Posters: Finding the Print Shop with Pizazz

Though my "Save the Date" postcards were printed, there were still posters for the "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" premiere to produce.

I had to find a company other than PrintsMadeEasy.com to print the posters. That online company specialized in postcards and business cards.

This time I wanted to choose a local print shop so I could easily drive to the place and authorize the coloring before the mass printing. My posters needed to have the light blue background and not the blue-purple as what happened with the postcards.

If the print shop had a listing online but no website, then I automatically crossed them off my list.

Finally, I discovered Bell Printing and Design.

As I scoured the website, I looked for hints that Bell Printing was a print shop and not a copy center. Higher quality would most likely be at a print shop where heavier and more expensive equipment filled the building.

My trip to Belling Printing and Design happened to be on a slippery and snow-filled day. The drive was a little dangerous, but I made it into the driveway without a scratch.

I brought a poster I liked from a different storytelling event to show what I wanted for the premiere posters. As I was unaware of print shop lingo, then the workers could "translate".

While waving the poster I said, "I like thick and heavy paper with a glossy front".

Bell Printing and Design interpreted this to mean "I like 11 X 17 posters with Blue White Carolina C1S Cover Ultra Light 94 12pt, Digital Press on 1 side".

I asked for a quote on 100 posters. It would be $72.50.

I had budgeted one hundred dollars for the posters so I happy to have an extra $27.50 to apply to another area for the premiere.

I insisted on a color check before all 100 posters would be printed. Fortunately, there was no extra charge for this service.

I knew the printing would take a few business days, but I was excited to see the results.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

Postcards: How I Found the Right Company

I had never sent postcards before as part of my storytelling marketing plans.

I had envisioned the day when it would come. With the "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" premiere approaching, that day did arrive.

Then I had a problem.

Which company would print my postcards?

I consulted "The Storytelling Biz Handbook: How to Manage Your Storytelling Career from the Desk to the Stage"by Dianne de Las Casas. She recommended two different services: VistaPrint and ModernPostcard.com.

I had never used VistaPrint, mainly because I thought it was tacky when the VistaPrint logo was printed on the back of business cards or postcards or any other items ordered through them.

The VistaPrint prices may be low, but what was I trading for in return?

Despite my prejudice against VistaPrint, I went to the website and determined the possibilities. Could Vista give me the quality that I desired? Could postcards be created that did not have their company's logo on them?

All that I had seen in the past seemed to say "no". I did not bother to answer all of the above questions. The decision had been made before I got to their website.

So I quickly went to ModernPostcard.com.

I was happier with my choices there, but I wondered if any other online companies or local print shops could give me quality with low cost.

After searching through Google for shops near my home, I finally made the needed phone call.

Who did I call for advice?

Utah Arts Council.

They send postcards all the time, especially to spread the word about gallery pieces. Visual artists must have striking and clear colors to share what they do.

Besides, I had kept a "Save the Date" postcard when the UAC announced the Mountain West Conference on the Art.

I spoke with Jason Bowcutt, who was the same person who had put the "Save the Date" conference postcard together. He recommended PrintsMadeEasy.com.

The title certainly had promise to it.

Jason then said, "Make sure you send me a postcard!"

I told him I would. In fact, I planned on the entire UAC staff to receive one.

I turned to the computer.

I was glad when I could run some quotes on the website. There was even a telephone number. I called it and talked to a real person. That was glorious.

I discovered some wonderful news:

• I could have full-color on both sides without affecting the cost!
• I could have the postcards printed and shipped to me faster than the other online businesses or even some of the local print shops.
• I could order 2,000 postcards for even less than the price than if I had ordered 1,000 from ModernPostcard or local print shops.
  
• UV Glossy was possible for the front side with heavy quality paper.
  

I ordered 2,000 postcards through PrintsMadeEasy.com. This may not seem like a big number, especially considering my plans for the "Family Famine: Hunger for Love". Yet, it was a start.

I expected to mail at least 500 and use the others as nice fliers.

Would you like to know the cost?

2,000 Postcards (4" X 6") of Card Stock - Glossy - Double-sided
$119.99

Shipping and Handling
$53.18*
***Priority Saver to transit in one business day. Could have been about $9.00 if not in rush.

Grand Total
$173.17

Even with Priority Saver, there was a possible four-day setting up and printing and then the mailing. Then, with it close to Christmas, it would not be guaranteed until December 31st. There was the chance to be early.

Crazy enough, with the Priority Saver shipping and handling, it was still less than the cost of 1,000 at ModernPostcard at the cheapest shipping.

When I placed the order, all I could think to say was "Whew!"

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

Silly & Provoking Family Quotes to Boost Memory

My eyes found "Wit and Wisdom from the Peanut Butter Gang, a collection of wise words from young hearts" by H. Jackson Brown, Jr. at one of the display areas that librarians create.

Simply flipping though the pages and reading some of the quotes had my mind journey to the past.

Here are some that provoked images or ideas for me--

• "If love isn't taught in the home, it is almost impossible to learn it anywhere else."--from 75-year-old great-grandmother, on p. 7
• "If your mom picks your clothes and you dislike them, tell her they don't fit."--Christie, age 12, on p. 15
• "My grandmother can say more in a sentence than a college professor can say in an hour and a half.", Angela, age 14, on p. 16
• "No matter how much I love something, mom will throw it away without a second's thought.", Brian, age 12, on p. 16
• "When you complain about doing the dishes, you usually get stuck doing them more often.", Nichole, age 14, on. p. 17
• "It's no fun to stay up all night if your parents don't care.", Carrie, age 15, on p. 19
• "If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. Parents always catch the second person.", Michael, age 10, on p. 21
• "When you mom is mad at your dad, don't let her brush your hair.", Morgan, age 11, on p. 23
• "One of the greatest feelings in the world is the feeling you get when your little sister shows that she admires you.", Dawn, age 14, on p. 24
• "Despite all the loving and caring relationships in the world, there is nothing more loving than the feel of my mother's hand on my forehead when I am sick.", Rosemary, age 17, on p. 27
• "It's not always easy being a kid, but I bet it's even harder being an adult.", Julie, age 11, on p. 28
  

As I develop "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" narrative production, I want to merge personal reflection with the multicultural tales that I choose to tell that either reflect on the light or dark side of family relationships.

Perhaps a single quote could launch me into a library of ideas.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller