You've got to see it to believe it!

Case Studies

Real world examples of how Advertisers Printing can take your print strategy to the next level.

Strategic Solutions for Print Paper Shortage

U.S. Paper shortage in the printing industry Remember the rush for toilet paper in March 2020? Empty shelves were an unpleasant greeting for all of us in the early months of that year. No one wants to return to those days. Beyond the initial crisis with toilet paper and hand sanitizer, the global pandemic has introduced many challenges in supply chain management for businesses in every sector. The printing industry is no exception. Printers across the nation now face paper shortages due to changes in the landscape of paper production globally and domestically. What does this mean for you? Just being aware of the problem is a great start. Flexibility in paper choice is also important. Partnering with a supplier who can help you navigate through this in the project planning phase is essential. While these changes may present challenges, we have intentionally and strategically positioned ourselves to minimize any problems that you could encounter during a paper shortage. You don’t want to panic over empty shelves. We don’t want that either. So we’ve filled our shelves in advance. We are planning for the future to prevent problems for you. Our in-house solutions will minimize problems related to the U.S. paper shortage. Your relationship with us begins with your consultation with a print strategist, who works with you to avoid delays and other challenges. Why is there a printing paper shortage? When the pandemic hit, approximately half of the paper supply in the United States was sourced from Asia. Shipping rates from Asia tripled, causing the Asian mills to pivot and sell their paper in Asia and Europe and limit shipping to North America.In August 2021, Reuters reported on skyrocketing shipping rates from China, due to the rise in Delta-variant COVID-19 infections during the global pandemic. As shipping costs continue to increase and non-domestic supplies have dwindled, U.S. printers have turned to North American sources for paper supply. This brings us to the next break in the supply chain: the North American paper mills. Unfortunately, at the same time that U.S. paper is needed, domestic paper mills have not been able to ramp up to fill the void. Mill shutdowns and capacity reductions have been taking place for years. North American mills’ ability to quickly double their output doesn’t currently exist and won’t be remedied for years. Advertisers Printing plans ahead with Paper Supply Chain Facing a shortage without a clear plan? This could be a recipe for disaster. At Advertisers Printing we are planners and plan ahead with the paper supply chain. We plan for you. We pride ourselves in being a leader in strategic planning for the future. We are trailblazers in efforts for sustainability in our industry, community, and world. We continue this forward-thinking approach as we plan for the paper shortage. This allows us to continue to meet your deadlines as requested, without disruption to our processes or yours. Sustainable print solutions are key to our success What can you do to minimize inconvenience? At Advertisers Printing, we have already invested in print solutions that optimize use of paper to minimize waste. Our state-of-the-art RMGT 9-series printing press uses AI to allow us to reduce the number of sheets needed for job setup. This means we have less loss from a paper shortage. The RMGT also prints both sides of the sheet in a single pass reducing running spoilage by half. That gives us the capacity to continue to meet deadlines, even when paper shortages may slow delivery times from other print suppliers. In addition to equipment, we have invested in our people, equipping our print strategists and machine operators with valuable knowledge to help you receive the best results. Our sound decisions and investments in recent years enable us to: Decrease time to market, even in the event of a delay in supply Reduce paper spoilage Maximize recycling options with our comprehensive in-house recycling programs Provide you with a knowledgeable print strategist who can help you plan your projects in a way that minimizes supply chain issues We help you plan ahead We have done a lot of the planning for you. But you also need your own well-planned solution in the midst of a shortage. This is where our team enters the picture. Your relationship with Advertisers Printing begins with a print strategist. Our dedicated team member works with you to find the most effective and efficient approach for your printing needs, Our strategists are uniquely positioned to help you find a solution that will work. They may ask for flexibility and propose various options for the size and style of your project. Your strategist may have suggestions for types of paper that are most readily available at this time. We recommend working with one of our print strategists from the very beginning of any project. They can help you at the outset to plan for the best, most efficient, most effective results to support your business. In the midst of a paper shortage, this initial planning is essential. Local solutions for a global crisis The facts are plain and simple. There is a printing paper shortage. Advertisers Printing knows and sees the market. Our knowledge is power for you. We live in an interconnected global society. International shipping rates and the global spread of a virus have and will affect our access to goods, such as toilet paper or printing paper. On October 4, 2021, NPR reported that a widespread paper and cardboard shortage will affect book and board game sales for the holiday season. But, for your printing needs, there is no reason to panic over empty store shelves. We live in a global economy, but the best solutions are often local. We have already been planning for this shortage for months. Through sound investments, careful in-house planning, and a focus on planning, we are well-equipped to weather this storm. Please partner with us to help us plan successful products for you. If you find yourself with delays from other printers, contact

