What is ThePaperWorker?
ThePaperWorker is the online storefront for Colad -- The Total Package! ThePaperWorker lets you create your own custom binders, custom scrapbooks, custom personalized gift boxes, and custom folders directly through our full-service site in a few simple steps.
How do I use ThePaperWorker to create my own custom binders, scrapbooks, gift boxes, & folders?
ThePaperWorker offers three ways to customize your products:
1) Select from our pre-templated graphic designs and use our online design tool to customize with your own text, images, logo, etc. Personalize your product by selecting from millions of photo images and cool vectors. Proof your custom design in real-time 3D to make it perfect!
2) Choose a 'blank' template and use our online design tool to customize your own text, images, logo, etc. Personalize your product by selecting from millions of photo images and cool vectors. Proof your custom design in real-time 3D to make it perfect!
3) Download a blank template, design your product offline, and upload using our upload tool. Proof your custom design in real-time 3D to make it perfect!
I see that you have Virtual Product Tours for all of your products; is any special software needed to view these?
One of the really cool things about ThePaperWorker is that every product we offer has a Virtual Product Tour that you can view to make sure you select the product you want. Our Virtual Product Tours are in Adobe Acrobat Reader or Adobe Flash. Adobe Acrobat Reader is a standard, free reader from Adobe used to view PDF files. You need version 9.0 or higher to view the 3D tours in this file format. Adobe Flash is is a free plugin. However, Flash files are not viewable on iPads or iPhones.
How much do your products cost?
Use our Instant Price calculator (in the header of every screen) to get detailed pricing for our products and finishing options. With all of the products on ThePaperWorker, the more you buy the more you save. Each product has finishing options at various price points to fit your budget.
How are the products offered through ThePaperWorker made?
We start with high quality eco-certified paper stocks, many of which include up to 100% recycled content. We print briliant graphics according to your customized design with photo quality resolution. We apply your choice of finish and any accessories you request, and we ship it to you!
How does ThePaperWorker's quality compare to others?
ThePaperWorker is powered by Colad – The Total Package. Colad has been a leader in designing and manufacturing custom binders, custom folders, and custom packaging for over 60 years. We have a stellar reputation for offering the highest quality product in the industry. Our state-of-the-art digital presses feature photo quality printing and brilliant colors on eco-certified paper stocks.
How can I be sure of your printing quality?
Our digital presses are state-of-the-art and print in photo-quality 600 dpi high resolution.
How does ThePaperWorker print?
We utilize high-quality digital presses.
How can I be sure that the color of the printed product is what I expect?
ThePaperWorker is powered by Colad, and we have been printing custom binders, folders, and packaging for over 60 years. We have a lot of experience printing custom binders, folders, and personalized packaging. ThePaperWorker prints in strong, rich colors to achieve an overall pleasing presentation. If you have specific color requirements, we suggest that you order 1 of your preferred product as a test before placing a larger order.
Are your products made in America?
Absolutely all of our products are made in America at our headquarters in Buffalo, NY. We've been doing this for over 60 years!
How do I select the correct ring capacity size for my binder or scrapbook?
The term 'capacity' describes the size of the metal rings. To determine the correct ring capacity size for your binder or scrapbook, consider how much material you will be inserting into your product. Heavier or lighter paper will yield different results. Remember that heavier paper is thicker and fewer pages will fit in the ring metals, and vice versa. Also remember that you likely won't be putting standard printed paper in your scrapbook, but rather you will use 12x12 page protectors and do all sorts of creative crafty things. To choose the appropriate scrapbook ring size, just decide if 1" or 2" offers the holding capacity that you need.
What is the difference between Standard Round, Angle-D, and Straight-D ring metals?
Round ring metals are just that – round mechanisms that are common in binders. They are standard in Paper Binders and our Half Size Binders, where they are always mounted to the spine with exposed rivets. With our 1", 1.5", and 2" Three Ring Binders you can select Standard Round ring metals mounted to the spine, or you can select Angle-D ring metals mounted to the back cover.
Angle-D ring metals help to present the contents of the binder a bit more professionally and, if tabs are used, they are more apparent with Angle-D metals. Angle-D ring metals have greater paper-holding capacity than round ring metals, meaning that a 1" Angle-D ring will hold more than a 1" Standard Round ring. Angle-D rings always mount to the back cover of our Three Ring Binders, and cannot be used with Paper Binders.
Straight-D ring metals are offered only with our Custom Scrapbooks and mount to the back cover.
What are boostered ring metals?
Boostered ring metals have triggers on the endsto help you open the mechanism. Most binders have boostered ring metals. The images above do not show the boosters.
