Does Anyone Remember Encyclopedias?

Before the Internet, before Wikipedia, before Google, there was the encyclopedia.

If you know what these are, that's a good thing!

For all you young folks out there, libraries had them; your friends’ parents had a set and more than likely your home had them too. Encyclopedias, which more than often were printed and published by Britannica, were chock full of facts, figures and pictures. The encyclopedia was the go-to resource for millions of school children who needed info for a school project or report. Utilizing the encyclopedia for your research was the difference between getting an “A” or “B” on that history or geography project.

Now, the encyclopedia has gone the way of typewriter and the album, with most children scrunching their shoulders when shown one. They have no idea.

Encyclopedias were once the cornerstone of libraries across the country. Large, foreboding and shelved neatly and handled delicately, librarians were on guard that they remained damage free. You needed information from them? You were either going to either pay a few cents for copies, or you sit quietly in the library and write the information down in your notebook.

Those days are over.

It’s actually kind of sad. Children today will never know the joys of finding information for themselves without the use of a key stroke and a computer…the critical thinking needed to use the Dewey Decimal System and looking for information alphanumerically is obsolete!

A shame.

Check Yo’ Proof Before You Wreck Yo’ Proof

Yeah! Proof is bond!

Straight from the printer, proof is bond!

Yeah! Yah! Ah-yeah! You doin’ this with yo printer

Where my printer?

Proof is bond! (Yeah!)

You better check yo proof before before you wreck yo proof

Cos I'm bad for your cards, I come real stealth

Ignoring errors on your proofs, when you meet with me and my designer

You doin' foul just by looking at it and sayin’ “Looks good”

Just lookin' at the color and pictures, always let me know

You ain’t looking at the info

Here to let you know boy, oh boy

So you better read a proof

Yeah, come on and check yo proof before you wreck yo proof

Cause jacked up printing is bad for your health

*Note: all due respect to ICE CUBE for the inspiration.

Printing for a Special Event

Do you have a business mixer or a baby shower planned? No matter what special event you are in the midst of planning, one of the most crucial components of it being successful is the invitation. Although the majority of interpersonal communication is now via email, text or telephone, nothing is more fun than getting a specially printed invitation in the mail. Here’s what you should do in conjunction with your printing company:

ü  Have the information you want to present in print ready to go. Have the who, what, where and why; along with RSVP information.  Also, will you be using a photograph or logo? Take that into consideration.

ü  Try something new, but timely. A printer and graphics designer can introduce you to new, contemporary design and printing trends. They can offer information to help you understand the key aspects of stationery paper, including thickness and weight, finish, color, shapes and more.

ü  Pace yourself. Last minute drama leads to poor quality. Consult with an event planner or other reference sources to find out exactly when invitations should be created and mailed out so you don’t put any undue pressure on yourself, designer and printer!

Follow these ideas and the printing process will come off without a hitch, just like your special event!

A Day to Forget, Another Day to Remember

Life is not perfect in the workplace all the time no matter how much we wish it would be so.  Orders, equipment, staff, bosses, computers, copiers, they can all have a bad day. The question is how to cope especially in a high pressure environment when assignments are due and the tension is thick:

·         Deal with the pressure crunch. Accept that nobody is a superhero, and that mistakes happen when too much is attempted at any one time.

·         Get the right person doing the right thing. Delegate immediately to those best able to respond.

·         Go the bathroom (or your car or somewhere out of sight) and let it out. Throw a tantrum in privacy. Take a break. Then comb your hair, straighten your tie, and head back into the office ready to carry on in a more positive way.

·         Ask for help. If you don't understand something, or find something harder than you expected, it is not a shameful thing to ask for help.

·         Go home early where warranted. If a day is bad because you brought a bundle of issues from home with you, sometimes nothing will turn that around. If you feel exhausted, teary, distressed and wanting to say inappropriate things, it is probably a good idea to call it a day and go home.

·         Don't take snide comments to heart. If you are having a bad day because someone said something nasty to you, grin and bear it. It is important to not over-inflate the unhelpful or rude observations of colleagues who have a clear agenda to be disruptive, hurtful or unkind.  DON’T FESTER ABOUT IT.

The Perils of Printing for the Professional Print Shop

Some days in the shop, things go by swimmingly …the machines hum quietly but constantly, the phone rings with regularity, and customers are picking up their orders at a syncopated pace.

HOWEVER, those days of perfect bliss can occasionally be tempered by a day when Murphy’s Law kicks in and no matter how hard you try to get everything back in order, it doesn’t work. It’s those kinds of days when the print shop staff just has to relax, count their blessings and be appreciative of things that have gone well recently. Of course, though, it’s time to think about what can go wrong and how to make sure problem is rectified as soon as possible:

·         The server goes kaput at the most inopportune moment. Make sure you haven’t tripped over a cord, first. If that’s not the problem, get your tech on the phone, STAT.

