Printing and Design News for Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley CA
Feb 16th, 2012

Printing and Publishing – What is CMYK?

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In printing terminology CMYK is short for Cyan-Magenta-Yellow-Black. CMYK is the standard color model used in offset printing for full-color documents. Because such printing uses inks of these four basic colors, it is often called four-color printing.

Another common color model for screen and websites (not for printing) is RGB, which stands for Red-Green-Blue. Display devises, such as computer screens, generally use this color model. Full color documents cannot print in RGB, they have to print in CMYK.

We provide printing for customers all over Los angeles Glendale Burbank and often a customer will design their documents in RGB as most design software is set to that as default, and later will convert their color profile to CMYK prior to printing. If the customer does not do this, the printer has a program that automatically does it for them. In converting from RGB to CMYK often the colors don’t look the same as what appeared on the monitor. If you’re experiencing this problem and need your documents to match specific colors, Clear Print can help.

There are many ways to achieve desired colors. Send us your files or come in and see us if you have a color-critical project. We’re located in Chatsworth in the San Fernando Valley, just minutes away from Simi Valley, Moorpark, Santa Clarita and, Westlake Village Thousand Oaks. Or all 818-709-1220 and ask for an Account Representative who can help you.

Nov 22nd, 2011

Printing a custom Holiday Card or Calendar this year?

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Choose Clear Print and take advantage of our 10% off coupon.

Thanksgiving Coupon

Oct 6th, 2011

Where do Printers get their paper?

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Print Values Trees

Most paper now comes from sustainable forests. These forests are essentially “tree farms,” where trees are grown as a crop, just like broccoli or wheat. When these trees are harvested, new stocks are planted. Print on paper gives landowners a financial incentive to renew forests rather than convert them for other uses, such as development.[1]

Print Uses “Waste”

One-third of the fiber used to make paper comes from wood chips and sawmill scraps; another third comes from recycled paper.[2] Overall, in the United States nearly 80 percent of the over 400 paper mills use recovered fiber to make some or all of their paper products, and of these, approximately 115 mills use recovered paper exclusively.[3]

Print is Recycled

But that’s not the complete story. Print on paper is recycled and reused. In 2009, for example, 63.4 percent of all paper used in the United States was recycled, and this number increases each year with more deliberate curbside and drop-off collection systems.[4] Recycled paper is used to make everything from construction products to consumer goods.

Print is Responsible

Just 11% of the world’s forests are used for paper.[5] In the U.S. a growing percentage of the wood used to produce paper comes from certified forests. The Forest Steward Council (FSC) and Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI) track fiber content from certified lands through production and manufacturing to the end product. There are certified forests in over 80 countries.

From sustainable forests to the renewable nature of trees and the recyclability of paper, the print and paper industries have a positive environmental story to tell—one in which print on paper and healthy forests thrive hand-in-hand.

  1. Edward L. Glaeser, Professor of Economics, Harvard University, “A Road Map for Environmentalism,” Boston Globe, May 21, 2007.
  2. U.S. EPA, Office of Solid Waste.
  3. American Forest and Paper Association.
  4. Ibid.
  5. International Paper, Down to Earth, “Is it Worth Printing?”
Sep 8th, 2011

When is it a good idea to press check?

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When is it a good idea to press check? 

  1. When achieving a certain color is critical.
  2. When printing some pastels and certain metallic colors.
  3. When using a specialized coating or a stock shade that can change the color of the ink.
  4. When Moving an existing job from one printer to another and the new run needs to match the old run.

Color Critical Issues:

Some colors can be difficult to accurately render on a proof. If your print job has a critical color that needs to be matched, talk with your printer ahead of time and discus your objective prior to the press check.  When it comes time to press check, the printer can be prepared and the press check will run smoothly and efficiently.

Many PMS colors don’t render accurately on proofs. Have the printer provide actual ink samples (known as “draw downs”) on a sample of the actual stock. Review the printers proof for everything but the PMS color accuracy. Then, review the ‘draw downs’ to ensure the color is exactly what you want. If you need to have the color changed, do it now before you get on press!

Moving a job from one printer to another:

If you are moving an existing job from one printer to another and the new run needs to match the old one then, provide one of the press sheets printed sample from the prior run along with the electronic files to the new printer. If you have a press sheet with the “color bar” (that’s the strip of colors that runs along the edge of the sheet before being trimmed), all the better. Many times the old press run does not match the proof and this way your printer can match the proof or match the prior press run.

