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Xerox DC260

August 31, 2008 By

Xerox DocuColor 260

 

Our new addition – Xerox DocuColor 260 is a powerhouse of speed, color, and quality. At 2400x2400dpi, 13×19 inch prints, and up to 60 pages per minute, your jobs are completed in less time, which also means lower cost for you.

Quick Facts

  • Print, Copy, Scan
  • Colour: up to 60 ppm
  • Black: up to 75 ppm
  • Maximum paper size: 13 x 19 in./330 x 483 mm
  • Resolution: 2400 x 2400 dpi
  • Standard paper capacity: 3,260 sheets
  • Maximum paper capacity: 5,260 sheets
  • 250-sheet Duplex Automatic Document Feeder
  • Two-sided output is standard
  • Numerous finisher options for hole punching, stapling, saddle-stitch booklet making, and bi-, tri-, and Z-folding
  • Feed media up to 300 gsm/110 lb. cover stock
  • Five controller options including EFI Fiery, Splash, Creo Spire, and Xerox FreeFlow™ Print Server
  • Scan resolution: up to 600 x 600 dpi
  • Robust security features
  • Windows (including Vista) and Mac compatible
  • Smallest footprint (WxDxH): 65.1 x 36.2 x 54 in. (1653.6 x 921 x 1372 mm)

Competitive Edge

  • Superior print quality with the highest resolution (2400 x 2400 dpi) in its class, enhanced gloss modes, and exclusive emulsion aggregation high grade toner
  • Widest array of colour servers in its class to give users exactly what they need to best do their jobs
  • Standard DADF holds up to 250 sheets – over two-times the competition
  • Faster warm-up time from sleep mode (2.5 minutes) than competitive products to get you working right away
  • Unparalleled ease of use with large colour user interface and intuitive bi-directional print driver

Features that Ensure the Highest Colour Quality

  • 2400×2400 dpi resolution in both copy and print modes delivers razor sharp details and smooth colour transitions
  • Five colour server and controller options provide the colour management and control that is right for your environment
  • Increase your level of gloss when copying or printing with Enhanced Gloss Mode
  • Enhanced image quality at higher speeds with our latest 32-beam laser VCSEL technology
Filed Under: Digital Printing Tagged With: ,

Terms and Conditions

August 30, 2008 By

Please ensure you have read and understand the Terms and Conditions below:

ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS

NOTICE: PLEASE READ THESE TERMS & CONDITIONS CAREFULLY. BY ACCESSING THIS WEBSITE YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS BELOW:

All services provided by Allegra Print & Imaging are subject to Terms and Conditions of use. By viewing or using this website, yourself and the entity you represent (collectively hereinafter referred to as “you”) agree to be bound by all the Terms and Conditions as stated below without modification. If for any reason you do not agree with the Terms and Conditions as stated below, please do not access this site.

CHANGE OF TERMS

Allegra Print & Imaging reserves the right to change the Terms and Conditions at any time and these changes or additions become effective immediately when they become available on allegrapress.com. Allegra Print & Imaging does not assume the obligation to notify you of any changes to the Terms and Conditions. You are responsible for reviewing the Terms and Conditions for any changes and continued use of this site constitutes your consent to these changes.

INDEMNITY

You agree to indemnify and hold Allegra Print & Imaging , its parent and affiliate companies, and their respective officers, harmless from any and all claims, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising out of your breach of any of these Terms and Conditions or in connection with your use of this site.

COPYRIGHT

Allegra Print & Imaging and all of its content are protected by copyright laws of British Columbia and Canada and international treaty provisions.  Allegra Print & Imaging. All rights reserved. This website, its trademark and associated logos, may not, in part or in whole, be copied, imitated, reproduced, modified, transmitted, translated, distributed, adapted or disassembled in any fashion without expressed written permission of Allegra Print & Imaging.

Copyright laws also pertain to the content you submit to Allegra Print & Imaging. Unlicensed or misuse of copyrighted material from books, magazines, newspapers, photographs, web content, writers, artists, composers, publishers, and other authors is strictly prohibited. Allegra Print & Imaging will not assume the responsibility of checking the content of its client’s submitted materials for copyright violations. Therefore, Allegra Print & Imaging will not be held accountable for any illegal use of copyrighted material by its clients.

CUSTOMER CONTENT

You, as the buyer, understand and agree that all content/information (including but not limited to text, graphics, information and messages) are the responsibility of the sender of that content/information and not Allegra Print & Imaging. Furthermore, you are responsible for all information and content that you acquire and/or use from the allegrapress.com service.

