It's in Chinese but you get the idea. Just imagine what this technology can do for us in the near future! How about walking around with programable newspapers, books or pull down window shades that you can watch TV on. This is a huge leap for us.
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The environmental cost of E-ink
By now many of us have heard about the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) whose mandate is to promote and certify sustainable forestry, harvest and management. But what about non-traditional paper products? E-ink for instance.
Esquire magazine recently tried to get ahead of the pack and become first to market with an e-ink cover. And while they were first to market, the general reaction to the cover and the attendant publicity has been quite underwhelming. There's still a ways to go before we're designing for e-ink paper and speccing out jobs on a dynamic format. There was also an environmental cost to this stunt, which has been very well researched and makes for some interesting reading...
http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/anya-kamenetz/green-friday/real-cost-e-ink
Esquire magazine recently tried to get ahead of the pack and become first to market with an e-ink cover. And while they were first to market, the general reaction to the cover and the attendant publicity has been quite underwhelming. There's still a ways to go before we're designing for e-ink paper and speccing out jobs on a dynamic format. There was also an environmental cost to this stunt, which has been very well researched and makes for some interesting reading...
http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/anya-kamenetz/green-friday/real-cost-e-ink
Fishtank
DDB New Zealand went all out when promoting the film “knocked up” to air on Sky. First, they collected tadpoles, lots and lots of them. Then they converted a poster-stand into a fish tank. They put a model of an unfertilized egg in the center of the tank, and filled it with fish food that the tadpoles would naturally want. They hung the complete installation in a shopping mall. Super adgrunts can also see a film of the fish-tank build and end result inside.
Check out the video here:
Check out the video here:
Subway in-tunnel advertising gives outdoor a new direction
Now you see it, now you don’t! You are riding in a subway car, gazing out the window when, suddenly, like a hallucination, an animated advertising scene flashes outside your window. It’s not your imagination. Outdoor advertising has found a new print direction -- subway in-tunnel advertising.
The new medium is championed by several advertising firms. A low-tech approach to subway displays in subway tunnels, in-tunnel advertising relies on a scientific phenomenon known as “persistence of vision,” which allows humans to see animated or moving pictures.
In this process, a continuous strip of slightly varying pictures is transferred to a film strip. When the film is projected, the mind records each image as a continuous movement.
The beauty of this system lies in its simplicity -- no electronics, flashing lights, sensors or moving parts, except for the passing train. It’s a natural environment for this kind of advertising, because you have a captive audience of thousands of passengers who are looking for something to do. The light boxes captivate their attention.
The new medium is championed by several advertising firms. A low-tech approach to subway displays in subway tunnels, in-tunnel advertising relies on a scientific phenomenon known as “persistence of vision,” which allows humans to see animated or moving pictures.
In this process, a continuous strip of slightly varying pictures is transferred to a film strip. When the film is projected, the mind records each image as a continuous movement.
The beauty of this system lies in its simplicity -- no electronics, flashing lights, sensors or moving parts, except for the passing train. It’s a natural environment for this kind of advertising, because you have a captive audience of thousands of passengers who are looking for something to do. The light boxes captivate their attention.
A New Horizon coming!
During this year’s CMA Annual Convention, I saw a company demonstrating an example of how communication solutions have changed. We all understand what is changing but now there is a requirement to identify partners that can integrate the change.
Effective communication is dependent on individual consumer’s media preference. As users of print including digital variable print, we have entered a new era where familiar strategies and methods are no longer sufficient to deliver a comprehensive consumer experience.
The sample below is collision of media; interactive, web, e-mail, 1:1 Direct Mail and print.
Using the iPOD Touch, customers could pick and personalize a nature-themed tablecloth demonstrating an interactive, rich data collection utilizing a non-traditional device. The tablecloth was then printed using dye sublimation technology and delivered 4 weeks later.
We understand that the printing industry is changing and that the integration of online solutions within the traditional and digital printing spaces is becoming more prevalent. This sample is a unique example of a customized web-to-print campaign. For more info please contact: kevin.miller@transcontinental.ca
Does Your Print Provider Subcontract Out Work?
When your job goes to press, does your printer do all the work in house? You may be surprised by the answer.
This is not a problem if the process that is subcontracted out is a specialty task, such as die-cutting, thermography, or perfect binding. Most printers do not own all equipment needed for every specialty process, particularly if this equipment would be used infrequently. It’s not good business sense to have equipment stand idle. In cases like this, it can be to your benefit to have the outsourcing take place, particularly since the printer is then responsible for the quality of work the subcontractor provides.
