Our Services
Commercial Printing Services
in Dallas, Texas.
Astro Graphics provides commercial printing, prepress, business stationery, large-format print, direct mail, and branded merchandise for businesses across the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex. Each service is described in detail below to help you understand what is involved and what information we need to provide an accurate quote.
Commercial Printing
Commercial Printing
Commercial printing covers a broad range of printed products used for marketing, business communication, and customer-facing materials. At Astro Graphics, we produce brochures, flyers, posters, catalogues, newsletters, and other collateral using offset and digital print processes.
Common Applications
- Marketing brochures and product catalogues
- Promotional flyers and event handouts
- Posters and point-of-sale displays
- Newsletters and internal communications
- Presentation folders and document covers
Artwork Guidance
Supply files as print-ready PDFs with 3mm bleed on all sides, trim marks, embedded fonts, images at 300 dpi minimum, and colours in CMYK. Keep text and important content at least 3mm inside the trim edge. If your artwork is not yet print-ready, let us know and we can advise on what is needed.
What to Include in Your Quote Request
To obtain an accurate quote, please provide: the product type, quantity, finished size, paper preference, colour requirements, finishing options, artwork availability, and your required completion date.
Questions About This Service
Prepress & Artwork
Prepress & Artwork Preparation
Prepress is the process of preparing artwork files for print production. It involves checking and correcting files to ensure they meet the technical requirements of the printing process before any job goes to press. Thorough prepress work reduces the risk of errors, colour inconsistencies, and production delays.
Common Applications
- Preflight checking of supplied artwork files
- Colour mode conversion and colour management
- Bleed, trim, and safe-margin verification
- Image resolution checking and correction advice
- Font embedding and text verification
- Proof preparation and approval coordination
Artwork Guidance
The most common prepress issues are insufficient bleed, RGB colour mode, low-resolution images, and fonts that are not embedded. Checking these four points before submitting your file will help avoid delays. If you are unsure whether your file is print-ready, contact us and we can advise.
What to Include in Your Quote Request
To discuss prepress requirements, provide your file format, the product being printed, and a description of any known issues with the artwork. We will advise on what work is needed and confirm the cost before proceeding.
Questions About This Service
Business Stationery
Business Cards & Stationery
Business stationery encompasses the printed materials that represent your organisation in day-to-day business communication. Well-produced stationery — consistent in layout, typography, and print quality — contributes to a professional business image. We produce business cards, letterheads, compliment slips, envelopes, and other stationery items.
Common Applications
- Business cards for individuals and teams
- Letterheads for business correspondence
- Compliment slips and with-compliments cards
- Printed envelopes with business branding
- Notepads and branded writing materials
Artwork Guidance
Stationery artwork should use your confirmed brand colours in CMYK, with all fonts embedded or outlined. Verify all contact details — name, title, phone, email, address, and website — carefully before approving artwork for production. Errors in contact information are costly to correct after printing.
What to Include in Your Quote Request
Provide the stationery items required, quantities for each, paper or finish preferences, and your artwork or brand guidelines. If you need multiple versions (for example, business cards for different team members), list all variations when requesting your quote.
Questions About This Service
Large-Format Printing
Large-Format Printing
Large-format printing produces oversized graphics for display, signage, and promotional applications. Products include posters, banners, signs, and display graphics for indoor and outdoor use. Artwork for large-format print has specific requirements that differ from standard commercial print — particularly regarding dimensions, resolution, and material selection.
Common Applications
- Indoor and outdoor banners and signs
- Posters and promotional displays
- Trade show and exhibition graphics
- Window graphics and retail displays
- Event signage and directional graphics
Artwork Guidance
Large-format artwork should be supplied at the correct finished dimensions with bleed included. Resolution requirements are lower than for standard print — typically 72 to 150 dpi at final size — because large-format graphics are viewed from a greater distance. Confirm the required dimensions and viewing distance when you enquire so we can advise on the appropriate resolution and file setup.
What to Include in Your Quote Request
To obtain a quote for large-format printing, provide: the product type (banner, poster, sign, etc.), finished dimensions, quantity, intended use (indoor or outdoor), material preference if known, finishing requirements, and your required completion date.
Questions About This Service
Direct Mail
Direct Mail Printing
Direct mail involves producing printed pieces designed to be sent directly to recipients by post. Common formats include postcards, letters, self-mailers, and folded leaflets. We can produce the printed components of a direct mail campaign. Contact us to discuss your project and confirm the services available for your specific requirements.
