Printing & Copying

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We've come a long way since the very beginning of printing. In the days of the hand-scribed documents, the ink used was water-based inks that didn't hold up for very long. By the time when Gutenberg came along with his cool new printing press, he also started using an oil-based ink that would be much more durable.

Fast forward almost 600 years. As you can imagine, ink technology has changed as much as the printing presses that apply the stuff. They've been formulated in labs to figure out exact drying times, effortless applications and near perfect results.

They've also gotten greener too. Not until a few years ago, consumers started demanding soy-based inks for environmental concern. It's a welcomed change not only for the obvious use of petroleum, but also because of less volatile organic compounds (VOCs) seeping into the air. This makes breathing a whole lot easier for everyone near a printing press and better overall quality of air for all of us.

The newest of these is vegetable-based inks. This is what Independent Printing currently uses standard. You may ask, "Well, what's the difference, isn't soybean a vegetable?" Truth be told, soy-based inks are made with soybean oil, and vegetable-based inks are made with vegetable oil. They're 2 different substances. But vegetable-based is that much better yet than soy inks. So those requesting soy inks as a green solution probably don't know there is a greener solution out there.

In fact, being vegetable inks as the newest technology, they emit less VOCs than soy-based. The ink Independent Printing uses contains a percentage of alternative vegetable oil, ranging from 14% to 27%. It's formulated with organic materials that do not contain any animal-based byproducts. We also use a hybrid UV-cured ink. It contains no vegetable oils and is dried (cured) with UV energy. UV inks do not contain any volatile organic compounds (VOC) making them a very green choice.

So there's more to it than just printing on recycled paper. It's only half the story. You also have to be aware of what you're putting on it to be eco-conscious.

 

Este artículo va destinado a profesionales de IT. Las imágenes que ven son de una conexión generada desde un N95 a un Windows XP mediante Remote Desktop y a un Linux mediante Putty S60 sobre SSH. 

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Facing problems printing Adobe files? First, check what version of Adobe Reader is being used. It is advisable to download the latest and most current version. This is available at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html?promoid=BUIGO.

 

For printing PDF files or Adobe Portable Document Format files, a lot depends on the type of printer that is being used. A number of PDF files may not print correctly, until you select the Print as Image option (this is in the printer dialog box). Using this option, the document may take a couple of minutes to print.

 

PDF documents take up a considerable amount of printer memory. To illustrate this, if a printer has just 1 MB of total memory, and the printer has been set up for high quality printing, reversed text blocks might print with no message given by the printer, in solid black. If extra memory is not on-hand, download the entire file and then print just a few pages at a time. If the PDF document is still not printing properly, use the 'shrink to fit' option.

 

To be brand specific, if problems persist with an HP LaserJet, change the settings to the following:

 

-         Instead of vector graphics, use raster graphics. This should fix the problem of reversed text, among others.

-         To remove the overlapping of text on printed document, use bitmap fonts as against graphics or outline.

-         To improve the quality of images in your document, use course or graphics dithering, instead of using none.

 

Finally, it's advisable to save the file to the disk and then proceed to open it in Adobe Reader. By doing this, bug can be avoided that the Reader may cause while trying to access the PDF file directly from the internet.

 

Check out ProjectCenter’s services at www.makepapereasy.com.

I've always wanted to try screen printing my own images onto fabric, I've heard of other Etsy sellers that do this not only to fabric, but also to paper. Wouldn't it be SO COOL to have your own art work on your product? With my bags, I have to feature another persons work on the fabric...I just sew it together. I just think it'd be so cool to say "This is my bag, and yes, this is my fabric too!".

I know what you're thinking "Another project Kj??". Yep, they just don't stop!

I was reading another blog where the author had hand painted the art on t-shirts...hand painted, no screens. She really inspired me to try it (which I have yet to do) but also reminded me about screen-printing.

The more I read about the process of screenprinting, the more I see how easy it is! At first, I was a bit overwhelmed with the steps you need to take to make a screen and imprint your image on it. But now, I think it's something I want (aka: need) to try out. Etsy has a great video on how the process works, and I just stumbled across this How-To article that helped a bit too. Oh, and this Etsy video too!

