It’s impossible, but true … 2009 is nearly over (excuse me while I shout hip hip hooray!). For PaperSpecs, that means 50 newsletters and 50 weekly tips about paper, printing and design to inform and entertain you! You definitely had some favorites, and no final issue of the year would be complete without letting you know what they were.
Your favorite reads were all business – how to prepare files, how to be more creative with less and how to get noticed (in a good way!). Pass these insightful pearls of wisdom along or have a second look (maybe your first read?). If you have any special article requests for 2010, please drop us an e-mail info@paperspecs.com. We love to read your suggestions … well, most of them anyway!
So here we have it … the countdown to the most-read Tip of 2009!
#10 Eight Must-Know Color Essentials
By Joe Marin
The last time PIA conducted a survey on the reasons for printers’ rework, unacceptable color was number one. Couple this with the fact that a lack of knowledge about color and fuzzy customer/printer communications is the source for many of those problems, and a key improvement opportunity is staring you in the face.
#9 What is G7 and Why Should You Care?
By Margie Dana
The term G7 is new for many in the industry, and it’s often confused with “GRACoL” and “GRACoL 7.” Time to fix that! Print buyers, agencies and marketers want to be able to make things “look the same,” regardless of where or how they’re printed. G7 is an improved method for matching color across multiple devices.
#8 Why Postcard Marketing Works
By Bob Leduc
A postcard delivers information the way people want to get it today. It arrives open and ready to read. The message it contains is always brief because there’s not a lot of space for it. Therefore, a postcard is quick to read and easy to comprehend. But there are even more reasons why postcard marketing is so effective today.
#7 Preparing Files for Print
By Lorraine Donegan
As technology in printing and publishing changes, the role and responsibility of the graphic designer also changes. Prepress and production have become part of the creative process, whether we like it or not. Recently I surveyed print providers and prepress technicians to find out how graphic designers can better prepare their files. I’ve summarized a few highlights for you here.
#6 10 Free Online Design Tools For You
By Pariah Burke
These free resources help you manage your business, store files, find stock images that aren’t copyrighted, explore color and more.
#5 Convert a File, Any File
By Anne-Marie Concepcion
I bet they forgot to tell you in design school that you need to become an expert in computer file formats to survive, let alone succeed, in our field. Consider graphic file formats. Your clients and vendors assume you know the limitations and appropriate use of all the image file types: JPEG, TIFF, PSD, AI, EPS, GIF, PNG, DNG, BMP … Tell me, did you take that class at Design School U?
#4 Degunkifying Word Files
By Anne-Marie Concepcion
I think messy Word files have some sort of cosmic connection with ragweed. Over the past few weeks I’ve received an inordinate number of e-mails from people (half of whom I don’t know and just found my site on Google) pleading for help with Word documents that misbehave when imported into InDesign or QuarkXPress.
#3 Break Out of Your Folding Rut!
By Trish Witkowski
I’m a self-described folding fanatic, having spent the past 12 years of my life researching and documenting folding styles. I’ve seen it all, and I know there’s a lot more to be done creatively in the mainstream, so I’d like to offer some fun alternatives to the old standbys you’ve been working with every day.
#2 16 Ways to Save Money on Print Jobs
By Margie Dana
If buying print for your company is a brand new responsibility for you, you’re probably shell shocked. Who can blame you! You’re thinking, “Where do I go? Who can I trust? How do I know how much printing costs?” Relax. We were all there once. I’ve put together some tips to help you s-t-r-e-t-c-h your printing dollars. Knowing some rules-of-thumb will definitely save you money.
#1 Cheap Folding Tricks
By Trish Witkowski
Recessions sure are a downer, aren’t they? Everyone is cutting back on spending, hiring, bonuses, company picnics and travel. There must be something fun you can do on your newly slashed marketing budget, right? To start, please set the tri-fold down and slowly walk away from it. There are other choices to consider – and these choices will give you a lot of bang for your buck.
Please post a Comment to this Tip – and let others benefit from your wisdom. Thanks.
