120 lb Accent Opaque Cover

There are many heavyweight contenders in the print and design ring but many hit and punch the same. By heavy weight contenders I'm really talking about those sheets in the 130lb cover arena. Many of International Papers competitors are producing 130 lb heavy weight cover sheets so this isn't something new. However, now, for the first time, there is a new unique heavy weight contender in the market. Yes, International Paper introduced in January 2013 a new heavy weight cover - 120 lb Accent Opaque Cover!

What so special about this heavy weight contender? This is a contender that is leaner, meaner and can go the distance far better than the others. What makes International Paper's heavy weight contender so different in a line of 130lb heavy weight contenders other than the 10 lbs in basis weight? Good question. This bulky bruiser is 100% one sheet of paper not a fabricated phony made of doubled up middleweights! The other heavy weight contenders in the market are all pasted or what we call laminated; kind of like taking two light weights to make one heavy weight sheet. The new contender, Accent Opaque 120lb Cover being a non-laminated single layer formed sheet will score and fold great as well have excellent physical properties.

Accent Opaque 120lb Cover gains you a big yield advantage but still gets you the same great physical and print benefits you get with the 130 lb competitors. This contender will save you money with no loss in physical features compared to the other heavy weight contenders. With a higher yield and lower manufacturing and shipping costs, this new heavyweight not only has the strength you need, but it also won’t TKO your budget.

• BREAK THROUGH THE CLUTTER. Since most people have a tendency to toss out direct mail quickly you need to design the political communications pieces for maximum impact and make it easy to remember the candidates name and the office for which they are running. Also make sure your brochures, palm cards, etc, are easy to read but include lots of headlines, pictures, etc.  
• BE CONSISTENT. Keep your campaign’s political looks recognizable. Same logo, color scheme, and font. This means that when a piece arrives in the voters home they can recognize which candidate the piece is coming right from the “get go.” This consistency makes your campaign, and the candidate more memorable to the voters. 
• THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX. In conjunction with principal number two, use a combination of different colors, colors that are not typical. The use of non-traditional colors can catch the voters eye. Think of different ways to catch and hold the voters attention. Think different and creatively. 

• Bio pieces that talk about the candidate and his views, platform, etc. 
• Comparison piece that talks about the differences between candidates, which is one of the most effective. 
• GOTV piece (Get Out To Vote) hopefully reminds voters to get out and vote, especially for a particular candidate. 
• Endorsement piece which may tout information that was reported in a newspaper or association endorsement for the candidate.

Along with our red, white and blue campaign, we are providing an additional video, Fractured History, The Basis Weight Story which gives an overview of the measuring system commonly used in the United States.  

Ink Jet Web Printing

While ink jet technology has been around for many years, it has not really impacted the print market like it will now.  Wide format web presses are now making inroads into various print markets.  On-demand or short run books, publications, trans-promo, transaction, etc., are projected to be major markets for these new presses.

• HP – HP has seven ink jet webs on the market right now, which include the T200, T230, T300, T350, T360, T400 and the T410.  All seven ink jet web presses are configured as four-color devices.  All units have the ability to print, what HP calls, a bonding agent.  This material is printed anywhere ink from the ink jet nozzles print. The bonding agent will improve image density. 
  • The other differences between the four presses are web width and speed. Widths range from 20.5” inches to 40” inches depending on the model. Speeds also vary depending on the model with an average speed printing four color is 400 ft/min  up to web speeds of 600 ft/min. Ink drying does take place on all models. Again, speeds and web widths depend on the model. Another feature of the higher end presses is that they have ability to print Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) encoding.
  • All the HP ink jet webs have the ability to print both sides in one pass.
•  Kodak - Kodak has introduced three ink jet web models using their Stream ink jet technologies.  The first model, the Prosper 6000 can go to speeds of 600 – 1000 feet per minute based on line quality (166 lines per inch(lpi) vs. 133(lpi).   The Prosper 5000XL which is a four-color unit printing up to speeds of 650 ft/min at a maximum web width of 24.5”and printing both sides in one pass. The Prosper 1000 is a monochrome unit.  The speeds and web widths are the same for this model as the 5000 XL.  Both models have on press drying to completely dry the ink.

• Xerox - They recently announced they will be introducing a new wide web format ink jet press which is called the CiPress 500. Unlike HP or Kodak the Xerox ink jet press will print with waterless ink, which I suspect much like their dry inks used in their desktop printers. The ink used is a phase change type ink that is delivered in a granular form and melted onto the paper. 
  
  This press prints four color, both sides in a single pass with speeds up to 500 ft/min with web widths ranging from 9” to 20.5”. Xerox big claim is that this press prints on all types of uncoated paper and that paper needs no special treatments since no water is involved. The press also supports a wide range of basis weights of uncoated paper. At this time coated paper does not work. The press is in beta testing at this time and it is suspected that Xerox will introduce their ink jet web to the market by 2012. 
  

• Others - There are many other press on the markets such as the JetStream series from Oce or the InfoPrint series from Ricoh/IBM, The Dotrix from Agfa, etc.
  
