Please press ctrl-P or press the print button in your browser to print this section of the site

Then click here to return to the site

Original & Artwork Preparation

We can handle just about any type of original from just about any source (subject to copyright) for bulk auto document copying the originals should be in reasonably good condition or they may jam in the feeder. If your originals are bound we can usually remove, and re-bind after duplication.

Maximum Sizes Black & White 841mm by upto 10m length Colour A3 less minor edge loss

Artwork

Spectrum offer a rapid artwork service to your specification, - or we can work from your originals.

Artwork can be accepted on PC disc - Please see here for Details.

We can re-size, or do paste-ups as required. Since no print or copy technology can print right to the edge of the paper, - please plan a gap of at least 6mm all round your work. We recommend a gap of at least 1cm.

If you are preparing artwork for cutting to smaller sizes e.g. A5 two up on A4, or A6 four up on A4 - Please remember to leave DOUBLE GAPS between each design so they can be trimmed tidily.

These spacings are MINIMUM - there can be a small amount of variation between copies, and if edges are really tight, - the resulting trimmed and finished work can look slightly imbalanced, - so be generous with your margins!

Paper

Our shop carries a range of paper stock including standard 80gram and copycard in a range of colours. We also carry tracing paper, acetates, clear and coloured plastics, stickers, etc. etc.

You may bring your own paper. We suggest trying a few sheets first to check machine compatibility before buying a large amount. We regret we are unable to accept customers own acetates or specialist copy products as they may be incompatible with our machines.

For more information, contact us

Black & White

Spectrum Imaging is equipped with a range of photocopiers. Combined output is in excess of 200 sheets A4 per minute.

We can handle full documents of any length, single or double-sided ( Duplex ) or runs from one original. Originals can be supplied on paper or computer discs.

We have self-service facility for personal or confidential copying.

Copy can be finished by binding, folding, or booklet making.

Cutting or trimming to size is available for a small additional charge.

Analogue & Digital - Which is Best?

Our digital copying is rated at 600 dpi and is ultra sharp and has very good grey scales, - so is excellent for photographs or pictures, however, - analogue is continuous, and for VERY fine detail - is still superior.

Each type of copy has a different 'feel' - but personal preference is what counts, - so ask to see samples of each - You Decide !

For more information contact us

Colour Photocopying Digital & Analogue

At time of writing, Spectrum has 3 colour photocopiers, - each of which can offer you something special and unique.

Pride of Place goes to our Canon CLC 900 with EFI fiery RIP (making it a network colour laser printer too) To date we have not encountered a higher quality machine. This device has many advanced features, and makes superb quality copies on:

We have many years experience of Canon Colour devices, - and know how to give you the best results from your originals. An experienced operator can assess the nature of the work, and discuss what you require of your end results so the device can be programmed to give the optimal.

We operate a scale charging system, - with very good discounts for longer runs. Please Phone 0191 261 1101 for today's best price.

Additionally we have a Self-Service Canon CLC for customer operation. This device exceeds the quality of those found in local libraries, newsagents, and gives good value and confidential copying. Instruction or guidance on use is readily available.

Our Fuji Pictrostat TRUE PHOTOGRAPHIC colour copier is in a realm of it's own. It gives real photographic copies to A5 or A4 size in just 52 seconds, - and quality and finish is second to none. Perfect for copying old or heirloom photographs, but also artwork, or 3D objects to 15mm thickness as real, thick Glossy or Lustre prints.

For more information contact us

Laminating Binding, and Finishing

Spectrum has a range of additional products and services to make your finished work look great.

Laminating - in house - size upto A3 available within 5 minutes. Larger sizes at very competitive prices typically in 48 hours.

Binding - All options are done 'While You Wait' We have a range of covers, acetates, and presentation options including:

Finishing Services

Cutting, trimming, drilling, folding, mounting, and presentation services are all available, - either in house or using strategic local suppliers. Please ask for more info

For more information contact us

Ancillary Services

Stickers - simple address labels, or any size, colour or quantity. We deal direct with the UK's biggest and best label printers, - so we can sort you out ! Service 4 - 5 days.

Rubber Stamps - Simple ones with an ink pad, ones that 'self-ink' - complicated ones that have changeable bits, date stamps, - even auto numbering ones. Most are ready in 4 or 5 days time.

Cut Vinyl Lettering - for signs, or vehicle livery. We can put you in direct contact with a local expert.

Video Transfer and Format Conversion - We can put all your old cine films onto VHS video. This service takes about 10 days, quality is excellent ( dependant on your originals ) and is an inexpensive way to enjoy family moments from the past. Our agents also convert videos from one world format to another, so videos recorded abroad can be viewed on your home VHS machine. All videos can also have multiple copies made for sharing.

