Frequently Asked Questions

What Typical Clients/Industries Do You Serve?

We service a loyal customer base of large national companies, small businesses, and individuals. Most of our customers are located in the Birmingham, AL metro area. Shelby Printing has a strong presence in most industries including education, communications, real estate, consumer goods, industrial, professional services (advertising, marketing, business development), hospitality, churches, and more.

Is Your Pricing Competitive?

We are confident that our pricing is very market competitive. We work extremely hard to deliver the best value for your dollar, considering the best mix of price, high quality, and reliable service our customers expect. 

How Quickly Can I Get An Estimate?

We can usually provide you with a quote within 24 hours of receiving your project’s specifications. Most of the time, we can get back to you the same day with a quote. To avoid any delay in quoting, we recommend that you provide the detailed specifications as outlined below:

• Project deadline
• Type of job (brochure, publication, direct mail post card, annual report, etc.)
• Ink (PMS colors, metallic inks, varnish, additional coatings) including number of colors per side 
• Quantity
• Dimensions (flat size and final size)
• Paper
• Number of pages, if applicable
• Finishing
• Bindery
• Packing/Shipping requirements
• Any other applicable specifications
You may fill out our online pricing request form, or contact a sales representative directly to receive a free quote.

What Options Do I Have For Proofing?

Using a PDF (electronic) proof is the fastest and most economical way to check proofs before going to press. These proofs may not accurately show the colors that you will get on the finished piece. If a close color match is important, talk to your sales rep to determine if a PDF proof could be used for your project.

If you are looking for a more exact proof, it is recommended you use a digital “hard copy” proof. Our proofing equipment is calibrated to give very accurate matches to the printing press when printing on neutral coated paper. Special stocks and coatings can create a situation where color matching is more difficult. If you have a color critical project, discuss this with your sales rep so that our team can review the project and ensure your satisfaction. 

How Does The Proof Approval Process Work?

• If you request a PDF proof, it will be sent by e-mail. To approve, simply reply to the e-mail with “OK To Print”.
• If you request a digital proof, we can have it sent overnight by UPS or FedEx, or we can send by regular mail. You may then e-mail your approval to us, fax us a completed proof notice form, or you may return the proofs to us along with the proof notice form.
• If you are in the Birmingham Metro area, we can deliver the digital proof to your office using one of our courier services.
• Another great way to proof the job is to schedule time with your sales rep to visit the plant and conduct a press check on site. A press check will allow you to be with the press operator as he runs your project.

How Should I Send My Art Files?

We have an FTP site that you may use for uploading your electronic files. If the files are not larger than 25MB, you may e-mail them to art@shelbyprinting.com. If you are in the Birmingham Metro area, you can make arrangements with your sales rep for pickup (CD, DVD, Artwork, etc.).

What Is Your Standard Turnaround Time For Printing Projects?

Shelby Printing does not have a standard or typical delivery time because each project is custom produced. Therefore, it is difficult to provide a “standard” turnaround time as all projects tend to require different amounts of production time. Also, our press schedules can change from day to day depending on the amount of pending work. However, our team will help develop a production timeline to ensure we meet your standards and time requirements, if at all possible. A typical project requires around 24 hours for a color proof,and another 3 to 5 business days for final delivery.

Offset or Digital Printing?

Advantages of Offset Printing
• High image quality.
• Works on a wide range of printing surfaces including paper, wood, cloth, metal, leather, rough paper and plastic.
• The unit cost goes down as the quantity goes up.
• Quality and cost-effectiveness in high volume jobs. While today’s digital presses are close to the cost/benefit ratio of offset for high quality work, they are not yet able to compete with the volume an offset press can produce.
• Many modern offset presses use computer-to-plate systems as opposed to the older computer-to-film work flows, further increasing quality.
• Advantages of Digital Printing
• Shorter turnaround.
• Every print is the same. More accurate counts, less waste and fewer variations, due to not having to balance ink and water during press run.
• Cheaper low volume printing. While the unit cost of each piece may be higher than with offset printing, when setup costs are included digital printing provides lower per unit costs for very small print runs.
• Variable Data Printing is a form of customizable digital printing. Using information from a database or external file, text and graphics can be changed on each piece without stopping or slowing down the press. For example, personalized letters can be printed with a different name and address on each letter. Variable data printing is used primarily for direct marketing, customer relationship development and advertising.

Still not sure which is right?
Use this checklist to help decide:

• Quantity. Offset printing has a front-end cost load. Short runs may have a high unit cost. But as quantities increase, the unit cost goes down with offset printing. Very short runs can be much more cost effective with digital printing; while larger quantities are likely to have a lower unit cost with offset printing.
• Printing Medium. Do you need or want a special paper, finish or unusual printing surface, or unique size? The options are increasing continually for digital, but offset printing still offers the most flexibility.
• Color. Digital presses use four-color process printing. If you need only black ink or one or two ink colors, offset printing may offer a more cost-effective solution. If you need four-color printing, digital may offer advantages in lower up-front costs.
• More on Color. If you’re planning to print using the Pantone® Matching System, offset printing will give you the best match, since it uses actual Pantone® ink. Digital printing simulates the color using a four-color matching process, so some digital printers may offer less accurate color matching on projects.
• Turnaround. If you need it fast, digital usually offers quicker delivery.
• Proofing. Digital offers accurate proofs since you see an actual sample of the printed piece. Accurate color proofing for offset printing can be expensive.
• Customization. Without question, digital printing offers the most affordable way to customize marketing materials, direct mail pieces, letters, etc.



What Are Your Payment Methods?

• We accept payments by cash or check, as well as VISA, MasterCard, and Discover.



What Are Your Terms of Payment?

• While we would like to offer a variety of flexible payment options to first time clients, payable terms of 30 days or greater only apply to loyal customers with an excellent payment history. If you are a new customer, you may fill out one of our credit applications. Thereafter, if your credit application shows an excellent credit history, it is possible that we may extend additional payment terms to you. We recommend that you submit a credit application prior to placing the order. Contact your sales representative for more information.

Can You Obtain A Mailing List For Me?

• We offer a wide range of Mailing Services that include list generation. We can provide you with an accurate and targeted list of consumers by almost every trait including the following:

• Geographics (zip codes, radius in miles, cities, state, region, size, climate, etc.)
• Demographics (ethnic origin, income, age, gender, family size, baby boomers, occupation, etc.)
• Behavioralistic (cat lovers, first-time buyers, usage rates, subscriptions, etc.)
• Psychographics (techies, independents, conservatives, etc.)
• Contact one of our mail specialists today for more information.

Can I Get Some Samples Of Your Work?

• Absolutely! Please contact one of our sales representatives for a comprehensive sample packet. The packet will contain enough examples of our work to give you an idea of our quality and capabilites. We will be happy to either mail it to you or drop it by your office location.