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Click the "Your Account" button at the top of the page. You can view your order history, and current order status. If you have questions please contact us.

Yes. We can meet most needs for custom orders, at the bottom of each page is a "Quote Request" link. Please use that link to request a custom quote.

Yes. Call us at 858.731.6327 or 619.993.773.

We make ever effort to assure your complete satisfaction, if we have made a mistake we will reprint your job at not cost to you. Please understand we cannot be responsible for typing, color, image or design errors in a customers artwork.

All sales are final. If we have made an error we will reprint your order at no cost to you under the following conditions: Customer must notify WestCoastPrintBrokers within 4 business days of order acceptance to notify any defects discovered in the ordered product. In order to receive a replacement the customer must return 100% of the received product within 15 days (at their own expense) from the time when the delivery was received. All new charges related to expediting printing (Rush Printing or Shipping) are NON REFUNDABLE, including those orders that are returned for any reason. Since each order is unique to each customer it has no re-sale value, therefore No Refunds or Credit.

You can upload your artwork by clicking the "Upload Artwork" button at the bottom of every page. You can also send an email to artwork@westcoastprintbrokers.com with your artwork attached. Please include your order number in the subject line. For large files you may need to use our FTP server. Call 858.731.6327 or 619.993.7739 for account information.

We highly recommend using Adobe Acrobat's PDF format. You can get more information about Acrobat here.

We recommend having a "0.062" bleed from each side for most products. For example a 3.5x2 business card will have the final size of 3.625x2.125, an extra .125 horizontally and .125 vertically.

300 dpi is the minimum resolution.

You should always use CMYK color.

We recommend not printing borders close to the cut area. During the trimming process the paper can slip slightly and cause some borders to look off center. If you must use a border make sure it is thick.

The safe margin is an imaginary line inside the document from the edge of the document size (usually 0.125 inch). Safe margin can contain pictures but should not contain text. If images, text or logos are in the safe margin it may be cut off during trimming.

Shipping charges are already included in most item prices. Some items require manual estimates for shipping. If the shipping cost is not available online please call us at 858.731.6327 or 619.993.7739. We pass on the exact shipping expenses from our manufacturers with no markup.

Common items are normally in your hands within 7 business days. You may opt to pay for faster shipping, where available. More information is available in our terms & conditions.

UV Coating is short for "Ultra-violet Coating." This is a term for a post-production process where a clear coating, a liquid applied to a printed sheet, is bonded and cured with ultraviolet light. This form of coating is thicker than normal varnishes and provides an attractive, high gloss appearance to the printing. We use 16 pt stock in our business card, so you get the highest quality, durability, and sustainability in an attractive and eye catching business card.

16pt is a thicker paper stock than the average 12pt or 14pt used by the majority of printing companies for business and postcards. C2S refers to paper that has been "coated two sides" for better color and detail on press.

These are some of the most common errors that are found in submitted files:

CMYK versus RGB The color mode of your image is very important. All color elements of your design should be set for CMYK color space, and not RBG. CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black (K). RGB stands for Red, Green, Blue. All press colors are created by varying percentages of each of the 4 CMYK process colors. For black and white elements, use Grayscale or Bit map, which only use black K of CMYK).

RGB Color RGB must be converted to CMYK prior to printing. Be aware that the CMYK color conversion may not preserve the colors from RGB exactly as you expect. RGB is a color space used for non-press uses such as images displayed on a computer monitor, television, etc. If your image is RGB, like all images that come from your scanner or digital camera, you will need to convert the file to CMYK. This process will not preserve the RGB colors perfectly, but it is the only way to make the image suitable for press. This also applies to all non-image elements in your design. Make sure all items in your design, like graphic elements or type, are set for CMYK.

PANTONE COLORS Pantone colors are considered "spot color" and not CMYK Process. Please convert all Pantone colors in your design or layout to its CMYK process color equivalent.

WRONG SIZE Digital files must be built at the correct trim size with proper bleeds. In applications like Illustrator, Freehand, InDesign, and Quark, the document must be created at the final trim size, and from there, you must extend any artwork that touches the trim edge past the trim by 1/8" for the bleed. In Photoshop, create your canvas at the bleed size (trim size + 1/4"). eg: if your trim is 4"x6", then create your Photoshop canvas at 4.25" x 6.25") and then use guides to show your trim (set your guides 1/8" back from the edge of the canvas). Please download and use our templates to ensure correct page size.

ART CLOSE TO TRIM Text, borders, or images that are not meant to go the edge of your card must be 1/8" from the trim edge of your layout. Images that are meant to go to the edge of your card must extend 1/8" past the trim for your bleed.

LOW RESOLUTION IMAGES Raster (bitmap) graphics such as TIFF's and JPEG's must have a resolution above 300 dpi (dots per inch). Images with a resolution less than 300 dpi may reproduce poorly on press.

FONTS You must supply fonts used in your layout as we may not have them in our font collection. If you do not supply fonts, you may be asked to resubmit or we may be forced to substitute them. If you are submitting PDF or EPS files, make sure that all fonts are embedded or outlined to avoid this problem. PLEASE make sure your fonts are freeware, or that you have explicit written permission to use them if they are copyrighted. West Coast Print Brokers are NOT responsible for your choice of font, or the restrictions under which they have been made available.

WRONG FILE TYPE Our production process is such that we can only accept specific file types from specific professional graphic design applications. If your application is not listed, we may be able to accept a high-quality PDF exported from that application. Be sure to abide by the same file preparation guidelines as with the other, accepted applications.

