Saturday 17 November 2012

Christmas Printing

Don't forget to order your personalised printed Christmas and New Year items from Media Design and Print this year.

We have a wide range of beautiful cards to choose from that come complete with envelopes, as well as calendars, year planners, printed gift boxes and personalised wine labels (we can even recommend a company to you for quality bottles of wine that come to you with no labels, ready for your own special branding).

This year we are also making a donation to the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children for each order placed from our Christmas catalogue so you will be helping a worthy charity into the bargain.

We have lots more products besides those mentioned above, so why not visit us at www.mediadesignandprint.com and get something special for you or your business this year.

Sunday 11 November 2012

Personalised Printing

Why are companies around the world using Personalised Printing?
Companies all around the world are using Personalised Printing (also known as Variable Data Printing) and One-to-One Marketing to refine their marketing approach, driving down long-term spending and improving customer satisfaction and repeat sales.  In a nutshell, they are getting a better return on their investment for their marketing spending. This service is available to you at Media Design and Print, one of the leading digital print companies in Belfast.

Some of the key, core marketing objectives for which companies are using Personalised Printing  include:
  • Improved  Quality and Increased Quantity of Sales Leads
  • Driving Direct Orders
  • Improving Traffic Generation
  • Gathering More Specific Client Data
  • True Loyalty Campaigns
  • Client Acquisition, Retention, & Renewal

What is Personalised Printing?
Personalised Printing uses data that you already have about your customers or prospects and places customer-specific text and graphics into a page layout created especially for your project. Each printed version is customised, containing unique information directed at a particular recipient.
Utilising industry leading image personalisation software, Media Design and Print let you target your direct marketing campaigns like never before.

Do I need a lot of detail on my contact list to benefit from personalised print run?
No. You'll be amazed at what we can do with even the most basic data like a name and address. We can thread the contact's name throughout the content and even include a map that directs them to your office, store, or event from their location.



Why is Personalised Printing and One-to-One Marketing so successful?
With the content of each mail piece specific to each recipient, you can be sure that, when they see your correspondence, it will be immediately relevant, sparking interest, and increasing response rates.  Developing an ongoing conversation with your customers & contacts, personalised marketing helps you:
  • Create one-to-one dialogue with your audience
  • Cut through the clutter and hold your target’s attention with variable images and customised graphics and messages
  • Foster loyal relationships with relevant, personal communications
  • Integrate tracking mechanisms in your campaign
  • Adjust future messaging and offers based on past results
Personalised direct mail campaigns provide uniquely individualised messages that generate attention, heightened response rates (often over 35%), improved brand recognition, and substantial increases of return on investment.

 

Why use Media Design and Print?
Gone are the days of wastage and lost opportunity where direct marketing was restricted to printing thousands of the same leaflet, possibly personalised with a name and address, and hoping that some of them hit the mark.  Working with your data list, Media Design and Print can target your audiences and individualise items using personalisation elements such as name and address to captivate your audience.

When running a personalised print campaign with Media Design and Print, you will work with a company who can produce exactly what you need, meeting exacting print deadlines every time, with quality paramount and importantly, within your budget requirements.

Image personalisation specialists
With Media Design and Print on your team, personalisation of images is limited only to your imagination.  We can do anything from incorporating personal names and numbers on letters of introduction to invitations or even t-shirts - all printed using that latest digital print technique by a company that cares.

Like out catch-line says, "We Love To Print".

