The social side of printing!
November 5, 2008
As many years as we’ve been printing, it’s still tough to remember all of the envelopes sizes that can be used for invitations and announcements. Here’s a quick rundown, just in case your next holiday card is on tap:
Where cost is an issue, Baronial style envelopes have a great price point, but they’re usually only available in white or ivory.
Baronial (i.e. pointy-flap) Style Envelopes
4 Bar
5.125 x 3.625
5 Bar
5.625 x 4.125
5 ½ Bar
5.625 x 4.375
6 Bar
6.5 x 4.75
Lee
7.25 x 5.25
A lot of folks prefer the the more up to date square flap style Announcement envelope. Indeed, they’re available in a wider range of colors and finishes:
Announcement Envelope: square flap style
A-2
4.375″ x 5.75″
A-6
4.75″ x 6.5″
A-7
5.25″ x 7.25″
A-8
5.5″ x 8.125
A-9
5.75″ x 8.75″
A-10
6″ x 9.5″
Just two more things to remember:
1. Not every size/color/finish combo is available, so check before you start your design
2. These are the envelope sizes, the enclosures should be designed about 1/4″ smaller in each dimension.
Questions: just give us a call or visit our contact page.
In the market for some custom printed folders or announcements? Check out our current specials!
Mail Domination
October 27, 2008
Well, when it comes to mailing, it’s the Postal Service that makes the rules. Starting November 23rd we have a new rule to think about: the Move Update Requirement. It’s an effort to reduce waste, save cost and deliver more mail. All good ideas.
Just last week, one of our clients expressed shock at how many contacts on her newly acquired marketing list were out of date. Another customer had a similar rude awakening with his out of date customer list. Folks move, and they do it frequently. The good news is that most movers send their forwarding information to the postman, who in turn keeps track of it all. It’s seemingly daunting, but database technology has made it all quite doable.
Here’s the scoop; if you’re mailing at discounted rates (i.e. standard class or non profit) you’ll need to update your list every 90 days, and sign fill out a special form to that effect. There are 3 approved methods for doing this, and calling or visiting everyone on your list isn’t one of them! Most mailers will need some help from a mailing professional. Violators will be easy to spot, and fines will apply!
Copies&Ink has access to the USPS move/update database. We can update your mailing list for a very reasonable cost. The reduced postage waste alone could pick up a good chunk of your tab. We’ll also fill out and sign your paperwork, keeping you out of harm’s way.
P.S. There’s only a single loophole which may apply. You can add “or current resident/occupant” to your address block. Not advised for everyone, but it’s legal.
10 cents worth of shampoo
July 8, 2008
How can just a few words and a single ounce of shampoo bring fortune to your company? How can saving a few pennies end up costing you hundreds or thousands of dollars?
I’m in Chicago on an extended business trip, and decided to try a new (to me) hotel chain: Extended Stay Hotels. Upon checking in (a marginal experience) I found my room to be adequate, but missing a couple of things I’ve come to expect at any hotel: shampoo and a hair dryer. One would think those necessities are provided in a place that by definition caters to business travelers.
I can put up with a room that isn’t quite clean, and even one that smells a little funny, as this one does. But to the front desk manager (well dressed lady in her 40s): please don’t admonish me to return your low end hair dryer, as if I intend to steal it. And when I ask for shampoo, (I’m here for 3 days) perhaps you could afford to give me more than one tiny 1 oz bottle?
Contrast that to my experience at optical chain Lenscrafters. I’m a long time customer of that company. Just before boarding my Chicago plane a day ago, my eyeglass frame broke. Upon arriving at my hotel, I noticed a problem with my backup glasses too. Panic began to set in!
I was the first customer to visit a Skokie, Illinois Lenscrafter store on Tuesday morning. The young clerk behind the counter quickly assessed the situation used her creativity to improvise a temporary repair for my frame, while another technician replaced a missing part in my other pair. “No charge,” I was told. “We just did what I’d expect if I were traveling and broke my glasses,” declared the 20-something employee. What a star!
Wow. That simple act cemented my customer loyalty for years to come. By the same token, my experiences at Extended Stay were equally memorable, but for different reasons. It’s not about mission statements and corporate edicts. It’s not about fancy signage alongside the interstate. It *is* about being friendly, professional and attentive when the rubber meets the road.
Hot Summer Markets
July 2, 2008
Even in a tough economy, not all sectors will be suffering. According to graphic arts industry expert Vince Mallardi, there are still some blossoming branches in the economic tree, with fruit ripe for the picking. While this research focused on print purchases, the outlook for these categories is likely to be positive across a wide variety of purchases.
Packaged foods $777B, up 11%, Beverages $366B up 4%, and Food Service $691B up 5%.
Travel & Hospitality especially close to home “stay-cations” $760B up 1%, Gambling/Wagering $797B up 7%, and Fall Fashion $567B up 12%.
Freight/Logistics $624B up 9%, Computer Software $434B up 23% and Telecommunications $1.02T up 9%. And if that’s not enough, here’s an old standby: Banking/Insurance $3.2T up 7%.
So before we all go hang ourselves, let’s not forget how dynamic and resilient our US economy can be. If you have something of value to sell, get out there and scare up some business!
