FAQ

Q : What is a USB key ?

R : The Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a serial transmission computer bus, used for connecting IT peripherals to a computer. The USB bus allows the hot connection of peripherals and has the benefit of Plug and Play.
USB keys are dongles equipped with an auxiliary storage or flash memory. The flash memory is a storage memory made up of re-writable semiconductors, i.e. a memory with the characteristics of a live memory whose data does not disappear when the power is switched off. Thus, the flash memory stores the data bits in the memory cells but the data are retained in memory when the power supply is cut.

Q : What difference is there between the laser engraving of a logo and screen or pad printing ?

R : Screen or pad printing adds material (ink and protective varnish) to the surface of your key. When you engrave a logo using a laser process, a part of the material is removed from the surface of the key. This method gives more permanence to your logo on the surface of the USB key.
Laser engraving is not possible.

Q : What does CMYK mean?

R :CMYK is the colour process used for offset printing (C: cyan / M: magenta / Y: yellow / K: black). French-speaking countries refer to it as CMJN. When producing a CD/DVD, it is essential that graphics files are prepared using this colour system and not RGB, which is the colour display system used by your screen.

Q : Do you accept PDF files ?

R :We accept PDFs as control files but never for production. Actually, we need the source files, in order to guarantee you the best printing quality. In this way we can check and possibly correct errors, both at the colour system level, the definition of your logo or photograph, and the format (working plane) of your documents.

Q : Why do the colours of the design that I want to print on my USB key differ between what I see on the screen and the final result?

R : It is not possible to stay true to the colours displayed on a standard computer screen because every screen is calibrated differently and so displays colours shades differently from one screen to another, even if they are of the same make and model. Only calibrated screens that are part of a completely calibrated structure (screens, testing systems, printing machines) on the same printing site can be treated as identical.
To ensure the best colour rendition, we propose producing calibrated Epson output (inkjet technology) or a Chromalin (proofing system).

Q : How do I use the configuration tool, to simulate the printing of a logo on my choice of USB key ?

R :Just follow the instructions that appear on the following page: Request a quote > Configuration tool

Q : Is it possible to have an “autorun” on a USB key ?

R : When connecting the USB key to a computer, this allows the application, program or presentation on the key to start automatically, without the need to touch the computer’s keyboard.
This is possible when you add an additional file called autorun.inf to the key’s root directory.

Advantage of the autorun function:
If you use a USB key as a marketing tool, autorun enables you to launch a flash or HTML file, which will help with navigation and access to the files contained in the key.

Q : How do I format a USB key ?

R : Right click the letter that refers to your key in the window “My Computer”. Select format, then FAT (not FAT32 or NTFS, except for keys with a capacity of 4 GB or greater).

Q : What are the data transfer rates that can be achieved with a USB key?

R : It can power certain peripherals, and with USB version 2, it enables rates between 1.5 Mbits and 480 Mbits per second. Version 3, to appear in consumer products from 2010, will offer speeds of up to 4.8 Gbits per second.

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