Direct Digital Printing involves using electronic source files. It is often used when you need smaller quantities of full color printed products. The files are processed directly on the printing press or print system. Direct digital printing is different from traditional printing, which utilizes film and plates. Another way to use digital data is to send it directly to the plate material used in offset lithographic printing. This approach eliminates traditional films and related printing steps. Either method can be used to produce commercial-quality printing.

Distributed Printing means printing directly to printers that aren't located next to a person's workstation. There may be multiple destinations for a single job. This type of printing is frequently associated with on-demand and short-run printing.

Dots per Inch (DPI) is a measure of resolution. The higher the DPI, the sharper the type and images.

Fonts are different styles of typefaces.

Offset Printing is the most common printing technology used today. With offset printing, layers of ink are applied to a page. For each layer there is a "reverse image" placed on the roller in the printing press. Ink is then applied to the roller, the roller is pressed against paper moving through the press, and the proper image appears on the paper.

On-Demand Printing is commercial quality printing typically used for very short runs. Products are produced as needed in turnaround times of a few hours or less.

Prepress refers to the steps needed to take a design to final form, ready for final printing on a press.

I've been told it's not safe to produce my company's checks using my laser printer. Why not? Losses in the U.S. due to check fraud now total billions of dollars annually. That's due, in large part, to advances in electronic publishing technology and scanning/copying equipment, which have made counterfeiting easy.

How do the costs of using preprinted checks and business forms for laser-printed business documents compare with using plain paper? Preprinted forms for laser sheets not only provide a better image for your business but are also less expensive over time.

What steps should a business take to protect checks and other sensitive documents? Many people are under the misconception that banks are liable for losses due to check fraud. Depending on how a court interprets the Uniform Commercial Code (model guidelines that structure rights and obligations of contracting parties within and between states) liability may belong to the check issuers. The interpretation of "ordinary care" outlined in the code is ambiguous. However, today there is clearly an emphasis by the courts on responsibility and reasonable check issuing standards by businesses.

Any printed material that if altered or copied might compromise your business, should be considered a sensitive document.

• Accounts payable checks
• Cashier's checks
• Coupons
• Credit reports
• Event tickets
• Gift certificates
• Hospital records
• Identification forms and badges
• Legal certificates
• Money orders
• Payroll checks
• Prescription forms
• Stock certificates
• Transcripts
• Report card
• Warranties

Security Features Menu - Choosing appropriate security features for sensitive documents is critical. Select a combination of features to include both overt (visible) and covert (hidden) characteristics. We're glad to provide assistance in determining which of the following work best for you.

Border copy warning - notifies document handlers that specific overt and covert safeguards are built into the document. The warning is typically printed in reverse type on the face of the document above a background screen or pantograph.

Microprinting - miniature print or text appears as screened line or border. Copied or scanned attempts appear plugged and/or unreadable.

Artificial watermark - a logo or pattern printed in opaque ink that is used to immediately verify authenticity.

Ultraviolet (UV) ink - can be used in printed images. When exposed under UV (black) light, document handler can verify authenticity.

Embossing - results in a raised or three-dimensional image that can be used for immediate verification.

Bleed thru MICR & Arabic numbers - aniline dye in ink causes the numbers to develop into visible, ghosted or blurred images on the back of a document.

Void pantograph - is a background design or screen which exposes a hidden VOID pattern when scanned or copied.

Holographic foil stamping - creates a hot-stamped foil image that is copying and scanning resistant.

Foil stamping - is difficult to copy or scan because the image appears as mostly black due to reflection of foil.

High resolution graphics - make it harder for fraud artists to alter or counterfeit documents.