Scheduling Tips
At American Printing & Copying's Colorado Springs print and copy center, your order may be a single step (basic copy machine project) or require several processes in different areas of our production facility (typesetting, printing, cutting, binding). Each step takes time and needs to be fit within the flow of other work in progress at the same time. When you place your order we can give you a specific time-frame for your particular project, but this chart gives you a general idea. As always, we will do our best to meet your needs so if you have a particular deadline please let us know as soon as possible.
Typesetting / Graphic Design
|
Time for process |
Time to fit |
|
Five minutes to several hours depending on the complexity of the design |
Usually within 3 days |
Digital Copying (black & white / color)
|
Time for process |
Time to fit |
| Five minutes to several hours depending on the number of pages and weight of paper |
Usually within 1 day |
One to Full Color Offset Printing
|
Time for process |
Time to fit |
| Thirty minutes to a couple of days depending on the number of pages and number of ink colors |
Usually 1 week |
Letter Press (foil stamping, embossing)
|
Time for process |
Time to fit |
|
These require a custom metal die to be created before printing starts. Please allow 1-2 weeks for die creation before printing begins. |
Usually within 2 weeks |
Thermography
|
Time for process |
Time to fit |
| Thirty minutes to several hours depending on the number of pages and number of ink colors |
Usually within 1 week |
Cutting
|
Time for process |
Time to fit |
| Five minutes to a couple of hours depending on the number of sheets, number of cuts, and weight of paper |
Usually within 1 day |
Padding (carbonless forms or notepads)
|
Time for process |
Time to fit |
|
Thirty minutes to a couple of hours depending on the number of pages |
Usually within 2 days |
Drilling Holes
|
Time for process |
Time to fit |
|
Five minutes to a couple of hours depending on the number of sheets, weight of paper, and number of holes |
Usually within 1 day |
Folding (machine)
|
Time for process |
Time to fit |
| Twenty minutes to several hours depending on the number of pages and fold type |
Usually within 1 day |
Angle Folding (machine)
|
Time for process |
Time to fit |
| Twenty minutes to several hours depending on the number of pages |
Usually within 3 days |
Scoring or Perforating
|
Time for process |
Time to fit |
| Twenty minutes to several hours depending on the number of pages and complexity of layout |
Usually within 2 days |
Consecutive Numbering
|
Time for process |
Time to fit |
|
Twenty minutes to several hours depending on the number of pages |
Usually within 3 days |
Comb Binding
|
Time for process |
Time to fit |
|
Five minutes to a couple of hours depending on the number and thickness of books |
Usually within 1 day |
Spiral Binding
|
Time for process |
Time to fit |
|
Five minutes to a couple of hours depending on the number and thickness of books |
Usually within 1 day |
Perfect Binding (paperback)
|
Time for process |
Time to fit |
| Twenty minutes to a couple of hours depending on the number and thickness of books |
Usually within 3 days |
Saddle Stitching
|
Time for process |
Time to fit |
|
Ten minutes to a couple of hours depending on the number and thickness of books |
Usually within 3 days |
Hand Work
|
Time for process |
Time to fit |
|
A couple of minutes to several hours depending on the work and number of finished pieces |
Usually within 3 days |
end faq
One more scheduling thought: if we know the details of your project in advance, it is possible for us to schedule time and check stock on supplies needed so that your project will flow through our shop in the most efficient way allowing you a quicker turn-around.