Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) are toxic gases emitted from paints, cleaning supplies, building materials and thousands of other products and chemicals. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines a VOC as any organic compound that participates in a photoreaction and considers them greenhouse gases. The health effects from breathing VOC’s can range from headaches and dizziness to damage to the central nervous system.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Printing With Vegetable-Based Printing Inks
Friday, December 3, 2010
Cost of ownership – the truth behind your trade show display’s bottom line
As marketing and event professionals know, the scope of any trade show or event display design is always governed by one controlling factor – BUDGET. A project’s budget is a means of keeping expenses capped while avoiding any unexpected over-spends. This also provides a laser focused mechanism for tracking your ROI.
Most of the time, rigid budgets are merely theoretical, as the final price tag is rarely even close. This does not have to be the case. The reason budgets are rarely set in stone is because of the “unknowns”. Inevitably, these unknowns can cause a project to exceed budget projections…sometimes tremendously.
So, how do we avoid this nasty problem??? The answer is as simple as basic math:
(A) + (B) = (C)
Budgeted Items + “unknowns” = TRUE BUDGET
Math can be tricky when variables are concerned. Event budgets are no different. Since we know what the initial budget (A) is, the variable (B) is your “unknown”. To figure out the TRUE BUDGET (C), we must determine the unknowns. This is where you, the marketing professional, can look like an event wizard (complete with crystal ball).
When shopping for displays and printing, your pricing only reflects what is called the “COST OF PURCHASE which includes what is “known”:
• Price of graphic design
• Price of building your display
• Price of Printing
• Price of having your display shipped to you
What we cannot account for (or avoid) are the unknowns. These fall into a second category – “COST OF OWNERSHIP” which refers to the costs associated with owning and operating a certain type of display. With the proper knowledge, these costs can be prepared for, greatly reduced or avoided entirely. This foresight has everything to do with making the correct decisions regarding your display purchase. Here are just some the things to expect regarding cost of ownership:
• Shipping costs (every show – inbound and outbound)
• Drayage costs (every show)
• Labor costs (every show – set up and tear down)
• Electricity costs (every show – varies based on the requirements of your display)
• Employee time / undue stress / reduced morale on the show floor
To make matters worse, overhead costs are recurring. This means that over the course of a year, you purchase your display only once, but you are paying for the cost of ownership each time the display is used.
What is the solution? One answer is – know your (enemy) cost of ownership. If you know that the operating costs for a particular display will be at a certain level, you can budget for it accordingly. This is a simple solution, but still very costly. In this case, you will manage to stay on budget, but have considerably less money to work with at the time of purchasing the actual display. This is due to the fact that most of your budget will need to be earmarked for your cost of ownership. In the end, this is no solution at all.
The correct way to combat this issue is – know your options. When shopping for your display, factor in all of the typical attributes which will effect your cost of ownership. These display attributes include:
• Weight
• Portability
• Ease of shipping
• Ease of use
• Low wattage appliances and lighting
Each of the factors listed above must be an important part of your decision making process. No matter what look, feel or aesthetic you are going for, there is a display out there which can work into your model. Many displays today can be set up and taken down by a single person in just minutes. And the best part:
• NO tools
• NO hair pulling
• NO union labor
• NO freight charges
• NO drayage
• NO last minute headaches
Portable, tool-less exhibits are no longer limited to basic pop-up displays and banner stands. Take a look at what is available out there. I’m sure you will be surprised at all of the options which are currently available. Just remember to always keep in mind – cost of purchase is a one time thing…cost of ownership is an every time thing. Put these elements together and you will always know the truth behind your trade show display’s bottom line!
Most of the time, rigid budgets are merely theoretical, as the final price tag is rarely even close. This does not have to be the case. The reason budgets are rarely set in stone is because of the “unknowns”. Inevitably, these unknowns can cause a project to exceed budget projections…sometimes tremendously.
So, how do we avoid this nasty problem??? The answer is as simple as basic math:
(A) + (B) = (C)
Budgeted Items + “unknowns” = TRUE BUDGET
Math can be tricky when variables are concerned. Event budgets are no different. Since we know what the initial budget (A) is, the variable (B) is your “unknown”. To figure out the TRUE BUDGET (C), we must determine the unknowns. This is where you, the marketing professional, can look like an event wizard (complete with crystal ball).
