Large Format Paper Offerings

Ever wonder what type of printing options you have, when your project reaches a size larger than a standard digital press can handle?  There’s infinite possibilities out there for this type of situation, but one in particular is large format printing.  When it comes to large format printing, you have a wide variety of options from choice of paper stock to finishing options.

Many people doing projects at these sizes have a plethora of questions about what is and isn’t possible, and what will work best for the overall look they are trying to achieve.

There are many options for printed media, which are listed below, with good uses of each.

• Prime Gloss Media is good for a standard poster, whether it be framed or unframed.  It has a high gloss shine to it, and is recommended for a more low-lit area.
• Prime Satin Media is also good for a standard poster, but it has more of a dull appearance.  A duller appearance is more recommended for a well lit area, due to its nature of not reflecting light.
• Backlit Media can be used for many things, but is most commonly used for a backlit poster.  However, other crafty options for this media could be to create your own lighted photo cube.  The possibilities are endless with backlit media, if you get in touch with your crafty side.
• Vinyl Banner Media is often times used for outdoor signage or tradeshow displays.  This media can be used in displays from retractable banner stands to an “x” stand.
• Low-tack Media has a removable adhesive back to it.  This media can be used for window signage, or wall signage.
• Perforated Window Media is another option for windows, but it is a bit nicer than a low-tack option.  This media has tiny holes throughout the material, and is coupled with a solid black backing.  This combination allows for someone to see out of the window, but not in.  It makes for nice signage on a storefront, but when you still want to be able to see out the windows.
• Fine Art Media is a thicker, more durable media, with a bit of a texture to it.  It also has a mild sheen to it, which really helps the colors pop.  This media is nice for use with high photographic posters prints or art replications.
• Canvas Media is a high quality material used to customize canvas wraps.  You can use it to replicate an art print, or you can use it for photography, as it is commonly used for today.
• Removable Fabric Media is an extremely nice quality material, that has a fabric feel to the front, but is also accompanied by a removable/repositionable adhesive on the back.  It is mostly used as an option for a wall covering.
• Another media option for wall coverings is printable wallpaper.  It comes in a variety of textures, and is mostly used to make the wall look as though the print is actually painted on the wall.

As you can tell, there are many possibilities out there for larger than life jobs.  If you pair with a project coordinator, here at AlphaGraphics in the Cultural District, we can lead you in the right direction to give your project the best possible solution.

Written by Molly Kintigh,
Large Format Specialist,
AlphaGraphics in the Cultural District

Call for Interns

AG Pittsburgh is proud to mentor students from local educational institutions. We have participated in an intern program with many students over the past few years. We are committed to help grow young people within their desired fields.

Prospective interns are interviewed by management. We want to make sure they would be a good fit within our team. We search for individuals who are inspired and determined for success. All interns are immersed within our culture. We want them to be strong members of our team while they are here. In some cases, employment is offered to the strongest of candidates.

Most interns come from design and/or marketing educations. In most cases, internships are for completion in their respective programs. Each intern spends time within each department. They learn the processes of production from beginning to end. We allow them to pursue training and education within the departments they choose.

AG Pittsburgh will continue to develop this program. We accept resumes all year round. We are always looking for the best and brightest. Developing and growing within our community is a priority at AG.

Interested in submitting your resume?  Contact us at us514@agpittsburgh.com.

Written by Shiloh Massey,
Production Scheduler,
AlphaGraphics in the Cultural District

Working in the Cultural District

A dream of mine since I was a little girl has come true:  I am a business-woman in downtown Pittsburgh.

I was born and raised in the Burgh (and by that, I mean my street signs were blue).  Prior to working at AlphaGraphics in the Cultural District, I lived in Austin, Texas then moved back to the Pittsburgh and worked from home.   Having left Pittsburgh, I really learned to appreciate all that this city has to offer and now that I work in the Cultural District, I have the opportunity live and breathe it everyday.

My morning starts with a drive through the re-energized West End, and as I turn onto Carson Street, it’s like the city is welcoming me into its arms with that famous view of the Golden Triangle and city skyline. Lately as I approach Fort Duquesne Blvd, with PNC Park to my left, I can smell the hotdogs and cracker jacks as the Pirates Home Opener fast approaches.

I also get the chance to spoil myself everyday while walking to client meetings.  This week as I walked towards Market Square, the air permeated with scents of mouth-watering food and when I reached the center of Market Square, I couldn’t help but to smile and take it all in.  There was a buzz in the air, ice skaters were twirling and business folks were taking a break from their day to enjoy lunch.  I walk to all of my meetings in town (thank you, mild winter) because I don’t want to miss the chance to see the ornate details on the buildings, or bump into an old friend or client.

As my day ends, and I am stuck in traffic with my fellow Pittsburghers, I can’t help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. Working downtown has not only afforded me the opportunity to sightsee everyday, but also the chance to meet and work with fantastic people.  My colleagues and clients are amazing and they share my affinity for Pittsburgh. I am a proud Pittsburgh native, who can now say I am fulfilling my dreams of working in the best city in the world.