Call us now on 028 9045 9864 or email us at printing@mediadesignandprint.com

Saturday 20 October 2012

Ways to Prevent Common Printing Problems

Most printing problems are caused by insufficient file preparation. No matter what platform you use, Mac or PC, there are a number of simple rules that everyone should follow, no matter what type of printing files you are creating.
  1. Clean Up Your Room
  2. Practice Good Basic Page Layout
  3. Include All Linked Files
  4. Include All Fonts
  5. Go Easy on the Special Effects
  6. Never Rely on Your Monitor for Accurate Color
  7. Use CMYK Colour
  8. Use the Appropriate File Format
  9. Place All Pictures at 100%
  10. Ungroup All Elements
  11. Simplify All Clipping Paths
  12. Test Print Colour Separations
  13. Provide Current Proofs
Please remember, if you are not sure of something, pick up the phone and call us. We want to help you, because it is in our interest, as well as yours, to resolve issues before they become major problems. It is always easier (and cheaper) to fix problems when they are small, before they get to be big (and sometimes expensive) ones.

 

1. Clean Up Your Room

Look around at your files before you send them. Try to get rid of all of that clutter that tends to build up during the design process. A neat file will always print faster and more accurately than a messy file. Be sure to get rid of any extraneous text or picture boxes and make certain that all text overflow flags are resolved. Extra pictures and other items lying around on the pasteboard can slow printing, not to mention cause confusion which can lead to other errors.

Watch out for places where you may have used white boxes to block out unwanted items. They often come back again to haunt you when you least expect it. Think of them as hidden land mines waiting to ruin your job.

 

2. Practice Good Basic Page Layout

Page layout applications such as QuarkXPress, InDesign, PageMaker and even Microsoft Publisher are intended to assemble the various components (such as logos, pictures, etc.) needed to create your final document.It doesn't matter if it's something as small as a business card or as big as an A0 poster, you should set your project up using proper page layout techniques every time. It is not appropriate to create logos and other repetitive use artwork in these applications. Illustrator, FreeHand, CorelDRAW and Photoshop are the correct applications to use.

Conversely, don't use these applications to create page layouts. While you can create a magazine entirely in Illustrator, FreeHand, CorelDraw, or Photoshop it doesn't mean that you should do it. We have even received simple text-only postcards which have been laid out in Photoshop and whilst they will reproduce ok (as long as the resolution is high enough) it is far more time intesive on your part to use this software for this type of product.

Don't forget to pull out all bleeds 3mm beyond the page trim (more is usually unnecessary). You should also remember to delete any objects left over on the pasteboard. Sometimes these can cause delays or even problems in printing.

Set your Document Size the same as the Final Trim Size. Do not treat your document page like it is a pasteboard, placing crop marks and fold marks on an oversize page. This step is completely unnecessary. You should simply make your document page size equal to the final trim size. Let the computer do the work for you. It is more accurate than you are and it prevents the layout errors, like moved or missing pieces, which inevitably result in rebuilding files. It will probably just have to be taken apart by the printer and rebuilt anyway. This goes for Illustrator, FreeHand and CorelDRAW as well as for Quark, InDesign, and PageMaker. These oversize pages are unnecessary in electronic files.

 

3. Include All Linked Files

Make certain that every single placed image, EPS file, etc. which you have used in the document is included on the disks or in the uploads you give your printer or service bureau. This is the most common mistake people make, and it can cause significant delays in your job.

This is particularly important for PageMaker users because it will keep copies of bitmapped and .EPS files inside the document itself. This tends to make users a bit lazy about including the originals. It is best to disable this default setting (located under Element/Link options . . .) by deselecting the Store Copy In Publication option with no document open, then closing PageMaker. Files with embedded graphics can often grow to surprising large sizes. I recently saw a PageMaker 7 file which was over 500 MB! It was hard to move around and took seemingly forever to open.

When preparing to send your job to Media Design and Print, you should always do a Collect For Output (Quark) or a Save As/Copy: Files For Remote Printing (PageMaker) to assure that all necessary parts are present. If you are using FreeHand, CorelDRAW, or any other program which cannot open its own EPS files, be sure to put the original creator file on the disk . That way, if there is a problem with your file, it can often be corrected quickly (and economically) if the complete file is there.

