Research has shown that the physical environment can have a significant impact on employees’ well-being and job satisfaction. A study by the University of Exeter found that employees who have control over the design and layout of their workspace are not only happier but also up to 32% more productive than those who do not. Similarly, a study by the Harvard Business Review found that employees who feel their workspace is well-designed are more likely to be engaged and committed to their work.

Given these findings, it’s clear that investing in wall decor can be a powerful tool for creating a positive work environment that supports employees’ well-being and productivity. In the following sections, we’ll explore some of the specific ways in which wall decor can achieve this goal, from encouraging innovation to improving employee engagement and well-being.

Creating a workspace that inspires & motivates

Wall decor can have a significant impact on the overall atmosphere of the workplace. By carefully selecting and placing artwork, motivational quotes, and other decorative elements, employers can create an environment that encourages collaboration, creativity, and a positive attitude.

One way that wall decor can encourage a positive work environment is by providing visual cues that promote teamwork and collaboration. For example, displaying artwork that depicts groups of people working together can signal to employees that teamwork is valued and that they are part of a larger team. Additionally, hanging up motivational quotes or posters with positive messages can inspire employees to work together towards a common goal and maintain a positive outlook.

Another way that wall decor can contribute to a positive work environment is by creating a sense of fun and playfulness. Displaying artwork that is lighthearted or whimsical can help to alleviate stress and create a more relaxed atmosphere, making employees feel more comfortable and productive in their work. For example, hanging up a colorful abstract painting or a humorous print can add a touch of personality and character to the workspace.

Finally, wall decor can also be used to reflect the values and mission of the company, providing a sense of purpose and inspiration for employees. For instance, displaying artwork that highlights the company’s commitment to sustainability or social responsibility can remind employees of the company’s larger purpose and inspire them to work towards meaningful goals.

Cultivating a culture of creativity & innovation

In addition to creating a positive work environment, wall decor can also be used to encourage employees to think outside the box and develop innovative solutions to problems. By incorporating elements of creativity and inspiration into the workspace, employers can help to cultivate a culture of innovation and problem-solving.

One way that wall decor can inspire employees to be more creative is by displaying artwork that is thought-provoking or visually stimulating. Abstract paintings, colorful prints, or even unusual sculptures can help to spark new ideas and ways of thinking, prompting employees to approach problems in different ways.

Another way that wall decor can encourage innovation is by showcasing examples of successful projects or achievements. For example, hanging up photos of completed projects or awards can serve as a reminder to employees of what they are capable of achieving and inspire them to tackle new challenges with confidence.

In addition to inspiring creativity, wall decor can also help to facilitate problem-solving by providing employees with the tools they need to think critically and analyze information. For instance, displaying charts, graphs, or other visual aids can help employees to better understand complex data and come up with solutions to difficult problems.

Finally, wall decor can be used to create a workspace that is conducive to brainstorming and collaboration. Hanging up whiteboards or chalkboards can provide employees with a space to jot down ideas or work through problems together, fostering a sense of teamwork and innovation.

Increasing employee investment & ownership

Employee engagement is critical to the success of any business. When employees are engaged and invested in their work, they are more likely to be productive, collaborative, and committed to achieving the goals of the organization. Wall decor can play a key role in fostering greater employee engagement by creating a workspace that is visually appealing, inspiring, and personalized to the needs of individual employees.

One way that wall decor can increase employee engagement is by creating a sense of ownership and identity. By allowing employees to customize their workspace with photos, artwork, or other personal touches, employers can create a sense of ownership and investment in the workspace, making employees feel more connected to their work and the company as a whole.

Additionally, wall decor can be used to showcase the accomplishments and contributions of individual employees, creating a sense of recognition and appreciation that can boost morale and engagement. For example, hanging up photos of employees who have received awards or achieved significant milestones can serve as a reminder to everyone in the office of the hard work and dedication that goes into achieving success.

Wall decor can also be used to create a workspace that is visually appealing and stimulating. By incorporating elements of color, texture, and visual interest, employers can create a workspace that is more enjoyable to be in, making employees feel more engaged and motivated to work. For example, hanging up artwork that features bold colors or intricate patterns can add a touch of visual interest and energy to the workspace, making it a more enjoyable place to be.

Finally, wall decor can be used to create a workspace that is conducive to collaboration and teamwork. By hanging up whiteboards or other collaborative tools, employers can encourage employees to work together and share ideas, fostering a sense of community and engagement.

Promoting a workspace that supports health & wellness

Employee well-being is a critical component of workplace success. When employees feel physically and mentally healthy, they are more likely to be productive, engaged, and committed to their work. Wall decor can play an important role in improving employee well-being by creating a workspace that is calming, stress-reducing, and supportive of good health practices.

One way that wall decor can improve employee well-being is by creating a calming and stress-reducing environment. By incorporating elements of nature, such as plants, landscapes, or nature-themed artwork, employers can create a workspace that is more relaxing and restorative, making employees feel more calm and centered. Research has shown that exposure to nature can help to reduce stress levels and improve mental health, making it an effective way to promote employee well-being.

Another way that wall decor can improve employee well-being is by creating a workspace that is conducive to good health practices. For example, hanging up posters or signs that promote healthy habits, such as drinking water, taking breaks, or getting enough sleep, can serve as a reminder to employees of the importance of taking care of their physical and mental health. Additionally, incorporating ergonomic furniture or accessories, such as standing desks or ergonomic chairs, can help to reduce physical strain and discomfort, promoting good posture and preventing injuries.

Finally, wall decor can be used to create a workspace that is supportive of mental health and emotional well-being. By displaying artwork or posters that promote positive self-talk, mindfulness, or emotional resilience, employers can create a workspace that is more supportive of mental health and emotional well-being. For example, hanging up a poster with a positive affirmation or a calming image can help to reduce stress and promote a more positive mindset.

Conclusion

As we’ve seen, wall decor can have a significant impact on the overall atmosphere of the workplace, from creating a positive work environment to encouraging innovation, fostering employee engagement, and improving employee well-being. By carefully selecting and placing artwork, motivational quotes, and other decorative elements, employers can create a workspace that is visually appealing, personalized, and conducive to collaboration, productivity, and success.

Research has shown that the physical environment can have a significant impact on employee well-being and job satisfaction. By investing in wall decor, employers can create a workspace that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also supportive of good health practices and conducive to positive workplace culture.

Wall decor is a simple and effective way to enhance the physical environment of the workplace and support the well-being and productivity of employees. By creating a workspace that is visually appealing, personalized, and supportive of good health practices, employers can foster a positive and collaborative workplace culture that is conducive to growth, innovation, and success.

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Outdoor signs such as banners are effective ways to advertise or promote your business or establishment. Banners are not only affordable; they are also multi purpose. Building banners, when hung, can cover blank and dull spaces or areas that may be undergoing a renovation at the same time can also promote an event, sponsor, promos, discounts, or your brand itself. Bleacher banners, used almost all the time with sporting events, cover open or unsightly areas under the bleachers while also displaying past achievements, sponsors, or the season’s schedule. They can also be used to cover empty sections of seats to allow the full stadium experience for small events.

Because large banners are specifically a versatile marketing tool, what they display can make a huge impact. Whether they are displayed outdoors or indoors, on the front or the back of buildings, the walls or the ceilings of a gymnasium, these large banners will serve their purpose most effectively whether it’s to inform, advertise, or promote.

When used indoors, large banners are useful when you want to cover up for a major renovation. With this, you can avoid closing your establishment just to wait for the renovation to finish. Large banners are also particularly useful to big establishments like hardware stores or malls. They can target a much larger audience.

Large banners when used outdoors also target large audiences. Besides displaying your brand name and logo, the best way to catch the attention of passersby is to display specialties (discounts, promos, limited editions, etc.). These potential customers will definitely turn to actual customers! You just have to make sure that these large banners are designed with the sizes and layout. Even though they’re large, make sure what’s written in it is readable from afar.

Sizing

The size of your banner is dependent on the application and the area where it will be displayed. You can provide the dimensions of your banner or you can talk to an expert to determine what would be best. The desired design will also depend on the size of your banner. Once you figure out the dimensions the design aspect of the project can begin.

Another thing about the size of your banner is that it can have its limitations. Once they get past a certain size, the weight can make the installation difficult. However, you can still achieve the desired size by also making this large banner into “smaller” large banners. While this still serves its purpose effectively, it is also easier to handle and install.

Material

Large banners are usually vinyl, cloth, or mesh material. For you to know the material for your desired banner, you will need to know the size, and the where and how it will be displayed. And you will need to communicate this to your graphic designer to achieve the perfect banner.

If you have questions about large banners, our team of professional graphic designers will be happy to help you. Please submit your message below or you can contact us today!

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When printing colored images, it is essential to know which color mode you should produce the best results. With this, you must learn which color mode best fits your photo. These two can be quite confusing, especially when you don’t have enough background for graphic designing. Most graphic designers know that differentiating the color profiles is crucial because choosing the wrong color mode will affect the tone and message of your document.

RGB
The RGB color profile comprises Red, Green, and Blue hues that combine to create many variations of colors. Exists only in screen displays, the RGB color mode is present in computer monitors, mobiles, and television screens. Although this color mode exists in all electronic devices, the color elements vary across systems and models (e.g. the image you see on an iMac differs on a Dell desktop computer).

The RGB profile is involved in additive processes to produce color by blending light instead of using ink to produce hues. The presence of all RGB primary colors at full intensity results in white, while the absence of color produces black. As you turn a screen off, you see an absence of RGB color, i.e. you see a black screen. The color you see on your monitor or screen is caused by the RGB base hues.

When to use RGB color mode

It is not uncommon to cause complications on color profile. However, to avoid them, always set a document in RGB when designing for social media, digital design, or online advertisements. Whatever image or design you have, as long as it exists on a screen or monitor, set it as RGB.

CMYK
The CMYK color profile contains Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black) that combine to produce a range of hues. This color mode is what we see on printers. When you zoom in on any printed image, you will see the four-color dots that layer to create different hues and gradations. Although all printers produce prints in CMYK, the results will differ among different styles and models of printers.

If the absence of all RGB colors produces black, CMYK produces white. Cyan and magenta create blue, magenta and yellow create red, and yellow and cyan create green. The presence of the all CMYK color combined produces an off-black shade.

When to use CMYK color mode

CMYK are commonly reserved for printed designs such as business cards, flyers, posters, and packaging. Setting your documents to CMYK before exporting or printing will prevent unbalanced colors that will result in RGB colors being translated into CMYK equivalents.

We hope you have learned about the RGB and CMYK color modes. By letting yourself be informed about what these are and when to use them, you can now know which one to use when printing an image!

If you have questions or comments, please submit your message below or you can contact us today!

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In materials, sign printing can offer a lot of options. Each material has special features and benefits that can make it suitable for a specific situation. Here are some commonly used materials we have tested and compared for your reference.

• Medium Density Overlay - Popularly referred to as ‘MDO’, is made of plywood panels with a resin fiber fused to the surface. Commonly used in sign designs, because of its tough quality.
• Glass–glass applications can be found almost everywhere. This material is used as a canvas to apply graphics for signage and marketing purposes.
• Aluminum–A perfect material for any permanent outdoor sign, this material will not rust with tough enamel that will not flake or peel like other painted materials.
• Fabric- Printed fabrics are relatively new to the sign industry but are making a huge name thanks to digital printing. Fabrics can be printed for banners, awnings, flags and fine art, including canvases.
• Acrylic This tough, transparent, versatile thermoplastic is used in many applications, especially in visual communications, design and architecture. This material is also very resistant to shock, flexing, scratching and weathering, which comes in a variety of colors and finishes and is recyclable.
• Gator board is a hard but lightweight display material that has a thick inner foam core and a wood-fiber veneer exterior. It is water, scratches, and dent resistant. Thanks to its portability and toughness, gator board is ideal for signs that will need to be frequently moved around.
• The foam core is a thick, inexpensive, and super lightweight display material. It has a dense foam core sandwiched between two layers of thick matte paper. Because it is so low cost, foam core signs are a great option for temporary displays and presentations.
• Ultra-board is a heavy-duty, all-plastic panel used for vivid prints and high use displays.
• Vinyl and painted wall graphics –creative designs with bright and colorful details can be achieved using this material. They are adherent and can be applied directly to walls.
• Wood–Wood can be used when it is important to match the surroundings. But not only just woods, good quality wood can have excellent durability and looks high end.
• Textured wall coverings–or without the technicality, the ‘wallpaper’. It adds intensity and interest with a huge range of visually pleasing looks and feels.
• Steel and stainless steel–Strong, durable and versatile, this long-established construction material is made from mixing iron and carbon in the right proportions at high temperature, but other additives give it qualities.
• Stone–Whether a just a normal-looking stone or slate can be cut it to size and shape. Great for traditional architectural signage with natural surroundings, this signage also gives the feeling of permanency and solidity to any environment.
• Coroplast is ridged polypropylene with a limited exterior life. These materials readily accept stress0-sensitive vinyl graphics, screen inks, and digital images.
• Polycarbonate- this material is clear, shatter-proof plastics that provide more durability and more flexibility than conventional acrylic plastics. They are widely used for exterior sign faces in areas that are subject to vandalism. Polycarbonates are also used for light box graphics.

