Print Samples: Add Dimensionality to Your Print
This is the story of dimensionality. Textures, shine, matte, and a host of other print embellishment options can take print to a new level. The differentiation that texture brings is something you can test for yourself. Think about the last handful of business cards you cleaned off your desk. Did you keep some of them? […]
Print, Design, and Cities of the Future
Walking around my neighbourhood has been very strange for a while now, and I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to it. I live right in the heart of my city (Bristol in the UK), which is usually bustling with people in the bars, restaurants and cafés, especially at this time of year. But since […]
3 Takeaways from HOW Design Live to Help You Connect with Print Customers
Last week I attended my first HOW Design Live thanks to the fine folks at The Association for Print Technologies (APTech) who helped me secure a press pass. Attending a HOW event has been a dream of mine since my advertising days. HOW magazine was (and I assume still is) a must-read to stay current on […]
It’s Your DUTY to Make Print AMAZING
Can we please up our game? I yearn to see AMAZING print, but there are days when all I see is CRAPPY print. You see, I volunteer in the high school college and career center. When it’s slow, I file college brochures and viewbooks. New brochures flow into the center daily, and the annual view books […]
How Bad Design And Presentation Kills Good Business
By Roberto Blake “Presentation isn’t everything, it’s the only thing…” If you’ve never heard that quote before, it’s because it belongs to me. Your customers won’t get far enough to know whether your website or product works properly, fits their needs or has a great user experience, if they are immediately turned off by the […]
Creating Value And Opportunity For Graphic Design in 2015
By Roberto Blake It’s 2015, and the landscape of graphic design has changed dramatically from how it was even a decade ago. This is not only a matter of new technology, but also a matter of a shift in the direction of advertising and marketing itself. There’s now an emphasis on customer engagement and storytelling […]
[Infographic] Latest Graphic Design Facts and Trends for 2014
The good people at iStock asked leading designers around the world for their top trends in 2014. Since we’re almost one month into this dance, I thought this infographic would be a fun refresher for the community. Several of these trends are especially relevant in the printing industry, although I’m not sure about the comparison […]
Print Producers: Make The Best Of Your 525,600 Minutes In 2013
Assuming the Mayans were wrong, in a few short weeks we change the calendars and start a fresh new year with a rejuvenated and hopeful outlook for things to come. Here are a few things Im anticipating, examining, and planning to immerse myself in during the next 365 days. Technology is moving so fast and […]
Should You Fear the Lacey Act?
Towards the end of a keynote address delivered at the 4th Annual Print Buyers Conference, Gary Jones introduced the crowd to the little-known Lacey Act. An industry-acknowledged expert in sustainable printing, Gary is the director of the environmental, health and safety (EHS) affairs at the Printing Industries of America near Pittsburgh, PA. His primary responsibility […]