Common Applications
- Postcards and promotional mailers
- Folded letters and self-mailers
- Envelopes and mailing inserts
- Variable data printing for personalised mail pieces
Artwork Guidance
Direct mail artwork should follow the same print-ready requirements as standard commercial print — PDF format, CMYK colour, 300 dpi images, 3mm bleed, and embedded fonts. If your mail piece includes variable data (personalised names, addresses, or other information), discuss the data format and requirements with us before submitting artwork.
What to Include in Your Quote Request
To obtain a quote for direct mail printing, provide: the mail piece format, quantity, finished size, colour requirements, whether personalisation or variable data is required, and your required completion date. Contact us to discuss addressing and fulfilment options.
Questions About This Service
Promotional Merchandise
Promotional & Branded Merchandise
Branded merchandise encompasses physical products imprinted with a business's logo, name, or message. These products are used for events, customer outreach, employee recognition, and promotional campaigns. Contact us to discuss your requirements and confirm the available merchandise range and production methods.
Common Applications
- Event giveaways and promotional items
- Corporate gifts and client appreciation items
- Employee recognition and onboarding materials
- Trade show and exhibition merchandise
- Branded packaging and presentation materials
Artwork Guidance
For merchandise imprinting, vector artwork (Adobe Illustrator AI or EPS format) is generally preferred as it can be scaled without quality loss. Confirm the imprint area dimensions and available colours with us before finalising your artwork. If you only have a raster logo (JPEG or PNG), contact us to discuss whether it is suitable for your chosen product.
What to Include in Your Quote Request
To enquire about promotional merchandise, describe the type of product you are looking for, the quantity required, your branding requirements, and the intended use or event. We will advise on the available options and provide a quote based on your confirmed requirements.
Questions About This Service
Print Specifications Guide
Understanding Print Specifications
A plain-language guide to the key technical requirements that affect print quality and production.
Choosing a finished size
Standard sizes (A4, A5, A3, DL, 85×54mm for business cards) are generally more economical to produce because they make efficient use of standard sheet sizes. Custom dimensions are available but may result in higher costs due to additional setup or material waste. Confirm your required size when requesting a quote.
How quantity affects pricing
Print pricing typically includes a setup cost that is spread across the quantity ordered. Higher quantities reduce the per-unit cost. If you are considering different quantities, ask for pricing on each option when you request your quote so you can compare the cost per unit.
Paper and material selection
Paper weight (measured in gsm — grams per square metre) affects how a printed piece feels and how it performs in use. Heavier stocks feel more substantial and are generally preferred for business cards and covers. Coated papers (gloss or silk) produce sharper images and more vibrant colours; uncoated papers have a more natural feel and are easier to write on.
Screen colours versus printed colours
Screens display colours using RGB (red, green, blue) light. Printing uses CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) inks. The colour gamuts are different, which means some colours visible on screen cannot be reproduced exactly in print. Converting your files to CMYK before submission and requesting a proof helps ensure the printed result meets your expectations.
Bleed, trim, and safe margins
Bleed is the area of artwork that extends beyond the trim edge — typically 3mm on all sides. It is required to prevent white edges appearing if the cut is not perfectly aligned. The trim line is where the finished product is cut. The safe margin is the area inside the trim where important content (text, logos) should be kept — typically 3mm inside the trim edge.
Image resolution
Images in print files should be at least 300 dpi (dots per inch) at the final print size. Images that look sharp on screen at 72 dpi will appear blurry or pixelated when printed at full size. Check the resolution of all images in your artwork before submitting your file.
What a proof is and why it matters
A proof is a representation of the finished job produced before the full print run. It allows you to check colour, layout, text, and content before committing to production. Approving a proof confirms that you are satisfied with the job as presented. Changes after proof approval may incur additional costs.
How It Works
From Brief to Finished Print
Submit Your Brief
Tell us about your project — product type, quantity, dimensions, intended use, and required completion date. The more detail you provide, the more accurate our quote will be.
Specification Review
We confirm artwork readiness, paper or material selection, colour requirements, finishing options, and any other relevant details before providing a quote.
Receive Your Quote
We provide a project-specific quote based on the confirmed specifications. Pricing depends on the product, quantity, materials, and production requirements.
Approve Artwork or Proof
Where applicable, we obtain your approval of the artwork or a proof before production begins. This confirms the job is correct before it goes to press.
Production
We proceed with production according to the confirmed specifications and agreed schedule.
Collection or Delivery
Contact us to confirm the available fulfilment options for your job. Collection from our Dallas facility is available; delivery options can be discussed when you request your quote.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Start Your Project?
Request a quote today and receive a detailed estimate within one business day.