click for full size

I passed it along to a few friends who live in Chicago, and while I don’t, this effort wasn’t lost on me. First of all, it’s a great promo for the CITY itself – lots of diverse events – and I love that the neighborhoods are mentioned as well. Since I will be in Chicago for Print13 in September, I immediately looked to see if anything was going on the 8-12th and ‘viola I could check out the Festival de la Villita. I also know my sister travels with her family to see her husbands family in Chicago during the year. I will pass this along to her and I would bet she will pass it along to her sister-in-law. If it gets passed along from there, well now Scott is getting local coverage again.

Mr. Fishman has done something here that is very smart, and very useful. By providing information that by its essence is perfect for sharing he will get exponential exposure… and by doing it without ANY strings attached or a sales pitch by his info, this is a perfect thing to print out and hang on your fridge or in your office. Im not a client of his, but if I were in the area and looking to move, or looking to move to Chicago, I would contact him for one simple reason – THIS IS COOL!

The Underground Library from Keri Tan on Vimeo.

Miami Ad School Student Project: A Simple Solution to help New York’s Empty Libraries
(The creators of this idea are students who have no affiliation with the New York Public Library or any public library. This is purely speculative work that was developed as part of a class assignment.)

Now that the internet is available almost anywhere, people are able to do “instant research” to learn about anything on their smartphones. The New York Public Library wants to remind New Yorkers that they are still a valuable resource, and a free service.

NYPL wants to take your usual subway ads and make them into something fun and entertaining. They want to give New Yorkers something productive to do on the subway instead of their everyday people watching.

New Yorkers will be given a free digital book sample to read on their way to work. Once finished they will be informed of the closest libraries so they could finish their story.

Underground Library is a fictional student campaign, thought up by Max Pilwat, Keri Tan and Ferdi Rodriguez, three Miami Ad School students. This video explains how the campaign would work if it were adopted by the client.

Agency: Miami Ad School
Art Directors: Keri Tan & Max Pilwat
Copywriter: Ferdi Rodriguez

Take a moment to share this infographic, and a few extra to offer some advice and tips for the channels you use. Go the extra mile by offering advice and tips on how to utilize social media with print and in marketing… maybe over coffee!

Disney jumps on 3-D printing bandwagon, offers to print 3-D Storm Trooper with your face

By: Trace Hagan 

3-D printing has been making headlines the past few years and Disney is ready to jump on the bandwagon. They’ve announced that they will be hosting several Star Wars weekends at their Hollywood Studios. For $99.95 plus tax and shipping, you can have your face 3-D printed onto a Storm Trooper, just what any Star Wars fan would want.

The 10-minute experience uses the world’s highest-resolution, single-shot 3D face scanner created by our Imagineering scientists with Disney Research labs. That captured image is later sent to a high resolution 3D printer to create the figurine. The completed figurine will arrive within 7-8 weeks after the experience if shipping domestically (it takes a little longer if shipping internationally). Guests will also receive either a Carbon-Freeze Me light-up band or a collector button depending upon which option they choose. The Star Wars – D-Tech Me experience is $99.95, plus shipping and applicable sales tax.

The experience is available over several weekends: May 17-19, May 24-26, May 31-June 2, and June 7-9. Customers will also have the option of being frozen in Carbonite, an option that was provided last year during Disney’s Star Wars Weekends. For more information, check out Disney’s announcement.

via Disney jumps on 3-D printing bandwagon, offers to print 3-D Storm Trooper with your face :: TweakTown.

Don’t miss Smithers Pira’s Digital Print for Packaging 2013 June 5-6 in Atlanta!

The biggest names in print and packaging will be in Atlanta next month at Smithers Pira’s Digital Print for Packaging  – June 5-6 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis – for a cross-industry exchange about how digital print can revolutionize the packaging industry.  HP, Anheuser Busch, Canon, General Mills, WhatTheyThink, Pepsi, Package Design Magazine, CL&D Digital, Karstedt Partners, BASF, Tonejet and many others have already registered.

Shouldn’t you be there too?

5. This is the only U.S. conference focused exclusively on bringing together print AND packaging insiders to develop the ideas and relationships needed to capitalize on this fast-moving market.

