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Make a splash with our new solvent printer |
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Friday, 08 July 2011 13:10 |
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So, we splashed our and got ourselves a new toy! Epson has created an all-new, solvent-based ink technology that has less harmful impact on the environment while also being compatible with virtually any solvent-based media. Needless to say, we were blown away with the quality when we tried it, and it takes a lot to impress us. With 8 colour inks at hand and amazing photographic reproduction, SHOTZ can now produce better quality posters, canvasses and signs with better pms matching than ever before.
Here are some of the benefits;
- Eco friendly
- Extremely wide color gamut using CMYK, Lc, Lm, Orange, and Green
- Maximum resolution of 1440 x 1440 dpi for incredibly sharp text and line art
- Professional outdoor permanence ratings
- Prints on virtually any solvent-based media type - coated or uncoated
- Faster dry times
Perfect for;
- Fine Art Reproduction
- Decorative Fine Art Reproduction
- Photo print Canvasses
- Photo Quality Vehicle Wraps
- Everyday Signage Production
- Typical Outdoor Banners
- Impressing Everyone
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Monday, 27 June 2011 15:39 |
A simple brochure, sounds simple till you get to the nuts and bolts. Let's look at the basic choices you have so you can decide what you need, and what you don't.
First of all is the size. What most people think of when you say brochure is an A4 folded into thirds which makes it a DL brochure. With printing on both sides of the paper it's sometimes called 2PP (printed pages). But if you say double sided the printer will still know what you mean.
So next is the paper weight. Heavier paper feels better. And it also stands up better in brochure holders. 170GSM (Grams of paper per Square Meter) is about right for most jobs.
So far it's a double sided A4 folded to DL on 170gsm. Looking good.
Then it's just a matter of the gloss of the paper. It's a personal choice really. People generally like the look and feel of gloss and the cost difference is minimal.
Double sided A4 colour brochures folded to DL on 170gsm gloss paper. Now let's print it.
Pricing is nearly always based on volume. So you are far better off buying larger quantities.
On our colour brochures above. If they cost $201 to print 100($2 each) Then it will cost only $267.60 to print 200($1.33) and 500 of them will only cost $367($0.73) Don't forget that printers usually deal with other businesses so their prices are generally, PLUS GST. A DL flyer is an A4 cut into thirds. They can be single or double sided. A lighter paper stock is often used to save cost. 130Gsm is about right.
So what print do you need?
- These are some things an A4 folded to DL Brochure is good for.
- Putting in Brochure racks for tourist.
- Information about your products for potential customers to take away with them.
- Handouts at trade fairs.
- This months/weeks specials.
- Mailouts.
DL flyers are great for
- Putting under windscreen wipers.
- Handouts,
- Specials.
- Drop into magazines or newspapers.
- Being cheap enough to put everywhere.
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Monday, 30 May 2011 15:17 |
There are a lot of variables in getting the best business cards in Brisbane. But for this exercise we will concentrate on a simple but classically elegant business card suitable for any business.
Most business cards are around 55x90mm. You can have them smaller or larger but that makes them either, easier to lose or harder to find a wallet or purse to fit them in. The easier they are to carry, the more likely you will have some on you when you need them.
Next is the business cards weight. 350gsm is pretty normal. Any more is overkill. Any less feels a little cheap. You don't want you businesses first impression to be "cheap".
So far we have a standard sized 55x90mm business card on 350GSM card.
Single or double sided?
The front of a business card shouldn't contain too much information or it tends to look cluttered. That's why it's worth getting double sided. The front of your business card with your logo and contact details, the back for a list of products or services or even a map to your premises like they did in the old days.
There are no hard and fast rules with what you put on your business cards as it is a personal item that should reflect your corporate personality.
Cello with that?
Celloglazing(cellophane glazing) is a thin film of plastic adhered to the card with heat to give your business card an either gloss or matt look. The majority of cards use matt celloglazing. The function of the cello is to protect the card so the details on it will last longer stuffed into a wallet or sliding around in a glove box. They will also take a little moisture without damage. The only negative is that the cards can't be recycled due to the coating. You can celloglaze both or one side only.
So now we need to finish off our business card order
55x90mm business card on 350GSM double sided with a matt cello front and back.
Rounded corners (even just one) can add individuality to the card for very little extra.
