working with gratzer graphics llc

New Clients

If you are a new client, we require an initial payment—typically one-third to one-half—up front to begin work in addition to a signed work agreement.

Design Process

Design is a collaborative process of sharing information (you) and finding out how to visually communicate it (us). We need to know who your target audience is, what your nonprofit/company does, your organization's philosophy, and how you want your target audience to perceive you.

If you have a wish list of particular things you'd like to see in the design or have a "don't even think about it!" list, please share that information. Likewise, feel free to share any samples of work you like and why you like them.

Preparing Copy

Clients often ask how much they should write. A good rule of thumb is to write about half a page for each page, so that there is room in the design phase for margins, design elements, photos, etc.

All text should be edited and proofread prior to sending to any designer. Having to redo the layout due to major text changes will result in additional charges.

Following are some suggested tips for ensuring clean copy:

If you cannot send all copy at once, it is usually OK to send the copy in sections, but only once those sections have been finalized.

Only send what needs to go in the layout. For example, if you have a document with more information than will be included in the piece, it is faster and more efficient to only send what is needed. Otherwise, the designer has to guess or stop and ask questions, which causes confusion and delays.

Submitting Edits

If you must make text changes prior to receiving a proof, please send a Word document with changes tracked or otherwise marked, or you will be charged for the time to lay out all the text again, as we have no way to tell what text changed.

Image Requirements

Images should be 300 ppi for print work at the size they will appear in the layout. Please note: our contract states that you must have received permission for any image you send to us (unless it is your own or not copyrighted), so you must make sure that you have gotten any necessary permission and let us know if any credits are required to appear with the image.

For any print work, please do not copy and paste images into a Word document. Send image files: PSD, TIFF, JPEG, AI or EPS. Any format may be sent for images for web use or for slide presentations. If you have graphs or charts, these work best in their native format of Excel or a PDF saved from Excel.

All images should be clearly named or identified in the e-mail or text document when sent. If they are too large to e-mail, you may upload them via our upload form.

Proofing Process

You will receive a low-resolution PDF proof for print jobs (numerically named in the order in which they are sent) and a link to an online proof for websites and HTML e-mails. Ideally, any design changes should be brought to our attention at the first proof, as well as any text changes. A second proof is then sent for you to verify the first set of changes were made properly and a third proof is subsequently sent when additional changes are requested.

Although we check spelling and will point out any grammatical changes we happen to encounter (or will proofread for an additional fee), you are responsible for checking the text and that changes were made accurately at each stage.

We require your written approval of the final proof before proceeding with printing.

You may download our proof checklist to assist you in checking proofs.

Submitting Edits

You may mark up a PDF with Acrobat's editing tools or fax us a printout of the pages with changes clearly marked. It is always faster to see the changes as they appear in the layout. It is preferable to receive a PDF with changes, as that allows for copying and pasting of any replacement text, but you may also send a Word document with changes tracked or otherwise marked. Please be sure to check spelling when typing in any replacement copy.

If you opt to make any edits after the printer has received the print file, simply let us know and we will make the changes and send the printer the revised pages.

Ready to get started? Contact us today!