Newsletter
Issue No. 135 March 4, 2005

Bindery
Folding
- Miniature to Map
- Closed Gate
- Glue in-line 8 Page
- Fugitive glue closure
Presentation Folder Gluing
Stitching
- 10 pockets
- Loop Stitching
Trimming
Rotary Perf & Score
Gathering & Collating
Perfect Binding
Wire-O™
Plastic Spiral
- Autospin 30mm elements
- 2.5:1 Oval Hole Pattern
Kleensticking
Drilling
Round Cornering
Shrink Wrapping
Eyeleting
Laminating

Tabbing
Custom Index Tabs
Copier Tabs
Tab Reinforcing
Spine Reinforcing
Patch Edge Reinforcing
5 Hole Drilling

Finishing
Autoplaten Diecutting
Diecutting to 41"
Scoring & Perfing
Embossing
Foiling
Numbering

1. Promises. Suzanne Morgan of Printbuyers Online was asked if it was legal for printing companies to insist that print buyers sign a waver releasing the printer from quality issues, errors, or mistakes. While she admitted that she couldn’t speak to the legality of the issue, she said customers should have the right to refuse poorly printed jobs. It strikes me that in today’s tight market, it doesn’t make sense to work with a printer who would require a waiver. A waiver colors the relationship from the very start, creating an adversarial atmosphere. Obviously, disagreements arise between printers and their customers, but resolving them should require questions of legality only when every other avenue has been exhausted. For more, Click Here.

2. Suite and Sour. The Seattle area is cozy with technology. How can it not be when the aerospace and software industries are so dominant here? So I don’t lose much sleep over The Seattle Times running promotional articles on new desktop printer utility software. The utility in this instance is called ePrint IV. It features applications like watermarking and file formatting, and it purports to offer users greater control over their office print options. But desktop printing still can’t compete with commercial print on quality or quantity. And when it comes to binding, the best desktop equipment doesn’t even come close.

3. Planning to Plan. An interesting article by Kelley Robertson about how to develop a business plan ran in the February Graphic Arts Monthly. He says there are five key areas around which to strategize: Revenue, Profit, Expenses, Vacation, and Personal Time. Recognizing that your personal life can’t be sacrificed to your business life is a valid insight. Recently, I’ve been taking working vacations. I get away from the shop, but stay electronically connected. It gives me time to think on the big picture without compromising oversight of the day-to-day.
For more, Click Here.

4. Quality Leadership. Bill Wesner wrote a piece in Ondemandjournal.com about the lack of strong leadership in the print industry. While I’m not one to chastise my peers, I do think that the companies that have survived the last four years have done so because of organizational strength and skillful leadership. In the article, Wesner lists “Seven Good Traits” of a valuable leader. Most notably, he recognizes that smart, dedicated, and top-quality employees are a must for a successful organization. So is a clearly communicated vision of the company’s direction. I hope I can say we have the former, and I work hard every day to provide the latter.
For the full article visit, Click Here.

5. Spoilage. Most bindery jobs require two types of spoilage – setup and running spoilage. Setup spoilage here is defined as extra press sheets that help us adjust control for the job before running it. Running spoilage, of course, means a few extra sheets per 1,000 copies for wiggle room. The most efficient way to know how much spoilage to allow is to ask us. We know paper costs are significant, but so is the cost of jobs delivered past deadline. Finding the right spoilage amount saves both time and money. And that won’t ever spoil your day.

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email at miltvine@seattlebindery.com
6540 South Glacier Street Suite 120 Seattle, Wa 98188
Phone 425-656-8210
Fax 425-656-4400