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• About Print Design
  • Can you create logos for my business?

    • Yes - we actually specialize in logos and over the years have designed hundreds for organizations as varied as restaurants to contractors to sports teams to churches.

      
      Go here to find out more about logo design!
  • Do you have some sort of process you follow to work with me in designing my logo?

    • We sure do.

      
      Go here to download a copy of our logo design process!
  • I'm not really sure what kind of designed materials I need - do you have the time to help point me in the right direction?

    • Are you kidding? That's what we're here for. We'll help you through the whole process, and work with you to design exactly what it is that you need.

  • I know exactly what kind of materials I need, and I know how I want them to look. Do you have a problem with that?

    • No way! We create custom graphics that are all about you. We will design to your specifications, content, layouts, and color schemes, no questions asked. Unless you want us to ask questions. Then we will. Whatever you want.

  • I see that you have a large list of products you can design and print for me. Do you do the actual printing, and if not, who does?

    • CT Graphics is primarily a design company. We do custom design work to your satisfaction, but can then send those designs to production if you so desire. We partner with different local and national production companies who actually print the materials. Those companies can then ship your product right to your door. If you choose not to order the physical products through us, we will give you the essential files you will need to have the designs printed anywhwere you like. No worries.

      
      Go here to see specifications for all our printed products!
  • Can I actually sit down and talk with someone about one of your Event Packages? I'm still trying to figure out everything I will need.

    • Absolutely! Just give us a call at 860-800-9966, or email us at ct@ctgraphics.info. We will set up an appointment at your convenience to discuss all your event needs!

  • I have an idea for something that I want to have designed, but I don't see it listed on your site. Is this something that you would still be able to do for me?

    • You know it! If you need any kind of design, for any kind of item, in any kind of size or style, we have the connections to get it produced for you.

  • Will I be extremely satisfied having CT Graphics work with me to create, design, and produce all my printing needs?

    • Yes. Yes you will.

• About Web Design
  • Where do I even start with a website?

    • We know, it can be a daunting task. But we can help you get over the hump!

      
      Go here to see how to start a website with CT Graphics!
  • How much does a website cost?

    • Well, have you ever bought a car? You probably have. And you probably know that not all cars are the same. And you can't just go to a dealer and ask, "So, what does a car cost?" There are many, many variables and lots of preparation that is needed before you find the right car and then purchase it. Same with websites.

      
      Go here to see our extensive website styles and pricing information!
  • I hear that there are hidden costs associated with web design services. Is this true?

    • With many web companines, yes. Not with CT Graphics. All aspects of your site design will be discussed with you prior to a written proposal and contract. These documents will spell out exactly what fees will be needed to be paid for what services. Website building is a one-time fee, not ongoing monthly or yearly. One-time fee payments are scheduled half up front, have on delivery. Installment plans are available for larger projects.

      
      Go here to find out more about our extensive website styles and pricing information!
  • Will I need a database for my website?

    • Only if you choose to get an ecommerce website. The cost of the database management is included in the cost of the ecommerce site design.

      
      Go here to find out more about ecommerce websites!
  • Will I need to sign a contract in order for CT Graphics to build me a website?

    • Yes, but it's not a contract like you get with a phone plan or anything like that. You are not "tied-down" to any long-term obligations once the website is complete. Our contract simply exists to protect both the client and the company during the site building period.

  • How long will it take for my website to be designed?

    • The timescale of a website design project is often dictated by the client. If you have a deadline in mind, we will attempt to meet it for you. The most common delay in the creation and completion of a new website is waiting for content (text/images) to be sent to us by the client. We strive to finish most sites within six weeks of commencement.

      
      Go here to download a copy of our website design process!
  • Will we need to have a meeting in connection with the website design?

    • If you are located in the Capital District of New York, CT Graphics would love to have an initial meeting at your place of operations, or your home, in order to better understand your business, event, or whatever you need the website for. This can also easily be done over the phone. All other further communication is usually done by email and phone. Progress on your website can be seen via a live site hosted by CT Graphics.

  • In what format should I supply text and photographs for my new website?

    • It is helpful to us if you are able to provide text and photographs in electronic form - for example, the picture files in a .jpg format, and the text in Microsoft Word or similar format. Photos, logos, and graphics should always be as large as possible and as high resolution as possible. If this is not possible, we can help you get your information ready for use on the website, possibly at an additional cost if it becomes too extensive.

  • I don't have any photos or graphics for my website, and I don't have time to get some. I also can't write very well. What should I do?

    • No fear! We have people that can assist you. Photographers, copy writers, illustrators, and professional graphic artists who can be worked with on a per-hour basis.

  • Do you host the websites yourself?

