--- type: hub title: "Frequently asked questions" description: "Straight answers on paper stocks, file formats and setup, bleed, coatings, folds and binding, sizes, turnaround and shipping, browsable by topic or search." resource: https://www.4over4.com/faqs tags: ["hub"] generated: by: "process:4over4-mapp-build" at: 2026-10-19T01:07:24.429Z timestamp: 2026-10-19T01:07:24.429Z sources: - resource: https://www.4over4.com/faqs title: "Frequently asked questions" status: stable --- # Frequently asked questions Straight answers on paper stocks, file formats and setup, bleed, coatings, folds and binding, sizes, turnaround and shipping, browsable by topic or search. Answers to the questions business printing raises most, on products, paper stocks, file setup, ordering and shipping, written by a print team working since 1999. Start with the name. 4 over 4, written 4/4 on a print order, means four ink colors on the front and four on the back: cyan, magenta, yellow and black, the CMYK set, printed on both sides. 4/0 is full color on the front with a blank back, and 4/1 is full color front with black ink only on the back, the usual choice when the back carries plain text. Most jobs on this site, business cards, postcards, flyers and booklets, run 4/4 or 4/0, so settle that first, then stock, then coating, then turnaround. - 3,012 answers, 54 topics, 24h ticket replies ## Business printing questions, answered in one line - [01 Business card size: 3.5 x 2 inches, plus 0.125 inch of bleed on each edge of the file](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/business-cards) - [02 The file to send: a PDF at 300 DPI in CMYK, with fonts embedded or outlined](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/prepress-files) - [03 Card stock: 14pt or 16pt for everyday cards, 32pt and thicker for a heavy, premium card](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/paper-stock) - [04 Gloss or matte: gloss brightens photos, matte cuts glare on text heavy pieces](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/finishes-coatings) - [05 Tri-fold or z-fold: both split one sheet into 3 panels, folded in different directions](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/binding-folding) - [06 Proofs: check the text, the bleed and the colors on the proof before anything prints](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/proofs) ## Browse by category ### Marketing Materials 1,103 answers Flyers from 4.25 x 5.5 to 11 x 17 inches, brochures in 13 fold styles, postcards and menus: sizes, folds, stocks and what each piece does best. - [General 1,415](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/general) - [Postcards 57](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/postcards) - [Brochures 50](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/brochures) - [Flyers 45](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/flyers) - [Mailing & Direct Mail 54](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/mailing-direct-mail) - [Booklets 14](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/booklets) - [Menus 14](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/menus) - [Posters 41](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/posters) - [Marketing Materials 18](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/marketing-materials) - [Account 1](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/account) - [Quantities & Minimums 15](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/quantities-minimums) - [Returns 3](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/returns) ### Business Stationery 347 answers Letterheads, envelopes, notepads and business cards, and how to keep them matching across the whole set. - [Business Cards 268](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/business-cards) - [Envelopes 40](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/envelopes) - [Folders 9](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/folders) - [Business Stationery 57](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/business-stationery) ### Site-Wide 247 answers How the 4OVER4.COM site works: accounts, saved designs, proofs, reorders and the tools on every page. - [Magnets 20](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/magnets) - [Table Tents 6](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/table-tents) - [Site-Wide 78](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/site-wide) ### Packaging & Labels 55 answers Boxes, bags, sleeves and product labels: dielines, materials and the finishes that survive shipping. - [Labels 25](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/labels) - [Packaging & Boxes 24](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/packaging-boxes) - [Packaging & Labels 6](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/packaging-labels) ### Signs & Banners 128 answers Yard signs, vinyl banners, A-frames and rigid signage, indoors and out, with the sizes and substrates that hold up. - [Signs 55](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/signs) - [Banners 39](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/banners) - [Signs & Banners 29](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/signs-banners) ### Finish 168 answers Gloss, matte, soft touch, foil, spot UV and lamination: what each finish looks like and when to choose it. - [Finish 76](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/finish) ### Invitations & Cards 111 answers Invitations, announcements, greeting cards and thank you cards, from paper weight to envelope fit. - [Invitations 62](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/invitations) - [Greeting