It’s practically child’s play to make a great impression using print. Just take enough time to write some decent copy for your ad, brochure or mailer. That simple practice has become so rare that even a perfunctory effort at story telling gets attention.

It’s really quite daring to step out and tell a story with drama. Much simpler to advertise with leaden bullet points, as if your reader where looking at a powerpoint presentation.

The art of advertising in print certainly goes back thousands of years, and will likely be around even when the internet is a distant, faded memory. That’s because there {hidden treasure} are always stories to tell, for those perceptive enough to find them, and bold enough to write them.

Over a decade ago typographer and graphic designer Kathleen Tinkel wrote:

Armed with our Macs, we presumed to compete with our creative partners (typographers, illustrators, airbrush artists, retouchers and more), helping to put some trades out of business. But the computer isn’t as capable as a talented artist or skilled artisan, so we traded quality for glitzy tricks and techniques, and turned ourselves into high-tech production artists in the process… Our clients…believed the ads that said they could dispense with expensive designers, and instead began to buy their own Macs and WYSIWYG software… Is graphic design dead?

Personally, I’m prone to agree with Monty Python and wheel out the discipline of graphic design on a cart. This opinion is based on countless experiences over the last decade, as well as the dearth of thoughtful, well designed print in all but a small minority of examples currently in circulation.

One such experience was the recent phone inquiry from a new customer excited at the prospect of fancy color business cards now within her $50 budget. When advised that she’d need to supply a ready to print PDF or application file, there was a moment’s hesitation. “It’s just a logo, a line and a little bit of text. Isn’t there any way I can get around paying someone to set that up?”

All too typical.

After some thought, it occurred to me that today many a person would easily shell out $75 to get his/her car washed and waxed but never even consider a similar amount paid to a graphic designer to create a vibrant design which could and should last for years to come. Design is dead, because today all too few marketers see its inherent value.

Yes, creating your own home-brew design on a PC or Mac can be an immersive experience. Hours fly by, and we become increasingly attached to our creation with each passing minute. Regardless of its merit.

Herein lies your opportunity: Invest in good design. With so many routine layouts in circulation these days, your own professionally designed presentation will likely jump off the page and grab your customers’ attention.

And, also you’ll have time to use your computer for something that’s fun.

The program has a great feature that collects your document, all needed fonts and linked graphics for print. Using it saves time, and gives you the best results when handing off the files to our graphics department. Here’s the rundown:

In PageMaker, there is a plug-in under Utilities named Save for Service Provider. Using the Save for Service Provider plug-in, the user can copy the publication, all linked image files, fonts, and other files required to print the document. Save for Service Provider also helps resolve broken links by prompting the user to locate the folders containing linked files. Similarly, this plug-in can also check the status of links and fonts in a PostScript file generated by PageMaker 6.5.

Optionally, a concise report of the information we need to print from a PageMaker or PostScript file can also be created. The report includes details about fonts, linked graphics, a summary of the print settings, as well as information about who to contact regarding the publication.

To save files and generate a report using Save for Service Provider:

Choose Utilities > Plug-ins > Save for Service Provider. The Summary dialog box opens. The plug-in works on the active publication if the Check Pub is clicked.

Click Fonts, Links, Printing, or Colors to see a detailed report on that aspect of the publication or PostScript file. Print the status information by clicking Print at any time.

If the Links dialog box shows one or more linked files needing attention, click Relink or
Relink All, and navigate to the correct image files.
To save the publication, click Package, and set options as follows:

From the Report Type pop-up menu, choose Formatted (for a PageMaker publication) or Text only (for an ASCII text-only file).

Select Auto Open Package Report if, after saving the publication and associated files, the user wants to display the summary report in a new window on your desktop.

Select Update Links to bring out-of-date links up-to-date in the original publication before making a package.

For Include, select Copy Fonts to avoid missing fonts at print time, and then select the kind of fonts—All, Type 1 (PostScript), or TrueType.

Click Notes to enter contact information, such as the user’s name and phone number, any comments on printing the publication, and then click OK.