I'll be searching for a frame and the proper mesh...I'll slowly build up my screen-printing supplies, I think. Boy, it's sure good I'm selling my bags at the Farmers Market now, otherwise I'd be broke!

Have you ever heard of ThreadBanger? I found them through their videos on YouTube. It's a great site for easy ways to decorate or new projects to start on (yeah, just what I need). They have great videos, forums, links and GREAT contests (the last one was for a Janome {!} sewing machine), if you're a crafter, visiting this site is a m.u.s.t.

Now that word just looks wrong.

If you haven’t created a poster for a trade show, or haven’t thought about creating a poster, you should read on to pick up some pointers on how to create a great poster.

Trade show posters work well because the colors and the text draw people in. You can draw people in to your booth in other ways – hosting a game or giveaway, or showing a video demonstration of your product in action – but these options take time. Posters don’t take up a lot of time – people can look them over at their leisure and then move further into your booth to find out more info.

Here are some pointers for your next trade show poster:

The title of the poster should be at the top of the poster – don’t try to get too creative and put the title across the bottom or down the sides. By putting it at the top, in a simple font, it’s easier to read. Make sure it’s big enough to be read from 15 to 20 feet away.

Create an intro and a conclusion for your poster(s). If you have multiple posters, or if your poster contains a lot of text information, consider adding intro and conclusion sheets. These can flank both sides of your poster so that people can decide if they want to read the rest of your poster(s) and if they don’t have enough time, they can just read the conclusion to get the important parts. The conclusion should be a bulleted list of takeaway points that you want people to remember from your poster(s).

Number your poster sections. You should always design your posters so that the information flows in a logical sequence. However, not all people are logical, so to help those people out, use large numbers to number each section. I think it’s safe to assume that people will know how to follow the numbers (at least I hope so)!

Design the poster to be self-explanatory. The main points of the poster should stick out even when you are not there to point them out to people. Don’t get too detailed though – just give people enough info to understand the concept you’re trying to get across. People can ask questions when you are at the booth, or you can leave a pile of business cards by the poster (or even in a pocket on the poster) so that people can contact you later with questions.

Whatever photos or illustrations you have should be explained. Each graphic on your poster should have a caption that explains it or labels it.

Practice a 2 to 5 minute poster presentation. When people come up to you and your poster, don’t just read the poster to them. That’s like being in a bad high school class all over again! Instead, figure out what you’re going to say about the poster ahead of time – what points you need to clarify or expand upon and try to anticipate questions and answers to those questions. Practice your presentation in front of colleagues or family members. Keep it short and sweet so people don’t get bored.

By following these few tips, your trade show posters will earn its cost back through all your new sales and leads!

I haven’t blogged about Britney for a long time. All I was seeing was her ever bulging belly, her adventures with the paparazzi, her unusual driving stunts or her now you have it fuzzy, now you don’t hair days. I still don’t have any update on this has been superstar who had the chance to redeem herself but let it slip away.

Oh Britney, if you only knew how lucky you were.  All together now!

“She’s so lucky, she’s a star
But she cry, cry, cries in her lonely heart, thinking
If there’s nothing missing in my life
Then why do these tears come at night.”

But are you happy now that you’ve lost the stardom? I don’t think so. She’s a mess. But I recently saw her pictures with a new do. She seems to be shaping up. She’s blonde and seems to be losing the excess pounds. Just continue doing that and she’ll soon be prepped up to model for ads, even vinyl signs. The latest about her is that she will be shooting a video to be shown on Madonna’s concert tour, ala virtual Britney.

Her kid sister, or the sister, Jamie Lynn, has given birth last June 19 to a baby girl. The girl was named Maddie Briann. Jaime is now raising her in the Mississippi home she shares with boyfriend Casey Aldridge.

So what’s next with the Spears? Maybe it will be better if we’ll just wait for their kids to grow and redeem their parents’ lost careers. But for now, we should just hope that these kids will be guided accordingly so that they won’t follow their parents’ footsteps.

