Newsletter
Issue No. 220 July 18, 2008

Bindery
Folding
- Miniature to Map
- Closed Gate
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
Transfer Tape
Drilling
Round Cornering
Shrink Wrapping
Eyeletting
Film 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. Customer Service Improvements. We’ve had a running dialog about the value of good customer service, which in turn has led us to make some changes ourselves. To improve communications on scheduling and pricing, including changes in specifications from quote to purchase order, we are now sending email job confirmations for every job ticket we write up. This is an attempt to provide more accurate scheduling and billing. The feedback so far has been great, including appreciation of the confirmation of the due date and, if there is a change in scope of work, in pricing. The practice allows us to head off any misunderstandings early in the process. Let me know if you have any comments or suggestions.

2. More Green. Frank Romano has written a thoughtful piece about green printing on WhatTheyThink’s CEO blog. Click here He also promotes the WhatTheyThink Economics and Research Center’s new report that provides an overview of the state of so-called “green printing” initiatives in the U.S. commercial printing industry. A few salient points: The top ‘green’ practice is “promoting recycled papers as better than ‘typical’ papers.” Forty-three percent of all responding companies said that sustainable printing initiatives are “more important to our company than it is to our customers at this time” and 30% said that they are “not essential to our business or to our customers.” And 10% of all respondents say they currently have some form of certification from an environmentally sustainable printing authority. For more info and to purchase the 48-page $195 report click here.

3. Summertime Tabs. As educators and schools begin gearing up for the start of school, this is the time of year we see an increased interest in our custom and index tabbing services, which are extensive. We have a free Tips for Tabs booklet in a printed version and an online version that can be downloaded from our website. We can also provide you with EPS templates to help with layouts upon request. For more, click here.

4. Mail Trends. The USPS has released its new Household Diary Study Mail Use & Attitudes in FY 2007. The report reveals some interesting info for those of us who are reliant on direct mail. Not surprisingly, the number of bills and statements households received through the mail decreased on a per household basis, while the number of bills received over the Internet continues to grow rapidly. Advertising mail represented more than half of all mail received by households in 2007. Periodicals mail in 2007 was slightly less than in 2006 and 2005, and nearly three-quarters of these were magazines. Interestingly, whether they wish to receive more or not, most households either read or at least scan their advertising mail. Forty-eight percent of households usually read their advertising mail, while an additional 33 percent scan it. Also, household behavior toward advertising mail is largely independent of how much advertising mail the household receives. Among households that receive eighteen or more pieces per week, 49 percent usually read all or some and 17 percent usually do not read any. For the full report, click here.

5. Layoff Tracker. While I’m not one for boosting bad news in business, it occurred to me that this could be an additional resource for determining the credit-worthiness of a customer. It’s a section in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer that tracks layoffs in tech companies. It could also give some insight into finding the healthier companies in prospecting efforts. Check it out here.

For past issues, please visit our website at
www.seattlebindery.com

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

A reminder that two of our tabbing machines run at a clip of 10,000 tabs per hour. We can crank out customized tabs that are cut, reinforced, collated and drilled for any project, on any deadline. We can run tabs that are printed on one or two sides, tabs in a range of sizes and configurations, and tabs with Mylar reinforcement in 18 designer colors. If you have questions about tabs, give us a call, we’ll be happy to consult with you on design.

For more information Contact
Hyon Shin,
Tabbing Dept. Manager 
Hyon@seattlebindery.com