Printing Services FAQ | Sunset Printing & Engraving

Sunset Printing & Engraving

Printing Services FAQ

Answers to common questions about our printing and finishing services, specialty techniques, turnaround times, file requirements, and the types of work we produce — from business stationery to large format displays.

File Preparation

The preferred format is a fully packaged Adobe InDesign file (.indd) with all links and fonts included — this gives our prepress team the most flexibility to make minor adjustments and ensure everything outputs correctly. Please set up your InDesign document with 0.125" bleed on all sides and ensure all placed images extend into the bleed area. PDF is also accepted as a secondary option; if submitting a PDF, please export as PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4 with all fonts embedded and bleed marks included. We also accept Adobe Illustrator (.ai) and Photoshop (.psd). Contact us if you're unsure about the right export settings for your software.
Images should be a minimum of 300 DPI at final print size. Images sourced from websites (typically 72 DPI) will appear soft or pixelated when printed — always use high-resolution originals. Contact our prepress team at prepress@sunsetcorpid.com if you have questions about specific files.
Yes — vector artwork is strongly preferred for logos, icons, and any graphic that needs to scale cleanly. Vector files (typically .ai, .eps, or .svg) are built from mathematical paths rather than pixels, so they reproduce sharply at any size without loss of quality. Raster images (JPG, PNG, low-res PDF) can look fine on screen but will often print soft or jagged — especially on specialty processes like engraving, foil stamping, and letterpress where edge sharpness is critical.

If your logo or artwork is only available as a raster file, two tools consistently produce the cleanest results for print: Vectorizer.ai (AI-powered, exports EPS and PDF in addition to SVG — well suited for logos and brand marks) and Vector Magic (purpose-built for logo conversion with strong auto-tracing and minimal cleanup required).

That said, no automated converter is perfect — complex artwork, gradients, or fine detail may still need manual cleanup. If you're unsure whether your converted file is print-ready, email our prepress team at prepress@sunsetcorpid.com before submitting and we can take a look.
Yes. For any piece with design elements that extend to the edge, set up a 0.125" (⅛ inch) bleed on all sides — artwork and backgrounds should extend into this area. Keep all critical content (text, logos) at least 0.125" inside the trim edge as a safe zone. Files without proper bleed often result in white borders after trimming. We can review your files in prepress and flag any issues before printing.
Files intended for offset or digital printing should be set up in CMYK. RGB files will be converted during prepress, which can shift colors — especially saturated blues, greens, and oranges. For brand colors, we recommend specifying Pantone (PMS) spot colors wherever color accuracy is critical. For thermography, engraving, or foil work, consult with us on color specification before finalizing your files.
You can submit files via our customer FTP portal or contact our team directly to start a new project request. For large or complex projects, we recommend a pre-press consultation to review your files before production begins. Reach us at 1-800-9-SUNSET or via our contact form.

Process & Turnaround

Important: Shipping speed (overnight, 2-day, etc.) only affects transit time after your order is produced — it does not change when production begins or ends. Selecting overnight shipping means your completed order arrives the next day after it ships, not that your order will be produced overnight. See below for rush production options.
All turnaround times begin from the date of file approval, not order placement. Digital printing can be produced in 2–5 business days. Offset printing typically runs 5–10 business days. Specialty processes — letterpress, engraving, foil stamping, embossing, and thermography — generally require 10–20 business days due to die creation and additional production steps. These are production times only; shipping time is in addition to production.
These are two separate things — and this is one of the most common sources of confusion we hear from customers.
Overnight or expedited shipping only controls how fast the package travels once it leaves our facility. It does not speed up production. If your order takes 5 business days to print and you choose overnight shipping, it will still take 5 business days to produce — then ship overnight from there.

Rush production moves your order to the front of the production queue. A 48-hour rush fee applies and is subject to availability and process type. Not all specialty processes (letterpress, engraving, foil) can be rushed due to die and production constraints.

