PC-Based Service Bureaus

PubCom has long been aware of a problem a number of our DC-based government agencies and nonprofit organizations clients are having: difficulty finding service bureaus to output their work, largely because they are using Windows-based systems and (in some cases) non-standard software to complete publications, reports, technical documents, etc.

We asked a number of printers with service bureaus in the metropolitan area to answer the following:

Can you RIP Windows files on a Windows PC?
Can your imagesetter output files with TrueType fonts?
Can your imagesetter output files with a mix of both TrueType and PostScript fonts?
Can you accept files created with any or all of the following programs? (in this instance we weren't asking about outputting PDFs, we meant the native files. We also asked that if they had conditions that must be met in order to output files, to please list them)
        Adobe Framemaker
        CorelDRAW – Macintosh
        CorelDraw – Windows
        Corel Ventura
        Microsoft Publisher 2000
Are there any other comments you'd like to make about your company's capabilities?

Here are the responses we received (listed in alphabetical order):



Name of Printer/ Service Bureau	1) Can you RIP Windows files on a Windows PC?	2) Can your imagesetter output files with TrueType fonts?	3) Can your imagesetter output files with a mix of both TrueType and PostScript fonts?	4) Can you accept files created with any or all of the following programs?	Other comments they wished to make about capabilities

American Printing Co., Inc. 4601 Lydell Road Cheverly, MD 20781-1118 Respondent: Mark Dewhirst, Production Manager website: www.TheAmerican PrintingCo.com	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes: Microsoft Publisher Note: "We find it best to not embed the images in the file, it makes it possible to edit them."	"We deal with both Mac and Windows formats, but we are primarily a Windows shop."

Automated Graphic Imaging 1090 Vermont Ave., NW Lower Level Washington, DC 20005 Respondent: John Allem, General Manager Website: www.agidc.com	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes: CorelDraw PC Yes: Microsoft Publisher Note: "If colors are defined properly for separations!!"	"Contact us with specific questions or concerns. If a customer has regular work requiring a specific software program, we will consider purchasing it."

Colorspace 1730 M Street NW Washington, DC 20036 Respondent: Andrew Daniels, Operations Manager Email: adaniels@mhiweb.com	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes: CorelDraw PC Yes: Microsoft Publisher

Composition Systems Inc. 2719-B Dorr Avenue Fairfax, VA 22031 Respondent: Rob Harris, Director of Technology Website: www.csiprepress.com	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes: Framemaker Yes: CorelDraw Mac and PC Yes: Microsoft Publisher Note: "We need a current hard copy of the file as well as any and all fonts used, supporting graphics, and any other artwork."	"We also output large format posters and prints from the same applications."

Goetz Printing 7939 Angus Court Springfield, Va 22153 Respondent: Joseph Irr, System Administrator Website: www.goetzprinting.com	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes: Framemaker Yes: CorelDraw PC Yes: Corel Ventura Yes: Microsoft Publisher Note: "We have up to Ventura 7... we will purchase newer versions as needed. This also applies to Framemaker, we have an older version and have only had one request for it in several years."	"Our Mac and PC Department has some of the most highly qualified people in the industry."

HBP, Inc. 952 Frederick St Hagerstown, MD 21740 Respondent: Bob Tapp, VP/Sales Manager Website: www.hbp.com	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes: Framemaker Yes: CorelDraw PC Yes: Microsoft Publisher Note: "Publisher files automatically incur additional charges and we make no guarantees about the outcome."

Linemark Printing, Inc. 1220 Caraway Court, #1040 Largo, MD 20774 Respondent: Dave Ashton, Vice President / Sales Website: www.linemark.com	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes: Framemaker Yes: CorelDraw Mac and PC Yes: Corel Ventura Yes: Microsoft Publisher	"Linemark has recognized the increasing need to provide this service. We currently have an extensive client base that we provide this service to successfully."

Rock Creek Publishing 8004 A Norfolk Avenue Bethesda, MD 20814 Respondent: Damon Lawson, Prepress Manager Website: www.rcpub.com	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes: CorelDraw Mac and PC Yes: Microsoft Publisher	"Four-hour turnaround with no rush charges. Drum scanning, color proofs and wide format also onsite."

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