    • Why, yes we do! CT Graphics has its own web hosting to get your website up on the internet. Web hosting is like renting a tiny piece of the internet so that the public can access your site. Our hosting costs $100 per year per site.

  • Do you provide domain registration and renewal for websites?

    • Sure do! You can get www.anythingyouwant.com through us (as long as it's not already taken!). We offer standard .com, .net, .org, and .info domains at $25 per year, per domain.

  • What about email? Can you hook me up with an email address or two?

    • Ohhhh yeah. Email is a virtual "mailbox" that has a name and lives at the domain you own. We offer email addresses at any domain for $100 per year, per address.

  • Once my website is complete, what further services do you offer?

    • We fully stand behind and support any website we design, and are always available should you encounter any problems or require any enhancements. If you're too busy to keep up your website, we can do it for you! We can update your website at any time you choose, based on your input and expectations, on an hourly basis. It doesn't even need to be a CT Graphics website!

      
      Go here to download more information about our web services!
  • What if I want to personally update my site once it is created?

    • Well, we have a couple of options for you. The first is an online content management system. This is a simple web page to which you will be given a password, and then be able to access the parts of your site that you wish to change on a regular basis. However, major changes like rearrangement of page elements, or overall site structure cannot be changed using this content management system. Those would have to be done by CT Graphics on an hourly basis. A CMS is an option for most CT Graphics websites, and is included in our Website Special.

      
      
      Go here to download information about our Website Special!

      Second, we can simply hand over all the essential files to you and you can then host the site yourself or use your own content management system. We don't mind a bit.

  • Am I tied to CT Graphics for any site maintenance or updates I wish to do once my website is designed?

    • No. Once your website is designed, it belongs to you and you can commission anyone you like to update it for you - although of course we would like to think that you are happy with our company and will continue to use our WebMaster Services for your web maintenance.

      
      Go here to download information about our WebMaster services!
  • Do I have to keep my website with you forever, or can I move it to another host or designer if I wish?

    • Your website, domain, and email accounts all belong to you. You may move your essential website files or transfer your domain to another service at any time. Email may be trickier to move, depending on the host you choose. There may be a transer fee if it becomes necessary.

  • Will my website be "Search Engine Optimized?"

    • All our websites are created with search engines in mind, and the website design will be optimized and compliant with search engine guidelines. However, we are not SEO experts, so it is a good idea for your website to be re-evaluated time-to-time, as over a period of time most search engines alter their rules and algorithms. You will want to be certain that your website is kept up to date and complies with new rules, etc. We can help you with that, or refer you to a Search Engine Optimization specialist.

  • Can you guarantee that my website will be in the first few listings on major search engines?

    • No, no we can't. And the secret truth is that no web design or SEO company can guarantee that — and the ones that do are guaranteeing something they cannot provide. There are, however, many tips and tricks that can be used in order to improve your site's ranking on popular search engines over time. CT Graphics can assist you with some of these, or we can refer you to a Search Engine Optimization specialist if need be.

  • Will everyone see my website the same way?

    • Though we optimize all our current websites for desktop as well as mobile screens, your website visitors may see some things differently depending on their browser, screen resolution setting, or mobile devices. We design sites with that in mind and preview them in several browser types and resolution settings, as well as different mobile devices before publishing. Obviously, as technology evolves, eventually all websites may need re-evaluation.

  • Do you guarantee that my site will always be available?

    • Well, no web hosting service can guarantee 100% uptime. That said, we rarely have had reports of any of our sites being unavailable for any amount of time. Should our servers ever have any problems, there are necessary backups in place to deal with them.

  • Can I see how many visitors I've had to my website?

    • Yes, we provide statistical data tracking for a one-time nominal fee which records where your visitors are coming from, which pages they looked at, which search engines are being used, which phrases are being typed into which search engines to find your site, and many more interesting web tracking facts which you should find useful for future marketing campaigns. Statistical data tracking is included in our Website Special.

      
      Go here to download more information about our Website Special!
  • I already have a website, but it needs consistant updating. Can you help me?

    • Absolutely! We would be happy to work with you through our WebMaster Services.

      
      Go here to download information about our WebMaster services!
  • Can you redesign my existing website?

    • Of course we can! We can redesign a site by retaining your company corporate style, or we can redesign a site to give you a completely new image. We can also redesign your website to take advantage of the latest web technologies. We would be happy to work with you through our WebMaster Services.

      
      Go here to download information about our WebMaster services!
  • Will you display any banners or pop-up ads on my website?

    • No way! That's more of a tactic of those no-good, rotten "free" website services. A CT Graphics website is your website and you have total control over the contents and who may or may not advertise on it. However, we do add a credit graphic at the bottom of all pages designed by CT Graphics.

  • Will I be extremely satisfied having CT Graphics work with me to create, design, and produce all my web needs?

