PQS
Services and Specifications
- PQS Services
PQS - Pro Qualified Service -Overview
In the days of film, 20% of our time was spent preparing orders for printing and 80% spent producing them in the darkroom. Digital imaging flipped that old 80/20 rule on its head. Due to numerous variables in digital imaging that have an impact on both quality and efficiency, about 80% of our energy is now spent organizing orders and preparing files for printing. Once prepared for output, the actual printing is largely automated - thanks to sophisticated equipment and software.
The procedures we follow are not complicated, but they are precise and require a working knowledge of digital imaging to perform properly. While many professionals choose to have the lab perform these procedures on their behalf, others prefer to do this work themselves - submitting fully organized orders containing files that are properly prepared for printing without additional work on our part. In essence, they bypass our production staff and send work to our equipment much the same way we do.
PQS was developed out of a need to provide fair pricing to professionals who submitted fully prepared digital orders. PQS provides discounts on orders that are prepared and submitted according to specifications that substantially reduces staff labor preparing and organizing files for output.
PQS specifications are the same as those carried out by our staff on non-PQS orders - procedures that are necessary to maintain product quality and production efficiency. While experienced imaging professionals will have little trouble understanding and using PQS services, others are encouraged to schedule 1-on-1 PQS Tutoring Sessions until they possess the necessary skills and confidence to use PQS.
The discounts afforded by PQS do not come without risk. PQS users assume complete responsibility for the quality and accuracy of the resulting work and for fees that may be added and discounts that may be reversed on non-compliant PQS orders. PQS discounts are made possible only through strict requirements without tolerance for errors or oversights that require additional staff time to address.
CAUTION!
Unlike other services we provide - which come with full Customer Service and Production staff support - PQS is an UNSUPPORTED service. PQS is designed for use only by experienced imaging professionals capable of submitting PQS orders WITHOUT ASSISTANCE BEYOND THE INFORMATION PRESENTED HERE.
DO NOT USE PQS without possessing the necessary knowledge. Improperly prepared PQS orders may result in: DELAY or CANCELATION, INACCURATE or POOR QUALITY WORK, PAID REMAKES, LOSS OF PQS ORDER FEE AND ADDITIONAL CHARGES FOR STAFF ASSISTANCE.
Color Correction
PQS orders are imaged as received without oversight or intervention on our part. Any necessary image processing for color, contrast, saturation, sharpening and other procedures must be performed prior to submitting a PQS order.
Display Calibration
Predictable results cannot be expected without preparing images on a properly calibrated display. We offer 1-on-1 Tutoring Sessions on Display Calibration that includes a 24-hour rental of our calibration equipment. With our without calibration, running a small test print order is highly recommended.
PQS Support and Training
When additional assistance, information or training is needed, we offer 1-on-1 Tutoring sessions for that purpose. Aside from 1-on-1 Tutoring, our staff does not provide PQS support.
PQS Specifications
Specifications for PQS services must be followed exactly. PQS orders that do not meet specifications are automatically re-billed according to non-PQS rates.
PQS Discount, Order Fee, Minimum Order
- PQS Discounts
- Discounts are listed in service information below.
- PQS Order Fee
- A non-refundable $10 order fee is charged to each incoming PQS order and each change-order.
- Minimum PQS Order
- $25 including the $10 PQS order fee.
PQS Payment, Remakes, Order Changes and Cancellations
- Payment
- PQS orders are paid when placed.
- Remakes
- Except for lab errors, no-charge or discounted remakes are not available on PQS orders.
- Order Changes
- A $10 fee is charged on all change-orders.
- Cancellations
- The $10 PQS order fee is not refunded on cancelled orders. Work that has already been produced or is in the production queue cannot be cancelled.
ProProofs from Digital Files
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| PQS Discount | 40% |
| PQS Order Fee | $10 |
| Minimum Order | $25.00 including $10 PQS Order Fee. |
| Payment | Pre-paid at time of placement |
| Submission Method | CD (not DVD) or FTP Upload Account |
| Minimum Files | 25 files per size/quantity/finish |
| File Organization | Named folder for each size/quantity/finish |
| File Naming | Name Length: 30 characters or less No Illegal Characters: # % $ ^ & etc. Use only Alpha-Numeric and Underscore ( _ ) |
| File Type | JPG or TIFF |
| Layers | Flattened |
| Alpha Channels | Removed |
| Color Space | sRGB, tagged or untagged |
| Bit Depth | 8-Bit |
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Digital Contact Sheets
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| PQS Discount | 40% |
| PQS Order Fee | $10 |
| Minimum Order | $25.00 including $10 PQS Order Fee. |
| Payment | Pre-paid at time of placement |
| Submission Method | CD, DVD or FTP Upload Account |
| File Organization | Named folder for each size/quantity/finish |
| File Naming | Name Length: 30 characters or less No Illegal Characters: # % $ ^ & etc. Use only Alpha-Numeric and Underscore ( _ ) |
| File Type | JPG or TIFF |
| Layers | Flattened |
| Alpha Channels | Removed |