What is a Turned Edge Binder?
Sometimes called a casemade or casebound binder, Turned Edge binders are the highest quality binders on the market. At ThePaperWorker, their construction starts with 100% recycled chipboard, which is then wrapped and lined with printed sheets that 'turn' over the edges so that no raw chipboard is exposed (hence, Turned Edge). Because 'Turned Edge' is an industry specific expression, ThePaperWorker simply calls them "Three Ring Binders" and "Half Size Binders".
What is the size of 'standard' Three Ring Binders and Half Size Binders?
Standard Three Ring Binders are sized to accommodate normal 11" x 8.5" sheets and/or 11" x 9" tabs. Half Size Binders are sized to accommodate 8.5" x 5.5" sheets and/or 8.5" x 6" tabs.
What is a 'rivet'?
Rivets fasten ring metals to the binder or scrapbook casing. Rivets appear as 2 small, smooth, round pieces of silver metal on the outside of the spine or back cover of binders. You have probably never noticed them but grab a binder and chances are you will see them if you look for them!
What kind of corners do your Three Ring Binders and Half Size Binders have?
Square corners.
What kind of corners do your Paper Binders have?
Round corners.
What kind of corners do your Custom Scrapbooks have?
Square corners.
What are 'routed' hinges on Three Ring Binders, Half Size Binders, and Custom Scrapbooks?
The chipboard core of our Three Ring Binders, Half Size Binders, and our Custom Scrapbooks is routed with a sawblade to create two flexible hinges that allow the binder to fold appropriately. Routed hinges allow for professional lay-flat operability without sacrificing any strength or durability.
Are there diecuts in the pockets of the Presentation Folders and Paper Binders?
Yes. Both Presentation Folders and Paper Binders have a universal business card diecut in the left inside pocket. Universal business card diecuts accommodate both horizontal and vertical business cards.
Do you sell poly binders?
No! Poly binders are made using synthesized plastics, polyethylene, and other toxic materials. All of the products offered by ThePaperWorker are eco-certified and are natural, renewable, and recyclable.
What is the difference between Gloss and Matte outside finish?
Gloss finish gives a shiny, flashy appearance. Matte finish gives a subtle, sophisticated appearance.
What does it mean to be Eco-Certified?
Eco-Certification shows a level of commitment to environmental sustainability that goes above and beyond the mere use of recycled or renewable materials. ThePaperWorker is powered by Colad, which is certified by the two primary forestry management organizations: FSC™ (Forest Stewardship Council) and SFI™ (Sustainable Forestry Initiative). All of the products we offer through ThePaperWorker are eco-certified by either the FSC or SFI. The FSC or SFI label on your product shows that you support responsible forest management.
Does my product have to display the FSC or SFI logo?
No. You have the ability to delete the FSC or SFI logo from your product during the design process.
How do I delete the FSC or SFI logo?
In the Flex Editor, click the logo. It won't appear like you have clicked it but you have. Press the 'delete' or 'backspace' key on your keyboard. The logo should disappear.
If I delete the FSC or SFI logo from my product, is it no longer Eco-Certified?
All products from ThePaperWorker are Eco-Certified even if you delete the certification logo. We only use Eco-Certified materials in our products.
Can I change the size or location of the FSC or SFI logo?
No. FSC and SFI have rules regarding how their logos are presented, and to remain compliant with those rules we cannot allow users to resize or relocate the FSC or SFI logos.
Does it cost extra for my product to be Eco-Certified?
No. All products from ThePaperWorker are Eco-Certified, we do not apply an additional charge to display the Eco-Certified logos from FSC or SFI.
Can I choose which Eco-Certified logo to place on my product?
No. ThePaperWorker is powered by Colad. Colad is dual certified by the two leading sustainable forest management organizations – FSC and SFI. Products cannot be both FSC and SFI certified, they can only carry one certification, and that one certification is the one that is already assigned to your product.
Which Eco-Certification is better – FSC or SFI?
Both are well respected organizations dedicated to sustainable forestry management practices. We are proud to work closely with both organizations.
What is a 'bleed'?
A bleed is when printed graphics go to the edge of the final product. In the templates available for download on ThePaperWorker, there are lines indicating the edge of the final product and the bleed edge to which graphics should extend in order to ensure that your graphics go to the edge of the final product.
If I customize a product, do I have to order it?
No – feel free to use our online design tool and real-time 3D proofing as much as you would like. You can save it for later, or cancel and start over.
I don't see a design that works for me. Is there something else I can do?