    • Yes. Yes you will.

• About Media Design
  • How is CT Graphics different than other video production companies?

    • Well, first of all, we're not gonna cost you an arm and a leg. Second of all is why we won't cost you an arm and a leg — we won't lead you to believe we're "big-time." We don't do the slick, big-budget, high-paid-actor-filled types of videos. We do more of the small stuff that no one else wants to do, really focusing more on video editing than video production. That's how we can save you money. We use you and your family and friends' photos and footage and turn them into something wonderful.

      
      Go here to see what types of videos we offer to get a better idea of what we mean!
  • Can you be the videographer at my wedding and produce a high definition compilation video for me?

    • Actually, no. That's not really what we do. We can film your wedding, but you need to know that we don't use any special equipment or lighting. If you're looking for an inexpensive way to have your wedding documented, by all means, give us a call. But, we are not that high-end videographer you may really want to use instead.
      
      What we can do for you, however, is be a "behind-the-scenes" videographer that would take the photos and footage which may not be included in a "high-end" videographer's package. This might include pre-wedding preparations, interviews of attendees and participants, or what "really" goes on at the reception. Or, really whatever you ask us to do. We can then compile all those photos and footage and combine it with your friends' and family's photos and footage to produce a creative, fun, and enjoyable look at your special day. It's actually a nice complement to what the "high-end" guys can do.
      
      And we're not just for weddings. Any event (or retro-event!) you may have photos or footage from, we can create something wonderful for you.

  • How long does it take to produce a video?

    • Best we can say is: "It depends." A two-minute slideshow video will take a lot less time to produce than a seven-minute fully edited promo video with background music and voiceover. So, talk to us about what you're looking to do and we'll be able to give you a better estimate!

      
      Go here to see what types of videos we offer to get a better idea of how long it may take to produce a video!
  • Can I have animation, motion graphics, titles, or even green-screen work in my video?

    • Yes, if you like. We know all the tricks and can make it happen for you!

  • I see you do voiceover work. Are you any good?

    • Well, of course, everyone's definition of "good" is different. But our voice talent (both male and female) has done a lot of repeat work over the years, so we figure that if people keep hiring us, we must be good!

      
      Go here to find out more about voiceover narration!
  • Who owns the final version of the video production, me or CT Graphics??

    • When we are hired to produce a project for a client, it is the client who owns full rights to all final videos. We do ask, however to be able to use the final production as part of the CT Graphics portfolio, if appropriate.

  • In what format(s) will the finished video be created?

    • Standard videos will be rendered into an .mp4 format. This format is pretty standard for almost all types of computers and mobile devices. We can also render to .mov, .wmv, .webm, .ogg, .f4v, and possibly any other formats you may need for your situation. The file(s) can be delivered via an online download, flash drive, or even a DVD (yeah, they still make those...). Voiceover narration with no associated video will be be rendered to an .mp3 or .wav format.

  • Are you able to design for any presentation software other than Microsoft PowerPoint?

    • Ummm, well, no. PowerPoint is really the best software out there and we can do things with PowerPoint that average mortals simply can not do.

      
      Go here to see what we mean!
  • How would you be able to deliver a PowerPoint presentation to me?

    • We offer an online download, flash drive, or even burn the presentation to a CD-R. (Yeah, we think we can still do those.....)

      
      Go here to see what types of videos we offer to get a better idea of what we mean!
  • Will I be extremely satisfied having CT Graphics work with me to create, design, and produce all my media needs?

    • Yes. Yes you will.

• About Apparel Design
  • I see that you are able to create designs for t-shirts, hoodies, and hats - and can get the apparel made for me. Do you do the actual screenprinting or embroidery, and if not, who does?

    • CT Graphics is primarily a design company. We do custom design work for apparel to your satisfaction, but can then send those designs to production if you so desire. We partner with a local and production company who actually does the screenprinting or embroidery. That company can then ship your apparel right to your door. If you choose not to order the apparel through us, we will give you the essential files you will need to have the designs printed anywhwere you like. No worries.

      
      Go here to see specifications on all our apparel products!
  • Sorry, but the specifications on the apparel page are a bit too vague for me. Is there a way to meet with someone to talk about what type of apparel I need exactly?

    • Yes, there is. We weren't able to list all the thousands of combinations for apparel we offer, so we deliberatly left the specifications a little open to interpretation. We'd be happy to put you in contact with a representative of our partner company which screenprints or embroiders our designs. No problem.

  • Will I be extremely satisfied having CT Graphics work with me to create, design, and produce all my apparel needs?

    • Yes. Yes you will.

• About eDesign
  • Why would I need you to design web banners and social media icons for me? Those things look pretty easy to put together, so I should be able to do it myself just fine.

