There are many on-line print companies available today that can handle all your print needs but how do you select the right one?  Here are some critical tips to consider when trying to select a good on-line printer:

1) How long have they been in business?  (both on-line and off)  Many on-line printers are traditional print shops that have expanded their business to allow customers to order print via the web.  The longer a company has been in business, the more likely it is that they are a stable, reputable print vendor with many satisfied customers.  Conquest Graphics is one such example, they have been in business since 1922 and made the transition to on-line printing several years ago to help make the process of ordering print easier.  

2) Does the on-line printer offer the range of products and services you need?  On-line print companies tend to be larger than local print shops and often can provide a wide variety of products.  When seeking a printer, look for one that can cover all of your print needs. Also, look at the services you require and make sure the on-line print shop can provide them for you.  For example, do you need graphic help?  Or mailing services?  Many on-line printers offer superior services because they have larger staffs to accommodate a wide range of customers. 

3) Is their pricing competitive? On-line printers usually have lower prices than most local printers.  Because of the large volume of work they produce, you can take advantage of the discount pricing and get work that is of excellent quality.  It is easier to get a quote on-line than from a traditional print company, so go ahead and do some price shopping before you buy. 

4) Do they have a secure ordering system and offer guarantees to protect you?  Reputable businesses take steps to make sure their financial interactions with their customers are secure. Check to be sure that the ordering process is protected by VeriSign and McAfee SECURE.  Also, look for money-back guarantees to be sure that if there is an error, that you are protected.  Most on-line printers offer high-quality commercial printing, but it is still best to work with someone that gives you the extra insurance in case something does go wrong.  Conquest Graphics, for example, offers both a money-back guarantee and a turn-around guarantee to give you extra security that your print job will be done correctly and that it will be delivered on-time.  Also check their ratings and make sure that they are members of the Better Business Bureau.

5) Does the on-line print company offer eco-friendly printing?  Many companies today are concerned about their environmental foot print so working with a printer that uses eco-friendly processes is a bonus.  Check to see if the printer offers recycled paper, vegetable based inks and has clean manufacturing processes.  Traditional printing can be harmful to the environment, so look at the qualifications of the on-line printer to be sure that they are not adding harmful toxins to the environment.

Conquest Graphics has a great reputation in the print industry and we hope that you will choose to work with us on your next print job.  We have a full service customer service department to help answer any of your questions about ordering on-line and we make it as easy as possible to place an order.  At Conquest, our online presence is a window into our full-service operation. You can do anything with us online that you could do in a face-to-face meeting. But you can save yourself a trip or two. Contact us today to see how we can make your print-buying experience a snap.

Before your printed marketing piece is even read, people look at the visual image and form an impression of your business.  The first thing that most people notice on printed material is the color and each color evokes an emotion or a feeling that sets the tone for the information contained in the advertisement.  So before you begin laying out that flyer for your next sale, make sure that you consider the meaning behind the colors.

Here are some common colors used in printing and what the color communicates:

Red: Energy, Strength, Power, Aggression, Passion, Anger, Love, Desire, Danger.  Red is a shout, not a whisper so use it wisely to call attention to important points.  Red helps people take notice and is often used in printed advertisements to say “Buy Now.”  Use it in small doses to draw the eye to the sale prices or if used in wide swaths it can illustrate excitement or speed.  Red is great for energy drinks, sports cars, sports and romance.

White: Purity, Innocence, Light, Goodness, Virginity, Cleanliness, Safety, Surrender, Coolness.  White is often used in printed ads to exemplify sterility and safeness so it is a good color to use for hospitals, doctors, charitable organizations and schools.  The color white makes high tech products look easier to use and furniture look less cluttered.  White is also used for weddings (in N. America) to signify beginnings and is also used to denote lightness such as in low-fat food products.

Blue: Stability, Sincerity, Trust, Professionalism, Loyalty, Wisdom, Confidence, Cleanliness, Expertise.  Blue tends to be a masculine color and it is often used in corporate America.  The color blue is often used in printed products to promote confidence in law offices and professional services, for high-tech products and for airlines.  It is also used to promote boats, travel, cruises, and any sea related industries.  Of course, this color is also a favorite among bottled water and vodka companies to evoke purity and cleanliness.

Yellow: Happy, Warm, Alert, Sunshine, Intelligence, Joy, Spontaneity.  Yellow is used to communicate warm and happy feelings and also to call attention to specific information in printed ads.  Yellow is often used as a starburst around sale prices or an offer because the eye naturally gravitates to this bright color.  Beware of using yellow with high-end products or when marketing to men as yellow does not promote stability and trust.
   
