Newsletter
Issue No. 214 April 25, 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. Bad Ideas. Groping for ways to bolster federal coffers, a proposal in President Bush’s new budget would require small businesses to report payments to corporations over $600, including payments to FedEx or other shippers. We’re already required to provide a 1099 Form for independent contractors. Expanding that to corporations will just add to the year-end paperwork. It also proposes requiring federal, state, and local agencies to withhold a percentage of payments from contractors, which could significantly impact margins for those of us doing business with government agencies. Learn more here, then write to your congressional representatives.

2. Putting Our Deadlines in Perspective. A good friend and career printer was last mentioned in our April 2005 Newsletter #138. Click here Well, three years have passed and his daughter, Grace, is doing well. She is a success story for how individual contributions can make a difference. The research done by the March of Dimes saved the life of his daughter, “Amazing” Grace! Check out the heart-wrenching blog of the first 127 days when Grace started at one pound, eight ounces (have some tissues handy. Go to  and click on the YouTube link on that page to hear the story here. Then go to and join me in making a contribution here. You may want to attend the walk on April 26 at 9:00 AM in Everett at American Legion Park, too. Click here for details.

3. Fuel Costs. Rising fuel and insurance costs have been hitting us where it hurts, forcing us to consider changing our free pickup and delivery policy. We propose continuing our free pick up within the Lynnwood to Fife corridor. Deliveries, however, would be charged $50 for those in the Lynnwood to Fife area and a bit more for those beyond. We used to have a standard charge for both pickup and delivery and dropped it years ago. Unfortunately, we can no longer find room in our budget to absorb the rising fuel costs. If you have any feedback for us before we implement this change, please let us know. Just click reply to this email and fire away.

4. Tight Money. It’s never been a slam-dunk for small businesses to raise capital, but it’s decidedly tougher these days. An Associated Press piece in Seattlepi.com recounted the story of one small business owner who asked for $100,000 business line of credit and was shocked to discover she was turned down by a big national bank despite her company’s successful track record. She then applied to a smaller community bank and was given the loan. According to the article, local or regional banks are generally easier to deal with because they are less bureaucratic than big national banks. They can also help with networking, since bank officers often refer new business to their customers, knowing they'll get referrals in return. The Small Business Administration (SBA) is another option. Visit the SBA Web site, sba.gov, to learn more about these loans. For the Seattlepi.com story, click here.

5. National Small Business Week and Earth Day. Washington Mutual (WaMu) introduced its online “paperless” account openings for small businesses, reportedly streamlining the process that typically requires visits to the bank and multiple signatures, forms, and faxes. WaMu says its process takes eight steps and can be completed in 10 minutes. Last Tuesday was also Earth Day, a good day to tout our sustainability programs. Here’s an industry player that’s walking the walk - Mohawk Fine Papers uses 100% wind power for all of its manufacturing, converting and distribution operations in New York and Ohio. Go Mohawk! Click 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

If you have any feedback for us on our pickup and delivery policy
Just click reply to this email and fire away.