When shopping for displays and printing, your pricing only reflects what is called the “COST OF PURCHASE which includes what is “known”:
• Price of graphic design
• Price of building your display
• Price of Printing
• Price of having your display shipped to you
What we cannot account for (or avoid) are the unknowns. These fall into a second category – “COST OF OWNERSHIP” which refers to the costs associated with owning and operating a certain type of display. With the proper knowledge, these costs can be prepared for, greatly reduced or avoided entirely. This foresight has everything to do with making the correct decisions regarding your display purchase. Here are just some the things to expect regarding cost of ownership:
• Shipping costs (every show – inbound and outbound)
• Drayage costs (every show)
• Labor costs (every show – set up and tear down)
• Electricity costs (every show – varies based on the requirements of your display)
• Employee time / undue stress / reduced morale on the show floor
To make matters worse, overhead costs are recurring. This means that over the course of a year, you purchase your display only once, but you are paying for the cost of ownership each time the display is used.
What is the solution? One answer is – know your (enemy) cost of ownership. If you know that the operating costs for a particular display will be at a certain level, you can budget for it accordingly. This is a simple solution, but still very costly. In this case, you will manage to stay on budget, but have considerably less money to work with at the time of purchasing the actual display. This is due to the fact that most of your budget will need to be earmarked for your cost of ownership. In the end, this is no solution at all.
The correct way to combat this issue is – know your options. When shopping for your display, factor in all of the typical attributes which will effect your cost of ownership. These display attributes include:
• Weight
• Portability
• Ease of shipping
• Ease of use
• Low wattage appliances and lighting
Each of the factors listed above must be an important part of your decision making process. No matter what look, feel or aesthetic you are going for, there is a display out there which can work into your model. Many displays today can be set up and taken down by a single person in just minutes. And the best part:
• NO tools
• NO hair pulling
• NO union labor
• NO freight charges
• NO drayage
• NO last minute headaches
Portable, tool-less exhibits are no longer limited to basic pop-up displays and banner stands. Take a look at what is available out there. I’m sure you will be surprised at all of the options which are currently available. Just remember to always keep in mind – cost of purchase is a one time thing…cost of ownership is an every time thing. Put these elements together and you will always know the truth behind your trade show display’s bottom line!
10 Low-Cost Ways to Market Your Business Part - 3
8. Become an online expert. This is the "free sample" approach to bringing in business. Research active e-mail discussion lists and online bulletin boards that are relevant to your business and audience. Join several and start posting expert advice to solve problems or answer questions. You may need to keep this up for a bit. But, the rewards come back in paying clients and referrals. "E-mail discussion lists have been my single largest source of clients over the last eight years," says Shel Horowitz, a small-business marketing consultant based in Northampton, Mass.
9. Court local media. Editorial features convey more credibility with prospective clients than paid advertising does. To get coverage from the local media, whether from the town newspaper, TV, radio stations, or trade journals—you need a fresh, timely story. It's usually worthwhile to hire an experienced publicist to position the stories, target appropriate media representative, and write and send press releases. Usually, you can work on a short-term or contingency basis.
10. Finally, don't let customers simply slip away. Make an effort to reel them back in. It costs a lot less to retain a disgruntled or inactive customer than to acquire a new one. If you haven't heard from a customer in awhile, send a personalized e-mail (you can automate this process), inquiring whether all is well. For a customer who suffered a bad experience, pick up the phone, acknowledge the unpleasantness, and ask if there's anything you can do. A discount can't hurt either. Being kind to customers is the smartest low-cost marketing you can do.
Reprinted from Melissa Data
9. Court local media. Editorial features convey more credibility with prospective clients than paid advertising does. To get coverage from the local media, whether from the town newspaper, TV, radio stations, or trade journals—you need a fresh, timely story. It's usually worthwhile to hire an experienced publicist to position the stories, target appropriate media representative, and write and send press releases. Usually, you can work on a short-term or contingency basis.