If you have a hard deadline, contact us before placing your order — email orders@sunsetcorpid.com or call 1-800-9-SUNSET so we can confirm what's achievable and whether rush production is the right option for your project.
Yes. We provide digital PDF proofs for all projects as standard practice. For complex, high-value, or color-critical work, we recommend a hard-copy proof or press proof before the full run. Specialty finishes like foil, letterpress, and engraving can also be proofed on press. We strongly recommend reviewing and approving all proofs carefully — print production begins only after written approval.
Yes. We ship domestically across all 50 states and internationally. Our facility is based in Wharton, New Jersey. For direct mail projects, we manage USPS entry and domestic distribution in-house. For international shipments, contact us to discuss shipping options, carrier preferences, and any customs requirements relevant to your destination.
Yes — ongoing brand print management is a core service. Through our brand management platform and the netEZPrintX print portal, we store your approved templates, manage inventory, and allow authorized users to order on-demand with consistent brand compliance. This is particularly valuable for multi-location businesses, franchise brands, and corporations with distributed teams.
The fastest way to get a quote is to email our team directly — reach Deron at deron@sunsetprinters.com or Jared at jwainer@sunsetcorpid.com. You can also call us at 1-800-9-SUNSET, or reach us through our contact page. To get an accurate quote, it helps to have: the type of piece, quantity, size, paper or substrate preference, finishing requirements, and your deadline. The more detail you provide, the faster we can respond.

Services & Techniques

Thermography is a raised-print process that uses heat and resin powder to create a smooth, tactile texture on printed text or images. It's a cost-effective alternative to engraving and is widely used for business cards, wedding invitations, stationery, and formal correspondence. The raised surface gives a premium, professional look without the higher cost of traditional intaglio engraving.
Letterpress is a traditional relief printing method where inked type or plates are pressed directly into paper, leaving a debossed impression. It produces a distinctive, handcrafted aesthetic with deep impression and rich ink texture — ideal for luxury wedding invitations, stationery, greeting cards, and brand collateral where tactile quality matters. It works best on thick, uncoated cotton or soft papers.
Embossing raises a design above the paper surface, creating a 3D relief effect. Debossing presses the design into the surface, creating a recessed impression. Both are die-based processes and add significant tactile quality to packaging, covers, invitations, and business cards. They can be combined with foil or ink, or left as a blind (uncolored) treatment for a subtle, elegant finish.
Offset printing transfers ink from a plate to a rubber blanket, then onto paper — producing exceptionally consistent color and sharp detail across large print runs. It's the gold standard for high-volume commercial printing including brochures, catalogs, stationery, and direct mail. Offset delivers better color accuracy and lower cost-per-piece at volume compared to digital printing.
Digital printing prints directly from a digital file with no plates required, making it fast, flexible, and cost-effective for shorter runs. It's ideal for personalized or variable data printing, proofing, quick-turn projects, and quantities where offset setup costs aren't justified. Digital quality has improved dramatically and handles full-color work, photos, and gradients very well.
Engraving is the most prestigious form of printing — ink is applied to an etched metal plate and pressed into the paper, creating a raised print on the front and a slight indentation on the back. It produces the sharpest, most refined text possible and is the traditional choice for formal invitations, corporate stationery, announcements, and official documents where quality is paramount.
Foil stamping applies a thin metallic or pigmented foil to a surface using heat and pressure via a custom die. It creates a brilliant, reflective finish — available in gold, silver, copper, holographic, matte, and specialty colors. Foil is popular on luxury packaging, business cards, invitations, book covers, and brand materials where you want a metallic or high-gloss accent that ink alone cannot produce.
Gilding applies gold, silver, or metallic leaf or foil to the edges or surfaces of a printed piece. Edge gilding on business cards, invitations, or books creates a striking, luxurious finish visible from the side of a stacked piece. It's a high-end technique associated with fine stationery, luxury brand materials, and premium invitations.
Yes. Our direct mail and distribution services handle everything from print production through postage and delivery — including list management, variable data printing, addressing, inserting, and USPS entry. Keeping print and mail under one roof reduces errors, speeds delivery, and lowers overall cost. We serve both targeted local campaigns and national direct mail programs.
Die cutting uses a custom steel die to cut paper or card stock into any shape — beyond the standard rectangle. Custom die cuts are used for unique business cards, pocket folders with custom windows or flaps, packaging with precise openings, hang tags, labels, and invitation suites with shaped components. Any custom shape is achievable with a made-to-spec die.
Large format printing produces oversized graphics for banners, posters, trade show displays, signage, wall graphics, and event backdrops. We print on a wide range of substrates including vinyl, canvas, foam board, and rigid materials. Large format is ideal for retail environments, events, corporate spaces, and any application where standard sheet sizes aren't sufficient.
Absolutely — combining techniques is where truly exceptional print pieces are made. Common combinations include foil stamping with letterpress, embossing over offset-printed backgrounds, thermography on digitally printed cards, or die cutting with foil and UV coating. Our team can help you plan multi-technique pieces that stay within budget and production schedule. Contact us to discuss your project.

