I have recently been designing a calendar for a client of mine. She is a professional photographer. She takes photos of beautiful flowers. In preparing the files and reviewing digital proofs today, I addressed a number of issues I thought you might find useful in your own design and custom printing work.
I wrote a blog entry a while ago about a print book consisting of about fifteen diecut pages of various sizes attached by an “O” ring, the kind used in printed 3 ring binders. The total run was to be 5,000 copies spread over three separate mailings (a few pages sent out with each mailing that the reader could add to the “O” ring).
I just saw a video made by a custom printing vendor I work with in my print brokering business providing an education in the new realities of die cutting. The equipment showcased in the video is the Mimaki integrated inkjet printer and cutter. (I’m sure that many other printers have similar equipment, so you may want to ask your print provider, if this technology seems appropriate for your work.)
UV inks have been around for some time, but they may bear serious consideration for at least some of your commercial printing work.
I recently checked a preliminary invoice from one of the larger printers I work with. It was to be sent to a client of mine for a case-bound print book. Since the invoice did not match the estimate exactly, I drafted an email to my client to explain the discrepancies so she would not be surprised when she received the final bill.