In addition, you agree to abide by all rules and regulations pertaining to on-line decency and appropriate and acceptable content. This means that you agree to the following with regards to any product coming from Allegra Print & Imaging:

You will not upload, post or send any content through the Allegra Print & Imaging service containing adult or child pornography, or anything indecent, lewd, or obscene; material that threatens to kidnap or injure anyone, threatens to damage the reputation of anyone or harm their personal property, threatens to accuse anyone of a crime, threatens to announce that a person has violated law/s of British Columbia and Canada, or threatens blackmail; encourages or suggests forcible resistance to any law of British Columbia and Canada, insurrection, or treason; includes fraudulent, libellous or hurtful remarks directed at any other person or business; or infringes upon the intellectual property rights of Allegra Print & Imaging or any other party.

Let it also be known that Allegra Print & Imaging does not control, nor certify the legitimacy, accuracy and/or quality of any information or content posted by our customers. Allegra Print & Imaging will not be held liable under any conditions or circumstances for any information, content or material that you may find indecent or offensive.

Allegra Print & Imaging provides services and products only for your personal use and you agree to refrain from using such services and products, as well as messages or correspondences for any unauthorized purposes including but not limited to promotional materials, advertising, spam, or any other form of solicitation.

You must have a registered account. Protection of passwords and controlling account access is your responsibility. Allegra Print & Imaging will not be held responsible for any password or access problems. Furthermore, all orders, actions, etc., placed through your registered account are your responsibility and not the responsibility of Allegra Print & Imaging.

Allegra Print & Imaging reserves the right to remove or refuse any content or information that violates the Terms and Conditions agreement or may otherwise be considered unlawful or objectionable. Out of respect for the employees and guests of Allegra Print & Imaging, we define objectionable as any content that is not child-friendly. We reserve the right to refuse to print any such objectionable content. In the event your order is rejected for objectionable content, we will issue a credit for the full value of your order minus 10% to cover processing fees, OR, upon request, we will issue a promotional code for the full value of your order for use on a future project. If you wish for us to review content prior to placing your order, please contact Customer Service.

In addition, you agree that content and or information obtained by Allegra Print & Imaging may be kept and disclosed if Allegra Print & Imaging is required to do so by law, or if Allegra Print & Imaging believes, in good faith, that it is necessary to disclose such content in order to comply with any legal proceeding or processes; uphold or enforce the terms of our services; respond to any claims that the content or information is or may be in violation of the rights of another party; that the content or information may be objectionable or offensive; or that the content/information is necessary to protect the rights or property of the public or Allegra Print & Imaging in any way.

SUBMISSION OF ARTWORK OR GRAPHICS

All files must be submitted in CMYK format, except for 1 and 2 color letterhead and envelopes. Any files not in CMYK may color shift when processed. A minimum resolution of 300 dpi is required for all raster art and images. Artwork of a lesser resolution may not print as sharp and clean as desired.

We strongly suggest that all items except for background images be at least 1/8″ from the trim line. Items falling closer to the trim line may be cut off. Please refer to the templates provided on our site for guidelines.

The Customer guarantees the legal propriety of all matter submitted to Allegra Print & Imaging for printing and/or publication; and will indemnify Allegra Print & Imaging against all claims and responsibility arising from the printing and/or publication of such matter, including the legal expenses and disbursements incurred by Allegra Print & Imaging in contesting the same.

Allegra Print & Imaging will not be liable for any damages arising out of violation of laws or illegal use of trade names or slogans in material supplied by the Customer.

Allegra Print & Imaging reserves the right to use any printed product for Allegra Print & Imaging publicity including reproduction. The Customer will not necessarily be notified.

IMPORTANT! If you choose “NO PROOF – PROCEED AS IS” you assume full (100%) responsibility for printing outcome(s).

If customer supplied artwork requires technical or design re-work, charges will apply at the rate of $100 per hour with 1/2 hour minimum. If customer elects to fix the files themselves and avoid these charges, our template must be used to re-submit the file. Templates are available for download at http://www.allegrapress.com site.

COLOR PROOFING & MATCHING

Allegra Print & Imaging cannot be held responsible for matching colors or ink densities on screen proofs approved by customers. Screen proofs can be used to help display layout, text accuracy, and image placement and proportion, but not color or density. Weekends and Holidays are not considered part of the 24 hour proof turnaround time period.