CORRUPT FILES As your files travel across the Internet, they can get stripped of vital code that identifies them as valid PDF's, JPEG's, TIFF's, EPS's etc. Without compressing your files, you run the risk of sending us incomplete or "corrupted" digital files. To avoid these issues, you may use Stuffit or a ZIP compression program to send your files.

MISSING IMAGES You must supply ALL images used in your layout -we are unable to print your order without them. If you do not supply your images, you will be asked to resubmit them. If you are submitting a PDF or EPS file, make sure to embed your placed image(s) to avoid this problem.

MONITOR CALIBRATION The main purpose of calibrating is to set white and black points, contrast, brightness, and gamma (midtone density). Since monitors differ from one to the next (even same brand and models), no two will respond in exactly the same way. The older your monitor is, the more likely it will lessen in both brightness and clarity. For color critical work, most monitors are dependable up to only two years. Some are better, some are worse. Calibrating your monitor is very important for color critical work. Do this a minimum of once a week. Even high-end soft proof workstations require frequent recalibrations. You will need software to calibrate your monitor. Adobe Gamma (supplied with the Windows version of Photoshop) and Monitor Calibrator (Mac OS only) are simple to use. Both programs have "wizards" that can guide you, step by step, through the process. There are also a variety of more sophisticated software that can be purchased from third party developers, as well as high-end software that is included with the purchase of a monitor that is specifically designed for color critical applications. If you are unsure about the accuracy of colors as seen on your screen, or on your desktop printer, versus what will come off the press, please request a hardcopy color-proof from your printer. This may be an added expense, but will give you a better representation on how the colors may print on press. This is also covered under terms and conditions. Please remember that all color is relative to the computer screen you are using, the lighting conditions, the display settings on your computer, the paper you are printing on, etc.

The Post Office requires all mailing postcards to meet certain requirements and may not mail them properly if there are mistakes.

POSTAL REGULATIONS:
The US Postal Service has specific requirements about printed products that are mass mailed using pre-sorted, automated methods like First Class Presorted or Bulk Standard. Please use the guidelines below to assist you in creating postcards that will be accepted by a mailing house or the USPS for delivery and answer some common question regarding the mailing service process. Our downloadable templates for postcards include postal clearzones to help you.

RED ZONE
No text/graphics greater than 7% grayscale allowed. The only text allowed in the addressing area is the recipient mailing address. Any graphics, text or images that enter this area may cause your postcard to be rejected from mailing by USPS. We are not responsible for any rejections based on the artwork supplied by customer.

RETURN ADDRESSES
We recommend including a return address on the back of your postcards. Including a return address enables you to update your list after each mailing and helps branding and identification of your company. First class mail is returned free of charge. Bulk rate mail is not returned unless an ancillary service is printed on your card.

FIRST CLASS FIRST STANDARD BULK RETURNS
When you send out your postcards via First Class Mail, the USPS automatically forwards your mail to individuals or companies that have moved and submitted a Change of Address (COA). However, that forwarding is only good for 12 months. For the next 6 months, the Post Office will return the pieces to the sender and indicate the new address that they have on file. This allows you to update your list for future mailings. After 18 months, returned cards will only say "Undeliverable As Addressed" with no new address indicated. However, if you have not included your Return Address, they won't know where to return your cards and they will be thrown away. The same holds true for cases where someone has moved and NOT submitted a COA to the Post Office. They can't notify you of the move without a Return Address, and you will continue to send out pieces that will simply be disposed of. That is a waste of money for postage & printing plus Mailing Services fees or your labor in preparing the mailing. When mailing using Standard Bulk Rate you get significantly reduced postage rates, however mail is not forwarded or returned. Bulk Mail that cannot be delivered to the person at the mailing address on the card will be disposed of unless you provide specific instructions to the Post Office via an Ancillary Service Endorsement. An ASE is a phrase that tells the USPS how you want undeliverable pieces handled.

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
This tells them to return the piece to you with updated address information.

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
This means you want them to forward the piece to the new address they have on file and to separately send you a notice with the new address information. For Bulk Mail, both of these services are provided at an additional fee on just the forwarded or returned pieces.

FORWARDING SERVICE REQUESTED
This is an endorsement that will forward pieces at no charge but will not provide a separate new address notification back to you. For all ASEs, your Return Address must be on the card. For more information on Ancillary Service Endorsements, go to the USPS website.

FIRST CLASS VERSUS STANDARD BULK RATES AND DELIVERY TIMES
First-Class Mail is your best choice for time-sensitive mail. It is generally delivered in 3-5 days nationally and 1-3 days in California and the Southwest. U.S. Bulk rate, also known as Standard Mail, offers lower postage rates but with a longer delivery time. You can expect delivery in 10-14 days nationally and 4-6 days in California and the Southwest U.S. Additionally, First Class delivery is consistent throughout the year while Bulk rate can take considerably longer at peak mailing periods such as the holidays.

SIZE REQUIREMENTS AND MAILING RATES FOR POSTCARDS
According to the USPS requirements, the smallest mailable size is 3 1/2" x 5". The largest size for mailing at the Postcard rate is 4 1/4" x 6". The letter rate applies to any piece larger than 4 1/4" x 6" up to 6 1/8" x 11". For Bulk Mail, there is no Postcard rate so all of our postcard sizes use the Bulk Mail letter rate.

LEFTOVERS
If you have any leftover (non-mailed) postcards with your postal indicia pre-printed, you cannot mail those directly without adding the proper postage. When you specify a quantity of postcards to be sent to our selected mailing house, you are only paying for the postage on those postcards. Any leftover postcards not sent through the mailing house have not had the postage paid for, so the post office will return these postcards or not deliver them if the proper postage is not applied via stamp.

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