October 6, 2021

How Advertisers Printing helps you improve print efficiency

Time after time, the clients of Advertisers Printing rave about how easy their workflows become with our systems and processes. Many may talk about being efficient, but what does it really mean? Being efficient means that your workflow showcases a lack of waste in time, money, energy, or materials. By keeping waste down across all of these, you minimize both the direct and tangential costs to your business. In fact, there are multiple ways that all of us at Advertisers Printing services strive to make print efficiency an easy gain for you and your team. “It is always such a pleasure to work with your professional, efficient staff. We know that you are just as passionate about our projects as we are. This was a particularly difficult job, and you pulled it off beautifully!” Chris Peimann, Marketing Director, Sheldon Arts Foundation. Streamline Print Process & Communications A streamline print process avoids time spent trying to deal with uploading systems, proofing, and communicating with multiple team members can soak up hours of valuable time. Our streamlined, online system allows you to digitally send, receive, proof, share and approve projects. If your project has multiple people involved, then each team member will be able to check in, comment and collaborate with you (and your Advertisers Print Strategist), ensuring confirmations and approvals; and, because we have nearly a century of consistent, quality, true tone print results, you do not have to waste time worrying about the digital proof matching what comes off the line. “For the client, it’s easy because there’s one spot to go to,” says Dan Tissi of Advertisers Printing. “They don’t have to ask which file type or which way to send it and how. We can send them to this simple spot on the website that streamlines the process for everyone.” “There were too many different systems – previously – and it was cumbersome and time consuming for clients,” explains Tissi. “Now, our system is easy, inclusive and intuitive to the workflow.” Once a client uploads their project into their specified link, they can be sure to include any pertinent and valuable information and identifiers. Immediately, the dedicated Print Strategist is notified, and the print process gets underway. “That’s the last thing they have to do until proofing. Easy!” exclaims Tissi. Dedicated Print Stragetists with Decades of Print Technology At Advertisers’ Printing, our knowledgeable and passionate print strategists are not just trained in what to do, but they also carry decades of experience with print technology to be able to make your life easier. Their desire to make your project a success is their passion so you can count on them to be helpful in a multitude of areas like: Print and Postage Requirements – ever changing, a print strategist is always up to date, ensuring your project is sized for lowest optimal postage expense and timed for the best roll-out at todays’ USPS turnaround time Troubleshooting – They will be there from the beginning, through the middle, all the way to delivery, notified of your upload and able to check for major errors and double-check that all boxes for a successful run are completed. Ensuring Consistency – Your strategist will work with you on one or multiple projects, running them through our 7-stage quality assurance process, so they will be sure that you and your brand’s message are being told with a consistency you can trust. Renewable Green Printing Practices We are dedicated to being proactive and positive that we are not adding waste into the environment with renewable green printing. . From top performing LED-UV technology to the effort in assisting schools and businesses operate in ecologically friendly ways, it is understood that – when working with us – the print partner that is doing their part, too. As one of only 50 offset printers in the United States who have earned the SGP certification, we have shown our ability to comply with their expectations. Beyond that, we have included a fleet of hybrid vehicles and the use of solar energy by adding panels to our roof. We also take great pride in helping other businesses and schools encourage like-minded practices with programs like our School Share Paper initiative. SGP printers, in an average year:* Eliminate 80 tons of landfill waste. Reduce energy consumption by 370 kilowatt hours. Lower greenhouse gas emissions by 2.5 tons. Increase recycling of solvents by more than 75% Consistency You Can Count On When you work with Advertisers Printing, we bring much more to the table than simple “print on demand”. We have a consistent reputation for creating quality, client-focused work that has created real results for real people in your own community. Ask us today for how we can help you grow your reach in a way that works for you. *Source: The Sustainable Green Printing Project