By Michelle Warren,
Outside Sales Representative,
AlphaGraphics in the Cultural District 

AlphaGraphics in the Cultural District Wins Two International Awards

The AlphaGraphics team is proud to share the news that we have received two very prestigious awards: the NAPL Management Plus Silver Award, from the National Association for Printing Leadership, a leading management education and industry research organization; and the PODi Best Practices Award for Self Promotion, from PODi, a global organization for the advancement of direct marketing driven by digital print.

Recognizing Comprehensive Management Excellence: The NAPL Management Plus Silver Award

The NAPL Management Plus awards are unique in that they recognize overall achievement across many disciplines. Entrants are judged on performance against industry standards in seven key management areas: Leadership and governance, human resources, strategic planning, marketing and sales, operations, community/industry relations, and financial performance.

Rich Cichoski, AlphaGraphics’ Manager, states, “We’ve built a team-based, results-oriented culture. No matter what facet of the business they’re in, each team member strives for excellence through continuous improvement. As a team, our greatest reward is earning the trust and loyalty of our customers—and, of course, an occasional, awesome industry award.”

The 2012 NAPL Management Plus Silver Award will be presented at the Vision 3 Summit, February 19-22, 2012, in Marco Island, Florida.

Recognizing Strategic Cross-Channel Innovation: The PODi Best Practices Award for Self Promotion

Our case study on our popular “Use Your Coconut” multi-channel campaign earned the 2012 PODi Best Practices Award. These awards recognize innovation, technical expertise, and the delivery of excellent, measurable results in direct marketing from around the world.

Our “Use Your Coconut” campaign used outside-of-the-box thinking that raised the bar for what can be accomplished using dimensional mail, then strategically employed ten marketing channels with appropriate imagery and messaging to drive results.

Clare Meehan, our President and CEO, extends her gratitude not only to the team, but to all of our wonderful clients. “Our amazing staff is to be commended for brilliantly developing this promotion that demonstrated the power of direct mail when approached as an integrated, multi-media marketing campaign. Pittsburgh is still buzzing about those coconuts! The campaign was a huge success thanks to the enthusiastic response of our clients, and many successful marketing campaigns and conversations with them have followed.”

The case study was presented at the 10^th annual PODi AppForum conference, January 23-25, 2012, in Las Vegas.

It has also been added to PODi’s Digital Print Case Study Database, the largest collection of digital print case studies and only compilation of its kind for the digital print marketplace. To download our case study, select AlphaGraphics Integrated Direct Mail Campaign – Use Your Coconut on the AG website.  

New Brand Identity Reflects Evolution from Print to Multi-Channel Marketing Solutions

The AlphaGraphics national network is celebrating its dynamic new brand identity with much fanfare this month. And AlphaGraphics in the Cultural District is no exception!

“Our new identity expresses innovation and the integration of new technologies, new platforms, and new channels that are driving our business forward.” says Clare Meehan, President and CEO of AlphaGraphics in the Cultural District.

Although the new identity has been quietly rolling out for the past several months, it steps into the spotlight in January with a celebration in which our customers are invited to participate. We’re giving away ten great prizes in two weeks, beginning on January 19, and it’s all happening on Facebook.

Offering printing services—including digital, large format, and offset printing—and strategic marketing services including graphic design, website development, and cross-channel campaigns that integrate personalization, email, SEM, social media, mobile marketing and direct mail, AlphaGraphics in the Cultural District partners with clients to deliver one-stop, fully integrated communications solutions.

“The identity really speaks to how we put it all together to help our clients communicate in an increasingly complex world,” adds Meehan.

The Kodak Moment: A Piece of History

Who doesn’t remember the great Kodak Commercials?  The ones with the True Colors song playing in the background.   They were so vivid, just as the roll of golden colored film in my refrigerator door.

It’s hard to believe that such a leader in both profits and brand awareness is rumored to be filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the coming weeks.  How could this have happened to one of our nation’s leading companies?

At AlphGraphics, we spend a lot of time not only working on client projects, but also investing in our future.  We take focused time (as we are during our staff planning workshop this Saturday), to review our accomplishments from the past year and draft new goals for 2012.  Among these new objectives, there are always at least a dozen or more training opportunities, researching goals, and new topics to explore over the next year.  Why?  We know that to stay relevant, we need to be thought leaders.  We want to know our customers’ needs even before they do, so that we have bigger opportunities to help them achieve their goals.

It’s obvious, and unfortunate, that Kodak failed in this way.   They seemed to get stuck on their film products that soon became antiquated for the customer.  By the time they realized it, their competitors were miles ahead and Kodak just couldn’t catch up.

