Combining Spot Colors with Transparency

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Have you ever experienced problems when sending your files to your printer that included spot colors with transparency? Well, you’re not alone!

Using a spot or PMS color on a layout can often lead to unexpected results.

If your using InDesign or Illustrator and using only CMYK colors, you can use transparency without any problem.

The problems start when transparency overlaps spot or PMS colors.

Your file will look fine on screen, and often even when printed from a desktop printer,
but high-quality print will be compromised.

The file on the left shows supplied art using spot PMS transparency. The file on the right has been flattened and will not print properly.

Why is this happening? Before being flattened, transparency is considered live and exists as an optical effect onscreen.

Before the layered file can be printed it must be flattened. The transparent region is broken into non-transparent sections that are translated by the RIP (raster image processor) into a printable image.

The good news is, these problems can easily be resolved and prevented by simply converting the spot color to process in the native file and then re-exporting to pdf.

For more printing tips we’re here to help. Call Schneider Graphics 847-550-4310 or sales@schneidergraphics.

Customer Service

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What are you doing to stand out from the rest?

Is your customer service where it should be?

At Schneider Graphics we take a different approach.

We realize every company is different. We’re not a one size fits all company. We take each project with a unique path. Offering different solutions for different businesses. Providing personalized service and listening to your needs first.

We offer full-service printing and fulfillment experience with the most innovative tools and resources.

From Digital to Offset or Paper to Vinyl, we can recommend the best way to print and which substrate to use for your project.

Solving problems before they become a problem. That’s our difference!

Relationships take time to build and each one is distinct and matters to us.

Schneider Graphics has a rich tradition of providing superior services to the companies of which we do business.

Please let us know how we are doing. Call or drop an e-mail anytime we would like to hear from you. 847-550-4310 or sales@schneider-graphics.com

Building Brand Loyalty with Direct Mail

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Brand Loyalty has everything to do with how customers perceive your brand.

It’s the process of turning repeat customers into loyal customers.

Direct mail loyalty campaigns can achieve the following…

• Build Trust

• Create Comfort

• Solve a customer’s problems

• Anticipate your customer needs.

• Enable and encourage brand advocacy.

Choose words carefully

• Simply through word choice products can sound better.

• The right words can build an emotional connection with your customers.

• Choose words that convey a feeling of trust.

Use of color

• Color choices reflect mood or feelings.

• Choose colors that represent your brands personality.

Craft a sense of belonging

• Creating an authentic connection will build lasting relationships.

• Emotionally connected customers are more than twice as loyal as highly satisfied customers.

Call to Action

• Choose words that make consumers feel that they are taking part in something when they take action.

• Feelings of empowerment and value will begin to form when words or phrases resonate with consumers.

• Select a persuasive word that will lead to the action you want the reader to take.

•Try combining words that create a call to action phrase. Requests a specific action by a certain deadline.

Call Schneider Graphics 847-550-4310. We can help set up a direct mail campaign.

Selecting the right paper weight for your print project

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Deciding on the weight of paper for your print project can often be one of the last things that you decide on.

Next up you may decide on the size of the brochure and how many pages it is to have. Then the quantity and budget to work with.

Before printing your brochure there are a number of things you need to consider.

• Will it be stitched

• What type of paper

• What will be the weight of the paper used

These are decisions of importance effecting the final weight could impact the delivery costs if using a direct mail campaign.

The weight of the paper used within your brochure will impact the cost and quality.

The quality and weight of the paper will often determine a first impression.

Making the right decision on paper weight is important and can add value to your offering.

Call Schneider Graphics today. We love to talk paper. 847-550-4310

Die Cutting

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Have you ever needed a marketing piece that would really stand out?

Have you ever considered adding die cutting to your print projects?

Die cutting adds another level of creativity to your print marketing. Do you really want your next project to be another flat, square sheet of paper like all your competitors? Die cutting can add shapes, textures and unique folds which really make your projects get noticed.

From envelopes to pocket folders and labels to packaging, die cutting is all around us.

When you include die cutting, the shape of your project is only limited by your imagination!

Die cutting is exciting and fun to create. Call us today and let Schneider Graphics help with your die cut project. 847-550-4310.

Direct Mail

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Have you ever wondered why companies use direct mail?

