FAQ Express Print

How do I supply my Artwork?

Please upload a high resolution PDF (300dpi), or for simple text, a Word document, which we will reset.

If you are a designer, or are technical, it’s worth knowing that best, is a vectored EPS file with all fonts turned to outlines.

For digital print we can also use a high resolution JPEG if no EPS file is available.

Please upload to

Do I get a proof to approve?

Yes. We will email a proof to you as a PDF Document. It will be based on the artwork you send us. The design will be positioned in the centre of the carrier bag, sized to fit the print area of the bag you have ordered. If you have asked for a particular image size and/or positioning within the print area, it will be shown on the proof. It is vital that you check the proof very carefully for content and positioning: you will be responsible for any errors (which can and do happen) if approved by you. We will not proceed to print before we have your emailed OK of the proof.

What will be the setting-up (origination) cost?

This is cost of proof, production of film, and the printing screen for silk screen printing (Paper Laminate bags, Jute, and Cotton) or Flexographic plates (Twist, Tape, or Poly carrier bags). The cost of origination is shown on the price page when you order. There is no origination cost for repeat orders. We will advise you of any extra charge if your artwork requires a lot of studio time to get to proof and film stage.

I have not got a design yet. Can you do one for me?

Yes, we will be delighted to help. Email what you have, to or fax a sketch to 01903 232 333. Don't forget to supply your phone number; we will call you back with suggestions, and advise any extra cost, if any, to progress your draft to artwork that will suit the bag you have in mind.

How quickly will they arrive?

Normally 7-10 working days from when we receive your approval of the proof. If a particular delivery time is very important to you, for example a date for an exhibition, then you must tell us, in the space provided, when you order. Delivery for a particular date is not "of the essence" unless we are told in advance and agree to a date in writing.

How do I pay?

You pay by debit or credit card or PayPal when you order online. You will make your payment on the secure SagePay or secure PayPal website linked to ours. Or you may pay by BACS or cheque prior to printing and we will send a VAT receipt following despatch. If you do not approve your proof we will credit your payment back, less £35.00 administration and proof cost.

Can you issue an invoice so that I can pay in advance?

Yes, its suits some organisations to pay by pro forma, ie payment in advance. If this suits you then please select "Invoice before despatch" when you order and pay be BACS or cheque prior to printing. A VAT Invoice/receipt will be forwarded when your order is shipped.

Can you issue an invoice so that I can pay in advance?

Yes, its suits some organisations to pay by pro forma, ie payment in advance. If this suits you then please select "Invoice before despatch" when you order and pay be BACS or cheque prior to printing. A VAT Invoice/receipt will be forwarded when your order is shipped.

Can I have photographs, in one colour or full colour?

Yes, we can digitally print photographs.

What colours can I have?

Paper Laminates, Jute, Cotton: We can print any ink colour, one or two sides, up to 6 colours. Just advise us the Pantone Matching System (PMS) number when ordering online or send us a sample.

Twist, Tape and Polythene carrier bags: choose from the standard ink colour range, we can print one or two sides up to two colours, but please also see below.

Quality of ink cover (obliteration)

Rope handled paper laminate bags, Jute and Cotton carrier bags: These are screen printed. Screen print inks are fairly good at covering dark colours so it is possible, for example, to print white on black, although the black will take the edge off the white's brightness.

If any tinting is entirely unacceptable to you, order your overprint on white or a light base colour.

Twist Carrier Bags, Tape Carrier bags, and Polythene Carrierbags: These are "Flexographic" printed. Flexographic inks are thin and are not good at covering dark colours. Even light carrier bag colours will tend to darken any ink colour. Dark carrier bags are best printed metallic silver or gold. If in doubt do please give us a call before ordering, we will be delighted to advise.

Quality of carrier bag

We have every confidence in our carrier bags' quality, we believe you will find them strong and well finished. We would certainly want to hear from you if you have any reservations.

What sort of print quality can I expect?

Rope handled Paper Laminate Carrier Bags Ready-made stock carrier bags - complete with folds and handles fitted - are screen printed. This isn't ideal because we don't have a flat surface to print on. If you look closely you may see some imperfections, and feathering on the edge of the ink produced by the mesh of the screen. For most people the print quality is entirely adequate, but don't forget it is silk screen print on ready made carrier bags, and is not intended to compare wth lithographic print on flat sheet. But we have large numbers of happy customers, so if in doubt do please phone us on 01903 202 333.

Twist and Tape Carrier Bags We flexographic print ready-made carrier bags in stock: whilst our printer has great skills, the side and base creases in the bag may show across ink lines, and don't forget the bag colour may tint the ink colour a little.

Jute Carrier Bags Jute is a natural material with an open weave and very uneven print surface. The most successful designs on Jute do not have fine detail or small print!

Cotton Carrier Bags Another natural material but the weave is tighter, allowing finer detail than jute

Polythene Carrier Bags Our polythene bags (which by the way are degradable polythene) are printed before they are made in to bags, so within the limitations of printing on polythene (it's slippery stuff!) we are proud of our results.

What if I think there is something wrong with the bags?

Please contact us, or call us on 01903 202 333. If there is a defect, within the quality standards described here, we will put it right. Please note that unlike our stock bags, we will not take overprinted carrier bags back if you simply do not like what you have ordered. It is therefore vital to you that you check your Proof carefully, as you will not be credited for errors (which can happen) if approved by you.

How reliable is this service?

We don't allow ourselves, or our website, to overstate what we offer. We are like many conventional companies who have decided that the web is a very efficient way of obtaining business, and also processing orders, to provide our customers best value. If you have any doubts before ordering online, or you would like order by phone, do please call us on 01903 202 333. We also welcome visitors to our premises at Worthing, but do please phone first, we get busy!

VAT

Prices shown are before addition of VAT. A VAT Invoice/Receipt is emailed to you following your online order. If you choose Invoice and Payment before delivery you will first receive a Pro Forma Invoice, which is not a VAT invoice/receipt, and your VAT Invoice/Receipt is emailed on receipt of payment.