Please not that as with any copying of any original, - you must own copyright, or have active permission from the copyright owner.

For more information contact us

Design & Print

We can offer a full Design & Print Service, - offering :

Spectrum Imaging has close links with local Quick-Printer "PDC Copyprint" of 88 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle upon Tyne. Tel 0191 233 0505

We can offer you our front door as your gateway to the expertise of PDC Copyprint or click www.pdccopyprint.co.uk

Computer Printouts & Outputting

Digital Printing - Every sheet is an original!

Spectrum Imaging use P.C.'s ( we may add Mac's at time unknown )

When using the above software please keep your work in the native file format.

Other Software

We can support a huge range of popular home and shareware applications. Save as:

- please remember that the .jpeg format includes compression, - so while you can store bigger files in less space, - there may be some detail loss.

Fonts

If you are using any unusual fonts, - please bring a copy of that font (just go into fonts in Control Panel and drag the font across to your disc)Please note that PowerPoint 4.0 does not access fonts in placed .eps graphics. Convert fonts to graphic elements or they will appear as courier.

Image Resolutions

Scan in CMYK and save as .eps or .tif for placement into your page layout software. Set colour for scanned files in the originating software working in CMYK as recolouring scans in your presentation software can cause unexpected results. Stretching / shrinking an image can cause pixel distortion and is not recommended. (suggest only .eps scans for use in PowerPoint)

We recommend images should be scanned to print at no more than 300dpi at final printing size. You should scan your images at final print size.

For Newsletters, dissertations etc, 100dpi is usually perfectly adequate, and 200dpi is almost overkill. Most images do not benefit from super high resolution, but only slow you computer down and make file sizes bulky and slow.

Our printers are extremely good, printing at higher resolution than this and will interpret your file, and smooth the image. Our Colour device is 'contone' so dpi is largely irrelevant.

Colour Accuracy& Management

Our Canon Laser device is stable and provides reasonably accurate colour for documents we produce in house.

This whole area is much misunderstood and frequently causes frustration. There will be no matching between YOUR Scanner / Digital Camera / Monitor / Printer, - and those we use at Spectrum. Most clients are very happy with results, but this area is not an exact science ! We will do our utmost to help you achieve the results you desire, but it should be remembered that different origination, display and print technologies all handle colour in their own ways. Simple selection of a PANTONE colour in your origination software is no guarantee of an exact match - Sorry !

Other Software

We will try to printout from what you bring, - but some DTP and CAD packages require that the full software is installed on our system. If you bring your original CD we will install the program on one of our workstations. After printing we will un-install the program and delete all files. Please note there is a charge for this service, - and you must own the original software and not be using it while we offer you the printing service. This allows us to not offend copyright limitations.

Postscript Files

The best and simplest way for us to handle your work is if you 'print to disc' as a postscript file. Then we can print your work as you created it. Postscript files have the advantage of carrying all your document settings including fonts etc. We can provide printdriver software if you do not have it.

Charges

All files received must be virus checked, - and opened to look at a 'print-preview' Charges are per file, not per disc, so make documents long to keep 'per page' prices low.

Files larger than 10mb subject to additional handling fee.

Printing Problems

From experience, any number of problems can occur, - notably connected with fonts, pagination and page layout. We will try, but cannot guarantee success. Please study the print preview carefully as all prints are chargeable. If you wish to amend your documents, - we must make additional charges for our time.

For more information contact us

Personalised Gifts and Promotional Material

"Using our technology and your imagination we will help you to look great."

Most of our processes involve the production of transferes using our Canon Colour device, which can be applied to a range of WHITE products.

E.g. Mugs, T-Shirts, Mousemats, Jigsaws, Albums & Frames, Flags, etc.

Basically, - anything that can be colour photocopied, or printed from a PC can be applied. If you want a final product that is not white, - e.g. a yellow T-Shirt, - then the background colour ( yellow ) will effect the accuracy of the colours on the print. We cannot print white, - only onto it!

Quality is superb, with same day service. T-Shirts and mugs are machine washable.

Take a look at our top 10 gift suggestions.

"Photos are great to own, but even better to share, so next time you are looking for the perfect gift idea, why not take a tip from our top 10, and share your photos with those you love."

T-Shirt Printing

(same day service)

The product is supplied in A4 or A3 size sheets, but can be applied in any size, and onto any white, tightly woven, unwashed material including cotton, wool, silk, and many man-made products. Please provide a swatch for test prints if required.

We carry a large range of good quality garments, - or you can supply your own. Please note that we will do our utmost to give you good results on garments you supply, but cannot offer a guarantee.