Green: Nature, Growth, Fertility, Ecology, Freshness, Harmony, Healing, Endurance, Health.  Green is often used with food products to indicate freshness, low-fat or health as well as with any company that features eco-friendly technologies.  This color is also used in printed materials to indicate safety which can be used in advertising medical products or financial services.  Be aware that a dark green can be associated with money, greed and jealousy while yellow-green can indicate sickness or decay.
   
Obviously, there are many more colors available to work with in the world of printing but these few examples give you an idea of how color communicates a message even without words.  When you are working on your next print job, consider the power of color and how you can use it to your benefit. 

Once you have your layout finalized, make sure that you work with a quality on-line printer that can bring the colors to life on the printed page.  Conquest Graphics offers commercial quality printing on a wide variety of products - at really low prices.  Let Conquest help you on your next print project so that you get the best product for the money.   

Green printing benefits the environment and the helps eliminate toxic chemicals that may harm future generations.  Many people are aware that commercial printers use a lot of paper which involves cutting down trees, but most are not aware that old-style print companies also release toxic waste as part of their process.

Traditional inks are made from petroleum products.  These inks contain a variety of heavy metals such as barium, copper and zinc that help spread the pigment across the paper and quicken the drying time.  These metals contaminate the soil and groundwater and release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air.  They create smog, irritate the respiratory system and are thought to be carcinogenic.   

There was a study done in Canada a few years ago that showed that women who were exposed to solvents during pregnancy – including alcohols and metals used in the printing industry – had a much higher chance of incurring serious birth defects.  The chemicals used in printing have also been linked to cancer.  Workers in the print industry have a higher incidence of cancer, especially bladder cancer, as a result of being exposed to organic solvents.  So the goal of green printing is to remove these dangerous substances from the printing process.
 
One commercial printer that has made the switch to green printing is Conquest Graphics.  They are a large commercial printer that provides on-line ordering for all types of companies that need printed products.  Conquest decided many years ago, to look at their entire print process and make changes to help reduce their output of toxins.  They also increased their use of recycled papers and decided to switch to soy-based inks. 

Soy inks are made from soybean oil that is mixed with pigments and resins to produce the color necessary for printing.  These new inks come from a renewable plant source and are low-VOC products.  This means that soy ink does not release toxic metals and chemicals into the air.  Not only is this ink more environmentally friendly, printers also found that they needed use less ink overall so this helps keep the costs more comparable with traditional inks.

Also many green printers use alcohol-free dampening solutions in their printing to eliminate another dangerous substance from their process.  Dampening solutions are necessary to keep the ink off the non-printed area of the paper and help lubricate the plate and blanket of the press. The use of alcohol-free solutions are another way to reduce the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and keep the air cleaner.  Like the plant based inks, printers found that the new dampening products can actually produce a cleaner, sharper image on the paper.   

If you like the idea of working with a company which fosters a safe work environment and which does not contribute to the world’s environmental problems, you should do business with a green printer on your next print job.  Conquest Graphics is a leading green printer that employs many environmentally friendly practices in their process.  They are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council for their commitment to eco-friendly printing and responsible forest management.  As a large on-line commercial printer, they provide excellent pricing for all types of print materials which makes it much easier to go green.  For your next print project, check out Conquest Graphics first - you will be happy with their price and service and the planet will be safer as a result. 

Business cards are still a necessity for all types of businesses.  Whenever you meet a new customer, prospect or even a friend, it is easy to provide your printed business card with all the relevant contact information.  So it is important to have a good looking professionally printed business card that is easy to read and makes a good first impression.  Once you have the right design, then ordering business cards on-line is an easy way to save time and money.  Online ordering of business cards can save you as much as $40 per set of business cards.

Here are some key points you need to keep in mind when setting up your business card order:

1. Plan ahead in order to avoid mistakes.   Your business card may be the first impression that

someone gets of your business, so you want to make sure that the information is clean and accurate.  Make sure that you include all of your contact information and that the phone number, address, web address and tag line are correct before you make your order on-line. (Here is a hint-DIAL the phone number to make sure it is right)

2. Consider all your print options in advance:  Business cards now come in different sizes and formats so you have far more decisions to make these days.  Here some of the options to think over:

•  Color or black and white?  Most people use full color for business cards so sometimes black and white can stand out from the crowd.  But think about the design first… do you want to display a picture or image, if so then go with full color.   You could have a colorful image on the card front, with black and white on the flip side.  Costs do not differ much when printing so go with what looks best.
• Gloss, Matte, Coated or Un-coated paper stock?  With any color photos, gloss will bring out the best image but uncoated stock allows you to make notes on your cards if you want to denote an appointment time or whatever. 
• cUnusual size or shape?   The standard size card is 3.5 x 2” but cards can be any size you want – so long as they fit inside a wallet or are easy to handle.  If you want an original design, make sure it says something about your business.  For example, if you are bookseller, you can make your card open up like a book.  Or perhaps you own a business named Square One Burgers, then a perfectly square 2.5 x 2.5’ card may be perfect.  Just beware, that special sizes will increase your costs so make sure that the design is worthwhile.

 
3. Make sure your business name stand out:  Use your company logo or photography that illustrates your business.  People will only glance at your business card so make it easy for them to know what product or service you provide.  If the name itself does not make it clear what you do, then add a tag line that describes your business.
 
4. Keep it clean and clear:  Other than the logo, perhaps a line explaining what you do, the only other information should be the contact addresses.  Include a phone number and perhaps a cell phone as well.  Plus always place your website information and e-mail address on your card.  You may also consider a QR code if you have room on the back but do not overload the card with too much info.  If it is cluttered, then no one will read it. 

5. Use a business card template and stay in the margins:  Printers, such as Conquest Graphics, often provide templates that help you design a business card for printing.  Follow the guidelines to stay within the margins because you do not want to have your phone number or any important info be left off the card.  You have little space so use it wisely.

Once you have a business card design that looks good, show it to a few friends or colleagues so they can proof it for you.  You want to be sure that all information is provided in a way that makes it easy to read while providing a pleasing layout.  Your card should match your business.  If you are a lawyer, it should be professional and conservative.  A nightclub may be wildly colored and edgy.  Make sure that you provide the right impression for new clients. 

If all looks good, then you are ready to order.  An on-line print company such as Conquest Graphics, makes it easy to place your order and the pricing is extremely low for high-quality business cards.   If you have any questions, you can always contact customer service for additional assistance.  Make sure you order enough cards to provide them to everyone you meet. 

Just the simple act of ordering your print on-line rather than at a local printer will likely save you money.  Most on-line printers are large companies that do a significant amount of volume so they can pass their savings along to the customer.  On-line printers usually offer a wide variety of products from business cards to catalogs and a range of services that most local companies cannot match.  So next time you have a print project, get a quote from an on-line printer to see what type of savings they can offer you.

But before you place your order, here are some other printing tips that can save you even more: 

Higher Quantity = Lower Price Per Piece: 

One factor that comes into play is that printers give price breaks for placing larger orders.  Most of the actual costs in printing are in the set up and not in the production (or print run), so most printers pass along savings for larger orders. You get the price break and you get more copies of your brochure, flyer, catalog, etc.

However, you need to make sure that the extra copies will go to good use since it makes no sense to spend more if you cannot use the overage.  So, check to see if you have any pricing or expiration dates on your piece that may be an issue.  Do you have a mailing list with a finite number of customers?  In those cases, printing extra may not pay out.

Before you place the order, look at the quantity you need and then look at the printer’s price breaks.  If you plan to order 4,500 flyers, then the printer may offer a discount if you order 5,000 which makes it worthwhile to order more.  If you need only 600 mailers and the next price break is for 2,500 pieces, then stick to only what you need.  A smart print buyer pays attention to the discount brackets and orders accordingly.

Save Money on Direct Mail by Updating your List:

One mistake that will cost you money is not updating your customer mailing list. Sending mailings to addresses which are no longer valid is simply wasting money. Also, many lists contain duplicate addresses if both the husband and wife shop at your store.  Eliminating duplicate addresses is easy, but figuring out if someone has moved can be a bit more difficult. 

The Post Office offers an address updating service (NCOA) or you can remove names from your list if they have not shopped with you for a certain period of time.   Some retail businesses send a separate “Welcome Back” mailer to former customers with a strong offer or even a free gift to get them to return to the store.  If this doesn’t work, you may assume that the customer has moved away from the area or no longer needs your services.
   
You can also de-duplicate your mailing list, removing variations of the same customer.  John T. Smith and J.T. Smith may be the same person so be sure to delete one name if both addresses are a match.  This will save you a lot on postage.