Allegra Print & Imaging will make every effort to match the gradient density of each colour, however, we cannot be held responsible for the final appearance of a colour. Due to different printers, ink, coating and media, not all colours can be precisely duplicated.  We will do our best to come as close as possible to the colours you request.  We cannot guarantee exact colour matches. We strongly recommend ordering a printed hard proof to approve any color matches.  PMS color matches start at $15.00 per match.

Digital printers print colour differently from day to day, there is no way of guaranteeing an exact colour match of previously printed materials.

ORDER PROOFS

It is the client’s responsibility to review the final proof and layout of all orders prior to actual printing. Once the final proof has been confirmed by the client, no further changes can be made to that order. On orders placed with the NO PROOF option, no changes or cancellations may be made to the order after the order status is changed to Approved Work In Progress. The order is then ready to Schedule for Printing and we cannot accept any changes. This includes changes to bindery and shipping. Please review the final proof carefully prior to completing your order. Allegra Print & Imaging will not accept responsibility for typographical errors, errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, graphics, fonts or content. Allegra Print & Imaging will not be held responsible for client errors in finished product sizes, wrong cuts, or missing or incorrect folds. Important Note: Hard copy Epson proofs are always printed on a specialty paper with a satin finish called “Oris Select Proof” paper stock. This proof paper is used for all hard copy Epson proofs regardless of the paper selected for your print project.  This is a standard and accepted print industry policy and procedure. If you order an Epson hard copy proof, it will not be printed on the actual paper stock you’ve selected for your print project.  

If you need to make changes to your artwork, after receiving your proof, please resubmit your files. There will be a $10 resubmit fee charged to your account. If you wish to receive a new proof, a fee of $5 for PDF proof will also be charged. For a new hard copy proof, please contact our customer service department as the proof prices vary by specific product order(s) placed.

OVER / UNDER

You agree that there is a possibility of a difference of up to 5% between the ordered and the shipped quantity within a product and that you will not claim any compensation for this difference. Likewise, Allegra Print & Imaging or you do not have the right to claim anything for any difference when the shipped quantity is greater than 95% of the ordered quantity. We consider any order filled within 5% over or under ordered quantity to be delivered in full.

ORDER CANCELLATION

Orders cannot be cancelled except upon terms, which compensate Allegra Print & Imaging for all work done, proof preparation, graphic design, mock-ups, materials used or specially acquired to complete the order, to the date of the cancellation. Cancellation requests should be submitted through email or fax.

RETURNS AND REFUNDS

Customer orders have no re-sale value. Therefore, ALL SALES ARE FINAL. If the error is verifiably due to Allegra Print & Imaging, we will re-print the order at our cost. No Refunds or Credit. Any defect/s discovered in your shipment must be reported to Allegra Print & Imaging within 10 days of your order’s receipt. To qualify for a free replacement order, you must return your entire product (at your own expense) within 15 days from the time THE product was delivered. All Charges related to expedited orders (rush printing or shipping) are NON REFUNDABLE UNLESS UPS FAILS DELIVERY OR DELIVERS DAMAGED PRODUCT. ANY CREDIT DUE WILL BE PROCESSED WITHIN 4 to 6 WEEKS. If a change is made to an existing order that results in a credit, a processing fee equal to 10% of total credit amount will be charged to cover transaction costs related to this credit. Upon request a promo code for the full value of the credit can be issued in lieu of a credit, if we are contacted prior to the credit processing date.

SHIPPING AND DELIVERY OF PRODUCTS

Allegra Print & Imaging will always strive to avoid any delays in production or shipping, however, we will not be held responsible for any consequences or damages due to delayed production or delivery. Our shipment and delivery dates are based upon estimates provided by our shipment suppliers. Allegra Print & Imaging will not be responsible for delays in shipments due to shipping company delays, international customs issues, weather conditions or any other circumstances beyond our control. Allegra Print & Imaging will strive to ensure that all delivery schedules are met in a timely manner. However, Allegra Print & Imaging assumes no liability whatsoever to customers for any lost business or other damages, real or constructive. Buyer assumes full risk of possible delivery delays. There will be an additional charge if any changes to the shipping address must be made after the order is placed.

However, unexpected production or shipment delays may occur as a result of technical problems or equipment malfunction or failure. Rush charges/fees will be refunded or waived by Allegra Print & Imaging, where applicable, for a delay caused by technical difficulty. However, order cancellations will not be allowed due to technical difficulty.