If you would like to discus your particular situation with a Clear Print representative (at no charge, whether we are printing this for you or not), please call (818) 709-1220 and ask for Geoff, Blaine or Vanessa.

Aug 17th, 2011

Business Promotion and the Economy

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Here in the San Fernando Valley we have seen many businesses in the last few years cut down on their marketing and promotion budget due to economic stress. This is also true for the greater Los Angeles area so a question arises; is this the right action during tough economic times?

Let’s take a look at a usual example we have seen. The first thing to get cut is bulk mailers as postage may very well be the most expensive part of promotion. As a result the budget is lower but fewer new customers are coming in. After a while the business gets by financially as the budget is lower but now the overall income has also diminished due to lack of new customers.

The final result is a smaller business that somehow gets by.
What happens the next time there is a financial problem? The business goes under as now it no longer has enough resources to get itself out of trouble.

So what would have been the right solution? Don’t cut your marketing but promote smartly. After you get the word out and guarantee influx of future customers do cut down on unneeded expenses.

Here are some actions to consider:

  • Improve your current marketing to get a better return.
  • Find a printer that can take care of your printing at affordable prices.
  • Find someone that can has experience handling bulk rates to get you good prices.
  • Find additional ways to promote your business that might be less expensive, like through the internet.

Here at Clear Print we take care of all these actions in the greater Los Angeles area. Feel free to call us to find out how we can help you.

Jul 30th, 2011

Print is Effective

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Did you know 39% of customers who purchased from a business for the first time did so
because of direct mail advertising?

And 70% of customers renewed a business relationship because of a direct mail promotion.*

Print on paper coupled with a professional online presence builds brand identification
and powers sales.

Need help with your print and electronic media campaigns?
Call or email Geoff or Vanessa with any question: 818-709-1220 · sales@clarprint.com

 

*2008 DMA/Pitney Bowes Direct Mail Survey

Jul 25th, 2011

Print Drives Online Sales

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Print on paper can be a major driver of online sales in the Los Angeles area. An iProspect study found that 67% of online searches are driven by offline messages, with 39% ultimately making a purchase. Buyers who receive a direct mail piece directing them to an online site spend on average 13% more than those who do not receive the printed piece. Printed catalogs associated with online sites have been shown to boost online spending by 28%.[6]

 Drive your online sales by producing and mailing marketing collateral that gets people to your website.

Call Clear Print for more information or to get a quote 818-709-1220 and ask for Geoff or Vanessa

[6]iProspect Offline Channel Influence on Online Search Behavior Study (2007).

Jul 11th, 2011

Print Provides a High ROI

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A Marketing Association study showed that direct mail advertising gives businesses a remarkable 13 to 1 return on their investment, “ROI.”*

And the Art Technology Group found that 60% of customers make purchases via printed catalogs at least four times each year.**

Print on paper with a professional online presence builds brand identification and powers sales.

Running a business in the Los Angeles area may require assistance in the field of direct mail advertising as well as brand identification and printed catalogs.

Contact Clear Print for help with your print and electronic media campaigns.

 

*DMA 2007 Response Rate Trends Report (via Print in the Mix)
**Art Technology Group, Cross-Channel Commerce: The ConsumerView (2010)

Jul 2nd, 2011

USPS is offering a 3% Discount

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USPS is offering a 3% Discount on Your Postage with Use of QR Codes on Your Direct Mail Piece.

This Mobile Barcode Promotion runs July 1, 2011, through August 31, 2011.
For a limited time, the United States Postal Service™ is offering business mailers an upfront 3% discount on First-Class™ and Standard Mail letters and flats that include a mobile (Quick Response) barcode. The following rules apply:

  • Mobile barcodes [QR Codes] must be two-dimensional and readable by a mobile smartphone.
  • Mailing documentation must be submitted electronically, and mail must be sent with postage paid through a permit imprint.
  • All mail pieces in a postage mailing statement must contain a mobile barcode.
  • With the exception of the Intelligent Mail® barcode (IMb™) full-service discount, only one incentive per mailing will apply.
  • The objective of the two-dimensional mobile barcode on eligible mail pieces must be to initiate interaction with consumers via mobile smartphones to market, promote, or educate. Two-dimensional barcodes used for other purposes – such as internal corporate operational processes, or postage evidencing – are not eligible for the discount.
  • Mail must be tendered for acceptance during the promotion period, July 1, 2011, through August 31, 2011.

For more information and help in getting the discounts, contact your Sales Representative at Clear Print: (818) 709-1220 or sales@clearprint.com