The Joy of Sample Printing

When it comes to getting your product to the market, you’ve got to move fast. Materials have been paid for, distribution deals have been negotiated, and customers are waiting. Once you’ve selected your packaging containers and designed artwork for your labels, the last thing on your list is calling up your label printer and placing your order. Technically that’s true, once you’ve designed the label and picked out your materials you could go ahead and buy all the labels you’ll need, but there is one last thing that could make your life a lot easier: getting a printed proof prior to finalizing the order. When launching a new product, waiting a couple of days and paying a few extra bucks is probably the last thing on your mind, but there are a few good reasons you should.

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Ed #16: Digital Printing Possibilities

One day not so long ago, we received a phone call out of the blue from NewPage Corporation. We didn’t know too much about NewPage, but we quickly learned that they are the largest producer of printing and specialty papers in North America. Why were they interested in us? Well it turns out they were working on a new edition of the design magazine they publish, Ed, and it is focusing on advantages of digital printing. Needless to say, we were intrigued.

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The Architecture of a Custom Label

As an architecture enthusiast, I spend a lot of time reading and thinking about buildings. And, over time, I’ve come to understand that a well-designed custom label is like a great work of architecture. Every single aspect of its design works towards the same goal, and the pieces come together to create a whole much greater than the sum of the parts. So how does your package become the Falling Water of digital labels? How can you become the le Corbusier of labeling design? Well, I’ve developed this four-step framework that can, perhaps, help you create your masterpiece.

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Selecting a Substrate

Selecting a substrate (or face stock) for your product label may not be as simple as you think. There are thousands of combinations of face stocks and adhesives out there and choosing the right one could be critical to your label’s performance. Here are a few things you need to consider before ordering your labels: application, performance, aesthetic and cost. Listed below are some questions that should help you decide what substrate you need to get the most out of your label. (more…)