NOTE: Production time is estimated only and should NOT be confused with delivery guarantees.

SHIPPING ERRORS & LOST PACKAGES

In order to file a lost or damaged claim the following must apply:

Claims can only be placed within 30 days from package shipment. Allegra Print & Imaging cannot be held responsible for shipping errors, delays or lost or damaged products due to 3rd party errors. In the case that a customer supplies the wrong address causing a package not to be delivered on time, Allegra Print & Imaging will reship the package (to the corrected address) with an additional shipping fee for the re-shipment.

LIMITATIONS & LIABILITY:

OUR LIABILITY IS LIMITED UP TO THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF YOUR PURCHASE (AT THE SPECIFIC TIME AND DATE OF YOUR PURCHASE) AND SHALL NOT INCLUDE ANY CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR DAMAGES FOR PROFIT LOSS.

Allegra Print & Imaging or its licensors, suppliers, or vendors, their officers, directors, employees, or agents SHALL NOT be liable for any special, incidental, indirect, or consequential damages of any kind, or for any damages whatsoever resulting from loss of use, data, or profits, whether or not Allegra Print & Imaging has been advised of the possibility of damage, arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of the site or of failure to provide products or services that you order from Allegra Print & Imaging or its affiliates, including without limitation, damages arising from error, omission, virus, delay, or interruption of service.

WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO HOLD CUSTOMER PROPERTY (a lien) AS SECURITY FOR UNPAID BILLS.

Allegra Print & Imaging reserves the right to refuse service to any party for any reason it deems fit.

PLEASE NOTE: ANY SUPPLIED MEDIA WILL NOT BE RETURNED. PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY ORIGINAL MEDIA.

ESTIMATES, PAYMENTS, RETURNED CHECKS

Pre-payment is required on all orders. You must pay by credit card, paypal account, or debit card at the time of order. Payment will be taken in full at the time of the order.

The price of any product is the price in force at the date and time of your order.

You undertake that all details you provide to us for the purpose of purchasing products which may be offered by us on our website will be correct; that the credit charge, paypal account or debit card which you use is your own and that there are sufficient funds or credit facilities to cover the cost of any products. We reserve the right to obtain validation of your credit charge, paypal account or debit card details before processing your order.

The contract shall not have been concluded until we have received your valid credit card charge, paypal charge, or debit card payment details.

We are entitled to refuse any order placed by you.

All prices are based on receiving RIP-Ready files. If your files are not RIP-Ready, they will incur additional charges and possible delays.

Taxes are additional.

NSF cheques are subject to a fee of $25.

OFFICE HOURS AND STATUTORY HOLIDAYS

Office hours are Monday-Friday from 8AM to 5 PM PST, excluding statutory holidays.  

  • New Year’s Day
  • Good Friday
  • Easter Monday
  • Victoria Day
  • Canada Day
  • British Columbia Day
  • Labour Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Remembrance Day
  • Christmas Day

MAILING SERVICES TERMS AND CONDITIONS

We are not responsible for lost or non-delivered mail. Our responsibilities end when Canada Post accepts your mailing from us. We are not responsible nor do we guarantee a response to your mailing. Industry average is a 1 – 2% response rate. Your results may vary.

We understand that your list is privileged and confidential. It will not be used or sold for any purposes other than your mailing. Upon request we may archive your list but will not be held responsible of system failure. You should always have a copy of your list with you.

In the event of a mistake or error, we will only accept liability up to the cost of goods and services provided. By using our services we will not accept liability for any loss of revenue, business or implied damages.

PAPER STOCK POLICY

In order to maintain the most competitive print prices, we must utilize a number of paper stock sources and paper mills. We reserve the right to change our paper suppliers as necessary to assure you the best quality paper stocks available at the industry’s most competitive prices. We will make every effort to assure our online paper stock offerings remain consistent, reliable and predictable over time. However, we cannot control or be held accountable for paper production variances caused by independent paper mills and sources which are beyond our control. Although the stated weights of our featured paper stocks will remain constant, there could be a slight difference in caliper, brightness or texture. Slight differences may or may not be evident when printing the exact same project, on the exact same selected paper stock, and using the exact same art file but ordered and printed on a different date. For example, you order a print project today (we’ll call it ABC Brochure project) and you order it printed as 4/4 on 100 lb. Text Gloss stock. Three months from today, you place the exact same order, exact same art, same named paper stock, same project (ABC Brochure). When you receive the project, you notice a slight difference in the paper stock (be it caliper, brightness or texture). The slight difference will be within print industry standards for paper stock and mill industry tolerance levels (very similar to slight dye lot variations common in the carpet or fabric industry). We will not be held personally responsible or accountable, in any way, for these slight differences. Our position is a common print industry policy with regard to paper stock grades, paper mills and the varying slight differences from one source or mill to another concerning like weight and like named paper stocks purchased from different manufacturing resources.