In addition, your printer might subcontract out a complete, self-contained component of a larger job. For example, if you are producing a magazine at a web-offset printer, and you ask the printer to produce cover wraps or inserts for the magazine, this smaller job might fit better (more economically) on a sheet-fed press. Therefore, your printer might broker out this portion of the job.
The time to worry is if your printer subcontracts major portions of your job or the entire job, particularly if it is a high-profile piece that has to be perfect. Perhaps in this case you should look more closely at the kind of work in which this printer specializes to make sure this is a proper fit.
In general, consider the following:
Do you thoroughly trust your printer?
How long have you worked with this printer?
Are you comfortable with your printer’s coordinating the activities of other supplier(s)?
How much of the job will your printer farm out?
Is your schedule so tight that outsourcing could put your schedule at risk?
And is your printer willing to take full responsibility for the quality of the entire job?
If you can answer yes to all these questions, then your printer’s subcontracting elements of a job should not be a problem, as long as the total price of the job is acceptable.
What is Lenticular Printing?
The sequential assembly of images printed on a lens.
The lenticular lens is composed of multiple parallel lens strips with the same optical caracteristics. Each strip magnify and project a micro image strip printed on the back of the lenticular lens, in way that all strips can be sequentially seen for each vision angle of the lens. When using vertical lens, it is possible to project stereoscopic (relief/3D) images for each eye. When using horizontal lens, it is also possible to project changing images, the image seen by the eyes depend of the vision angle.The lenticular sheet is an optically transparent substrate, with a flat backing that allows direct printing (offset), or pasting. Images must be made to fit precisely with the lens strips size and must be perfectly align with the lens strips.
I have attached a 3D effect for your viewing pleasure. Lenticular print is of course more expensive than a similar paper piece, but the impact much more important, and the retention on the customer attention is amazing.
The lenticular lens is composed of multiple parallel lens strips with the same optical caracteristics. Each strip magnify and project a micro image strip printed on the back of the lenticular lens, in way that all strips can be sequentially seen for each vision angle of the lens. When using vertical lens, it is possible to project stereoscopic (relief/3D) images for each eye. When using horizontal lens, it is also possible to project changing images, the image seen by the eyes depend of the vision angle.The lenticular sheet is an optically transparent substrate, with a flat backing that allows direct printing (offset), or pasting. Images must be made to fit precisely with the lens strips size and must be perfectly align with the lens strips.
I have attached a 3D effect for your viewing pleasure. Lenticular print is of course more expensive than a similar paper piece, but the impact much more important, and the retention on the customer attention is amazing.
Printing Friendly
Our environment should always be taken into consideration in both our personal and professional lives. Something that is constantly overlooked by businesses is the materials they use for printing. The paper and ink they’re using might be hurting the environment.Using post-consumer waste paper (PCW) is so much more environmentally friendly - it uses only recycled products in production. This prevents the unnecessary destruction of virgin tree fiber and helps preserve forestland and biodiversity. In the United States, currently 90% of our paper comes from virgin tree fiber, meaning that 90% of our paper is destroyed forest. Using PCW paper can help decrease the number of trees being cut down. The paper that most people are using is bleached with chlorine or chlorine derivatives. These chemicals can cause toxins and pollutants in several conditions, instead try to use paper that is Process Chlorine Free.
The ink you use can also be hurting the environment. Petroleum-based ink has VOCs, harmful toxins that can cause cancer and birth defects. VOCs are released when the ink dries on printed paper can even filter into the soil when printed paper is disposed of in a landfill. A healthier choice would be to use soy ink. It contains much less VOCs than petroleum-based inks and many people are already using it for magazines and other companies. Using eco-friendly printing is good for the environment and good for business. Customers will take preference in your business when they know you are putting an effort into helping the environment.
The ink you use can also be hurting the environment. Petroleum-based ink has VOCs, harmful toxins that can cause cancer and birth defects. VOCs are released when the ink dries on printed paper can even filter into the soil when printed paper is disposed of in a landfill. A healthier choice would be to use soy ink. It contains much less VOCs than petroleum-based inks and many people are already using it for magazines and other companies. Using eco-friendly printing is good for the environment and good for business. Customers will take preference in your business when they know you are putting an effort into helping the environment.
E-ink - too big for the mailbox.
