Please click on a topic and read on!
• Clean Up Those Files
• Create an Internal Ordering System
• Cross Platform
• Employee and Customer Recognition
• Making Color Corrections
• Reprints
• Swipe Files Save Time and Energy
• Teach Printing to Kids
• Where to Use Logos
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| Have you ever tried to open your file drawers and discovered they were so full that
you could barely get them open? Responding to that problem and to a challenge from The
National Office Paper Recycling Project, West Pennsylvania Power Co. decided to hold a
file clean up day. They encouraged all 1,195 employees to spend as much time as possible cleaning out files and disposing of unnecessary material. They were told to ask themselves the following questions: |
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As a result of its "File Clean Up Day," employees collected 41,486 pounds of paper for recycling. The recycler said this is equivalent to saving:
In other words, if the same amount of paper that was recycled had to be created from scratch, it would take this many resources. The effort also eliminated the discharge of 1,260 pounds of pollution into the atmosphere and saved 63 cubic yards of landfill space.
To boost enthusiasm among employees, the company offered gift certificates ranging in value from $ 1 0 to $50. They were awarded to those who had the closest guesses for how many pounds of paper would be discarded as files were cleaned out.
Reference: The Challenge Fall 1994
Volume 2, Issue 2
What happens when you create your entire newsletter in Microsoft Word for Windows, and you bring it to be output, only to find the imagesetter platform is Macintosh? Don't panic, there may be a way to convert your file.
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If nothing else, you can save the file in ASCII, or text only format. This format can usually be converted between platforms, but your text formatting and design will often be lost. Because of this, bring a printout in with your disk. That way, we can match what you had in mind when we recreate your file. |
If the file is going from a program on one platform to the same program on another, your formatting may survive the conversion. You may be able to save the file in your platform in a format that the other platform can read. Check the manual that came with the program. But please, always include a printout with your disk. We have to see what you are expecting in order t know if it matches what appears on our screen!
Remember, you may be able to avoid this problem entirely if you ask before creating your file.
Employee and Customer Recognition
Employee and customer recognition awards allow hard-working people to be acknowledged. They provide a great morale booster and generate enthusiasm. Everyone loves a pat on the back, knowing that they're doing a good job, or that you appreciate their business.
| Review employee actions which deserve recognition. For example, 20 years of service... a cost-effective manufacturing change ... a record of safety on the job ... the invention of a new company product, or any of hundreds of "pro company" ideas or activities. Certificates could be presented at a special ceremony or dinner. |  |
Review customer files to see which customers deserve recognition. Customers want to be served by people who are familiar with them. Recognizing those who have done a lot of business with you tells them that you appreciate them and provides an incentive for continued business. Recognizing those who have been with you 5, 10, 15 or 20+ years tells them that you recognize their importance to the continued success of your organization. You may want to hold an open house once a year to thank your customers.
Make a list of your awards and create a design for them. Think about your logo or other unique identifying mark or data you may want to include. We'll be happy to print a variety of certificates for you. We'll leave blank spaces where you can hand-letter or type the award-winner's name and date of the presentation.
If you have already created a document in color, and you like the way it looks on the screen, but have not yet looked at Pantone colors, don't panic! All is not lost. In fact, this can be remedied quite easily with a PMS color guide book.
Make a color printout of your document. Then, using the printout as a guide, browse through the PMS book and pick the colors you want in your final printed document. Write down their Pantone numbers on your printout.
Take these numbers back to your computer, and change the existing colors in your file to the new Pantone colors you chose. Use the Pantone library in your software to select each color by number.
By the way, if you do this and the color really looks wrong on your screen afterward, don't worry. This is normal-it always happens. The monitor color won't match the final color unless you are incredibly lucky. But if you specify the Pantone numbers correctly, the final printed materials will look just fine.
If you are using spot colors, you needn't change your file. Refer to the PMS book and specify each color to print each separation. Make sure to include a color-separated printout of your file, with the color numbers indicated clearly on each separation.
If you are planning to print in process colors (color photographs, for example), you may find it useful to look at the Pantone Imaging Guide. This book has printed samples of each Pantone ink color, with a printed sample of its closest process (CMYK) counterpart side by side. Some colors, like orange, can't be reproduced well in process colors.