May 28, 2021

LED-UV Curing: Save Money, Save Time, Save the Environment

When printing with conventional inks, it’s common for customers to request that their projects have an aqueous coating added during the process to make their pieces more resistant to scratches and scuffs. However, there are some drawbacks associated with the use of aqueous coating that, until now, haven’t had a comprehensive solution to resolve. Enter: Advanced LED-UV Curing Technology. Because Advertisers Printing offers LED-UV curing on our newest press, aqueous coating is no longer needed on the vast majority of projects, and our customers are able to receive higher quality pieces, faster, and in a more environmentally friendly way. Here are five of the biggest benefits that go along with replacing aqueous coatings with the LED-UV curing process. UV LED Printing Benefit #1: Reduced Cost – Passed on to YOU! You may be curious if leveraging this cutting-edge technology comes along with an increased price tag or some kind of catch. The good news is that the cost of printing with LED-UV is comparable to the cost of printing with traditional offset, so you’re essentially getting a number of new perks without a big price hike. The other good news is that, for legacy work, we will trim 5% off the bill when you choose UV LED printing over aqueous coating. We’re already well known for our exceptional turnaround time – now we can take it to a new level! The LED UV printing process enables instant curing (drying) of both sides of the print sheet, eliminating any wait time before the job can be sent off for finishing. The RMGT’s Insta.Color automation also cuts make-ready (setup) time by ⅔. Combined, these features make the UV printing process more efficient on the front end and the back end, and throughput time can be decreased by 1-2 days on a variety of jobs. That means, depending on the project, you can expect to receive your printed materials 1-2 days faster when you choose LED-UV over aqueous coating. UV LED Printing Benefit #3: Greater Levels of Consistent High Quality In keeping with our reputation for consistent high quality, instant ink curing via LED-UV allows you to achieve harmonic color (live job matches the exact color specified in the sample) on any substrate. In fact, the only way to achieve harmonic color on uncoated paper is through the LED-UV process. With aqueous coatings, if there is even a slight hiccup such as the coating soaking too much into the paper or ink, there’s a greater chance of “dry-back” where the ink dries faster than it should. Dry-back often results in colors that don’t match up and gloss levels that are lower than desired. Eliminating aqueous coating and choosing LED-UV also permits you to see the contrast between the ink and the substrate being printed by setting the inks before they have a chance to set in. As our designer and creative friends know, this is another huge benefit as contrast is crucial for creating eye-catching pieces that “pop.” This separation also means that the ink-layer thickness is rock hard, making your pieces resistant to fingerprints, scratches, and scuffs during the mailing process and post-delivery. Plus, with LED-UV curing, there are almost no limitations to the types of special effects and superior finishes you can experiment with to enhance your print communications. UV LED Printing Benefit #4: Reduced Environmental Footprint LED-UV curing aligns with our commitment to sustainable operations, providing several significant advantages in this area. The LED-UV process does not emit any ozone and LED-UV inks are 99% VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) free, compared to conventional inks which can contain up to 30 times more VOCs. In addition, the LED-UV curing system consumes 90% less power than a conventional arc lamp system, and the press uses 20-25% less energy than the smaller offset press it replaced. The press also allows for a 70-75% reduction in make-ready (set-up) material spoilage on everyday jobs. When comparing these energy efficiencies against the use of aqueous coating, the manufacturer of the press notes that LED-UV “uses 75% less energy than single-side presses that use aqueous coating.” Zero ozone emissions, minuscule VOC release, and much greater energy efficiency are some of the biggest sustainability attributes of using LED-UV. UV LED Printing Benefit #5: Health and Safety As mentioned above, LED-UV inks are 99% VOC free, while conventional inks often contain a much higher ratio of VOCs. Because the GEW LeoLED Modular Lamp Array immediately sets the inks, the trace amounts present in LED-UV inks are not released into the air. This is important from a safety standpoint, as our pressmen typically work 8-10 hour shifts and maintaining the health of our staff is one of our top priorities. Of course, our workspace also complies with OSHA guidelines regarding indoor air quality and ventilation systems so that our staff are safe no matter what type of project they’re working on. LED-UV curing just means less pollutants to filter out and less of the strong odors associated with aqueous coatings and certain types of varnishes. It’s important to note that, while we hope you don’t have to use it, we still retain the ability to print with aqueous coatings. For small or personalized runs, the application of such a coating is still a viable technique that can ensure the longevity of certain projects. Have any questions about the benefits of LED-UV printing or want to bounce some project ideas off one of our print strategists and receive insightful feedback? Contact us today and we can schedule a time to chat soon!

March 19, 2021

Environmentally Friendly Printing Will Grow Your Business

Climate change, deforestation, and calls for environmental sustainability are hot-button topics in our current social and political lives. What used to be a matter of debate is now considered an urgent global crisis. Environmentally Friendly Printing Our environment is quickly changing with the help of environmentally friendly printing we can change the world. And, believe it or not, it affects how businesses are interacting with their consumers. Most notably, environmentally friendly businesses are now being praised by customers for taking a stand in the fight for a clean and sustainable environment. Environmentally Sustainable Companies Are Preferred According to a Nielsen report titled Sustainability Sells: Linking Sustainability Claims to Sales, one thing is clear: “Customers prefer working with and supporting environmentally sustainable companies.” Businesses around the world are beginning to convert to more environmentally friendly practices to take advantage of the monetary and reputational benefits that doing so can bring. But how can your company support this cause when you also rely on print marketing to succeed? Partnering with an environment-first print company for your creative marketing and promotional needs allows you to support the noble cause of protecting our beloved planet. As a bonus, it leaves a positive impression on your customers and can even boost your profits. Environmentally Friendly Companies Are Looking at the Facts There has never been a better time to work with environmentally friendly companies to meet your marketing and brand awareness needs. According to the aforementioned Nielsen report, “Brands that are able to strategically connect (sustainability) to actual behavior are in a good place to capitalize on increased consumer expectation and demand.” Consider these facts: Over half of consumers are willing to pay more for products from environmentally conscious companies. 70% of consumers believe it’s important for brands to take a public stand on social and political issues. 87% of consumers say they will switch brands if a different brand of similar quality supports a good cause. So why are consumers favoring environmentally sustainable companies and choosing to support them through their purchases? The answer lies in the benefits of operating as an environmentally friendly company. Saving Money with Recycling Recycling keeps our environment healthy, but there are some real, tangible benefits for businesses as well, especially in the printing industry. More companies are recycling unwanted material; in doing so, they’re opening the doors to huge savings. Special access to exclusive government grants and an improved company reputation are just a few additional benefits of going green. Environmentally friendly printing companies tap into these benefits by recycling ink, paper, metal plates and other materials throughout their operations. All of this can easily be done without sacrificing the quality of a print project. At Advertisers Printing, we target an ambitious 85% landfill avoidance and continually strive to limit our waste and consumption with comprehensive recycling of ink, paper, metal plates, and other materials throughout our operations. In addition to tackling recycling in house, we also offer programs to help our customers recycle unwanted products to support clean and efficient production processes. Partnerships like our School Share Paper Donations program help schools recycle and repurpose paper goods that are no longer being used or needed. Eco-Friendly Printing is Trading Carbon for Cleaner Ink Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are compounds that have a high vapor pressure and low water solubility, many of which are man-made chemicals In simple terms, they evaporate easily—at room temperature—and can contribute to global warming via the greenhouse effect. Ink high in VOCs can also be harmful to the health of print workers operating the presses if not properly handled That’s why Advertisers Printing aims to keep use as few VOCs as possible for eco-friendly printing: for example, our new LED-UV press uses inks that contain no solvents and are 99.5% VOC-free. In addition, these inks are instantly cured (dried), which eliminates any greenhouse gas or health concerns. Energy Efficiency at Its Best Using energy more efficiently is one of the fastest, most cost-effective ways to save money, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create jobs, and meet the growing energy demand. The official Advertisers Printing environmental policy encourages regular improvements to our facilities and vehicles to enhance energy efficiency and utilization. Increasing energy efficiency saves unnecessary costs and allows us to focus our resources on providing the absolute best service to our customers. Incorporating environmentally friendly resources such as our fleet of seven Prius hybrid vehicles and the addition of 25kW solar panels on our roofs reduces waste, helps keep costs down, and has proven time and again to be far more efficient and cost-effective than traditional energy use. Partnering with a Sustainable Print Company Although completely transforming your current business into an environmentally friendly organization is ideal for the planet, it may not always be feasible for numerous reasons. As an alternative, partnering with an environmentally friendly company such as Advertisers Printing can shine just as much of a positive light on your own business as going green yourself. Advertisers Printing is one of only 50 U.S. printing companies to have earned SGP (Sustainability Green Partner) Certification, the industry standard for excellence in sustainable operations. As a full-service, sustainable printing company that offers assistance from initial project planning to final distribution, we have decades of experience printing materials ranging from professional business cards to annual reports. Contact us today to learn more about our sustainable print services by speaking with one of our print strategists. Let us help you bring your print vision to life in an eco-friendly way!

