Printing and Distribution

Q: How long does it take to get something printed?

A: In Geology, there are a number of contracts in place to cover standard printing needs. The turnaround time is specified in each contract and is what you should expect unless a problem arises. The time is figured from when the contractor receives the job until it is ready to be shipped. For each contract, a time range is specified because of the range in complexity of the material we can send to a printer under the contract and to allow the contractor to schedule our work with other work they have. If you know that you need something printed by a specific date, be sure to let your editor know as soon as possible.

If you have a rush job and want an idea of how long it takes to get something printed using the current Geology contract, figure 25 working days for Professional Papers, Bulletins, and Circulars; 15 working days for Fact Sheets; and 16 working days for CD-ROM duplication. CPG also has a contract in place for fast turnaround duplicating in as little as 24 hours.

If your publication will be printed outside one of the Geology contracts, it is sent to the Government Printing Office (GPO), where it will go through a bidding process before it is awarded to a specific printer. The timeframe for this process varies, depending upon the specifications; in general, the process takes about 6-8 weeks.

Many of the Miscellaneous Investigations Series (I) maps are printed at the USGS printing plant in Reston. There are no set requirements for turnaround time. If your map must be printed by a specific date, consult with a map editor. Geology also has a contract in place for oversize formats that the USGS printing plant is unable to handle. The turnaround time specified in that contract is 32 working days.

Q: If a USGS publication is printed, what is the minimum number of copies required and what are they used for?

A: Professional Paper, Bulletin, Circular

1,500

Fact Sheet

348

DDS

135

Open-File Report on CD-ROM

66

These required copies are provided to the USGS Branch of Information Services (for distribution), the USGS Library Gifts and Exchange Program, USGS managers, and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

Q: I've heard that the colors on offset-printed maps don't look exactly like the colors on the proofs that CPG provides authors before the map is printed. What gives?

A: The proofs CPG provides to authors are printed on high-resolution digital plotters, which produce color in a much different way than an offset-printing press does. The colors on proofs will likely be somewhat lighter or darker than those on the offset-printed map. This is beyond CPG's control.

CPG has color chips that were printed on an offset-printing press, and if asked, a CPG map editor will show these color chips to authors to give them a better idea of how the final colors will look when their map is printed. But please be aware that the offset-printing process is quite complex, and numerous factors contribute to how the final colors appear on printed maps. Some variation in colors (lighter or darker than expected) is an accepted fact in the offset-printing industry.

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U.S. Department of the Interior \| U.S. Geological Survey URL: <http://cpg.cr.usgs.gov/toolbox/faq/printdist.html> Page Contact Information: Publishing Service Center Page Last Modified: Thr Dec 6 13:38 EDT 2007