 

4. Include all Fonts

Include all the fonts you used in your job, both printer and screen fonts (don't forget the fonts used in placed EPS files). For the highest quality results we recommend that you use only genuine Postscript fonts no matter which platform (Mac or PC) you prefer. If you are moving a file cross platform (either to or from a PC) you must use fonts which exist on both platforms by the same manufacturer. You must check with your printer to be certain they are available. The newer OpenType format also works very well, and TrueType, while generally not as high quality as professional Postscript fonts.

Macintosh Postscript fonts are comprised of separate screen and printer fonts. Be certain that all necessary font elements are included. Other types of Macintosh fonts may end with extensions such as .dfont (OSX system fonts), .TTF (TrueType), or .OTF (OpenType).

The most common Windows PC fonts are TrueType (files with a .TTF extension). Windows Postscript fonts are comprised of two sperate font files with the extensions .PFM and .PFB. Both of these files are required for the font to print correctly. OpenType is a newer type of font file that ends with the extension .OTF.
Don't assume your printer has your specific fonts. Each different version release of a font (even from Adobe and even Microsoft) can have different widths which result in unpredictable line breaks which may not match your original layout. No single company can own every face in every variation from every foundry. Make it easy on yourself. Include your fonts and you'll have less trouble, fewer delays, and fewer unpleasant surprises.

It is a good idea to convert all type in placed .EPS files to shapes before importing them into your document. This will enable you to make type changes easily if necessary. This will prevent further delays or errors due to missing fonts or bad font calls (these are common in placed EPS files and with older PageMaker PS Group It groups). When using vector illustration software such as Illustrator, FreeHand, or CorelDraw it is a good idea to keep the type as fonts when saved as an .AI, FH*, or .CDR file and convert the type to shapes only when saving or exporting the .EPS version of the file.

 

5. Go Easy on the Special Effects

Many of the current software applications such as InDesign, Illustrator, CorelDraw and even Microsoft Publisher (beware Word Art) are loaded with spectacular special effects that can be created with just a few simple mouse clicks. The dirty little secret is that these effects can be very difficult and sometimes impossible to recreate accurately on professional output devices. There are many problems with cast drop shadows, exotic text fill effects, and transparency effects that arise when printing.

You should always use a paint application such as Photoshop (PhotoPaint, etc.) to create bitmapped effects such as drop shadows and use a vector application such as Illustrator, FreeHand, or CorelDraw for other text and text fill effects. These files can then be placed into your page layout and should print more reliably.

 

6. Never Rely on Your Monitor or Uncalibrated Color Printers for Accurate Colour.

Your monitor is an uncalibrated device. So is your home or office inkjet or laser color printer. In other words, they do not necessarily reproduce accurately the data in your files. In fact, they are probably not even close to being accurate.

To make things worse, different applications display color differently (although when working in CMYK they do not actually create color differently). All major applications create CMYK files by using the same ink percentage values regardless of how they display color to the screen.

When preparing documents for color printing, it is always safest to use professionally printed swatch books such as either the PANTONE Process Colour System or the TrueMatch Colourfinder, or you may refer to a process colour manual or sample book. These books are readily available at major booksellers and online. While different swatch books may vary due somewhat to different dot gain specifications, they will give you a reasonably good idea of how a specific ink mixture will print and are an invaluable aid when picking process colours for a project. Use these resources and not your monitor to tell you what you're going to get when it's printed.

If your job is intended to print as process colour to be process mixes as opposed to using spot colour inks, be sure to remember to specify Process for each colour in both you page layout and illustration applications.

 

7. Use only CMYK Colour.

If you are going to print process colour, then get into the CMYK colour space and stay there. Photoshop supports most functions in CMYK. Check with your printer about their preferred RGB to CMYK conversion settings but many will specify.

Most modern RIPs will separate RGB colour but the results can be unpredictable and be more difficult to control. Unless your printer has given you specific instructions to use RGB, the use of RGB colour can give potentially unacceptable results. Simply put, RGB color has no place in your documents unless they are intended for use on the Web.

