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Q:
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What
is goldstamping? Is it like scrapbook embossing, debossing or engraving?
Goldstamping
is the term for our proprietary foil hotstamping process. Using heat and pressure,
an impression is made in the album cover. Technically speaking, album covers are
debossed (not "embossed"). While embossing raises the affected surface,
debossing creates a lowered surface (indentation) where the design or title is. Not
meaning to confuse, but often we simply refer to goldstamping as "imprinting".
View embossed
album samples. |
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How
does Goldstamp compare to other imprinting services?
There are
many differences between Goldstamp's imprinting and what others do. View this Feature
Comparison chart
for a quick view of the details. |
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Are
your graphic designs the same as other services use?
No. Goldstamp's
graphic designs and titles are unique to Goldstamp's process due to their larger
size than those offered by others. While our competitors' typical graphic design
size is 1.5" to 2" in height or width (under 4 sq. in. total), most of
Goldstamp's graphic designs average more than 10 square inches and range to more
than 15 sq. in. A typical graphic or title area is between 3" to 5.5" in
width by 3" in height. The result is a more size-appropriate and dramatic appearance
for your album cover. View embossed album samples.
See
a side-by-side comparison
(opens in new window) |
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What
font sizes are Goldstamp's text titles?
While most
competitive systems offer a few "fixed" font sizes (e.g. 18, 24, 36 points),
Goldstamp's computer-generated text titles are scaled to be size-appropriate for
the space on your album cover. Goldstamp's text font size can be as large as 200
points or more as needed.
See
comparison #1
or comparison
#2
(links open in new window) |
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Is
goldstamping permanent? How long will goldstamping last on my album?
Goldstamping
leaves a permanent impression. It can be expected to last the lifetime of your album
cover under normal conditions. If we are dubious about an album cover's quality we
won't add it to our Approved
Albums list. |
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What
foil colors are available?
Metallic
colors include Gold, Silver, Red,
Orange or Green. Low-gloss or matte (non-shiny)
colors include Pink, Baby Blue, Lilac, Green, Dark Blue or Black. Carefully
consider the color of foil for your album. Gold and Silver are, by far, the most
popular. Some albums with existing foil borders look best with matching foil colors
(e.g. Dark Blue on CM Tanzanite covers, Black on Disney albums, Gold on Christmas
albums, etc.). |
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Can
I personalize a cover that has a "window" or "photo frame?"
Yes, most
options are available for covers with centered windows or photo frames. In some cases,
a substitution of a position is necessary. For instance, instead of using the Lower
Right position,
we will use the Lower
Center position
to center a title under a photo window. With windowed or photo frame covers there
is not enough space for an Upper Front imprint but the Lower Center position can
still be used. These or other restrictions apply to certain smaller or specialty
albums such as CM's Kaleidoscope album. Feel free to contact us at any time for more information. |
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Can
you personalize/emboss retired Creative Memories scrapbooks?
We are pleased
to service retired Creative Memories scrapbooks, specialty albums and other album
brands even after they have been discontinued from production. See the Approved Albums list for details. |
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What
is the difference between a "new title" and a "reorder title"
and why is there a price difference?
See
answer here |
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Can
I personalize my denim album covers? How about linen or other fabrics or materials?
Unfortunately,
denim albums cannot be personalized with goldstamping. The same is true for most
linen or other fabric covered albums that have a "loose weave" and don't
provide a suitable surface for the foil to properly adhere. Here's a list of Creative
Memories
and other
albums that
we have tested and approved for our process.
Most strap-hinge albums use bookcloth or leather cover materials. Traditional "bookcloth"
has been specially coated to provide an optimized surface for goldstamping. Generally
speaking, bonded leather materials will stamp with more sharpness and detail than
will imitation or "faux" leathers. See this list of Approved Albums for more information. |
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What
is "faux" leather? How is it different from other types of leather?
Simply put,
"faux", "imitation" and "simulated" all mean basically
the same thing: "fake". While a product described as using "Imported
Italian Faux Leather" may sound nice, it simply means that it is fake leather
material imported from Italy.
Various terms are used to describe cover materials used in bookbinding. As many people
like the look and feel of leather materials such as "grain leather" or
"bonded leather" (most commonly used for bookbinding), some companies attempt
to imitate or simulate the appearance and texture of leather using non-leather materials.
Simulating the look of a material is often easier than simulating its functionality.
In other words, it may look good and may even feel like leather, but it may not have
been designed to work well with the hotstamping process used to personalize an album
cover.
Most faux or imitation leathers are made from some type of plastic. Unfortunately,
plastics often melt when they come into contact with the heat used in a hotstamping
process. For this reason, they often do not make good materials for goldstamping. |
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Can
you personalize a journal, Bible or other book I provide?
Due to the
fact that all books or types of material cannot be personalized with goldstamping
we must reserve service for the particular brands and models of albums listed on
our Approved
Albums list.
If you have a large quantity of a particular book to be personalized you may wish
to contact
us to learn
about other options. |
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I
want to reorder a design I used years ago but I've lost my reorder numbers. How to
I reorder a custom title I've used previously?
