Here you'll find answers to common questions our clients ask. Start by selecting one of the links below. If you don’t see what you need – call or contact us online.
Good question! We are a full service shop and offer a wide range of products and services. To see a full listing and description of what we can offer you, check out the Products & Services tab. We specialize in Quick turnaround Print & Mail Projects, Handwork Fulfillment and Custom Envelopes.
Well, since you are here, we would suggest you use our online estimate request form. Otherwise, you can email us at: quotes@gpdirectmail.com or you can give us a call, we'd be happy to discuss the particulars of your next project and what GP Direct can do for you.
Yes. We offer free storage for items purchased through GP Direct. GPDirectLink is our Online material ordering and inventory system. Giving you access to your all of your items and inventory and usage reports at your fingertips. Call us today to discuss how this online tool can work for you. Check out the demo on the GPDirectLink Page.
PDF (Portable Document Format) is the most common and preferred file format for submitting digital documents. Both commercial and free PDF print drivers are available online for download from different sources.
Make them print ready and acceptable for us to print.
No matter your particular design program, be sure to:
• Embed all Images
• Convert all your text/copy to outline fonts or paths
• Export as EPS or PDF
Resolution should be set to no less than 300 dpi.
Pictures and graphics pulled from the internet are often low resolution, typically 72 dpi or 96 dpi. Avoid these graphics, as they will appear pixilated and blocky when printed.
Also note that you should save all photos in CMYK mode, not RGB mode when possible. Images saved in RGB mode may not print properly. If you are unable to save your image in CYMK mode, please let us know.
In short, printers and monitors produce colors in different ways.
Monitors use the RGB (red, green, blue) color model, which usually supports a wider spectrum of colors. Printers use the CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) color model, which can reproduce most—but not all—of the colors in the RGB color model. Depending on the equipment used, CMYK generally matches 85–90% of the colors in the RGB model.
When a color is selected from the RGB model that is out of the range of the CMYK model, the application chooses what it thinks is the closest color that will match. Programs like Adobe Photoshop will allow you to choose which color will be replaced. Others may not.
Variable data printing is technology for printing documents so that each piece is personalized to the specific recipient. At the most basic level, this means personalizing a name and address. But for real impact, many projects include unique graphics and content that speaks directly to the recipient.
We work with many types of data files, but CSV files are the safest bet. These are data files that have commas separating each field, and returns separating each line of data. To save time and hassle, make sure your data is properly formatted with each piece of data in separate fields.
Complex projects may require other files, like image files or additional data files. If you are unsure of what may be required for a particular variable project, just give us a call.
Personalization is another term for variable data—technology for printing documents so that each piece is personalized to the specific recipient.
Personalizing can be as simple as a unique name and address on every printed piece. But more sophisticated levels of personalization can include text or images that vary based on data specific to the recipient, or data-driven graphics such as a pie chart illustrating something specific to the recipient.
We are experts at postal regulations and can assist you with the placement of your text and images on any mail piece to comply with the requirements of the USPS.
We accept Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access or D-Base. Our preferred file type is asci comma delimited.
Studies consistently show that personalized marketing receives a far greater response than static pieces.
On average, the response rate of a static direct mail campaign is around 2%. A targeted, personalized campaign that utilizes variable data technology can increase that response rate by up to 30%.
While the cost per piece of variable imaging direct mail is a bit higher, your cost per response is much lower, increasing your return on investment.
Basic print and mail projects (i.e. print letter, fold, insert, mail) take 2-3 days or less depending on the total quantity. Fulfillment and mail projects, however, may take several days to complete depending on their complexity and size. We always strive to provide an accurate estimate of the turnaround time for each job we do. And we’ll always work with you to find ways to complete your project when you need it.
