FAQs

What is Vector Art?

Vector Art is line based art consisting of created paths and points using a program such as illustrator or CorelDraw. The program keeps track of the relationships between these points and paths. Vector images are not resolution based (pixels) and can be scaled infinitely, both up and down, with no loss of clarity or quality. They're defined as solid objects, and can be moved around in full, or grouped together with other objects.

What is .WMF - (Windows Metafile)?

The proper three-character file extension for vector artwork (mathematical artwork comprised of a series of points and the curves between them), used on Windows-based computers. Files of this type can be enlarged or reduced with no loss of quality.

What is .EPS - (Encapsulated Postscript)?

The proper three-character file extension for vector artwork (mathematical artwork comprised of a series of points and the curves between them), commonly used on Apple Macintosh computers. Files of this type can be enlarged or reduced with no loss of quality.

What is .JPG - (JPEG)?

A standardized image compression mechanism designed for compressing either full-color or grayscale photographic images, often for use on the Web. JPG is "lossy," meaning that the decompressed image is not quite of the same quality as the original image.

What is .PDF - (Portable Document Format)?

The proper three character file extension for an Adobe® Acrobat file. A .pdf file accurately depicts an uneditable version of virtually any electronic document, just as if it were being viewed within the software used to originally create it. Adobe Acrobat Reader software must be installed the PC being used to view .pdf files.

What is CMYK - (C) Cyan, (M) Magenta, (Y) Yellow, (K) Black ?

The four colors used by conventional offset printing presses to create images that, to the naked eye, appear to be full color. The printing process itself is referred to as four-color process.

What is Pantone® Matching System - (PMS)?

The printing industry standard color matching system. Ink colors are referred to by a common set of three- or four-digit numbers to ensure color accuracy from one printer to the next.

What are Spot Colors?

Printing inks which are pre-mixed to match defined industry-standard systems like Pantone.

What is Four-Color Process?

The printing process by which small, semi-transparent dots of the four standard "process" colors (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) are printed to simulate full color.

What is Offset Printing - (Also known as offset lithography)?

A printing method whereby the image to be printed is transferred from a photographically-prepared metal plate onto a rubber-covered cylinder, then onto paper.

What is Die Cutting?

A printing process using a sharp, metal die to cut irregular shapes out of paper or vinyl.

What is Blind Embossing?

A printing process which utilizes a metal die in the shape of a logo or other artwork to create a raised impression on a piece of paper, without the use of any color.

What is a Raster Image?

A raster image is a scanned or placed image that can be in color, gray scale, or black and white, whose clarity is dependent upon the resolution. The resolution of a raster graphic is the number of dots, pixels or lines per inch of graphic. Therefore, the higher the resolution, the crisper the image.

What is Camera Ready Art?

Camera ready art is artwork that can be scanned without any preparation or changes. Type and images are sharp, clean and consistent in density. Art is black and white only and does not contain any colors or tints (shades of color/gray).

What is not Camera Ready Art?

Business cards, letterhead, photocopies, hand drawings, etc. are not considered camera ready art. Any logo or artwork taken from a web site is low resolution (72 dpi) is not camera ready art.

Why Should I Convert My Fonts to Outlines?

Every computer has font files installed. However, not everyone has the same fonts installed on their computers. If we do not have the same exact font that the text was created in, the text will 'default' to a less attractive font. Converting fonts to outlines (lines and curves) ensures that the text is exactly how you want it to look. It is no longer necessary for anyone else to have the associated font installed.

What do you mean by "What You See is What You Get"?

If black and white art, or when your electronic art is printed (created on a computer), is jagged or of poor quality, that is exactly how it will appear on your final product unless you request the art to be recreated (for an additional charge).

What File Formats We do not Accept?

QuarkXpress, any Word document, Microsoft PhotoDraw, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Publisher, FreeHand, PageMaker, Acrobat, Adobe Image Ready... If you have any questions regarding the quality of your artwork, please Contact sales@luscangroup.com for further details.

How do I Submit Digital Artwork?