    • Sure, you could do it yourself. You could copy something off of Google (which, by the way, is illegal, immoral, and unethical), or you could let the automated systems on social media sites crop and size your graphics for you (which may mean they end up looking squished or pixelated, or both), or you could just use Microsoft Paint and throw up (pun intended) anything you wanted onto the web. And if you're a business, people won't take you seriously. Sometimes, you just need a professional.

      
      Go here to see what types of electronic media a professional can design for you!
  • Have you really designed electronic billboards?

    • Well, yes, actually we have. And we've designed a lot of other stuff that we haven't even listed on this website. Like bus wraps. Bus wraps! Do you know how hard it is to design quality and effective advertising that wraps around the butt-end of a bus? Well...it's tough! But it goes to show that we can design anything at all that can be read or visualized in (or on) any medium. Anything at all.

  • Will I be extremely satisfied having CT Graphics work with me to create, design, and produce all electronic needs?

    • Yes. Yes you will.

• About CT Graphics
  • Who is this "CT", anyway?

    • CT is me. Christopher Todd, but most everybody calls me CT. I’ve been fiddling around with drawings, graphics, and video for over thirty years now. Back in the day, that's when "cut and paste" really meant "cut" and "paste!" Anyway, it was a hobby when I was younger, and now has evolved into a career. I designed my first booklet in the fourth grade. I got my first video camera when I graduated from high school (and it was huge! It was one of those kinds that you put in a full-sized VHS tape to record!) By the time I built my first website in 1996 (on AOL Press, baby!), things just kinda snowballed.

      Somewhere along the way I took some classes to fill in the gaps of what I could do. And I ended up doing so many projects with graphics, video, and websites over the years (sometimes even paid!), that by 2011 I finally decided to consolidate all I knew and could do into CT Graphics. Today, we are an LLC, and have worked with countless business, organizations, and just plain regular folks. We've been able to bring on staff several quality designers, illustrators, photographers, copywriters, and voiceover artists to help with the workload. We've created a lot to be proud of.

      And I've loved every minute of it.

  • What won’t you do as a company?

    • Well, we won’t do bad design. We mean graphic design that looks like it was put together in ten minutes on Microsoft Word. We mean web design that looks like it was created in 1998. We mean videos that look like your five-year-old stole your iPhone.

      We won’t design anything that will annoy people. Like using every color in the rainbow and seventeen different fonts on a poster. Or putting a bunch of animated gifs and pop-up advertisements on a website. Or using every transition possible or embedding obnoxious background music for a video or presentation piece. For some reason, many people equate "annoying" with “fun.” It’s not fun. It’s just annoying. So we won’t do it. Sorry.

      Oh, and we won't take on jobs that promote or involve crime, illegal drugs, pornography, or anything else we may deem unethical or immoral. Ewww.

  • How would you describe your design style?

    • Well, that's a real artsy-fartsy question, but thank you for asking it anyway.

      Personally, I like bold colors offset by muted colors, strong lines both curved and straight, and a nice use of empty space. I like simple. I like effective. I hate standardization. I hate templates and clipart. You will never convince me that one size ever fits all. I love to tweak what already exists and make something new and unique. I love fonts. I would consider myself a font-o-phile. And I love what the combination of fonts, colors, lines, and graphics can do to elicit a specific emotion.

      But, in the end, it really doesn't matter what I like. It's all about what the client likes. Sure, I'll make a good case for certain design choices that are made, but sometimes I just gotta swallow my pride and do exactly what the client wants me to do. And that's OK. CT Graphics is not about my ego - it's about making people happy. And I like to see happy people.

  • I heard you had some sort of personal epiphany concerning baseball cards and graphic design. What up with that?

    • Well, I opened my first pack of baseball cards in 1975 and immediately fell in love. Of course, I fell in love with the game of baseball, but I also fell in love with graphic design. I didn’t really realize that at the time - and I certainly had no idea what the phrase “graphic design” even meant.

      I became fascinated by the way that 600+ cards in a set were all individually different, yet were still somehow all the same, being connected by certain design elements. Each new spring (even up to the present!), I couldn’t wait to see the new design of that year’s baseball cards. Most kids couldn’t wait to see their favorite player. I couldn’t wait to see if the colors around the border of the card would match up with the team’s logo. Yeah, I was a strange kid.

      And, of course, the 1975 baseball cards were truly god-awful in their color scheme and design, yet I suppose that they did fit right in with the times. My favorite cards in terms of design are from 1959. The clear, bold colors, round-cropped photos, and fun team logos fit right in with my personal style of design. If I could design a set of baseball cards, that’s what I would do. *Sigh*. "If".......

      
      
      Go here to see some awesome 1959 baseball cards!

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