IndependentInc.com Blog

INDEPENDENT WINS INTERNATIONAL HONORS!

2010-10-13T10:33:00.001-05:00

We’re both pleased and proud to announce that Independent Printing Co., Inc. won the coveted “Benny” award at the recent 61st Annual Premier Print Awards Gala!

The Independent Benny-winner is A Celebration of Imagination. The ensemble of invitation pieces took the highest honor in the Invitations category, selected out of over 3200 entries worldwide.

Known as the industry’s most prestigious international awards program honoring excellence in print, the purpose of the contest is to highlight the skills and superb craftsmanship of printing companies worldwide. Entries were judged first on technical expertise and print quality, then on design features and overall graphic appeal.

The Benny (an award named after Benjamin Franklin, one of our founding fathers and famous printer) is the highest honor with only one award presented in each category.

new postage stamp revealed

2010-06-01T16:25:00.000-05:00

The USPS took the opportunity to reveal their newest stamp at the National Stationery Show in New York recently.

The newcomer, a 64-cent Butterfly Stamp, was introduced for use with square cards, envelopes and other irregular shaped mailers.

To learn more about the stamp and its use, visit:

http://www.postalreporternews.net/2010/05/17/usps-issues-new-butterfly-stamp-for-irregular-shaped-greeting-cards/

rave review!

2010-05-27T16:04:00.001-05:00

We’d like to share some kind words from new customer, Beth Povie of Finch Paper.

Our thanks to Beth who writes. . .

Please pass along our appreciation to the entire Independent Printing Team for managing the print production of our new Finch Opaque swatch book!

I have worked with dozens of commercial, sheet-fed printers and your level of professionalism and cooperation is among the best. Two things stand out:

First, you supplied me with an organized working document for the paper order, and actually did my job by assigning carton quantities and item numbers to place the order. It saved me time, at a critical moment of juggling too much, and positioned your company as a service provider.

Second, you provided smart solutions on press (and were open to my suggestions) to improve the print/image quality. Your pressmen are courteous, professional and customer-focused. And, of course, our Account Manager’s technical background was a terrific asset.

In addition, thanks for taking the initiative to catch missing copy and correct the problem without concern or complaint.

You’ve earned my trust with just this one job. Thanks!

Color Yourself Informed!

2010-05-12T13:55:00.000-05:00

While color usage isn't an exact science, it can definitely influence the outcome of a direct mail campaign. According to Cynthia Cornell, Color Researcher with Color Communications Inc., "Always be mindful of the message you want to convey and how you want customers to perceive your products."

Color Communications Inc. provides the following list regarding hues:

Blue-based reds are associated with more expensive products. Select a yellow-based red (like tomato red, which is perceived as less expensive) if you're looking to downplay a high price.

Orange plays up affordability. Green conveys possibility and hope.

Yellow is the first color the eye sees, and when used with dark colors for high contrast, it becomes more powerful and easily read.

Blue portrays confidence and safety, which is why it's such a popular choice for financial and medical institution mailers.

Purple, although especially hot right now, is best used with high-fashion or sweet treats rather than direct marketing.

Black conveys a strong sense of power, promise and the ability for high contrasts. Add sheen or matte to black, and it becomes more powerful still.

White (especially when presented tone on tone) implies sophistication and formality -- but also a high-end price point.

Did You Know? Independent is a G7 Master Printer.

2010-05-03T08:58:00.000-05:00

If you didn’t know it, Independent Printing is a G7 Master Printer. . . and has been since June 2007!

As a G7 Master Printer, our customers benefit from the best color management available today. G7 Proof to Print is a new and improved calibration method managed by IDEAlliance that allows printers to reliably achieve a close visual match from proof to press, press to press, and even facility to facility as needed.

The G7 Master certification mark means Independent Printing "uses the most modern technology, techniques, proofing/press controls, and standards required to produce a close visual match from proof to print," according to IDEAlliance, which manages the specification and the qualification process. It also is a symbol to print buyers and production managers that you can reliably work with Independent to achieve more consistent and predictable color across all your projects.

Questions? We have a qualified G7 professional on staff to assist you.

A Celebration of Imagination Wins Again!

2010-04-26T15:15:00.000-05:00

The Foil & Specialty Effects Association proudly recognizes the winners of the 17^th Annual FSEA Gold Leaf Awards Competition and honored the winners at the Gold Leaf Awards Banquet, held in conjunction with the FSEA National Convention at the Loews Hotel in New Orleans in early April.

Independent Printing – Gold Award for “A Celebration of Imagination”

Category: Best Use of Decorative Diecutting with Foil Stamping and/or Embossing

Foil Stamping, embossing, holography, and unique effects such as specialty coatings, laminates, decorative diecutting, and cold foil on a product represent quality, added value, shelf presence, individuality, and security – attributes that allow a product to shine above the rest of the competition. Whether a greeting card, package, presentation folder, label, or promotional item, the ability to stand out above the crowd and unmask the extraordinary is just the type of eye-catching work that the Foil & Specialty Effects Association showcases in its annual Gold Leaf Awards Competition – a culmination of the most creative, brilliant, and technically difficult works in the industry.

