Turnaround times

What is the turnaround time for your Custom Online Print Service?

How long does mounting take when ordered online?

Mounting takes 7-10 working days with options like Kapa Foamboard and PVC being quicker to manufacture than Aluminium and Durospec (Perspex Reverse) mounting. If you need is sooner please get in touch before placing your order – we may be able to help you but may have to apply a rush charge to your order.

How long does framing take?

Framing takes 10 working days, but cannot be ordered online. You can place a print order online and get in touch via email or telephone 01273 708 222 to add framing to your print order.

Payment and Delivery

How do I pay?

Will I be informed when my order is ready?

Our fully automated online ordering system has a strict turnaround of 48 hours, so you can guarantee that they will be ready if you come to collect 48 hours later. We will call you in the event of any problems.

What is the cut off time for the post?

Print only orders have a turnaround time of 48 working hours, and will therefore be ready for the post or collection 48 hours after ordering. In order to meet the deadline for the post, your order must reach us by 1pm, otherwise it may have to wait for the following days collection.

Will I be informed when my package is sent via courier?

The online ordering service is fully automated and as such you will receive an automated email from our couriers informing you when you package will be delivered, with full tracking details that allow you to change the date/time of your delivery if needed.

Do you deliver to countries outside the UK?

Yes we can. There are postage prices for Europe and International delivery, but the courier prices on our website are for within the UK only. Please contact us for delivery prices to other countries.

Uploading & File Information

What image formats do you accept?

Will my files be checked before printing?

No, this is a full automated printing service. Your files will enter a fully colour managed workflow and will be printed using our custom printer profiles, but Spectrum is not responsible for client colour management.

Will my files be entering a colour managed/fully calibrated workflow?

Yes, your files will enter a fully colour managed workflow and will be printed using our custom printer profiles. The system will detect any embedded profile and will handle the colour management accordingly. For greatest accuracy we recommend using standard colour space such as Adobe '98 or sRGB. For further information on colour management and profiles please visit the "Support " section of our website.
Files must be created within a proven ICC managed colour workflow system (Spectrum has tight linearization tolerances, but is not responsible for client colour management). If there is any doubt about your colour management set up we would encourage you to run test files first.

What DPI can I print at?

You can upload images saved at final print size at a resolution between 72 and 400 dpi. We recommend for good quality results a resolution of at least 150 dpi. Alternatively upload your image and then adjust the size to see the dpi change as you change the print size. Images with a resolution below 150dpi may be of poor quality

After uploading files, how do I remove any that I do not want to print?

After uploading your files, if there are images that you do not want to print, click on that image and change the quantity to 0.

How do I apply the same paper or mounting option to all my files?

If you have uploaded several files and you want to print them all on the same paper type, or mount them all on the same material, you need to click the "select all images" button. Select the paper type, mounting, framing, etc. and then click on the "apply" button. Your selection will be applied to all the files.

Do I need to oversize my prints for mounting?

How do I add a border?

To place a border on your images, simply choose between "within format (%)", (which does not effect the photos finished print size), or "outside format (mm)". If you should choose to apply a border outside your images format, you can yourself control the final print size, which is optimal for situations such as eventual frame fitting, etc. To reset your entered border values, simply choose the "no border" option, and start again.

I have closed my browser, how do I get back to my order?

The online ordering system works as a 'live session', which means that should you close your browser your session will be closed, and if you have not input your login data and pressed the 'place order' button, the data and images you have uploaded will be lost. If you need to look at another webpage whilst placing an online order with Spectrum please open up a new browser window in order not to lose your data, as this will not be retrievable.

Can I print from PDF file?

You cannot upload a PDF to print through our Online printing service. However you can upload through our secure upload service and have our Direct to Print service.

My file does not view when uploaded.

If your file does not view when uploaded please check the following:

1) Ensure your file is tagged with a profile.
2) Ensure that there are none of the following illegal characters in the file name:
/ ? < >  : * | " '
3) If uploading a Tiff file, ensure that no compression is applied to the file and the tiff option is interleaved and not per channel.

Do you print on sheets or rolls of paper?

All prints are printed on a roll media so borders must be placed on files before submission.

When do I need to calibrate my monitor display?

In the following situations:

• When purchased or installing a monitor.
• Changes in monitor viewing environment.
• Necessary every three to four weeks
• Changes in light level or viewing angle.
• Accidental manual adjustments to brightness or contrast.

Do I need to size my images correctly before sending them through to print, or will you do that for me?

You will need to size your images to the specific size you want yourself before sending them to print, if you have any problems with this, please contact us.

How much sharpening do I apply?

Our printers apply only the small amount of sharpening that is normally lost when the file goes through the printing process. No creative sharpening is applied so this will have to be done prior to uploading.

What is the maximum size I can print?

All C-Type prints can be ordered up to a width of 48" and a length of 96" (1219x2438mm). Giclee prints can be ordered to a width of 43.3" and length of 96" (1100x2438mm).

What are your opening hours?

Can I book a calibrated monitor to use?

Yes, we have a monitor in reception which you are welcome to use to do a final check of your files before uploading. If you would like to book this in order to work on your files this is charged at £10 +VAT per hour.

What scanners do you use?