Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I can relate to the problem of the hardcopy proofs. We went to Office Max, Office Depot, Kinko`s, and a separate print-copy place with a flyer. None of their printers matched the colors on our TIF file, viewed even through their own computer screens. All of them said it looked as if their printers would need adjustments and they`d have to call the Xerox folks.

So now I wonder how many customers actually care if the colors match.

When you`re talking those places and the "usual" customers they see, I don`t think they care and quite honestly, I get a lot of people that give me the "Eh, I guess that looks alright. No biggie." I think it all depends on whether or not someone wants it for quality business marketing/branding or the mom and pop shop that specializes in dog toothpaste. Know what I mean?

Heh...."do I know what you mean?" Oy!!

One reason I ended up deciding to go into the philosophic side of writing, figuring I`ll support myself financially with something else, is exactly that: Quality.

I`d make an extensive argument about how many entrepreneurs have gone into business for themselves based on their inability to live with only shoddy products. And that today`s world seems to be based on a downward spiral where it comes to any kind of interest or appreciation of, or even capability to perceive quality.

How many people value quality.....or any kind? Isn`t that a key question, and one that entrepreneurs initially have to answer as they decide whether or not to go into business?

The biggest problem we have had with online printing services is when the work is bad they do not stand behind it.  When I use local printers or we do it ourselves I am nearly always happy.  If you can come up with a plan as an online service that makes you feel like it will be done right the first time and you follow through, you will have something.  Like said earlier, good proofing would make all the difference.  I hate when I create something online and it comes out differently than how it appears on my monitor.  I have even had fonts change after it was created, approved and saved with companies like VP.

-------------------------

Bert at Harvey Software, Inc.
Multi-Carrier Shipping Software and Supply Chain Solutions for Internet Retailers

Also a provider of free shipping information and resources at Harvey Software`s Parcel Shipping Blog along with free tracking solutions at TrackingPage.com...

Well the whole monitor and printing thing is always a concern of mine. My monitor might be calibrated for printer A, but their printer B uses a different type of calibration which in turn means each one will print differently.

And having fonts changed after approval is a mammoth mistake in my opinion.  I can`t even imagine trying to explain to a customer that their printed material is different from the proof because a font had to be changed. That`s just ridiculous.

Hard copy proofs

Bert: I have no problem looking at Kinko`s and saying "you screwed up my print and I gave you a sample, print all 1200 copies again!" Hey they do it so.....

This is all the more reason why I do my own printing. I know how it will look when its done.

-------------------------

He who gets greedy like a pig, gets slaughtered like a hog!

Todd, that is good about Kinko`s, I will have to give them a try.  I am not bashful either when the job is wrong.  But if you are on a tight time schedule and you receive 1200 copies just in time for a mailing and they are wrong.  There is another issue with online printers that arises, the time it takes to get the job done right.  In these cases, a local printer wins hands down.

-------------------------

Bert at Harvey Software, Inc.
Multi-Carrier Shipping Software and Supply Chain Solutions for Internet Retailers

Also a provider of free shipping information and resources at Harvey Software`s Parcel Shipping Blog along with free tracking solutions at TrackingPage.com...

No no, bad, evil. Pimple faced teenage kids who aren`t all that interested in your job, just their paycheck. Hunt down your most favorite local printer and put pressure on them for faster turnaround times. Seriously.

You are funny...I just cannot figure out what is on your head!  Regardless, don`t worry.  I am a big supporter of our local small businesses.  I generally go there first.  If they cannot deliver I either do it myself or turn to the web...

-------------------------

Bert at Harvey Software, Inc.
Multi-Carrier Shipping Software and Supply Chain Solutions for Internet Retailers

Also a provider of free shipping information and resources at Harvey Software`s Parcel Shipping Blog along with free tracking solutions at TrackingPage.com...

When color matters - and you can bet your bippy Coca-Cola DOES care what shade of red their logo is - use Pantone colors and a professional printer. (I don`t mean Kinko`s or Office Max.) You can Google "PMS color chart" to make your selection. Then it doesn`t matter if you`re using a printer in Maine or California, if you choose PMS #216, it will consistently be the same color.

I`d love to know the answer on the font swap dilemma. My desktop and laptop don`t have the same font menu, so I sometimes encounter that mysterious swaparoo when I move documents between computers. What to do? I developed my logo before I got my laptop, so the font is already printed on biz cards, name tag, invoices and all correspondence and business form templates. Maybe it`s nitpicking, but I feel it`s important that items be consistent.