Before you finish, use your normal process to create a PDF version of your Pagemaker document, and include that with the files your send.

Specify a location in which to save all necessary files. Put all of the files in a single folder. Then compress that folder, into a single archive file. In Windows, you can do that by right clicking the folder and selecting “send to..compressed folder.” There’s a similar function on the Macintosh by usiing the control key, while you click on the folder. This will bring up a menu from which you can select compress.

Send your compressed folder as a file attachment, or preferably use the send files feature on our website. That’s it!

Newsletter Printing and Design and Mailing
Electronic Newsletter Distribution
Brochure • Stationery • Business Card
Self Published Books • Catalog • Instruction Manuals
Direct Mailers • Flyers • Postcards
Hard to find custom printed stationery

Based in Rancho Cucamonga, Copies&Ink offers you better looking and better working printed stuff! By working person to person we’re able to offer you more choices, and a better all around value. We specialize in printed marketing communications for small businesses and corporate workgroups. We help you unite your printed and electronic customer communication.

Our Clients:
Manufacturing • Professional • Retail
Non Profit, Socially Responsible Organizations
Church Outreach
HR and Marketing Workgroups
Entrepreneurs and Professionals
Small and Home Based Businesses

For immediate assistance or a customized proposal, contact our Customer Service Department

Current promotion: Full Color Business Cards: 1000 for $49. For more info visit our online store.

Full Service Printing Plant: Copies&Ink is a complete print and online marketing resource for businesses in Southern California and beyond. If it’s a full fledged campaign, or just a box of business cards, Copies&Ink offers personalized local service at prices that compete with the internet mega-sites.

Located in Historic Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Serving 50 states • Shipping Worldwide
Call 866-345-COPY or reach us at:
Our Customer Service Page

What is bulk mail?
Actually, it’s called “standard class mail” these days. It’s the ability to qualify for a reduced rate on postage by doing some of the grunt work that usually gets done by the postal service. This includes sorting and cleaning up your mailing list, arranging and bundling the mail into specific trays. You’ll need to apply special codes to each of your mailing pieces, and deliver them to the bulk mail department of the local post office.

How much can I save?
The savings can be considerable, as much as 50% or more in some cases. Of course, your mileage will vary. A typical letter can frequently be mailed in the 24 cent range without much fuss.

How can I qualify?
The easiest way is to work with a professional mailing house, such as Copies&Ink. Otherwise you’ll be facing a big investment of time and money that only rarely would be worthwhile. We spend thousands of dollars each year just keeping our mandatory mailing software up to date.

In short, your mailing must:
• be designed according to the stringent provisions of the USPS mailing manual. It’s not a quick read!
• be software certified for address accuracy
• include special bar codes and coded mailing instructions on each piece
• be sorted and trayed at multiple levels

Is it worth it?
If you’re mailing more than a few hundred pieces at a time, yes! Your postage savings should more than cover any costs incurred by your mailing house. You’ll save money; in some cases a lot of money.

Is there a catch?
Beyond all of the requirements above, your standard class mail generally takes longer to arrive. This is especially true for non-local addresses. Also, First Class might mail carry more marketing punch than a letter with a “bulk mail” stamp or printed indicia. You can easily test this for your purposes.

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In a nutshell: a personalized, full color folder professionally designed to enhance your marketing image

The business card is the quintessential tool of professional networking. And what networker wouldn’t benefit from a proper introduction? Salespeople have long been told to have a 30 second presentation that encapsulates their unique advantage to the customer. Yet how often do we forget that basic axiom? The business card presenter is the perfect assistant that makes sure your message gets across, even if you can’t be there to present it.

Just the facts..

Business cards are intended as a storehouse of information: phone, fax, e-mail, etc. By cluttering a card with too much text (we see this all too often) you are diminishing it’s effectiveness. A clean card enhances your image, as well as legibility. Use the presenter to fill in the gaps. There’s even space to add a personal note.

Add your marketing truly personal with the C&I Business Card Presenter

For More Information visit the Copies&Ink Cool Tools Page