Sending Files

Common questions about sending files to Presto.
What are Presto's e-mail addresses?
How do I send files to Presto?
Should I ‘compress’ my files?
What do I do about ‘encoding’?
I use AOL e-mail—what settings should I use?

 

What are Presto's e-mail addresses?

Sue's e-mail is sue@prestoprintinc.com
Everything for Sue goes here: file attachments, changes, hot stock tips, etc.
This is the only address for file attachments—if you send an attachment anywhere else, we will throw it away without even looking at it.

Shop e-mail goes to shop@prestoprintinc.com.
Use this address for questions to Carrol, Pam, Joann, Sarah, or Lisa about quotes, current orders, billing, delivery, etc.

 Our mail server has been very reliable over the years (99.85% "uptime"), but if mail to prestoprintinc.com bounces or sends back error messages, call us at 616-364-7132 for an alternate address; please do not use Carrol's iServ address.

 

How do I send files to Presto?

Send files as e-mail attachments to sue@prestoprintinc.com. Use the SUBJECT: line of the e-mail to tell us what job the attachment is for, and use the MESSAGE: section to describe the file(s), pass along special instructions, or just to say, “Hi!”.
If you leave the Subject line blank (empty), we'll throw your e-mail away without even looking at it.

To keep things as fast as possible, and to keep our e-mailbox from overloading, your files should be enclosed in a single folder and compressed before sending (see below). If your files get mangled by the internet en route to Presto, we may ask you to encode your files, as well.

Most e-mail systems have an upper limit on attachment sizes; if your compressed file is too big, you will have to break it up into smaller pieces before sending. If we need to send you a too-large file, we will upload it to the internet and send you the address; your web browser will be able to download the file with a single click.

 

Should I ‘compress’ my files?

Yes, please! Compressed files travel better through the internet, and the smaller file sizes make e-mailing much faster. It's not uncommon for a 2MB scan to compress down to only 100K that actually has to be e-mailed! To keep our e-mail server from filling up on 'empty space,' we ask that all attachments larger than 500K be compressed.

 We recommend compression products from Aladdin Systems for both Macs and PCs; many other fine shareware and commercial .zip programs are also available. Aladdin's StuffIt Expander is free, and can expand most any compressed file. StuffIt DropStuff compresser is $30 or so, and scrunches files down to half their size (or smaller). DropStuff can also encode files, and it can make “self-extracting archives” (.exe's). Drag'n'drop operation; PCs can access StuffIt with a right-click.

Some e-mail programs offer ‘automatic’ compression for attachments. From Macs, “StuffIt” compression is preferred; from PCs, “StuffIt” or “ZIP” compression is preferred. Mac users who use StuffIt can compress files automatically with Outlook Express 4.5 and newer; see the Message Composition pane of the Preferences window. AOL users on all platforms just need to check the Compress box in the Attach File window.

 To prepare files for e-mailing, gather all your files into one folder (directory), then compress that folder using your compression software. Then use your e-mail software to compose a message and attach the compressed file.

 

What do I do about ‘encoding’?

With luck, nothing. Encoding ensures that e-mail attachments can travel through all types of internet mail systems; encoding is only necessary if your normal e-mail attachments don't get through to us, or if they arrive damaged. We'll let you know if encoding is needed.

Most e-mail programs can automatically encode attachments behind the scenes. A couple of general rules can let you set 'n' forget your attachments encoding:

 Mac users should always select AppleDouble when it is offered. In its place, use Base64, BinHex (.hqx), or MIME.

 PC users should always select Base64 when it is offered; in its place use MIME or (as a last resort only) “uuencode.”

 Eudora users can set defaults in the Attachments pane of the Settings window.

 Outlook users can set defaults in the Message Composition pane of the Preferences window.

 AOL users need do nothing special—the AOL mail system automatically encodes as Base64.

 

I use AOL e-mail—what settings should I use?

Sending attachments from AOL is easy—from your e-mail window, click the 'Attach' tab; select the files or folders to send; check the "Compress" box; send the e-mail. AOL's software and mail system will automatically handle the rest.