Door hangers and reply mailers are a great solution for political campaigns

With 2012 being another political election year, there are many opportunities to increase your offerings and get in the game. Candidates in your local community will be looking for marketing opportunities beyond just yard signs; so be prepared. Here are some popular printed applications to offer local candidates as they race for a bid in your area.

Reply Mailers

The traditional reply mailer has more power than you think, and candidates will benefit from a two-way conversation with their recipients. A perforated, pre-paid postcard built in to the format is a great way incorporate a “call to action”. Recipients can mail back the postcards to request more information, rsvp for an upcoming event or express their opinion by answering survey questions. Questions like “What issues are important to you?” or “Will you be voting this election year?” will provide valuable feedback to the candidate.

Presentation Folders

To put a professional foot forward, candidates should consider creating eye-catching presentation folders. By offering them a variety of stocks, pockets and customization, they’ll find it a worthwhile tool to be used in many ways. Presentation folders go beyond a typical meeting or proposal. A candidate’s bio, goals and other literature can be presented to the community at events and other public engagements.

Tri-fold Brochures and Door Hangers

Canvassing is an important part of political campaigning and is used to identify supporters and distribute information and printed materials. Tri-fold brochures are a very popular printed piece that allows a candidate’s canvassing team to start a conversation with a local resident and leave them with valuable information. This simple format can evolve in to an eye-catching piece to support a candidates campaign. Another effective piece is a printed door hanger. If a resident isn’t home, a door hanger is a beneficial leave-behind that will get the message across.

Outdoor Signs

Whether it’s an 8.5” x 11”, 11” x 17” or 13” x 19” outdoor sign, a candidate’s name and therefore brand recognition is a very important part of the campaign that builds awareness. The most important part of this piece is it’s durability. Outdoor signs need to be extremely durable and also waterproof. There are many synthetic, polyester stock options available as a solution and some stocks even print on digital equipment like laser and ink jet printers. Whether it’s hanging in a window or placed in yards across the entire city, make sure the candidate’s signs can hold up for the entire duration of the campaign.

There are a number of local campaigns taking place in your town this year. That means the opportunity to print more jobs is right outside your front door. Make sure you get in the race by offering a number of fast and affordable campaign pieces that any candidate would want to utilize.

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Security paper is a specific type of paper that uses security features to authenticate or identify documents as original.  Security paper may also come with features that can prevent fraud by using tamper resistant options. These types of papers are used extensively by the financial industry and are also used to identify documents such as checks, passports, birth certificates, monetary currency and academic certificates.

Robert E. Menzies and John E. Aitken initially introduced security paper in the early 20^th century.  Menzies and Aitken used a soluble thiocyanate and lead to create an insoluble salt, lead thiocyanate.  This solution would bind to the paper pulp and add weight to reduce visibility of the contents in an envelope.

Security paper has now become more advanced; using different features such as hidden pantographs and watermarks to hinder duplication and tampering.  These features cannot be duplicated on copying equipment and informs bank tellers or notaries that the document presented to them is the original document.  Security paper is also acid free, which allows it to be preserved for a longer amount of time than regular paper.

To validate an original watermarked document, simply rub the translucent watermarked area with a coin.  When this watermark is rubbed it will darken validating the authenticity of the document.  To view a hidden pantograph or moiré place a Kounterfeit Katcher™* flat against the document and rotate.  If a hidden message or logo appears in a moiré or optical wave you have an original document.  When the secured document is copied or scanned the hidden pantograph will pop from the sheet making it visible on the duplicated document.  This along with the color match technology makes it nearly impossible to duplicate the document.

Often times bleach, solvents, water and other chemicals are used to alter what is printed on a document, but with the use of Security Paper spots will appear indicating that the document has been tampered with.  Another way of altering a document is to erase what has been printed.  When someone attempts to erase something that has been printed or written on the security paper it will destroy the paper fibers.