March 18, 2021

Why You Should Collaborate With a Print Strategist When Planning Your Next Project

Whether it’s your first time working with Advertisers Printing or your fiftieth, our team is always fully on board with helping you achieve your vision of gorgeous and effective print communications that garner attention and reach your goals. That’s why we highly recommend tapping into the deep expertise of our print strategists when you are in the initial planning phase of your next print project. By leveraging their knowledge about the latest innovations in print, you’ll end up with phenomenal finished products that elevate your brand and better align with your other avenues for business growth. When you reach out about your next project, you don’t have to have all the details figured out – our print strategists bring significant value to the table when they are included in the planning process to help you brainstorm ideas, make technical decisions, and devise strategies for achieving your goals! Here are a few ways our print strategists support your print communications for maximum success. Print Strategist Factor #1: Asking The Important Questions When you engage with one of our experienced print strategists, they will ask you some questions up-front to help get a better picture of what you’re trying to accomplish. For example: Who is the intended audience for your print communications? What action do you want them to take after viewing your message? For what period of time will each piece be used? How will your print communications be distributed? What quantity is needed for this project? How will you track the success of your print campaign? Oftentimes customers come to our print strategists with a concept of how they want their project to look and what the desired outcome should be, and then our team is able to build upon their ideas and talk through the details until a solid plan is in place. Then it’s onto checking artwork files and beginning the first stages of our comprehensive quality control process. Print Strategist Factor #2: Providing a Custom-Tailored Experience At Advertisers Printing, our clients range from solopreneurs to Fortune 500 companies. The number one thing that all of these relationships have in common is our unwavering dedication to providing a bespoke experience for each and every company that chooses us as their trusted printing partner. No matter the size, industry, or mission, our top priority is the success and satisfaction of our clients. Drawing from that mindset, our print strategists get to know your business – and you – inside and out in order to engineer your projects so that they achieve their full potential. They will also assist in fine-tuning the specs of your project to make the most efficient use of our paper stock, inks, etc. to save you time and money in ways you may not have thought of. Our team loves sharing knowledge and educating people about the best techniques and materials that modern printing has to offer. Unsure of the difference between cast-coated and gloss paper? Want to experience what reticulated varnish feels like? Curious about different metallic inks? Our print strategists will mail or even swing by your office to deliver print samples so you have an accurate idea of the options you have to work with. Every one of our print strategists is a creative problem solver who will go above and beyond to get you what you need. Our team is adamant about maintaining the quality of your project through each stage of the process while respecting your time by beating deadlines and keeping everything on schedule. Print Strategist Factor #3: Assisting With Marketing Strategy Another way in which Advertisers Printing isn’t your average print shop is that, in addition to our skills in the art of printing, we’re also able to tie our print projects into a range of high-caliber marketing solutions. Whether you need help on the front end with list acquisition and client profiling or you’d like to set up lead scoring and triggers to identify hot prospects, our print strategists will work with you to design a path toward direct, measurable results. Our team can get you set up with the Advertisers Connects platform which helps track the effectiveness of your direct mail, follow up with prospects via social ad retargeting, and show you campaign results 24/7 on a digital dashboard. The platform even enables you to install a pixel on your website so you can automatically send bounced visitors a personalized direct mail piece. Afterwards, our print strategists will ensure that you’re able to see your post-campaign results such as improved engagement, boosted revenue, or increase in brand awareness. Print Strategist Factor #4: Incorporating Relevant Mailing Requirements Our print strategists recognize that most people aren’t experts on the ever-changing rules surrounding direct mail marketing and associated postage costs/regulations. Many printing companies don’t offer in-house mailing services – we do. No matter if you’re looking to do a flat or dimensional mailing, small run or massive campaign, our team can help you understand the process and navigate the complexities of mailing print communications. Your reliable print strategist will make sure your project is aligned with the best method for distribution, confirming that it meets the necessary requirements/regulations for faster delivery and lower postage costs. Our team will also carefully assess your mailing list, checking that it’s clean, certified, and free of any duplicate records. If you’re looking to send a campaign across a variety of states and zip codes, we even have access to special USPS commingling discounts that allow you maximize postage savings on your direct mail efforts. Ready to strike up a conversation about how we can help bring your vision for eye-catching print materials to life? Our print strategists are eager to collaborate with your team and start planning a beautiful print project that will support your goals for business growth. Contact us today and we can schedule a time to chat. Let the brainstorming begin!

