SMB Advice

Ordering Stickers and Labels with CatPrint

/ CatPrint / Leave a comment

We find that customers are surprised when they learn that CatPrint prints die cut stickers and labels! So here are some questions you might have if it is going to be your first time ordering stickers/labels.

What is the difference between stickers and labels?

There is no difference! We use these terms interchangeably because people print adhesive items for different reasons.

What is a die cut sticker?

This means that you provide the shape(die line) of the sticker! You can print stickers in just about any shape or size, as long as you provide the die line!

What files does CatPrint need in order to print custom die cut stickers & labels?

CatPrint needs three different files from you. Make sure that each of the three files is in PDF format!

File 1: This should be a PDF file with both your design and the die line. See Figure 1, File 1 for an example of a file with the art and die line together!

File 2: This should be a PDF file with your design only. See Figure 1, File 2 for an example.

Multi-File Design: If you are providing multiple pages because each sticker/label is different then only this second file needs to have multiple designs. See Figure 2 for an illustrative example!

Sticker Files
FIGURE 1 – File 1: Art & Die Line combined | File 2: Artwork Only | File 3: Die Line Only

Multi File sticker
FIGURE 2 – Multi File Sticker

File 3: This should be a PDF file with the die line only. See Figure 1, File 3!

1 8 inch bleed
Figure 3 – 1/8″ Bleed

IMPORTANT: Make sure that your artwork extends 1/8″ beyond the die line! See Figure 3!

How much does it cost to order stickers and labels?

The cost depends on the maximum height and width of your die line. So the larger your sticker, the more it will cost!

What uses are there for stickers and labels?

There are many different uses for stickers and labels. Here just a few tips on what you can use stickers for!

Advertising: You can use stickers for branding, marketing, and promotions! Whether you are a school or business, people love to place stickers all over the place. Stickers generate curiosity and can drive interest towards your brand!

Gift Labels: Save time during gift-giving events by already having pre-printed customized gift labels! This is especially useful for gift giving holidays like Christmas.

Parties: You can use stickers as part of your custom party favors! Stick them onto jars, bottles, water bottles, and other party favors that you plan to give out to keep your party theme going!

Return Address labels: You can print your own return address labels so you would never have to write your return address ever again!

Variable data printing makes your life easier

/ CatPrint / Leave a comment

What is variable data printing?

You may have heard the term get tossed around pretty often, but found it a little complicated to comprehend. Variable data printing is when you have the same design for multiple prints but wish to have an element within the design that is different. A great example of this is business cards and printed envelopes!

For example, if you want to print envelopes to send out your wedding invitations and you want everything the same except for the recipient information, then variable data printing on printed envelopes may be right for you! Learn more about envelope printing and the cost of printed envelopes!

Another use that is especially useful with variable data printing are business cards! If you have the same design for the business cards but the information for each of your employees is different, then you may be interested in variable data printing for employee’s business cards.

How can variable data printing help me?

Variable data printing will save you time! 

In the case of variable data printing envelopes, it will take away all of the pains involved in repetitive handwriting of addresses.

Can CatPrint setup my variable data job for me?

Yes! CatPrint can set up your variable data job for a $25 fee.

What does CatPrint need from me to help me setup my variable data files?

CatPrint needs a properly setup spreadsheet, which you can see below, and the font’s name, color, and size that you wish to use for the design. Email all of this in to support@catprint.com.

Variable Data Setup

Variable Data Setup Example

As always, if you have any questions, you can contact Customer Service at 877-228-7768 or support@catprint.com and we will be happy to help you!

 

Envelopes, Envelopes Printing, and Variable Data Printing on Envelopes!

/ CatPrint / 1 Comment

If you did not already know, CatPrint offers envelopes and custom envelope printing!

As an online digital printer, CatPrint not only offers typical digital prints, but we also offer the ability for you to order custom printed envelopes, as well as variable data printed envelopes!

What sizes of envelopes does CatPrint offer?

CatPrint offers the following standard envelope sizes:

  • A1 Envelopes (3.63″ x 5.13″)
  • A2 Envelopes (4.375″ x 5.75″)
  • A6 Envelopes (4.75″ x 6.5″)
  • A7 Envelopes (5.25″ x7.25 “)
  • A8 Envelopes (5.5″ x 8.13″)
  • #10 Envelopes (4.13″ x 9.5″)
  • Square Envelopes
    • 5″ x 5″
    • 5.5″ x 5.5″
    • 6″ x 6″

What colors are available?

CatPrint has limited colors available, depending on the size!

