ABOUT US
Who or What are you?
Where are you located?
What are your hours of operation?
Are you available for consultations?
PRINTING PRIMER
What kind of materials can you print on?
A word about printing on non-standard substrates
Can you do vehicle lettering?
How long will my print/sign last?
FILETYPES / MECHANICS
What is the largest print you can make?
Do I have to create/provide my own files or can you design my project for me?
What file formats do you accept?
What resolution do my images need to be?
What should I include when I send in my file for printing?
Can I submit my file via e-mail or FTP?
What kind of turn-around times am I looking at.. how soon can I get my print?
I found a great picture of XYZ on the internet. Can you print a large version for me?
What kind of frames / stands / accessories can you supply to go with my sign?
Do you ship / deliver / install product?
PHOTOGRAPHY
I need some family pictures taken. Who do I contact?
Are you available for on-site photo shoots?
What are your rates?
Do you do photoretouching / photorecovery?
How many / what size prints are included in the price of my photo shoot?
What would a basic Senior Picture package cost, and what would it include?
Do you do corporate or business headshots?
Will I receive a photo CD with my prints?
I have an old photo of my grandmother / dog / car. Can you print a large version for me?
ABOUT US
Who or What are you?
OC Imageworks offers direct-to-board printing, interior decor, photo reproduction, vehicle graphics, contour cutting of rigid and flexible materials, vinyl signs, banners, printed tiles, life-size c utouts, and many other products and services related to graphic design and production. Our staff includes a full-time team of designers, technicians and installers capable of managing your graphics project from start to finish.
Our main pieces of printing machinery include a Zund 215-plus UV-curable inkjet printer and a Mimaki JV-3 solvent printer. Both of these are 6-color digital printers, so unlike with silkscreening or traditional offset printing, adding color to your print does not increase costs at all!
Other hardware includes:
Zund L-3000 CNC cutter, for contour cutting of rigid materials
Mimaki CG-160 for cutting of roll-to-roll or vinyl substrates
Miller Weldmaster CMIT 1000 for hemming & welding vinyl & mesh banners
Epson Stylus Pro 9600 photo-quality large-format inkjet printer, for archival & fine art prints
What this means for you is that we can handle just about any print project you may have in mind, no matter how large or complex.
Where are you located?
OC Imageworks is conveniently located at 1600 E. Lincoln Highway, in DeKalb, IL. We have easy access to both I-88 and I-90, two of the major arteries into Chicagoland. Illinois Rtes 39/51 are a short drive to the West. Chicago itself is 60 miles to the East, and Rockford is 30 miles to the Northwest. If you need directions or a map, click here .
What are your hours of operation?
We are open from 9-5, Monday through Friday, excluding national holidays. If you require a weekend consultation, call for an appointment and we’d be happy to accommodate you.
Are you available for consultations?
We most certainly are, just call us at (815) 756-8000 and set up and schedule an appointment. Whether you’re looking to make-over an entire storefront or just want a family portrait enlarged, we’re happy to discuss your available options. We pride ourselves on being problem-solvers, so if you have a problem, we’ve got a solution!
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PRINTING PRIMER
What kind of materials can you print on?
We can print on almost any material you can imagine, up to 1.5” thick. Some materials, of course, work better than others.. printing on rough wool fabric, for example, might look a little blurred. However, we have a large inventory of quality substrates on-hand, and if you wish to print on other, specialized materials, we’ll work with you to come up with the best possible option.
Typical substrates include:
Foamcore (good for temporary or low-abuse posters, signs and displays)
Gatorboard (similar to foamcore, but more rigid and intended for long-term use)
Sintra (a white plastic-like substrate, available in thicknesses up to .5”)
Vinyl (best for banners)
Adhesive vinyl (used for adhesive lettering and trailer wraps, among other things)
Ferrari mesh (used for window signage. And yes, it’s the same Ferrari you’re thinking of)
Umbrella mesh (a durable fabric, similar to canvas)
Canvas (good for fine-art pieces of course, or anything else you’d like to print on durable fabric)
Styrene (another white plastic-based substrate)
Glass (reverse-printed fine art on glass, with backlighting, looks spectacular)
Plexiglas (just like glass, only less shatter-prone)
Wood (you know what wood is)
Floor & ceiling tile (great for decorating walls too)
Leather (leather prints have a fantastic southwestern / 19th century feel to them)
Wallpaper (why paint the walls when you can print them?)