February 18, 2021

Using Specialty Substrates to Tap into New Marketing Mediums with the RMGT 9-Series

When we announced early on that our RMGT 9-Series would open up a whole new host of options for our customers to come up with extraordinarily unique print projects, we weren’t kidding around. Our last blog showcased some of the stunning innovative finishes this press can produce so that you can create “fridge-worthy” print materials. Now we’re going to examine the specialty substrates that the RMGT is capable of printing on, plus why they allow you to spread your marketing message further and with more impact than ever before. What Are Specialty Substrates and Why Are They a Big Deal? In the world of commercial printing, the term “substrate” simply refers to the base material onto which images, words, etc. are printed. You’re likely familiar with some of the most common substrates such as paper stock, cardboard, and newsprint. But did you know that innovations in modern technology now enable printing on some “specialty” substrates that you may have written off as being too difficult to use? Thanks to its low-heat LED curing and pneumatic (air-powered) guide that safeguards against contact scratches, our RMGT 9-Series allows you to explore specialty substrates such as: PVC vinyl Polypropylene (synthetic paper) Styrene Plastics PET (polyester) Adhesives/clings Metallics The RMGT’s ability to print on these distinct, often delicate substrates provides you with an opportunity to enhance your product packaging, as well as print marketing materials like wide-format signage. Let’s examine a few examples of print projects that make use of these specialty substrates. Print Projects You Can Create With Specialty Substrates Vinyl Banners – When it comes to out-of-home advertising, you can’t go wrong with this large, can’t-miss form of signage. Whether you’re looking to display a banner outside your store to increase foot traffic or spread brand awareness by hanging one above a busy street, you can count on vinyl banners to last through rain, snow, and sunlight while maintaining quality for years. Boxes & Folding Cartons – The RMGT also introduces a new host of options for durable print products to use in retail display, direct mail, packaging, event marketing, and more. These dimensional print pieces come in all different shapes and sizes, plus they can be combined with innovative finishes and other substrates such as gold or silver foil to generate some really striking creations. Ready to think outside the box? Clings – These lightweight, versatile signs can be used on windows, mirrors, monitors, and most types of glass. Static clings (vs low-tack) are also reusable, which means you can easily change where they’re positioned or store them away for seasonal use. They can be used to help a business increase privacy, reduce glare/UV ray exposure, and maintain brand consistency with clings that are placed both outdoors and inside the building. Indestructible Direct Mail – Synthetic paper and direct mail are quite the dynamic duo, as this flexible substrate looks and feels like regular paper stock while being resistant to water, heat, chemicals, and rips/tears. It can also be perforated, die-cut, scored, folded, and punched, opening up a huge range of possibilities for direct mail pieces that can stand the test of time, weather, wear, etc. Metallic Labels – Trying to give a certain product a high-end feel? Silver or gold metallic labels and wraps a surefire way to catch the eye of consumers and let them know there’s something luxurious inside. And, because the RMGT 9-Series is capable of printing special inks like white, gold, silver, and copper, you can even layer metallic elements to create a majestic, gilded look. Hopefully this blog gave you a deeper understanding of what specialty substrates are and why they’re so valuable to use in print marketing. There aren’t many printers in our area who can produce pieces with such distinct finishes and substrates, so if you choose to collaborate with us on original print projects, your marketing materials will be in a league of their own. Ready to get creative and bounce some ideas off of our print strategists? Let’s talk soon!

January 25, 2021

Are Your Print Products Fridge-Worthy? Achieve Magnet Status with the RMGT 9-Series

