Print Soup » Small to Medium Businesses

PFL Customer Project Showcase: Montana Meadows – staying “stuck” even at -20° Farenheit

Tim — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:07:59 +0000

We take most printing for granted, especially printing (packaging, labels, etc.) that is involved with things we eat, such as a label or tag or things we use daily, such as eye drops or medicine. How do we know it is safe?
Montana Meadows, a PFL customer, recently printed labels to go on their packages of certified all natural grass-fed beef. Located in Livingston, Montana, Montana Meadows has a strict process when it comes to their packaging: it needs to be food-safe and USDA approved, able to be run through a direct thermal machine for additional information such as the weight and product, and hold up to very cold temperatures, in the range of minus 20 degrees Farenheit. Now that is cold…

Additionally, Montana Meadows are members of the Western Sustainability Exchange. As their website states:
“WSE advances sound stewardship practices which create a healthy environment, culture and economy for the rural West. Through education, the creation of economic incentives and by fostering partnerships we accomplish this mission. The shared philosophies below unite our organization. They ground us, inspire us, focus our programs and mission and guide our organizational practices.”

Do you or your company need labels like this, that meet USDA standards? If so, give us a ring at 800-930-6040, or feel free to get a quote. We can definitely help you out. Now, I wonder if they would send us some beef samples…might make for a tasty, conscious-friendly BBQ.

PFL Customer Project Showcase: Don’t worry, I won’t eat your book.

Tim — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 20:26:36 +0000

Bookmarks are a great multi-use piece: they ‘mark’ where you stopped reading, and can be a great way to get information in front of people. Colorful, interesting or unique bookmarks do catch the eye, and PFL customer Kathy Miller, of Chippy Chipmunk, definitely made a bookmark that stands out, by having you look eye-to-eye with a chipmunk, and find out about her books. Don’t worry, he won’t bite.

PFL Customer Project Showcase: I got two words for you……….plain and simple.

Lloyd Miller — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 14:47:32 +0000

I got two words for you……….plain and simple.
No need for “fancy schmantsy or even artsy fartsy. Plain and simple are often exactly what you need to accomplish the job. Recently I had a print job catch my eye again as I walked through the press room. The job was business cards printed on a stock that resembled chip board and was complimented with two simple pieces of clip art. Those cards drew me towards them like a gold prospector honing in on a shiny rock. Not a common occurrence during my 37 year trek through a labyrinth of ink and paper.

I think of how easy it is to search for a photo on Google or go online to a “photo supermarket” and get the artwork you need for your printed piece; it is amazing how far the printing industry has come. Everybody’s doing it! That’s what I see when I look at the sea of printed pieces on our shop floor today. Trends like “drop shadows” or “gradients” certainly help mark the milestones. Real life photos, as if lifted off the pages of National Geographic, now adorn business cards for Gazelle Plumbing.

What sets this business card apart from the others is its simplicity. The artwork in the upper right and bottom left corner are green fern leafs. There is a small “clip art” owl, slightly above the words, “Wildlife Safaris”. Two months from now, I’ll still remember the name and I’ll remember the location. I won’t be distracted by anything, and when I’m looking for the card in my wallet to pass along, I’ll know exactly which one it is, even at a fast glance.

Why?
It’s plain, it’s simple and it looks nothing like all the others. Next time you’re on a safari and you see the zebras all zig, see if you can spot the one that zags.

Business Card Featured Design Series

Craig — Mon, 23 May 2011 22:58:21 +0000

When you think of the word ‘cool,’ antiquing isn’t necessarily the first thing that comes to mind. But that’s just what PFL customer Dusty Amodio of Rebel and Nail Design does – he makes antiquing cool by repairing and repurposing unique antique finds into functional and statement-making pieces. And when Dusty needed a business card as unique as his business, he utilized graphic designer Keith Hille of Hille Designs to create a classy, yet rustic card with just a hint of a “rebel” feel to represent the true essence of his business.

Here at PFL, we are always looking for standout business cards that capture the essence of the business they represent. By choosing the right typeface, design and colors on rustic-looking, textured paper (80# cover recycled card stock), Hille Designs was really able to capture the earthy, antique aesthetic of Rebel and Nail Design.

Visit our Business Card design review page to learn more about Rebel and Nail’s design.

Business card with "rebel" rustic design

Nature Travel Piece for New Featured Brochure

Craig — Wed, 04 May 2011 22:23:08 +0000

Our Featured Brochure this week was printed for DePuy Spring Creek, located a few miles south of PrintingForLess.com here in Livingston, Montana. This spring creek is one of the finest trout streams in the lower 48 states and offers something for everyone regardless of your skill level.

DePuy Spring Creek’s brochure design appeals to the fly fisherman in all of us. Showcasing pictures of breathtaking scenery and epic fly fishing, the DePuy’s brochure was designed to stand out in a display rack at hotels, visitor centers, restaurants and other travel destinations around Yellowstone National Park. The designers expertly used natural colors to immediately put you at ease as you open the brochure and plan your next fishing adventure.

Visit our Featured Brochure page to see a more comprehensive review of the brochure printing we did for DePuy Spring Creek.

The professional photography on the cover of this brochure is outstanding.

Extraordinary Envelope — a great PFL customer with a great product

Tim — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 22:11:45 +0000

Here is an interesting customer of PFL’s: Extraordinary Envelope. We have had the pleasure of printing several projects for them. This is a little info about their company:

At Extraordinary Envelope we are dedicated to furnishing you, our client, with custom designed, eco-friendly wedding invitation suites for those who wish to couple individual style with an environmental awareness. Our designs are the result of personal collaborations between our graphic designer and you and reflect the uniqueness of your celebration with artful and sophisticated results. A personalized wedding website is included with your order, allowing you to easily share with friends and family the details of your special day. Delivered with an excellent level of customer service, your invitations are sure to be extraordinary.
-Sandra Berube

Be sure to check out their gallery for interesting ideas, and to see what they are up to.