 

8. Use the Appropriate File Format

For scanned photographs or other bitmapped pictures you should only use either EPS or TIF (TIFF) file formats. You should never LZW compress TIFF files or place JPEGs. These can both cause major problems in some RIPs. Using either type of image compression will only slow your job down and may increase your costs. Applications such as InDesign and QuarkXPress can also place Photoshop PSD and even PDF files (please see no. 6 above). In most cases it is better to place a flattened tiff made from the PSD file or an .EPS made from the PDF file. In the end, the acceptable formats will be dictated by your printer and by the specific software that you use.

Ask your printer for their preferences and read your software manuals for specific compatibility information. If you are creating true silhouettes using Photoshop clipping paths, you should only use the .EPS format. Although more recent versions of and QuarkXPress, InDesign, and PageMaker support clipping paths in TIFF files these can sometimes give unexpected results or cause other output problems.

The TIFF file format is the simplest to move cross platform (either to or from an PC). You should never use PICT (Macintosh only), .PCX, WMF, or .BMP (PC) formats as they do not translate well across platform and often will not separate correctly.

 

9. Place All Pictures at 100%.

Generally speaking, you should try to place all bitmap pictures and complex EPS graphics at 100%. Pictures take longer to RIP if they have been scaled up or down in any application. Bitmap pictures should never be scaled up because the quality will suffer significantly. In the real world pictures can often be scaled up to as much as 125% without noticeable degradation.

QuarkXPress and InDesign give you the ability to flip pictures both vertically and horizontally, using this can increase RIP times. You should always do this, as well as any scaling required, in Photoshop (PhotoPaint, etc.) and replace the pictures before you send the job to be printed.

Also . . . EPS files do no like to be scaled down too much. Going below 20% can cause problems, and going down to 10% or under will generally not print at all. Always remember to resize even vector files like Illustrator, FreeHand, and Corel to be placed at 100%. They will print much quicker and there is no loss of sharpness because they are resolution independent.

 

10. Ungroup Everything

Ungroup everything that you have grouped to make it easier to handle or move. And ungroup your FreeHand/Illustrator/Corel/etc. files before you export the EPS files. Groups can slow down printing dramatically. It is not unusual for older versions of PageMaker's PS Group It groups to make bad font calls.

11. Simplify All Clipping Paths

Simplify and reduce points in clipping paths and vector drawings. If you do silhouettes in Photoshop using a clipping path, be sure to reduce the number of Bezier points to the absolute minimum. Using the MAKE PATH function on a selection can result in an unprintable clipping path or unacceptable results. These are a major source of trouble. Your simplified paths will look better and will print faster as well. It will also improve your vector drawing skills at the same time. Like all good Bezier work, less is good, more is bad. The same goes for any work done in illustration programs like FreeHand, Illustrator, CorelDRAW, etc.

 

12. Test Print color Separations

You should always test print colour separations of the job to your ink jet or laser printer. Few designers take the time or the trouble to test print their jobs as separations. It is very important for you to know that your file will print correctly, and it is often educational. You will be surprised at what mistakes are hidden by composite laser prints, especially if you get about 25 spot color plates when you expect only four process plates.

Examine each plate to see if you got what you expected. If it's not right there, it won't be right at the printer's shop. If you cannot separate your job correctly, it is likely that your printer will also have problems with your job.

Watch out for multiple versions of the same spot colour in your colour palette (ie. PANTONE 185 C, PANTONE 185 CVC). The RIP will see each separate name as an entirely separate colour and you may be liable for extra charges as a result.

The problem starts when you create a graphic which uses a PANTONE colour (such as PANTONE 185 CVC) in an older version of an application such as Illustrator, FreeHand, or CorelDRAW and import that EPS into your page layout program. Most current application versions have dropped the CVC or CVU suffix which was previously appended to PANTONE colour names in favor of simply C or U. You should double check all of your placed files to make certain that all of your spot colour names match.