·         The “simple” copy machine goes limp like an aging wrestler at Wrestle Mania. It just couldn’t take the constant action anymore. It needed a break. Did you accidentally turn it off? Did the new clerk hit the wrong button? If not, call your copier company. NOW.

·         The industrial copier that prints the magazines, brochures, calendars, stationery, etc, decides to emit mysterious roller marks only a third into a very important job that needs to be finished at the end of the day. Check those rollers for marks, smudges, skips, etc. Then reach for the phone if the problem isn’t fixed.

Yup, it’s the kind of day in which you say to no one out loud, “This stuff is going to do my head in today!” Just remember to be calm, kind and direct to your repair person. More than likely it’s that kind of behavior that will get them out to the shop as soon as possible. And you'll be off and printing again very soon!

The Paper Chase

Choosing the right paper for your direct marketing media can be tricky.

Sometimes you’ll find a paper that you really want to work with, but in the end you realize that if you choose it, the production cost will go up significantly. This is usually just a concern when you work with a bigger production and need a lot of paper, then the price will escalate quickly. But even smaller projects can have problems with cost, especially if you choose unusual inks or post processing methods. It’s therefore recommended that in the beginning of your project, you take your time and think through a few issues prior to meeting with your designer and printer.

Here are some of the things to keep in mind about the use of paper for your printed media production when discussing concerns with your printer:

•  What is your final product? It can be a book, poster, flyer, business card, etc.
• How long would you like the durability of the product to last? A book that will be read throughout the years should definitely be planned for a longer durability than a one day flyer.
• What feeling do you want your product to give the receiver? Should it be fancy? Cheap? Solid? Traditional?
• What kind of material will the product be handling? Will it be spread after spread with large photos? Or a textbook?
• After you have answered these questions you can take a look at the different elements that can be crucial for your paper choice.

Getting Along with Your Graphics Designer: Tell Them What You Want, Really, Really Want

People who practice graphic design are some of the most artistically gifted people in the workplace. They use diverse media to create various ideas for direct mail marketing…they have the ability to develop your ideas into the printed form.

When talking to graphic artists, they have many of the same concerns, especially when it comes to having a great relationship with their clients.

So what exactly can you do to make your relationship with a graphics design artist a mutually beneficial one when seeking to have something printed? Follow these ideas:

• Don't design. Graphic designers are problem solvers. So, present them with a problem to solve, because they are much more versed at visual problem solving than you are. Why else? Because design elements are related and must be handled with cohesion in mind.
• Graphic designers need structure. Pretend you don't know anything about the designer's process and see what works for them. "What do you need from me to start?" Communicate the generalities first: "I'm looking for a print brochure to be designed, around letter-size, color, maybe 8-16 pages."
• Understand the designer's value. Without respect, the first two issues above can't be resolved. It's important to understand the value that graphic designers bring. This can be especially difficult for some technical people, such as software developers, engineers, and technical writers. Some positions within the organization may regard graphic design work to be merely "cosmetic" and "embellishments."

Follow these friendly tips, and you’ll forge a great relationship with your graphic designer.

Spell Check… Man’s Best Freind

Oy vey!

Your fingers are furiously flying across the keyboard, typing as fast as your mind can process your thoughts.

You’ve got to create a brochure, a poster, a business card, letterhead, etc. with concise wording that gets your point across to everyone.  After you’ve finished writing, you’re ready to send that draft and artwork to the designer at the print shop so they can complete your vision. You’re about to hit the “send” button on the email…but...

STOP!

It would behoove you to do one more thing before sending any document off to a printer…CLICK THE SPELL CHECK TAB!

With the advent of computers and their fast speed, it seems there is no time for old-fashioned thinking when pecking away on the keyboard. And of course, with correct spelling being thrown out in favor of acronyms such as LOL, ROTFLMAO, and whatever fad term is pervading popular culture at the time, the skill of spelling has become a rapidly disintegrating one. 

However, as one begins a career in business or is already established, it is important to be careful when writing copy for print production. Your brand, your image, and your reputation depends on making sure everything is correct!

So before you hit that “send” button, remember that little big thing called SPELL CHECK!

Only Printers Bleed

Ever walk into a print shop and start talking to a staff member about what you need designed, and one of the first questions they ask is about the bleed?

And then you cock your head to the side like a puzzled dog, and think, “Bleed? Am I bleeding? I have no idea what is being mentioned.”

The staff manager understands your quizzical look and says, “You have no idea what I am talking about, do you?”

You smile weakly and shake your head.

So the staff member begins to explain as simply as possible:

“The bleed is a design term used every day in the print world. It is printing that goes beyond the edge of the sheet after trimming. The bleed is the part on the side of a document that gives the printer a small amount of space to account for movement of the paper, and design inconsistencies. Bleed ensures that no unprinted edges occur in the final trimmed document.”