One option of security papers is the use of UV Fibers.  UV Fibers have been manufactured into the paper stock which can often times be seen with the naked eye and will brighten or glow when viewed under an ultraviolet lamp.  Another option of security papers is UV dull paper.  When a paper stock is UV dull it means that it will not reflect ultraviolet light.  This means that the paper is suitable for ultraviolet inks, which can be used to show a hidden symbol, control number or other variable data, which can then be seen under ultraviolet lamps.

Thermochromic heat sensitive ink is another feature that can also be applied to security documents.  When this reddish-pink ink is warmed up it will temporarily start to disappear and will reappear or reverse when the document is cooled.

Security paper has come a long way since Aitken and Menzies were tinkering in their lab.  Kan’t Kopy® Security Paper offers various levels of protection for your documents and is used today throughout the world to help prevent unauthorized document duplication.

Choose which features are best suited for your needs and make quality security paper available for your customers to help them keep their information secure.

*To obtain samples of Blanks/USA’s Kan’t Kopy® Security Paper or get your own Kounterfeit Katcher™ go to http://BlanksUSA.com/samples or call 1.800.328.7311.

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Printing customers expect excellence in all the printed products they buy. When making accommodations for consumers, it is important to realize what they value when it comes to commercial printing.  Here are the five most important factors to a printing customer.

1) Quality & Selection of Product

The quality and selection of the product is going to be the most important factor of how a customer sees their printer. Presenting a sub-par print product after a customer has paid for it is no way to conduct business. And limiting the customer’s product options is a detriment to repeat business. Giving customers a large offering of quality products is the only way to keep them coming back for repeat business. Customers love a commercial printer that considers details and can make changes to their print order when ample time is given.

2)  Price

Second only to the quality of the product, the price of the services is paramount. Business is fairly synonymous with competition. While we usually get what we pay for, offering a great product at a great price is always a business model that will succeed. Commercial printing customers are always looking to cut costs, but not at the expense of getting a less quality product.

3)  Speed

There are going to be times when a customer needs to rush an order. Having the ability to cater to their needs can separate your commercial printing service from the competition. Even when there is not a rush on the order, delivering the product in a timely fashion is critical to ensuring happy customers and repeat business. Customers always value a printing service that can deliver quality printed products in a reasonable amount of time.  When business can take place in at a moment’s notice, customers keep a speedy printer in the highest regard.

4)   Consistency

Consistency among the product is another important aspect of doing business as a commercial printer. Customers love a business that is completely consistent with their products and services. Having the ability to offer your great service to the customer with consistent results will lead to customer loyalty. Customers will not do business with a company that is not reliable. Once you have proven that you are dependable with their orders, they will use your service anytime printing is needed.  Providing consistent, reliable service is also a great way to earn referrals.

5)   Service

Service is another aspect of utilizing a commercial printer that customers will value. Getting the same great service every time the customer uses the business is essential. Customer service can make or break a business transaction. When a business has a customer-oriented team behind it, the customer will always receive exactly what they want. Keeping the customer’s needs in the forefront of the business will lead to repeat business and consumer loyalty.

Printing customers expect quality and the greatest commercial printers deliver it – consistently and on time. By paying attention to the five important factors listed above, commercial printers can keep customers coming back for more. It can also lead to recommendations to their friends and associates, which is the best way to gain more business.

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Whether you are hosting a conference or making an important business proposal, presentation folders are one of the best ways to show professionalism and organization. Presentation folders offer businesses a way to customize their information and organize it into a presentable fashion to give clients a useful, branded item they can take with them. These folders are also the perfect solution for handing out a kit of brochures, sales collateral or other information at an event. Here are some reasons why presentation folders will impress your customer’s clients.

Professionalism

Professionalism is essential for any business. Quality presentation folders insure your customers are leaving a professional impression with their attendees and promoting their brand at the same time. The more polished the presentation or event, the more likely it will be to deliver leads and sales. Help your customers choose presentation folders that will convey this message, gain the confidence of their clients and generate new business.

Customization

These folders allow customers to fully tailor the look and feel of their meeting or event materials. Logos, graphics, sales slogans and variable data information can be printed on the outside or inside of the folder for a quick reference or to highlight attributes of the their products or services. These folders can even be matched with business cards, tri-fold or bi-fold brochures for a coordinated look based on any business’ color scheme or logo . In a matter of minutes you can achieve the most impressive presentation possible!

