I want to include my photograph on my business card. How can I get the best result?

Begin by remembering that the size of the photograph, when printed on the business card, will be thumbnail size in order to fit pleasingly on the business card. A standard business card measures 2 x 3.5 inches, and by convention there is a 1/8th inch "border" of white space on all four sides. This means the live area of the card is 1 3/4 x 3 1/4 inches so the maximum height of the photograph is 1 3/4 inches.

For best results, give us a photograph that is as close to the final size as possible. If submitting the photograph as a digital file, use 300 dpi resolution, again in a size as close to the final size as possible. Acceptable file formats are Encapsulated Postcript (eps); Tagged Image File Format(.tif) or JPEG (.jpeg) if the resolution is high enough.

For a Multi page document such as a booklet or newsletter made up of more that two press sheets, you will need to adjust the outer margins on each page to account for shingling or page creep. To illustrate page creep, fold 10 sheets of paper in half. Gather them into a booklet and examine the booklet's outer, right hand edge. Notice that the pages are uneven (shingled). This is the result of page creep.

To make the booklet edges even, we trim off the excess as the final step in booklet making. If you have not adjusted the margins of your pages to account for this final trim, the outside margins on each page will vary and we may even trim away part of the copy.

Adjust for page creep by gradually increasing the outside margin of each page as signatures move toward the middle of the book.

When creating a brochure or booklet that will be folded and assembled after printing, it is use full to make a folding dummy to assist in correctly positioning individual pages on the panels. Here is how it's done;

1. Using a sheet of paper the same size and basis weight of the printed piece, fold the paper exactly as the brochure or booklet will be folded.

2. Number each page of the brochure or booklet, or write a short description of the page (i.e. front cover, inside front cover,etc.). Also note the top and bottom of the page.

3. Unfold the sheet of paper and notice where each page fits on its panel as well as how the page is oriented.

4. Use the folding dummy as a guide when you are creating the page layout.

If the printed piece is a booklet sufficiently long to require more that one sheet of paper, then the folding dummy, when flattened out will also serve as the imposition guide. It will show precisely where each page must be oriented.

The Term for this type of layout is a printer spread. If you submit your document to us laid out in reader spread, we will need to rearrange the pages into a printer spread prior to printing.

I was in your shop today to sign off on a color check for my brochure. Why do I need to wait two more days for the job to be complete?
One of the inviolate rules of bindery is not to handle wet press sheets. After your brochure was printed, we put it on a drying rack to allow the ink to dry thoroughly. The next day we were able to cut down the press sheets, fold and trim without risking the ink smearing or cracking. Then your brochures were packaged and considered ready for delivery, either via our courier or by having you come in to pick up the job.
Our policy is to have jobs completely finished, packaged, ready for presentation to you on the agreed-upon due date. That's why we needed two days after press to deliver your job---one day to complete bindery work and the second day to have your job ready for you when we open at 8:30AM.
Here at B.C. Printing we perform some bindery functions in-house; we also use the services of a trade bindery when we lack the proper equipment or if the job quantity makes it too time consuming to do here. In this case we may need even more time for bindery--we will factor that in when we commit to a delivery date. Call me at 303-320-4855 or email me at dan@bcprintinginc.com.

What is Bleed and how does it affect my printing costs?

A bleed is any printed element on the page that extends beyond the edge of the sheet. A full bleed means that printed elements extend beyond all four edges of the sheet.

Even though it looks like we have printed to the edge of the sheet, we actually have trimmed away the paper and an extra one-eigth of the image so it looks like we printed to the edge of the sheet. This process is called trimming to the bleed.

To include a bleed in the design, the image must be extended by one-eighth of an inch (0.125) past the trim line, and the press sheet must be larger than the finished size of the printed piece. Depending on the finished size of the piece, this may mean we get fewer finished pieces out of a standard press sheet. If you would like to include a bleed as a design element, let us know and we will advise you. Call me at 303-320-4855 or email me at dan@bcprintinginc.com

Just as with offset printing, the selection of paper for digital printing is crucial to the success of the project. Because of technical factors, the range of papers that can be used for digital printing is more limited than that for offset. Our equipment manufacturer has provided us with a list of recommended papers, and we'll offer these to you as a starting point. Here are some tips for selecting papers for digital printing;

1. Papers with a smooth finish and good formation (an even distribution of fibers) provide the best results in digital equipment. Bright white paper contrasts with toner, making colors look more brilliant.

2. Toner does not adhere well to uneven paper surfaces, so heavily textured or embossed papers are not recommended.

3. The paper's basis weight should fit within the equipment's specifications. Our machines must run stock no heavier than 110# cover. We are happy to show you samples.

