Q1:  I know what graphic design styles I like.  How do I send them to you?
Q2:  What are Pantone® colors and do you use them?
Q3:  I want use my logo for silk-screened t-shirts and embroidered hats and jackets.  Can my logo be used for these purposes?
Q4:  Do I own the rights to the artwork you created for me?
Q5:  Do I need to trademark my corporate logo?
Q6:  Should my catalog be drilled for catalog racks?
Q7:  Should my marketing materials be coated with a varnish or aqueous coating?
Q8:  How often should I update my marketing materials?

A1:  I know what graphic design styles I like.  How do I send them to you?  If they are from other web sites, simply send us the hyperlinks.  If you want to send us digital samples, we recommend our easy to use FTP system.  It completely bypasses and does not tie up your e-mail.  All you need is a computer with an Internet connection and Internet Explorer.  Using our FTP system, you can send us virtually any file from any computer with an Internet connection at any time.  Just click the on the FTP link above for complete instructions. 

A2:  What are Pantone® colors and do you use them?  Pantone colors®, commonly referred to as PMS colors are industry standard colors used by the printing and design world.  Each Pantone® color has a unique color value or formula.  By entering the color value or formula into certain design software, color accuracy is ensured (the color input will match the color output).  Unless otherwise specified, all ScoCar graphic designs utilize Pantone® colors.

A3:  I want use my logo for silk-screened t-shirts and embroidered hats and jackets.  Can my logo be used for these purposes?  Yes.  However, most silk-screen t-shirt manufacturers require the artwork in vector format.  If your logo was hand drawn, it will need to be converted into vector format first.  There is a nominal additional charge for this.  Embroidery requires converting your logo into an embroidery format.  Most embroidery specialists build this conversion cost into what they call a setup charge.  Depending on the size of your logo and number of stitches, embroidery setup charges can range from $50 to $250.

A4:  Do I own the rights to the artwork you created for me?  A licensing agreement is included with the price of every design.  The licensing agreement states that we grant you an unlimited use license.   We retain the right to use the artwork in our portfolio, advertising, web site, promotional materials, etc.  For details, pleaser review our business policy. 

A5:  Do I need to trademark my corporate logo?  As your logo is essentially your company and your brand, the intellectual property value is immense.  We highly recommend registering your logo as a trademark with the United States Patent Office.  If you handle the process yourself, it will take several months for approval and cost $325 when submitted electronically or $375 when submitted by paper.  Intellectual property attorneys can be retained to handle this work for you but expect the fees to cost anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500.  You will need to track when and where you first used your logo as well as show examples of how it was used.    During the process, you can place a ™ on your logo to notify the marketplace your logo is being trademarked.  Upon approval, you will be able place the ® on your logo.

A6:  Should my catalog be drilled for catalog racks?  Yes, if you distribute your products through traditional jobbers (speed shops), warehouse distributors (Keystone, Reliable, etc.) or chain stores (Autozone, Pep Boys, etc.).  And, your catalog should be drilled to match the 5-hole automotive catalog standard.  Because this requires a special layout to prevent text from being cut off during the drilling process, you must specify if your catalog will need drilling BEFORE the design process is started. 

A7:  Should my marketing materials be coated with a varnish or aqueous coating?  Yes, if you want to prevent fingerprints, smudges and color bleeding.  If you distribute your marketing materials to shops where installations or mechanical work is done, consider the coating a must.  The coatings can be glossy or satin and are applied by commercial printers.  The cost is minimal and can vary but makes for a higher quality finished product.

A8:  How often should I update my marketing materials?  Most retail customers and dealers expect marketing materials to be updated at least yearly.  To extend the shelf life of your catalog, consider placing a version number on the cover instead of the year.  If you have frequent product updates or additions, an 8.5"x11" double-sided flyer can be prepared and printing cost effectively between catalog revisions.

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