Allegra Print & Imaging sells products made out of several different types of materials: Variety of Paper Stock, Corrugated Plastic, Aluminum, Art Board, Art Paper, Large Format Media, Hot and Cold Laminate, Digitally Printed Vinyl, Cling, Adhesives, Vinyl Banner, and many, many other.

You agree that you have read and/or researched independently and that you know what each of these materials is and what you are buying. You agree that Allegra Print & Imaging is not responsible for products received that are made of materials thought by the purchaser to be something other than advertised. As an example, you agree Allegra Print & Imaging is not responsible if the Corrugated Plastic received by the purchaser is not what the purchaser envisioned Corrugated Plastic would be.

You agree that all products produced and sold by Allegra Print & Imaging are for novelty purposes only. Allegra Print & Imaging does not make any claims about the legal compliance or registration of signs, license plates, ads and marketing materials, or any other products sold by Allegra Print & Imaging. You agree to check with any applicable legal authority for the standards, rules and regulations governing the types of signs, license plates, or other products permitted for your particular use.

This site contains links to other sites. Allegra Print & Imaging is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such websites.

Filed Under: Terms and Conditions Tagged With:

Print Communications: Leader of the Pack

August 19, 2008 By

Businesses everywhere use a variety of media to reach their target audiences. Though budget constraints will impact your plan, every marketing mix is designed to meet a range of objectives: boost sales, generate leads, strengthen relationships and build brand identity.

The choices available to today’s marketers seem ever-growing, from traditional television, radio and print advertising to a multitude of electronic opportunities including Web sites and e-mail. While each has its place in a comprehensive program, direct mail remains the most personal and effective way to reach your customers and prospects.

E-mail, for example, can be inexpensive to create and distribute. Just don’t be fooled into thinking that it’s the best or only way to market your product or service.

People choose direct mail and other print vehicles over e-mail because they are more dependable and are viewed as more authoritative. Nothing can replace well-designed print marketing because nothing else is as portable, personal or reliable.

While Web sites, another component of e-marketing, can be relatively inexpensive to create and maintain, existing is not enough. They need to be promoted so potential customers will visit them. Print communications are an excellent way to direct prospects and customers to a Web site.

When you can do it, a broad mix of media will provide you with the widest range of opportunities to communicate with your audiences and to make a lasting impression.

As always, you must determine your communications objectives to choose the most effective strategies.

5 Ways to Maximize Your Message

  • Be consistent in portraying your company’s identity.
  • A single graphic look and a uniform writing style add value and strength to your company’s identity in all visual media.
  • Type, color and images should be consistent throughout for greater memorability.
  • Use print communications (flyers, ads, brochures, direct mail) to provide support for e-marketing. Ask your customers for their e-mail address in your direct mail pieces via a business reply card or when they respond to a free gift or special offer. Similarly, with the customer information you gather online, plan targeted mailings as follow up.
  • Coordinate your delivery schedules so your communications complement one another rather than compete for attention.
Filed Under: Resource Center Tagged With: , , ,

What Color Can Do For You

August 19, 2008 By

When you hear the terms, four-color or full color process, it means you are able to produce any color combination. Four-color process is a system where an image is separated into four different color values with the inks cyan (blue), magenta (red), yellow and black to reproduce the original color image.

If your budget prohibits this quality of color reproduction, be aware that many cost-effective opportunities exist to add “punch” to your printed materials. Designers often manipulate color to create interest and variety from a single image. Following are a few terms to help you know your color options.

