How Can We Help?
Here’s how to order plates.
Our plates are ordered from PlateCrafters, a company located in Kansas City Missouri. The process is simply just sending an email to them and attaching the plate sheet file with that email. below is a more detailed outline of the process.
- Locating and Preparing the WIP (Work in Progress) Sheet
Under the Graphics Transfer icon from the desktop, navigate to the “Plates and Proofs” folder, then to “Plates.” Under the Plates folder will be another folder titled “WIP Platesheets.”
The file address is: Graphics_Xfer (X):\Plates and Proofs\02_Plates\01_WIP Platesheets
To see an example of file location, Click Here
This folder contains usually just one Adobe Illustrator (AI) file like the image shown, but may have several. It is best to wait until this file is at least half full before placing an order as the cost of the plate is calculated by material. So for example if the AI file only has one proof on it (say maybe 10% full), the cost will be the same as a 50% full plate sheet. In order to be the most cost effective, it is best to not order plates until the sheet is at least half full, unless the plate is urgent and time sensitive.
2. Saving file as PDF and attaching to email.
Once the plate sheet is full, It is as simple as saving the plate sheet as a PDF, and then attaching it to the email which will be sent to PlateCrafters. No further editing should need to be done to the plate sheet as every proof on it should have already been approved by the customer, and should already contain the necessary repeats and distortion required for its production.
To save the file, the shortcut (Ctrl + Shift + S) can be used to bring up the save window. Simply select Adobe PDF for the “save as type” option at the bottom and then click save. It can sometimes be easier to save the file to the desktop as this will make it easier to locate the file when going to attach it to an email. Click here to see an example of saving a file from Adobe Illustrator as a PDF. The email should be sent to Chris Connell (Chris@platecrafters) with both Joe ([email protected]) and Jackie ([email protected]) cc’ed in.
3. When Will the Plates Come?
Usually Chris will reply promptly with confirmation of receipt. Generally plates ordered before noon will arrive the next day. We also strive to have the plate ordered at least 1 week before the ship date of the order to ensure that the order will still ship in time should any problems come up (damaged/delayed/incorrect plate, etc…) with production.