4. We recommend using a paper with higher opacity and sufficient weight when printing on both sides of the page.

As always, we will assist you in selecting a stock that is within the specifications for our equipment and will produce an outstanding result for your project. Call me at 303-320-4855 or your can email me at dan@bcprintinginc.com if you have questions.

One way to get the benefits of both offset and digital printing is to use them in combination. A common application is business card shells printed on the offset press and imprints with personalized information done digitally. When combining offset and digital, here are a few things to keep in mind;
1. Select paper that works well for digital printing. Some coated stocks and stocks over a certain thickness may not feed well through the digital printer. Ask for recommendations.
2. Toner does not adhere well to heavy ink coverage, so have the digital image printe directly onto the paper. If you must overprint digitally, use a halftone screne to achieve the desired color.
3. For marketing material and brochures, the sheet we use for digital print needs to be 8.5x11, or 11x17 for best results.
For specific information about what works well in our digital printing equipment call me at 303-320-4855, or email me at dan@bcprintinginc.com

Design for a print document plays a crucial role in determining prints environmental effects. Responsible designers incorporate life-cycle considerations into every design choice, and use their creativity to capitalize on environmentally friendly options such as specifying elemental chlorine-free paper,and low VOC inks. Designers can also choose inks that are free of heavy metals or lighter in tone or intensity when a project is likely to be recycled, and forgo surface coatings for projects that have shorter life spans. Responsible designers partner with printers that have good sustainability portfolios, talk to them on best practices, and plan with them for the most cost effective and efficient layouts for reducing waste. Call me at 303-320-4855 or email me at dan@bcprintinginc.com to learn more.

Today BC Printing and 37 other Colorado Companies received their Silver Partner Awards at the 10Th Annual Colorado Environmental Leadership Awards Recognition Event. We feel honored to stand and be recognized with other companies who believe in the importance of being pro-active in protecting our environment. I want to give special thanks to Kathy Lauerman at PIAMS; Joni Canterbury with the Small Business Assistance Program and Lynette Myers with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for their aid and patience in helping BC Printing achieve this award.

Colorado Environmental Leadership Program was started in 1999 with 3 Gold members. Today there are 58 Gold; 44 Silver and 32 Bronze members. Call me at 303-320-4855 or email me at dan@bcprintinginc.com to learn how you can become a member of this prestigious organization.

How does B.C. Printing demonstrate its commitment to protecting the environment? By enrolling in the Environmental Results Program which is a combined effort of Printing and Imaging Association Mountain States,Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and the Small Business Assistance Program. Printers who complete the program are listed on PIAMS Green Members website. Companies who are posted as Green Members must have met the following requirements;
1.In compliance with all federal,state and local Environmental Regulations
2.Have a documented healthy and safe work place
3.Have successfully completed an Environmental Results Program
4.Have recycling programs
5.Have implemented pollution prevention strategies
6.Have formal Green Position Statements
7.Have created Sustainability Action Plans

All PIAMS Green members have been nominated as Environmental Leaders in the State of Colorado. In 2008 B.C. Printing was given a Bronze Achiever Award and in 2009 we have the distinct privelege of being recognized as a Silver Partner. The festivities for this years award ceremonies are next Tuesday 10/29/09 at the Denver Center for thePerforming Arts. I welcome your comments. Phone me at 303-320-4855 or email me at dan@bcprintinginc.com

AS part of our marketing program we are active members in the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. This year we decided to be a sponsor for the business after hours events. We will have a booth at the Colorado Business MarketPlace next Thursday October 15th. This month MarketPlace will be held at the Denver Merchancise Mart. The address is 451 East 58th Avenue, Denver,CO 80216-8470. It will go from 4:30 until 7:30pm. MarketPlace is a good place to network and establish new business relationships. Call me at 303-320-4855 to learn more about MarketPlace or you can email me at dan@bcprintinginc.com

We joined CPrint® to improve our competitive edge. Unlike other print shops, we are now using guidelines for all aspects of business management, including customer satisfaction, employee skills and training, work place safety and financial stability. We aim to create an adult working environment in which each employee can work to his or her highest level of achievement, and we believe that this will translate into the things whhich are most important to you--high quality printed products, ready on the date promised, invoiced promptly and accurately. I welcome your comments. Cal me at 303-320-4855 or you can email me at dan@bcprintinginc.com

We are starting on an exciting journey for us which will have a great impact on you. We have applied for admission to CPrint® International which is our professional organization of printers dedicated to higher standards. CPrint® International has over 100 affiliated companies throughout the United States and Canada. The companies that participate in the program must meet performance standards so customers can be assured of the best possible service. Additionally our participation with CPrint® gives us access to technology and knowledge not available to other printers in this area. Call me at 303-320-4855 or email me at dan@bcprintinginc.com

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