Glossary of Terms

  • Spot color – Adding one or more single flat colors to a printed piece. You can also create monochromatic (single color) photos.
  • Halftone – A pattern of dots of different sizes used to simulate a continuous-tone photograph, either in color or black and white.
  • Duotone – Created by printing a photographic image in two colors. They often possess greater depth and warmth than photos printed in one color. Most are printed using a hue naturally dark in color (i.e. black or blue) and a naturally light hue (i.e. gray or yellow).
  • Tritone – A halftone using three colors to produce more contrast and detail than a duotone.
  • Mezzotint – Computer-generated reproduction of an engraver’s method which creates various textures and patterns to create artistic effects.
  • Posterized – The color palette of an image is manipulated and recreated using only flat colors.
  • Traps – Trapping is a term that describes the method used to make two colors fit together perfectly without any white gaps between them.
  • Screens – Varying the screen percentage can give you the illusion of printing with multiple colors. For example, a 50 percent screen of a solid red creates the illusion of pink.
Filed Under: Resource Center Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Ten Ways to Cut Your Printing Costs

August 19, 2008 By
  1. Stick with standard finished sizes to reduce paper waste and minimize your costs.
  2. Be careful when using bleeds, that is, color or images that run to the edges of the paper. Sometimes they require larger sheets that need to be trimmed, resulting in higher costs and longer production time.
  3. Use color to print a large quantity of “shells.” Then, customize the text as your projects come up throughout the year with one color of ink.
  4. Similarly, spread the cost of color between several jobs. For example, design a series of brochures that share the same colors, and print them at the same time. It can be cheaper than paying separate setup charges for each.
  5. Before placing a special order, ask if there is a paper stock in inventory that might be right for your project.
  6. Choose the right type of binding. Saddle stitching (stapling the piece along the center fold) is one of the least expensive and most popular types of binding.
  7. On larger quantities that are printed on two sides, lay out both sides on one larger sheet. This is called printing “two-up” and can reduce costs by about 25 percent since press time is cut in half.
  8. If you are designing your materials on computer disk and/or providing a digital file, make sure your printer outputs a sample to check the accuracy of the layout and any color separations. In addition, make any revisions before you turn your layout or digital files over to the printer. Revisions are costly once a job is in production.
  9. Consider digital color output. Though printing small quantities (under 400) of a full-color brochure is usually cost prohibitive for many organizations, consider short-run digital printing instead. If set up correctly, your project can be output directly from your digital files and the press time is cut in half.
  10. Avoid rush charges. Find out what length of time is required from your printer for production, printing and added processes like folding and die-cutting. Stay on deadline to avoid rush charges, which can be as high as 50 to 100 percent above the normal quote.
Filed Under: Resource Center Tagged With: , ,

Mounting Materials

August 4, 2008 By

 

Mounting Materials

The table below lists the properties, typical applications, and other specifications of several common substrates used when creating our rigid plastic signs. There are virtually an unlimited number of substrates available, so if you don’t see something you are looking for, please contact us for availability and pricing.

Material Properties Common Applications Indoor Use Outdoor Use Standard Color
Gatorboard light weight, resists dents & warping, smooth surface indoor signage Yes No black
Sintra durable, versatile, resists dents & discoloration indoor & outdoor signage Yes Yes white
Fome Core light weight, durable, smooth surface, cuts easily intricately cut indoor signs Yes No white
Polystyrene tough, resists dents & cracks, rollable for easier S&H indoor and outdoor signs Yes Yes white
Coroplast rigid, light weight, weatherable, vertical shutes for sign stakes yard, political, golf, real estate signage Yes Yes white
Aluminum very rigid, high-tech feel outdoor signs Yes Yes aluminum
Plexiglass rigid, smooth surface, standard or face-mounting backlit, POP, & office displays Yes Yes clear, non-glare
Filed Under: Large Format Printing, Signs & Banners Tagged With:

Choosing Paper

August 2, 2008 By

Putting it on Paper

Choosing paper that best complements your project

With a new generation of designers and technologies, corporate communicators are changing the rules of business and are using paper colors and textures to push corporate branding to new limits. Paper has a major influence on how the communication and the communicator are perceived. Thus, it is extremely important to become familiar with the different types or grades of paper available and match them to the needs of your individual job.

Given the thousands of paper choices and the fact that paper alone can constitute more than half of the cost of your printed piece, choosing paper is not always an easy task. But, by defining how the paper will be used, thinking about your project needs and what you want the paper to do for you, your paper will add that much more impact to your print communications.

Defining a Goal

Paper is often defined in terms of its purpose. First, ask yourself a few questions when selecting a paper for your project to define exactly how it will be used.

  • Are people going to save your product?
  • Is the piece going to be mailed?
  • How many times will the piece be folded?
  • Is color critical?
  • Will people leaf through the piece repeatedly?
  • Will the piece be stapled or bound?
  • Will the paper color complement the company logo and artwork?

