Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the things that we get asked most about.
What is your standard turnaround time?
Turnaround time depends on the size of the job. Most jobs won’t take longer than 24-48 hours and if you have an urgent job we can usually get this done same day for you. At CQ we are all about speed, but with quality.
Can I e-mail a job or do I have to come in?
Yes, you can e-mail us your file to print along with the job details. E-mail your job to [email protected]
Does CQ have parking?
Yes, we have free customer parking right at the door.
Does CQ store my file for future print runs?
CQ endeavors to hold customer’s files for 3 months from date of print. Should a customer wish for CQ to hold a file longer than 3 months a request should be made and a charge may apply. We recommend customers keep copies of their print files. While all care is taken to ensure the safety of files we take no responsibility for lost or damaged files.
What DPI is suitable for print?
We recommend 300dpi or more.
What programs can you print from?
We can print from a wide range of programs including Acrobat, Photoshop, Indesign, Freehand, Illustrator, Word, Publisher, Excel, Powerpoint and more. If you need further help, just give us a call.
Should my files/images be CMYK or RGB?
Both are acceptable.
Can I print a job that has 'copyright' on it?
Copyright law means you can not print material protected by copyright unless special circumstances apply as covered in the copyright act eg for review, news reporting or research purposes.
Can you edit my document and make some changes?
Yes, we can edit most file types. If you require changes to be made you will probably need to provide the document in the original file format it was created in rather than converting it to a PDF. We can however do limited editing on pdfs and can easily add page numbers.
Do you do mail merge and personalised print?
Yes, whether it is a simple mail merge or a more complex personlised variable data campaign. At CQ we have invested in what we believe is the world’s leading variable data software – XMPie. By combining this software with our state-of-the-art digital printing machinery we can provide you with a real edge in the market.
Do you have display units for me to come and look at?
Yes, we have a number of our display units set up. Please feel free to come in and someone will be able to assist you in choosing the best display unit for your requirements.
Can you help with ideas for promoting my business/organisation?
Our management and sales team are happy to pass on some of their research and experience to help you use print to maximise your business sales. They can advise you on how to get the best return on investment when it comes to your print and marketing dollars.
Where on Lincoln Rd are you?
We are at the town end of Lincoln Rd, just over the railway lines if you are heading out of town.
Can I have a proof?
Yes, we are happy to print a proof for you to approve before the job is printed. It is our policy to have a proof signed off before printing all large jobs.
What is the heaviest weight paper you can print on?
The heaviest paper we stock is 400gsm.
What is imposition and why do you charge an imposition?
Imposition is when your document or image is set up multiple times on a sheet for printing. This is a chargebale service as it takes our staff time to do an imposition and we need to purchase software that is able to do this.
Can I do my own imposition (lay up my file for printing)?
Yes, you can lay your own file up for printing. If you are unsure the best way to lay your job up eg how many images per sheet or what sheet size please contact one of our computer team. We usually print colour jobs on an A3 or SRA3 sheet. We also require a print margin around the edge of the sheet.
How wide can you laminate?
We can laminate up to 1.3m wide.
If I get a cheaper price elsewhere will CQ match it?
If you find a cheaper quote elsewhere we will do our very best to match it.
What if my file is too big to e-mail?
If your file is too big to e-mail we can pick up a disk from you (free pick up in Chch for jobs over $75), you can upload it using our MYCQ service or send it to us using Hightail.
Can I get my job delivered?
Yes, we deliver all over New Zealand and even overseas. We have free delivery within Christchurch for any job over $100 +gst.
What is 'bleed'?
Bleed refers to printing that goes beyond the edge of the sheet after trimming.
How much bleed should I set my file up with?
3-5mm is sufficient for most jobs.
What file type do you prefer?
The best format to provide us with your print ready files is a PDF. If you don’t have a PDF printer there is free software available called CutePDF that works like a printer to create PDF files. A lot of programs will have a ‘save to pdf’ option.
Do you print photos from digital cameras?
Yes, we can print photos from your digital camera however it is usually cheaper to go to a photo lab if you are wanting standard 4 x 6 photo prints. If you are printing larger prints we can look after you with Photographic medias.
Do you have self service copiers?
Yes. We have a self service copier in our reception area. We can even set special printing rates for you if you are a regular.
Do you do graphic design?
Yes, we have skilled graphic designers able to assist you in creating visually appealing printed material.
What are crop marks?
Crops marks are small lines which show where the sheet needs to be trimmed to the finished size.
I have photos, plans and documents that I would like scanned. Can you help with this?
Yes, we offer high speed scanning for documents up to A3 as well as wide format scanning for larger documents and plans.
What are your opening hours?
We are open 8am to 5pm weekdays.
How much will my job cost?
For a free quote e-mail [email protected]
Can CQ colour match?
We have staff skilled in the area of colour management. We can usually achieve a very good colour match however due to the nature of digital printing it may not be exact.
What colour paper do you stock?
We have a wide range of coloured papers and specialty papers. Please contact us to see if we have a specific paper stock.
How wide can you print?
We can print up to 1.5m wide. See our wide format printing page for more information.
Do you provide support in languages other then English?
We have staff that speak Mandarin Chinese, Thai and Spanish.