Following up on our last blog about the sustainability attributes of the RMGT 9-Series, in this article we’re going to examine some of the incredible innovative finishes that this press will enable you to explore. We’re talkin’ the types of finishes that will really make your print materials stand out and help you earn a spot on the front of your customers’ refrigerator for all to see! Let’s take a look. RMGT 9-Series Innovative Finish #1: High Gloss The RMGT is capable of producing high gloss LED coatings inline using its retractable coating unit. “Inline” means that the coating is applied in the same pass as the printed sheet, yet another way that this press brings you faster delivery. LED coatings also dry quicker, are more durable, and offer a 10-15% higher gloss level compared to traditional aqueous coatings. For you, this higher gloss level means stunningly realistic imagery that jumps off the paper and grabs the attention of your customers. You know when you flip through a National Geographic and the high-quality pictures make you feel like you’re transported to the jungles of Borneo or the Swiss Alps? You can achieve a similar (or even better) effect with a high gloss coating. RMGT 9-Series Innovative Finish #2: Spot Gloss Akin to the previous finish, a spot gloss treatment is a method for coating printed materials that utilizes the RMGT’s LeoLED Modular Lamp Array to cure a varnish that is placed on select portions of a product. A spot gloss effect can be a useful tool for guiding your audience’s attention to exactly where you want them to look, which really comes in handy with a multi-page piece. Additionally, it can give your business cards, brochures, presentation folders, and book covers a high-impact, “luxury” feel that will distinguish your company from your competitors. RMGT 9-Series Innovative Finish #3: Strike-Through Strike-through is another variety of the matte varnish/gloss finish combo that results in an eye-catching finished product. Compared to spot gloss treatments, strike-through effects work best on dark, high contrast images. Some printers produce a version of a strike-through-type effect with aqueous coating, but it just isn’t the same. With LED, we cure the ink before the varnish unit, and then apply the LED gloss coating over the top. The end result is a product with sharp, exact registration that makes your images look crisp and lifelike. RMGT 9-Series Innovative Finish #4: Reticulated Varnish When a freshly waxed car gets caught in a storm, you know how the rainwater tends to bead up on the shiny vehicle? It’s mesmerizing! It happens because the surface tension of the wax and the surface tension of the rain repel each other, causing the water to group up in small droplets. Reticulating varnish works in a very similar way: we apply a flood gloss LED coating over a spot varnish in a single pass in order to produce a raised finish. Think your customers will be captivated by such a unique, 3D effect? Science says they most certainly will! RMGT 9-Series Innovative Finish #5: Metallic and Opaque Inks Another benefit of the RMGT’s LED-curing is its ability to print metallic and opaque inks such as white, gold, silver, and copper. To achieve this effect, these special inks are run in the first few units of the press and then cured afterward, allowing the wet inks to be trapped over the dry inks. This enables you to develop high-end marketing materials with just a touch of opulence that will impress your customers and make your competitors envious. The RMGT 9-Series is one of only a handful of presses capable of printing such inks, so opting for this effect will surely help you stand out from the crowd. Curious to hear which of these finishes would look the best on your next print project? Drop us a line to chat with one of our print strategists about how you can wow your customers with fridge-worthy print products!

December 29, 2020

Sustainably Sharing the Magic of Print with the RMGT 9-Series

At Advertisers Printing, we constantly seek ways to reduce our environmental impact and increase our social responsibility. Our journey to become one of the most sustainable printers in the United States began in 2002 when we earned our Sustainable Green Printing Partnership certification (we are one of less than 60 SGP-certified offset/digital printers in the world). Since then, we’ve proactively implemented policies, procedures, and equipment that keep us in the top 1% of sustainable printers, and our recent acquisition of the RMGT 9-Series is no exception. Let’s take a look at some of our environmental initiatives and how the RMGT will help elevate our company and clients to the pinnacle of sustainable printing in 2021 and beyond. Why Is the RMGT 9-Series an Achievement in Sustainable Printing? In addition to enhancing our print quality and speed to market, our new RMGT enables us to print products with the lowest carbon footprint in an incredibly efficient way. Some of its most notable green features include: Reduced energy consumption – Besides being a time-saver, the RMGT’s one-pass perfecting saves time and energy by eliminating the need for a second pass. At 25 x 37 inches, it also uses 70-80% less energy than a conventional UV-IR 28 x 40 inch full size press while still delivering a standard size 16-page format. Low material waste – The RMGT’s “compact” size compared to other presses in its class means that consumable use (plates, blankets, and ink) is cut by 1/3, and make-ready (setup) paper spoilage is lowered by up to 80% on every job. Advanced UV/LED curing – Not only does the RMGT’s GEW LeoLED MLA (Modular Lamp Array) curing technology provide major speed and quality benefits, it also enables greener printing in the following ways: Reduced ink waste = no need for daily ink wash ups (saving over 1,000 lbs of wasted ink annually) Zero ozone emissions = no exhaust ventilation necessary, healthier for our staff Low heat generation, = less HVAC energy used for climate control in our facilities Light-emitting diodes = LED uses just 10% of the energy compared to a conventional arc lamp UV system (90% energy savings) Long life span = last about 15,000 hours versus 1,000-3,000 hours for conventional arc lamps Instant on/off power = eliminates the need for a large amount of standby power when the press is off So, why are we telling you all of these details about our new RMGT 9-Series? Because in our core values, we have a responsibility to communicate our ongoing commitment to sustainability to our employees, clients, vendors, contractors, and visitors – an SGP requirement. That means every time we enhance our operations to become even more eco-friendly, we want to let you know so you can feel good about choosing us as your trusted printing partner! The Advertisers Printing family believes that it’s absolutely essential to work safely, protect our community’s health and welfare, and preserve the environment all while delivering the highest quality products and superior service to our clients. In What Other Ways Is Advertisers Printing a Sustainable Company? Plenty of companies say that they are environmentally conscious, but how many have tangible evidence to back up their claims? We live in the “Show-Me state,” after all! Our team not only talks the talk, but we walk the walk – every single day. Our sustainable initiatives include: Sustainability presentations – We’ve given environmental talks at WashU, Georgia Tech, St Louis University, Canon Corp, Missouri Botanical Garden, SGP, and AIGA, among others. We are available and ready to present to your organization, too. 12-prong recycling program – We employ a comprehensive system for recycling ink, paper, metal plates, and other operational materials. Energy efficient facilities – The roof of our facility is blanketed by 25kW solar panels (offsetting energy expenditure by 20%), all of our interior lighting is LED, and our service fleet includes an EV Chevy Bolt and four Prius hybrid vehicles used for sales and deliveries. Clean inks – We only use inks that contain very low or zero volatile organic compounds, and the LED/UV process eliminates the need for aqueous coatings (a consumable). Weekly waste pickups – Our company has made such drastic solid waste reductions that we require pickup only once a week. School share paper donations – Another way we help paper goods avoid landfills is by repurposing paper at schools across the St. Louis region. ‘Know before you throw’ program – To assist our clients in becoming more sustainable, we provide them with scheduled recyclable material pick-ups and waste reduction consultations. As a result of the above efforts, our team has been recognized as some of the world’s foremost experts in sustainable printing. We work with prestigious, forward-thinking cultural organizations such as the Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis Art Museum, and St. Louis Symphony, as well as large corporate clients including Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Bayer, and Ameren, all of whom are attracted to our reputation for sustainability. And, in addition to our Sustainability Green Partner affiliation, Advertisers Printing is certified by the Rainforest Alliance and the Forest Stewardship Council. We take environmental behavior very seriously: our Sustainability Director holds a Masters in Sustainability from St. Louis University and sits on the Board of SGP. Interested in using the RMGT 9-Series to create a stunning and eco-friendly print project? Or want to talk about how we can help your organization become more sustainable in 2021? Contact us today to speak with one of our print strategists – we can’t wait to hear from you!