If your separations will be for process printing, remember that the four process colors (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) must combine to print every color in your document. They accomplish this very well, with the noted exception of orange. Refer to the Pantone Imaging Guide when you choose your colors for process printing.
• Highlight Accomplishments of Customers and Employees
If you feature a customer or employee in one of your newsletters or you see them featured in another publication, make five or six copies of the article, laminate them and give them to the person.
• Use Reprints to Advertise
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• Add to your Sales Tools
Reprints provide an effective sales tool that can be used alone or combined with other promotional literature and correspondence.
• Update Customers and Suppliers
Reprints can update your suppliers about your services so they can best help you. Reprints can also update your customers about new, services or products you offer.
• Build Customer Loyalty
Remind your customers that they're using a great company by sending them a reprint with any correspondence you mail.
• Encourage Teamwork
When your company is recognized in a newspaper, trade journal or other publication, attach personal thank you notes and distribute the reprints to each employee.
• Recognize Customers
When you've been recognized in a publication, make an 8 ½ x 11 copy. Use the other side of this sheet for comments or suggestions from customers or employees with a note that says, " We want to do even better," or "Thank you for helping us receive this recognition."
Swipe Files Save Time and Energy
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Start using a "swipe file" and you'll never be short of ideas again. Swipe
files can help you create ads, direct mail letters, brochures or even elaborate events. Clip and file any promotional materials that catch your eye. Then every time you're stumped for a great idea, refer to your file. Keep notebooks next to your television and radio. Write down slogans, graphics or headlines which immediately catch your interest. If you use any copywritten material, make sure you get permission to reprint it. Some items you should include in your swipe file are listed below. |
• Creative, attention-getting ads
• Competitors printed materials
• Great promotional ideas
• Articles you've clipped from magazines
• Headlines with action-packed verbs
• Excellent tools for promotions and direct marketing
• A reference or resource list
• Paper samples you like
• Graphics and cartoons
• Funny faxes
• Successful direct mail letters and campaigns
The next time you have a challenging day or it's raining, find a few children and teach them how to print with potatoes. All you'll need is a potato cut in half, some poster paints and some blank paper. Now you're ready to demonstrate the following printing processes:
Gravure and Letterpress Printing
Carve a design into one of your potato halves. Dip it in poster paint, and press the design onto paper. If you carve the design into the potato, you are demonstrating intaglio or gravure printing. If you carve away the potato so that the design remains on its surface, you are demonstrating relief or letterpress printing.
Offset Printing
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Silk Screen Printing
Cut a design into the middle of a sheet of paper. Put that sheet on top of another clean, uncut sheet. Then use a potato half on the area you've cut out (This is similar to stenciling). Now you've demonstrated silk screen printing.
In one session, your group of students will have learned the fundamentals of today's common printing processes: letterpress, relief (or Gravure), offset, and silk screen.
In this issue about logos, we believe it's a good idea to consider the vast number of places they appear. Of course, we can't mention them all... but here are a few places you may want to print your logo:
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There's no limit to the number of places you can put the company logo. Use your imagination... and use your logo!
Create an
Internal Ordering System
Establishing a system for print buying can save your company lots of time and money. When possible, it is best to have one person from your company work directly with our customer service representatives. This way things do not get lost or miscommunicated as they sometimes do when more people are involved.
The person or people appointed for print buying should maintain a log that indicates the title and quantity of printed materials on hand. This log should also contain a place to write in materials that need to be ordered. Having a log makes it easy to stay in control of your printed materials. It helps you know what you have, what you need and when you need it. Logs also make future reference easy.
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We recommend that you keep two binders of all your printed materials. One should have
a clean copy of all your existing forms, brochures, etc. The other should contain a
working copy of them. This way people from your office can add any changes that need to be
made as they think of them. Then, when it's time to order more, you can review the working
copy and let us know what changes should be made. Make sure you remove any old artwork so
that it doesn't accidentally get printed. Some companies ask for all printing orders to be in by a certain day of the month so that the buyer(s) can handle all jobs at the same time. The most important aspect of an internal ordering system is to establish one that works for you and that addresses the specific needs of your company. |
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3031 West Burbank Boulevard, Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 840-8013 • (818) 842-5167 • Fax (818) 840-8014
E-mail: info@burbankprint.com