Speaking of postage, also look into postal regulations to determine the costs for various size mailers.  Obviously, postcard will cost less to mail than a catalog but a fraction of an inch can make a difference with mailing costs if you are not within specs.  For example, a small postcard measuring 6” x 4.25” gets the lowest rate so it does not make sense to mail a postcard that is 6” x 4.5” and pay the higher rate.  If you are paying for a large postcard, then it is worthwhile to print up to the biggest postcard size (11.5” x 6”) allowed.  If you have questions, you can check with your local post office for rates by size and weight.  Or go to www.usps.gov.  

Use standard paper stock for savings: 

Most printers provide a variety of paper stock to choose from within their inventory.  On-line printers such as Conquest Graphics have different weights of paper in glossy or matte textures that will be best for 90% of most print jobs.  Ordering from their “menu” of paper will cost a lot less than ordering a special product.  For example, if you are printing brochures and your ad agency specifies a 9pt glossy card stock you may be better off ordering the 100lb cover stock that the print company has on-hand.  Many times, the difference between paper is negligible so long as you are close to the same weight class.  If you have questions, you can talk to customer service for advice on the closest match available or even get a sample sent to you for comparison.  Ordering special paper can drive up your costs so be sure that you have a good reason for getting a “custom” paper.  

These are just 3 tips that can save you money but at Conquest Graphics we want to help you make the best decisions on your printing.  Take a look at the variety we provide and do a price comparison on your next print project.  We believe that a well- educated customer is a happier customer.   Contact us today to see how we can help you save costs by offering you more efficiency.  

Printing brochures on-line has become extremely easy and cost-effective yet many businesses still have not adapted to the new technology.  On-line printers are often large commercial printers with a great deal of experience that have opened up a web portal to make ordering easy via the internet.  Their quality, variety, service levels and delivery are better than or at least equal to traditional commercial printers.                                                                                                       

 If you purchase printed products, then it would be worth the “risk” to try your next job with an on-line printer.  Many people have resisted ordering on-line for fear that they will not get either the high quality product they are seeking or worry that there will not be any service.  However, if you use Conquest Graphics to order your print job, they have a full customer service department as well as a graphics department.  Since many on-line printers are larger than the local print shop, they probably can offer you more service than you are getting currently. 

But if you’re new to online purchasing of printed materials, here are five great tips you’ll need to know about when ordering from an on-line printing company:

1) Know what type of files the printer accepts:  Most printers prefer Adobe Acrobat PDF file format as these file types eliminate errors.  If you are not familiar with how to convert your files into these formats, check with the on-line printer for instructions.  Many have links to explain the process of changing a file to the best format for printing.  Here are a few links to help you:

a. How to create a PostScript file for conversion to pdf;
b. How to use Acrobat Distiller settings to create a pdf file;
c. We have available the Adobe PDF print driver.

2) Use a Print Templates to help make your project easier. 

Ninety-nine percent of all brochures will fit into a standard template design and many on-line printers publish templates that will help you layout your project for printing.  The most common size brochure is 8.5 x 11” but there are other sizes available.  If the on-line printer does not provide templates, keep shopping for a printer that does or google “print templates” to get one that you can use.  Templates give you the sizing for the exact print area, spacing for margins, notations of where the piece will fold to help you get the job printed correctly. 

3) You can save money ordering on-line, especially if you order in advance

There are some print jobs that just have to be done quickly and many on-line printers can do a quick turnaround.  But for those projects with ample time, you can really see some cost savings.  Allowing for a bit more time will give you time to check your proofs to prevent any errors.  Plus we can provide more guidance, answer any questions or give special help on any out of the ordinary print projects.

4) On-Line Printing gives you many options for paper stock and sizing.

On-line printers give you several paper choices so you can find the one that makes sense for your project. A good rule to follow is that the higher the likelihood that the final product is going to undergo any wear and tear, the heavier the weight you may need. If you are including photos, a high gloss finish shows them off better.  Always try to use recycled paper to help protect the environment – it is much easier to find recycled paper these days and the costs have really come down.  Also most on-line printers can give you different size options and fold configurations to create the brochure that you desire. 

5) If you need help or special assistance, call or chat with customer service.

Frequent users of on-line printing find that they can get everything they need taken care of by going to their already-established online account and placing their order. Those who are newer or who have special requirements can, of course, call or chat with a customer service department.  Conquest Graphics is one on-line printer that provides a full customer service center and a graphics department to help provide service for all types of projects.  If you have questions, a printer such as Conquest can make your ordering process easier.

Try ordering your print on-line for your next project or try a small order to get a feel for the process.  Ordering brochures on-line is easy at Conquest Graphics and you will not take any risk when you consider all the guarantees that they provide for service. 