December 15, 2020

Why The RMGT 9-Series Is the Best Printing Press For Your Next Job

Better, Faster, Stronger, Sharper Printing As you may have heard, we recently unlocked a new level of superior printing for ourselves and our customers by acquiring the 10-color RMGT 9-Series perfecting press. We’ve talked a bit about some of the biggest benefits that come along with using this printing press, and over the course of the next few blogs we’re going to dive deeper into the specifics of these features and what they mean for you! First up, we’re taking a look at the speed and quality attributes of the RMGT press. RMGT 9-Series Speed & Quality Factor #1: One-Pass Full-Color Perfecting How It Works: More than 90% of full-color offset printing is produced two-sided. On most presses, the operators have to print one side of a smaller sheet in one pass, then flip it over and print the other side of the sheet with another pass. With the RMGT-9 series we can print up to five colors on both sides of a larger sheet in just one pass, while including more products on the sheet than we could have before. Why It’s Awesome (in Plain English): It’s no secret that the modern business world demands accuracy, efficiency and “do it now” delivery. We already have a reputation for executing time-sensitive projects right on schedule and helping our clients breathe easy when they’re in a rush. One-pass perfecting allows us to do our job even more efficiently, which means greater scheduling flexibility for you, and yet another reason to trust that you’ll get exactly what you need, exactly when you need it. RMGT 9-Series Speed & Quality Factor #2: LED-Curing How It Works: Our RMGT 9-Series features the latest GEW LeoLED MLA (Modular Lamp Array) curing technology, which means our customers can now enjoy top-tier curing capabilities, flexibility, and gloss levels. Not only does LED-curing dry ink in an instant so that sheets are immediately ready to finish, it enables a process called “dry-trapping” wherein high gloss products see a 10-15% higher gloss level compared to projects that use the traditional “wet-trap” process. Why It’s Awesome (in Plain English): In addition to one-pass perfecting, the RMGT’s insta-dry curing contributes significantly to the acceleration of the delivery process, allowing you to receive your products faster than ever before. LED-curing also unlocks a whole new world of extraordinary possibilities for your products: think three-dimensional textures, captivating coatings, and special synthetic materials (like plastic) that will have your customers saying, “How did they do this?!” and awarding your piece a coveted spot on the front of their refrigerator. In other words, LED-curing means a huge selection of outstanding, attention-grabbing options to pick from when choosing your inks, varnishes/coatings, and substrates. RMGT 9-Series Speed & Quality Factor #3: Process Automation How It Works: The RMGT continues our practice of using automation to make our clients’ lives easier. Automated program inking supplies just the right amount of ink as soon as printing starts, and ink is automatically adjusted to match the approved proof throughout the run. Additionally, the PCS-G printing control system uses pre-press data to automatically supply the right amount of ink for each color, allowing us to achieve “okay” color in as little as 30 sheets. Why It’s Awesome (in Plain English): By automating processes that would be done manually on another machine, we’re able to increase overall efficiency and expedite the quality control process. These automated features essentially serve as a “first line of defense” against potential defects, and reduce the margin of error during every run. By promoting consistent printing quality, the RMGT’s automated features result in pieces with perfect colors from first sheet to last … everything you’ve come to expect from Advertisers Printing. RMGT 9-Series Speed & Quality Factor #4: High-Performance Separator + Vacuum Feeder How It Works: From ultra-thin sheets to thick cardstock, the RMGT’s advanced air management technology ensures that every product is fed with extreme precision, even during ultra high-speed press runs. In addition, the vacuum feeder provides smooth, stable sheet feed into the press, and an integrated brush/runner wheel shortens the time required to change sheet sizes. Why It’s Awesome (in Plain English): Combined, these features ensure that the RMGT is more than a match for even the most difficult stocks and substrates. It has all of the horsepower required to handle heavy materials such as plastic or cardstock, plus precision feeding that can deal with thin, onion-skin substrates like metallic films or transparent plastics without bending or wrinkling. By facilitating these tricky aspects of the quality control process, the RMGT allows us to offer you a wider range of print products (such as banners, display boxes, retail shelf tags, and large window decals) with extreme accuracy. By now, you’ve probably noticed that we know this printing press and its functionality inside and out, and we love talking about it. In fact, when you run into one of us, we probably won’t be able to stop ourselves from sharing more. We are genuinely excited to work with you to dream up some truly unique, never-before-seen print products that set your print marketing game a league above your competitors. Our print experts have spent quite a bit of time studying how this press can help you achieve your communication goals. Now we’re eager to share our knowledge with you as we work together to blaze a trail across the future of print communications! Ready to dream up your next print project? Let’s talk! Contact us today to speak with one of our print strategists about the new heights your company will be able to reach with the RMGT 9-Series.