The 2009 competition once again soared with extraordinary entries submitted from FSEA member and non-member companies from all over the world, once again exemplifying images of top quality craftsmanship and expressions of excellence in the areas of foil stamping, embossing, specialty effects, and design. New to this year’s competition, categories were added relating to excellence in specialty effects applications, including specialty UV coatings, laminates, and laser cutting, as well as categories relating to the use of ‘green’ materials and the cold foil process.

Entries were judged on design, execution, and level of difficulty in 28 different categories with a gold, silver, and bronze award presented in each category. More than 200 pieces were received from the United States (and Puerto Rico), Canada, Finland, Australia, and China – continuing the competition’s steadfast commitment to gaining visibility throughout the graphic arts community at large.

All Gold Leaf Award winners, including the Best of Show Award, can be viewed at www.fsea.com.

2010 PIW Awards

2010-04-22T15:01:00.000-05:00

Independent Printing was proud to learn recently that two of our projects won top honors in the 10th Annual Graphic Excellence Awards sponsored by the Printing Industries of Wisconsin! (The competition is designed to acknowledge and honor superb craftsmanship in the creation, design, and production of top-quality print materials.)

This year, Badger awards went to Wausau Paper’s Inspired Color piece which won in the Booklet Category. A Celebration of Imagination took the highest honor in the Invitations category judging.

These fine pieces are now being considered for the prestigious Best of Show Award which will be presented on May 11 at the PIW Awards Gala in Milwaukee. Independent Printing proudly accepted Best of Show honors twice in the award program's history.

This isn't the end of the road for our winners, however. They'll each be entered in the Premier Print Awards competition in hopes of winning honors on a National level through Printing Industries of America. Stay tuned for the results!

Paper, Please

2010-04-20T13:53:00.001-05:00

Digital media is no substitute for traditional printed pieces, according to a recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Earthtone, a firm specializing in comparison pricing for printers.

The majority of employed US adults (64 percent) say print media is easier to read than the digital equivalent. Further, more than two-thirds (68%) say they feel more comfortable reading something on paper than on screen, suggesting that we associate things we can touch and feel as being more "real."

Deliver Magazine, March 2010

INDEPENDENT PRINTING WINS AWARDS

2009-04-21T11:38:00.001-05:00

We're proud to announce that Independent Printing recently won two Badger Awards and two Best of Division awards in the Printing Industries of Wisconsin’s 2009 Graphics Excellence Awards competition.

Badger Award honors went to two Wausau Paper pieces. Design Digital Print won in the High Fidelity Print category; and Redefining Identity took the highest honor in the Promotional Campaigns judging. Neenah Paper won a Best of Division award for their Love Linen brochure, while Bonair Daydreams was honored for their greeting card line.

Design Digital Print, Redefining Identity and Love Linen are being considered for the coveted Best of Show award to be presented on May 12 at the PIW Awards Gala. They'll also compete at the national level in the Premier Print Awards competition sponsored by PIA.

Several entries also received Award of Excellence call-outs! Among these were Burger Boat's Custom Yachts brochure and Holiday Kitchens' Cucina di Festa brochure.

The PIW Badger Awards competition is designed to acknowledge and honor superb craftsmanship in the creation, design, and production of top-quality printed materials.

Sustainable Ink Upgrade

2009-03-25T14:29:00.001-05:00

In another industry-leading move towards greater sustainability, Independent Printing has upgraded to a new, more environmentally-friendly ink formulation.

The Verdant series of process inks were created through a series of tests and reformulations, resulting in an eco-friendly product with a Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) percentage of less than 1%. The Verdant inks replace a similar vegetable-based ink alternative which contained an industry average 18-20% VOC level.

Verdant is derived from the French word verdoyer, meaning "to become green."

Our new ink system is yet another example of Independent's continued efforts to protect the environment. For more information about our environmental practices, please contact us at 800.443.6771.

Study Results - Foil Recyclability

2008-12-16T09:46:00.001-06:00

The Foil Stamping & Embossing Association (FSEA) recently published a new study confirming the recyclability and repulpability of foil-decorated paper and board.

The main conclusion validates the recyclability of paper products decorated by both the traditional hot stamp and new cold foil processes.

The FSEA is committed to providing its members and the industry at large with the tools to address the growing number of questions regarding the topic of sustainability. For a complete copy of the study, contact the FSEA at (785)271.5816, or jeff@fsea.com.

INDEPENDENT RECOGNIZED BY EPA

2008-10-03T12:44:00.001-05:00

Independent Printing was recently recognized and approved by the Environmental Protection Agency as a SmartWay Transport Partner.

The SmartWay logo identifies products and services that proactively reduce transportation-related emissions. As a SmartWay partner, Independent Printing is devoted to protecting our environment and improving our air quality for future generations. Independent has made, and will continue to make, significant, measurable air quality and greenhouse gas improvements while maintaining or improving current levels of other emissions and/or pollutants.

The SmartWay Partnership is the most recent addition to Independent Printing's environmental affiliations. We are also proud to be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Rainforest Alliance as a Chain of Custody supplier.