1. Go to Lucangroup.com contact page 2. Fill up the contact form 3. Click "Browse" and select desired file(s). 4. Click "Send Message" 5. Your Art has been submitted

How do I place an order?

You can either do it online using our shopping cart system by adding products to the cart and proceed to the check out where you can choose your method of payment or you can contact us using our contact form in the contact page or by email at sales@luscangroup.com or phone us.

How long will take until I get my order?

Screen printing and embroidery on garments usually take up 1-2 weeks. Others products or services may take a little longer 2-6 weeks. Rush Service is available at an extra charge. Either case all depends on how fast you approve the artwork or make the payment. All orders must be paid in full before proceeding with the production. Please Contact sales@luscangroup.com for more information if you want to have your order "Rushed".

What is Pad Print?

An inked image is transferred from a photo-etched plate to a thick, soft silicone pad. The pad is then pressed against the plastic part. The pad can wrap itself as much as 180° around a small object, and ink coverage is excellent. One color is done at a time, and registration between colors is adequate for four-color process printing.

What is Silk Screen?

Screen printing is the direct imprinting of a design or copy onto the surface of a product. Image is pressed through tensioned nylon mesh, leaving a paint-like appearance. This is generally a better imprint than pad printing, though it requires a relatively flat surface without obstructions.

What is Art/Color Separation?

After its creation, the art must be converted into final separations. The goal of art separation is to create individual films, either vellum or acetate, in which the print areas block UV light rays and the negative areas allow UV light to pass through. Some common methods of art separation are tracing, blocking, cutting, and computer. For multi-color printing, a design is usually separated so that each color is printed with a different screen. The separated screens are printed one at a time, with each specific color aligned on the printing surface to produce the finished composite.

What is Laser Engrave?

Laser engraving uses light to burn an image into the substrate. It gives your logo a clean and polished appearance. It is available on many metal items and works best when the item's surface is a different color than the substrate. Laser Oxidation is available when the surface and the substrate are the same color.

What is Digitizing?

The conversion of artwork into a series of commands read by an embroidery machine's computer via a card.

What is Embroidering?

The process of machine stitching threads of single or multiple colors, into a design on the surface of the substrate. Used on various woven fabric substrates, embroidery adds high-perceived value to a logo and can coordinate with embroideries on today's corporate casual wear.

What is Puff Embroidery?

The stitching of a dense motif over embroidery/craft foam to create a three-dimensional effect.

What is Thread?

A fine cord of natural or synthetic material with two or more elements twisted together and used for stitching. Machine embroidery threads come in rayon (high sheen), cotton (duller finish), polyester (strong and colorfast), metallics (synthetic core wrapped with metal foil or thin slivers of metal foil) and acrylic (sheen similar to rayon).

What are Specialty Threads?

Threads designed for effects such as shine, glitter, iridescence or thickness. The threads often are made from synthetic materials including rayon, mercerized cotton, metallics and textured nylon.

What is Solvy?

A water-soluble plastic film used especially for embroidering knitwear and terrycloth. SOLVY is used on top of the fabric and allows much more detail to be seen on any intricate design by preventing the stitches from getting lost in the knit. A light misting of warm water dissolves SOLVY.

What is a Frame?

A holding device for inserting the hoop beneath the needle to maintain stability during the embroidery process.

What is Buckram?

A coarse-woven fabric stiffened with glue, used to stabilize items for embroidery. Commonly used in caps.

What is Hot Stamp?

The use of a custom die of the advertising image that transfers the image from foil or colored tape, onto the substrate, under heat and pressure. Used on leather, leatherette or flat plastics.

What is Foil Stamping?

A printing process for hot stamping a graphic or logo using colored, metallic foil with pressure from a heated metal die.

What is Deboss?

A custom die of the advertising image is recessed into the substrate under heat and pressure. Deboss is without color and will give a tone-on-tone look. Used on leather and leatherette material.

What is Color fill Deboss?

A two-step process of combining the deboss process and filling the die struck image with foil or color. Used on leather and leatherette.