PFL…Definitely going to the dogs…

Tim — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 16:47:08 +0000

Check it out–PFL is in the ranks of Amazon and Google when it comes to dogs in the workplace. Recently, we were featured in an article for the Christian Science Monitor. And one of PFL’s very own was quoted: “Having dogs is a lot of fun and keeps a relaxed atmosphere,” said Shayla McKnight, assistant marketing manager at PrintingForLess.com. Nice work PFL dogs (and employees!)

Now if we could just figure out how to train the dogs to answer the phones…

Three Keys to Hiring the Best at Any Size

Dan Rice — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 21:42:14 +0000

Almost every small to medium sized has focused a great deal of energy lately on just staying in business. Recessions, layoffs and health care seem to dominate every discussion. However, things are changing. Smart companies are rebuilding and upgrading their work forces with the wealth of talent that is currently available. So how do you get your share? No matter what the size, every company in America claims that it hires only the best. Unfortunately, most don’t.

Our company has attracted over 140 technology employees to Livingston, Montana by focusing on three key things:

Key 1: Enforce a top down philosophy of recruiting, hiring and retaining only the best. In today’s world most goods and services are viewed as commodities. All levels of your organization must understand that having the best employees is what separates you from your competition. If any manager in your organization thinks that just any warm body will do you have a problem.

Key 2: Create organizational alignment with regard to hiring criteria. If you don’t know what you are looking for, how can you find it? Get your key people together and make sure you all identify and agree upon hiring criteria. You will be amazed what a difference it can make when everyone agrees what qualities make a great employee for your company.

Key 3: Develop and adhere to processes to ensure that only the best are hired. You can’t just hire from the gut – no one is that good. Develop and adhere to a process from the first contact through the offer letter and beyond to make sure you get only the best, every time.

Big or small, three steps are all it takes to get the employees you need to succeed in hiring the best in any economic environment.

It’s the Jobs, Stupid.

Dan Rice — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:08:30 +0000

I work in a small town in Montana that has struggled for years to solve the problem of “economic development.” It seems like everyone wants to talk about the issue as if it is something you can magically solve with more meetings, focus groups or quasi-governmental agencies. I disagree. It is the jobs, stupid. Create more jobs and the concept of “economic development” goes away. Jobs give people money, money gives people economic freedom. That is what economic development looks like to me.

Throughout the history of the United States job creation in mass has come from a few key areas. One solution has been to go to war. During World War II for example, 17 million jobs were created (it effectively ended the great depression). However, I’m doubtful I can convince our small town to invade the next town over as a job creation tactic.

Another solution has been to spend money on infrastructure. Our federal government is currently spending boatloads of money to stimulate the economy and job growth. I hate to be a downer but the last major study of Federal Highway funding (2004) showed that the equivalent of 34,000 jobs were created by a $9 billion expenditure (about $264,000 per job). Not a great return on an investment in my book and I am doubtful our town wants to borrow $26.4 million to create 100 jobs.

The best solution to job creation has historically been small businesses. Small businesses have created 60 – 80% of all the new jobs in this country over the past 30 years. If that is still the case (I have no evidence to the contrary), why don’t we focus on creating an environment that encourages small business job growth? That environment to me would include lower taxes, less regulation of business and better access to capital for people who want to start or expand businesses. While not revolutionary ideas, they certainly seem out of favor now.

So I think I will stop engaging in the endless loop of discussion about “economic development” and start trying to convince my small corner of the world to create an environment favorable to job creation. To me, it’s the jobs (stupid).

Marketing a Good Cause

Jared — Mon, 17 May 2010 16:46:52 +0000

While we print and mail a ton of postcards for our customers, we typically don’t get to see the results our customers generate from their marketing efforts. So it was especially good to hear back from one of our local print customers – The Community Closet – about a campaign they recently ran.

But first, a little context. The Community Closet is a non-profit thrift store serving Park County in Livingston, Montana. Since 2005, they have been providing low-cost, pre-owned, clothing and household items to those in need in the local community.

In addition to donating merchandise to schools and other non-profit organizations, the Community Closet board of directors distributes store profits to Park County non-profits, civic organizations, and individuals in crisis. One of these non-profits includes the Livingston and Park County Food Pantry – and Community Closet typically donates $1000 each year. But due to the poor economy of late, and the increase in demand at the food pantry, they wanted to give even more. The store set aside this past January as Food Pantry Month, and committed to donate 10% of revenues to the food pantry.

To promote their Food Pantry efforts, they came to PrintingForLess for help in designing both a postcard mailer and a print ad for the local newspaper. They spent just over $1,000 on their marketing campaign (postcards, postage and newspaper ads combined) and shared the following results with us:

An average daily revenue increase by 20% compared to January of 2009;
Total, January 2010 donations to the Food Pantry were $2,184.00 with a cash donation increase of 114%;
Many donors commented on the Food Pantry program when they came into the store with their thrift donations; and
The Community Closet was able to build positive awareness in the local community.

Caron Cooper – the Executive Director of the Community Closet – was ecstatic with the results they generated from their advertising campaign, and made the comment that she had never before seen such a direct correlation between their advertising efforts and results (increased revenues – and in this case, an increased donation to the food pantry).

Kudos to the Community Closet for a job well done and for being such a positive influence in our community!