4. Industry VIPs like X-Rite Incorporated, SCHAWK!, HP Scitex Industrial Printing, Xeikon, Esko and many others will tell you how they’re are currently using this technology, what their clients and customers are saying and what they’re planning for the future.  View the agenda: http://bit.ly/WTG0Rs

3. Your bottom line demands it!  Know more about the latest industry happenings than your competitors– you’ll discuss developments in digital applications, plus strategies to maximize the profitability of a switch to digital printing for packaging and learn where the industry needs to go next. 

2. You’ll build relationships throughout the entire supply chain – with brand owners, printing equipment suppliers and printing technologies, developers and many others who are interested in integrating this technology into their business.

1. PrintMediaCentr readers are always a part of the industry’s most important events.  Use code PRINTMED200 and book online to save $200 off of your conference registration fee!  This offer is not retroactive and cannot be combined with other offers.  Book today! http://bit.ly/Y1Dsiw

Needless to say I became slightly fascinated with this process, and reached out to my awesome contact over at Unisource Worldwide – Warren Seidel, Zone Manager – Paper, to help me get in touch with someone who could answer a few questions. Warren of course delivered, (as he always does!) and that is how I connected with Trevor Kirchner.

In all honesty I didn’t quite get the answers I had hoped for (like will there be opportunities for commercial printers with 3D printing!), but with much respect Trevor is a busy guy and I am very appreciative to him for his time, and to the people at Unisource Worldwide who have allowed me this access. 

DC: Who is Trevor Kirchner and what does he do?

TK: I am a packaging engineer with Unisource Engineered Solutions (UES) and have been designing packaging for over 20 years in multiple materials.

DC: Can you tell us a little about Unisource Engineered Solutions and your capabilities? 

TK: This video and the brochure I sent have all the information you require on our capabilities.

Download the Unisource Engineered Solutions PDF brochure

DC: Ok, without further adieu – you have a 3D Printer! What are you doing with it??? 

TK: Currently we are using our 3D printers to make both sample molds and sample products. At this time UES has both plastic and paper 3D printing capabilities. We are using the printer for printing both thermoform and molded pulp molds and sample products, and creating product prototypes. This improves the package development process by allowing you to check form, fit and function, and make corrections before going into production

The 3D printer also reduces time to market by utilizing 3D CAD files to rapidly build molds. We can go from 3D CAD model to formed parts in less than 24 hours and build durable models that can be drilled, tapped, sanded and painted, and then evaluated and tested under real-world conditions.

DC: Based upon your experience and of course expertise, where do you think 3D printing is heading? Will there be opportunities for commercial print shops to utilize this technology in their services? 

TK: 3D printing reduces the turnaround time for design work from months to hours. Savings in time equals savings in money and also means happy customers.  As machines continue to get smaller, cheaper and faster we will continue to see more people with them.  These machines will eventually make their way into our homes where we can buy parts on-line to print out on our personal 3D printers.  If my dishwasher breaks and needs a new widget, I could go on line and purchase the file for that widget and print one out while never have to leave my house.  No driving to buy a new part or waiting for parts to be shipped to me!  Just print one out! 

DC: Many people believe that packaging is the main growth area for the print industry. Do you agree with that, and where do you see packaging heading in the next 5-10 years?

TK: Deborah, I really can’t say much about packaging’s impact on the printing industry.  As far as packaging in the next 5-10 years. I see packaging in the future getting leaner and meaner.  Since entering this profession I have done nothing but cut out material and cost every day.  At UES we reduce packaging costs for customers, make packaging more ergonomical, make packaging “greener” and speed up their time to market.  Our 3D printers are just “one” piece of the puzzle.  I saw huge investments in the future here at Unisource and wanted to be part of it!    

#PRINTCHAT READING LIST

If you missed last week… CLICK HERE to download our Resource List and get more info about our weekly #PrintChat

I’ve had the App and have been sharing info about it for a while, but there have been some great updates recently and I figured why not introduce everyone to its creator, Robert Hunt, and share the new features. Im especially psyched and proud that PrintMediaCentr made it’s way in there as a resource! 

Inside Print Apply users will find: • QR Code Reader • Envelope Sizing Chart • Eco Friendly Papers • Basis Weight and Grammage Equivalent chart • Fraction Converter • Folding Information • Spine Width Calculator • Glossary of Terms • Proportion Wheel • Print Templates and more!

I think of the App as my mobile Pocket Pal and definitely recommend you check it out. I’d also like to thank Robert for not only developing this handy tool for all of us, but for making if FREE through the generous support of his sponsors Western States Envelope & Label and Two-Sides US. Give them all a shout out if you have a moment: @PrintApply  @WSEnvelopeLable  @TwoSidesUS

DC: Who is Robert Hunt, and what does he do?