  International Paper has several grades available for all of these devices and a check on the web site will display the various offerings for the HP T200-400 presses, which contains ColorPro Technology, and the Kodak Prosper series presses paper, containing ImageLok Technology.  Grades included both Accent Opaque and Williamsburg offset including 7 and 9 point Reply Card and a cream white book grade. The Converting paper side also has good, best and better grades available for many ink jet roll presses.  While these grades are suitable for these pigmented based press, there are grades available for dye based roll presses.  A check at the International Paper web site will give you far more information on all grades available.

© 2011 International Paper Company.  All Rights Reserved.  Printer’s Playbook, Accent, and ImageLok are trademarks of International Paper Company.  HP, Ricoh, IBM, InfoPrint, Screen, Oce, Agfa, Kodak, and Xerox and the brand names of their respective print platforms are the property of their respective owners.  All product information on the HP, Kodak , and Xerox inkjet web products was taken from their respective product brochures.

Printers can now provide advertising solutions that give customers that emotional connection of print and the swiftness of technology simultaneously by adding a code to the printed piece that re-directs the reader to interactive media.  This fusion of print and technology provides a myriad of opportunities for advertisers and effectively positions print as a conduit of consumer communications!  QR Codes, Microsoft Tags, and other information generating codes provide consumers with instant access to additional information about the product or service.

Quick Response (QR) Codes, Microsoft Tags and other information generating codes

Fast Facts:

• Consumers with camera equipped smart phones and the correct reader APP can scan the image of the code to display text, contact information, connect to a wireless network, or open a web page in the phone's browser.
• Code storing addresses, URLs and more may appear in magazines, on signs, busses, business cards, or on just about any object that users might need additional information.
• Codes/tags, etc. can direct an otherwise passive viewer to take immediate action-make a purchase, register for an event, or take a survey.
• Instead of posting a long website address that your audience is likely to forget, customers can place a QR Code or Microsoft Tag on the printed piece.
• Codes/tags, etc. can be created as image files that can be added to page-layout, photo programs, or any other piece of software.
• Codes/tags, etc. are "platform" friendly - works on digital, offset, flexo, etc. doesn't matter.
• Codes/tags work with short or long run jobs.

• Printers should have a code or tag on their business card taking the holder to their web site or contact information.

The uses for these codes/tags are limitless, so don't be afraid to think unconventionally.  While there are several "codes" available, the most popular codes are: 

A real world example of how a QR code can be utilized is shown below.  A new network TV show added a QR code to a magazine advertisement.  When an image of the code was taken using an APP on a smart phone, the viewer was redirected to a web page with a series of trailers for the new show.  The QR code is in the image at the bottom left corner of the advertisement.

There are several components required to successfully utilize the code/tag technology:

• Printers need to understand mobile marketing;
• Printers need to understand the mobile culture and the value QR codes or Microsoft Tags can provide to this audience; and
• Printers must make clients aware of this technology and its potential benefits to their business.

QR code and other code technologies offer printers a way now to expand print.  While print does a fantastic job of communicating about a product, item, etc., it does have a limit in todays fast moving technology.  By adding QR Codes to printed pieces the advertiser or printers client can now add value for their customer.  These Codes can store contact addresses, web URLs, text, video, and much, much more.  They can appear in magazines, on signs, busses, business cards, books, or any printed object where advertisers or clients might need to take you to for additional information.

QR and Code Technology

QUESTION:  So how does a QR code really work when you scan the code with a smart phone camera?  How does the smart phone application translate the code?

ANSWER:  The QR Code information such as placement, positioning, etc. is built into the code.  For example, the large blocks are for positioning, so if the phone is on an angle, the code can still be scanned and the information recognized.  The code also contains version information, alignment, etc.

The following image shows how the code is deciphered:

Due to the high amount of error correction, you can sometimes put a small logo or text in the middle of the code.  However, you must make sure to test the code out if you do.

While the QR code dominates today there is another code technology that is rivaling the QR Code and this is the Microsoft Tag.  Yes, Microsoft has entered the game.  As shown the Microsoft Tag is quite a bit different in appearance than the QR code; however, all things being equal, the Tag does the same thing as the QR code.  While similar, there are some differences - the Tag looks entirely different and the code can be highly customized.

The image on the left is the standard Microsoft Tag whereas the image on the right is the customized Tag. There are other differences between the Tag and the QR Code.These include the following: 

1. While there are many Apps or software to generate the QR Code you have to generate the Microsoft Tag from the Microsoft Tag website (doing a search on the Microsoft site will lead you to the tag site).
2. You must have or create a Microsoft Live account, which is free, to create Tags.
3. Like with QR Codes Microsoft has a smart phone App to scan and read their Tags.  The App is available from the Microsoft site or from the smart phone App store for a free download.