Here's a link to some images of the current issue of Esquire, you know, the one with the e-ink cover. Someone has taken it apart and given us a good look at what makes e-ink run. Have a look behind the curtain - it would seem that e-ink is going to be a while in approaching practical applications...or mailboxes are going to have to start getting a lot bigger.
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2008/09/esquire_eink_cover_hackin.html
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2008/09/esquire_eink_cover_hackin.html
links about e-ink
A couple of links about electronic ink for your reading pleasure. Is it the wave of the future? Not quite yet. Will it one day supersede ink on pulverized vegetation? Possibly - in fact probably - but we've got a while to wait, so sit yourself down and get a good paperback...
Hmmm. Wonder what those will be called in a paperless future?
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/08/technology/08ink.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2008/09/08/esquire-eink-cover-a.html
Hmmm. Wonder what those will be called in a paperless future?
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/08/technology/08ink.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2008/09/08/esquire-eink-cover-a.html
Drop the WWW, it's getting old.
It's time to stop using "www" when referring to websites. It's a waste of storage, a waste of ink, and it takes 2-5 times as long to pronounce as saying the domain by itself. Think about it: nine syllables to properly enunciate three characters.
The reason for using the "www" hostname prefix when entering websites is now a matter of history. It's old, deprecated, outdated, and antiquated. Like websites that only work in Internet Explorer, sites that break when you use the domain alone should be firmly encouraged to join the 21st century.
The reason for using the "www" hostname prefix when entering websites is now a matter of history. It's old, deprecated, outdated, and antiquated. Like websites that only work in Internet Explorer, sites that break when you use the domain alone should be firmly encouraged to join the 21st century.
Some argue that there is still a good reason to separate traffic destined to web servers from that destined to the domain itself. This is precisely the idea that's become obsolete. The reason for that separation in the past was that HTTP (web traffic) used to be just one of many services that one could use for a given domain.
In other words, web traffic wasn't particularly special so it didn't make any sense to point it (or any other service) to the root of the domain by default.
Things are different now. Web traffic now dominates internet use when it comes to user interaction. If someone is manually entering an address to reach a public site, the odds are very high that they're visiting an organization's web site rather than some other type of service. As such, directing users to an organization's web content by default is a matter of obvious practicality. Adding the "www" has simply become superfluous.
This doesn't mean we should abolish the use of hostnames. Hostnames are excellent tools for separating traffic and making meaningful associations with users. The argument here is simply for having the root of the domain point to the web content as a matter of convention.
(cheefully lifted from Daniel Miessler)
Wal-Mart to begin rolling out in-store network
Wal-Mart will begin rolling out an in-store digital network later this month to 2,700stores. The retailer anticipates that the chain-wide deployment of 27,000 screens and its new Wal-Mart Smart Network will be completed by early 2010.
The network is the result of two years and $10 million of research and development by the retail giant to identify the best locations, applications and programming to reach its millions of weekly customers. It is supported by a flexible, open enterprise platform powered by Internet protocol television, allowing Wal-Mart to monitor and control the network screens.
The network will also use response management and message optimization technologies from DS-IQ to enable delivery of relevant content to shoppers by store, by screen, by day and by time of day.
“We've built a network tailored to the way consumers shop our stores — delivering helpful, custom, content closest to the point of decision — that helps them shop smarter,” said Stephen Quinn, CMO of Wal-Mart Stores US, in a statement.
The screens will be located near the entrance of Wal-Mart Supercenters, in grocery, health & beauty and electronics departments and on endcap displays.
The network is the result of two years and $10 million of research and development by the retail giant to identify the best locations, applications and programming to reach its millions of weekly customers. It is supported by a flexible, open enterprise platform powered by Internet protocol television, allowing Wal-Mart to monitor and control the network screens.
The network will also use response management and message optimization technologies from DS-IQ to enable delivery of relevant content to shoppers by store, by screen, by day and by time of day.
“We've built a network tailored to the way consumers shop our stores — delivering helpful, custom, content closest to the point of decision — that helps them shop smarter,” said Stephen Quinn, CMO of Wal-Mart Stores US, in a statement.
The screens will be located near the entrance of Wal-Mart Supercenters, in grocery, health & beauty and electronics departments and on endcap displays.
Printing Prices
It is typical for there to be quite a range of prices on any given print job. There are a lot of legitimate reasons for this variation in prices. Some of these reasons are technical and predictable, others are not.
