Thanks for the responses, Thomas, Andy and Gary, I will be contacting the company on Monday.
The idea of a proof was not possible, as we were looking at 2500 postcards for $249 Cdn. But two of the three results would have been acceptable. In any case, I could have approved a proof (might have doubled the cost of the job) and found that there were still the same discrepancies in the colours. The magenta cast would be evident to anyone, and, given a neutral file - which was printed neutral in 2 out of 3 cards - should be recognised by the printer. Way more than 2-4% discrepancy. We shall see. They have more than my personal work at stake here, as I organise printing for my clients through them. We have already started to nurture a (long distance) relationship, and prior to us receiving the cards I had asked them to put together a promotional package for a local group of artists. That is a bigger job than 3 lots of 2500 postcards. (For the curious, the second postcard was fine and seems consistent, the third has gone astray during delivery and will arrive Monday. No idea what that will be like, but I have my fears as it, also, features a neutral background.) The idea of the monkey on the press is possibly right. They are a big company with a reputation to maintain, though, so let us hope they respond positively. The trouble is that the postcards are needed for taking to a show in the US at the end of this week. No time for a re-print and deliver (the company is 3 days' drive away - not possible to go and collect). And before you suggest, there is no company in the province that uses UV coating, so we were forced to go out of province. All the best and thanks again, Ellie Gary Wornell said (snipped): > In my experience you need to develop a relationship with your printers. > It's > the most valuable relationship you can have in this business. You need to > meet the people who are printing for you, get to know them personally and > nurture the relationship through dscussion and comparisons. Always send a > proof copy you have made so they know what you really want. Then they can > tweek the machines as necessary. When they know the standard you seek to > achieve, then thay have a chance to respond positively. Ask them for a > proof > copy before the print run so you can compare. Takes the guesswork out of > the > job, and minimises the risk of failure. -- Ellie Kennard : Innovative Imaging Studio : http://www.iiStudio.com Contributor to Photoshop Restoration & Retouching (2nd edition) by Katrin Eismann =============================================================== GO TO http://www.prodig.org for ~ GUIDELINES ~ un/SUBSCRIBING ~ ITEMS for SALE
