Capabilities
| Quarterfold (standard mag trim) | 25,000 to 250,000 (higher for non-mailed products) | ||
| Basis Weight | |||
| Optimal | 8.375" x 10.875" | 34.5" rolls rolls | 38# to 60# |
| Page Breaks | 8, 12, 16, 24, 32 | ||
| Variations | 8" to 9" wide X 9" to 10.875" high | Up to 100# | |
| Rotary 3/knife trimmer: 4, 8, 12, 16, 24 & 32 pgs press-pasted or loose, in-line trimmed | |||
| Double Parallel | |||
| Optimal | Saddle Stitch | 5.375" wide X 8.375" high | 38# to 60# |
| Perfect Bound | 5.25" wide X 8.375" high | ||
| Note: Perfect bound maximum width is 5.25" | |||
| Page Breaks | 16, 32 | ||
| Variations | 5" to 5.25" wide X 6" to 9" high | 38# to 60# | |
| Slim Jim | |||
| Optimal | 6" X 10.875" | 38# to 60# | |
| Page Breaks | 8, 16, 32 | ||
| Variations | 5.5" to 6.5" wide X 9" to 10.875" high | 38# to 60# | |
| Tabloid | |||
| Optimal | 10.875" wide X 13" high | 38# to 60# | |
| Page Breaks | 8, 16 | ||
| Variations | 10" to 11" wide X 13" to 17" high | 38# to 60# | |
| Ribbon Shifter | (Small tabloids: 10.875" wide x 10.875" to 12" high) | ||
| (Calendars 11" x 11.75") | |||
| Optimal | Tabs 10.875" x 11.75" | 50# to 60# | |
| Calendar 10.875" x 11.75" | |||
| Page Breaks | 12, 24 | ||
| Variations | 8.875" to 11" wide X 13" to 17" high | 50# to 60# | |
| Covers | Web sheeter | 4, 6 & 8 page covers | |
| UV coating in line | |||
| Optimal Stocks | C/1/S or C/2/S | 7pt, 8pt, 10pt, 60# - 80# Cover weight | |
| Web Sheeter | Trim & Fold | 50# minimum | |
| All trimming and folding done off line | |||
| Please ask for specifics | |||
Technology has changed the nuts and bolts of printing. Vanguard Printing LLC can eliminate overnight shipments by handling your job electronically from start to finish.
- Upload your files and a high-res proof to our FTP site.
- We download your files and email your production team soft proofs (low-res PDF files).
- Upon approval, we rip your files, image your plates and hit the press.
Accustomed to making a lot of changes after shipping your files? Some of our clients have created very effective internal proofing processes so very few changes are required after files are shipped, which saves them time and money.
Licking the Postage Dilemma
Most publications took a hit in 2007 with the mid-year postal increase. Although publicized, it's still a shock to see that first postage invoice after such an increase.
So how do you combat this postal increase?
There are several steps a publisher can take to at least offset some of the increase:
• If you're not already mailing at periodical rates, investigate whether your publication qualifies. The U.S.P.S. has strict requirements and reporting procedures for publications that mail at the lower postal rates. To qualify, a publication must be a periodical with the purpose of transmitting information (no straight advertising or sales pieces); must be published at least four times per year with a stated frequency that is adhered to; must have a known office of publication; and must be formed of printed sheets, reproduced by any process other than stencil, mimeograph or hectograph. Visit www.usps.gov to download a copy of DM-204, which details specific information regarding periodical mailing privileges.
• Keep your mailing list clean. Whether you maintain your list in-house or use a fulfillment house, your list should be cleansed using several softwares such as CASS Certification and the DPV System, which removes bad and non-deliverable addresses and appends postal codes for better automation discounts. In addition, having your list de-duped (removing duplicate addresses) regularly saves unnecessary printing and postage costs.
• Insure your publications are mailing on pallets, not in sacks. Sacks are more time consuming and less handler-friendly for the postal for all periodical class mailing. Therefore mail provided in sacks for periodical class mailing will pay some of the highest postal rates. Talk to Vanguard Mailing and Logistics for specifics.
• Evaluate your paper. Paper is categorized by weight and this weight plays a role in your postage. The heavier the paper weight, the heavier it is to mail and the more it will require in postage.
Wrapping Up Paper Prices
Paper price increases have become a regular occurrence in the printing industry. Printers traditionally pass along paper increases as they receive them. How can a publisher tie up the budget dilemma created by increasing paper prices?
• Communicate with your printer. Be very open about your budget allotment for paper. Your sales rep should be familiar with papers and knowledgeable enough to provide alternatives.
• Be open minded to switching brands. Although you may like the look a certain paper brand provides to your publication, a comparable brand may be available through another manufacturer for less money. Ask your printer sales rep for samples of comparable brands.
• Know what's important. Opacity? Brightness? Plop factor (paper weight)? Every publication has a specific "look" they're seeking. Your company's goals, target audience, and publication's competition define the paper on which your publication should be printed. Are you running on a 60# #3 stock for inside pages when a 45# #4 would serve your needs while saving you money?