Don’t Forget the Paper

Posted on June 11, 2011 by admin

“The May 19th issue of the Wall Street Journal carried an article describing a copy of Audobon’s Birds of America which was printed in 1840 from hand engravings made in England and then hand colored of which 119 copies survive (one recently sold for $11 million). The article noted that ‘…the engravers tools make beautiful striations and cross-hatching on wings and foliage…that watercolor alone can never produce. The colors themselves dazzle: blues from the palest robin’s egg to the deepest cyanide and cobalt…the thickness of the book’s expensive paper increases the illusion of something greater than two dimensions.’ ” This quote from the PIASC Weekly Update, June 6, 2011, illustrates two important points: first, the enduring power of print, and second, the artistic value of paper.

Paper is something that we take for granted. We go through reams of it without a second thought, sometimes forgetting that there is a world of paper out there that isn’t 20# bond. Paper comes in hundreds of wonderful and amazing colors and textures. A fine paper can give your important printing projects a sense of value and importance. It’s really hard to throw out a piece that’s been printed on really nice paper. In a stack of bulk mail or trade show publications, a splash of color or texture can make your marketing piece stand out. Documents printed on colored paper generate a better response rate and they are harder to loose.

The weight of paper is also something to consider. Paper can be tissue thin so that it can be folded to fit into a very small package, or it can be cardboard thick to form a sturdy packaging piece. Boxes are really just thick paper that can be printed to your specifications. A piece of 24# writing paper actually feels significant and gives whatever is printed on it an instant sense of credibility.

I love the idea that this book, printed 70 years ago is still beautiful and collectible. An email may have a nasty habit of coming back to haunt you, but unless it’s printed out on paper, it probably won’t be around in 70 years. In fact, some books are thousands of years old, testifying to the permanence of anything important enough to be put on paper and preserved. Your hard drive may crash, the software might become obsolete, but your children’s children will still be able to read your journal that they find in the attic. Technology has done wonderful things for communication, but nothing like print has the power to transcend time.

There are literally thousands of different papers available to you. At Valley Printing Service in Temecula, we can show you actual samples so that you can choose the right color, weight, and texture for your project. You will be amazed at the number of options that are available. The dizzying array of possibilities can be overwhelming, which makes it just as important that we have the experience and knowledge to help you choose the best paper for your project. If you want something that will make your project unique and amazing, start with a great paper–it makes all the difference.

Posted in Choosing a printing company, Paper, Planning a Project | 1 Comment

Print for a Cause

Posted on May 28, 2011 by admin

According to the PIASC Weekly Update, “Brian Mullaney founded a charity, “Smile Train,’ to fund cleft palate operations in poor countries. With a staff of four, he raised $91 million in 2009 with direct mail and paid for 600,000 operations. He explains that while only 0.5% of the recipients of the first letter give, 60% of those who do, continue to give.”

This story demonstrates the value of using print to reach out to potential donors as well as the importance of ongoing communication with existing donors.  Although the initial response rate may seem small as a percentage, over time, it can yield a large return on investment for a non-profit organization.

Valley Printing Service currently works with many non-profit organizations to help them build and maintain a large donor base. Many organizations choose to employ newsletters as a means of keeping their donors informed about what the organization is doing. When donors see the results of their gifts, they naturally want to continue to be involved. Newsletters have many other uses including giving them away at conferences and any other place where you are promoting your cause.

Letters are an excellent means of first contact with an individual. A well written explanation of the good works that a non-profit is doing, combined with a direct appeal for assistance is a very effective means to encourage people to contribute. When combined with a response card and preprinted, postage paid envelope, response rates continue to improve.

As with commercial direct mail, consistency is key. An industry rule of thumb says that you have to have contact with a person in one way or another seven times before they will respond to your appeal. It is important to establish a laser-sharp mailing list, targeted to your best prospects, and to continue mailing on a regular, ideally monthly, basis in order to get results. The longer you do this, the better your response rate will become. A well-pruned and used list should yield 1-2% response, at least.

Another important thing to remember is the importance of test mailings. Because mailing is expensive, it is important to test any new marketing message or mailing list with a small sample mailing before sending to your entire list. You can track responses to any particular mailing by including a code that is printed on the response card or requested by telephone operators when people call in. You can also include an offer such as a free promotional item when a person gives. You will know which people responded to which mailing based on which gift they request as well as giving them extra motivation to take action.