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Here at Hackworth, we offer a wide variety of different sign and banner printing options. We can produce all different signage types such as back-lit, way finding, entrance, point of purchase, site signs, wall graphics, and window clings as well as ADA (American Disabilities Act) signs. With all these printing options, there are two ways of producing these signs: vinyl and digital print.

Each has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on what type of signage. However, in comparing how long they last in serving your business, you must know their differences.

Vinyl-made Signs
Vinyl is a kind of adhesive that can be cut into shapes and letters. It can be used in printing shirts, window and floor decals, vehicle wrapping, and many more. Vinyl can be made with materials that differ from one another, which means they can have different effects. Either way, they are made to withstand a range of environmental conditions. When using quality materials, most users look into a material’s longevity, and vinyl has just that. Although the sun can gradually fade vinyl as time goes by, vinyl-made signs are expected to last at least 5-10 years. However, it should be noted that while this time range may seem extensive, its lifespan will rely on the vinyl the user have chosen.

Here are the types of vinyl and their life expectancies:

• Calendared–this material is common and is recommended for businesses that do not require bigger printed materials; lifespan is about 3-6 years
• Cast–this is a much higher quality of the calendared type of vinyl; this material often has the longest life expectancy ranging from 5 to 12 years
• Metalized Polyester and Fluorescent–this vinyl material is designed for flashy ad decorative graphics which is why their life expectancies are not that long, and often last after 2 years

Digitally Printed Signs
Digitally printed signs can print color-specific, unlike vinyl that has its limitations when it comes to colors. It can print all the shades and fades of today’s complex designs. Despite that, when compared to the life expectancy of vinyl, digitally printed signs will not last as long. These signs usually last about 3 years, especially when exposed to the elements. However, you can add about 2-3 years of its life span when the sign is laminated.

Ultimately, your decision will rely on what kind of business you have and what goal you want to reach when advertising with these materials. Although one can clearly compare each other’s life expectancies, it is the goal of the user how long he or she intends to use the sign.

If you have questions please leave a message below or you can contact us today!

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The cloud connected KIP 79 Series is the most productive black and white print system in its class which makes it ideal for the high level production of wide format documents. These systems are the perfect solution for centralized and decentralized production environments because its properties include 1) cost-effective operation 2) increased hourly productivity 3) daily reliability and 4) long-term performance.

Production environments require consistent print quality, easy operation, and complete control of the system, all of which the KIP 79 Series can provide. Media management, queue control, and accounting for all print, scan, and copy activity are priorities. This system ensures that its status and print management is on your fingertips’ control.

Advantages of the KIP 79 Series

Features and Benefits

– Black & white print production
– Small footprint top stacking
– Optional rear stacking or KIPFold
– Windows® and AutoCAD drivers
– Automatic roll trimming
– Integrated USB port for external drives
– Extended print lengths for maximum productivity
– Large-capacity toner cartridges for continuous print runs and enhanced productivity

High Speed Copying and Scanning with MFP Configuration

– Convenient face-up and face-down scanning
– 600 x 600 dpi optical resolution
– A single system to scan thick or mounted originals and individual sheets

Ease of Use

– Compact mechanical design with easy serviceability as an engineering priority
– No special skills are required to produce wide format prints
– For maximum ease of operation

High Flexibility with Different System Configurations

– KIP 7970 print system with top stacking
– KIP 7980 MFP with top stacking and an integrated CIS scanner
– KIP 7990 production MFP with KIP2300 CCD production scanner
– Choice of 2 and 4 rolls

Folding and Finishing System

– Online folding system
– For automated wide format document finishing
– For unattended print runs
– Improves the efficiency and productivity of any production environment

KIP Smart Multi-Touchscreen

– Simple operation via the vivid 12” color touch display
– Print and copy in black & white – scanning also in full color
– Print directly from removable media, the cloud and local mailboxes
– Zoom and rotate on-screen previews for editing and printing via eight-point area of interest
– Convenient control of job queues

High-Speed Single-Pass Printing Combined with Perfect Image Quality

– Single-pass wide format printing
– Up to 14 A1 size prints per minute
– For crisp and clear lines and figures

Dry Toner System

– Odorless
– Instantly ready for finishing and further processing

Your Regional Sales Manager is available for more information of this and other KIP wide format systems. If you questions or comments, please submit your message below or you can contact us today. We will gladly assist you!

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What You Need To Know About HP DesignJet T520

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4 Reasons to Use Window Decals in Your Store

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Definitions of a process can be empty when you don’t know how it’s done. A practical presentation will help you in understanding more about the idea given so the question is: how is stenciling done?

Since a stencil is basically just a series of different kinds of holes cut into a sheet of a resilient, waterproof material (like steel or plastic), it is easy to form the finished product. You just have to apply paint through the cut out areas to the surface beneath, and voila, an image is formed. The stencil used can show identical shapes, letters, patterns, or symbols for drawing or painting. The open sections of the stencil that form the image are called islands. These are the holes or areas that allow color to be applied on the surface under the stencil. What separates the islands, however, are called the bridges. They keep the shape of the stencil for one to successfully apply a color on it. They block or protect the surface from ever reaching or spilling color or paint.

If you know how something is done, naturally, you ask what it can do for you. In the art of stencil, your creativity will surely ignite. It allows you to decorate the stencil with your own personal style. If dealing with paintbrushes, canvases, or even pencils is difficult for you to achieve a certain picture, then stencils are definitely for you. With them having perfect symmetry and perspective, they can eliminate the problems most artists have with proportions and angles.

With stencils, you are free to do whatever you want about the image you want produced and the colors it has. Since you can make the stencil yourself, you are basically the designer of your project. The number and the kinds of designs you can have with a stencil is impossible to count! It just all depends on your creativity and imagination. With a little help along the way, like holding the stencil for you while you apply a color on it, you can easily accomplish your desired image.

You can display your stencil art on the walls of your home, your workplace, or even in the restroom as a design! Whether on the surface of your tables, your windows, or floors, as long as they’re flat surfaces, you stencil art will definitely be appreciated for the accent it contributes.

If making your own stencil materials is quite difficult for you, worry not because here at Hackworth, we can create and design your stencil materials for you and more! With our professional graphic designers, we guarantee you your desired stencil materials for the perfect results. For more questions or comments, you can submit your message below, or you can contact us today!

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Here are 4 tips for you to achieve an effective point-of-sale sign:

Do not be afraid to go bold.

A point-of-sale sign that does not stop people in their tracks is not a point-of-sale sign at all. Be bold in designing your POP sign so that it actually makes people who walk pass by it stop and read. Make people read or notice your POP signs when they’re waiting for the bus or a cab. Don’t create signs that are so boring that people prefer not to look at them even when it’s standing right in front of them.

Be bold with your designs and colors. These are important elements if you want to attract the eyes of your customers. Play with vibrant, contrasting combinations, and never forget to use the psychology of colors! Additionally, with the use of unique large compelling fonts, your POP sign will absolutely stand out.

Display the benefits.

Before getting involved with something, particularly in a business, most people usually ask what’s in it for them. Tell them straightforward what they will receive from purchasing your product. The area that presents the benefits in your POP sign is what usually people focus on. These benefits create desire – the desire to purchase your product. Go into the specifics. What creates desire for your potential customers is the effect of your product. If you’re selling food, state what nutrients are included while they also enjoy the great taste. If you’re selling skin care products, show them how quickly the product will work in giving good results.

Keep it minimal when explaining your product.

Most people get overwhelmed, confused, or overwhelmingly confused when signs display too much information. It’s too much to take in in just one sitting. You have to make sure the POP sign only shows what’s important about your product or your company to add value and keep the potential customer reading. It is important to be concise in explaining how your product works. Consumers like to know the most important information. It’s what makes a good selling.

Go interactive.

An interactive display can be even more effective in reaching potential customers. Other than keeping people coming up to your POP signs, it is also very practical. With everyone having their own smartphones these days, POP displays have started to incorporate QR codes. If a customer scans the code on their phones, special discounts can be offered or and additional information related to the product.

If you have your own ideas about designing point-of-sale signs, we can help you in making those ideas turn into reality! With our professional graphic designers, here at Hackworth, we will help you reach the best marketing tools that will ultimately result in the success of your business! Contact us today for more information.

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Along with your business website, social networking and online advertising and marketing efforts, a business pamphlet is still an essential part of a marketing strategy.

Here is why business pamphlets still matter:

It is cost-effective.

Both at the production stage and the delivery stage, business pamphlets are more cost-effective than you think. It is fairly economical way to get your business name out especially when printed in bulk. The more you print at one time, the more you can save per brochure. Even though the prices will depend on your design, colors, and quality, having these materials in your marketing strategy makes it worth it.

While it may be necessary to implement online advertising, the objective of running a campaign is to get noticed digitally. If you want your business to be recognized more widely in the long-run, then you will want to use something like pamphlets. The alternatives are a much bigger investment. Other forms of advertising like billboards, newspaper ads and multi-media like radio or television can be 10 times more costly.

It gives a good and lasting impression.

Recent studies have shown that people tend to preserve more information when they read it on paper than on screen. Although we scroll through our social media feeds longer than we normally we should, we must take advantage of the fact that business pamphlets leave a lasting impression.

People are constantly exposed to the Internet. With your advertisements posted online, especially when it’s not designed properly, there is a good possibility customers are not paying attention. Banner blindness is a phenomenon that results in users unconsciously ignoring online advertising. However, a business pamphlet with a professional design and useful information included within it can be a successful marketing tool that is hard to ignore.

It can go anywhere.

Business brochures have a higher likelihood of traveling further and seeing more people than you will ever have the opportunity to. Printing them in bulk and distributing them in many places like business offices, train stations, waiting rooms, and even rest rooms, is a great way for you to reach thousands of people. Even though banners, posters, and billboards are effective as well, they won’t travel as much as your business brochures can. They can be spread out and passed on to. In that way, your business’s name will become more and more recognizable.

Here at Hackworth, we can help you design and print business pamphlets, brochures and more. We will work with you to find the right message and layout that conveys what your business is all about. Questions? You can leave your message or comment down below, or you can contact us today!

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Here are the tops reasons why outdoor signs are important for your business:

Location

For small businesses, outdoor signs act as a guidepost to lead your customers to the right area where your business is located. With the right design, these signs can attract people’s attention that can eventually persuade them want to go inside your business especially when it’s new. They can create a really strong impression for customers. Additionally, these signs help differentiate your business from others in your locale. Tourists and people who just moved in to the area are going to look for local businesses that can help them. From being landmarks to information booths, these signs can really help you advertise and boost your business!

Function

An outdoor sign can serve as a salesperson for new customers 24/7. Most of the time, these signs are designed with what the store offers. What usually makes an outdoor sign effective is a unique displays. Sometimes, food businesses show their specials of the day while clothing stores show special discounts for every purchase of their new products. Additionally, putting your logo as design will reinforce your brand and its recognition. These signs serve as a primary link between a business and its customers.

Brand Promise

Outdoors signs are the first to give impressions to people who are walking around your area which is why they should always be neat and bright to achieve its purpose. With a clean and professional design, it conveys the promise of your brand, the high standards of your business, and the uniqueness of your business. An outdoor sign that is damaged, smudged or clearly not maintained will fail to be a good representation of your brand or your business.

Great Investment

It is no doubt that business owners use outdoor signs as a component of their marketing strategies. It is the one of the most common methods used in reaching thousands of potential customers. It is also much more cost-effective compared to other forms of advertising such as radio, television, and newspapers. As an exterior design, it is visible 24 hours a day – its exposure is prominent and continuous.

In some cases, small and medium businesses go unnoticed. With a well done outdoor sign, this will no longer be a problem for you as they help plant the seed for future sales. Put a professional sign out now, and see how much difference it makes!

Here at Hackworth, we are able to produce as many types of creative print jobs that include outdoor signage. You can leave your message or comment below, or you can contact us today so we can help design an outdoor sign for you!

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Here are some techniques on how to create an effective business flyer:

Choose a striking or clever headline/title

Titles that start with a question or an exclamation are very effective. Other headline ideas include: “The Secrets To …”, “Easy Ways To …”, ‘How To …”, “Discover …”, and many more. Write titles that will hook people. Entice them to keep reading. Eventually, casual observers become potential customers.

Keep it brief

Always consider the design and the size of your flyer. You can only write so much content in size-limited material like this. Consider your readers, as well. Do not overwhelm the reader with too much information. You don’t want them to put the flyer down because it’s dull or overly technical. Only write the most important details about your product or service.

Divide your content

It is good to layout out your content in an orderly and precise fashion. Having long paragraphs or chaotic design is not exactly attractive to readers. Also, try to incorporate some white space to make other aspects of the content stand out. This makes a flyer easier to digest.

Use convincing testimonials

Nothing beats an endorsement or feedback from a happy customer. It is a very effective way to promote your products and services. If you choose to use this technique, make sure to use those that are well-written and focused on results your clients have had with your company.

Mention the benefits

Before anyone purchases items the question is often asked, “What’s in it for me”? Write at least three benefits your customers will receive, and list them in a prominent way. It is encouraged to do this in bullet form. This is a quick way of telling your readers why they should choose you.