 

13. Provide Current Proofs

It seems obvious, I know, but if you provide current proofs, in the form of either black & white or colour inkjet or laser output, or even PDF files it will make it easier for your printer to make certain that their output matches your expectations. Without a proof, your printer is flying blind. It is impossible to tell if their output is correct. Some applications cannot reliably embed or, at least, report missing fonts (notably Microsoft Publisher). It the supplied proofs are not current then it is always a good idea to indicate in writing (preferably directly on the proof) that they are not current and do not reflect subsequent changes.

 

Ok, Ok , I Get It . . .

Relax. I know that it seems like a lot to try to remember but these are all just good basic file construction guidelines. We suggest that you try using these as a preflight checklist before submitting your next print job. After a little while they will become second nature. If you follow them you'll be pleased at just how smoothly your jobs will go and how few bad surprises you will get.


If you require further guidance or clarity on any of the above please call Media Design and Print, the leading digital print company in Belfast, and we'll be more than happy to help you.

Friday 5 October 2012

MS Publisher Tips

Belfast printers Media Design and Print realise that more and more people want to create their own print work so we thought it would be a good idea to offer some advice to all you Publisher users out there.

Whether it's a business card, leaflet or a large format poster the information below will hopefully help you set up and successfully submit your project for printing.

Should you require further help you can of course give us a call, we're always happy to help.

All versions of Publisher from 2000 to 2007 are supported. Here are some basic tips that apply to all software versions. Please identify your version when uploading your files.
  • Document Setup Basics
  • CMYK Color Output and Microsoft Publisher
  • Converting to CMYK Color Space
  • Exporting a PDF File from Publisher
  • RGB Color and Pack and Go
  • Creating Bleed
  • Microsoft Publisher Technical Information Links



Document Setup Basics

Here are some basic tips that apply to all software versions.
  • Download the Tips for MS Publisher PDF published by Microsoft and follow their tips for optimizing your MS Publisher file for commercial printing.
  • Be sure to supply all fonts separately. Publisher documents with embedded fonts (such as those saved using Pack and Go) will not allow for any changes to be made to the document. The documents may not print correctly.
  • Avoid using special effects such as transparency which often will not process correctly.
  • Word Art sparingly in Publisher, many of the more elaborate effects fail to print correctly.
  • Make certain that each font used when using Word Art is included separately (fonts used by Word Art will not show up in the Commercial Printing Tools Fonts report).
Special Note: Not all font companies will allow their fonts to be embedded within documents (again, subject to certain licensing restrictions). If you are using any of these fonts it is imperative that you either provide working copies of those fonts with your job or choose another font that may be embedded.

 

CMYK Colour Output and Microsoft Publisher

You will first need to make certain that your output will be in the correct colours. Microsoft Publisher works in three colour spaces: RGB,  Spot colours, and Process colours (CMYK) but it always defaults to RGB. You will most likely want to be in Process colour (CMYK), however you may also want to use Spot colour. RGB colour is not recommended.
Tools > Commercial Printing Tools > Colour Printing
  1. Define all colours as: select the colour that best describes your print job (i.e. Single colour, Spot colours, Process colours (CMYK), or Process colours plus spot colours)
  2. The Inks tab will then show the actual ink colours in your job.
  3. The Colours tab will then show the actual colours used in your job and their individual CMYK mixes (if applicable).
  4. Select the OK button.
Any artwork placed in your layout will be saved within Publisher as embedded RGB by default.
Special Note: All images incorporated into a layout must be linked and not embedded in order to maintain the CMYK colour space within the image. You will then need to send both the images and the layout file to us for printing.
If your artwork was originally CMYK (as recommended) then it is necessary to link to these original files. To do this you must use the Graphic Manager.
To bring up the Graphic Manager:
Tools > Graphics Manager
  1. Locate and select the image in your document, it will then be highlighted in the Graphics Manager.
  2. When you place your cursor over the file name in the Graphics Manager a Down arrow will appear to the right of the file name. Click this Down arrow and select Replace this picture. In the dialogue box that pops up navigate to and then select your original file, then click on the Down arrow on the right side of the Insert button. Select Link to File from this drop-down menu. The Graphics Manager will now show this image as Linked rather than Embedded.
  3. It will then be necessary for you to manually locate each linked picture and font used in the document and place copies of each, along with a copy of the Publisher document in a new folder created in a location of your choice. You may then compress that folder containing the document, fonts, and pictures using any ZIP compression utility that you prefer. You will then upload that ZIP archive to our web site.

