rendered in CMYK. This is known as colors falling out of CMYK "gamut," a term describing the portion of the color spectrum CMYK is able to replicate. If your images are bright and cheery in RGB, many times the colors will go flat when converted to CMYK. (top)

Grand and SuperWide Format Printing...

How large can you output files?

In our wide format department, we can output files up to 126 inches x 300 feet. And depending on what type of printing, material and application called for, we can tile sections to virtually any size! (top)

What is "tiling?"

We can divide your wide format piece into panels or sections that can be pieced together for a final result. This enables creating a final piece that is much larger. (top)

What software does Austin Graphics support?

Austin Graphics supports most popular graphics software packages including QuarkXPress, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, Macromedia Freehand, Corel Draw and more.

Additionally, we are an Authorized Service Bureau for QuarkXPress®, an Authorized Service Provider for Adobe®, and an Authorized Service Bureau for Corel®.

Of special note: While we can handle Microsoft Office files (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher), we would like our clients to know that these files often require much more production time to convert or "wrangle" to ensure correct output. It is very important when dealing with these files that we receive hard-copy laser proofs to compare your files to! (top)

Does my file size have to be set up at 100% size?

No, we can enlarge your file to the final output size. This allows working with a manageable file size. We do suggest, however, that images be at least 100 dpi at 100% size to get the best resolution. For example, your image could be 300 dpi at 8x10 inches; when enlarged to 24x30 inches, the resolution changes to 100 dpi. (top)

What is the normal turnaround time for wide format printing?

Wide format printing can take from 24 to 72 hours based on the quantity, type of printing and finishing requested. We've built our reputation on quick turns and great service. While some jobs obviously cannot be completed in the "normal" turn time, we make every effort to communicate the expected turn around to our clients. (top)

What is the Flexible-face signage?

Flexible-face signage is a much safer alternative to rigid faces, especially in regions with high winds and storms. If there's a sign blow out, rigid materials can shatter and become flying projectiles whereas flex faces are resistant to blowout.

Flex is also appropriate for signs with faces larger than 10 feet by 10 feet because making these signs with rigid faces would require a seam in the polycarbonate that many customers find unattractive. Flexible-faces should not be used for signs that are low to the ground like monument signs as the flex face material is susceptible to vandalism.

Flex faces will be decorated with digital printing or applied vinyl. When ordering be sure to specify the copy area and trim or overall size that you require for your clip system. (top)

 Updated January 17, 2008