Make the design coherent

Your design should make sense. If you are advertising wedding services, your flyer should look more like a wedding invitation, and not a funeral services ad. Having a really good design can inspire confidence in your business. It shows that you pay attention to details and offer professional service.

Always add contact information

This is usually put at the bottom after all the information has been read. After reviewing your flyer, they might want to ask a few more questions before they choose to do business with you. Don’t get cute with the contact information. Make it easy for them to get in touch with you.

Proofread everything

Get someone else read to your flyer. A second pair of eyes or a different perspective is valuable. Hear what they have to say. You may want to consider editing something based on their feedback. Also, this is important for checking grammatical and spelling errors. You do not want your flyer to be publicly displayed with mistakes that could damage your credibility.

Here at Hackworth, we can do all of this for you and more! Submit your comments or questions below and we can help you design and print your business flyers!

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Function, Not Form

Before getting too creative with your flyer, make sure that people would actually consider picking up and reading your flyer. Valuing function over form is important since people will look for relevant information on the business flyer before appreciating the art and creativity of how it is designed. Whatever it is your advertising, the information must be concise and striking for it to be effective. A few points must be recognized when designing a flyer with function:

• Prioritize important information
• Contact details like phone number, website, and email address must be easy to read and accessible to the eyes
• Do not put long paragraphs and provide concise information

Be Direct

Simplicity is the key. In some instances, designing a flyer with a rainbow of colors and a wild cacophony of fonts does not resonate well. You have to value the substance of your flyer without sacrificing your overall design. A minimal themed flyer works well in this way as it can deliver the message of the business flyer while maintaining a sleek, subtle, and calm aesthetic throughout. Stick to colors that look professional to the eye like gray, white, and black with an accent of an appropriate bold color of your choice. Be careful with color choices and combinations for it can easily wander into bland territory. Simple graphics will also add a sophisticated visual element to your flyer.

Color, Color, Color

We already emphasized the importance of color choices and schemes in designing a flyer. Should you go for a more calm color palette or go for striking and bold colors? Selecting an effective color palette in designing a business flyer can go a long way if done right. Aside from images and typography, the color of a flyer is a key element in determining the mood or personality of your business.

There are a lot of possibilities in color choices when it comes to designing flyers. A classic combination would be the black and white combo. It has a clean, minimal yet striking look when contrasted with a bold color. Some colors have moods associated with them; blue can have a calm and serene effect to the readers. Citrus colors like yellow or orange leaves a bright and energetic mood. Purple and violet often gives a royal or elegant feeling to the flyer. Color choices and palettes have a great effect in designing a professional flyer.

Need help with design? Not a problem. We have four full time graphic designers here to assist you. Call us at 757-545-7675 or email us today.

The post Quick Tips for Designing an Effective Flyer appeared first on Hackworth.

24/7 Exposure

Unlike other form of print media advertising, a business poster has a 24/7 easy accessibility and can stay up to days, weeks, months, even years if put in the right circumstances. A flyer can be easily thrown into the trash rendering it useless. A business poster however, once put up in a wall, will stay there and continues to do its purpose in communicating information to passersby. Moreover, a business poster is always available at any time and at any day. You do not need a person to explain a poster to a potential customer for it can do it by itself. Whether it is 12:00 midnight or 6:00 in the morning, a business poster does not stop working.

Cheap, Yet Effective

Probably the most cost-effective way of all the print media advertising options, a business poster is a must try if you want to market your business effectively without that huge bill. This works well for those who are just starting in business since it only takes a few dollars to produce a business poster and you can have a volunteer or an employee hang them up for you with no additional costs. Print advertisement in magazines roughly cost up to $20,000 per ads since you are renting from that magazine. Even a large, high quality business poster will cost less than the average cost of a print advertisement.

Direct Communication

A business poster will communicate information from your business to potential customers. This would seem like the business poster is doing all the talking for you anytime. Direct communication through a business poster since it allows the people to have an active engagement with your poster. Wherever they may be, whether on the bus stop, a nightclub, or on a lamp post, customers are most likely to notice a poster out of chance or sheer curiosity so having that instant connection between the business poster and the customer helps in promoting your business.

Branding

As much as you need to captivate an audience with your poster, it also helps in branding your business in general. Branding your business helps you since there are a variety of the same businesses nowadays and staying in front of them and creating an attitude promotes your business even further. Your business poster, if designed effectively can help you in creating a brand that will elevate your business from the rest of the market.

For more help with business posters, contact us at 757-545-7675. We have a team of graphic designers ready to help you with everything from concept to print.

The post Why We Love Business Posters (And Maybe You Should Too!) appeared first on Hackworth.

You see them taped to light poles, pinned on campus bulletin boards, and displayed at malls and movie theaters.

If you want to up your advertising game, company posters are the way to go. Here are 4 ideas to keep in mind when creating your design.

Legibility is Key

Posters need to be eye-catching and unique. But a poster is just about pointless if viewers can’t take away the intended message.

Most people will only glance at a poster for a few seconds as they walk by. Many will only see it from a distance. Nobody has time to stand and stare and analyze your poster to make out what it says.

That’s why the information on your posters needs to be legible.

Part of achieving this is keeping your design clean. You want to stand out, but having too much going on in a small space draws the eye away from where it should be. In many cases, less is more.

Another factor in legibility is your choices in typeface. It’s good to know the difference between a display typeface and text typeface.

A bold sans-serif lettering works well for big headlines and keywords. For smaller part of your message, a serif typeface makes it easier to distinguish the different characters.

By considering legibility, you improve your chances that people will receive your message.

Color Creates the Mood

The colors you use on your poster go a long way in establishing the emotions people associate with your company, product, or event.

Color has a deep psychological effect. The hues you choose can impact purchase decisions and your brand’s reputation.

For example, a poster promoting a healthcare company or a farmer’s marketing might want to use shades of green to represent life and nutrition. An elegant gala could stick to a black-and-white color scheme to represent the formal occasion.

With color, you can tailor a message without saying anything.

Create a Visual Hierarchy

Journalists use a technique called the “inverted pyramid” when writing stories.

With an inverted pyramid, you start with the biggest, most important ideas first. As you get further along, you add in smaller details that fill out the story.

Creating a hierarchy of information – going from most important to least – is a great thing to keep in mind when designing company posters.

Not everything on the poster should be the same size or prominence. Key things should take dominance.

For example, if you’re advertising an event, you should have a big eye-catching graphic to draw the viewer in. The event’s name should also be large. Date and location should be a bit smaller, with further details even smaller still.

By creating a progression of info, people who see your poster will be better able to process and understand the message.

Be Creative

Advertising with company posters is a great opportunity to show off your brand’s personality.

Get creative! Create a bold design with a digital graphics program, or get old-fashioned and sketch out an illustration.

Plenty of different types of designs can look tremendous on posters with the right formatting, so let the artist in you shine!

Print Your Company Posters

Once you’ve created a design, you need a top-notch company to print up quality posters.

Contact Hackworth today for a free quote on poster printing.

The post 4 Dynamic Ideas for Designing Beautiful Company Posters appeared first on Hackworth.

Everyone is putting their money into digital these days and wondering if they need to focus more on SEO or PPC. And that’s exactly why you’re still going to invest in print.

Not sold? It can take some convincing to get you to zag while everyone else zigs. Let’s discuss why print is still very much alive.

Millennials Actually Love Print

That tech-savvy and tech-fickle generation we’re constantly trying to figure out is surprisingly a big fan of print.

This is the generation that has been bombarded with every type of digital ad possible. They can hit “Skip Ad” on YouTube or X-close a pop-up window at nearly precognitive levels.

But something printed is novel to them. It’s there, it’s tangible and they can hold it in their hands. Millennials are far more likely to give a postcard or brochure a full read than their older counterparts.

Millennials actually love public libraries and also love catalogs — two things that were taken for granted and blown off by jaded Generation X.

Inboxes are Overflowing, but Mailboxes are Ripe

It may also surprise you to know that advertisers who invest in good old-fashioned direct mail are seeing the best return on investment they’ve seen in years.

As we said, people are going all in on digital these days. The only print collateral in people’s actual mailboxes are pizza flyers and bills. The opportunity to stand out there is huge.

Direct mail isn’t dead. But it almost died and fooled a lot of people into thinking it was gone. That’s why the people who know better are seeing some great results.

Print Collateral and Digital Can Work Together Beautifully

You now have an unprecedented number of tools to track the success of a print campaign and marry it to your online efforts. But sadly, too many businesses treat them as separate identities.

Let’s say your business is offering free iPads to new sign-ups. First, you will want to design a professional and impactful printed postcard to spread the word of this amazing promotion.

Next, you will want to create a simple URL for this promotion. This can be something crazy-simple like yourbusiness.com/ipad. You want the customer to be able to type it in without messing it up, or even remember it without having the card.

Now, set up a dedicated landing page for this promotion. Never send traffic from a printed material to an existing product or service page. Most people do.

You want to avoid this because:

1. Said service page may make no mention of the free iPad, which will cause people to think they’re in the wrong place

2. The look and feel of this landing page needs to closely mirror the branding on the card, or again, people may think they’re in the wrong place.

3. You won’t be able to differentiate the traffic from your card from the day-to-day traffic. You can only assume an uptick means it’s working.

Now you have your digital and your print playing off each other perfectly, and you will convert far more leads.

Need Something Printed?

Our clients love to recommend us because of our commitment to quality and getting them the best possible price. In fact, we recently won Hampton Roads Chamber’s 2017 Chesapeake Small Business of the Year!

How can we help you? Click here to learn more.

The post At Last – Proof That Print Collateral Is Not Dead appeared first on Hackworth.

Why is that? As much as we know digital marketing is changing the way to approach advertising, you can use print materials to your advantage to draw in new clients.

Read on to learn about the top 3 techniques we recommend as print marketing ideas for your business today.

1. Strong Messages are Key Print Marketing Ideas

Make things bold.

Make them clear.

Make them easy to understand.

You need to ensure that anyone who comes across any of your print marketing ideas gets the picture. It takes seconds for people to see your campaign and feel an impact on it or not.

Humans have shorter attention spans than goldfish, so it’s important to grab their attention as quickly as possible.

• You should add bold lettering to your posters or flyer to enhance visual appeal. Use popular fonts such as Bebas Neue, which is a great font for large capitalizations to stand out from the rest.
• Strong headlines and subheadings are also important factors in creating the best influential print marketing ideas. Word choice must be concise and to the point.
• Think about color patterns, too. Analysis has been done proving what colors are the most attractive for marketing using color theory. Red, yellow and blue are three bold primary colors that are great for action and orientated products and brands.

2. Modernize Your Business Cards

In the same line with discussing the importance of including strong messages on flyers, you need to be consistent with all of your printed forms of advertising.

When you hand out your next batch of printed business cards, consider jazzing them up a bit.

No longer is it appropriate to leave the bare minimum consisting of your name and phone number.

You should opt for adding high-tech features to your business cards, such as a QR code that directs someone right to your resume. A QR code is essential in such a tech-driven world where everyone can access your information on the Internet.

Stay up to date with this business card trend by purchasing new cards that include a fancy QR code to impress everyone you hand your card out to at networking meetings.

Please your customer with this technique. You always want to think about ways to make their lives easier and you will instantly show them your passion with the details you provide on your business cards.

3. The Classic, Brochures

One final way you can beef up your print marketing ideas is through your brochures.

These classic and basic marketing materials do better for your ROI when they are designed in a clean, crisp manner and are helpful when putting them in the right hands.

When attending trade shows for your individual type of business, whether it be an insurance company or a law firm, you can happily distribute your brochures with confidence knowing your information is displayed in a digestible way for all to understand.

Sometimes it’s difficult to capture what big businesses are all about. Provide your new customers with details written out in laymen’s terms.

Stand Out From The Rest, With The Best Print Marketing Materials

Hackworth is your one-stop-shop for all things graphics, printing, and technology.

Feel free to reach out to us at any time if you need assistance with your print needs.

The post 3 Print Marketing Ideas That Will Increase Sales appeared first on Hackworth.

Right?

Don’t believe the hype, because this couldn’t be further from the truth — especially in the world of marketing.

The use of print marketing materials is alive and well. This isn’t just a matter of old habits dying hard — print marketing is flat out effective.

To be sure that you’re able to understand the value of print marketing and use it through the course of your business, read on and look into these tips.

Use Print Marketing Materials To Grow Your Social Media

Your social media presence will win big when you start to cross-pollinate between print marketing materials and digital marketing practices.

People are overburdened by digital clutter now, to the point that they’re far more open than before to print marketing. You can create some handouts that will have a monumental effect on people who receive them.

Giving handouts that feature your social media contact info will help you to get your followers up and better reach your public. Tangible materials still carry a certain amount of weight and make people feel special when they receive them.

However, you will need to put some diligence into the design of the handout. Working with a shop that provides high quality, full-color handouts will definitely be worth your money.

Mix Technology With Print Marketing To Save Costs

Technology has ironically made it easier to get print materials out to the public.

You can save a tremendous amount of money on your printing costs by embracing the cloud. For instance, if your company has a presence all over the country, you can create a digital print job and then send the files to a print shop in another state to handle the physical work.