Currently, ThePaperWorker does not offer custom graphic design services. You have a few options though. You can select a blank template and customize your own graphics with our online design tool, taking advantage of images we offer or that you own. Or, you can download the appropriate product template, work with your own graphic designer to develop artwork, apply the artwork to the downloaded template, then use our upload tool to view your product in real-time 3D and complete your purchase.
I don't see a product that works for me. Is there something else I can do?
Yes! ThePaperWorker is powered by Colad, the leading designer and manufacturer of custom packaging in the U.S. Colad has been offering custom packaging solutions for over 60 years. Please contact Colad to speak with a representative if you have specific custom packaging needs that ThePaperWorker cannot meet.
Help me understand how your different photo images work!
ThePaperWorker offers you several ways to source images (photos, vectors, backgrounds, etc.). In the Design screen, click the 'Photos' tab and then click 'Get Photos'. Our wide selection of free images are in the tab labeled "Browse Images". The tab labeled "Premium Images" enables you to search based on keywords and gives you access to millions of stock images. These Premium Images cost additional -- typically about $5 to $10 but it depends on the actual image(s). These are one-time costs, not per unit costs. If you purchase a Premium Image it will be added to your Library and available for your use in other designs at no additional cost. Premium Images display the "Fotolia" watermark through the Design process; this watermark will be removed before printing.
What kinds of images does ThePaperWorker support?
We support BMP, PNG, JPG, TIF, EPS, PS, SVG, AI, PSD and PDF file formats. For quality printing results, all printed images should be high resolution and at least 300 ppi (pixels per inch). Keep in mind that the resolution size of any image decreases as that image is increased in size. For example if you have a high resolution image that is 300 ppi at a size of 4" x 4", and you increase the size of the image to 8" x 8", it will no longer be 300 ppi. Photos that are submitted to print at less than 300 ppi will print pixilated. You can also design your products with images that are smaller than the recommended sizes and place them anywhere on the product.
I am going to design my product offline and use your upload tool. Do you have any design tips for graphics?
•In general, photo images should be at least 300 dpi at the size you choose for printing. The 'dpi' of a photo image decreases as the photo size is increased, so bear in mind that a 300 dpi photo at 4"x4" will not be 300 dpi if you increase the size to 8"x8". Photos that are submitted to print at less than 300 dpi will print pixilated.
•Use a gradient that changes at least 50% between two or more process components.
•Increase the percentage of change in the gradient.
•Add a Gaussian Blur or Noise filter in Photoshop.
•Avoid creating gradients that blend from very dark colors to white.
•Use shorter gradients. Generally, gradients in digital printing should not exceed 7.5 inches in length.
•Banding and modeling may appear on large areas of vignettes, gradients and large solids. We recommend the use of texture or noise within these design elements.
•To better manage color between bitmap images and vector art do not convert spot colors into CMYK. PMS colors in Photoshop are converted to process colors.
•To achieve Rich Black, use the following formula: C45, M40, Y40, K100.
•Fonts should be larger than 6pt.
What payment methods are accepted by ThePaperWorker?
We accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.
What is your return policy, and do you offer a quality guarantee?
ThePaperWorker guarantees 100% quality. If there are any quality defects with your product, we will gladly replace the affected product at no charge. Just contact Customer Support with your Order Number within 10 days of receipt of your order, and let us know the details of the quality defects. Our Customer Support team will work with you to replace your defective product. Certain circumstances are beyond our control and are not covered by our 100% quality guarantee. ThePaperWorker cannot be responsible for:
•Spelling, punctuation or grammatical errors made by the customer.
•Inferior quality or low-resolution of uploaded images.
•Design errors introduced by the customer in the document creation process.
•Errors in user-selected options such as choice of finish, quantity or product type.
•Damage to the product arising after delivery to the customer.
Please preview your designs carefully prior to placing your order. So that we may pass substantial savings to our customers, ThePaperWorker does not proof documents created by its customers prior to processing.
When will I receive my order?
The custom products offered by ThePaperWorker are typically manufactured within 3 to 10 days, and then ship according to the method you selected at the time of order. You can log into your account and View Orders to see status updates.
Can I order by phone?
ThePaperWorker currently does not accept phone orders. If you need assistance designing or placing your order on the website, please contact Customer Support via the Chat button on the home page, by the toll-free number provided on the home page, or by email (regular business hours Eastern time for Chat and Phone options). If you don't see exactly what you want, remember that ThePaperWorker is powered by Colad and we have been designing and manufacturing custom presentation packaging for over 60 years. If you need a custom design for any custom binders, folders, or personalized packaging, contact Colad to speak with an Account Executive!
How Do I Cancel or Modify an Existing Order?
Once an order has been finalized through the checkout process and you have submitted your payment information for purchase, your order cannot be modified.