RH: I come from a long line of printers. Almost all my relatives have worked for the the New York Daily News at sometime or another. My Grandfather (Anthony DeMaria) worked at the News for 60 years and my father (Robert Hunt Sr.) started their at 16 years old and put in 43 years. I have a degree in Commercial Art and Computer Graphics and work in Prepress for a Printing company in Maryland.

DC: How did the Print Apply App come about?

RH: Print Apply’s initial concept was from my growing frustration with envelope sizes. I said to my wife “there is no apps that reference envelope sizes”. Her response was, “make one”.  Wanting to give the industry more then just envelopes,I began to look around my desk and I noticed a fraction converter chart which is on every print shops wall. That’s when the idea of a multi-function mobile application came to life.

DC: As you know, I’ve had this APP for a while and love it – especially the proportion wheel that I am still obsessed with!  What is your favorite feature?

RH: I’d have to say the envelope section is still my favorite part of the app. That’s the section I find myself using the most. It’s simple and lets face it, not many designers know what the suggested enclosure sizes for that many envelopes.

DC: You are a Print guy who took the initiative to create something that benefits all of us. What was the creation process for all the APP curious people out there?

RH: As for the creation process, it’s really about finding a market that hasn’t been tapped yet. Then, it’s about producing a quality product to help people in our industry. The app is not for everyone but most people get it and appreciate the finished product. I was lucky enough to work with great developers that took my concept, drawings and mock ups and brought it to life. 

DC: Print Apply is the only mobile application licensed by the FSC and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) to promote the use of certified papers. Why was sharing this information important to you?

RH: Finding eco-friendly/certified papers is not always an easy task. I was fortunate enough to be granted permission from FSC and SFI to list their papers in the app. It was a pleasure working with both organizations to make this happen. Hopefully this section benefits everyone who needs to find information on certified papers when they are away from their computer.

DC: Western States Envelope & Label and Two-Sides US are Print Apply sponsors. How can others get involved to help you expand even further?

RH: All of my partners/sponsors bring their expertise to the app.  In return, they benefit from reaching a very targeted audience. Anyone interested in advertising on the app can contact Robert Hunt at printapplyapp@gmail.com

To get the App visit your Android or Apple store and search Print Apply – or scan the appropriate QR code below!

You pick up your mail and you’re thumbing through it when a colorful map on a postcard catches your eye. You pull it out to see what it is and upon closer examination you notice it’s looking rather familiar. When it all clicks into place, you realize the map is showing the location of your house, and a location of, or direct route to _________ insert local business here, or multiple locations of a business in your area. Now you read the postcard to see what this is all about. 

Whether you found it “creepy” or found it cool, one thing I’d bet is that you have spent more time with this postcard than the others in your stack. And those extra seconds to minutes could be what turns a postcard into customer.

Printing And Practicing What You Preach

locr is just entering the US market and like anything else it will need some traction with “beta testers” and “influencers” to increase awareness. This is where you guys come in! Rolf is offering up to 1000 FREE geo-personalized maps for 50 of you who want to try out the technology!  This is a $500 value, and can be used for only one project – so whether you use 100 or 1000 maps, you have one shot at “free.”

You could utilize the maps for one of your clients, but if it were me, I’d do a really kick ass personalized self-promo with a map from my customers’/prospects’ location to mine, along with an invitation to discuss the personalization technologies used on the mailer (or a company BBQ or local event you are participating in – sky’s the limit!).

I asked Rolf to create two maps for me to include in this post – the map above shows a random house location with a route to Disney in Orlando, the map to the right shows the closest Starbucks locations within an Orlando zip code. Click on maps to see larger image.

Practicing What I Preach

I just want to be clear that I am NOT on the locr payroll in any sense. When I see something cool and I think it can help printers and marketers I want to share that info with you, and when I’m able, I try to get you an incentive! In this case it’s up to 1000 maps to test out, and my hope is that by utilizing them it will generate conversations and conversions for you!

How Do You Get Your Maps?

Check out maps.locr.com or download this PDF and if you want to take a test drive email me and I will hook you up with further information. Only 50 people will receive up to 1000 FREE maps, so act quickly if you are interested.

PRINT LONG AND PROSPER!