This way, you’re saving an incredible amount of money and only printing what you need. Using this method gives you plenty of time to test out your marketing in advance before wasting money on unsuccessful print jobs.

Incorporate Barcodes For Easy Content Sharing

You will need to be strategic when it comes to the types of print marketing materials that you create.

One of the best things that people do is include barcode technology into the printout, in order to get people to lock in contact info, subscribe to social media or follow podcasts or YouTube channels.

This makes it much easier to exchange information since many mobile devices make use of barcode technology so that the transfer is seamless.

Work With A Top Quality Print Shop

We’ve got your back when you need top-quality print work.

Whether you need brochures, manuals, business cards, flyers or handouts, no task is too big or too small for our shop.

We’re based out of the Chesapeake area and provide great print work for the entire Hampton Roads area. Many businesses rely on us for this work, and we would be glad to hear from you.

Contact us to learn more about the work we provide.

The post How to Use Print Marketing Materials for More Effective Email Marketing appeared first on Hackworth.

In reality, print advertising is more effective than ever. 56% of customers agree that print marketing is more trustworthy than online advertisements. An even more staggering 8 out of 10 adults took action after seeing a newspaper ad in the last 30 days.

Print ads still resonate with consumers amid the constant noise of online advertisements. These advertising mediums may cost more, but it’s clear that there is more value in these types of ads.

For small businesses, print advertising is the only way to reach their potential customers reliably. Use these print advertising techniques to get the most out of your advertising budget and turn readers into customers.

Direct Mail Advertising

When comparing direct mail advertising to email advertising, there is one clear winner. Emails get cluttered and deleted all the time. Mailing a brochure ensures that your potential customer will see your ad at the very least.

In fact, 73% of American customers prefer to get their ads in the mail rather than online. They can view the ad on their own time, so they’re more likely to give your company a chance.

Direct mail is still one of the most effective print advertising techniques available to small businesses. Most people look through their mail every day. They’re more likely to read an ad that comes in the mail because it feels more personalized than a simple email blast.

Creative Business Cards

Business cards are one of the most personalized forms of print advertising, especially for B2B companies. Printing an employee’s name on a card isn’t going to stand out from the pack, though.

Make sure your business card doesn’t get stuck in a pile or thrown away with the rest of the cards. Make your cards unique by including interesting graphics, odd shapes, or even magnetizing the card to heighten the chance a potential client will stick it on their fridge.

Target Your Audience

If you want any of your print advertising techniques to succeed, you need to know who is reading your ads. Small businesses need to spend their smaller advertising budget on a more specific audience to get a return on their investment.

Create a customer profile, then advertise in magazines and newspapers that these people read. Mail pamphlets or coupons to potential customers who used similar services or bought similar products.

For a print advertising campaign, you need to target the right audience, so you don’t waste your money. Print ads are still more effective than online ads for small businesses, but they won’t be if you don’t target them correctly.

Print Advertising Techniques

Online ads are great in some circumstances, but most of the time a print ad will engage customers at a larger rate.

Use these tactics to make the most out of your advertising dollar using the print medium. Newspaper, magazine, and direct mail advertisements may not get the same number of eyeballs as an online ad, but they’re more effective at driving customers to a particular company.

Check out our blog for more helpful tips for designing your print ads.

The post 3 Effective Print Advertising Techniques for Small Businesses appeared first on Hackworth.

A good flyer design can make a positive impact to new potential customers while getting your brand out to a wider audience at the same time. They say it’s the digital age, but printed advertising is still effective!

The possibilities of a flyer’s design are limitless. They can happy or sad, colorful or monochromatic. Some will use big font and others will tell an entire story on a single page.

Today we’ll go through ten kinds of designs that are certain to make a positive statement for your business.

1. Simplistic

Sometimes less is more, and that can definitely be true when it comes to a business flyer.

A simplistic design can really send a message home by not putting too many details and leaving the focus on the words themselves. It can appear to be both elegant and clean, as well as sophisticated. 

2. Detailed

On the opposite spectrum, including a lot of details to your design can really draw the eye. It can be beautiful and intricate at the same time, making viewers want to take a closer look.

3. Seasonal

Changing up the style of your flyer to suit the season or a current holiday is a sure method to keep your branding fresh. Decorate your flyer with some snowflakes or bright petals to showcase the beauty of the seasons while advertising your products that are right for every season!

4. Shapes

Making use of shapes is a great way to draw the eye of a potential customer. Have fun with a bunch of circles, or pile up some triangles. Make a pentagon shape with your paper instead of the normal rectangular shape.

Mixing and matching different shapes can be a good way to give off a feeling of fun and happiness.

5. Photographic

Using high-quality photographs can really bring out the beauty to your business flyer. It can make your customers feel like they are getting a postcard with a great picture on the front rather than just a regular flyer.

6. Artistic

Similarly, putting a beautiful art piece in the center of your flyer could feel like receiving a print of some great painting. It can really spice up the way your advertisement is received.

7. Handcrafted

Making things from scratch and getting back to our roots is an incredibly popular style right now. A lot of handcrafted papers have a special kind of rough and homey feel to them. It’s also environmentally friendly, which is sure to make eco-friendly customers much happier.

Using a hand-drawn font will give this homemade feel an extra boost of creativity.

8. Minimalist

A sleek choice that can seem like the simplistic style at first, but is actually different in its approach. A minimalist design is where you only have 1 or 2 elements on the page, bringing bigger emphasis to them. Simplistic, on the other hand, can have multiple elements that don’t have too many details but still include more on the page than a simplistic one!

9. Symmetric

There is great beauty in symmetry. We can find it all over in nature, and it’s a great means of inspiration for creating a flyer, too.

Having the design be symmetrical with itself can lead a viewer to feel balanced and at ease.

10. Die-cut

Die-cut flyers are where you take a relevant shape and use that as your flyer instead of just a regular rectangle. For example, if you are advertising for a brand of dog treats, perhaps your flyer could be in that typical bone shape that is so well-known for dog treats. Alternatively, you could chose to use the shape of a dog instead.

A Good Business Flyer Begins With Creativity

Having fun with the design is the best way to make it a great one. A flyer is still an effective way to advertise for your business, so make sure to use it to your best advantage.

Do you need some guidance? Let us know! We’d love to help you. 

The post 10 Business Flyer Designs that Will Catch Every Eye appeared first on Hackworth.

For one thing, it’s easier. Fumbling with your phone and trying to open the right app invariably takes your attention away from the conversation. Additionally, no matter how digital we’ve become, tangible objects like modern business cards make a powerful impact. 

Creatively designed, unique business cards are a memorable personal branding tool. Is it time for you to order new business cards? Take a look at some of the options available today.

5 Creative Elements of Modern Business Cards

Cards That Turn Into Something Else

Business cards that double as refrigerator magnets have been around for a while, but we’ve also seen cards that are miniature cheese graters, handy multi-tools, and even very thin cookies! 

Modern business cards that have a useful function are almost guaranteed not to be thrown out or recycled.

Cards That Think Outside the Rectangle

Who says business cards have to be straight-edged? Choose a geometric shape like a circle, triangle, or hexagon. Or go for maximum impact with scalloped edges, rounded corners, or a representative shape like a leaf, house, luggage tag, or camera. If you can use the shape of your cards to communicate your business or product, your branding gets a huge boost.

Cards That Are Fun to Fidget With

Make your card a miniature exercise in origami to really engage contacts and potential clients. Some modern business cards can be ripped, folded, and otherwise manipulated into a 3D design. Try printing your information onto a flexible, rubbery, or stretchy business card that will be impossible for people not to play with. 

Another clever approach involves a sliding design so that a message or image is revealed when the card is pulled from an outer envelope.

Laser Cut Business Cards

Laser cut cards can be made from paper, wood, or even metal. Whatever the material, these cards are bold and creative. One way to go is with an intricately cut design, but many laser cut cards are nothing more than the professional’s name or initials in block letters.

Cards with Illustrations or Photographs

Why not show off your work with your business card? This is particularly easy for photographers, illustrators, visual artists, and even models. Even professionals in other industries can use a photograph or a quirky illustration to make a visual impact. 

Hand-lettering and illustration are two of the top design trends in 2017, so you can make sure your modern business cards stand out from the pack by including these elements.

Ready to Get Started?

You might be thinking that some of these suggestions sound overly elaborate — and expensive. Consider splurging a bit on a business card, since it helps form that all-important first impression. 

Yet anyone can achieve great results, no matter their budget, by designing their own cards using templates and graphic design software.  

Need more inspiration? Contact us for expert help!

The post 5 Creative Elements of Modern Business Cards appeared first on Hackworth.

The effects of print include increased reach, more brain stimulation, and more.

Pamphlets are a great print advertising tool that puts your brand directly in your consumer’s hands — literally!

The best pamphlets are ones that entice, engage and educate your audience.

With so many prints out there, you may be running low on pamphlet ideas.

You’re in luck; we’ve put together seven brilliant pamphlet ideas to inspire you and your business.

Ready to take a look? Let’s dive right in!

1. Think Outside of the Box

A new trend among pamphlets is to stray away from the typical accordion-style product and reach toward something new.

One of our favorite ways to do this? By making a boxed pamphlet.

This type of pamphlet folds together to create a cube. By unfolding it, your consumer accesses all of your amazing content and information.

This idea is definitely one that will leave your mark on consumers!

2. Engage With Pop-ups

Popups are just for children’s books; they actually make for a great pamphlet idea!

Consumers will be impressed when they open your pamphlet to see an engaging pop-up right in the center of it.

Not sure exactly what to put on it?

A few good ideas for pop-ups include infographics, photos and more.

3. Incorporate a Beautiful Logo

If you know anything about branding, then you know that having a recognizable logo is a must. Logos are some of the first things a consumer thinks of when they hear your brand’s name.

Make sure your brand’s logo is one of the key components of your pamphlet idea. By putting it on the cover, consumer’s will have an unforgettable experience — and will think about your brand even after they’re done reading your pamphlet.

4. Go Horizontal

If you’re worried about how you’re going to make your pamphlet idea stand out above the rest, consider a horizontal design (rather than vertical).

By switching up the direction of the pamphlet’s layout, those reading your pamphlet will be surprised at the change. It’s good to switch things up every now and then!

5. Get Creative With Color

Another way to switch things up is by including color blocking.

Color blocking is a way to incorporate bright, vivid colors into your pamphlet idea without it appearing overdone.

By picking a few colors that compliment one another, your pamphlet will truly come to life.

6. Include Original Photos

Pamphlets these days are graphic artists’ forte. The pamphlet world seems to be overwrought with creative graphics and typography.

A good way to connect with your readers is to include original photos of actual human beings.

7. Keep Your Content Short and Sweet

Pamphlets are a way to present information to people in a way that is easy to digest.

That said, be sure to keep your content straight to the point.

Avoid long paragraphs of type; this can turn off readers right from the get go!

If you’re struggling to cut down on content length, consider implementing infographics instead.

Pamphlet Ideas Don’t Have to Be Complicated

Overall, pamphlets are a unique way to leave your mark on a consumer.

Your pamphlet doesn’t have to be over the top or hard to make, either; sometimes the shorter, the better.

If you’re looking for more ways to impress your customers, check out our blog or try out our services.

The post 7 Brilliant Pamphlet Ideas to Inspire You appeared first on Hackworth.

But there’s one very important thing you have to consider: how do you want your colors to look?

There are two types of color theory: RGB (Red, Green, Blue) and CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black). Figuring out what you should use is a very difficult experience.

Most people are for CMYK, but that’s a little simplistic. In actuality, there are pros and cons to each method. Read on to find out what they are!

RGB Pros

• Allows for a wider range of colors
• Lets more data be used
• Can sometimes lead to more vibrant colors
• More flexible than CMYK

RGB Cons

• Not the industry standard — more common in web design than printing
• Not everyone will work with RGB images
• Relies somewhat on light, which printing does not provide like a computer monitor does
• Might be a slight color shift from screen to printing

CMYK Pros

• Requires less color theory knowledge
• Is the industry standard
• Common in printing, most businesses are used to working with it
• Less of a color shift from screen to printing

CMYK Cons

• Reduces data in the original image
• Doesn’t shift well from RGB
• Limited Color Gamut
• Cannot properly display all colors

The Verdict

As you can see, choosing color is anything but black and white.

The short answer is probably to choose CMYK. It will be easier to work with printers using this format because it is what they’re used to. Although technology is advancing to make RGB more feasible, for now that’s still mostly used for web design and things that aren’t going to be printed.

However, that is not the only option. If you think RGB is better for you, then no one should stop you from using that. And, in fact, there are plenty of designers who would agree with you.

The decision is ultimately up to you. But there are some things you should consider in addition to the pros and cons.

What you use will depend on several things, such as:

• What sort of printer do you have available to you?
• How exact do these colors have to be?
• How much color is being used?
• How bright are the colors?
• What does the printer you’re working with prefer?

That last question, of course, raises an interesting point: have you figured out where you’re going to print yet?

Simply printing something out from your home computer won’t give you the right results. Regardless of whether you use RGB or CMYK printing, you won’t get the vibrant colors that you want.