Many people are concerned about the environmental impact of print and have curtailed their mailing for this reason. Please consider the evidence before you make this decision. Much of the information disseminated is from companies with an interest reducing their mailing because it saves them money, not because of an actual concern for the environment, i.e. a credit card company that doesn’t want to mail out your statement every month. The fact is that most paper comes from “sustainable forests” and comes from tree farms that are planted for the purpose of making paper. In truth, there would be far less trees in the world if there was no paper. Old growth forests should never be used for paper, but this need not be a reason to stop printing since you can positively ensure the source of your paper just by asking your printer. Our resources page, http://www.valleyprinting.biz/links.html, lists several links with more information about the environmental impact of print.

You can increase the impact of your non-profit organization by building your donor base with print based direct-mail. Valley Printing Service in Temecula, CA specializes in helping non-profits. We offer special pricing to many charitable organizations and we consider it our privilege and duty to help our community and our world in this way. Please call to talk with a customer service representative who can help your reach new potential donors and keep in touch with old ones. There is simply no better way to grow your organization.

Posted in direct mail, environment, newsletters, non-profit printing | 1 Comment

SMURF

Posted on April 18, 2011 by admin

Valley Printing Service, Inc. is proud to support SMURF, a support group for single moms in the Temecula Valley area.

As a member of the business community since 1997, Valley Printing is happy to support a wide variety of organizations that serve our area.

Posted in Community | Leave a comment

Steve Jobs on Typography

Posted on April 18, 2011 by admin

The Wall Street Journal quoted a 2005 commencement address that Steve Jobs gave at Stanford which shared the following vision: “Because I had dropped out and didn’t have to take the normal classes, I decided to take a calligraphy class to learn how to do this. I learned about serif and san serif typefaces, about varying the amount of space between different letter combinations, about what makes great typography great. It was beautiful, historical, artistically subtle in a way that science can’t capture, and I found it fascinating. None of this had even a hope of any practical application in my life. But 10 years later, when we were designing the first Macintosh computer, it all came back to me. And we designed it all into the Mac. It was the first computer with beautiful typography. If i had never dropped in on that single course in college, the Mac would have never had multiple typefaces or proportionally spaced fonts. And since Windows just copied the ac, its likely that no personal computer would have them. If I had never dropped out, I would have never dropped in on this calligraphy class, and the personal computers might not have the wonderful typography that they do.” We share his vision as well–great print requires great typography. Together they resonate with our natural love of the beautiful and make their message remembered.

This quote from the February 21, 2011 edition of PIASC Weekly Update hits on one of the main reasons that print has survived throughout the years, it is truly beautiful. Whether you are a master of typography, or a novice, Valley Printing Service, Inc. would like to make your ideas into a beautiful piece of art. Our experienced graphic designer can help you make typography decisions that will help you to create an advertising piece that looks good and gets read. Our printing and bindery departments will transfer your message to paper. No matter what, we want your job to be a work of art when it leaves our shop.

Posted in Graphic Design, Typography, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

What is digital printing?

Posted on April 6, 2011 by admin

Technology has changed the printing industry. Until recently, high quality printing was expensive and limited to applications that required a large volume of finished pieces. As digital printing presses become better and more accessible, however, it is now possible to print a short-run project at a reasonable cost.

Let’s consider the offset printing process. First, the idea is transformed into reality using graphic design software and the skills of a talented graphic designer. Second, the job is sent to a plate-maker which outputs metal, poly, or paper plates of the image. Each of these plates will print just one of four colors, black, magenta, cyan, or yellow. The image is reduced to microscopic dots that combine in different weights to create the full range of colors visible to the human eye. It is even possible to use another plate, or several more plates, in circumstances where exact color replication or large solid colors are used. Once these plates are made, they must be installed onto the press. After the press is started, the color must be adjusted so that the four colors are balanced perfectly to reproduce the original accurately. This must be done by a highly skilled press operator and requires years of training and practice. Once the job is running, however, the press can output 10,000 sheets per hour or more, making it very efficient.

In digital printing, however, the file is transferred directly from the original file to the digital printing press, no plates are necessary. Starting the job usually requires no more than the push of a button and color adjustments are rarely necessary. A digital press runs much more slowly, however, so that any gains made by these advantages are quickly eroded as the length of the run gets greater. In general, digital printing is best suited to short runs, about 1000 sheets or less. For longer runs it is usually more cost effective to use offset printing. Another disadvantage of digital printing is limited paper choices. Envelopes and heavy-weight cover stock do not usually work in a digital press. Limited size of the printed piece is another problem, since most digital presses only run smaller size paper. Limited color matching is also a significant factor since adjusting the color on a digital press is not as easily done or as flexible. Some finishing processes, like varnish, are not available on a digital press. Often, an offset process will produce better quality and offers far more printing options.

At Valley Printing Service in Temecula, we offer both digital printing and offset printing. This allows us to produce each job in the way that is most cost effective. When we quote your job, our experienced staff will help you choose the process that is best suited to your job. Because every job is a custom job at Valley Printing Service, you can be assured that your job will be done right the first time, whether it’s digital printing or offset printing that you choose.