As for Britney, I think that this girl still has the chance to make it. She’s still young and she’s talented. If only she will learn to put her talents and charm into something good and where she will excel. If only she will learn to prioritize her loved ones before she thinks about herself. Oh well, I think that she knows what to do to straighten out. I just hope that she realizes all these before it’s too late. Come on, Britney. Look at where Justin is now. Isn’t that enough inspiration to strive harder?

Flyers are one of the most cost-effective marketing techniques you can use. But for them to be effective, they need to be well designed and well written. Here are some pointers for creating effective flyers:

Start off with a benefits-laden headline. Your headline will be the first, and could possibly, be the only thing a prospect will read when seeing your flyer. Pick words that will stand out and tell the reader how your product or service will benefit them. Some magic words include: easy, secret, unlock, free, how to, discover and proven. There are plenty more magic words that draw people in, but you get the idea.

You should address the reader personally, and tend to their needs, not yours. This means your flyer text should focus on the reader and his needs, not yours. Use “you” and “your” instead of “we” and “us.” Make the flyer about the reader, not about you. Use some magic words along with “you” and you’ve got a pretty good chance of someone reading your entire flyer!

Use complementary colors. Use colors that don’t contrast, like pink and red. Complementary colors are opposite each other on the color wheel. (Google “color wheel” to see some examples.) Red and green are complementary. Blue and orange are complementary. Basically, don’t pair colors that are next to each other on the color wheel and you’ll be fine.

Use colors that bring out your message. If you’re trying to promote a spa where people can come in for a free 15-minute massage, using bright pink and neon green isn’t going to emanate that relaxing feeling. For a spa, you’d want to stick to relaxing baby blues, light grays or pastel colors. For a flyer for an edgy night club, you’d want to use black and perhaps a shock of bright orange and a bright blue. Colors make people feel a certain way. Pick the right color for your message.

Feature testimonials. When people can vouch for you and your product, that brings another level of credibility to your brand. People will believe what other people say about you quicker than they’ll believe what you say about you. Ask satisfied customers for endorsements and make sure to get a full name and location. T.W. from Indiana doesn’t look as authentic as Tim Whitley from Indianapolis, Indiana.

Don’t overdo the design. White space is your friend. White space refers to the space of your flyer that isn’t covered by design, image or text. Don’t try to cram every square inch of your flyer with information – it will become cluttered and hard to read. No one will want to take the effort to try to sift through all that design to find out what’s important.

Lastly, as a bonus tip, you need to proofread! Oh, and did I mention proofread!? Yeah, it’s that important that it bears repeating. Try to get someone to proofread your flyer for you (if you wrote it) or proofread the flyer yourself if someone else wrote and designed it. Make sure all the contact information is correct – correct telephone number, address, etc. You wouldn’t want an extra “o” in 555-BOBS, right? Not only would that be an extra number, but well, I won’t even go there! Proofread!

Recently, I designed a flyer for my brother, who makes wood crafts and sells them.  I wanted to make an effective flyer that would generate some business for him, because he was just getting started and needed a strong beginning.

So I went back to the basics and thought about the elements that make up a good marketing flyer.  And while I was at it, I figured I would share the results with you.  Here are my tips for making an effective flyer.

Show, Don’t Tell
On my brother’s flyer, I tried to show as many of his products as I could, rather than talk about them.  There is a short list of the products that he offers, but that is the only text on the flyer that has to do with the items he sells.  There are, however, 7 pictures showing the plaques, coffee tables, mirrors, and tissue box covers that he makes.  I am completely certain that those pictures will do far more to entice customers than any amount of words I could have said about them.

Keep it Simple
Along the same lines, you don’t want to include a whole lot of words about anything on your flyers.  In fact, the flyers I made for my brother only have two paragraphs of text, along with the list I mentioned earlier.  Then, at the bottom of the page is his contact information.  I also included a special offer (which I will discuss shortly).  Beyond that, there is no text.  I wanted to keep the flyer as simple as possible, so I didn’t overwhelm any customers.