Ready to print?

So, if you’re looking for a place to print, consider our services.

Regardless of what your needs are, we’ve got you covered. We even have a team of graphic designers if you’re looking for help with developing your design.

We offer a wide range of services to suit every need. If you’re looking for printing in our area, be sure to check us out!

The post Which is Better: RGB or CMYK? appeared first on Hackworth.

During the fifteenth century, the Chineses created calling cards, which gave people notice before a visit.

In the seventeenth century, European merchants invented trading cards as mini advertisements.

It’s true, advertising existed back then too!

A couple of centuries later, business cards have evolved to statement pieces that aim to make a positive first impression to your prospective clients.

Which is all the more reason to impress them with sleek business cards.

To illustrate this point, here are 3 ways sleek business cards do that.

But first:

What are sleek business cards?

Sleek business cards aren’t a one-size-fits-all kind of card.

It is not a certain design, color, or style that makes a card “sleek.”

It’s the well-thought-out and tasteful integration of your product and business fused with the card that makes it like that.

For instance, if you work for or own a graphic design company, a sleek card would exemplify your design skills.

Or, if you work in the technology industry, a beautiful card wouldn’t be as colorful as a graphic designer’s card, but more simple and bold.

A sleek card also can be a literal interpretation of your company (or the company you work for). Chomp’s business card, for instance, literally has a “bite” taken out of it.

It’s also important to know that this kind of card doesn’t have to be stereotypically professional. It can be fun and friendly, which actually may push the potential client to call you.

This business card incorporates a playful design by using a text message format to display the contact information.

1. Make a memorable first impression

Like we mentioned before, a business card is the first impression your potential client gets of you.

A sleek business card with a state-of-the-art design evokes professionalism and class.

Sadly, a flimsy stock card with print stains implies you don’t value your business and that your work is sub-par (whether that’s actually true or not).

The simple point is, a business card can make you or break you.

Even an average card at best won’t help your client remember you and call you up.

High quality is key.

2. Make people want to pass your card out

Think about it.

People will want to pass your card out if it fully incorporates your business and product with an amazing design.

It’s a reflection of their good taste in not just quality service, but a quality card.

It’s like Twitter, the more tangible version of retweeting.

People want to retweet if the tweet makes that person look more knowledgeable, funny, or influential.

It’s the same way with giving someone another’s card.

So, while the potential customer you initially speak with may not need your services at the moment, he or she may know of someone who does.

A sleek business card will give them that push to pass your card along.

3. More than human element

With the business world becoming increasingly integrated with technology, it’s now more important than ever to secure that human element in business.

A business card helps solidify this.

Think of it.

It’s a tangible reminder of an in-person connection, which is markedly rare nowadays.

That potential client will pull out your card, and those memories of the business meeting will pop up.

A sleek business card makes those memories and that human element of business even better.

Remember what we said about first impressions?

Combine that with the fond memories, and your well thought-out business card may be an asset in your lead generation strategy.

To learn more about sleek business cards and how they impress potential clients, contact us.

The post Impress Potential Clients with Your Sleek Business Cards appeared first on Hackworth.

• Remember to stay focused. Think about the message that you want to deliver and the audience that you want to target. If you’re having a special sale, use the word SALE in large letters to draw attention to your sign. An experienced printer can advise you about how to focus in on the message that you want your banner to convey.
• Include your logo or brand on the banner. No matter where you are using your banner, you want the audience to know the company that is stating the message. You should include your logo, any colors that you always use with your advertising materials, and add graphics that help add to the reason you are printing a banner. Make sure that you include your web address or other contact information if possible; you want your audience to be able to contact you if they have questions about something you are offering.

[pullquote align=”normal”]Keep it neat and tidy. Don’t try to cram every aspect of your message on the banner. [/pullquote]

• Keep it neat and tidy. Don’t try to cram every aspect of your message on the banner. Ask your printer to help you streamline your content, to use white space effectively, and to use the right sizes of fonts that are readable from a distance. You should determine where you are going to use your banner so that your printer will know exactly the size banner you need, the colors that will highlight the content, and the font style that will enhance your message. Ask your printer to make sure that the banner isn’t cluttered and hard to read; you want this investment in your business to be an effective marketing strategy.
• Finally, consider the background on which your banner will be displayed. Will you be affixing it to a brick wall? If you are, let your printer know so a red or brown background won’t be used. Keep in mind that contrast is essential to make your banner pop out from the space on which it’s displayed. Keep your color choices simple so that your sign is attractive and appealing from all angles.

[thrive_text_block color=”orange” headline=”We’re Here to Help”]Remember … we have several professional designers waiting to help you put your banner together if you would rather not deal with designing it on your own. For more questions about banner printing, talk to our wide format printing specialists at color@hackworth.co or call 757-545-7675. [/thrive_text_block]

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Where will you use the sign?

The first fact that you should determine is where you will be using the sign. Will you use it indoors to direct customers to a special sale or promotional area? Or will your sign be displayed outside where the weather can impact its appearance and longevity? If your team is taking the signage to a trade show or using it at community events, you should give special consideration to the wear and tear the sign will undergo as it is transported from place to place. When you are ordering signage that is to be used outside, be sure to discuss with your printer the types of materials that can withstand blistering heat, rain, high winds, and blizzards. It’s very important to think about where you want to display the sign before you choose the materials that will be used in the construction of your signage.

Which materials are best?

After you’ve determined the place where your sign will be displayed, you can then decide on the materials. If your signage will be used indoors consider foamcore, corrugate, gator board, wood or plastic. These products will give you a professional appearance and good durability for trade shows, presentations, and any other events that your company will be hosting indoors. For outdoor signs you should consider vinyl, mesh, corrugated board, plastic, acrylic and aluminum. These materials will stand up to the test of the environment in which your signs are placed and will give you an excellent value for your money. Keep in mind that a professional printer can use their experience to give you the right advice about what type of materials will work best for your business.

What other points should you consider?

As you move toward choosing the right materials for your signs, you should also think about graphics that you want to incorporate and how different materials will receive the image. Do you prefer your sign to be flexible or would you rather have a rigid sign? These are additional guidelines that will help you to make the right decision about what type of material to request for your sign. At the core of your decision about materials for your signage are the cost, purpose, durability, and the location where you intend to use your sign. From inexpensive foam core to the strength of gator board to the versatility of vinyl, the choice that you make for your signage will impact its appearance and ability to withstand the test of time and usage.

[thrive_megabutton mt=”More Questions?” st=”Talk to our sign printing specialists. We’re here to help! Call: 757-545-7675″ color=”blue” link=”http://www.gohackworth.com/contact/” target=”_self” align=”full”]

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Gather Intel

Know what tradeshows you would like to attend and that are relevant to your business. Before actually going and participating in these trade shows, you need to go and investigate what kind of companies are there, how their displays look, and what tactics seem to be most effective at garnering new clients. This information can greatly help you to have a successful tradeshow display when it’s your turn. You will also need to assess the expenses of the booth space and whether you will need electricity and other optional features like WiFi, carpetting and more.

Know Your Audience

By being aware of what kind of audience you’re after, you can lean in that direction for your tradeshow display as well as in the conversations that you have with potential customers. It is important to know how to appeal to your target audience, and can help you to bring in more people than you could’ve dreamed. If possible, request a list of last year’s attendees to see if the event fits your target audience. Make sure to promote that you are participating in the tradeshow to those that may find value in attending. You can do this by sending direct mail and Emails as well personal invitations are always an effective way to

Be Visual in Your Presentation

One of the best things that you can do to help boost your business and help it to stand out amongst your competitors is to have a great visual display. With so many different people that are in attendance at these trade shows, it can be extremely difficult to draw them in without an appealing visual. You want it to be eye-catching, clean, and appealing. It also needs to reflect who you are as a business so that potential customers can begin connecting with your concept before they even get a chance to speak with you directly. It may be a bit of an investment at first, but it will pay for itself many times over in the long run.

Get the Most Bang for your Buck

Tradeshows are a true investment in your business, and nobody wants to go through all of the expenses of registering, setting up their booth, investing in great displays and walking away empty-handed. It’s important to know where to cut back and where to spend a bit more, as this can help you to maximize the return on your investment. For example, it could be very smart for your business to invest more in a better visual presentation than in the number of team members that have full access to the booth. It definitely depends on your particular situation, and on what your goals are going into the tradeshow.

For many businesses, tradeshows are like regular business on steroids. Because of the tradeshow atmosphere, many business owners feel that they get more done in 2 days than they would normally get done in 6 months or even a year. The unique set of circumstances that come together to create these tradeshows is truly a catalyst to success that you don’t want to miss out on.

[thrive_text_block color=”red” headline=”Contact Us For More On Tradeshow Displays”] If you any questions or need help with getting the right tradeshow display for your next event, talk to Drew Little at 757-646-5612.[/thrive_text_block]

The post How to Make the Most of a Marketing Budget with Tradeshows appeared first on Hackworth.

While there might be other considerations to take into place for your specific piece, we have done our best to cover every area that might traditionally come up when printing any kind of graphic design.

Bleeding & Cropping

Does the artwork you are looking to print go to the very edge of the page? Then you need to add in a bleed to make sure there is sufficient space to “bleed” over the edge. Typically, you’ll be looking for a bleed of around 1/8 inch or 3 millimeters. Also, make sure that there are clear crop marks on the image so that your printer will know where the artwork should be trimmed and what should be left in the finished piece.

Difference in Color

One thing that you need to consider is that typical printers will be using CMYK color systems. This stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow & Black. Meanwhile, a screen that the graphic design was made on will be using RGB –Red, Green, Blue.

Make sure that the document you send over is in CMYK coloring otherwise you can find that the colors will not match your original design. When you do make the conversion, if you’ve already made the artwork, you may need to re-do some of the colors digitally to match them back up to the original standard.

High Resolution Image

Make sure that the image you are sending over is in a high resolution. On an image it will be viewed at around 720 DPI, a printer will be working with less than half of this – usually 300 DPI if you are going for something like a brochure. Therefore you need to use a high resolution image to make sure it appears high quality, otherwise the pixelation or lack of quality will be magnified. You will also want to avoid images that have been optimized for the internet. Most of the time these graphics are at 72 DPI which is not sufficient for printing.

Specify A Material

You always want to specify the correct material or substrate for your print. Getting this right is very important depending on the desired visual outcome and how it will be used. Get this verified before printing begins, as it can make a huge difference to the overall quality of the artwork’s finish. Ask your printer about the many different options for material. They vary greatly depending on what type of project you have.

Font Outlining

Something you might not think about is how your text is going to come across. If it’s possible, you need to make sure that all fonts within the document are converted to what is known as an outline. To do this, simply convert your text into a traditional layer the same as any other design aspect of the image – this will make sure that it prints out properly. You can do this in many graphic design programs, such as Adobe Illustrator or Quark Xpress.

Not sure what you need to do? Then contact us HERE for more information. We can help you get the desired outcome for your artwork. We will make sure it turns out just as you originally intended, giving you a professional and visually appealing end product.

Our graphic designers at our Chesapeake, Virginia firm are experts at getting the artwork right and ensuring that the right standards are followed. If you need help from the start we have several graphic designers here to help your idea become reality. Give us a call at 757-545-7675 or color@hackworth.co and we will do all we can to help you.

The post Successfully Sending Artwork to Print appeared first on Hackworth.

However, the overall rise in color CAD printing is being caused by a number of factors that will only appear to increase over time.

• Growing appreciation and respect for color printing
• More color printing options
• Blending of color and monochrome prints in a single project

It is these factors that have allowed for the expansion of this type of printing, but growing consumer and business interest is driving it as well.

Color Appreciation

There is a wide variety of CAD drawings that are color printed and what has been noticed almost immediately is that the drawings appear more clear which is very helpful in spotting errors. The fact that being in color makes it easier to spot potential errors as well as the aesthetic beauty of the color itself has helped to boost the overall appreciation of introducing color into the large format for CAD.

Availability

Ever since the first inkjet printers were produced, color CAD printing was available in the smaller formats. Today, the wide format printing devices have been somewhat slow to catch up until recently. Now, the reprographics industry along with new advances in technology has seen the release of new printers that will take advantage of the large format and demonstrate all the advantages that color printing offers. In particular, printers such as the KIP C7800, Memjet and the new Hewlett-Packard models are now making color wide format printing for CAD even more available than ever before. All things considered, this has helped to revolutionize the industry when it comes to color printing as more availability means lower cost and greater variety.

Color & Monochrome Mix

By allowing color and monochrome to mix on the same machine, it makes it much easier to create different sets depending on the printing requirements. Until recently, such printing required that color docs on an inkjet had to be printed first, followed by monochrome docs on another machine that had to be hand collated. With the new printers being able to do this in one run, it eliminates the need for having two sets of machines and speeds up the overall process. This in turn will mean lower costs and better quality that consumers and those in the industry will enjoy.

Overall, color CAD printing has been given new life in wide format printing process. When it comes to the advancement of reprographics, technology and a new emphasis on producing better wide prints, the printing machine manufacturers have responded by creating new devices that allow for CAD drawings and images to be reproduced in full color in a format that has only increased in popularity in recent years.