All you need to do now is decide how many
Try to buy as many at a time as you can to keep the costs down. It also means you are more likely to hand them out. Think of your business card as a mini advertisement and get as many out there as you can.
SHOTZ has a design service in house in Brisbane for that extra professional polish to make your business cards stand out from the pack.
A Brief History of Business Cards
The original concept of the colour business card is believed to have originated in China sometime in the 15th century. The first cards were used as visiting cards designed to be handed to the doorman upon arrival. This meant the visitor or his footman wasn't required to list his full and often lengthy title. This visiting card custom eventually made it to Europe in the 1600's. The concept quickly flowed to the British Isles and was an instant success.
The Brits however quickly pressed it into service as what we know as a business card. Simply designed cards with text and directions to the merchant's premises as street numbers were not in use as yet. Strict etiquette was soon to follow with two very distinct cards. The visiting card and the colour business card. Handing over a business card while on a social call was an unforgivable social gaff as this was reserved for debt collection. Eventually the visiting card died and the business card took over. Business card design has become an art in itself. Die cut cards, shaped cards, textured business cards and intricately printed full colour business cards are everywhere. Today it remains an integral part of a business identity and the simplest form of advertising at our disposal. It's hard to imagine doing business today without one.
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Friday, 01 April 2011 11:54 |
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Publisher has a business card design template. It even has some clip art so you can add a cartoon kitten to smarten up your card! So if you can design exactly what you want yourself, why would anyone pay for a designer?
The truth is Graphic designers know about the design process. It takes 3-4 years of full time study plus work experience to be a qualified designer and continual learning after that. The evidence of using design to promote business is everywhere. People don't hang around ugly websites. They throw away unimpressive business cards and buy well designed magazines. A prime example of design selling products would be Apple. They sell computers and phones but it's the design of these products that has fuelled their roaring success. It's not print but the principle is the same; design sells.
Graphic designers are problem solvers and approach each brief on an individual basis. Each project holds its own requirements and it's the job of the designer to consider these. Considerations include; colour, size, typefaces, client requirements, audience, competition, distribution, content hierarchy, print restrictions to name but a few.
Simple things like, the eye being drawn to greatest contrast. Might seem all a bit over the top for your cards but when all the pieces come together the package is eye catching and professional. So what you may think is the perfect look for your card may actually be detracting from the overall appearance and devaluing your brand image. In some cases, it's just time to update them. Below is an example of cards we have re-designed for one of our clients. They were all pretty happy with their old cards, but very happy with the new design.
It' is true that not all designers may suit all clients so it is advisable to look for a regular designer that understands your needs. If you find a talented and experienced designer, stick with them. Experience prevents printing or web issues down the line which could end up being more costly. As usual with many industries; you get what you pay for. |
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Monday, 30 May 2011 14:49 |
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The colour poster has been around since the 15th century. Back then each colour poster was handmade by artisans. One of the first known instances of posters was made by the Frenchman Jean-Michelle Papillion. Before Papillion, it was the job of the town crier to pass on information.
By 1628 the Parisian Théophraste Renaudot had started to use colour posters to publicize suppliers of various products. In 1663 he produced the modern equivalent of advertising in his Sheets of the beurau d'adresses. The invention of lithography in the 19th century (process used to make a printed poster) sped up the process by allowing copies to be made by drawing the picture on a sandstone block. the oily crayons used to make the picture repeled water. The stone was then sponged with water which repelled the ink. The ink only stayed on the crayon lines. Sheets of paper were then pressed onto it to make an exact copy. the basics of this printing process today allows up to 10,000 copies per hour to be made. It was Jules Cheret who first used the process to create posters. By 1895, Cheret's colour posters were as much a part of Paris as the Arc de Triomphe.
Poster and Banner Printing
Shotz colour poster prints are well known for quality and longevity. Posters for walls or roll up banners, mounted posters on Coreflute or Alucore. We can even print photos on canvas. A great wedding gift idea, graduation present or 21st birthday party centerpiece.
We can print outdoor poster or indoor posters. Even laminated posters that will last for years. We can supply self adhesive posters and car graphics. Display posters or vinyl banners printed with any image you want. Photo quality images 2.5m high by up to 30m long are no problem. We will stitch the sides and add eyelets or rope to fix the banner. |
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