... you name it!
Our Epson Stylus Pro 9600 photo-quality printer can print archival-quality prints on photographic paper, up to 44” wide.
A word about printing on non-standard substrates
Our printer uses an Ultra-Violet curing system, which means UV Lamps. These lamps get very hot and move very closely over the surface of the material, so printing on extremely flimsy, fragile or flammable substrates is not recommended.
When choosing a unique substrate for your print, one thing to remember is that our printer does not “print” white ink. What this means is that wherever there is white (i.e. no color at all or extremely faint colors) in your artwork, the natural color of your substrate will show through. Likewise, anything printed on that material will use that material’s color as its white value. So if you want a picture of your family on a green marble floor tile, keep in mind that green has now replaced white as the background color, and the print will shift towards a green hue. However, it *is* possible to paint a layer of white onto the substrate and print on the white paint. We recommend the lightest substrates possible, to preserve the original colors of your image as closely as possible, but in the end the substrate is entirely up to you.
Can you do vehicle lettering?
We certainly can. Bring your vehicle by for a consultation and we'll get the ball rolling for you. Vehicle wraps and vehicle graphics are among the best marketing tools you'll ever find. Whether it's some basic lettering or a full vehicle wrap, OC Imageworks can guide you through the process, from start to finish. You'll be amazed by the results!
How long will my print/sign last?
The longevity of any graphic depends on the inks and materials used, the amount of sunlight recieved, weather conditions in the part of the country where the graphic is used, and other factors having to do with normal use and wear and tear. Ask one of our experts about what to expect from your particular product.
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FILETYPES / MECHANICS
What is the largest print you can make?
In flatbed configuration, our printer can print on almost any surface, up to 7’ wide and 1.5” tall. Unlike most situations, length is not an issue, since rigid materials are fed through the printer on a mesh “conveyor belt”. The only limiting factor on length is the size of our production room! And that’s pretty big.
Do I have to create/provide my own files or can you design my project for me?
We have a fully-staffed in-house design team who will be happy to assist you in coming up with a look for your new sign or window graphic. No project is too small or too big. In fact, we prefer them to be as big as possible!
What file formats do you accept?
All artwork or print files should be constructed at 100% size if at all possible. However, this isn’t always easy to accomplish, so we accept smaller artwork, with the intention of sizing it up. Keep in mind that any flaws visible at 25% will be very much worse when blown up to 100%
We accept files in the following formats. If you provide your file in a format other than those listed below, additional setup costs may be incurred.
Adobe Illustrator (.AI)
Remember to embed and include all placed artwork
Remember to outline all fonts
Adobe Illustrator EPS (.EPS)
Remember to embed and include all placed artwork
Remember to outline all fonts
Adobe PDF (.PDF)
Remember to embed and include all placed artwork
Save / Export your PDF with Adobe’s “Press Ready” preset. It’s a good idea to outline all your
fonts and embed all your images before exporting to PDF.
Adobe Photoshop (.PSD)
Rasterize all fonts
Adobe Photoshop TIFF (.TIF)
Rasterize all fonts and flatten the file
You probably noticed we talk about fonts every chance we get. When submitting graphics for production that include type, we ask that you please convert all copy to outline, curves, paths, or raster. This will eliminate the need to send us fonts. If we receive artwork with fonts that are not outlined, this will add time and cost to the setup process and possibly cause problems with your layout.
Hard Copy
If at all possible, include a color hard copy of the graphic we will be printing. This aids us greatly in the proofing process, and, if you like how your hard copy looks, we can color match to that copy. Please let us know if color matching is crucial to your project when providing us with the files for your print. Remember, the size and quality of raster artwork will have a great effect on the final appearance of the art. Please keep in mind that your art may be enlarged up to 1000% and any flaws that were not visible at 100% will be quite visible after enlargement.