The post The Rise of Color CAD in Wide Format Printing appeared first on Hackworth.

Here are some simple tips that will let you take full advantage of what color printing and proper graphic design, along with other aspects of marketing your business that will result in maximizing your exposure to potential customers during the holiday season.

Plan Early: In order to be fully prepared for the holidays, you will need to start your serious planning by September at the latest. That way, it will be fully ready to go by the time that Thanksgiving rolls around and the major buying begins. You’ll want to be ready for Black Friday and ahead of the competition as well.

Market Early: While you don’t want to start too early, beginning your campaign after Halloween in small increments is a good way to start. At the very least, starting a little early lets you get a jump on the competition, but you want to husband most of your resources for the big time shopping days.

Use Variety: Here is where your print marketing efforts really come into the fold. Direct mailers, holiday cards and other elements that utilize color printing and excellent graphic design will help your business efforts during this time of the year.

Target Your Audience: You are not trying to market to everyone, just those who are the most likely to purchase your products during this time of the year. So, focus your efforts on reaching that particular niche.

Highlight Your Business: Emphasize why customers should choose your store over the competition. That way, you’ll build up your business brand which in turn will help your sales. Plus, this may carry over from year to year as people remember your business and how it was highlighted before.

Use Posters: Posters are an excellent, attention-getting item if you use them properly. People see posters because of their size, but they’ll remember them if you have an interesting and inviting graphic design. You’ll need to work with your printer on this to ensure that this effort brings results.

Kick Off the Holiday Season: You should select a day where customers can participate in kicking off the holiday season. This can be your official first day of the big marketing push that you make as well. Plus, by advertising your kick off day early, you will not be seen as trying to push the holiday season too early as well.

Pre-Black Friday Guarantee: Promise to refund any difference in the sale of your items if customers find a better deal from other retailers on Black Friday. This will really help your sales and will let you compete with larger stores as well.

Overall, you’ll want to start your print marketing efforts early so that you can take full advantage of the holiday season.

The post Tips for Holiday Print Marketing appeared first on Hackworth.

There are certainly many reasons why print will remain a viable part of marketing for a long time to come. Businesses that still want to succeed, especially in the local marketplace will have to use resources such as newspaper ads, color printing for direct mail and other efforts that will keep the print business going for many years to come.

Here are just some of the ways that print marketing is still a viable resource for your advertising efforts.

The Personal Touch

Having a printed item in your hands conveys something far more real than an email or landing page ever could. That is why so many people still respond to postcards, flyers and the like especially when they are very well made.

NFC and QR Codes

One of the influences that smartphones has had on the print media is the introduction of NFC and QR codes which allow for print to take people directly to a website. QR codes can be customized with different patterns and colors to catch the eye and to make your efforts stand out. The near-field communication (NFC) is actually a new technology that will eventually replace QR codes and uses a tiny microchip that sends the information directly into the mobile device without having to scan. All that is needed is to tap the print against the mobile device and the website will pop up.

Variable Printing Technique

Thanks to the costs of printing going down over the past several years, you can now vary the printing in a single marketing campaign that will make your efforts more effective in reaching customers. For example, a direct mail campaign could actually personalize each postcard with the name of the person where it is sent so that it means more to them. Putting their first name in will separate it from what they would consider “junk mail” and have a greater impact.

Expansion of Social Media

The social media that we see on sites such as Facebook and Twitter for example has been around a long time. After all, the business card is the perfect form of social media and that has been around for more than a century. You can integrate your online efforts with print media campaigns and the end result will be better coverage of your potential customer base. In fact, you will reach customers through your print marketing efforts that simply were not available on in internet.

All in all, color printing and print marketing are not only here to stay, but they still play a vital role in finding and bringing in new customers to your business. The more effort you can make to augment the print aspect of your campaign the better the results will be.

Talk to Drew at 757-646-5612 for more information on innovative ways that printing marketing can help your business.

The post The Viability of Print Marketing appeared first on Hackworth.

For example, did you know that if you mixed a red, green and blue light together it will appear white? Yet if you do the same with red, green and blue paints you would wind up with black or a very dark brown?

The reason is because a color that is projected from a source such as light is an “additive” color while colors that are used in printing are “subtractive” colors. The differences are strong enough that you will need to take them into account when printing with particular colors.

Basically speaking, color that has its own source or light is going to react differently when mixed than colors that do not have their own projecting source, but instead reflect the light a certain color. Recently, scientists have been able to create objects that absorb so much light that they are actually difficult to see. This is because what you see when you look at table for example is not really the table, but the colors reflected off the table. If the table absorbed all the light that tried to illuminate it, then we would have a very difficult time seeing it.

The same basic principle is true of printed colors. When you see the color red on a piece of paper for example, the light is striking it with the full range of colors, but the blue and the green is being absorbed while the red is being reflected back.

The Effect of Reflected Light on Color

The subtractive element really comes into play when you start mixing colors for something that is printed or on a surface. If you mix together red, green and blue when painting on a canvas or poster, the result is that you will get a very dark and muddy brown. This is because when the paint is mixed, there is more color being absorbed from the light that is striking it. To keep the colors bright, you will have to mix fewer of them together and the brightest colors are those that are generally the most pure.

A backlit graphic for example also uses subtractive colors and not additive ones even though there is a light source from behind. That is because the colors are absorbing the light source and are not the originators. What is true for printing is also the same for LCD TV monitors that use subtractive colors which are backlit.

So, when you are preparing a printing project and want to add a mixture of colors to achieve a particular effect, remember that you are working with subtractive colors that actually absorb more of the light which means the result may very well be different from the intention. Instead, it is generally better to keep things simple with color when it comes to printing so that they full effect of each can be made. Mixing colors should only be done in pairs, such as purple or orange for example where the color absorption is not so great.

The post Understanding the Effects of Color in Printing appeared first on Hackworth.

The best reason to use vehicle graphics is that they reach potential customers that you otherwise might miss. Even the best marketing efforts cannot get everyone and something as simple as effective vehicle wraps may find a considerable number of new customers.

So, in order to get the most out of your car graphics, there are a number of tips that must be followed so that they will have the maximum effect. Here are five tips that will help you get the most out of your vehicle graphics.

Delivering the Right Information

The best car graphics design will not do any good if the vital information is not conveyed to the customer. This is why the information should be first and foremost clear and understandable because the potential customer may only have a small chance to view all of the information. Clarity of message, name of business and contact information are key to successful vehicle wraps.

Vibrant Design

After the information, the design of the graphics should be vivid and memorable. You want something striking that catches the eye so that they can then read the information that is being presented. Fortunately, the strong suit of car graphics is that they do catch the attention of people in traffic and make a big impression.

Consistency of Design

If you have a fleet of vehicles, then you’ll want the exact same design on all of them for maximum impact. It can very well be the potential customer will have to see the graphics two, three or more times in order to remember the information and contact your business. Therefore, having the same design will mean that once they see it again, they’ll try to take the time and get the information.

Solid Reputation

The brand of your business is important to the success of the vehicle wraps. Therefore, you’ll want to maintain the level of your business in terms of providing good customer service. A potential customer that may have heard bad things about your business will not be turned around by fancy vehicle graphics and may even be turned off.

Be Brief

You want to have the maximum impact with the fewest number of words, so you will need to convey the message in a short, clutter-free environment. It does little good to catch the eye of a potential customer if they don’t understand what your business is or what it does because there is too much clutter. Keep things simple and straight forward so that your message gets across.

All in all, effective use of vehicle graphics will have a remarkable effect on your marketing efforts. Be sure to follow all five tips for maximum impact so your business will pull in even more customers.

For more information on how vehicle graphics can help your business contact Drew at 757-646-5612 or dlittle@hackworth.co.

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The printing of signs is just as important now as it was thousands of years ago. Even in the digital age, people still respond very strongly to signs in order to locate the business and to identify with the branding of the business. The following are the major ways in which having signs benefits your company and helps broaden your customer base.

Attracting Attention

Having a prominently displayed sign is one of the best means of attracting attention, especially if it is located in a place where people pass by. The sign lets people know that your business exists, it is located in this particular area, and shows basically what you offer. Research has shown that almost half the people who are first time customers notice the sign first before they see any other type of advertising. This means that having an attractive sign can really benefit your business.

Improving Your Brand

In addition to attracting attention, signs also reinforce your business brand as well. To put it another way, an attractive sign that is easy to read, using bright colors and large lettering speaks well of your business. It puts the image in the mind of the customer that your store is clean, reputable and offers something that they may desire.

Conversely, a sign that is difficult to read, has poor choices of colors or one that is very old and weathered does not speak well of your business. It puts a bad image in the mind of the person who sees your company signage and they will be likely to move on. So, you will need to add features to your sign such as a well designed logo or an appropriate slogan to create a better impression on potential customers.

Promotion

When printing up signs, you want them to convey as much information in as few words as possible. This applies especially to temporary signs that you use to promote sales, discounts or new products in your business. Holiday signs are very popular as well and communicate the essence of the season. You can also use them to tell people about recent awards or recognitions that add to the credibility of your business.

Convenience and Safety

While signs tell people about who you are, they can also help direct people to a convenient parking area for your business or even warn them about potential hazards as well. Safety signs are primarily to alert both customers and employees of hazards like “Wet Floor” or a step up or down that they otherwise may not expect.

Signs are an invaluable part of your business here in Hampton Roads where printing signs plays a major role in how people see and feel about your company. If you have any questions about what signage is right for your business, contact our Color Department at 757-545-7675 or color@hackworth.co.

The post How Signage Affects Business appeared first on Hackworth.

What follows are five of the most common types of color printing ink that are used and the differences between them.

Aqueous Inks

These are water-based inks that have two varieties called Dye and UV. The dye inks are mixed with water when applied and then the water evaporates to leave the ink behind. The advantage is the bright colors that it can deliver. However, these types of inks will fade rather quickly under the ultraviolet rays of the sun, so they are best kept indoors. Also, the dye inks are not waterproof either, so they are best used for short terms promotional work.

UV inks are similar to chalk dust that is suspended in the water. When the water evaporates they leave behind the chalk like little dots which then forms the image. They are very resistant to UV rays and will last longer. However, they do not have the color brilliance of dye inks.

Dry Sublimation Inks

You can choose between the aqueous type which is used for desktop and wide format printing and the solvent type which is used from Spectra, XAAR and Konica wide format printing devices. It is not quite inkjet printing, but it is a type often confused with such.

Solvent Inks

These are generally pigment inks which contain dyes, but they do not use water. Instead, they use volatile organic compounds instead that are relatively inexpensive and quite flexible on certain types of surfaces. Solvent inks are waterproof, UV resistant and are very brilliant in terms of the color provided. However, their main benefit is the durability of the ink itself which holds up quite well in all types of conditions.

Of course, the main drawback is the toxic chemicals used in their creation. For consumers, it matters little but in terms of production special care must be taken.

UV Cured Inks

These are inks which are “cured” by being exposed to strong UV-light. They dry quickly which makes them quite appealing to printers and they can be used on a number of different surfaces. Unfortunately, they are also quite expensive as well which makes a costlier proposition for those who want to use such inks for their color printing.

Latex Inks

A new type of ink that can be used on many different surfaces including vinyl, this particular type offers many advantages in that it acts much like solvent inks but without the dangerous toxic chemicals. However, there are chemicals used which are not totally environmentally friendly as well. For many, these types of inks are still new, but offer a lot of promise.

Contact our Color Department for your wide format printing needs: 757-545-7675 or color@hackworth.co.

The post Different Inks Used in Wide Format Printing appeared first on Hackworth.

What Is Large Format Printing?

Large format printing creates posters, banners and similar-size products that can be used for a wide variety of means. Generally speaking, banners can be printed up to five feet wide and more depending on the printer available and the detail is simply superb given the digital printers that have recently been produced.

Before, such large scale printing lacked the intricate details and color schemes that are now possible with the digital process and new inks which help create a more defined, colorful appearance. Plus, there are now new materials that this type of color printing uses which offers even more flexibility.

How Can Large Format Color Printing Help Your Efforts?

There are a number of ways that you can incorporate large custom printing into your marketing efforts. All it takes is a little imagination and you can use this unique format to expand your customer base.

Custom Shaped Posters and Prints: Who says you have to stick with rectangles when you can create unique-shaped posters and other large prints for your needs? You can create a poster in the shape of your logo or perhaps one that matches the main subject of the printing. Your imagination is the only limit when it comes to custom-shaping your large format prints.

Double-Sided Banners: We often think about the one side, but what about the other? Here, you can print on both sides so that you can have the same message or a different one that catches potential customers on both sides.

Weather-Proofing: You no longer have to worry about that sudden, unexpected storm ruining your posters when they are made from the right materials and have the proper protection. This means that you can leave them outside or exposed to the elements longer to keep the public informed about what you are doing.

Why Choose Printing in Large Format?

There are a number of reasons why this particular format works so well for printing, but the truth is that it comes down to being large. To have access to large format printing that is just as versatile as small format printing means that your business or efforts can really benefit from the results.

Large posters and banners really attract attention, especially if they are crafted into different shapes or unusual colors which make them stand apart. For many businesses or those who simply want to create more attention, this type of format can really work for your needs.

