FAQs

We provide a wide range of services. Based on your needs and timeline, we will develop an estimate for you to use as a guide for the projected cost. We also have sample projects with final costs that you may compare with the scope of your own project.

We're glad you asked! We have an online portfolio you can browse through. If you want to see samples of a specific type of project, or one that your own department may have finished recently, contact one of our Account Managers today.

The amount of time it takes to conceptualize, design, develop and distribute your publication is related to the scope of the project as a whole. When we provide an estimate for your project, it will include a model timeline for the scope of the work.

Please see our starter documents page for more information about what is needed up front from a client to launch a successful project.

Building a website is done in phases:

• Planning - estimating, gathering documents, planning structure and navigation
• Design - overall layout, colors, fonts, images, development of features and widgets
• Infrastructure - building up the server/software environment for your site
• Web development - theming, page production, content type development, programming
• Application development - custom application design and development
• Testing/deployment - user testing, revisions and site launch (go live)
• Maintenance - develop optional maintenance schedule for your new site

We're glad you asked! We have an online portfolio you can browse through. If you want to see samples of a specific type of project, or one that your own department may have finished recently, contact one of our Account Managers today.

Please see our starter documents page. There you will find a comprehensive list of the many services we can provide.

Mailing Services processes UW business mail but has a (Mail Store) in the Mail, Copy & Receiving Center at UW Tower C-LL that is open Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.. They sell stamps and can mail U.S. Postal Service, UPS, FedEx shipments.

Those Brown Mail Boxes are for use by faculty, staff and students to send letter and small items through intra-campus mail postage free to another UW department or recipient using the Box Number system. Make sure the item has an official Box Number like 359010 on it with the correct box number and we will be happy to deliver it.

Mailing Services has several locations:

• Our main facility is located at 3900 7th Ave NE off the Burke Gilman Trail on the edge of West Campus close to the I-5 Ship Canal Bridge and is open from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Mon-Fri
• Our UW Tower Mail & Receiving operation is located a C-LL (loading dock) and is open from 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Mon – Fri
• Copy & Mail Center location, a service of Copy & Mailing Services, is open from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Mon – Fri.

You can e-mail us directly at mailserv@uw.edu anytime or call our main number at 206.543.8757 and even after hours you can leave a message and someone will return your call the next business operating day.

It's best to send the native files, using the software in which the content was created. This may include: Word for text files, Excel for charts, Illustrator for logos and jpg or tif files for photos.

The preferred method is to add comments into the pdf proof. If you are not able to do that, sometimes explaining your edits in an email or a Word doc (with tracked changes) will work. Talk to your designer to see what will work best.

You can place an order using our online request for services form or click on the “Start Your Project” button.

We support various file formats such as PDF, Adobe Creative Suites applications, MS Publisher and MS PowerPoint. Please call if you have any questions about file formats or sending files.

The time depends on production method. Generally speaking, a large format poster can take up to 3 working days; a short-run color flyer can take less than 24 hours; and a small run full color brochure can take up to 4 working days. For more information, please contact your Account Manager.

Quantity and timeframe are usually the deciding factors in whether to use offset or digital printing. With Offset, the inked image is transferred (or "offset") from a plate to a rubber blanket and then to the printing surface. It can reproduce solid screen tints and accurate PMS colors, and is a good value for larger runs (1000 8.5x11 sheets or over) or larger sheet sizes (up to 20x26).  Digital printing is the reproduction of digital images on the sheet. It is ideal for short runs (under 1000) and small sheet sizes (up to 12x18). Digitally printed sheets can be cut, scored or folded very quickly, whereas offset printing must dry or be coated before handling. Digital printing is ideal for producing variable-data pieces in which each sheet is personalized in a unique way. 

The cost does depend on the type of project you are printing or copying. Your Account Manager can work with you to find solutions to get you the best product at the less expensive cost.

We are able to do multiple types of binding, such as saddle stitching, tape binding, coil binding, wire-O binding and comb binding.