Integral to the design of all documents that are read is the choice of a typeface or font.
It really is the "face" of a document.
First of all, what is a typeface or font? Actually, they are two different terms. A typeface, as defined by Wikipedia, "...is a set of one or more fonts, in one or more sizes, stylistically similar...compris(ed) of a set letters, numbers and punctuation marks..."
A font is, since the advent of computer technology, a single style of letter (to paraphrase Wikipedia).
So, fonts are a part of typography.
What does this mean to you?
Well, as a consumer or business owner, you can help shape your brand and look of your company. A certain typeface tells a story about you--from serious to playful to what your company does.
Setting type together with color, lines, shapes and photographs will define your collateral materials as well as your webpage. Be sure to be consistent and use the same faces in similar situations.
A qualified designer can take the concepts of your company and interpret them into these forms and shapes just as a qualified writer would tell your story in print or in a speech. Whether it is a PowerPoint presentation, a printed brochure or your webpage, what is written, both as a content and as viewed, is powerful to the reader's brain as well as their eyes.
The Executive
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Presses versus copiers
As the digital age overtakes us, so do changes in the processes that we depend on and take for granted.
For example, printing and the printed page. We all have access to a desktop printer or a personal copier. And companies like Executive Press use printing presses and digital printers.
What's the difference between all of these beasts?
A traditional printing press relies on ink, a plate or platen for transfer and paper. The image is typically transferred photographically to a plate and then the plate afixed to the press. Ink is applied and paper fed through the press to capture the image.
Digital printers or copiers typically dispense with the photographic part and send the image straight to the image transfer system.
A good article describing the difference can be found here: http://americanprinter.com/digital-presses/printing_going_digital_staying/
The point is, while one might seem archaic or old, it still has it's place. Many applications (catalogs, books, larger forms) require large-scale reproduction and bindery. Most processes find a place, while maybe reduced in scale, as we move forward.
The Executive Pressman
For example, printing and the printed page. We all have access to a desktop printer or a personal copier. And companies like Executive Press use printing presses and digital printers.
What's the difference between all of these beasts?
A traditional printing press relies on ink, a plate or platen for transfer and paper. The image is typically transferred photographically to a plate and then the plate afixed to the press. Ink is applied and paper fed through the press to capture the image.
Digital printers or copiers typically dispense with the photographic part and send the image straight to the image transfer system.
A good article describing the difference can be found here: http://americanprinter.com/digital-presses/printing_going_digital_staying/
The point is, while one might seem archaic or old, it still has it's place. Many applications (catalogs, books, larger forms) require large-scale reproduction and bindery. Most processes find a place, while maybe reduced in scale, as we move forward.
The Executive Pressman
Friday, July 2, 2010
Today's 5 Design Terms
We're going to review design terminology periodically in this space. Here are five terms to think about as you choose and work with a designer.
Bleed--when an image extends beyond the margins or the page itself.
Body Text--the central text or copy in a brochure, book, catalogue or printed collateral piece.
Descender--the letters y, g, j, p and q (in lower case), named so because their "tails" descend below the line they are written or printed on.
DPI--dots per inch, a measurement of definition of a digital image. Typical DPIs are 300, 600 or 1200. Usually measured at the full size of the image.
Greeking--dummy type used as a placeholder in an initial or draft design.
Those are today's five. Questions?
The Executive
Bleed--when an image extends beyond the margins or the page itself.
Body Text--the central text or copy in a brochure, book, catalogue or printed collateral piece.
Descender--the letters y, g, j, p and q (in lower case), named so because their "tails" descend below the line they are written or printed on.
DPI--dots per inch, a measurement of definition of a digital image. Typical DPIs are 300, 600 or 1200. Usually measured at the full size of the image.
Greeking--dummy type used as a placeholder in an initial or draft design.
Those are today's five. Questions?
The Executive
Monday, June 21, 2010
Heather Hunt, Customer Service
She understands both the rhythm of the dance floor as well as the beat of the print shop. You ask and she understands and delivers.
Heather Hunt is Executive Press' Customer Service Representative (CSR) and newest employee. But new does not describe her experience. A Dallas native, she grew up in the printing industry, starting with her dad's print shop.
"I started working in the shop when I was about 12," Heather said. "From bindery on through, I've done every job in a printing company over the past 20 years."
Heather's experience is key to her day job at EP. She writes up orders and estimates jobs for clients. She fulfills orders by providing quotes and requests for the services of the company. She may be the voice you hear when you call in for an order status or as a first-time customer. Every job originates at her desk.