There is yet another code technology that has come upon the scene. This is the SnapTag. Consumers use camera equipped phones to snap and send a photo of the SnapTag to a designated short code via SMS message or an email address.  No App is needed to recognize the code. The SnapTag response is returned to the consumer via a text or multimedia message response. The return messages can deliver marketing materials that enable entry into promotions, the distribution of videos, mobile commerce, and the initiation of a mobile relationship. SnapTags, being a different type of technology, can contain company logos, different designs, etc.  Like with Codes or Tags, SnapTags can be used on any printed material.

Now that Tablets have made it on the scene with larger screens and cameras, the code technology could even be more powerful for marketers.  Just think of the possibilities that code and tag technology will offer for printers and advertisers! Google searches on the QR Code, Microsoft Tag and the SnapTag will provide you much more information.

There has been a lot of confusion in the last few years regarding when to use digital and when to use traditional printing methods, such as Lithography. To help answer that question, we will take a look at the advantages of each printing technology.

So which printing technology is better?  Well that really depends. Each technology shines in its own rite. Use these tips as a guide, but always talk to your printer for their perspective.

Mixing Offset & Digital

OFFSET ADVANTAGES

Very high image quality
Can print on a high range of substrates such as paper, plastic, film, etc.
No qualification process is needed for substrates
The unit cost of a project goes down as the volume goes up
Depending on the size of the press, can print large formats
Much faster printing process than digital
Much better reproducing Pantone or special colors
Can do varnish and coatings inline.

DIGITAL ADVANTAGES

Short turnaround time
Supports Variable Data Printing (VDP)
With Variable Data Printing (VDP) there is less waste due to minimal make-ready and more accurate counts
Provides cheaper low volume printing than conventional printing for the same low volume counts
While image quality is less than offset printing, the differences today are small
Good color control top-to-bottom since you are printing both at the same time and there is no fountain ink balance issue
Can use, in most cases, any software from word processing to high-end print software. In fact digital loves PDFs!
Can proof right on the digital press plus the proof is extremely accurate!

SO HOW DO YOU DECIDE? OFFSET OR DIGITAL?
HERE ARE A FEW TIPS TO HELP YOU DECIDE:

Quality – Offset tends to print higher print quality
Printing Substrate – Offset can print on a wide variety of substrates where digital cannot.
Color – While some digital presses can print 4 – 7 colors, offset can utilize a much larger range of PMS colors. While Offset can provide a much larger color gamut than digital, it is at a higher cost for lower volumes.
Turnaround - This is where digital wins. Digital jobs can be turned much quicker than Offset. No plate changes, make-ready, bringing up color, etc., allows digital to print very quickly.
Customization - Digital printing can combine static information with variable imaging.
Proofing – Digital printing offers more accurate proofs since what you see is a sample of the printed piece you will actually receive.
Combining both – You can print the static offset (for VDP)and the variable imaging digital.
Paper - 
Run Lengths – For short runs, generally 1,200 or less, go Digital. For long runs, choose Offset.

Here are ten short tips that will help you efficiently send your files to the printer and through their system with speed and success.  These tips are compatible with both Mac's and PC's.

Creative to Prepress

Software - Make sure the software you are using is the same software the printer is using.  Not using software that is designed for high end print will cause the printer much more work as they will have to work through your file.

Specify - The right color settings and paper profiles.  Talk to your printer, they might be able to supply you with their ICC profiles which you can import into your system (Mac or PC).

Convert - Image files from RGB to CMYK before sending to the printer or placing in a page layout program.

Fonts - They may look great on screen but may not  work in offset printing.  You should be using Postscript fonts, but the problem arises in that Postscript fonts are different for the Mac and PC.  If you are working on a PC make sure the printer you are using has the ability for PC's.  Do NOT use True Type fonts.  They won't work!  Open Type fonts work on PC's and Mac's easily.

Image Resolution - For images, 300 dpi or PPI is good for almost all applications.  Actually, if you scan an image to high, it may print "chunky". For line or bitmaps, you should be at a higher resolution and at an even divisor of 2540 dpi, such as 635 dpi.  Printers need higher resolution to reproduce well and to define clean edges. I recommend scanning as high as 1,200 dpi in most cases.

Spot Colors - If you are using spot colors make sure that you are specifying the PMS colors used in your documentation.  Always double check your color palette to make sure you are using ONLY the color you want specified to print.  Extra colors mean extra cost.

Bleeding and Crop Marks - Make sure you have included any bleed needed for your project.  Usually 1/8" bleed will do form most flat items.  Also, make sure the bleed you are using will fit the stock you are printing!  Offset your crop marks by 1/4" so that they do not bleed into your image.

Trapping - Don't trap yourself!  Let the printer do that.  While conventional software will trap, most printers use much more sophisticated software to do it themselves.

Pre-Flight - You can run Pre-Flighting and it will check your file for fonts, images, colors, etc.  Anything that is a miss will be pointed out.  Always print SEPARATION proofs for you and the printer.  If you are uploading via an FTP account, save the separation proofs as a PDF file for them to print out.  Once the folder is created it is all set to be burned on a disk or sent to the printer via FTP.

Printer's Proof - While the systems used today are very good they are not 100% what you see off the printing press.  There may be some subtle differences once your project starts rolling off the press.