This wide variation in prices is why many print buyers get two to four competitive bids on every job they handle. Competitive bidding among qualified printers is a best practice for buying print and widely used throughout the industry. You should not feel shy about asking a couple of suppliers to quote prices for jobs you are working on.
I noted that bidding among "Qualified" suppliers is typical. Pre-qualifying your suppliers is very important. Price is only part of the decision making process, service and quality are also important. Only suppliers that you believe can meet your quality and service expectations should be invited to quote on a job. That avoids wasting your time and the suppliers’ time too.
The reasons that Printing prices vary are many, but here's my top 10 list:
10 - Equipment configurations (press and bindery equipment dimensions)
9 - Hourly rate structures (how different processes are priced)
8 - Paper cost, brand, markup, etc. (n.b. specify paper brand clearly otherwise you get apples and oranges)
7 - Estimating competence/creativity
6 - Sales Rep Skill
5 - Quality considerations in estimating (e.g. adding ghosting blocks)
4 - Printer’s experience with client (press checks, quality expectations, changes, artwork quality, volume, work flow)
3 - Your quality/service/schedule expectations
2 - THE BIG ONE, Printer’s workload: Short-term only 40-60% of cost is variable, the rest is fixed. So there is great pricing latitude.
BUT the #1 most important factor, which by the way you have control of, is:
1 - Consistent, accurate, comprehensive specifications
This wide variation in prices is why many print buyers get two to four competitive bids on every job they handle. Competitive bidding among qualified printers is a best practice for buying print and widely used throughout the industry. You should not feel shy about asking a couple of suppliers to quote prices for jobs you are working on.
I noted that bidding among "Qualified" suppliers is typical. Pre-qualifying your suppliers is very important. Price is only part of the decision making process, service and quality are also important. Only suppliers that you believe can meet your quality and service expectations should be invited to quote on a job. That avoids wasting your time and the suppliers’ time too.
The reasons that Printing prices vary are many, but here's my top 10 list:
10 - Equipment configurations (press and bindery equipment dimensions)
9 - Hourly rate structures (how different processes are priced)
8 - Paper cost, brand, markup, etc. (n.b. specify paper brand clearly otherwise you get apples and oranges)
7 - Estimating competence/creativity
6 - Sales Rep Skill
5 - Quality considerations in estimating (e.g. adding ghosting blocks)
4 - Printer’s experience with client (press checks, quality expectations, changes, artwork quality, volume, work flow)
3 - Your quality/service/schedule expectations
2 - THE BIG ONE, Printer’s workload: Short-term only 40-60% of cost is variable, the rest is fixed. So there is great pricing latitude.
BUT the #1 most important factor, which by the way you have control of, is:
1 - Consistent, accurate, comprehensive specifications
Interactive Advertising
This interactive platform is the ultimate experience for digital signage and advertising. The Interactive Media System combines intuitive human body motion with our interactive surfaces, including interactive walls, interactive tables, interactive windows and interactive floors!
The result is a highly effective interactive marketing tool that captivates your target audience in Retail enviroment, Events or Outdoor media. It not only exists in real time, but in a unique way can create and send powerful messages by way of advertising, brand re-enforcement and establishing corporate identity.
The result is a highly effective interactive marketing tool that captivates your target audience in Retail enviroment, Events or Outdoor media. It not only exists in real time, but in a unique way can create and send powerful messages by way of advertising, brand re-enforcement and establishing corporate identity.
Do you want your marketing communications to have impact, be memorable and generate a response? Of course you do.
Grab your customer’s attention.
While your customers might expect to see Repositionable Notes in the workplace, seeing them on the outside of a mailing will really get their attention! Since Repositionable Notes affix directly to the front of your piece and stay on until delivery, they hold centre stage when the recipient picks up your piece.
Motivate a response.
Whether you have a special offer, reply deadline, new product or service, or a call to action, Repositionable Notes can help put your message front and centre. Use them to help generate interest and encourage customers to look inside your mailing to find out more.
Get your target involved.
Repositionable Notes can be moved and “repositioned” anywhere (to a computer, telephone, file cabinet, refrigerator, etc.) so they can help increase interaction with your mail package, help increase response, and make your message more memorable.
Produce amazing results.
Rogers Communications Inc. tested the impact of Repositionable Notes on a Home Phone service Direct Mail campaign. They found the results to be spectacular. Direct Mail pieces with Repositionable Notes generated almost double the response rate of those without .
Any mail house, printer or lettershop that has some type of automatic labelling equipment can apply the notes Per Canada Post guidelines.
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