Online printing has made it so much easier and less expensive to order business printing than ever before. In the past, when you wanted to get something printed for your business you had to shop around the local commercial printers to get the job done. Ordering print on-line is easier and less expensive. In fact, there are so many benefits to ordering on-line that more and more businesses are switching to the web to save time and money.   

Here are some of the key benefits to ordering print on-line:

Convenience: On-line printers are open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. You can place your order when it is convenient for you even if you work non-traditional hours. You can order print from your computer while sitting in your pajamas if that makes life easier for you. 

Price: Most on-line printers operate from a large facility that handles thousands of print jobs so they can offer you the best pricing available. These commercial printers save costs by stocking specific papers and sizes and printing similar pieces together. 

Quality: On-line printers offer quality that is equal to or better than a local commercial print shop. These large printers produce more material so they often invest in the most up to date equipment available giving you the best quality for a low cost. 

Variety: On-line print companies thrive because they can offer many different types of products to fit all types of business needs. If you need brochures, business cards and posters, then you will find that most on-line printers can provide all these items for you so that you do not need to order from multiple vendors. 

Quantity: No matter whether you are printing a large amount of flyers or just need a few, you can find an on-line print house that can handle your print requirements. 

Quick Quotes: It is easier to shop around for price quotes from on-line printers. Often times, you can instantly get a quote on your print job and even get pricing for different projects and press runs at the click of a button.  

Ease of Ordering: Even if you are not an expert, on-line print companies make it easy by guiding you through the ordering process. They often lead you through a series of common questions to help you get exactly what you need. Ordering on-line is as easy as looking at the product pictures and clicking on the item that matches your project. 

Full Service: If you have questions, need graphic design help, mail fulfillment, have multiple distribution points or have any other service question, an on-line printer usually is fully staffed to help you complete your project.  

When seeking an on-line printer, there are a couple of ways to ensure that you get the job done right. Look for a commercial printer that is A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), that is a great assurance of quality and service.  

Conquest Graphics is an on-line printer that has a A+ rating and we also offer guarantees to make sure you are happy with their service. Conquest Graphics online printing offers a Total Satisfaction Guarantee, a Turnaround Guarantee to make sure you get the material by your deadline and a Secure Ordering Process.  

One way to get a good feel for an on-line printer is to order a small job so you can see the quality of the work and how smoothly the process flows. There are many upsides to ordering print on-line and very few risks so it is worth a try on your next print job. 

The purpose of a tri-fold brochure is to convey information about a product, company, service,  organization, event, design…well, almost anything, and to do so in a certain format which is easy to use. If there is such a thing as a “typical” user of a tri-fold brochure, it could probably be described as someone who: 

• wants to provide essential information in a concise manner wants to use text and illustrations efficiently in get a reader to want to know more wants to provide this information in a form which is highly versatile in the way it can be used.

Of all the various brochure designs available – and Conquest Graphics uses them all – the tri-fold is the most commonly used one.  
 
The tri-fold design is also known as the letter fold. Tri-fold brochure is slightly misleading, as there are actually only two folds, resulting in three panels.
 
These are some of the reasons that make the tri-fold so useful:
 

• A tri-fold brochure can be slipped right into a standard Number Ten envelope. 
• Tri-fold brochures can be put inside a large presentation folder.    
• Tri-fold brochures can be put into boxes and shipped along with other items, such as booklets, letters or products.
• A tri-fold brochure, if designed correctly, can be used in holders on counters, in waiting rooms or in other displays. The key is to make sure that the front graphic is strong and that the header is high enough to peek out above the holder (typically extending up a couple of inches from the bottom).
• A tri-fold brochure can be slipped into a pocket or a purse – fits perfectly there as well.
• A tri-fold brochure can be read panel by panel, or it can be expanded so that the viewer can get a view of an illustration or graph which extends across several panels.
• A tri-fold brochure can be seen as a very inexpensive “platform” which launches the reader into other media sites. By showing your various website addresses and by the use of the increasingly popular QR codes, a reader of the brochure can be sent off in several other directions in search of more detailed information about your product, service, organization, etc.

Clearly this is a very versatile marketing option, but as with all marketing pieces, it is important to know what the use of the tri-fold brochure is, where it is going to be used and the audience to which it is targeted. A well designed brochure is key to being read.

Whether your need for brochures is for a very small project, or the largest of the large, Conquest has the capabilities, the equipment, the software programs, and the experienced staff to handle your job. Contact us today.