 

Converting to CMYK Colour Space

As we said earlier, Microsoft Publisher always defaults to RGB. It is easy to convert everything to a CMYK colour space or to start a new document using the CMYK colour space.
Use the following menu options:
Tools > Commercial Printing Tools > Colour Printing
Select Process colours (CMYK).
Special Note: All images incorporated into a layout must be linked and not embedded in order to maintain the CMYK colour space within the image. You will then need to send both the images and the layout file to us for printing.
Tools > Commercial Printing Tools > Graphics Manager and highlight the embedded image
Select Link and select Browse to locate the original file and link to it. You will then need to send both the images and the layout file to us for printing.

 

Exporting a PDF File from Publisher

If you have Adobe Acrobat installed (the full version, not Reader), then the easiest way to export you Microsoft Publisher document to a PDF File is to use the Adobe PDF menu item that was added by Acrobat when it was installed. To set this up:


1. Menu > Adobe PDF > Change Conversion Settings




2. Select: PDFMaker Settings > PDF/X-1a:2001. Click OK.




3. Go to: Menu > Page Setup




4. Select the Printer and Paper tab. Printer Name: select the Adobe PDF printer. Then set the Paper size to the appropriate size to accommodate your document, bleed, and crop marks (in this case: Letter Extra). Next, click the Properties button.




5. Select the Adobe PDF PSettings tab. Default Settings: select the PDF/X-1a:2001 option and set the paper to the appropriate size to accommodate your document including bleed and crop marks. (in this case: Letter Extra).
Special Note: It is very important that you uncheck the option: Rely on system fonts only: do not use document fonts. If you do not uncheck this your PDF will not embed your fonts.




6. To make a PDF of your document now simply to to:
Menu > Adobe PDF > Convert to Adobe PDF.


 

 

RGB Colour and Pack and Go

Any artwork placed in your layout will be saved within Publisher as embedded RGB by default. This is true of the Pack and Go utility built into Publisher as well. The Pack and Go collection utility is only relevant if all of your pictures and other graphics are using RGB colour and you would like our system to do the conversion to CMYK color for you automatically.
If that is the case then to proceed with the Pack and Go:
File > Pack and Go > Take to a Commercial Printing Service
  1. Select the Next button.
  2. Select the Browse button then navigate to a place of your choosing and place it anywhere like and select the OK button.
  3. Select the Next button.
  4. Make certain that all three options are checked (Embed TrueType fonts, Embed linked graphics, and Create links for embedded graphics) and select the Next button.
  5. Select the Finish button. This will save a file with a .PUZ extension to the location that you chose earlier. This is the the file that you should upload.
  6. You may then either one or both of the two options (Print composite a proof and Print separations) and print a proof copy to be certain for the final output. If a Postscript printer is available then you may use the Print separations option. This will print a separate page for each ink color.*
* Note: If you get more (or fewer) pages then you expected then you should double check your color settings in the Colour Printing area and then re-make the Pack and Go file.

 

Creating Document and Image Bleed

Any background element or image that you wish to bleed off of the edge of the page must extend 3mm all round beyond that page edge in your document. In point of fact, Microsoft Publisher is not very friendly to document or image bleed. It is awkward at best to create proper bleed.
Some users find it easiest to achieve bleed by setting their documents up to be 6mm taller and 6mm wider than the final trim size. If you decide to do this then it is not advisable to set your document up with facing pages because you will lose 3mm from each page where they meet in the center.