Industry Driven

Presentation folders are manufactured so they can be printed on offset equipment and digital equipment like copiers, laser and inkjet printers.  Folder pockets are offered in a variety of formats including business card slits, cd slits or no slits in left or right configurations. Through patented technology, folder pockets are durable and easy to adhere. Online downloadable templates are even offered in Illustrator, InDesign, Publisher, Quark and Word to save you production time.

Your printing customers want to inspire their clients, just as much as you do. Presentation folders offer everything you need to give your customers a professional, customized collection of information about their products or services. Having the ability to easily incorporate variable data information is an added benefit for their company. Make quality presentation folders available for your customers to help them impress the crowd at their next conference, trade show or meeting.

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Prescription paper is used to give your customers’ patients the medication they need to get healthy. Although we would like to think that prescription paper is safe, there have been instances where prescription paper has been altered or copied. When this occurs, your customer’s medical license or entire practice could be in jeopardy.  Making sure that your prescriptions are safe and secure is essential to protecting your health care professional customers.

Blanks/USA Kan’t Kopy Prescription Paper meets all of the 2008 Medicaid requirements while offering security and peace of mind. One of the best features of Kan’t Kopy Prescription Paper is that it is tamper resistant. With various built-in security features, this makes duplication and alterations virtually impossible.  When an unauthorized person tries to scan or copy the prescription paper, a hidden pantograph such as “Rx Invalid,” “Copy”, “Void” or your custom pantograph will appear on the paper. This tells a pharmacist that the prescription paper has been stolen, keeping health care professionals and their practices secure.  Kan’t Kopy paper also has original colors that cannot be reproduced through the copying process.

During the manufacturing process of Blanks/USA Kan’t Kopy Prescription Paper, an artificial watermark is applied that keeps it secure. When the prescription is copied, the watermark will not transfer. The original watermark can be confirmed on the prescription paper by simply rubbing the mark to make it turn black.

Microprint protection is another feature of this prescription paper. Microprint protection is embedded around the perimeter of the security features box to authenticate the paper when a prescription is presented to a pharmacist or a clinic.

Some additional features of Kan’t Kopy Prescription Paper are Erasure Protection and Thermochromic ink. Erasure Protection helps guard the paper against erasing by destroying the paper fibers. Thermochromic ink is used for Kan’t Kopy’s “Rx” symbol on the back of the paper. This sensitive ink is reactive to heat, making it perfect for prescription pads.

The K2 version of Kan’t Kopy Prescription Paper comes with UV Fiber Glow. This is a security feature that is embedded in fibers of the paper. This has the ability to be authenticated through ultraviolet light. The K2 paper also comes with UV Paper Dull, a security feature that ensures the ultraviolet light will not brighten the paper.

Standard prescription paper can be changed through chemicals, however, spots will appear on the K2 paper if there is an attempt to alter. The K2 paper also features Toner Grip which enables ink from your printer to stick to the paper without it flaking or smudging.

The prescription paper you offer your customers is a necessary part of helping them offer their patients the best care possible. If the paper were to ever be lost or stolen, your client and their practice could be held responsible. Don’t let them leave their prescription paper’s security up to chance. Go with a paper that has their best interests in mind.

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Imagine your success if you offered your clients more options. Think about marketing yourself as a full service solution; providing more products, faster turn-around-time and useful enhancements like variable data printing. You’ll have the upper-hand against your competitor and save money at the same time. It’s possible with “digital”.

The quality of digital printing is equally impressive as offset printing but with the added bonus of cheaper setup costs and volume control. Offset requires ink and water adjustments while digital does not. Also, running door hangers, table tents and presentation folder kits through digital equipment provides more accurate final counts. Every piece is consistent which makes less waste; lowering overhead costs.

Providing your customers with variable data printing is streamlined on digital equipment. For example, addressing postcards is as simple as formatting a spreadsheet, sending the file to your digital printer and pressing print…next goal, add a QR code.

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