Images, background images and fills which are intended to extend to the edge of the page must be extended beyond the trim line to give a bleed.

Bleeds in the United States are usually 1/8 of an inch from where the cut is to be made. This can vary from one print company to another. Some printers ask for specific sizes; most of these companies place the specific demands on their website or offer templates that are already set to their required bleed settings.

Full bleed printing is from one edge of the paper to the other without the standard borders by which most personal printers are limited. This is useful for printing brochures, posters, and other materials. Often the paper is trimmed after printing to ensure the ink runs fully to the edge and does not stop.

How to Avoid a Communication Breakdown with Your Printer

It’s happened many times to many a print shop…a customer rushes in panting and breathless because they need something printed now, now, NOW. 

First question normally asked is “Do you have your artwork?” Then, more than likely, the next question is “What kind of paper do you want?” And finally, “How many copies and when is the latest you need it by?”

If the client can’t give you an answer, undoubtedly that is going to make life difficult for all involved. Therefore it is crucial for everyone to work together for a successful conclusion that gets money in the register and a client with their product.

Here are some tips for clients who are in a last minute rush:

·         Have your artwork ready. Have it on a flash drive. And remember, if the artwork is of poor quality and heavily pixilated, it won’t look sharp and clear on the final product. A graphics designer and Photoshop can only do so much.

·         Wait your turn. While print shops do have a multitude of machines, more than likely they are not idle. All day, every day, documents are being printed, whether large or small. And if it is a very busy time, more than likely if you need a magazine, a book or a large poster printed, you are not going to get it in the next five minutes. Sorry, but that happens.

·         Be nice to the print shop employees. Yelling, being demanding and going into hysterics is not going to help your cause. Being friendly, understanding and willing to negotiate a delivery time will.

Every client is important, there is no doubt. Every client has different needs and objectives. Our goals as printers are to serve you in the best way possible. Keep the lines of communication open and everyone will be satisfied.

Why You Need Direct Mail Marketing!

Need to get your message out to as many people as possible in a manner that is organized, direct and prompt? You can’t beat direct mail for a number of reasons. AA Printing has a direct mail division called ARC Distribution that can handle your needs. Here’s how Arc Distribution can make direct mail marketing the right choice for you and your company (campaign, etc):

• Direct mail marketing is quick to produce. You can prepare and mail a small promotion within days or weeks. Direct mail is perfect for quickly testing prices, offers, and potential audiences. You have complete control over the media, the audience, and your offer.
• Direct mail marketing offers quicker response. Not only is direct mail quicker to prepare, but response time to direct mail is usually quicker as well. You can project the final results of a mailing quickly and accurately. You can build an advertising campaign with more confidence by testing small lists, then building to larger lists.
• Direct mail marketing is highly targeted. Using carefully developed lists, you can target your mailings more selectively than you can with most other media. You can reach almost any market segment, buyer profile, or area of the Treasure Coast you feel is most appropriate for your business.
•  Direct mail marketing means less competition. Your advertising message does not have to compete with other advertising messages. And, your competitors are less apt to know your current strategy.
• Direct mail marketing is more personal. Not only can letters be personalized via mail-merging techniques, but you can use more informal language in writing your letter and you can direct your letter to the specific interest of the reader.
• Direct mail marketing allows for easier response. The inclusion of an order card and return envelope makes it convenient for the consumer to respond to direct mail.
• Direct mail marketing creates list of loyal customers. Direct mail allows you to build and maintain a list of prime prospects for your future direct mail campaigns.

Pixels and Printing

In computer graphics, pixelation (or pixellation in British English) is caused by displaying a bitmap or a section of a bitmap at such a large size that individual pixels, small single-colored square display elements that comprise the bitmap, are visible. Such an image is said to be pixelated (pixellated in the UK).

See the kitty? Now, the photo looks nice and clear. However, if you zoom into the box, the image of his fur is pixelated. So imagine if you wanted to print a large poster of the kitty for a present or a portrait to hang on your wall. What is going to happen is that you will get a very pixelated portrait. Who wants that? So before having an image professional printed by a printer (hopefully AA Printing Service) call the designer so he can make sure your image is sized to reduce as much pixelation as possible!

Welcome to Our Blog!

A printing company with a blog? Sure, and why not?

Here at AA Printing Service we are fortunate to have a variety of clients who have different needs and objectives. Whether it is business cards, magazines, or brochures, everyone wants to  brand their own unique personality through direct marketing items. So this is why we are here!

We wanted to introduce ourselves in the "blog-o-sphere" and let you know what we are all about. Look for posts about a wide variety of topics about printing and publishing (there is a difference) and about how you can make sure your business has the best branding out there.

OK?

The staff of AA Printing Service!