In Hampton Roads, you can find the best custom printing in the area right here at Hackworth. Take advantage of the large format posters, banners and more for your color printing needs. You can even work with our graphic design professionals here to get exactly what you want so that it will have the right impact on your audience.

Contact our Color Department at 757-545-7675 or color@hackworth.co if you have additional questions about large format color printing.

The post Large Format Printing: The Basics appeared first on Hackworth.

How big can you make this file?

This question usually refers to a small digital file or physical photo and the ability to enlarge it. We’re not talking the size of the material in this case. In short, go BIG! The bigger the image is the better a printer will be able to enlarge it to your desired size.

What should my image resolution be?

The same goes for file resolution. If you want anything enlarged, the best practice to have the it at 300 dpi (dots per inch) or better.

Can I get a sample, or a hard copy proof?

Your local printer should be able to give you a  sample. Be prepared to pay a little extra. The cost will vary depending on the material you would like the sample printed.

What is the best material for this application — indoor, outdoor, mobility etc.?

Material is entirely up to the consumer. Your local printing expert should suggest what would be a good fit based on the customer’s need and the printer’s past experiences. The goal should be to meet the customer’s wants and needs as well their budget.

What if I change my mind? (design time charging)

Everyone changes their mind from time to time. This can be overcome if the customer stops the printer before the job is started or perhaps before the proof has been approved. If not it can be reprinted without issue, but do note that there most likely will be charges assessed.

Why do the colors look different from what I had on screen?

There can be a number of reasons for colors not matching your computer screen. It could be not using proper Pantone or PMS colors or possibly not having your monitor calibrated to display true color. To insure the best outcome only use Pantone colors. Also, your screen’s calibration can play an even bigger role in the color displaying correctly.

What format does the file need to be?

Sometimes asked: What files can you handle? Printers should be able to handle any file normally. Use PDFs to insure that nearly anyone will be able to view your file. At the very least PDF’s can always be viewed with Internet Explorer. Although, just because the file is in PDF format does not guarantee the file can be printed without issue. Results can vary depending on the program used to create the PDF.

When can I have that? How soon can I pick this up? Do you deliver? Is it extra for delivery?

Delivery practices vary within print shops. At Hackworth, we usually do not charge for delivery if the customer is local and the job is more than $15. Also the size of the final product is taken in to consideration. For the most part, a normal print job will have a one to two day turnaround if not sooner. If there are extenuating circumstances such as your order needs display hardware or you may have ordered material that is not normally in stock, you can expect longer turnaround times. Also, large jobs will obviously take longer.

Is there a break in price if I order more?

Normally your print provider is willing to negotiate pricing depending on quantity, size, and possibly how often you may order that product.

What do I need to get started on my project?

FILES, ideas, time, and patience.

If you have any more color printing questions, please contact our Color Department and ask away. They can be reached at 757-545-7675. We would love to hear from you!

The post Common Color Printing FAQs appeared first on Hackworth.

Advantage over an unbranded product

Custom printed color packaging can be a huge advantage as far as branding a particular product. This holds true especially in a retail market where the competition is very intense. Companies can use the space on the carton to provide vital information on the product or products that a company manufactures as well as grabbing the attention of the customer. Apart from drawing the customers to a company location, printed packaging also helps in creating brand awareness and promotes the company to their target audience.

Introducing new products

If you want to introduce a new product into the market, a custom printed carton can help promote a similar product that a customer has ordered. This will help target customers that you know already have an interest in a particular type of product.

Increasing the value

The type of printed packaging used and the style of printing can even help the customer to identify the value of the product. A rich looking and colorfully printed package can create a positive impact on a customer’s mind and capture their attention even if the product is new to the market.

Sending a message

Apart from using printed packaging as a promotional tool, you can also use the space on the package to print a message that you want to communicate to customers. It may be a message about a new product that is going to hit the shelves soon, or it may be a message about creating social awareness.

Advertising in prime locations

If you are worried about the cost of printed packaging and have a limited budget, then use them only in the prime locations where you think they will get more exposure, and for the rest of the locations you can opt for standard package.. This will help you to be under your budget and yet reach the potential customer.

Printed packaging look fresh

This is yet another advantage of a custom printed package. Since the products are shipped or transported to various places, ordinary packaging may look spoiled and dull, whereas custom packaging continues to look fresh and remain attractive even after extensive shipping and handling.

Custom printed packaging has a lot of benefits and can serve you as an additional sales person. It can play a huge role in marketing your product and reaching out to target customers.

If you need help with a custom print project, talk to one our Color Printing Specialists —  Christie, Krissy or Paul — at 757-545-7675 or color@hackworth.co.

The post Advertise Through Your Custom Printed Color Packaging appeared first on Hackworth.

Ensuring that a professional design is portrayed and aligned correctly could make the difference in making the best possible impression on both existing and new customers. Through using the services of a local printer you will be introduced to a whole host of resources, options and appearances that can help make you stand out from the crowd.

Here are the top five reasons as to why you must consider using your local printer for your color printing requirements.

Better Options

Hiring the services of your local printing company will open up a whole host of options to give your print materials that professional touch. Such companies have experience in graphic design and will be able to bring out the professionalism in your company’s identity. Creating an effective design is difficult and anyone who has tried to do this themselves on the basic paint function of their home computer will know how amateurish such options done in this way can appear.

It really is not as easy as you would think. This is where your local printing and design company can help you and your business.

Professional Results

Color printing that can withstand the hands of time is a great end result that can be produced by using your local printing company. A non commercial printer such as your standard home variety really lacks the quality required to be able to do this yourself.

The cost of replacing ink cartridges soon adds up too, demonstrating yet another reason to use a nearby printing firm.

Costs Saved

Costs saved will be that of not only the ink but of your time too. Your time is money as well.  The time you have not doing your own printing can be utilized on other aspects of your business. Spare time is hard to find these days so why take up yours by doing your own printing?

Quick and Efficient

With a local print company, printing is their business and as a result they will look after the needs of you and your business. Whether you are looking for business cards, stationery printed or even a special item within a certain niche they will be able to cater to you. A quick and reliable service is worth their weight in gold so be on the lookout for a company such as this.

Less Hassle

Using the services of your local printing company is quick and easy. Simply go into their store and discuss your requirements with one of the members of staff who will be able to go through all the services they have available.

These five reasons are only the start of why you should use an local printer rather than using a online one or even trying to do your own printing at home. Use the services of a reputable local company and give your business the look it needs and deserves.

The post 5 Reasons Why You Should Use Your Local Printing Company appeared first on Hackworth.

Tip 1: Discuss your project with your commercial printer

Talk with your commercial printer before the design process to save yourself time and money later. Before you start your project, describe your project and goals, and find out if your printer has any special requirements.

Before you create your publication, discuss the following:

• Ask whether or not the printer accepts Publisher files. If you can’t find a commercial printer in your area that does, you should ask about other ways to submit your publication for printing. Most commercial printers accept “PostScript” or “PDF” files, and they can tell you how to create these files from your publication.
•  Inform the printer about your project’s printing needs, such as: quantity and quality of copies, paper stock you want to print on, paper size, recommended color model; any binding, folding, and trimming requirements; the overall budget, file size limitations, and any deadlines there are for the whole project.
• You should always check that the printer has the items that you want in stock.
• Let the printer know whether your publication will include scanned pictures, and if so, whether you will scan them yourself, have a service bureau scan them or if the commercial printer needs to do it.
• Ask for any recommendations that can save you money.

Tip 2: Choose your color model early

Before you spend a lot of time designing your publication, decide whether you want to print your publication in color. If you print your publication to a high-quality digital color printer, you don’t need to worry about the colors you choose as digital color printers accurately reproduce millions of colors.

If you plan to print your publication on an offset printing press, you have several color-model options. Offset printing requires that a professional press operator set up and run the print job. Generally, every ink that is needed to print the publication requires more setup for the operator and increases the cost. The number of inks that you need depends on the color model that you choose.

When you set up color printing for your Microsoft Publisher publication, you can choose from these color models:

RGB (Red, Green, Blue) – Use this model if you print by using a digital color printer.

Single color – Everything in your publication is printed as a tint of a single ink, usually black. This is the least expensive color model to print on an offset press because it only requires one ink.

Spot colors – With this model, everything in your publication is printed as a tint of a single ink – usually black – and a tint of one additional color, the spot color, which is usually used to highlight things. This color model requires a minimum of two inks and can increase the cost of printing on an offset press with each ink that you add.

Process colors (CMYK, or Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and black or Key) – With this color model, your publication is printed in full color by combining varying proportions of the colored inks. Although you can combine these four inks to get almost a full range of colors, you can’t get every color, e.g. CMYK can’t produce colors that are highly saturated or metallic colors.

Process-color printing requires setting up a press with the four CMYK inks. It requires skill on the part of the press operator to line up the impression of one ink with the others, a process called registration. These requirements make process-color printing more expensive than spot-color printing.

Process plus spot colors – This is the most expensive model to print because it combines process-color printing (CMYK inks) with one or more spot-color inks. You use this color model only if you want both full color plus a highly saturated or metallic color that can’t be produced by using CMYK.

The post Tips for Preparing Your Color Microsoft Publisher Publication for Commercial Printing appeared first on Hackworth.

How All Laser Printers Work

You send a document to your laser printer and your printer turns it into a bitmap image—an image where the printer knows exactly what color to put in each dot of the image. If this is a black-only printer, each pixel is either empty (white) or full (black). For color images, the printer figures out the right combination of its different colored toner to create the color you want.

Then the printer creates a static electric charge on a special roller, called the imaging drum. The static charge will let toner stick to the roller the same way your clothes stick together when they have a static charge after being taken out of the dryer. But before the toner is applied, the printer uses a laser to imprint the bitmap image on the roller.

The special imaging drum roller (which can be a belt in modern laser printers) is made out of a material which conducts electricity when light hits it, so the laser eliminates the static charge on the parts of the roller it imprints. The rest of the roller remains charged—and sticky.

The roller then rolls over the toner reservoir in your printer. The charged (sticky) parts of the roller pick up toner. When the roller finally rolls over a paper sheet, the toner transfers to the sheet.

For a black-only printer, only one application is necessary. For a color printer, the roller must apply each color toner separately. Since most color laser printers have four color toners (cyan, magneta, yellow, and black), multiple rollers are often used one after another to speed up the process. (Typically two rollers in home/office printers with two passes each and four rollers in high-volume commercial printers with a single high-speed pass.)

Most modern toner is made of plastic (but in some applications, wax is used). The plastic won’t stay stuck to the sheet of paper on its own, so the paper runs through a second roller heated to about 200 degrees Fahrenheit. (Temperatures vary by printer.) This melts the plastic toner into the page, blending the colors and creating your final document.

The Special Challenges Of Color Laser Printers

Black-only printers have it easy—they apply toner in one pass and then melt the toner into the page. But color printers typically make four different passes and blend the ink colors together at the end. This can become a huge problem if the different rollers are even slightly out of alignment.

If your printer wants to create a particular color by blending together a specific ratio of its three different color toners, but the roller which applies one of those colors is out of alignment, the formula won’t work and you’ll get (for example) blue instead of green.

How precise does the alignment need to be? It’s easy to figure out for your printer—look at your printer’s maximum specified Dots Per Inch (DPI). It’s usually 600 or 1,200 DPI. Each dot (pixel) must be in alignment, so a printer with a 1,200 DPI rating can’t be more than 1,200th of a inch out of alignment (that’s 0.00083 of an inch or 21 micrometers—or roughly equal to the minimum width of a human hair, 17 micrometers).

This high degree of required precision is one reason color laser printers cost more than black-only laser printers. All of the technology for laser printing is basically the same, but color laser printers must be built to higher engineering standards in order to ensure the rollers and their lasers are built in perfect alignment and stay in perfect alignment for tens or hundreds of thousands of pages.

Considering that challenge, it’s incredible that color laser printers are as affordable as they are today.

The post How Do Color Laser Printers Work? appeared first on Hackworth.

What is Carbon Footprint and How to Effectively Reduce It?

We have heard about greenhouse gases and how their increasing quantity in the atmosphere can effect the environment adversely. Carbon Footprint is a measure of the total emission of all the greenhouse gases upon the complete combustion of a particular amount of a compound. It is however, very difficult to precisely determine the exact value of carbon footprint of a compound but even approximate values give you a fair idea about the pollution capacity of that particular item.

Carbon footprint of a particular process will be the accumulation of all the emission details of all the chemical compounds used in the process. This value can be effectively reduced by substituting few or if possible all the pollutant chemical compounds by eco-friendly, green compounds. The various other ways to reduce the carbon footprint of a process, like in this case the printing process, can be summarized in techniques like recycling wastes, reduced use of hazardous chemicals, reuse of materials whenever possible to reduce the production of waste, proper and ethical disposal of hazardous waste and so on.

Why Companies Should Take Responsibility For their Environment?

Companies using traditional printing techniques, which do not attempt to reduce pollution and carbon footprint of the processes followed by them, emit a lot of hazardous wastes like VOCs, during a standard printing process. VOC is an abbreviation for Volatile Organic Compounds, which due to their high volatile nature evaporate and escape in the atmosphere, posing danger to the environment immediately. Along with their contribution to the greenhouse gases, the VOCs are carcinogenic in nature and continuous contact with them exposes workers to the risk of acquiring cancer at some point in time.