Special Note: Any backgrounds created using Microsoft Publisher page backgrounds will not bleed.
If you are using backgrounds that are created using the following command:
Format > Backgrounds
If you really need to use one of these backgrounds in your document then you have only one option. As we mentioned above, you must make your document 6mm taller and 6mm wider overall than the final trim size to allow for 3mm bleed. Make certain that you do not position any type closer than at least 3mm (we would prefer 6-8mm) to any page edge to ensure that you do not lose anything when the paper is trimmed to final size.

Microsoft Publisher Technical Information Links

Below are some external links to Microsoft's web site and to technical documents concerning Microsoft Publisher. There is a wealth of information here to help ensure that your Publisher document will run smoothly and that you will be delighted with your print job.

Microsoft Publisher: All Versions

 

Microsoft Publisher: 2007

 

Microsoft Publisher: 2003

 

Microsoft Publisher 2002

 

Microsoft Publisher: 2000

Sunday 23 September 2012

Variable Data

When information is created and targeted specifically for an individual, they will ultimately give a better response. Variable Data printing can make sure the message conforms to the audience. Variable Data is the process of changing information from document to document within a single print run. There are several ways this can be achieved.

One way is through Mail Merging which is using a different name and address for each piece. One of the most specific uses of Variable Data though is through Personalisation. Using words and photos you can create a piece that is "personalized" for an individual. Produce a letter to an individual using their name, their photo and information pertaining only to them. Another example is; a resort that offers multiple amenities, can directly target special interests to various individuals or groups. The resort can target them by creating a personalised brochure for each individual or family with their special amenities interests - enticing them to return. If you have 100 customers, all with specialised interests, you can personalise all 100 brochures in a single print run.
The capabilities are endless with Variable Data. With a little imagination, good consumer knowledge, and a correct customer database file, you can produce a more marketable piece.

All That Glitters Is Not Gold!

Don't believe the hype.

I've just seen a TV advertisement for Vista Print and they were singing the praises of their business card prices so I thought I'd investigate further.

I went to their website and the first thing I discovered is that they have finally realised that customers want their cards printed on card rather that medium weight paper as they now have a premium 350g weight available as an extra option.

The most surprising thing I noticed though was the price. After processing a faux order I discovered that 500 single-sided business cards on 350g gloss came in at £30.20 + VAT with the following delivery charges - Slow: 21 Days £4.02, Standard: 14 Days £6.25, Priority: 7 Days £9.17, Rush+: 3 Business Days with order tracking £15.55 and Express: 2 Business Days with order tracking £19.44

Compare the above with Media Design and Print's prices for exactly the same thing:
Standard 2 day service: £25.00 + VAT with collection free from our premises or £5.00 courier to any address in the UK.

Combined with the personal service that we provide, we believe this must be the best offer in Northern Ireland if not the UK.

Our existing customers know the quality of our service but if you haven't used us before why not give us a call tomorrow on 028 9045 9864, you'll not be disappointed.

The Team

Friday 21 September 2012

Another Busy Week

Thanks once again to everyone for their much valued custom this week.

Media Design and Print continue to build on a solid reputation for affordable high quality printing with unparalleled customer service and express delivery times.

Have a good weekend and check in again next week.


Tuesday 18 September 2012

All visitors advised to wear sunglasses

A word of warning to all visitors to Media Design and Print today.

Harold and Glenn are wearing ridiculously LOUD shirts; sunglasses are strongly recommended in the interests of eye safety ;-)


Monday 17 September 2012

Bleed settings

Hi guys, we get quite a few queries regularly asking what "bleed" is.

For those unfamiliar with the term, “bleed” refers to an area of printed image that goes beyond the edge of the trimmed paper or board. If you would like an image or graphic to run right up to the edge of a page, then it should “bleed” over the trim line by at least 3mm. This allows some tolerance for trimming and ensures your image or graphic meets the edge precisely.