"This is a fun place to work," Heather said. "the hardest thing for me is to let go of a project to someone else because I want to see them all through the shop."
Having fun is something Heather knows about in her away-from-work life. As a professional belly dancer, she performs in dance concerts throughout the United States. She also performs in local restaurants, private functions and at the Scarborough Renaissance Festival every Spring.
“I started dancing a few years back at the local Renaissance festival and it grew into a passion,” Heather said."It is a great way to stay in shape and the moves require a precision that my other life experiences fit right into, she added.
Executive Press is proud of our people and the work they do for our customers and in the community. When you call in, you can be assured that Heather and the rest of our team will do their best to meet your communication needs.
The Executive Pressman
Heather Hunt is Executive Press' Customer Service Representative (CSR) and newest employee. But new does not describe her experience. A Dallas native, she grew up in the printing industry, starting with her dad's print shop.
"I started working in the shop when I was about 12," Heather said. "From bindery on through, I've done every job in a printing company over the past 20 years."
Heather's experience is key to her day job at EP. She writes up orders and estimates jobs for clients. She fulfills orders by providing quotes and requests for the services of the company. She may be the voice you hear when you call in for an order status or as a first-time customer. Every job originates at her desk.
"This is a fun place to work," Heather said. "the hardest thing for me is to let go of a project to someone else because I want to see them all through the shop."
Having fun is something Heather knows about in her away-from-work life. As a professional belly dancer, she performs in dance concerts throughout the United States. She also performs in local restaurants, private functions and at the Scarborough Renaissance Festival every Spring.
“I started dancing a few years back at the local Renaissance festival and it grew into a passion,” Heather said."It is a great way to stay in shape and the moves require a precision that my other life experiences fit right into, she added.
Executive Press is proud of our people and the work they do for our customers and in the community. When you call in, you can be assured that Heather and the rest of our team will do their best to meet your communication needs.
The Executive Pressman
Monday, June 14, 2010
Jennifer Beaty, Face of the Company
You know you’ve seen her before. She looks familiar, yet you can’t quite place her. Then, when she walks over and introduces herself to you and starts her “short introductory speech, you know.
Anybody who is out networking in the business community in North Texas has met Jennifer Beaty at one time or another. The visible owner of Executive Press, it is Jennifer’s job to be the face of the company, develop new business and make and manage relationships.
“I love the printing business,” Jennifer said. “That’s why I am in and stay in this business.”
With nine years in the business, she got into it after a career start in being a network administrator in the IT business didn’t take hold.
“I love math and seeing a finished product,” Jennifer told me. “I also like people and love to network,” she added.
The last part is what drives the rest of life. Besides all of the business associations she keeps up with from the North Dallas and Garland Chambers and networking groups like First Tuesday, her kids and their activities keep her running.
“We have two teenaged girls who are involved in sports,” Jennifer said, ”As a result, I am treasurer of the Garland High School Boosters Club.” But that’s not all.
“Every summer, our family gets involved together in a number of charities,” Jennifer continued. “We require the girls (and their two brothers) to volunteer or contribute to at least two charities each year. ”Habitat for Humanity, Komen for the Cure and Special Olympics have been the recipients of the Beaty clan’s attention in recent years.Those relationships will continue this year and for years to come.
Executive Press is proud of our people and the work they do for our customers and in the community.When you call in, you can be assured that Jennifer and the rest of our team will do their best to meet your communication needs.
The Executive Pressman
Anybody who is out networking in the business community in North Texas has met Jennifer Beaty at one time or another. The visible owner of Executive Press, it is Jennifer’s job to be the face of the company, develop new business and make and manage relationships.
“I love the printing business,” Jennifer said. “That’s why I am in and stay in this business.”
With nine years in the business, she got into it after a career start in being a network administrator in the IT business didn’t take hold.
“I love math and seeing a finished product,” Jennifer told me. “I also like people and love to network,” she added.
The last part is what drives the rest of life. Besides all of the business associations she keeps up with from the North Dallas and Garland Chambers and networking groups like First Tuesday, her kids and their activities keep her running.
“We have two teenaged girls who are involved in sports,” Jennifer said, ”As a result, I am treasurer of the Garland High School Boosters Club.” But that’s not all.
