Have you ever had a question and either didn't know where to find the answer or were too afraid to ask? If so, you've come to the right place.

As the name would suggest, this section is a compilation of answers to the questions our clients commonly ask. Here you'll find answers to common questions our clients ask. Just start by following one of the links below.

1. Why Choose Bolder Graphics?
2. What is a "proof"?
3. Why do I need to look at a proof if I've already given you everything I need to have done?
4. Do I still need to approve a proof if I bring my work in on disk?
5. How do I measure the ring size on my binder?
6. How many pages do the different ring sizes hold?
7. How do I go about getting an estimate from you?
8. Can I order online?
9. What is a Casemade Binder?
10. How is a CLEARVISION Vinyl Binder made?
11. What is the main difference between a Casemade and a Clearvision Vinyl Binder?
12. What is a Poly Binder?
13. How can I decorate my binders?
14. How can I decorate a Casemade Binder?
15. How can I decorate a CLEARVISION Vinyl Binder?
16. How can I decorate a Poly Binder?
17. What is the function of the Assembly Department?
18. What is the most common tab extension size?
19. What is a rivet?
20. Do any type of ring metals not require rivets?
21. What is the term used when measuring the thickness of vinyl and other materials?
22. What is the term used in measuring board thickness?
23. Why does Bolder Graphics not recommend screen-printing large panels of screen tints?
24. What is a bleed?
25. Can my artwork bleed if I’m foil stamping?
26. What is a “choke and spread”?
27. What is an appliqué and can any artwork be reproduced using this method?
28. What are the two types of inks we use?
29. What type of ink does Bolder Graphics use the most, and why?
30. What are the major differences in U.V. and Conventional Inks?
31. What type of ink is used for larger production runs?
32. Can you use conventional inks for large production runs?
33. What type of ink is used for screen-printing screen-tints or halftones?
34. Since UV inks are not as opaque, how can I get a bright red on a black binder?
35. Can the Ultra-tech (Spider) screening machines run conventional ink?
36. What is the name of the automated equipment that constructs casemade binders?
37. What is a “handcrafted” casemade binder?
38. What kind of corners do Clearvision Vinyl Binders have?
39. What kind of corners do casemade binders produced on the automated Crathern equipment have?
40. What are some ways to decorate options direct on vinyl?
41. What is another name for a casemade binder?
42. Is there someone at your production plant to check on my job?

1. Why Choose Bolder Graphics?
   Our People - We employ over 60 people of which 40 of our company staff have 10 or more years of service. We’re experienced at what we do!
   
   Quality - With 40 years as a custom manufacturer and a full-time quality control staff, we pay particular attention to details.
   
   Lean Manufacturing - Our workforce has been trained in the concepts of Lean Manufacturing and Lean Office.
   
   Financially Strong - Our company, and is ranked in the top 100 of the nations largest privately held print manufacturers.
   
   Facilities - Our plant in Calgary, Alberta has over 72,000 square feet. With warehouse capability of 1,000 pallets, we can accommodate your warehousing needs.
   
   Equipment - State-of-the-art equipment and machines in all departments from Cutting to Shipping.
   
   Art/Pre-Press - Our in-house electronic art and pre-press artists average 15 years of service and operate current equipment and software. We can provide service for all phases of your project.
   
   Creativity - In-house product development staff available to create a unique design, provide hand-made samples or recommendations for your custom product.
   
   Customer Service - An in-plant sales or customer service representative assigned to every order and available to oversee your job through all phases of production.
   
   You! - We realize our jobs and our company's future come from you, the customer.
   
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2. What is a "proof"?
   A proof is a way of ensuring that we have set your type accurately and that everything is positioned according to your requirements. Typically, we will produce a proof which will be sent to you online or printed on paper which can be viewed in our store or delivered to you in person.
   On multiple color jobs, we can produce a color proof on our color output device to show how the different colors will appear.
   