Types of Work

Yes — invitations are one of our specialties. We produce luxury invitation suites using letterpress, engraving, foil stamping, thermography, embossing, and digital printing — often in combination. We handle single-card invitations through full suites with inner envelopes, RSVP cards, detail cards, and enclosures. We work with consumers, event planners, and wedding stationery designers nationwide.
Custom business cards go beyond standard four-color offset printing. We offer letterpress, engraving, foil stamping, thermography, edge gilding, die cutting, and specialty substrates like thick cotton stock, soft-touch laminate, or uncoated textured paper. A custom card makes a lasting first impression and signals the quality of your brand before a word is spoken.
Yes. We produce a full range of branded stationery and note cards — from simple flat-print letterhead to engraved correspondence cards and custom pocket folders with embossed logos. Corporate stationery programs are a core part of what we do, serving companies that need consistent brand presentation across all printed touchpoints.
Yes — holiday collateral is one of our highest-demand seasonal categories. We produce corporate holiday cards, gift enclosures, custom boxes, mailers, and seasonal campaign materials. We recommend planning holiday work 8–12 weeks in advance, especially for foil, engraving, or letterpress pieces that require additional lead time.
We produce a full spectrum of event materials — programs, menus, escort cards, signage, table numbers, place cards, event invitations, banners, and large format displays. Whether you're managing a corporate conference, gala, product launch, or private event, we can handle all print components from a single source.
Yes. Our promotional materials range from standard offset-printed sell sheets and brochures to specialty-finished pieces that stand out at trade shows and sales meetings. We handle variable data for personalized campaigns, and our brand management platform can streamline ordering for multi-location businesses.
Yes. We produce catalogs, lookbooks, and bound books for retail brands, fashion houses, and corporate clients. Options include saddle-stitched, perfect-bound, case-bound, and spiral binding. Cover finishes can include soft-touch laminate, foil stamping, embossing, or UV coating. We have produced catalogs for major brands including Ralph Lauren.
Yes. Our packaging work includes custom boxes, retail packaging, gift boxes, and branded folding cartons — often with specialty finishes like foil, embossing, soft-touch laminate, or die-cut windows. We work with brands who need packaging that reflects the premium quality of what's inside it.
Yes. We design and manage full employee recognition programs — including personalized certificates, award kits, branded packaging, fulfillment, and ongoing reorder management. Our print portal (netEZPrintX) allows HR and program managers to order personalized materials on demand without going back to an agency each time.
Yes — restaurant and hospitality is an active area of our work. We produce menus, wine lists, table cards, guest collateral, event invitations, and branded stationery for restaurants, hotels, resorts, and catering companies. We understand the need for fast reprints, seasonal updates, and consistently high print quality that matches the dining experience.
Yes. We serve healthcare and corporate clients with brand-compliant print programs — including stationery, patient materials, compliance documents, internal communications, and event collateral. We understand the brand governance requirements of large organizations and can integrate with internal approval workflows through our brand management platform.
Yes. Our CRM marketing capabilities include variable data printing, personalized direct mail, triggered mail programs, and integrated campaigns that connect print to digital channels. Personalized print consistently outperforms generic mail — we can help you build campaigns that use customer data to deliver relevant, timely printed communications at scale.

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