Direct mail still offers one of the most consistently effective forms of advertising.

Today’s direct mail can be personalized and customized to include names and other personal information. This helps to attract and hold the recipients attention which ultimately increases the likelihood of the prospect to follow through with a purchase.

Unlike email campaigns which many customers are skeptical about, direct mail is essentially delivered directly to customers and prospects, so there is a much greater chance of the prospect to see and read your message.

Direct mail has a proven track record. Because it has been so widely used for a such a long time, there is a lot of existing data that demonstrates its effectiveness. Direct mail campaigns offer reliable returns with minimal costs.

Some of the most common types of direct mail are:

• Brochures     • Coupons       • Flyers            • Letters          • Newsletters

One of the major advantages of direct-mail advertising is that it is highly targeted.

Here are some suggestions for starting a mail campaign:

• Develop a mailing list. This is the most important part of any mail campaign. Many companies will have two lists, known customers and prospects.

• Create a mailing piece.

• Create a call to action.

• Run a test campaign.

• Run your campaign.

• Analyze your customers responses.

Do you need help starting a direct mail campaign? Talk to us a Schneider Graphics. Call us at 847-550-4310 or e-mail gschneider@schneider-graphics.com.

Metallic Ink

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Metallic ink is created by adding metallic particles to ink creating a unique metallic look.

Metallic ink can contain copper, aluminum, bronze or zinc.

After metallic ink is printed, the metallic particles rise to the surface during the drying process, reflecting light and creating a metallic sheen.

Metallic ink is opaque unlike process inks (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) which are transparent. Your eye will be drawn to the shine.

Using metallic ink will add luxury and brilliance and are great for grabbing attention to your design.

• Highlighting important headlines or information within your design.

• Make your logo stand out.

• Add elegance to a letterhead, business card or invitation.

• Make your package design pop.

• Labels will have a special appeal.

Metallic inks are not limited to Gold, Silver or Bronze. Metallic inks can be customized to any color needed.

Ask us more about Metallic inks. We love to talk about them. Do you need a sample for your upcoming print project call Schneider Graphics 847-550-4310.
sales@schneider-graphics.com

Specialty Papers

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Improve your image.

Have you ever thought why do some print projects get more attention!

It could be the paper.

Specialty papers are papers that are manufactured to a specific usage. Many are manufactured into specialty paper by coating it with a unique coating.

These papers have characteristics that make them unique in design, texture or application. This puts them into a special grade when comparing normal papers. These papers each play their own role in printing, packaging and industrial use.

Do you have a special need paper in mind? Do you need a different look? We can help find the best suitable paper.

Call Schneider Graphics today at 847-550-4310.

Fulfillment

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Inventory management can be an operational problem for many companies, but it becomes an essential component of giving the best customer experience. Our fulfillment center makes inventory management much easier and allows you more time to focus on other areas of your business.

Our Fulfillment center enables our customers to outsource warehousing and shipping. This relieves you of the necessary physical space to store your products, which is beneficial for companies without the capacity to directly manage inventory.

We also produce custom kitting. We’ll print, assemble and ship materials in custom sales kits.

Schneider Graphics supports full-service fulfillment for your printing needs.

Call us if you’d like to learn more on how we might be able to help with your fulfillment challenges.

Recycled Paper

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Have you ever considered using recycled paper?

 

Recycled paper is available in both coated and uncoated stocks. One of the most important things to remember when choosing a recycled paper is to choose a paper with Post Consumer recycled content. There are marketing schemes selling “recyclable” paper, which means nothing more than the paper can be recycled after its use. However, that’s meaningless since nearly all paper can be recycled after its use. Choosing a paper with a recycled content means the stock actually contains a specific percentage of fiber from paper previously used in the marketplace. Paper comes with a variety of recycled content from 10% to 100% and with the latest technology most recycled papers are as white and print as well as virgin papers do.

 

By choosing a paper that has been recycled for your next print project, you are showing that your company is responsible toward the environment which can help enhance your company’s image. At Schneider Graphics, we can help you choose the right recycled paper as well as the correct recycled logos to show the world how much you care about the environment. We also often add verbiage on the environmentally friendly soy inks we use when printing the recycled logos.