Printers Should Be Picky

A print shop is much more than just a print shop; it’s where clients like you come to us needing assistance in making your dreams come true.  Sounds rather lofty, doesn’t it? But it’s true. There are two types of print shops in the world: the ones who do care and the ones who don’t. And either attitude is dependent on the owner and how his viewpoint trickles down to the employees.

My credo has always been to do one’s best, no matter how long it takes. That’s why I’m picky and my employees are too. They proof, inspect, suggest, nudge, ponder, and pause over any product we deliver to our customers -- it doesn’t matter how “big or small” the job is – each job is very important.

While we work quickly, it doesn’t mean we don’t work smartly…meaning that we keep focus on the task at hand and cover all bases before we say a job is finished. Too many printing companies are all about the rush to get as much done to increase their sales volume.

Now of course, sales is important, but here’s the kicker: doesn’t it make more sense to keep the sales through quality and then grow your business through referrals from those satisfied clients than to hustle for new customers all the time because you do such a lousy job that clients leave?

Things Not to Say to an Employee of a Locally Owned Print Shop

1. I NEED IT NOW, AND YOU BETTER PRINT IT NOW.
2. WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU CAN’T PRINT 10,000 BUSINESS CARDS IN 30 MINUTES?
3. WELL, I’LL JUST GO TO KINKO'S, THEN!
4. DO I GET A STUDENT DISCOUNT (when there is a sign right in front of their face mentioning your shop has a student discount)?
5. DO YOU MAKE COPIES?
6. I CAN GET IT SOMEWHERE ELSE!
7. I CAN GET A BETTER DEAL AT ...
8.  I NEED JUST ONE BUSINESS CARD PRINTED!
9. WHAT’S WITH THE DESIGN FEE?

Glossary of Printing Terms

Here are some of the terms that are heard often in a print shop!

Acid-free Paper

Paper made from pulp containing little or no acid so it resists deterioration from age.

Artwork

All original copy, including type, photos and illustrations, intended for printing.

Author's Alterations (AA's)

At the proofing stage, changes that the client requests to be made concerning original art provided. AA's are considered an additional cost to the client usually.

Bind

Usually in the book arena, but not exclusively, the joining of leafs or signatures together with either wire, glue or other means.

Bond paper

Category of paper commonly used for writing, printing and photocopying.

Camera-ready Copy

Text, photographs and art fully prepared for reproduction according to the technical requirements of the printing process being used.

Collate

To organize printed matter in a specific order as requested.

Commercial Printer

Printer producing a wide range of products such as announcements, brochures, posters, booklets, stationery, business forms, books and magazines.

Four-color Process Printing

Technique of printing that uses black, magenta, cyan and yellow to simulate full-color images.

Grade

General term used to distinguish between or among printing papers, but can refer to the category, class, rating, finish or brand of paper.

To Die (Cut) For

Fancy, elegant cards. Quirky invitations. Oddly shaped gift certificates. You’ve seen, given or received one. Sometimes we study them and ask ourselves, “How did they do that?” The answer is “die cutting.”

Die-cutting is just a fancy term for cookie cutter. Printers use steel rule die shapes to cut through a wide range of materials quickly and easily. Those materials include paper, construction paper, cardstock, fabric, faux fur, felt, foil, heat and shrink plastic, leather, paper, wood, polyfoam, self-adhesive rubber (for making rubber stamps), sheet magnet, sponge, static cling, vinyl, and thin metal.

Consider die cutters scissors on steroids. Imagine the time, patience and dexterity you need when it comes to using scissors to cut fancy shapes. Die cutting machines can repeat the process over and over again, getting the shapes you want just perfect.

And your wrists won’t hurt, either.



An example of great die cutting. Go Pittsburgh!



SCORE!

When people think of a printing shop, thoughts usually turn to copiers, scissors, blades, and lots of paper. 

However, print shops across the country are filled with much more than those everyday tools of the trade.

One very important tool that is the unsung hero of a print shop is the scoring machine. What prey tell is a scoring machine? Ever receive a perfectly folded invitation in the mail? Have you noticed that perfect crease in the birthday card you just bought? Well, thank the scoring machine.

The scoring machine can range in price from several hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on whether it is a lightweight, portable one or an industrial size one that weighs hundreds of pounds.

Despite the range in prices and sizes, there is no debate on the importance of the scoring machine. It folds, it makes creases and even binds if need be.

When it comes to printing, the scoring machine is the quiet MVP.

Chicken Scratches with Meaning…

Despite your feelings about English classes in school – some loved writing and reading; while others detested it. Depending on your age, you probably recall reading, The Scarlet Letter, The Good Earth, Animal Farm, 1984, and a host of others…and writing the attending paper that was invariably demanded by your English teacher.

You sweated over the details, the characters, the plot, and tied them all together for what you considered a job well done…that is until you got your graded paper returned with red ink marks that resembled chicken scratch. 

Marks that left you scratching your head.

If, decades later, you still don’t know what those marks mean, here a little chart to view. These marks are considered standard by proofreaders, journalists, writers, reporters, printers, etc.

ENJOY!