10. Finally, don't let customers simply slip away. Make an effort to reel them back in. It costs a lot less to retain a disgruntled or inactive customer than to acquire a new one. If you haven't heard from a customer in awhile, send a personalized e-mail (you can automate this process), inquiring whether all is well. For a customer who suffered a bad experience, pick up the phone, acknowledge the unpleasantness, and ask if there's anything you can do. A discount can't hurt either. Being kind to customers is the smartest low-cost marketing you can do.
Reprinted from Melissa Data
Monday, November 8, 2010
10 low-Cost Ways to Market Your Business - Part 2
4. Develop an electronic mailing list and send old-fashioned letters. Most businesses have harnessed the power of e-newsletters—and, you definitely should be sending out one, too. It's very cost-effective. But, exactly because e-mail marketing is now nearly ubiquitous, you can quickly stand out by occasionally sending personal, surface mail letters to customers and prospects. Just make sure the letter delivers something customers want to read, whether an analysis of recent events in your field, premium offers, or a sweetener personalized for the recipient (a discount on his next purchase of whatever he last purchased, for instance). "This mailing has to have value to those that read it, so it reflects the value of what you offer," says Leslie Ungar, an executive coach in Akron, Ohio. "Remember, the best way to sell is to tell."
5. Boost your profile at trade shows and conferences. You can quickly create signage, glossy postcards with your contact information, product news inserts, or an event mini website.
6. Combine business with pleasure—and charity. Spearhead an event, party, or conference for a cause you care about. That puts you in the position of getting to know lots of people, and shows off your leadership skills. "I host an annual baseball game where I take hundreds of clients to a Cubs game at Wrigley Field," says Kate Koziol, who owns a public relations agency in Chicago. "Last year, I took 300 people and we raised $10,000 for a local children's hospital. Few people turn down a game, and it's a great networking opportunity for guests. It lets me reconnect with current clients and impress potential clients."
7. Create a destination. Bookstore chain Barnes & Noble has its coffee bars. Furnishings giant Ikea offers child-care centers and cafeterias. Why? So, customers gravitate to the stores to enjoy an experience, and to hang out for a while. Sunday morning at Barnes & Noble becomes a pleasant weekend routine, rather than a shopping errand. Steal this idea. This tip isn't limited to offline destinations, either. Using pay-per-click advertising, you can cheaply drive traffic to a one-time news event or specialty offerings, points out Jay Lipe, a small-business marketing consultant based in Minneapolis. Lipe recently set up a website for ‘Games by James,’ a retailer of board games, and quickly attracted customers via PPC ads. "The effect was overnight," says Lipe. "Traditionally in the marketing world, it takes weeks or even months to generate acceptable awareness and traffic. Here we saw traffic spike overnight."
Other tips to become a destination:
• Add a free advisory service, whether party planning ideas or investment seminars.
• Add customer loyalty services, such as free shipping for second-time buyers, or rewards when customers spend a certain amount.
5. Boost your profile at trade shows and conferences. You can quickly create signage, glossy postcards with your contact information, product news inserts, or an event mini website.
6. Combine business with pleasure—and charity. Spearhead an event, party, or conference for a cause you care about. That puts you in the position of getting to know lots of people, and shows off your leadership skills. "I host an annual baseball game where I take hundreds of clients to a Cubs game at Wrigley Field," says Kate Koziol, who owns a public relations agency in Chicago. "Last year, I took 300 people and we raised $10,000 for a local children's hospital. Few people turn down a game, and it's a great networking opportunity for guests. It lets me reconnect with current clients and impress potential clients."
7. Create a destination. Bookstore chain Barnes & Noble has its coffee bars. Furnishings giant Ikea offers child-care centers and cafeterias. Why? So, customers gravitate to the stores to enjoy an experience, and to hang out for a while. Sunday morning at Barnes & Noble becomes a pleasant weekend routine, rather than a shopping errand. Steal this idea. This tip isn't limited to offline destinations, either. Using pay-per-click advertising, you can cheaply drive traffic to a one-time news event or specialty offerings, points out Jay Lipe, a small-business marketing consultant based in Minneapolis. Lipe recently set up a website for ‘Games by James,’ a retailer of board games, and quickly attracted customers via PPC ads. "The effect was overnight," says Lipe. "Traditionally in the marketing world, it takes weeks or even months to generate acceptable awareness and traffic. Here we saw traffic spike overnight."