We are happy
to have a customer-centric database that generates a PDF file listing the reorder
numbers for all of your past orders, even if it was 10 years ago when you
ordered a particular design or title. Just let us know and we will email your Previous Titles
list to you. |
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How
long is the processing time for my order?
For most
cover imprinting orders, please allow 3 weeks for processing once we have received
your album covers and verified your order details. During seasonal peaks or promotions
additional time may be required. Current
order processing time
can be found on the Delivery
page.
For new custom albums, please allow 3-4 weeks for processing. Due to the wide range
of customization options offered, most items are made "custom to order".
We don't make the item until all of your order details are complete. Some options
require more processing time than others. You will be informed of the required production
time when you order.
Rush service is available at extra charge and based on product/service availability.
Contact
us for rush
service details. |
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Where
do I find prices? What is your "per line" charge?
"Per
line" or "per character" pricing is not used with our process. Pricing
is based on the imprint position and imprint option. Custom designs and titles cost
more to create than titles and designs from our Stock Library. As pricing depends
on the specific position and imprint options selected for your album cover, you will
find complete pricing on each imprint order form when you select the "Imprint
Position" option. |
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I
have a Persona(TM) box from
Creative Memories(TM); Can
I use it to send you my covers?
Yes, of
course. Some companies require that you purchase a shipping box from them. We take
a different approach: We don't require that you use our box to send your covers but
we will provide one at our cost of shipping it to you if you need one. More
details.
If you are sending your order to us in a Creative Memories Persona box we will reimburse
you $3.50 for your box, applied as a discount on your order. (Note: We have no
affiliation with Creative Memories or Persona.) Get details and coupon here
If you are using a shipping service like FedEx Office (formerly Kinko's) or The UPS
Store they can also supply a suitable shipping box and even help you pack your covers
if you wish. |
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What
if I make a spelling error or typo on my imprint order form?
Admittedly,
it may be impossible catch a spelling error in every case, such as with the spelling
of a very unusual name or if you have entered a valid (though incorrect) date.
It is the customer's responsibility to provide accurate spellings. Please double-check
your order form details before sending your order.
We aren't so naive as to completely trust a computer program to know what your
intent is when ordering so we have real people supervise! When our experienced operators
process your order (with the aid of a spell checking and other automated tools),
the order details are reviewed for spelling accuracy and consistency when compared
to imprinting titles you have ordered previously.
Our production system provides the operator with a side-by-side comparison of the
current order to your previous orders. This enables us to more easily spot errors,
unusual punctuation or simple typos. If there is anything that seems unusual about
your order specifications we will contact you for verification before imprinting. |
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Do
you ever retire your graphic designs or titles? Can I get the same design later?
Once we
begin offering a graphic design or title we will continue to offer it indefinitely.
We maintain a library of thousands of designs and titles, enabling you to match one
you have ordered previously. With each of your completed orders, you will receive
a report listing your previously used titles, each with a unique reorder number for
easy reordering and to help ensure a perfect match! |
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If
I send you a photocopy of another album can you match the title position and font?
If you wish
to match another album cover Goldstamp has previously imprinted it is not necessary
to send us a picture or photocopy. Instead, just refer to your Previous Titles listing,
included with your most recent order. Use the Reorder code for the particular title
you wish to match. Our RMS (Reorder Matching System) uses the code to match the cover
position, font and font size or graphic design. If you have misplaced your Reorder
list, please contact
us for assistance. |
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Q:
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Can
you imprint to match an album embossed by a different company?
Unfortunately,
due to copyright restrictions or other reasons we do not match imprinting done by
another company. Goldstamp uses pre-determined imprint positions and font options
unique to our imprinting system. |
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Q:
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How
will my order be shipped? What are my shipping options?
Regular
U.S. delivery is via FedEx
Ground from
Saint Louis, Missouri (MO). FedEx provides quick and reliable ground shipping throughout
the United States. For Canadian delivery, your order will ship via US Priority Mail.
PO Box or APO/FPO addresses ship via US Priority Mail. Rush, overnight and international
shipping is available at extra charge. Contact us for more details. View FedEx Shipping Map/Chart |
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Q:
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Can
you put my logo or custom artwork on an album? How do I send my artwork?
Of course...
"Custom" is our middle name! Goldstamp can create a special stamping die
from your artwork or logo. Custom dies are available for 1-color or multicolor imprints.
Best of all, Goldstamp offers this option for quantities of one or a few at a much
lower cost than found elsewhere. Here's important custom graphics info
(dpi requirements, file formats, etc.).
To send digital artwork or logos,
JavaScript must be
enabled to display this email address.
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*
Follow "details" links for complete information
Didn't
find an answer to your question? Please contact us.
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Related
tags: FAQ, goldstamping, scrapbook embossing, engraving, designs, titles, font, font
size, foil, color, window, cover, denim, linen, fabric, book cloth, bookcloth, reorder,
custom title, pricing, order form, shipping, logo, custom artwork, graphic design,
Creative Memories, Persona, imprinting, shipping carton, box, covers |
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