Alternative Printing Techniques

Alternative printing techniques or green printing is being widely accepted by various printing presses and companies in an attempt to ensure a greener future. Some of the techniques which can be modified are as follows:

Recycling paper and vinyl to reduce waste and energy consumption: Paper containing high amounts of recycled compounds is as good as virgin papers, which are made using tree fibers only. They reduce energy consumption rates considerably. Also paper mills which do not use chlorine to treat paper emit lot less toxic wastes into the environment.

Alternative eco-friendly inks: Conventional inks are all based on petroleum products, which are non-renewable and also do not get disposed well in the environment. Degradation of oil is difficult and they invariably contaminate the ground and water resources near a printing press. Soy-based inks on the other hand provide excellent quality to the printed end product and are a lot less toxic to the environment.

See how Hackworth is reducing our carbon footprint here: gohackworth.com/hackworth-is-green.

The post Alternative Environment Friendly Methods for Printing appeared first on Hackworth.

The overlaying colors in RGB and CMYK are very different from one another. Many bright colors that you see on your screen or digital camera cannot be printed precisely onto a sheet. These RGB colors that cannot be replicated by a standard CMYK printer are known to be “out of the CMYK color gamut.”

The difference in the colors is not noticeable when you are printing a colored photograph with mild colors. The difference is accentuated when you use a pure, bright, and bold color from the RGB format to be replicated on sheet via a CMYK format printer. In order to reduce the differences while printing from a four-color printer, all the RGB color pictures need to be first converted to a compatible CMYK color format.

How to Increase the Color Accuracy

Pantone Process Color Guide is a useful tool to convert RGB color format to reproducible colors in the CMYK color palate. With 3000 colors on display, this swatch tool can be obtained in both uncoated and coated stock. All the displayed 3000 colors are available with color builds corresponding to the colors on the screen. If you have to reprint a poster many times, using the the Pantone Guide helps maintain uniformity in all the prints.

The RGB-to-CMYK conversion can be done by any standard graphic designing tool which is readily available in the market. You might have to do some work on the image files in order to convert the colors according to your choice. A standard rule does not follow for images, so the color needs to be carefully adjusted for each project in hand.

Custom printing is another process in which you can use a specific color cartridge to print a color that is not otherwise achievable via the process ink. These types of colors are referred to as PMS colors.

Another approach to achieve exact same colors in your printed product is to calibrate your monitor according to the CMYK color scheme. It is important to keep in mind that different monitors display different levels up to which the graphics and colors can be calibrated. CRT monitors show the finest color resolution followed by flat screen LCD monitors.

Other factors affecting the accuracy of color on the print are the brightness settings, contrast, temperature, and frequency of your monitor. Other fine adjustments that can increase the accuracy of the printed photograph, such as the fine adjustments of red, blue, and green color channels can be done. Since monitors display pictures with light, the printer will still have some limitations in reproducing the image on paper. Through all these discussions it is clear that the quality of color will be different from the colors on your monitor.

For more questions about getting the right colors for your print job contact our Color Department at 757-545-7675.

The post RGB-CMYK Spectrum and How it Affects Printing Quality appeared first on Hackworth.

To get down to the basics, there are three primary colors: red, yellow and blue;  three secondary colors: orange, violet and green; and six tertiary colors: yellow-green, yellow-orange; red-orange; red-violet, blue-violet, blue-green. Thereon, you can have hundreds of different colors by mixing primary and tertiary or secondary and tertiary colors.

Then there are the subtractive colors of yellow, cyan and magenta. In addition there are types of colors such as complimentary, analogous, neutral, warm and cool. In effect, you actually have millions of colors to choose from.

The task becomes even more challenging when you consider the reality that there can be thousands of combinations with those hundreds of colors. Trying to look at that range of different colors will leave you perplexed and it is rather unwise to start from the all available palette of colors and combinations to try to come up with an idea for your design.

Any veteran graphic design and printing expert will tell you that the best way to start thinking of color is to get started at the very basics. Here are some of the questions you should ask yourself:

• What is it that you want in your design?
• Do you want it to be bright, elegant or a combination of both?
• Do you prefer harmonious color combinations or chaotic?
• Do you wish to use a color in its original and true texture or you would go with a certain shade of the color?
• How many colors you wish to use and to what extent would every color is blended in the graphic design?

The first factor to consider is what you need to communicate with your design. Where is the design going to be used? Who is your target audience? What the message or purpose of the graphic design will determine the different  colors you wish to use.

Bright colors can be elegant or too much “in your face.” The trick lies in which shade is being used and what other colors will be matched with the primary design color.  A harmonious combination of colors are mixing of those colors that create serene and comfortable designs when used together while a chaotic design will include color combinations that appear very bright or loud. Every color has several shades. The right shade will lend texture and meaning to your graphic design so that they will actually help communicate your message.

Bearing this in mind, choose the colors you wish to use, select the different shades of the colors you like and try out different combinations to see which combination suits your design purpose the best.

For more information on how to effectively use color in your design, talk to our experts in the Color Department. Contact our team and we will be glad to help you: color@hackworth.co or 757-545-7675.

The post How to Use Color In Design appeared first on Hackworth.

Color choices and size are also important. How far away are you hoping to get attention from people? If you are hoping to draw people to a business from the highway, the larger the sign and print, the better. You will also wish to consider the choices in font for the wording. Many businesses choose something that seems whimsical and cute but is actually very difficult to read from a distance. This is the equivalent of shooting yourself in the foot and wasting time and money. Don’t hang a sign that no one can read. It just doesn’t make sense now does it?

You can choose from types of papers if you are using the sign indoors and this makes for wonderful transfer of photos and images so that your graphics can really shine. These signs might be displayed over the sale items on a showroom floor if you are selling merchandise in a store or for a car dealership that is seeking to draw attention to a contest or a particular model that is on sale or on special.

Colors are important and it is a proven fact that bright colors will catch the eye of most people faster than just standard black and white. People are also influenced in more ways by the colors you choose. Green tends to put people in the mood to buy, for example. Red is always eye catching but may be off-putting to some people who equate it with emergencies or “stop” psychologically. Yellow is the color that the human eye actually sees first when next to other colors. Want them to see something first? Use yellow!

Depending on your needs, you can see how the choices are almost mind boggling, but take your time and if you have questions, then give us a call, 757-545-7675. Our team of graphic designers and wide format printing specialists know from experience what will look great and hold-up well for you, too.

The post How to Pick the Right Banner appeared first on Hackworth.

Do You Have the Oldest HP Designjet Printer in the United States?

We know that a lot of you are incredibly loyal to your old HP Designjet printers. They keep on working and the print quality is as good as ever. But have you seen what the new models can do? They’re faster and more efficient, and they come with exciting new features, such as the ability to print over the web.

HP is looking for the owner of the oldest HP Designjet printer in the United States*, to give them a chance to try the latest HP technology! Think you’ve got the oldest HP Designjet in the U.S.? Then let us know.

Contact your Regional Sales Manager for more information about how to enter the contest.

If your printer is the oldest in the country, you’ll win a brand new HP Designjet T1300 ePrinter! Two runners-up will also win an HP Designjet T790 ePrinter each!

Competition opens February 1, and ends on March 15, 2012, so enter now!

Two runners-up will each receive a new HP Designjet T790 ePrinter!

Streamline with this easy,
plug-and-play, large-format
printer that small work teams love.

The post Enter to Win a Brand New HP Designjet T1300 ePrinter! appeared first on Hackworth.

For more information about wall art and custom wallpaper call Drew Little at 757-284-6826 or email: dlittle@hackworthrepro.com.

The post Custom HP Latex Printing & HP PVC-Free Wallpaper applications showcased on ABC TV show! appeared first on Hackworth.

HRI was honored to have Mayor Alan P. Krasnoff and the City of Chesapeake Department of Economic Development in attendance for the ribbon cutting event. Many great friends and cherished customers were able to attend, as well.

From the Annual Report:

Hackworth Reprographics, Inc., an imaging solutions and equipment provider, established itself in South Norfolk back in 1991. “The district’s central location made pick-ups and deliveries most convenient,” Dorothy Hackworth, CEO, explained.

In 2010, the small business expanded its product line, equipment acquisition, as well as its workforce, with growth and advancement of its graphics department. Hackworth is also a state-certified small, woman-owned company.

“The approximately-$300,000 investment has enabled the growing graphics department to work much more efficiently and quickly,” Hackworth said.

Of her company’s host district she added, “I’m a firm believer that South Norfolk is going to come back. It’s just a matter of time before people are going to realize what a gem it is.”

The post Hackworth Covered in City of Chesapeake 2011 Annual Report appeared first on Hackworth.

Availble printing materials:

• Outdoor scrim banner
• Backlit scrim banner
• HDPE reinforced banner
• Gloss & matte adhesive vinyl
• Backlit film
• Translucent PVC display film
• Wrinkle-free flag with liner
• Heavy textile banner
• Satin poster paper
• Mesh banner with liner
• Satin canvas
• Foamcore
• Gatorboard
• Coroplast
• MDO
• Aluminum
• And many other speciality materials up 2″ in thickness

For more information contact Joe Ussery  at 757.284.5612 or jussery@hackworth.co.

The post What Do You Want to Print On? appeared first on Hackworth.

The 350GT prints with white ink, so it can print backlit applications, normally reserved for photographic, laser-based printers, or print on any non-white media or object imaginable. It also supports Day/Night application printing for applications that are alternatively back or front lit, such as menu boards. And of course, white can also be printed as a spot color.

So…what do you need printed today? Hackworth Reprographics’ wide format machines are ready to print your projects! Call for pricing and samples – 757.545.7675.

The post Hackworth Adds the Oce Arizona to Its Wide Format Color Line-Up! appeared first on Hackworth.

The Mimaki offers:

• Easy production of seals, stickers, labels, decals
• Fast generation of posters and lobby/tradeshow displays
• Unique and complex vehicle designs

Call us today for pricing and samples – 757.545-7675!

The post Banners – Decals – Stickers – Outdoor Signage – Vinyl Lettering/Graphics MUCH MORE! appeared first on Hackworth.

The KC80 adds clarity and meaning to technical information in drawings, maps, and renderings. The KC80 allows you to highlight the following:

• Color-coding
• Mark-Ups
• Highlights
• Revision Notes
• Approval Stamps
• Photo Overlays

The KC80 produces Lightfast/UV Proof prints which will not fade or exhibit color deterioration from light exposure. Regardless of print width, length, media type, or file format, Hackworth full color:

• Posters
• Special Event Signage
• Point-of-Purchase Displays
• Training Graphics
• Business Charts
• Presentation Boards

The possibilities are endless with the KC80! Call Hackworth Reprographics for more pricing and samples! 757.545.7675.

The post High Quality Full Color, Low Cost Prints appeared first on Hackworth.

Hackworth Reprographics, Inc. has the most experienced staff in Virginia and we have countless references to prove it. You can rest assured that once you press “send” that a friendly, knowledgeable, courteous HRI team member is ready to execute your print job in our newly expanded production facility. In addition, we have very competitive pricing and the latest technology to make sure your prints are crisp, clean and accurate.

Please contact your local sales representative or Lynn Hardison at 757-545-7675 for more information and pricing.

The post Hackworth Is Just Around the Corner appeared first on Hackworth.

• banners
• vehicle graphics
• window clings
• posters
• site and Realtor signs
• tradeshow displays
• floor appliqués
• event signage

We have added the Oce Arizona to our Digital Color Solutions department and the KIP KC80 to our production floor. What does that mean for you? It means that regardless of the type of job (black and white or full color) or the number of copies you need we have the best solution for you.

Let us show you what we can do to enhance your business this year through improved color quality and reduced turn-around time!

We look forward to working with you! It’s going to be a colorful year!

The post COLORFUL Changes at Hackworth Reprographics in 2010! appeared first on Hackworth.

A: Generally, images found online are not usable, because their resolution (quality) is poor. While the image may look okay in its original size, it will become distorted once enlarged.

The best options for print media are images between 150 – 300 dpi (dots per inch). You can find the dpi of your image by right clicking on the image and selecting “properties”. The higher the image dpi the crisper the image will print.

Q: I need a durable sign announcing an upcoming event for our lobby. What are my options?

A: While HRI has several possible indoor/outdoor signage options the best option for this particular project would be to mount your poster on either FoamCore or Gator Board.

• Foam core is an economical option that will last up to 30 days.
• GatorBoard is a great option for long term indoor use. It is more durable than FoamCore and does not warp or dent.

We recommend that you have your project laminated to reduce fading. HRI can also provide framing options to give your project a finished, professional look.

Q: What is the best format to email my project to be printed?

A. While Hackworth accepts any format, the preferred format is pdf. Printing from a pdf ensures maximum print quality. Projects sent in other versions may need to be reformatted or even recreated to give you the end result that you are looking for. If you are emailing a logo to us, please email it as a vector file (examples of vector files are: image.ai, image.esp, or image.cdr)

The post Digital Color Solutions FAQ appeared first on Hackworth.