Paper Weight

It is also important to decide how heavy the paper stock should be based on the goal of your print communications and your budget. Heavier stocks generally cost more. Keep in mind, too, that the heavier the paper, the greater opacity (or the less one can see through the paper). Bond papers are the lightest weight and are commonly used in copiers as well as for letters and business forms. Nearly two million tons of bond paper are used every year in the United States and Canada. Text and cover weight papers are also widely used, especially for annual reports, announcements and brochures.

Paper Properties

After you determine your project needs, it is important to consider various paper properties that affect runnability and print quality. These properties include flatness, curl, strength, brightness and color. There are also recycled papers, as well as different paper finishes.

Finish is a complex paper property affecting the way the surface of the paper appears, whether smooth or rough. Paper with a smooth finish will take ink well and produce good detail. Paper with a rough finish is more specialized. Some papers may be finished with a heavily raised, almost spotted surface. Others have lightly raised surfaces in various patterns. These papers can look very elegant or artsy. However, the images and type will look somewhat distorted on these textured papers because the ink will not lay down completely flat. Typefaces with very fine serifs or thin stems may look broken. Similarly, halftones or images with fine detail will not print well.

It is very important to be aware of how these paper properties will affect your design. It is a good idea to ask to see printed samples of the different paper types first to decide which type is best for your piece.

Send A Message With Recycled Paper

Another attribute to consider is whether to use recycled paper, both for the benefit of the environment and for the message it sends to your customers. Most recycled papers cost more, but if your customer cares about the environment, the extra charge may be worth it. Wood pulp paper is based on 19th century technology and because there is a need to preserve these forests, other materials have been tested. Unfortunately, plant materials producing the same level of quality still have not been found.

As an alternative to wood pulp papers, synthetic papers with manmade fibers do provide improved properties such as durability, tear and water resistance and high opacity. Currently, the most widespread use of synthetic fibers in paper is for paper currency.

Current Paper Trends

Competing forces of style and technology are having a significant and contradicting impact on paper selection. Recently, we are seeing a trend toward brighter, bolder colors and a preference for incredibly bright, white and smooth papers.

Research shows that many print buyers are looking for bright white and smooth papers, especially for projects requiring digital printing technologies for all or part of a project. White papers may be preferred because projects using them are often easier to design and proof and offer the best printing color fidelity. Studies also indicate that two-thirds of text and cover papers sold are smooth, untextured grades. More than 50 percent of these papers are bright white and well over 20 percent are off-white or cream.

Although white, smooth papers are the stronger trend right now, designers continue to have a preference for colored and textured papers, called specialty grades. These specialty grades help to create a certain look and differentiate a company and its message. We live in an age where we have grown accustomed to electronic communication, especially e-mail and the Internet, so when you see a brilliantly-designed printed piece with a unique color and texture of paper, it really stands out.

There are many factors to consider when deciding what paper is best for your project. By establishing your performance needs first with the help of your printer or graphic designer, you can choose the right paper for each job – and make the desired impact.

Filed Under: Resource Center Tagged With: , , , , ,

Basics About Business Cards

August 2, 2008 By

The Basics About Business Cards, the Ever-Important Marketing Tool

In the age of the Palm Pilot, e-mail and teleconferencing, the business card may seem less than glamorous. Some might even wonder how important this pint-sized device is in today’s business world. The answer? Very. In fact, some believe the business card is the single most important marketing tool available.

Business cards are a tangible representation of your business. They often provide potential customers with their first impression of your product or service, and they remain with customers and prospects when you are not. Business cards tell people where to contact you and these tiny powerhouses are frequently passed from person to person, giving them even greater marketing mileage.

With all this in mind, it becomes clear that you should put some thought into your business cards. Make sure they project an appropriate image for your business, keeping in mind everything from content to design to printing. Below are some things to consider.

Design

It may seem that there aren’t many options when it comes to designing a business card. After all, at a minimum, you need to include your name, your business name, and your address, phone number, fax number and e-mail address in a 2-inch by 3 ½-inch space. But there really are a lot of decisions to make. You can print in multiple colors, for example, or have your card embossed for a richer look. If you want your card to stand out from the rest, you can include a photo of yourself, or design the card so it is vertical in orientation rather than horizontal. You can even design a card that is twice the standard size and have it folded in half, giving you more room to print your message.