   
3. Why do I need to look at a proof if I've already given you everything I need to have done?
   We employ human beings to produce your work and, last time we checked, humans are not perfect. Your approval on the final proof is assurance that you have looked over every aspect of our work and approve it as accurate. It benefits everyone if errors are caught in the proofing process rather than after the job is completed and delivered.
   
   
4. Do I still need to approve a proof if I bring my work in on disk?
   It may seem like a proof wouldn't be needed in this case but it really is. Output devices process digital information using a variety of processing languages. Your approval of the proof which we will provide assures that the output device used has correctly interpreted and processed the information you have provided
   
   
5. How do I measure the ring size on my binder?
   Binders are measured by ring capacity, and NOT by the width of the spine.
   To determine the ring capacity of Round Rings, measure the inside diameter of the ring. For Angle D-Rings and Straight D-Rings, measure the straight or angle part of the ring respectively.
   
   See diagram below
   

   

   
   
   
6. How many pages do the different ring sizes hold?
   The chart below shows the approximate number of standard 20lb. bond sheets that each ring size will hold. Keep in mind that these are just approximations.
   
   See Chart below
   

   

   
   
   
7. How do I go about getting an estimate from you?
   Well, since you are here, we would suggest you use our online estimate request form, by clicking here. Otherwise, the best way to ensure that we get all the information necessary to do an accurate quote, is to give us a call and talk with one of our customer service representatives.
   
   
8. Can I order online?
   You will soon be able to. Our online store in on its way.
   
   
9. What is a Casemade Binder?
   Sometimes called a turned-edge or casebound binder, casemade binders are constructed with a non-vinyl cover material that is glued to and wrapped around board.
   
   
10. How is a CLEARVISION Vinyl Binder made?
    CLEARVISION™ Vinyl binders are made using vinyl material for the outside and inside. Board is placed between the cover and liner materials and the vinyls are heatsealed together using special dies in a dielectric machine using heat and radio frequency waves. The second step then adds a clear cover to the spine and front cover of the binder. This process requires no gluing.
    
    
11. What is the main difference between a Casemade and a Clearvision Vinyl Binder?
    Casemade Binders are generally made with a paper, cloth, leather or canvas type material that is glued to board with the edges folded around the board and then a liner is glued to the inside to cover the raw board, whereas in a Clearvision Vinyl Binder, the board is placed between the cover and liner materials and the edges of the vinyl is heat sealed.
    
    
12. What is a Poly Binder?
    Poly binders are made with a hard plastic type material called polyethelene. The binders are made by die-cutting the shape of the binder and spine hinges are scored to create backbone. Poly binders are extremely durable and can withstand extreme changes in temperatures.
    
    
13. How can I decorate my binders?
    Many decorative options are available, including screen-print, foil stamp, stamp/deboss, blind deboss, appliqué, offset/litho printing and digital printing. Not all for these processes are suitable for every project, so check with the creative team at Bolder Graphics to see which techniques best fit your products.
    
    
14. How can I decorate a Casemade Binder?
    Screen-print, foil stamp, stamp/deep emboss, blind emboss, offset/litho, digital printing.
    
    
15. How can I decorate a CLEARVISION Vinyl Binder?
    Screen-print, foil stamp, stamp/deep emboss, blind emboss, offset/litho, digital printing (clear overlays), appliqué, appliqué entrapments.
    
    
16. How can I decorate a Poly Binder?
    Screen-print, foil stamp, offset/litho (on thinner gauges).
    
    
17. What is the function of the Assembly Department?
    The main function of our Assembly Department is to insert metals in binders. Along with latches, handles or other production involving hardware.
    
    
18. What is the most common tab extension size?
    1/2” tab extension on an 11x8-1/2” sheet size.
    
    
19. What is a rivet?
    Rivets are used to fasten ring metals to the binders. Rivets appear as 2 small round pieces of metal on the outside of the spine or back cover of binders. On some binders, you may order hidden (concealed) rivets.
    