“Every summer, our family gets involved together in a number of charities,” Jennifer continued. “We require the girls (and their two brothers) to volunteer or contribute to at least two charities each year. ”Habitat for Humanity, Komen for the Cure and Special Olympics have been the recipients of the Beaty clan’s attention in recent years.Those relationships will continue this year and for years to come.
Executive Press is proud of our people and the work they do for our customers and in the community.When you call in, you can be assured that Jennifer and the rest of our team will do their best to meet your communication needs.
The Executive Pressman
Monday, May 10, 2010
Using Soy Inks
Using soy inks is a part of being a green printer and being FSC certified.
What are soy inks and how are they made?
Instead of being made from petroleum, soy inks use a base of soybean oil. The soybean oil is refined and blended with pigments, waxes and resins. Using soy inks makes it easier to recycle the paper printed with soy inks.
Why use soy inks?
To be environmental friendly and supportive of our environment. The manufacture, use and disposal of soy inks do little, if any, harm to the environment. Since soybean oil is naturally cleaner than petroleum inks, the colors are brighter. Images printed with soy inks are sharper, studies show. While they can be used in most applications, they take longer to dry. But that tradeoff is minimal considering the advantages of image quality and cost.
When did soy inks take over?
Since the late 1980s, newspapers began using soy-based inks to save money (over expensive petroleum-based inks) and to give them sharper, cleaner images. In 2004, over 95% of newspapers in the US used soy-based inks.
Who uses soy inks?
Printers and suppliers who are either FSC certified or environmentally friendly or conscious, use soy-based inks and printing products. Plus anybody who wants to save money.
How do you make sure soy inks are used?
Ask your printer if they use soy inks. Or specify them when you place an order. Or ask your designer to specify soy inks.
The use of soy ink is so pervasive and become such an industry standard that the National Soy Ink Information Center (established in 1993) was closed in 2004. Soy ink use is now regulated by the National Soybean Council.
The Executive
What are soy inks and how are they made?
Instead of being made from petroleum, soy inks use a base of soybean oil. The soybean oil is refined and blended with pigments, waxes and resins. Using soy inks makes it easier to recycle the paper printed with soy inks.
Why use soy inks?
To be environmental friendly and supportive of our environment. The manufacture, use and disposal of soy inks do little, if any, harm to the environment. Since soybean oil is naturally cleaner than petroleum inks, the colors are brighter. Images printed with soy inks are sharper, studies show. While they can be used in most applications, they take longer to dry. But that tradeoff is minimal considering the advantages of image quality and cost.
When did soy inks take over?
Since the late 1980s, newspapers began using soy-based inks to save money (over expensive petroleum-based inks) and to give them sharper, cleaner images. In 2004, over 95% of newspapers in the US used soy-based inks.
Who uses soy inks?
Printers and suppliers who are either FSC certified or environmentally friendly or conscious, use soy-based inks and printing products. Plus anybody who wants to save money.
How do you make sure soy inks are used?
Ask your printer if they use soy inks. Or specify them when you place an order. Or ask your designer to specify soy inks.
The use of soy ink is so pervasive and become such an industry standard that the National Soy Ink Information Center (established in 1993) was closed in 2004. Soy ink use is now regulated by the National Soybean Council.
The Executive
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Primer on Paper
Paper is a basic ingredient in anything printed. But there is more to it. Here is a basic primer on paper. There is more to paper than what you will read here, so our intention here is to share some basics to get you started.
Paper is comprised of ingredients like all things. Most papers include paper pulp, cotton, postconsumer waste fiber, millwaste fiber, calcium carbonate, dyes and colorings, optical brighteners, fillers, sizings and coatings.
When choosing paper, consider:
Grade refers to the quality and type (application) of paper. Grades include:
The Executive
Source material for this post came from www.mohawkpaper.com
Paper is comprised of ingredients like all things. Most papers include paper pulp, cotton, postconsumer waste fiber, millwaste fiber, calcium carbonate, dyes and colorings, optical brighteners, fillers, sizings and coatings.
When choosing paper, consider:
- "Hand"
- Grade
- Weight
Grade refers to the quality and type (application) of paper. Grades include:
- Opaque
- Offset
- Coated
- Writing (bond)
- Text
- Cover
- Caliper (the thickness)
- M weight (the weight of 1000 sheets)
- Basis weight (weight of 500 sheets in a specific size)
- GSM (grams per square inch, a metric measure which standardizes weight regardless of size)
The Executive
Source material for this post came from www.mohawkpaper.com
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