Go to Previous Slide Go to Next Slide

Our Services

  • Offset Printing
    Offset Printing

    Annual reports are a direct reflection of your company. Be sure yours say "professional" and "trustworthy." We'll deliver exactly what your business needs to make the right impression at the right time.

  • Digital Printing
    Digital Printing

    A big area calls for a big statement. And that's exactly what we deliver with every banner we print.

  • Ad Specialty
    Ad Specialty

    With professional design and printing, our brochures are sure to sell. From the big idea to the small details, our team has years of experience to get the job done.

  • Mailing Services
    Mailing Services

    Your business card is a direct reflection of your company. Don't settle for plain paper and dull designs when we can create cards that will leave a lasting impression.

  • Bindery Services
    Bindery Services

    Creating business forms can be a hassle—so why not let us handle it for you? We'll help you boost your brand's image with professionally designed business forms, purchase orders, invoices and more.

  • Design & Marketing
    Design & Marketing

    One of your most important selling tools may be a professionally printed catalog. We'll help you showcase your products in the best way possible with a high-quality catalog you'll be proud to distribute.

Don't settle for a professional,
when you need an expert.

PrintSouth Printing, Inc. is a full-service printing company in West Columbia, South Carolina, offering offset printing and digital printing capabilities. We offer custom die-cutting and foil services as well as multiple binding styles for booklets both small and large. Additionally, we offer advertising specialty solutions allowing us to provide our clients a huge assortment of products including writing pens, banners, tote bags, t-shirts, corporate gifts, and crystal awards among other custom imprinted items. We team up with you to bring expert knowledge and experience to help make your brand stand out.

Our Services

  • Our large six color presses, with inline aqueous coating, can handle your print media projects. And our smaller two color offset presses take care of business stationery and other print materials.

  • Our digital presses are great for small quantity runs with a quick turnaround. With sizes up to 13x19 and inline finishing capabilities, your project will exit the press ready to go. We also provide variable data solutions for mailings or personalized postcards.

  • Don't go postal trying to figure out mailing regulations by yourself. We'll handle the mailing process for you, come rain or come shine. (Though we prefer shine.)

  • It's not over till it's over. In fact, the final step of a print project may be the most important. We'll make sure your project gets wrapped up with the most appropriate finishing and bindery methods available.

  • Personalization is hot right now. Click to see how we can help you achieve your goals with variable print data (VPD).

  • A big area calls for a big statement. And that's exactly what we deliver with every banner we print.

  • With bold designs and vivid color, we'll help you create great looking print material to make an instant impression.

December 20, 2017

Advantages and Disadvantages of sending a PDF vs Native Files to a Commercial Printer

byWade Hook

Most service providers and commercial printers use a PDF workflow. Here’s a look at the advantages and disadvantages of sending a PDF vs Native Files.

PDF
The biggest advantage of sending a high resolution print ready pdf file to your commercial printer is that if the pdf is created properly, there is almost nothing that could go wrong getting the file from client to proof. Apart from how the ripping software handles layers and drop shadows, all the text and graphics will remain how they were designed. Text will not reflow because of font issues, images do not have the chance to relink incorrectly and you can see how the file will print by viewing it on your computer.

The main disadvantage of sending only a pdf, is the service provider or printer can not easily make changes or corrections. If changes are needed, you the client will have to make and resend a new pdf file. There are some 3rd party software solutions to this, such as the Pit Stop plugin from Enfocus, or the service provider can take the chance and open the pdf in Illustrator, but that is not a stable solution.

Native Files
Native files include the output file, support files and fonts. Advantages of sending native files are the ability to edit the output file and make corrections or changes. Any color corrections to images are easily made with the jpg or tiff files.

When sending native files, you can run into the problem of the service provider not having the software you are using, or having newer or older software may cause some options used in the design to not be available. There can also be an issue with fonts reflowing or going from Mac to PC could produce unwanted results.

Solutions
It is always best to be on good relations with your service provider or commercial printer. Visit their shop and ask questions. Before you begin to design your project, discuss how the final piece will look to see if there are any areas that need special attention, like folds, die cuts or indicias. Your service provider is there to walk beside you with your project, making suggestions to help you create an award winning design.

Stay up to date by subscribing to our mailing list.

Providing solutions to the problems you encounter.

"How do I export a high-resolution pdf file out of Adobe InDesign?"
Our employees are here to help YOU. If we don't know the answer, we will find it for you. Our online blog provides answers and additional insight into the world of commercial printing. You will also find design tips, program how to instructions, downloadable guides and links to other helpful topics within our blog.

We appreciate your visit and look forward to working with you.