For A1 Envelopes, we have the following colors available for you to choose from:

  • White
  • Cream
  • Shimmer
  • Cream Shimmer
  • Kraft

For A2 Envelopes, we have the following colors available:

  • White
  • Cream
  • Shimmer
  • Cream Shimmer
  • Kraft

For A6 Envelopes, we have the following two colors available:

  • White
  • Pale Green

For A7 Envelopes, we have the following colors available:

  • White
  • Cream
  • Shimmer
  • Cream Shimmer
  • Kraft
  • Holiday Red
  • Holiday Green
  • Olive Green
  • Pale Green

For A8 Envelopes, we currently only offer:

  • White

For #10 Envelopes, we have the following colors available:

  • White
  • Shimmer

For Square Envelopes, we have the following colors available:

  • White 5″
  • White 5.5″
  • White 6″

Which envelope size and/or color should I choose?

If you require some assistance in choosing which size would be best for your order, or what color may fit best for your order, make sure to contact Customer Service by email support@catprint.com or phone at 877-228-7768!

*CatPrint recommends ordering envelopes that are larger by at least .25” in height and width for an appropriate fit for your prints.

What is a square back flap?

More traditional envelopes come with triangle flap. See the following example for the square back flap!

Kraft Envelope Sample for Wedding Suite by CatPrint

Square back flap

How many envelopes can I order?

As always with CatPrint, there is no minimum order quantity that is required in order for you to make an order! Order 27 envelopes or 1000; that is completely up to you!

Do I have to order envelopes with prints?

Of course not! You can choose to order plain(unprinted on) or printed envelopes without matching prints.  When choosing your “Job Type” on the order builder page you will find “Envelope Only” and “Printed Envelopes” options at the bottom of the list.

How much does it cost to print on envelopes?

To find out more details about our envelope pricing, you can go to our envelope pricing page on CatPrint’s website!

Why would I want printed envelopes?

  • Professionalism: Printed envelopes are of your interest if you own a business or are in charge of printing for a business. You want the business to stand out and seem more professional when sending out letters to customers and clients! Printing on envelopes is much more professional and sleek than stamping your return address on the envelope, or sometimes, even handwriting on them! This is especially important when you are sending out invitations for formal events, such as inviting employees or clients to a formal dinner.
  • Time saving: If you are a graphic designer in the wedding industry or you are getting married in the future, you may be sending out wedding invitations and don’t want to have to write on every single envelope. It is already time consuming enough to figure out what are the best options for your wedding; why not save more time by not having to write your return address on each envelope, or the addresses of the people that you are inviting? Find out more about variable data printing!
  • Uniqueness: Even if you are not one of the above people, printed envelopes are a nice added touch to differentiating yourself. Set yourself apart by having stationery that is completely unique & yours!

International Shipping with CatPrint

/ CatPrint / Leave a comment

CatPrint does offer International Shipping

CatPrint offers international shipping services. All international orders can be placed via our website. Our international shipping costs are determined by the size of the order and the turnaround time selected.

While we do provide tracking data for these orders, please note that there are no guaranteed delivery dates, and many international orders have an estimated delivery of 10-14 business days.

TED Talk Tuesday: How to make work-life balance by Nigel marsh

/ CatPrint / Leave a comment

CatPrint knows just how hard everyone works in their daily lives in order to provide for themselves and others. But this also can mean that a lot of time is spent at work and not much time is spent at home. This can be a problem, and soon you will see that you have been working so much and life is just passing you by! Now we don’t want that to happen to you. So here is an inspirational TED Talk on how you can take action to balance your work life and personal life!

Who is Nigel Marsh?

Nigel Marsh is best known as the author of the book Fat, Forty and Fired. He has worked for 25 years in brand marketing. He now advises many C-Level executives at many high level companies. You can find out more about Nigel Marsh, his works, and his career at: http://nigelmarsh.com/

TED Talk Tuesday: Why we do what we do by Tony Robbins

/ CatPrint / Leave a comment

If you have completed a goal that has taken a lot of time and energy out of you, then you know that there is something that drives you to do it! There is something drives you internally, something that motivates you to do what you set out to do. Determination, motivation, and perseverance — they all have something in common. What motivates you to write that blog article? What drives you to complete that art piece that you have been working on for months? Watch this TED Talk by Tony Robbins, where he goes deeper into all of the forces that drive our motivation.

Tony Robbins is a life coach; he helps other people reach their full potential. He has worked with a wide range of people, from competitive athletes to CEOs. He believes that when people can achieve their full potential, people will make further positive impacts on the world.

You can learn more about Tony Robbins at:

https://www.tonyrobbins.com/

https://twitter.com/tonyrobbins

CatPrint Cares Featured Group for July 2015: Camp Good Days

/ CatPrint / Leave a comment

As you may have already known, CatPrint runs a program called CatPrint Cares!

CatPrint Cares is CatPrint’s way of showing that we care! During the first year of its inception in 2014, all of our featured groups for the month were local animal rescue groups. Because it was such a great success during the first year, we decided to open up the CatPrint Cares program to charitable organizations that our employees care about.