Disks will not be returned unless specified.
If you cannot obtain artwork in the above stated formats, or have any general questions about submitting artwork, please contact Jason or Erin at (815) 756-8000.
What resolution do my images need to be?
Raster images, whether embedded in an Illustrator file (.AI, .EPS, .PDF) or sent as stand-alone pieces (.PSD, .TIF, .JPG) should be sized to 100% and at least 150 PPI (pixels per inch). It is possible to print images with lower resolutions, but bear in mind that quality may suffer.
What should I include when I send in my file for printing?
Everything associated with the file should be included. If you follow our guidelines, you should not have to include fonts with your file, but if you wish to do so, we won’t argue. If your file contains linked or embedded images, be sure to include those as well. Provide a hard copy of your image or swatches of preferred colors if you wish to have your piece color-matched.
Can I submit my file via e-mail or FTP?
You most certainly can. Email is limited to 5 megabytes, so if your file is under 5M, you can email it to files@ocimageworks.com . If your file(s) or archive(s) are larger than 5M, you can FTP it to our file storage server. Call us at (815) 756-8000 for the login information.
What kind of turn-around times am I looking at.. how soon can I get my print?
We pride ourselves on quick turn-around times and our ability to meet just about any deadline. We’re not superhuman though (or are we?), so be sure to discuss your deadlines with Steve or David if they are extremely time-sensitive. Odds are we can work something out.
I found a great picture of XYZ on the internet. Can you print a large version for me?
Probably not. We go out of our way to respect copyrights and it’s a safe bet to assume that whoever took that picture you found or drew that character you like wouldn’t take kindly to us printing off copies without permission. If you purchase or otherwise secure the rights to the image however, we can print it at any size you’d like.
What kind of frames / stands / accessories can you supply to go with my sign?
Through our partnership with Bowman Displays, we can provide specialty stands, racks, light-up units, rotating backlit signs, and many other exciting presentation systems to go with your imagery. Stop by today and let us show you some examples of the many outstanding options you can use to make your sign or display more attractive and effective.
Do you ship / deliver / install product?
We will ship your project anywhere you wish, if it's in your budget. Keep in mind that large prints and displays will probably incur a "bulky item" surcharge with your shipping company.
Our delivery/installation range is limited to the North-Central and Northeastern Illinois region. If you’re outside our delivery area and need help with your installation, we will work with you to find a professional and affordable contractor in your area.
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PHOTOGRAPHY
I need some family pictures taken. Who do I contact?
Call and Ask for David, or leave a message and David will get back to you as soon as possible.
Are you available for on-site photo shoots?
Yes.
What are your rates?
Rates vary, depending on the complexity of the job, light requirements, and so forth. Call or email , and David will be glad to give you a quote based on your needs.
Do you do photoretouching / photorecovery?
Yes. We have offer a complete range of digital photo services.
How many / what size prints are included in the price of my photo shoot?
This varies with the type of package you purchase.
What would a basic Senior Picture package cost, and what would it include?
Our Basic Senior Photo package includes a 1 hour in studio or location sitting and ten 8x10 sheets divided into 1 8x18, 2 5x7s, 3 4x6s, or 8 wallets. Up to three poses can be used for the ten sheet package, one pose per sheet. The cost of the basic Senior Photo package is $300. Additional 8x10 sheets are $20 each.
Do you do corporate or business headshots?
Yes. We have a $50 headshot package that includes a 20 minute sitting and a full resolution file of your photo on CD.
Will I receive a photo CD with my prints?
A set of screen resolution files can be purchased with your package. Price varies depending on the number of photos included.
I have an old photo of my grandmother / dog / car. Can you print a large version for me?
Absolutely. In fact, we can print to a variety of materials, including ceramic tiles, leather, artist’s canvas, wood, and much more. The possibilities are almost endless.
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Is there anything you CAN’T do?
We can’t lower your cholesterol, train your cat to stay off the counter, or bring peace to the Middle East. We can, however, provide you with top-of-the-line large-format prints and imagery that will increase sales, promote your products, add style to your storefront or spruce up your home or office. Call us today!
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