And don’t forget about the back of the card. Many companies will use this space to print their mission statements, or to print in another language if they do business internationally. Some even use that space for practical information, such as calendars or measuring tables. This gives people greater incentive to keep the cards.

Paper

Gone are the days when all business cards were black ink on white paper. Business cards can be printed on virtually any color paper, and in a variety of finishes and weights. You can have textured or smooth cards, glossy or flat. The paper you choose depends on a number of factors, including your budget and the type of image you want to project.

Cost

Business cards come in a wide price range. On average, people spend about $50 per thousand on their business cards, but some spend as much as $300 per thousand or more. How much your cards cost depends on several things, such as printing method digital or offset, the type of paper, number of ink colors and special printing features such as embossing or thermography (raised printing). The cost will increase if you print on both sides of the card.

Even on a budget, you can have business cards that tell the world your business is a success. There are ways to cut costs, such as printing multi-color blanks and imprinting them in black when a new staff member needs cards.

Getting Started

When designing business cards, you should first think about the type of image you want to project. Are you in an industry that requires your materials to be very serious and formal, such as accounting, or does your business operate in a more casual environment, such as a music store? Do you already have printed materials, such as brochures or letterhead? If so, your business cards should complement those pieces.

There’s a lot to consider, but you don’t have to do it alone. Consult with your printer or graphic designer to create business cards that leave a lasting impression.

Filed Under: Graphics Design, Resource Center Tagged With: ,

Proofing

August 1, 2008 By

PLEASE NOTE: Without your written consent, Allegra Print & Imaging cannot print your order.

PLEASE EXAMINE THIS PROOF CAREFULLY FOR COPY, LAYOUT, SIZE COLOR BREAK, ANY AGENCY REGULATIONS. THE INFORMATION ON THIS PROOF APPROVAL, THE CONTENT AND ACCURACY OF THIS INFORMATION IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. ALLEGRA ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OF COPY OR LEGAL COMPLIANCE OF THIS PROOF. YOUR SIGNATURE IS OUR AUTHORIZATION TO PRODUCE THIS ART WORK AS REPRESENTED BY THIS PROOF. PLEASE VERIFY AND SIGN THIS PROOF APPROVAL. NO PRODUCTION WILL BEGIN WITHOUT SIGNED APPROVAL.

It’s your call! Before spending a significant amount of money, either on a large print or a large print run, we suggest you use our proofing services. This is especially true of colour critical work such as fine art reproductions or if you are not using a color managed work environment. Proof print prices are the same as the single 8×10 or 11×14 inch print size for the print media you choose. We recommend an 11×14 inch proof for larger size final prints. If adjustments need to be made, and additional proofs are required, they will be billed at the 2-4 volume discount price.

We will provide you with one free proof – fax or pdf file, a copy of what your finished order will look like, so you can view and approve your order before printing.

Usually we will contact you within two-three business days of your order, either with a proof or to collect any missing information.

We offer 3 different types of proofs:
• a black & white proof by fax
• a PDF proof via email*
• a printed colour proof** ($)

*Notes:
*A PDF proof is not suitable for colour reference since the colours vary from screen to screen.
One PDF or fax proofs are included with your order. Each additional proof is $15.
**A printed colour proof will give you a close approximation of the colours on the final product. Each printed proof is priced as a single print correlated to the proof’s print size and used media.

Important notes about colour
If you are unsure about the colours of your file, please provide a printed colour reference and ask for a printed colour proof. Though we cannot guarantee exact colour matching, If you provide a colour reference and request a colour proof, we can adjust your file to resemble your sample as closely as possible.

- If we are scanning your images for printing we also strongly suggest that you order a proof print.
- For fine art reproductions and colour critical work we strongly suggest that you use our proof services.

Note: A reasonable variation in colour between original materials, proofs and the completed order will constitute an acceptable delivery.

Proofing
Once you give final approval to your order, errors and/or omissions are not the responsibility of Allegra Print & Imaging. If you have us run your large format printing order without a proof print and you are not satisfied, we can not reprint your order free of charge.

Changes
Every change you ask us to make generates a new proof. Please communicate any changes by fax, email or in writing – we do not accept any verbal changes. Try to make changes all at once – after two proofs, additional charges will be incurred.

One contact person
To keep things simple and to avoid misinterpretation, we prefer to deal with one contact person for proofing and changes.

Filed Under: Terms and Conditions Tagged With: