OSHA
to Review State Safety Programs
As a result
of deficiencies found in review of Nevada's occupational safety and health
program, OSHA will implement a number
of changes to strengthen the oversight of all
state safety and health programs. Under the
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, a state can operate their own
workplace health and safety program as long as they meet basic federal
minimum standards. OSHA approves and monitors the state plans and provides
up to 50 percent of an approved plan's operating costs. Twenty-seven states
and territories (including Maryland) operate such programs and are partially
funded by the federal government. An OSHA spokesman said, "...Federal
OSHA strongly supports the initiative and dedication of state programs.
We want to work together with the states and provide assistance before
a state's program becomes deficient."
Pricing
Incentives from the USPS
For 2010, the USPS 2010 Shipping
Services has great pricing incentives. There is a new Priority
Mail cubic volume-based pricing, and a new Priority Mail Flat Rate padded
envelope for Commercial Plus shippers. In addition, 2010 Shipping Services
prices have other attractive incentives including:
- Domestic Priority Mail Small
Flat Rate Box retail price will remain $4.95
- Priority Mail Large Flat Rate
Box shipped to APO/FPO/DPO addresses will still be priced at $2.00
below the retail price
- Commercial Plus Express Mail Flat Rate Envelope price will
remain $14.96
Also remember that prices for First-Class Mail, Standard
Mail, Parcel Post and other Mailing Services products will not
change either. The 2010 Shipping Services prices are available on Postal
Explorer at http://pe.usps.com under the "Jan. 4 2010 Price Change" button.
Business
Trend: Customized
Communications
Consumers are more interested than
ever in hearing from companies, provided that the communication is personalized
and contains useful information. One way to capitalize on this preference
is the use of customized publications, called "mag-alogs" or "cat-azines,"
which are like infomercials in print, and tell the story behind the
product. Typically, these mail pieces feature eye-catching, magazine
style covers, and contain a blend of traditional direct sales copy with
editorial content.
Perhaps because they are go beyond a typical ad, these publications always
get through the door whether they are delivered
to home mailboxes or corporate mailrooms. And do they ever work! A
recent consumer poll by Custom Publishing Council revealed these telling
statistics:
-68% of consumers polled said the information
in customized publications help them make better purchasing decisions
-78% of consumers polled said they don't mind sponsors selling
their products/services if the information is interesting
-74% of consumers polled said getting information from a collection of
interesting articles is better than traditional ads
-59% of consumers polled said they read printed custom publications,
whereas only 36% look through electronic versions
Like any full color magazine, a mag-alog involves a substantial investment;
but companies like Zappos.com, which regularly uses them, have tracked
sales of featured products directly to mag-alogs.
This article excerpted from "Marketing with Magalogs," by Anne Stuart,
first published in the October, 2009 issue of deliver magazine, a publication
of the USPS.
What
Do You Know About QR Codes?
Quick Response (QR) codes
are high density bar codes embedded in printed material that
are readable by cell phones, and other mobile devices. They
serve as a gateway to more information and are used regularly
in Japan. For example,
a person can point a smart phone at a printed QR code, take
a picture, and be taken to a web site with more information
about that product. One benefit of QR codes is the ability
to track effectiveness of printed material. QR codes can
help measure the effectiveness of a print campaign — presently
one of the most consistent complaints from marketers about
print media.
Get more information on
Quick Response codes at the following sites:
QR Codes connect Print to the Web
QR Codes from
Wikipedia
Print Is NOT Dead; It Is Interactive
Affordable
Training for Your
Prepress Crew
Printing Industries of
America has launched Prepress Skills Training Curriculum to
properly train prepress technicians. Challenges within
the prepress stages of a job can prove to be just as troublesome
and costly as those in the pressroom. That's why , by Joe
Marin. Marin is the senior analyst of digital technologies
for Printing Industries of America,
and compiled this training resource to address all of the
issues that today’s prepress technician will inevitably
encounter. The curriculum covers topics such as
PDF creation, uncovering digital file problems, soft proofing,
color management, and working with camera RAW. The six
main areas of focus within this program are:
* Orientation to Desktop Publishing
* Composition
* Job Engineering
* Image Capture
* Press, Binding, and Finishing
* Digital Output
The program contains an Instructor’s Manual with DVD
(available to members for $250); a Trainee’s Workbook
(available to members for $99); and a Reference Library of
six books containing material relevant to the program (available
to members for $324.) For more information about the Prepress
Skills Training Program, visit www.printing.org/store or
contact Member Central at 412-259-1770 or membercentral@printing.org.
Websites
Help Control Color & Create Fonts
Check out these two cool websites
for help with process control and font creation:
Ron Ellis
Consulting, LLC, a colormanagement.com affiliate, has launched
a new website called FreeProcessControl.com.
It contains FREE downloadable process control tools, articles,
and resources for professionals and printers who need to
specify and verify color. Users can upload color data, compare
it to existing standards and specifications. They will also
be able to quantify the difference in color and print
labels with a pass/fail status. In addition, there is an
online store for browsers to purchase a wide range
of products, from printers, to consumables, to RIPs, color
management hardware and software. Order online or
call toll free (877) COL-RMGT.
Meanwhile, at FontCapture.com you can create a font from your very own handwriting. It's
fun, direct, and free. There's no software to download and
install, all you need is a printer and a scanner. Simply
fill in the font template, scan and upload it to their website,
and download your completed font. The fonts you create can
be used on both Windows and Mac computers.
Members
in the News
Williams
& Heintz Map Corporation and Techna-Graphics,
Inc. were among the latest group of recipients
to receive GPO jobs. The U.S. Government Printing Office
(GPO) awarded 109 one-time print jobs to 38 print suppliers
from November 4-10, 2009.
Upcoming Events
| November 17 |
Webinar: What You Need
to Know About Twitter,
Noon-1:00pm. This is the third of five broadcasts
(Tuesdays, Nov 3-Dec 1) in the Social Media Webinar
series, and focuses on how to stand out in the 'Twitterverse'
by generating hot topics of discussion. Cost is
$55 per webinar per connection. Register online
at http://www.pine.org/Education/webinar_social_series.html#principles |
| November 18 |
Member Seminar & Vendor
Expo: Its OK to Print, 9:00am-4:00pm
at PGAMA (9685 Gerwig Lane, Columbia, MD 21046).
Attend this seminar and learn how to affordably promote
and expand your sustainable efforts. Attendees
will walk away better prepared to market their “green” processes
and practices—including getting listed on
the Maryland Green Registry—and informed
about other fast, easy, and budget-conscious things
that can be done to protect the planet AND boost
a bottom line. Cost is $30 per person and includes
lunch. Call PGAMA to register, 410-319-0900 or
sign up online at www.pgama.com. |
| December 3 |
Charity Fundraiser Santa
Claus Anonymous Wine Tasting, 6:00-9:00pm.
National Federation of the Blind, (1800 Johnson
Street, Baltimore, MD 21230.) Tickets $55 in advance,
$65 at the door. Includes beer, wine, and buffet
catered by Bo Brooks. More info and purchase tickets
at www.santaclausanonymous.org |
| December 6-8 |
Color Management Conference, Pointe
Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort, Phoenix, AZ.
The 2009 conference is packed with advice from industry
experts, a vast array of technology to review and try
for yourself, and a plethora of practitioners and experts
who will be on hand to help you better understand the
intricacies of color management. Plus, you will have
the opportunity to check out the latest developments
that make color management work for you. Pricing begins
at $895 per person for members. More info and register
at http://www.printing.org/event-calendar/5270. |
| January 2010 |
Deadline
for Excellence in Print Awards entries. Call
for entries brochures will be mailed soon. Set
aside your best work 2009 now! |
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