Offer Something
As I mentioned, I placed an offer on the flyer (with my brother’s permission).  On the side of the flyer, in a very visible fashion, I wrote “20% OFF” in bold text.  Whenever you can offer something tangible to the customers, your flyer will be more powerful.  People love to get something, and they love discounts, so give them what they want.

Provide Plenty of Options
Make it painfully obvious to the readers of your flyers how they can take advantage of your offer.  Make sure to put all of your contact information on there.  If you have a website, make sure it is prominently displayed.    Provide as many ways for them to get in touch with you as possible.

Look Professional
If you have a logo, put it on your flyers.  If you have a slogan, put it on your flyers.  Just be careful not to make these things too prominent.  The most obvious parts of your flyer need to be your special offer and your products.  Still, if you can include a logo and a slogan, you will look more professional.

Even though the technologies enabling businesses to create documents have become more accessible, there remains a hidden cost in the generation of print and electronic media—a cost easily offset with some simple tools and best practices

Perhaps you’ve seen the commercials by print giants like Xerox and Hewlett-Packard, in which they espouse how cheap print has become? Indeed, the cost to generate color print these days is, in fact, much less expensive for businesses than it was just a few short years ago.

While printers and the consumables they use have become more accessible to businesses on a budget, there remains an unnecessary hidden cost in print output and electronic publishing—the cost of ill-prepared content.

The origin of content
The amount of content businesses generate these days is mind-blowing. It’s disseminated in any number of ways—in print products such as brochures, marketing and sales collateral, advertisements, educational and training materials, presentations and so on. In combination with their print initiatives, businesses also have “new media” opportunities—creating content for electronic communications, such as the Web, an Intranet, DVDs and CD-ROMs, and e-newsletters—each medium requiring that the content be prepared just a little differently based on its output intention.

David Creamer, owner of I.D.E.A.S. Training, Bonsall, CA, says that there is greater burden on businesses to develop strategies for both print and e-media, and as a result, must understand the nuances of how content should be prepared for each “product.” A document intended for print, for example, must be created in a very different way than content destined for a corporate Intranet.

Fundamentally, content for print and content for electronic distribution, differ in color space. A file bound for the Web should be set up to enable a monitor—which reads color in variations of red, green and blue—to read and reproduce the file. Electronic files should be also be “low resolution,” meaning there are fewer pixels required (and, thus, a smaller file size) to view on a monitor.

Conversely, print is a bit pickier. Most printers read and process in four-colors (cyan, magenta, yellow and black, “CMYK) and require very-high-resolution graphics and text in order to output crisply.

Clearly, it complicates operations for businesses—dealing with how to take all this content, massage it into a form that’s needed, and then getting it there. When content is not prepared correctly, based on its output intention, there is a cost—sometimes hard, sometimes soft—to “fix” the content.

“Making content” is very much like a manufacturing assembly line. As an automobile is being created, it passes along various production stages, where parts are added until the car is complete. But what happens if the car skips a stage—leaving it without an engine block, for example—and no one notices the error until the car is rolling off the line. There is a cost by the manufacturer to disassemble that car, add the engine, and reassemble it until the car is whole.

Content is no different. Digital files that are incomplete or inappropriately created cost their creator time and money to fix.

“Everyone can make a PDF file on the computer simply by selecting the print-to-PDF option, for example. It does not mean that the file created is a production-quality PDF,” explains Steve Shinnick, vice president of sales for All Systems Integration, an international graphic arts and printing integration firm. In his role, Shinnick consults with businesses across the globe, and suggests and implements technologies that help his clients create, manage and distribute content is the most effective and cost-efficient way.

Fortunately, content creators don’t have to be formally trained graphic artists to prepare good files, suggests Shinnick. There are low-cost software solutions—commonly referred to in the print industry as “preflight” software—that help businesses ensure their content will render appropriately, no matter how it’s disseminated.

A preflight tool like Markzware’s FlightCheck Professional will adjudicate digital files and verify that output specifications are met.

The investment is minimal—just a few hundred dollars for a software solution that promises to save the average business untold amounts of time and money in the recreation of “problematic” digital files.