I think this article does a great job at summarizing Kodak’s rise and fall.   But, the main message is, how can you and your organization stay ahead in this busy marketplace?   At AlphaGraphics, we don’t know a lot about cameras, but we can certainly help with your strategic market plans to make sure your thinking ahead and anticipating your consumers’ next move.

 

Written by Liz Payne,
Assistant Manager,
AlphaGraphics in the Cultural District 

Exactly How Important is Customer Service?

Have you ever called a business to pay a bill and found yourself speaking with someone so rude you couldn’t wait to get off the phone with him or her?  Or how about when you don’t even speak with anyone but a “recorded robot” that never seems to understand what you’re trying to get at?  Certain aspects of a company, such as these, are crucial to succeeding and differentiating itself amongst other companies.

Here at AlphaGraphics in the Cultural District, we have living, breathing, non-robotic people answering the phone and no matter how busy we get, you’ll never hear us answer the phone with an abrupt “WHAT DO YOU WANT?” or anything along those lines.  This fact is part of the training that AlphaGraphics in the Cultural District gives its Project Coordinators is to make sure our customers want to call us and will keep doing business with us.

The Marketing Department can create as many campaigns as possible to bring in new business and the Production Department can put together the job as perfectly as possible, but if the customer doesn’t feel comfortable with the customer service, forget it!  Sometimes the Project Coordinators are the only people customers speak with at the company, therefore we represent the company and it’s our responsibility to send the customer away with a good impression and the feeling that their project is in great hands.

If your company wants to reach a high standard of customer service, it is important to consistently do the following:

1)   Answer your phone.

2)   Don’t make promises unless you will keep them.

3)   Listen to your customers.

4)   Deal with complaints.

5)   Be helpful- even if there’s no immediate profit in it.

6)   Train your staff to be always helpful, courteous, and knowledgeable.

7)   Take the extra step.

8)   Throw in something extra.

By Stefanie LeClair,
Project Coordinator,
AlphaGraphics in the Cultural District

Five Tools for a Big League Website on a Budget

I tend to stumble upon various articles and I found this one most useful to share to help jump-start or update a professional website. Your website is your marketing and communications hub, whether by design or default.

http://mashable.com/2011/12/27/online-business-website-tools/

Our website development and programming team understands how to design and maintain sites that give visitors not just information, but dynamic experiences that drive businesses forward. If you’re looking for online marketing solutions and want more information, contact us at us514@alphagraphics.com or call 412-261-1300.

By Robin Ranii,
Pre-Press Specialist,
AlphaGraphics in the Cultural District

Making a List…and Checking It Twice

As we approach the holiday season, many minds are focused on lists. Holiday shopping wish lists, holiday card lists, to do lists, the list goes on!

At AlphaGraphics we are always thinking about lists throughout the year.  Here’s why you should be too.

Let’s use the example of sending out a mailing.

When setting up an excel file of data for a mailing, be sure to have a separate column for each data field for each separate contact.

There should be no more than 2 columns for the address (address 1 and address 2).  These should be numeric street addresses. If you would like to include a business or organization in the excel file, they should be separate columns from the address fields.

There should not be any hard returns in any cells of data in the excel file.

Try to make sure the data in the excel file is the most current data you have.  Are the addresses complete?  Do you have zip codes?  The more information we receive  in the file, the better chance the  addresses have making it through our mailing software successfully.

Check out the sample screen shot of an excel file for mailing for a visual on what the initial set up looks like.

You can also download the file here to use as a starting point. (My holiday gift to you!)

Mail list sample

As always, the team at AlphaGraphics is available to answer any questions you might have when gathering data for a mailing.

As an added bonus for reading the blog: check out this fun little type kerning game……test your skills!

Happy list making and happy holidays!

By Kristin Needham,
Marketing Strategist and Creative Designer,
AlphaGraphics in the Cultural District

 

What Makes a Good Sales Person?

People often ask me what the formula is for being a good sales person.  I have never approached the job feeling like I am selling something; instead, I focus on helping people with their challenges in hopes that the outcome exceeds their expectations.

Building trust is one of the most important ingredients in developing a relationship with a client. The end game for me is always to do what is best for them rather than what is best for me or for the company. Do this and you build trust—and your client’s loyalty.

Staying in close communication with clients is exceedingly critical. Deciding when it’s appropriate to make a phone call versus send an email is something I struggle with quite often in terms of training my sales team. The younger generation tends to be more comfortable “living inside the box,” as opposed to using verbal communication. I like to tell them that sometimes it is important for the client to hear your voice and feel your heart.  And nothing will ever be a substitute for looking someone in the eye and giving them a firm handshake!

Time management is also an essential element in the sales process.  Sales people are always juggling many balls at once, so it is imperative that one build a solid infrastructure to help you stay focused and organized.

I guess it is all of these subtleties blended together that make an outstanding sales person, and oh, by the way, I LOVE WHAT I DO.

By Clare Meehan
Owner
AlphaGraphics in the Cultural District