Frequently Asked Questions on OSP Services

What are your fees for the various services/products you offer?

All our services are custom-priced based on various parameters and needs.

Do you have a portfolio of work?

Sure, checkout our most recent work by viewing our online portfolio.

How do I get started?

Once you have attained your project estimate and are ready to move forward, you will need to fill out a
STD 67 form (PDF) for design services. If your project also needs to print you will need to fill out a separate STD 67 form (PDF) for that part of the process. A Customer Services Representative will call you and coordinate obtaining a Printing Estimate.

How can I monitor the progress of my project?

OSP Design uses ActiveCollab, our online tool that maintains communication, milestones and file exchange.

Who do I contact for my printing needs?

Please contact your dedicated Customer Service Representative.

If you don't know who your representative is, please use our CSR Search, here you will be able to select your organization and find your dedicated Customer Service Representative.

Who do I contact if I need to order business cards?

OSP will only accept business card orders placed through our Web StoreFront.

Can I contract with a private printer?

You must have an exemption from OSP to procure printing services from a private printer.

Please contact your dedicated Customer Service Representative.

What can be purchased on a walk-in basis?

For your convenience you can purchase certain items on a walk-in basis from the OSP Reception Desk. Simply bring in your completed Std. Form 67 Publishing Order or Cal Card, and most items are ready for immediate delivery.

Gold seals, self-adhesive, embossed, 1 3/4"

• 25 seals are $15.00
• 100 seals are $60.00

Gold seals, self-adhesive, embossed, 2 1/4"

• 25 seals are $15.00
• 100 seals are $60.00

NOTE: The Secretary of State is the custodian of the Great Seal of the State of California. Any reproduction of the Great Seal for official use should be tasteful, proportioned and of high-quality. The Office of State Publishing will not provide the Great Seal to anyone other than a state agency without authorization from the Secretary of State. State agencies must assure the intended use or display is appropriate and legitimate and is not contrary to the state interest in preserving the sanctity and dignity of the Great Seal and will not otherwise violate Government Code Section 399-405.

What applications do you support?

OSP supports the most current printing industry-standard programs such as PDF, QuarkXpress and Adobe CS InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and Acrobat for Macintosh or PC operating systems. These programs insure the most successful project.

What software is not recommended?

We will accept Microsoft Word, Publisher, Excel and PowerPoint files but we then must reformat or rebuild these files in one of the industry-standard page layout programs listed above, which will result in additional prep charges. Or, you could create a PDF for print. When creating PDF files make sure all fonts and graphics are embedded.

How do I provide support files such as Photos and Graphics?

All colors in your files, Preferred Software or Support Files must be CMYK or specified PMS spot colors and need to have the same names as those in your final document or PDF. RGB colors must be converted to CMYK before output. Documents should include only the colors that you want printed. Four color images should have a standard resolution of 300 dpi saved as tiff or eps files as links outside the document at 100% to size in document. Grey scale images and Line art should have a resolution no lower than 1200 dpi saved as a tiff file. When using Illustrator or Freehand files, convert the text to paths and save as eps files. If links are not needed in the document there’s no need to provide them. Please rotate graphics and images in the original graphic application. Rotation within a page layout program increases processing time and could result in errors. Crop photos and graphics in the original applications.

Do I need to provide you fonts?

Yes. OSP prefers TYPE 1 (Postscript) fonts unless you have no alternative. Avoid using Postscript TYPE 1 and True type fonts within the same document as this may cause unpredictable output. Please provide both screen and printer fonts. Do not use stylized fonts (i.e. styles such as bold-italic applied to a plain font) because applied styles are unpredictable. Please choose fonts with a native bold and/or italic version. When using Illustrator or Freehand EPS files, convert the text to paths or outlines to eliminate the font.

OSP requires all foreign language print files to be submitted as print ready PDFs.  The Office of State Publishing does not provide file repair or manipulation of foreign language fonts, and is not responsible for grammatical errors in submitted foreign language copy.  Some exclusions apply, contact your CSR for more information.

Do you have any tips on how to prepare a document?

Build your file to the exact final document trim size, 1-up and in single pages.You can have several pages within a document as we have imposition software to impose it all together for press. If there are bleeds, extend images, photos or elements to allow 1/8" on the top, sides and bottom. It’s easier for us to impose as a single-page document. Also, if your project is to perfect bind, it needs be built as single pages with bleeds on all four sides Please build rules at .25 point or higher. Some applications allow you to define narrower rules like “Hairline,” which will appear in a preview and print on a laser printer, but will not print on the plate for press. An advance review of your document can often prevent delays or error in final output. If you have a complicated layout or want to check color scans, send your files before they are completed. We’ll review them and offer suggestions. OSP prints jobs in line screens ranging from 133 to 200 line.

What do I check before sending you my file?

Preflight Checklist

1. Spelling - Spell check all documents to ensure later corrections will not be necessary. It will also help you to check the names of people and cities for proper spelling.
2. Proofread - Check all important information, including your address and phone number.
3. Fonts and Images - Include all fonts and images used in your file to ensure proper output. Include all printer fonts used.
4. Hard Copy - When possible include a printout of the final version of your document. When sending files online, please include a PDF file with fonts embedded for preview.
5. Inappropriate Format - Make sure all your images are in an EPS or TIFF format. JPEG, GIF, BMP and other formats are not designed for high quality output.
6. Low Resolution Graphics - Check the image resolution of your graphics. No less than 300 dpi for a quality output. Images from the web (72 dpi) will not output properly on high resolution equipment.
7. Font Styles - Using the tool bar to change to bold or italic is convenient, but it may cause printing problems. Use the bold versions of fonts when available.
8. Incorrect Colors - All colors in your files must be CMYK or specified PMS colors. It is a good idea to delete any unused colors in your document or graphics.
9. Inappropriate Program - See our Preferred Software list above. Certain programs may be inexpensive and easy to use, or come included with your system, but using these programs will result in additional prep time.
10. Incomplete Information - By not providing us with complete specifications of your job, it may not come out the way you expect. Color separations, paper stock, ink colors and quantities are all necessary when ordering and when requesting a job estimate.

Where do I find the Service Codes for IMS?

Please download the Interagency Mail and Messenger Service Codes (PDF - 116 KB).

Pricing?

For pricing information please contact the Interagency Mail and Messenger Service by phone (916) 928-5977 or email IMMS@dgs.ca.gov.

How should I format my address file?

Any format that can be imported using Microsoft Access. Avoid using comma as delimiter.

On what media should I send my address file?

OSP upload, DVD, CD and Flash Drive. You should contact your Customer Service Representative for instructions on how to upload your address file.

How can we get the discounted rates?

Office of State Publishing has a Permit Number Departments can use to receive the discounted rates for Presorted First Class and Presorted Standard. If your Department wished we can help you receive a Permit Number of your own.

Step 1 - Contact your Dedicated CSR

Provide your complete project specifications and delivery instructions to your agency's dedicated customer service representative and request an estimate (if you do not have an Interagency Contract). If you do not know who your dedicated agency CSR is, you may easily look them up by using our Find Your CSR online search.

Step 2 - Fill out a STD 67 Form

Once your estimate has been provided to you and you have attained approval to purchase from your respective agency, simply fill out a STD 67 form (PDF). Every order requires a STD 67 form (PDF) unless you have an Interagency Contract. If you need help filling out a STD 67 form, please take a look at the STD 67 form Training Manual (PDF). Please note that you may leave the cost section in this form blank until you have been provided an estimate by your CSR and have been given authorization to proceed with the purchase.

What is the cost to store records as SRC?

Please refer to the SRC Price List  for the cost to store records at SRC.

What is the cost to destroy paper or plastic records at SRC?

Please refer to the SRC Price List  for the cost to destroy paper or plastic records at SRC.

Does SRC provide tours of their facility?

Yes. To schedule a tour call us at (916) 375-6760.