As Lithographic & Digital printers we are well aware of the confusion that can occur when talking about printing your marketing brochures, business cards, flyers & leaflets. There are so many choices in paper weights, paper finish and paper colours - there are also different printing processes!
How do you know which one is best for you and your business? While there are advantages and disadvantages to both, we have tried to explain the difference between the two most common processes below.

Digital Printing vs. Lithographic Printing

Digital printing is the reproduction of digital images on physical surface, such as paper or photographic paper, cloth, plastic, etc.
Litho printing is a technique where the inked image is transferred from a metal plate to a rubber blanket, Typically, printing plates are attached to a cylinder in the press. Ink is applied to the plate’s image area and transferred directly to the paper.

Digital can be differentiated from litho or offset printing in many ways, such as:

Every impression made onto the paper can be different, as opposed to making several hundred or thousand impressions of the same thing from one set of plates, as in traditional methods.
The ink or toner does not absorb into the paper, as does conventional Ink, but forms a layer on the surface. It generally requires less waste in terms of chemicals used and paper wasted in set up.
Digital is a excellent solution for quick turnaround, or small print runs!!
Offset printing is most commonly used for high volume printing as its image quality is much higher and more consistent than that of the digital press.

Still not making sense? Call us…01702 460047 we would be happy to discuss in more detail!

(… in London…)
If you are in a band that is trying to make it in London, you have some stiff competition, as in London there are a lot of existing bands and many more forming every day, as the nearly 10,000 ads on Gumtree prove. This high density and competition has created a very lively gigging scene, especially in the areas in and around Shoreditch, Camden and Islington. Firstly, to make it in this environment you have to genuinely be good and stand out.

Once you have reached the level where you can play a few songs, you should get out there and make some noise, play as many gigs as possible and build up a fan base. Most signed and unsigned bands have an active MySpace site, which allows them to post songs online without having to worry about illegal downloads and interact with their friends and fans – in addition MySpace is free. Some, especially bigger bands have a stand-alone official band website. Further you could try and get your songs onto iTunes so people will actually pay for downloads! These are great ways of spreading the word as links get passed on, but another approach is to have something handy to give to your fans when they come to see you at your gig.

You could start off with some inexpensive flyers. If they have seen you and liked you, but you were in one of many bands on stage that night, likely after one or two beers they will forget your band name. You can find inexpensive leaflet design and flyer printing services online, but maybe if you are of a creative nature (likely, as you are in a band!) you can take care of the design yourself and just submit the completed artwork to your printer.

Many bands/musicians carry demo-cds on them wherever they go. These are not just handy in case there is a music-exec in the crowd – and you never know who you might bump into - many times you will talk to an enthusiastic new fan after your gig. If you can hand him a cd with your music, you can help him spread the word for you. If you have a clever printer you can even print a customised cover for these, but it depends on how many you hand out how much time you want to spend on customising these.

Another idea is to invest in some band posters. You could ask venues where you are going to play to put these up a couple of weeks before the gig. Many pubs and smaller venues will welcome some well-designed and attractive wall deco as it makes them look good too. This will make folks recognise your band name, which is half the way to making a fan – now they just have to like your music! Have a look - large format poster printing is a lot cheaper than you might think.

Another good idea is to take part in as many competitions as possible. For example Glastonbury Festival this year offered unsigned bands the opportunity to play on one of the smaller stages at the festival this summer. Keep your eyes peeled and don’t be shy. Imagine how proud your mum will be when you tell her that you are playing at Glastonbury!

Neither had I, but now I am in the know.
So, “konichiwa” dear visitor!

It seems that in Japan the practice of exchanging business cards is not just simply important, but there even is an etiquette to it. In Japan, your business card represents your social status. Important knowledge in an increasingly globalised world.

I have found some instruction videos online that teach the novice how to exchange the card. Unless a business card has been exchanged, no business can take place. And if the card is exchanged badly, well you can imagine what that means for the ensuing business relationship.

Here is one of these instruction videos:

Business card etiquette starts with the layout of the actual business card itself, which should be printed in Japanese on one side and in English on the other.

So here you go, this is what you have to bear in mind:

1. First of all the handover: You use both hands to exchange the business card and you do this with the Japanese side of your business card pointing up.

2. Secondly you need to know your social status in comparison to the social status of your opposite as this will establish how deeply and how long you should bow for. Factors that have an influence on your status include age, nationality, your sex and employments status. Also, if you have made the decision that you are lower in ranking, you should make the innitial step and offer your card first.

3. When it is your turn to receive the business card, you should bow even lower and for longer. Same as when handing it over, you receive the business card with both hands and say “Hajimemashite”, which means “Nice to meet you”.

4. Next you are expected to spend some time looking at the card. Try to remember the name of the giver in connection with his face. This is the best time to do this and he will probably remember you.

5. And finally: Treat the business card that you have been given as a piece of art. Do not write on it and store it safely in your bespoke business card holder. “Wakarimasuka?”

But on a lighter note, even the Japanese themselves see the funny side of this strict set of rules as this bit of Rakugo comedy shows:

“Sayonara!” Hope you found this post instructive!