October 9, 2020

Level Up Your Print Projects with the RMGT 9-Series

At Advertisers Printing, we pride ourselves on staying at the forefront of what modern printing can do. We have a history of investing in cutting-edge technology throughout the decades, from acquiring our first multi-color offset press in the 1960s to instituting a digital-based file prep system in the early 1990s. Now we are very excited to usher in a new era of printing excellence with our recent acquisition of the 10-color RMGT 9-Series perfecting press. Hailing all the way from Fukuyama, Japan, this state-of-the-art printing press will allow us to give you a higher quality product, faster, and in a more environmentally sustainable way than ever before. Read on to learn more about why the RMGT 9-Series is a total game-changer, for us and for you. Why Did We Buy the RMGT 9-Series? Let’s address the elephant in the room: investing in this high-tech printing press at this particular point in time probably seems like a peculiar business decision to some. During a year when many companies are cutting costs and pulling back, why did we decide to put our foot on the gas? Commitment to Our Customers – First and foremost, we purchased this press because we are extremely passionate about going above and beyond to provide our customers with superior quality printing solutions. When we find out that there’s a new way to strengthen our capabilities and produce a better quality product, we devise a plan to make it happen. Continuing Our Legacy – Another reason is that we believe investment in this press is what’s best for the longevity of our company, which benefits everyone whose lives we touch – employees, clients, suppliers, shareholders, and our local community. Dedication to Sustainability – The many eco-friendly features of this press continue our long-standing tradition of protecting the environment through sustainable operations. We strive to conduct business and deliver quality work in the most environmentally responsible way we can, each and every day. Why Should Our Customers Be as Excited as We Are? We’re obviously ecstatic over the RMGT 9-Series, but why should you care? It may seem like it will be business as usual for you and your organization … on the contrary! Speed and Quality – The fact that this press is capable of quickly producing a higher quality product means that you will be able to enhance your future print marketing projects during a time when mediocre marketing can be a death sentence. You’ll work hand in hand with our print experts to find the best way for your company to up your print game and stand out from the crowd. And by combining single-pass printing with LED instant-curing technology, this press will expedite the entire printing process so you can go from ideation to execution even faster. Innovative Finishes and Specialty Substrates – The RMGT 9-Series also opens up a whole new host of options for creating extraordinarily unique print projects. We’ll dive deeper into the details of this in a forthcoming blog, but imagine books with incredibly lifelike imagery and dimensional mailers that provide a sensory experience (feel the scales of a lizard!). You’ll also have even more choices for print mediums, such as static window clings, vinyl banners, and other synthetic materials. Green Printing – By choosing Advertisers Printing to print your projects with the RMGT 9-Series, you will be part of our effort to share the magic of print with people in an environmentally conscious way. This press allows us to lower paper spoilage by up to 80% and reduce consumables by a third, plus the LED curing uses only 10% of the energy footprint of a conventional arc lamp UV system. Stay tuned for more details on the green features of this press, and how it’s able to use less energy and produce less waste than the vast majority of printing machines in its class. Best of Both Worlds – Because we remain fully dedicated to offering a hybrid mix of offset and digital print production, it’s important to note that the RMGT doesn’t replace many of our other powerful presses … it complements them! That means you’ll be able to work with us to come up with projects that utilize the best aspects of multiple machines. For a variable data run, we could produce full-color sheets with the RMGT and then run them through our HP 100000 to print the data, making the process much more effective than relying on one press alone. Is your head starting to swirl with ideas and questions about what you’ll be able to do with the RMGT 9-Series? Let’s chat! Contact us today to speak with one of our print marketing experts about what kind of projects we can bring to life to help you win more business and make your competitors jealous.

September 21, 2020

Case Studies

Strategic Solutions for Print Paper Shortage

How Advertisers Printing helps you improve print efficiency

LED-UV Curing: Save Money, Save Time, Save the Environment

Environmentally Friendly Printing Will Grow Your Business

Why You Should Collaborate With a Print Strategist When Planning Your Next Project

Using Specialty Substrates to Tap into New Marketing Mediums with the RMGT 9-Series

Are Your Print Products Fridge-Worthy? Achieve Magnet Status with the RMGT 9-Series

Sustainably Sharing the Magic of Print with the RMGT 9-Series

Why The RMGT 9-Series Is the Best Printing Press For Your Next Job

Level Up Your Print Projects with the RMGT 9-Series

Connect With Us

Explore

Join Our Newsletter

Seeking a Direct Mail Print Provider for Your Political Campaign?

Fast, Confidential, and Eco-Friendly Print and Direct Mail Tailored for Your Campaign.