For this month’s Featured Charitable Organization, we are featuring Camp Good Days!

CatPrint Cares Camp Good Days

CatPrint Cares about Camp Good Days

How does CatPrint Cares work?

When you donate our Featured Charitable Organization of the month and email CatPrint a copy of your donation receipt, you will receive a 10% off coupon for your next order that you can you use whenever you would like. The coupon does not expire!

TED Talk Tuesday: The art of first impressions in design and life by Chip Kidd

/ CatPrint / Leave a comment

In the design world, it is very important that you are able to capture the attention of your potential audience. Even if you just have their attention for a split second, that is better than the potential customer simply skimming through without any interest.

In this funny and witty TED Talk, Chip Kidd talks about how we often judge things about the infamous quote “judging a book by its cover”. As a graphic designer, he talks in depth about two techniques that designers often use in order to capture the attention of their audience: mystery and clarity. He explains in detail with different types of examples as to how they are used, when they are used, and when they actually work well for their purpose. As a book cover designer, he absolutely needs to know how to capture the attention of a potential reader.

Watch this TED Talk if you need some ideas on how to capture your audience so that they will take a look at your items!

Who is Chip Kidd?

Chip Kidd is a very well known book cover graphic designer. He has been the graphic designer for Alfred A. Knopf for decades now. One of his most well known book covers is for Jurassic Park. He has received numerous design and communication awards, such as the AIGA Medal in 2014.

You can find Chip Kidd on Twitter and his website at:

http://www.twitter.com/@chipkidd

http://www.chipkidd.com

CatPrint Interview: La Familia Green with Mollie Green

/ CatPrint / 1 Comment

CatPrint is excited to present a new Customer Q&A with Mollie Green, owner of La Familia Green (www.lafamiliagreen.com).  Mollie is kind enough to share some insight on her business and give entrepreneurial advice from her personal experience in the design industry.  Check out the full interview below!

La Familia Green Greeting Cards

La Familia Green Greeting Cards for the Holiday Season

What does your business, La Familia Green, offer?

I offer greeting cards, buttons, and wrapping paper – all featuring my illustrations and cut paper collages.

Could you describe some of your background and how you got into design?

I have a BFA in printmaking from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. After graduation, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do but I took a job working at a wonderful stationery store in Chicago. I was very inspired by the burgeoning small press greeting card scene, and started to make my own cards.

La Familia Green Greeting Cards

La Familia Green Greeting Cards completely hand drawn by Mollie Green!

When did you create the first La Familia Green design?

10 years ago in 2005!

How would you describe your style of design?

Analog, organic, folksy – I do almost all pre-press work by hand.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

La Familia Green Greeting Cards

La Familia Green designs are inspired by animals like cats!

 

I am inspired by food, animals, and interesting people. I also love finding little things that my audience instantly connects with – cats in boxes, city-specific trends, omnipresent weather chatter, etc.

Where are you located?

My home and my studio are both located on the far north side of Chicago, in the Rogers Park neighborhood. It is very tree-sy, funky, and near Lake Michigan.

La Familia Green Greeting Cards

La Familia Green Birthday Greeting Card

Is your business online only, or do you also have a storefront?

La Familia Green is carried at retailers around the world, and I have a website and etsy store.

How long have you been printing with CatPrint?

I started printing with CatPrint in 2008 when Anthropologie placed a big order. Up to that point, I was making everything by hand. Thank goodness for CatPrint!

La Familia Green Greeting Cards

La Familia Green Greeting Cards are of her own personal style

What is the biggest difficulty you’ve encountered in starting your own business?

Trying not to stress out too much! Like not worrying when times are slow and not freaking out when they are busy.

Do you have any advice for aspiring artists or entrepreneurs to use when building a business?

Trends come and go – you will have better long-term success if your stick with your own look and unique ideas.

Where can people find La Familia Green designs?

La Familia Green Greeting Cards

Many examples of La Familia Green Birthday Greeting Cards

 

Stationery stores, boutiques and independent bookstores and at lafamiliagreen.com

TED Talk Tuesday: Why it’s time to forget the pecking order at work by Margaret Heffernan

/ CatPrint / Leave a comment

Celebrated as the 2000th TED Talk, this 15 minute TED Talk is definitely worth your time to watch, especially if are a small business owner. Large companies and corporations have long believed in only supporting the “superstars” in order to best benefit the company. However, research shows that teamwork is much more valuable and benefits the company more in the long run.

As a company, CatPrint is a big fan of organizing monthly company teambuilding activities! What do you do to increase your connectedness at your company?

Who is Margaret Heffernan?

Margaret Heffernan describes herself as a management thinker. She was formerly the CEO of five businesses, and now focuses her time on increasing the productivity of businesses and analyzing how organizations tend to run. She wants to help businesses that are struggling with a connected work culture and make them realize the importance of teamwork and interconnectivity.