Frequently Asked Questions
Becoming a Customer Ordering Systems Color Management Preparing Your FilesGeneric Online Catalog
Becoming a Customer
| Q. | How do I become a Full Color customer? |
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| A. | You can become a customer by completing our online account application. Once you set up your account, you will immediately have access to our ordering systems so that you can begin. |
Ordering Systems
| Q. | Can I send files to Full Color over the Internet? |
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| A. | Yes, you can submit files to Full Color over the Internet using any of our online ordering systems. Use our comparison chart to choose the ordering system that best meet your needs. |
| Q. | Can I use a Mac or PC? |
| A. | All of Full Color’s ordering systems can be used on both Mac and PC. |
| Q. | What type of computer do I need? |
| A. | Because you are dealing with images, and top-of-the-line software to manage those images, you will need a computer that is powerful enough to handle the large amounts of data being transferred. Below are our recommendations for optimum performance using our ordering systems:
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| Q. | I have a dial-up connection to the Internet. Will I have problems using your ordering systems? |
| A. | Because most dial-up connections do not support the data-transfer requirements of most imaging systems, we recommend that you use a high-speed broadband Internet connection (i.e. DSL or cable). If you do not have access to a broadband connection, we recommend using the “Save to CD” option. |
| Q. | When I open the ordering system, part of the screen is cut off. How can I fix this? |
| A. | You may have your screen resolution set too low. We recommend setting your screen resolution to at least 1024 x 768. To change your screen resolution, do the following:
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Minimum Windows PCs
Minimum MacsColor Management
| Q. | When sending in digital camera files, do I need to be calibrated to your output device? |
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| A. | As long as you white balance your camera and properly expose your images, you do not need to make any color corrections to your files if have Full Color color manage your images. If you use our Studio Managed Color service, you must be calibrated to our output device; follow our Color Management Tutorial to calibrate your monitor to Full Color. |
| Q. | Do I need to use auto white balance or custom white balance? |
| A. | Using custom white balance gives you control of the light source and allows you to specify pure white for the camera. White balancing for each lighting condition is imperative in order to achieve predictable results. To learn more and see an example of auto white balance versus custom white balance, follow our Custom White Balance Tutorial. |
| Q. | Why do the prints I receive not match my monitor? |
| A. | Calibrating your monitor to our output device will create a closer match between the images on your monitor and what you receive from the lab. Follow our Monitor Calibration tutorial for instructions on how to calibrate your monitor to Full Color. Note: This is a continuing process; check the work coming back from Full Color regularly to ensure it matches your monitor. If you are controlling your own color corrections, select "Studio Managed Color" on the system you are using. |
| Q. | What can I do to minimize variables that affect calibration? |
| A. | Several things can be done to improve screen to output consistency. First, start with a good power connection and battery backup for your computer and monitor. Also, invest in a high-quality color monitor as well as a small color corrected light box to use in comparing prints to the computer screen. Then, set up your system in a room with low, consistent light levels with no daylight coming in through windows, or any light source hitting the monitor. Finally, calibrate your monitor to the output device. Following these steps should help you achieve more accurate color results. |
| Q. | In what color space should I submit digital files to Full Color for printing? |
| A. | We recommend that you submit files in sRGB; we also recommend setting you camera to sRGB. If you are managing your own color, follow our Color Management Tutorial to calibrate your monitor to Full Color as well. |
| Q. | What is the difference between color spaces? |
| A. | SRGB is very close to the gamut of photographic paper. Adobe RGB and ProPhoto each have a color gamut that is much larger than that of photographic paper. Therefore, when adjusting files for photographic printing, you should use SRGB so that you see a closer representation of what the paper will print. Below is a chart comparing various color spaces to the color gamut of photographic paper. |
| Q. | Should I preserve embedded profiles when viewing files in different color spaces? |
| A. | To keep the original color data associated with a digital camera file, you should preserve embedded profiles. Converting a file from one color space to another modifies the pixels and discards the original color data. If you need to view a file in a different color space than the one in which it was shot, assigning a profile will allow you to preview the file without changing the original profile. |
Preparing Files for Ordering
| Q. | How should I save files when sending an order to Full Color? |
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| A. | There are several ways to send digital files to Full Color for printing. You will need to follow these file specifications for each file. If you are sending files in on CD using our prints-from-files form, you will need to create a folder. Then name the folder with the order number from the order envelope you will be sending the order in. Then save each file in sequential order starting with 001.jpg. When sending orders through our ordering systems, there is no need to rename your files. |
| Q. | I burned a file onto a CD and sent it to the lab, but they were unable to read it. Why? |
| A. | You may have burned the CD so that only certain platforms could read it. Since there are many CD writing programs, check with your vendor to find out how to burn your CDs so they can be read by any platform (Mac or PC). |
Generic Online Catalog
| Q. | Can I show my clients products available at Full Color, without sending them to your website? |
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| A. | Yes, Full Color allows you to share templates and product information with your clients through mystudioproducts.com, a non branded website. You can control how you integrate this website into your own, and also decide which product categories you would like to offer. Learn more about mystudioproducts.com. |