A plug to the author, who is a long time, well respected expert: you can buy the full report at the PBBA website.
The United States of Bland
June 26, 2008
This morning I ran across a display ad in Sunset Magazine; it was a tourism piece for the City of Portland, Oregon. Regardless of the ad’s merit, it does make a point that resonates well today: that most cities across the country lack much individual personality. Everything looks so mind-numbingly bland. The same strip malls, fast food restaurants and franchised national retail outfits. Our own Rancho Cucamonga is no exception. What was once a fascinating and quirky agricultural center has embraced that same blandness that now extends a full 50 miles to downtown LA.
I’m guilty of falling into that trap too. A few years ago I gave up our family business’ name for a moniker that sounds more like a national chain. In retrospect, that may have been a mistake.
Thinking back a few years and remembering some my earliest Alpert’s Printing customers, there are a few that still stand out in my mind, some 29 years later. They had personality. They didn’t need a six paragraph mission statement. Clarity and character is so lacking in today’s world of sameness. I’d be willing to bet a month’s phone bill that the descriptive name General Telephone is still easier to remember than the cryptic Verizon.
I doubt the corporate spin masters will be dropping their LGs, Altrias and Cingulars any time soon, but that doesn’t mean the rest of us need to buy into the blanding of America. If you want to get your marketing noticed today, perhaps try something that comes naturally: be yourself!
Un-Confuse Your Marketing!
June 17, 2008
People send mailers for all the wrong reasons.
Are you thinking about sending out a flyer or mailer? Stop! Why are you sending it? Unless you have a clear picture of your reason, you’re cooking up a recipe for disappointment!
Most people who send out flyers are thinking DRM, or direct response marketing. Compare that to “branding” or image marketing, and you’ll find two different kinds of animals, which should never be confused for each other. If you’re looking for a response, that is you want the orders to come and the phone to ring, you’ll need a relevant and compelling offer to motivate your customers.
DRM won’t work for every type of business. Sometimes the reason for the mailing is to build awareness of your brand in the marketplace. That’s something that happens over time. Sorry, no shortcuts here. Instead think about how many times and ways you can “touch” your customer over the next six to 12 months. If there’s a trick here, it’s to be memorable.
So much of this stuff gets confused because it looks so similar on the surface. A mailer is a mailer, yes?
Couldn’t be more wrong!
“Your rules are really beginning to annoy me!”
June 13, 2008
Kurt Russell’s words come to mind every time a new postal regulation comes into force, but this time around I don’t mind so much.
Starting November 23, the USPS will require that all presorted mailing lists be cleaned using the National Change of Address (NCOA) directory. It’s a 95 day rule. Your list needs to get cleaned at least every 3 months. If you’re busted for sending “dirty” mail, your postal discounts will be forfeited, and you’re liable to pay fines or penalties.
Here are the new rules
Obviously, this is not a do-it-yourself job. It requires special tools and direct access to the most current version of the Postal Service’s Move/Update database.
NEED TO NCOA UPDATE YOUR LIST? Do it for FREE
Copies&Ink has special access to the NCOA database. Here’s what we will do to bring you into full compliance:
If you choose, we’ll process and mail your materials for the lowest available postage rates.
Keeping your list clean is a good step along the path to being “green.” You’ll save on postage and printing while less undeliverable mail ends up in the landfill. Besides, wouldn’t you want to know if your customer or prospect has moved (or died)? In any event, you’ll need to certify in writing that your list is ready for prime time.
FREE NCOA UPDATES
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: Copies&Ink will update and certify your list AT NO CHARGE if your project is printing and/or addressing & mailing at Copies&Ink. Contact our customer service department and ask for the NCOA promo. Offer expires Jan 31, 2009, so act today!
LOW COST NCOA UPDATE SERVICE
We’re also offering a special $27 rate for NCOA processing only (any list up to 2500 addresses), no printing or mailing services need be purchased to receive this price. Offer valid until Dec. 31, 2008.
TO GET STARTED or for additional information, fill out our quick form below. You can optionally attach your mailing list file in Excel or text formats.
cforms contact form by delicious:days
OPTIONAL: Attach your mailing list using the file upload button above.
Control Freaks: Print is for you!
May 13, 2008
Think you’ve got your website design nailed? Here’s what Joseph Webb, Ph.D., Director of WhatTheyThink.com Economics & Research Center says:
“Content creators use graphic design techniques to ensure that images are viewed in a manner that they will make their client’s message effective. In print, they have almost full control of the physical nature of their message.” When you design for print, the print buyer can feel fairly sure that the result will always be predictable. The size and shape are predictable. The color is consistent. Even the texture and thickness of the paper substrate are known factors.
Put that same design online, and the size, shape and color will always differ from one viewer to the next. Will you message be read on a 13″ display or a 24″ widescreen? Will that sky look blue or purple? What about that fabric color? What about the guy who’s reading it on his cell phone? These are just a few of dozens of good reasons to keep print in your marketing mix. Maybe the highest and best use of internet marketing is giving your customers and prospects a convenient way to respond to your offer. That’s a must!
In any event, turning your website into a multi-page online brochure is definitely NOT guerilla marketing!
