Friday
Dec092011

Why aren't QR codes catching on? One expert suggests that they are misundersood.

Amy Graham, a "tech" writer for CNN, states that nearly 8 in 10 college students have no idea what to do with a QR code.  She saids, "But evidence suggests many people don't understand what QR codes are or what to do with them."  Read more at: http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/08/tech/mobile/qr-codes-gahran/index.html?hpt=hp_c2

Monday
Nov282011

What's similar about a signature, a leaf and a block?

We are not talking about the signature where you sign your name or something green on a tree or something you walk around. Rather we are referring to three terms common in book printing.

A signature is a unit of pages that are formed when a press sheet is folded down to the finished page size. Signatures are always multiples of four pages. The most common press sheet size is 23" x 35" which is why you see so many books and booklets that are 8.5" x 11". You get eight 8.5 x 11 sheets out of a 23" x 35" sheet. If your printer has a large enough press he can print sixteen page signatures-eight 8.5" x 11" s printed on two sides. This is the most e economical signature size of all. Other common signature sizes are 12 ,8 and 4 pages. Each smaller size signature costs more per page. If you are printing on a digital press you are limited to  8.5" x 11" four page signatures because digital presses are smaller than real printing presses.

A leaf is a single sheet of paper with a page on each side. A book will have one leaf for every two pages. These are the building blocks of signatures. A book can have many leaves and will have half as many pages which will form in units of four to build signatures, get it?

A block or book block is what you have when you combine several signatures by sewing or glueing them together prior to applying the soft or hardback cover.

Now maybe you know a little more about how to build a book.  When you are planning to print a booklet or book rely on you printer to explain the most economical way to print because they will understand the math, physics and geometry involved. It's not rocket science but it is more complicated that you might think-again, rely on your printer.

Wednesday
Jun082011

Grid Lines

Grid Lines can be seen in many aspects of design, printing, and everyday life.

This time year brings one of our nations most predominant city's to life -- on the grid line!

One of the most beautiful things in nature must surely be the sun rising and setting.

When that sunset happens to align with a street grid, basking a city that never sleeps in a radiant glow of light, even busy New Yorkers would be pushed not to stop and marvel at its brilliance.

It's that time of year again known as 'Manhattanhenge' - when the sun aligns precisely with the street grid in Manhattan, simultaneously illuminating both the north and south sides of every cross street of the borough's grid.

 

Monday
Apr112011

Why UPS Is So Efficient: "Our Trucks Never Turn Left"

I just thought this was interesting! I sure hope I never see a UPS truck in the left turn lane - it might cause me to loose faith in large corporations and mass media outlets!  Enough about me - check out the story below:

Bob Stoffel, Senior VP of UPS, revealed an unusual way to save time and money to Fortune:

Stop making left-hand turns.

Engineers map out every route, he says, and provide right-turn only directions to drivers.

This seemingly silly strategy has paid off: UPS's routing software shaved 20.4 million miles off their routes last year* while delivering 350,000 more packages.  It also diminished CO2 emissions by 20,000 metric tons.

Read more: http://pulsene.ws/16krD

Monday
Mar212011

Video: You and Your Business Card are Best Pals!




If you are having a hard time seeing the video... click here for a direct link on CBS's Website.