Other tips to become a destination:
• Add a free advisory service, whether party planning ideas or investment seminars.
• Add customer loyalty services, such as free shipping for second-time buyers, or rewards when customers spend a certain amount.
Reprinted from MelissaData.com
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
10 Low-Cost Ways to Market Your Business
By Joanna L. Krotz, co-author, Microsoft Small Business Center
Part 1 of 3; Re-printed from Melissa Data
Too many small-business owners think marketing is like a trip to the dentist—something you just gotta do every six months or so.
But, when marketing is continuous and targeted rather than occasional and shotgun, business gets easier. If prospects have a positive view of your wares and reputation before you call or before they start shopping, you're that much closer to nailing a sale. Here’s how:
1. Take steps to make customers feel special. Customers respond to being recognized, especially in these ‘rush-rush, get-the-lowest-price’ times. "Even with a Web-based business, good customer service is possible," says Denise McMillan, co-owner of Plush Creations, an online retailer of handcrafted travel bags. McMillan encloses a small, rose-scented sachet in every jewelry and lingerie bag she sells, and also sends a handwritten thank-you note. "The sachet and note cost pennies, but add something special to the purchase," she says.
2. Create business cards that prospects keep. Most business cards are tossed within hours of a meeting. Instead of having your card tossed, create one that recipients actually will use—say, a good-looking notepad with your contact info and tagline on every page. "The business card notepad is referred to almost daily, kept for 30 days or so, and carries a high remembrance factor," says Elliott Black, a Northbrook, Ill., marketing consultant who specializes in small businesses.
3. Stop servicing break-even customers. If this idea makes you gasp, think harder. You're falling for the fallacy of increasing sales instead of boosting profits. If you stop marketing to unprofitable customers, you have more time and resources for customers who actually grow your business. "More than likely, 20 percent of your customer base is contributing 150 percent to 200 percent of total annualized profit (TAP); 70 percent is breaking even; and 10 percent is costing you 50 percent to 100 percent of TAP," says Atlanta marketing consultant Michael King. Take a detailed look at your customer profitability data and then direct premium services, and marketing to customers who count.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Our Quality Control is Looking Out for You!
Print Tech uses a unique tracking system that ensures quality control every step of the way. Your job could flow through as many as twelve QC stations, including design, prepress, proofreading, press, bindery and fulfillment.
If a problem arises, our employees are empowered to stop any job at any time to resolve the issue. After all production is complete, the job is reviewed one final time before being delivered.
We appreciate your trust in us and we will continue to make quality assurance our #1 commitment to you.
Print Tech is looking out for your success!
If a problem arises, our employees are empowered to stop any job at any time to resolve the issue. After all production is complete, the job is reviewed one final time before being delivered.
We appreciate your trust in us and we will continue to make quality assurance our #1 commitment to you.
Print Tech is looking out for your success!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Why You Need a Print Tech Web Portal
Print Tech is always online and always ready to streamline the ordering process for static, versioned and variable data documents, ad specialties and inventoried items.
We offer secure, branded web portals that are designed for high paced businesses with multiple locations. Our Print-On-Demand services can be personalized to dramatically increase the return on your marketing investment.
Print Tech Web Portal Features
Private and secure customer portal
24/7 Access
Connect from anywhere through your internet browser
Central ordering for unlimited locations
Digital Asset Library
Customize marketing campaigns quickly and easily
Online Proofing
Reorder business cards, letterhead, envelopes and more!
Benefits
Brand Consistency
Control Costs
Save Time
Reduce Carbon Footprint
Increase Revenue!
Visit our demo at:
www.print-tech.com/printflexdemo
We offer secure, branded web portals that are designed for high paced businesses with multiple locations. Our Print-On-Demand services can be personalized to dramatically increase the return on your marketing investment.
Print Tech Web Portal Features
Private and secure customer portal
24/7 Access
Connect from anywhere through your internet browser
Central ordering for unlimited locations
Digital Asset Library
Customize marketing campaigns quickly and easily
Online Proofing
Reorder business cards, letterhead, envelopes and more!
Benefits
Brand Consistency
Control Costs
Save Time
Reduce Carbon Footprint
Increase Revenue!
Visit our demo at:
www.print-tech.com/printflexdemo
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