    
20. Do any type of ring metals not require rivets?
    Prong bushing metal does not require rivets. This style is designed to fasten to board without rivets, allowing the binder design to stretch uninterrupted across the cover.
    
    
21. What is the term used when measuring the thickness of vinyl and other materials?
    Guage.
    
    
22. What is the term used in measuring board thickness?
    Point.
    
    
23. Why does Bolder Graphics not recommend screen-printing large panels of screen tints?
    In the process of screen-printing, specs and flaws in printing large panels are easily visible. In some cases we recommend printing an additional lighter shade of the same color as a solid.
    
    
24. What is a bleed?
    A bleed is when artwork or printing falls off the edge of final product. In the case of binders, artwork through the spine hinges is also considered a bleed. A bleed requires printing on oversize material and then trimming, welding or wrapping afterwards.
    
    
25. Can my artwork bleed if I’m foil stamping?
    Yes and No, depending on the product. Yes, we can bleed foil on paper and casemade/turned edge products. No, we cannot bleed foil off vinyl products.
    
    
26. What is a “choke and spread”?
    When screen-printing a light color on a dark base material, white ink can be laid down first and light color overprinted. Using this method, we can produce a clean bright color on darker substrates. The white is made thinner (choked) and the lighter color is made slightly fatter (spread) to ensure proper registration on press. In so doing there will be a slightly darker outline all around artwork where light ink prints on darker base material. Not all artwork can be printed using this method. Artwork must be approved by our art department prior to production.
    
    
27. What is an appliqué and can any artwork be reproduced using this method?
    An appliqué is a method of decorating on vinyl products. A special die is made in the shape of supplied artwork that is a combination cutting and sealing die. Using this die, a piece of vinyl is heat-sealed onto a base vinyl. The die seals the shape of the artwork onto the base vinyl and then the excess surrounding vinyl is then removed leaving the shape of the artwork. Not all artwork can be reproduced using this method. It depends on detail and how complicated the art is. Artwork must be approved by our art department prior to production.
    
    
28. What are the two types of inks we use?
    UV (ultraviolet) and Conventional.
    
    
29. What type of ink does Bolder Graphics use the most, and why?
    UV inks. This type of ink is more efficient in production. UV inks do not dry in the screens. This allows the press operator to continue running without stopping to clean ink out of screens.
    
    
30. What are the major differences in U.V. and Conventional Inks?
    Conventional inks can dry with heat or air-dry, UV inks will only dry when exposed to ultraviolet light. Conventional inks are generally more opaque than UV inks.
    
    
31. What type of ink is used for larger production runs?
    UV.
    
    
32. Can you use conventional inks for large production runs?
    Yes, but requires special quote and may be cost prohibitive due to slow production time.
    
    
33. What type of ink is used for screen-printing screen-tints or halftones?
    Only UV inks are used. Because the ink does not dry in the screen, the printing is more consistent and production is more efficient.
    
    
34. Since UV inks are not as opaque, how can I get a bright red on a black binder?
    You can do a choke and spread.
    
    
35. Can the Ultra-tech (Spider) screening machines run conventional ink?
    No. The Ultra-techs have UV ink dryers only, no heat dryers.
    
    
36. What is the name of the automated equipment that constructs casemade binders?
    Crathern.
    
    
37. What is a “handcrafted” casemade binder?
    When Bolder graphics produces a binder using 3 boards (front, spine and back), by hand, without automated equipment.
    
    
38. What kind of corners do Clearvision Vinyl Binders have?
    Round corners.
    
    
39. What kind of corners do casemade binders produced on the automated Crathern equipment have?
    Square corners.
    
    
40. What are some ways to decorate options direct on vinyl?
    Screen-print spot and process color, foil stamp and/or deboss, appliqué, offset/litho.
    
    
41. What is another name for a casemade binder?
    Turned-edge or casebound.
    
    
42. Is there someone at your production plant to check on my job?
    Yes, every senior account manager has a coordinator (CSR) at our plant in Calgary, Alberta to coordinate and follow your order through production.