A print brokering client just came to me by referral. She has a prominent consultancy, and she wants pricing on a hardcover print book. We discussed the specifications today over the phone. She also mentioned needing a galley proof (a lesser quality print book for reader's comments and edits prior to the final hardcover book printing).
We all get older. It's much better than the alternative. But as we age, our eyes find it more difficult to read text, and perceive color and contrast. I'm going to be 56 shortly, and I'm already noticing this. If you design printed products for a middle aged (or older) crowd, it is even more important than usual to consider the eyesight of the audience when you design brochures, print books, or any other custom printing product.
I hadn't thought of it, but it's a no-brainer. Digital book printing is perfect for yearbooks.
I just read two articles on digital printing that point squarely in this direction: “Sunrise Digital Releases Video Comparison of Book Binding Options, Ideal for School Yearbooks” (PRWEB.com Newswire, press release, 1/9/14) and “I-Sub to Show Off Digi-Foil at Trophex” (www.printweek.com, PrintWeek Team, 1/13/14).
I just read an article in Space Daily (www.spacedaily.com, 1/9/14) that gives a sense of perspective to the new technology of 3D custom printing (or additive manufacturing). The article in the Tech Space section is entitled, “3D Printing Poised to Shake Up Shopping.”
I read two interesting articles tonight about marketing. On the surface, they didn't seem to pertain to one another. Upon further reflection, however, I saw that they both make the same point: nothing succeeds like cross-media marketing that presents a consistent message.
If you design periodicals for a living, or direct mail, or anything else that must go through the USPS mail stream, you'll be getting a rate increase on January 26. First Class stamps will cost $.49 (up from $.46); stamps for postcards will cost $.34 (up from $.33); and bulk mail, periodicals, and package delivery costs will rise six percent. This rate increase has a limited life of two years. It is specifically designed to help the Post Office recover from the decrease in mailing caused by the Great Recession of 2008.