 |
 |
 |
 |
SERVICES LINKS:
Link To Your Service 1 YOUR COMPANY |
 |
AUGUST 2008
Dear [FIRST], Welcome to this month’s issue of the Graphic Arts Wire. Each month you will receive helpful bindery tips and useful industry information from your friends at [COMPANY].
Today’s Spotlight: Barcodes and FIM marks Significant savings can be realized when mail is designed to be automation compatible. Knowing U.S. Postal Service requirements can cut postage costs by thousands of dollars. To take advantage of these discounts, here is one detail to keep in mind when designing your next direct mail piece.
Barcodes and FIM marks Barcodes must be placed in one of four locations: below the city, state and ZIP line; above the address line containing the recipient’s name; above or below the keyline information; or above or below the optional endorsement line. Regulations also require at least 1/25” of clearance between the barcode and any information line above or below it, as well as 1/8” of space between the left and right edges and any adjacent printing. Placement of the barcode in any other location could negate the use of automated handling, causing postage costs to skyrocket.
“Green” is the new black Environmentally friendly printing is hot topic for virtually everyone in the graphic arts industry. Knowing where to find the most up-to-date information and how to go about getting the top environmental certifications can be tricky. The following links are valuable resources for this information and can outline the steps your company can take to be a friend to the earth.
As gas prices soar many companies are cutting back and sometimes eliminating sales travel. Not seeing your clients face-to-face can be challenging but overcoming that obstacle is certainly within reach. These tips will help you keep in touch and keep that strong relationship even if you’re not in their office. • Increase the frequency of phone calls. If a weekly visit used to keep the relationship strong, make sure you call at least twice a week. You can make up for the lack of personal interaction if you’re talking more. Try an online meeting. GoToMeeting and WebEx are two well-known services. • Follow up phone calls with an email summary. This provides a summary of what was discussed and creates a tangible trail of what was agreed upon. It’s like an electronic handshake. • Give each customer your undivided attention when you are on the phone with him or her. It’s easy to become distracted or attempt to “multi-task” when your customer can’t see you, however treating each call just as you would an onsite meeting keeps the good relationship you’ve worked so hard to build. As the economy continues to present challenges, we have to find better, smarter ways of doing business.
August 19 - 21, 2008 August 19 - 20, 2008 August 28, 2008 August 5 - September 11, 2008
A binding and finishing company owner was dismayed when a brand new business much like his own opened up next door and erected a huge sign which read 'BEST DEALS.' Making matters worse, a few days later another similar competitor opened up on his other side and announced its arrival with an even larger sign, reading 'LOWEST PRICES.' The owner in the middle panicked, until he got an idea. He put the biggest sign of all over his own shop. It read: 'MAIN ENTRANCE.'
Wraparound.
|
|