Cards 24](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/greeting-cards) ### Branded Merchandise 62 answers Apparel, mugs, pens and promotional items that carry a logo, and the print methods behind each one. - [Branded Merchandise 13](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/branded-merchandise) ### Material 110 answers Paper stocks, plastics, vinyl, metal and fabric: weights, feel, durability and the jobs each material fits. - [Material 34](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/material) ### Trade Shows & Events 58 answers Banner stands, table covers, backdrops and handouts that set up fast and pack down clean. - [Trade Shows & Events 20](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/trade-shows-events) ### Sticker & Label Printing 121 answers Die cut, roll and sheet stickers, plus every label type: adhesives, shapes, materials and outdoor life. - [Stickers 60](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/stickers) - [Decals 10](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/decals) - [Sticker & Label Printing 57](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/sticker-label-printing) ### Posters & Wall Art 46 answers Posters, canvas, framed prints and wall graphics: resolution, sizes and the media that make them look right. - [Posters & Wall Art 11](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/posters-wall-art) ### Shape 24 answers Round, square, die cut and custom shapes: what can be cut, minimum sizes and how to set up the file. - [Shape 12](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/shape) ### Printing Terms Glossary 173 answers Bleed, CMYK, DPI, GSM and every other term on a print spec sheet, explained in plain words. - [Prepress & Files 68](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/prepress-files) - [Color & Ink 38](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/color-ink) - [Paper & Stock 18](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/paper-stock) - [Finishes & Coatings 9](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/finishes-coatings) - [Binding & Folding 9](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/binding-folding) - [General Printing Terms 1](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/general-terms) - [Adhesives & Materials 4](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/adhesives-materials) - [Printing Methods 12](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/printing-methods) - [Cutting & Shapes 11](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/cutting-shapes) - [Sizes & Specs 3](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/sizes-specs) ### Ordering 27 answers Placing an order, uploading files, proofs, reorders and changing a job after checkout. - [Placing an Order 27](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/placing-an-order) ### Shipping & Delivery 28 answers Turnaround times, shipping options, tracking, pickup and what to do if a package is late or damaged. - [Shipping & Delivery 10](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/shipping-delivery) - [Shipping Options 8](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/shipping-options) - [Tracking 7](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/tracking) - [Delivery Issues 3](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/delivery-issues) ### Pricing & Payment 2 answers How print pricing works, quantity breaks, payment methods, invoices and tax. - [Pricing & Payment 2](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/pricing-payment) ### Coins & Rewards 8 answers Earning and spending 4OVER4 coins, referral rewards and how the loyalty program stacks with sales. - [Coins & Rewards 8](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/coins-rewards) ### Files & Artwork 12 answers File formats, bleed and safe zones, color modes, fonts and resolution, so artwork prints the way it looks on screen. - [Proofs 12](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/proofs) ## Popular questions - [01 How do I make a humorous print ad land?](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/general/what-are-the-best-practices-for-funny-print-ad-examples) - [02 How do I prepare artwork for a lenticular postcard?](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/postcards/what-are-the-best-practices-for-3d-lenticular-postcard-trends) - [03 Which format works best for a travel brochure?](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/brochures/how-do-i-choose-the-right-travel-brochure-format-for-my-brand) - [04 How do I place flyers so they get read instead of pulled down?](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/flyers/what-are-the-best-practices-for-flyer-distribution-locations-for-business) - [05 Which direct mail format fits what I am asking people to do?](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/mailing-direct-mail/how-do-i-choose-the-right-direct-mail-format-for-my-campaign) - [06 What binding style works best for a product catalog?](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/booklets/what-binding-style-works-best-for-a-product-catalog) - [07 How much do menus cost?](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/menus/how-much-do-menus-cost) - [08 What's the best paper stock for indoor poster printing?](https://www.4over4.com/faqs/posters/what-s-the-best-paper-stock-for-indoor-poster-printing) ## Still stuck? Talk to a human. Submit a ticket and a printer on our support team replies within 24 hours, or call or text 718-932-2700 with a file, stock or turnaround question. [Submit a ticket](https://www.4over4.com/company/contact)