Posted in digital printing | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Empty Bowls Temecula

Posted on February 19, 2011 by admin

Valley Printing Service is happy to provide printing to Empty Bowls so that they can continue their service to the Temecula Valley area. The mission of Empty Bowls is simple: to raise money for organizations that fight hunger in our community and our world. For more information about the organization or their event on March 11, go to http://tvhs.tvusd.k12.ca.us/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1253164044089

Valley Printing Service has been a part of the Temecula Valley Community for over a decade and we continue to support local Temecula area organizations that benefit the Inland Valley area.

Posted in Community | Tagged | Leave a comment

Temecula Vally Bears

Posted on February 19, 2011 by admin

Valley Printing Service is proud to sponsor the Temecula Valley Bears Mens Tennis Team. Good luck for a great season!

Valley Printing Service is a local print shop located in Temecula since 2000. We are committed to our community and we are happy to support many local organizations.

Posted in Community | Tagged | Leave a comment

Why You should Buy Printing in Temecula

Posted on February 16, 2011 by admin

There are many different kinds of print jobs. Some jobs are so basic that you can have them done online or at an office supply store and it would be just fine. An example of this type of job would be basic business cards when you want a small quantity and no customization or special design. However, if you are trying to create an image for your business, there is no substitute for personalized design services and custom printing. A potential customer’s impression of your business often begins with a piece of printed material: a postcard, a brochure, a business card, a door hanger, a rack card, letterhead, envelopes, or other stationary pieces. Many factors combine to give the prospective client a positive first impression of your business. Some of these include the color of the paper, the weight of the paper, the design, the size, the quality of the printing, the colors used, and much more. A professional design and printing company has the expertise necessary to help you choose all of these factors in a way that maximizes your return on your printing investment. When you choose a local print shop, you get the advantage of a free consultation to help you decide how to best represent your business.

Here are a few more reasons to use a print shop in Temecula.

1. Price–This is an actual quote from a review of a popular online printing company:
“The products you order SEEM cheap, until you actually try to place the order.  Every time you work on your item (add a photo, pick the paper you want, pick delivery options, etc.) there is an add-on.  I expect to pay for custom work, but when you choose a standard color postcard with photo and the pricing does not include the photo or the color or the paper, I think that’s ridiculous.  Then there are the additional significant shipping fees.  Just give me a price that’s all in and don’t try to nickel and dime me, please!” When you shop at a local printing company that serves the Temecula and Murrieta area, you will know in advance, before you place your order, exactly how much it will cost and why. There are no surprises and no hidden fees. Many online companies use gimmicks to get you in the door and then use a “bait and switch” strategy to make their money.

2. Time–Again, I quote from an actual customer review of an online company: “I ordered products with a “rush” service but it seems not to mean anything.  Even the delivery and shipping estimates they provide on their website are MEANINGLESS.  In my recent order of 1,000 postcards, I was told when placing my order that they would ship in 3 days.  The reality is that the print takes 3 days and the mailing takes an additional 8 days to prepare and get to a post office.” When you choose to shop at a local printing business, you are eliminating the need for shipping since you can pick up your order as soon as it is printed. At Valley Printing Service in Temecula, we can tell you up front, before you place your order, when it will be ready. If you are in a hurry, we can work with you to get the job done fast and on time. When you choose a print shop in Temecula, you are not just a credit card number, you are a person with an order that’s important to you and important to your business and we want to help you in any way we can.

3. Customer Service–Which leads to the last point of this post. When you choose to go to a commercial printer that serves the Temecula and Murrieta area, you can sit down face to face with a real person and place your order. You can touch the paper samples and choose the one you like. You can see actual samples of work that we’ve done for other customers. You can hear our ideas and suggestions that are based on years of experience in the industry. When you call, you will get a person, not an automated response system. If you e-mail, a real person will respond. At Valley Printing Service in Temecula, you will have the luxury of being treated as an individual, not one of a long line of cheap printing jobs, all run at once to the same specs and shipped out all over the country without a single personal conversation.

Valley Printing Service serves the Temecula and Murrieta area as well as the Inland Empire, Riverside County and North San Diego County. With decades of experience in the printing industry, you can be assured that your job will represent your company in a way that gives people a positive impression of your business. Whether you need business cards, stationary, flyers, newsletters, brochures, postcards, carbonless forms (NCR), door hangers, presentation folders, catalogs, tickets, labels, rack cards, or other custom work, you can count on us to give you the kind of quality, value, and service that an online company simply can’t match.

Posted in Choosing a printing company | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment