HOW PRINTING HAS GONE GREEN WITH RECYCLED PAPER

With America becoming an increasing green-minded country, the printing industry has moved with it and has become more and more determined to be environmentally sound in recent years. The number of print companies now using recycled paper has seen the overall cost of it decrease, meaning that the idea that green printing can be very expensive is something of a myth.
Paper can be recycled numerous times, although six is often the limit before the fibers break down are unable to make a material of a good standard. There are different grades of quality even among types of recycled paper, however, so companies and individuals using them should consider the job at hand and perhaps ask their printing company for advice.
As part of the process of reusing paper, a non-bleach detergent is used to remove the ink from the page through a process that has been referred to as "scooping” it off the surface. Following this, the paper is broken down into pulp and fibers and used again.
Most printing companies now have standards for environmental sustainability. This not only includes using recycled papers, but also recycling any leftover paper they have, as well as using vegetable-based inks and disposing of any hazardous chemicals in a safe and recommended manner. Many of these standards, especially when it comes to paper, have been developed with the help and advice of the Forest Stewardship Council. Professional printing companies will be happy to brief customers on their environmental policies and what they do to be resourceful.

Source: minutemanpress.com

HOW CAN THE PRINT INDUSTRY HELP A GIVING SOCIETY?

How can the print industry help a giving society?

A recent study has shown that, when it comes to helping those in need, those in the USA are among the most generous in the world.
The 2014 World Giving Index, which is compiled with data from 135 nations by the Charities Aid Foundation, puts the U.S. in joint first place along with Myanmar. The index measures the percentage of those who help strangers, donate each month, and give up their time as a volunteer.
The U.S. was the only country that took first place in all the categories and, at 64%, it’s an increase since the last time the index was created. This is good news for the non-profit groups who depend upon the public’s generosity to meet their fundraising goals, and print companies have a big part to play as well.
Part of what can make a charity event a success is using effective promotional materials. These can be provided by a print company at a price that will not take too big a bite out of its fundraising budget.
There are many others ways that printing companies can lend a hand, such as producing event decorations like banners and signage, as well as announcements, invitations, pledge sheets, and even T-shirts and race bibs for events like fun runs or walkathons.
The results of the survey certainly reflect well on the country and, through the help of many different players, including printing firms, its residents can continue to help those in need.

Source:minutemanpress.com

HOW THE FOOD SERVICE INDUSTRY USES PRINT TO MEET CONSUMER DEMAND

With more and more food chains developing ideas that will allow their franchise to capture a part of the growing demand for offsite catering and food delivery, the National Restaurant Association has said that doing so can lead to an increase in sales revenue to in excess of 10%.
The success of these ventures depends upon a variety of factors, with one of the most important being appropriate packaging and other paper goods. In this situation, print companies have a major role to play.
When customers call or otherwise send in their orders, they will want to have their selections arrive at the correct temperature and in containers that are both strong yet eco-conscious. They also want to feel that they are getting good value for their money, and that their business matters.
This is an area in which printed materials can make a big difference. Menus can be included with each order, which will keep the restaurant in the mind of the consumer the next time they need food delivered. Another way that print companies can help to increase sales is to prepare small customized promotional items such bulk-mailed flyers, coupons, and business cards. Those specializing in stationery printing, meanwhile, can assist in the products of presentation folders, letterheads, and fridge magnets.
As the food service industry adapts to meet the changing market demands, the printing industry is changing in sync with them. This will help to ensure the overall long-term success of such ventures.

SOURCE: minutemanpress.com

HOW PRINTING CAN HELP TOURISM INDUSTRY

How printing can aid the tourism industry

Booking site Hotels Combined recently conducted a study to find out which states in the U.S. are the most popular for domestic tourists, perhaps giving those in the vacation sector a better idea of some of the themes to consult with brochure printers for their promotional materials.
In total, 87,000 hotel bookings were reviewed to find out which places were the most popular, and California, Florida, Nevada, and Texas took the top four spots, with New York coming in fifth.
Tourism organizations in those states that have warm climates can emphasize this to their advantage. They can ensure that brochure and catalog printing service providers can include plenty of information about their weather tendencies in the materials they create. These will no doubt be very attractive to those looking to spend some time in the sun.
For those states that have a more northerly climate, designing promotional materials that emphasize a vacation experience that’s out of the ordinary can be very effective. Also, while many like to seek the warmth as a break from the winter’s cold, they do not enjoy stifling heat. The northern states can offer their visitors a chance to enjoy summer fun in the great outdoors at a comfortable temperature.
Choosing the right time to have promotional items printed by a printing company and then sent out is vital. Those looking to plan their summer vacation often like to start to make their plans in the spring, while those looking for a warm weather winter getaway would be more responsive in the fall and early winter.

Source: MinuteMan.Press

HOW PRINT CAN HELP A COMPANY NAME CHANGE?

When a company rebrands, the name is not usually the only thing that changes. Often, the logo of the company is the most important change that happens. Companies become known for their brand and many recognize the company just by looking at the logo. Therefore, one of the most important things a rebranding company can do is work closely with a professional print company to help them portray a fresh and competent image.
A logo change can be a large-scale operation - it has to be changed in all company stationery, all the building signs have to be changed to reflect the new name and logo, any company vehicles have to be repainted to feature the new name, and all digital business cards for all employees have to be reordered from local printing companies.
When a company’s brand is already well-known, it is of paramount importance that current customers are reassured that they will receive the same level of customer service and quality products they have been used to. With the help of locally-based print services, a professional and aesthetically pleasing new image can only help customer confidence in that respect.
For companies changing their name, there is always a reasonable amount of time in which they can let their customers and stock holders know that it is happening. This can be done by either sending out a mass mailing in the form of a flyer provided by a local printing company or by calling each person personally and letting them know about the upcoming changes. This should guarantee that no customers are left uninformed of the change.

Source:minuteman.press

HOW PRINTING SPEAKS VOUME?

One of the main reasons people choose to consult a professional printing company when they require such services as banner, poster, and flyer printing is because of the speed and efficiency with which large amounts of printed material can be produced. For an individual to mass produce their own printed items would require them to buy their own supplies of paper, ink, card, laminating pouches, and the like. This could be an expensive and time-consuming exercise, and the end product will still lack the quality of a professional printer’s output.
Believe it or not, mass production has been possible in the printing and publishing industry for over 500 years. The invention of the printing press, originally roughly seven feet tall and long, meant that Western Europe had produced nearly twenty million books by the beginning of the 16th century. The early Gutenberg-style, hand-operated press could produce around four printed pages per minute – an impressive rate for the time, but a far cry from the 100 or more per minute capable of being produced by leading printers today.
With 3D printing very much one of the buzzwords in the print industry today, arguably the main stumbling block of introducing this at present is that it is a comparatively slow process, making mass production not possible in the same way as it is with traditional print services. Since the technique involves melting materials and dispensing them via a nozzle, or fusing minute particles together via a laser, it is not a process that can currently be carried out quickly or in high volumes.
However, the process – quite literally – adds another dimension to printing and, though still in its infancy, demonstrates the amazing versatility of the industry.

SOURCE: MinutemanPress.com

WHY PRINT POWERS FORWARD IN AN ONLINE WORLD?

Most major newspapers have an online presence, as do most major news magazines. However, all publishers are aware that their printed media is still the backbone of their output. While the majority of Americans have Internet access and regularly go online, according to an article in Digital Trends from earlier this year, 20% still do not use the Internet and rely entirely on print. Of the 80% who do have Internet access, many still use a dialup connection, which is too slow for reading some news sources online.
Even among those who spend a lot of time on the web, many will say that they prefer to read offline, citing that reading online hurts their eyes or that it is uncomfortable for them. Others find it easier to save articles that they read on online sources – safe in the knowledge that they can print it out and store it somewhere, minimizing the risk of lost data due to a computer crash.
In terms of marketing, print media is still the most effective form of advertising, which explains why printing companies remain in heavy demand. Flyers, for example, are most often mailed directly to homes and looked at by at least one person in each household. However, it is also important that those who design the flyers link them to their online sites. Along with address and telephone number, a flyer should also contain a website address and social media links for those who prefer to do business online.

Source:Minuteman Press