| Color Space | sRGB, tagged or untagged |
| Bit Depth | 8-Bit |
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ProPrints
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| PQS Discount | 40% |
| Order Fee | $10 |
| Minimum Order | $25.00 including $10 PQS Order Fee. |
| Payment | Pre-paid at time of placement |
| Submission Method | CD (not DVD) or FTP Upload Account |
| File Organization | Named folder for each size/quantity/finish. |
| File Naming | Each file name must end
with: print size +
paper finish Example: DSC100_8x12F.jpg Paper Surface Codes: Glossy=F, Lustre=E Name Length: 30 characters or less No Illegal Characters: # % $ ^ & etc. Use only Alpha-Numeric and Underscore ( _ ) |
| File Type | JPG or TIFF |
| Layers | Flattened |
| Alpha Channels | Removed |
| Color Space | sRGB, tagged or untagged |
| Bit Depth | 8-Bit |
| Canvas Size | Physical dimension of any listed ProPrint size |
| Resolution | 300ppi |
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Display Prints
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| PQS Discount | 40% |
| Order Fee | $10 |
| Minimum Order | $25.00 including $10 PQS Order Fee. |
| Payment | Pre-paid at time of placement |
| Submission Method | CD, DVD or FTP Upload Account |
| File Organization | Named folder for each size/quantity/finish |
| File Naming | Each file name must end
with: print size +
paper finish Example: DSC100_20x30F.jpg Paper Surface Codes: Glossy=F, Lustre=E, Metallic=M Name Length: 30 characters or less No Illegal Characters: # % $ ^ & etc. Use only Alpha-Numeric and Underscore ( _ ) |
| File Type | JPG at #10 compression |
| Layers | Flattened |
| Alpha Channels | Removed |
| Color Space | Up to 10x15": sRGB, tagged. Over 10x15": sRGB or Adobe98, tagged |
| Bit Depth | 8-Bit |
| Canvas Dimension | Physical dimension of any listed Display Print size |
| Resolution | 300ppi |
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Fine Art Giclée Prints
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| PQS Discount | 40% |
| Order Fee | $10 |
| Minimum Order | $25.00 including $10 PQS Order Fee. |
| Payment | Pre-paid at time of placement |
| Submission Method | CD, DVD or FTP Upload Account |
| File Organization | Named folder for each size/quantity/material |
| File Naming | Each file name must end
with: print size +
material Example: DSC100_8x12_Canvas.jpg Name Length: 30 characters or less No Illegal Characters: # % $ ^ & etc. Use only Alpha-Numeric and Underscore ( _ ) Materials: Canvas, Presentation, Velvet, Art, Bamboo |
| File Type | JPG or TIFF |
| Layers | Flattened |
| Alpha Channels | Removed |
| Color Space | sRGB or Adobe 98, tagged |
| Bit Depth | 8-Bit |
| Canvas Dimension | Physical dimension of final print size Include wrap or material for stretcher bars if canvas print |
| Wraps and Mirrors | Image wrap or Mirror included within canvas |
| Resolution | 300ppi |
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Digital to Film (Film Recording)
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| PQS Discount | 40% |
| Order Fee | $10 |
| Minimum Order | $25.00 including $10 PQS Order Fee. |
| Payment | Pre-paid at time of placement |
| Submission Method | CD, DVD or FTP Upload Account |
| File Organization | Named folder for each size/quantity/finish |
| File Naming | Each file name must end
with: film size Examples: DSC100_35mm.jpg, DSC125_4x5.jpg Name Length: 30 characters or less No Illegal Characters: # % $ ^ & etc. Use only Alpha-Numeric and Underscore ( _ ) |
| File Type | JPG or TIFF |
| Layers | Flattened |
| Pixel Dimensions/File Size | 35mm Slides/32.8MB (at 4K) Full slide: 4096 x 2732. Mounted, live area: 3840 x 2560 4x5 & 8x10 Sheet Film/147.5MB (at 4K) 8192 x 6144 |
| Alpha Channels | Removed |
| Color Space | sRGB or Adobe 98, tagged |
| Bit Depth | 8-Bit |
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ProScans
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Pre-Requisite | Minimum one hour 1-on-1 Tutoring Session with first PQS ProScan order |
| PQS Discount | 40% |
| Order Fee | $10.00 |
| Minimum Order | $25.00 including $10 PQS Order Fee. |
| Payment | Pre-paid at time of placement |
| Film Format Organization | Grouped by film format: 35mm, 2¼. |
| Minimum Film Length | 35mm = 4 frames. 2¼ = 2 frames. |
| Film Type Organization | Grouped by film type: E6, C41, BW |
| Submission Organization | Slides in 35mm slide boxes: no pages, no trays. Film strips in pages. Frame numbers in bold black ink over each required frame |
| PQS ProScan Service | PQS ProScans are initial scans without post
processing for color, contrast, sharpening, dust, etc.
Raw ProScans may or may not be suitable for use until
post processed by user. File Type: Uncompressed TIFF Color Space: sRGB, untagged. Bit Depth: 8-Bit |
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Drum Scans
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Pre-Requisite | Minimum one hour 1-on-1 Tutoring Session with first PQS Drum Scan order |
| PQS Discount | 40% |
| Order Fee | $10.00 |
| Minimum Order | $25.00 including $10 PQS Order Fee. |
| Payment | Pre-paid at time of placement |
| Submission Organization | Each original print/art in protective sleeve/envelope, marked
for scan size. Film in sleeves/pages with frame numbers in bold black ink over each required frame. |
| PQS Drum Scan Service | PQS Drum Scans are initial scans without post
processing for color, contrast, sharpening, dust, etc.
Raw Drum Scans are not suitable for use until post
processed by user. File Type: Uncompressed TIFF Color Space: Adobe 98, untagged. Bit Depth: 8-bit |
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