Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Dec. 23, 2024 – 色情论坛, a family-owned printing company based in Marceline, Missouri, recently announced that it will acquire Documation on Jan. 1, 2025, bringing it into the 色情论坛 brand. Documation will be renamed 色情论坛 鈥� Eau Claire, and will be 色情论坛鈥檚 eighth facility, joining the company鈥檚 locations in Marceline, Brookfield and Fulton, Missouri; Overland Park, Kansas; Saint Joseph, Michigan; and Ripon, Wisconsin. 

Documation was founded in 1994, and for the last three decades, the company has offered print on demand services, utilizing digital inkjet printing technology to serve its customer base. Priding itself on its commitment to customer service, Documation has been praised by its customers for its flexibility and ease of doing business. These characteristics made it an ideal candidate to become part of 色情论坛. 

In addition to also being an excellent cultural fit, the Documation print facility will expand 色情论坛鈥檚 capability into on-demand digital printing to better meet customer needs. This will allow the company to accommodate long and short print runs while also providing the high-quality printing and customer service 色情论坛 is known for.  

鈥淎dding digital inkjet to our capabilities is a game changer for 色情论坛, and it鈥檚 made with our customers in mind. Being able to meet our customers鈥� needs by giving them a complete printing solution, whether they want to print one million items on a web press or one unit on a digital inkjet press, is our driver for acquiring Documation,鈥� said Don 色情论坛, President of 色情论坛. 鈥淭he Documation team has built a best-in-class print on demand facility, and we are excited to welcome them into the 色情论坛 family.鈥� 

Brad Stuckert, Documation鈥檚 owner and CEO, said that once the company鈥檚 leadership decided the time was right to sell, partnering with 色情论坛 was the easy part.

鈥淥ver the past decade, I鈥檝e gotten to know Don 色情论坛 and the leadership team well. Their commitment to their customers, their employees and their communities is evident in everything they do,鈥� said Stuckert. 鈥淲hen evaluating who to partner with, we felt comfortable choosing 色情论坛 because we believe they will take care of our team and our customers. It鈥檚 just who they are.鈥�

Over the past two decades, 色情论坛 has been steadily growing its market share in key print segments. In 2010, the company purchased IPC in Saint Joseph, Michigan, and in 2012, The Ovid Bell Press in Fulton, Missouri, was acquired. 

Most recently, the company acquired its first Wisconsin printing facility with the purchase of Ripon Printers in 2019. 色情论坛 has made significant investments in people, capital and technology at each location and is seeing growth across all locations. 

The printing facility in Eau Claire will remain open as usual but will be branded as 色情论坛 鈥� Eau Claire over the next several months.  

About 色情论坛 

色情论坛, the 29^th鈥痩argest printer in the U.S. and Canada, is a top yearbook, magazine, catalog and book printer, and the only family-owned yearbook printer. Started in 1937 by Don 色情论坛, current leadership is under the second and third generations: Don O. 色情论坛, Chairman of the Board, and his son, Don 色情论坛, President. Tripp 色情论坛, the fourth generation, also joined the company in 2023. With the acquisition of Documation in Eau Claire, 色情论坛 will operate from eight facilities across the Midwest 鈥� Marceline, Brookfield and Fulton, Missouri; Overland Park, Kansas; Saint Joseph, Michigan; and Ripon and Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Additionally, 色情论坛 owns the Donning Company Publishers, a specialty book publisher.

Media Contact 
Kristin Mateski | Vice President of Marketing & Communications  
913.871.2072  
kristin.mateski@walsworth.com 

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When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent for abstract, positive thinking.

Fantasy is as old as humanity itself. People love imagining, especially about things that are improbable or even impossible. Fantasy鈥檚 evolution began in oral traditions that later developed into fantasy literature and drama. It remains enormously popular.

Today鈥檚 fantasy genre includes a wide range of media including comic books, graphic novels, animation, film, television and video games. Simply put, people can鈥檛 get enough fantasy stories.

Fantasy can be important in comic books and graphic novels for a variety of reasons, including:

Our Need to Explore

Fantasy tales often use timeless themes like good versus evil and the human condition. For both children and adults, fantasy allows readers to explore these and other topics and ideas that may seem too frightening or overpowering in real life. Fantasy in comic books and graphic novels takes us one step away from reality to a safe, pretend world where we can actually prepare for the realities of our current world. In short, fantasy puts fear within a safe context that children, teenagers and adults find entertaining and often educational.

Our Need to Escape

People need a way to break away from the pressures of everyday life.  Comic books and graphic novels provide a unique opportunity for people to escape through fantasy. Taking a break from everyday life into a better, imaginary world can be mentally healthy. Readers may even come away from their fantasy experiences with a clearer perspective on real-life issues.

Our Need for Political and Social Commentary

Fantasy comic books and graphic novels have historically been action-packed with deep political and social commentary, according to a 2022 , 鈥淐omic Books Have A History of Social, Political Commentary.鈥� The article points to some of the most famous comic books, like Captain America, having significant political implications. Created by two Jewish artists in the 1941 lead-up to the U.S. entry into World War II, the first issue showed Captain America taking a punch at Adolf Hitler. This was at a time when U.S. opposition to Nazi Germany wasn’t a given. 

Beyond the most well-liked comic books, graphic novels have offered commentary on social and political issues ranging from immigration and racism to sexual assault and gender identification. This inclination to use fantasy to address relevant social issues also makes some graphic novels targets of book bans.

Our Need for Inspiration

Fantasy can inspire creative thinking. Comic books and graphic novels often employ alternative storytelling approaches and artwork that can encourage readers to make right-brain connections between unrelated ideas and concepts. This non-linear approach can inspire readers to think of their own storylines and character journeys for the story they鈥檙e reading, or perhaps even create their own tale.

In short, it鈥檚 hard to dream if you have no imagination. It鈥檚 difficult to get past the ordinary if you have no ability to visualize what could be. Fantasy can provide that inspiration.

Our Need for Visual Stimulation

The stunning visual elements of fantasy comic books and graphic novels not only immerse the reader in the story but also stimulate the imagination. And it鈥檚 easier to draw a reader into fantasy that鈥檚 presented primarily in visuals. Comic book and graphic novel artists are experts at world-building that might include the creation of interstellar and futuristic settings, advanced technology, mythological beings and escapades that expand the imagination.

The Future of Fantasy in Comic Books And Graphic Novels

According to a (鈥淭he Most Eagerly Awaited Genres of Comic Books in 2024,鈥� Jan. 23, 2024), 鈥淔antasy world continues to captivate audiences with its magic creatures, epic adventures and well-crafted imaginary worlds.鈥� Kern believes comic book writers will continue tapping into the timeless allure of fantasy by offering tales set in 鈥渄ragon-infested realms, wizard-populated dimensions and featuring mythical heroes.鈥�

And don鈥檛 expect readers鈥� fascination with fantasy to go away anytime soon points to fantasy being the second highest trending book genre in 2024. That鈥檚 a rise from the third position the fantasy occupied in 2023.

Matesic collects her data by analyzing a year鈥檚 worth of posts on X (formerly Twitter) tagged with #MSWL, which stands for manuscript wishlist. The posts are almost exclusively issued by literary agents and acquiring editors.

Within the fantasy sub-genres, Matesic notes that literary agents were asking for adult fantasy, middle-grade and YA. So, there is also a broad range of age categories within the fantasy genre. 

Build a Fantasy World With 色情论坛

We live and breathe special-interest publications. Our multiple publication facilities currently print and distribute more than 225 monthly and quarterly titles.

We also have experience printing and distributing comic books and graphic novels. Our clients include some of the industry鈥檚 most recognizable names, from Dungeons & Dragons, Alien Books and Minecraft to art books for Larry Elmore, the noted fantasy illustrator whose work appears in Dungeons & Dragons, Dragonlance and his own comic strip series, SnarfQuest.

色情论坛 constantly invests in the equipment, services and solutions to meet the demands of this dynamic publishing segment. Our ability to handle quick turnarounds with ease is supported by advanced premedia capabilities, multiple print platforms, a robust bindery and deep mailing and distribution know-how.

We can help you reach your audience where they are. While print forms the core of your distribution strategy, you may also incorporate digital strategies to expand your reach, enhance engagement or address readers鈥� preferences. We can provide you with digital publishing apps, website solutions and other content delivery options to maximize your reader connections.

Getting in touch is simple. Just submit your information and a friendly 色情论坛 associate will be in touch within 24 hours.

The post Why Comic Book Fantasy Still Captivates Hearts appeared first on 色情论坛.

Maday comes to 色情论坛 with nearly 25 years of sales and management experience, more than 20 of it at Taylor Corporation in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area working for client 3M Promotional Markets. She started as a sales representative and rose through the ranks to become National Sales Manager. During her tenure at 3M, Maday gained print product sales experience with large and small roll-fed presses, silk screening, flexo presses and digital presses.

When Maday initially considered the opportunity with 色情论坛, she was particularly intrigued by the term ‘disruptor’ in the job description. 鈥淒uring my visit to the Marceline location, I had the opportunity to meet with each leader and gain valuable insights into their openness to change,鈥� Maday shared.

Maday will be responsible for establishing and implementing processes, tools and structures to support the commercial sales organization’s operations, as well as directing and developing sales strategy, operational plans, tactics and processes that will drive revenue growth and accomplish financial objectives. 

鈥淲e鈥檙e very excited to bring someone with Stephanie鈥檚 qualifications on board to lead our commercial sales team,鈥� said Don 色情论坛, President of 色情论坛. 鈥淎fter meeting with Stephanie and exchanging ideas on the future of our commercial business, I was convinced she is the leader who will not only help us achieve our growth goals, but exceed them.鈥�

Maday said the opportunity to join 色情论坛 became irresistible after meeting with the company鈥檚 senior leadership, hearing their vision for the future and witnessing their deep commitment to the 色情论坛 employees.

“My goal, when joining an organization, is to enhance the employee experience by empowering individuals and ensuring they have the necessary tools and support to succeed,” said Maday. “The success of any organization is driven by its people, and it was 色情论坛’s unwavering commitment to its employees that attracted me to this opportunity.”

Maday said she will be spending her first several weeks traveling and visiting each of 色情论坛鈥檚 printing facilities in Marceline, Missouri; Fulton, Missouri; Saint Joseph, Michigan, and Ripon, Wisconsin, in an effort to learn as much as possible.

“My approach is to take the time to observe, learn and listen with a genuine curiosity about the current state,” said Maday. “My objective is to gain a comprehensive understanding of each role and its contribution to 色情论坛’s success, while also securing alignment from the team on the path forward. Securing buy-in from all employees is essential, as they are ultimately responsible for executing the company鈥檚 vision.”

A native Minnesotan who has spent much of her life in the Mankato, Minnesota, area, Maday graduated from Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato with a business degree.

About 色情论坛

色情论坛 is a top-three yearbook printer, a top-five book and magazine printer, a catalog printer and the only family-owned printer of yearbooks. Started in 1937 by Don 色情论坛, current leadership is under the second and third generations: Don O. 色情论坛, Chairman of the Board, and his son, Don 色情论坛, President. Tripp 色情论坛, the fourth generation, also joined the company in 2023. 色情论坛 operates from administrative offices and book printing and binding facilities in Marceline, Missouri; a prepress facility in Brookfield, Missouri; a sales and marketing office in Overland Park, Kansas; and magazine and catalog printing facilities in Saint Joseph, Michigan; Ripon, Wisconsin; and Fulton, Missouri. Additionally, 色情论坛 owns the Donning Company Publishers, a specialty book publisher.

The post 色情论坛 Brings Stephanie Maday Aboard as New Executive VP of Commercial Sales appeared first on 色情论坛.

This unique combination of words and pictures also takes communication to the very highest level. For example, it鈥檚 one thing to introduce a powerful new comic book character through dialogue. However, you can make that dialogue much more impactful by demonstrating their immense power through stunning visuals and vibrant colors in an intense battle.

Comic book illustrators do an amazing job of mixing old art forms into modern design. Look through comic books and graphic novels and you鈥檒l see influences of realism, renaissance, surrealism and minimalism as well as current graphic design trends. The writers and artists are experts at blending the words and visuals together for a compelling reading experience.

The First Challenge: Taking RGB to CMYK

But unless you understand the nuances of converting RGB design files to CMYK print files, the results can be disappointing. While it鈥檚 not rocket science, the process definitely goes beyond pushing the 鈥渃onvert file鈥� command to achieve the best results.

Just for the sake of clarity, let鈥檚 do a short review of RGB (red, green, blue) and CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) color models. RGB is how your computer (or any digital device) displays color. It is additive in nature, meaning that it displays color by adding light. When you mix all three colors together when working in RGB, you get white.

The color gamut of neither model can display all the colors visible to the naked eye. But the RGB gamut is larger than the CMYK gamut. RGB can display 16.7 million possible color values vs. about 16 thousand possibilities in CMYK.

How CMYK Differs From RGB 

CMYK is the color model used in printing. It involves a subtractive process that displays color by absorbing light. In other words, the ink displays the color. All four CMYK colors mixed together at different percentages can produce a rich black.

Notably, CMYK is unable to display neon colors. That鈥檚 because neon colors have fluorescence, enabling them to reflect more visible light than other colors. CMYK colors can only be as bright as the underlying substrate, which is usually paper.

So, you can see the obvious challenges resulting from the size differences of the two color gamuts and the way that they each display color. Designers who work in RGB and then make a file conversion to CMYK will likely find some of their colors dull and muted.

How to Get the Most Out of CMYK

One recommendation is to create your files in CMYK. This allows you to see more accurately what you鈥檙e going to get in print. It also allows you to tweak the color before sending it for processing. Thus, you maintain more control over the final appearance of your comic book or graphic novel artwork.

Some other file conversion tips include:

• Convert RGB to the correct colorspace, either grayscale, CMYK or spot color.
• For spot color being printed in CMYK, convert to CMYK in your native file before releasing or converting to a PDF file.  And remember that no Pantone color converts to CMYK with absolute accuracy. Be sure to ask for a swatch.

If you want to ensure the colors will reproduce correctly, request a color-accurate proof of a few pages or the entire book from your printer.

Get Familiar With ICC Profiles

There鈥檚 no chance of reproducing accurate color if your scanner, computer or monitor are inaccurate. This is where (ICC) profiles come into play. ICC profiles contain a set of data that characterizes a color input or output device. In short, each device in your design workflow that inputs or displays color can be assigned a profile. These profiles define the color gamut that the devices are capable of displaying.

The first step is to determine the color gamut of each of your devices. If they are different (say your computer is RGB and your monitor is DCI-P3) then you need to import the differing  ICC profile into your computer operating system to ensure accurate color display.

Likewise, graphics and digital images have their individual profiles. They will only display accurately if you match the ICC image profile with the monitor and import the corresponding ICC profile into your computer鈥檚 operating system. 

If all this sounds a bit daunting, there are software programs available that simplify the process.

Seek a Printer With G7^庐 Certification

The challenges don鈥檛 stop once you optimize a file for accurate color reproduction. Different printing methods, such as digital, inkjet and offset, all reproduce color differently. developed the G7^庐 specification that 鈥渄efines a universal appearance for black-and-white imagery (or a printed grayscale), as well as how to calibrate and control any printing or proofing system to achieve that appearance.鈥�

Controlling grays makes color images also look as pleasing to the eye as possible without ICC profiles. But for even greater accuracy on color-critical work, G7 can be combined with ICC color management.

G7 also brings some RGB benefits to CMYK. RGB files from one digital display usually look reasonably accurate on another, say your computer to your smartphone. The reason is that all video display devices produce the color gray from equal RGB values as well as typically sharing a common 2.2 gamma. Thus, black-and-white images appear very similar wherever displayed.

G7 provides a universal standard for printing gray in CMYK. Previously, lightness and contrast could vary significantly across different printing technologies and even from press to press within the same technology.

G7 now provides a simple calibration method for any printing system to match its definition of gray balance and neutral tonality. In short, if you printed the first run of your graphic novel on a digital press and later printed a longer run offset, G7 would enable each run to color match closely to one another. G7 is all about getting the same predictable color output every time, whether your comic book or graphic novel is running on a digital press or an offset press 鈥� regardless of the substrate.

Pay Attention to Press and Paper

The printing technology and the paper you choose will also impact your file preparation and color reproduction. Getting the best results requires using the correct line screen for both the print technology and the paper.

The glossier the paper, the finer linescreen you can use. Less gloss (or no coating at all), means more absorption of the ink and a coarser screen. Check with your print provider, but these are generally acceptable line screen ranges (dots per inch or DPI) for the main press technologies:

• 100-133 DPI 鈥� coldest/non-heatset web
• 133-175 DPI 鈥� heatset web
• 120-200  DPI 鈥� sheetfed
• Line screens don鈥檛 apply to digital printing

In preparing files, the best approach is to use a DPI that is 1.5-2 times the actual linescreen used when printing. Set your raster and transparency settings to high resolution and be certain to arrange type in the uppermost level. A good default standard is 300-350 dpi.

Address Ink Issues

One other thing you want to pay attention to is ink density, which is the thickness of the ink layer on the paper. The combination of all the process colors (cyan, yellow, magenta and black) at full strength would be 400% ink coverage, which is not necessary to achieve a rich black color. Keep in mind that some print technologies can reproduce more density than others. Different papers can also handle more density than others.

Again, you should always check with your print provider, but here are general ink density guidelines: sheetfed (300%, 270% if UV coating); coldest/non-heatset web (260% for offset paper, 245% for groundwood paper, 235% for newsprint); heatset web (310%) and digital (320%).

And as a final tip, be aware of the effect of varnish on ink. High gloss varnish deepens hues, creating a rich, even surface that reflects light. Meanwhile, dull varnish softens ink, moderating its intensity for a subtler effect.

Call the Experts at 色情论坛

Our clients include some of the industry鈥檚 most recognizable names, from Dungeons & Dragons and Minecraft to art books for Larry Elmore, the noted fantasy illustrator whose work appears in Dungeons & Dragons, Dragonlance and his own comic strip series, SnarfQuest.

色情论坛 constantly invests in the equipment, services and solutions to meet the demands of this dynamic publishing segment. Our ability to handle quick turnarounds with ease is supported by advanced premedia capabilities (including G7 certification), multiple print platforms, a robust bindery and deep mailing and distribution know-how.

And we can help you reach your audience where they are. While print forms the core of your distribution strategy, you may also incorporate digital strategies to expand your reach, enhance engagement or address readers鈥� preferences. We can provide you with digital publishing apps, website solutions and other content delivery options to maximize your reader connections.

Getting in touch is simple. Just submit your information and a friendly 色情论坛 associate will be in touch within 24 hours.

The post Nail Your Comic Book Artwork With Precision Color Printing appeared first on 色情论坛.

According to the Mordor Intelligence study, North America is the largest geographic market for comic books while Asia Pacific is the fastest growing. Mordor Intelligence considers the market to be moderately consolidated with media companies such as Marvel Entertainment, Dark House Media, Image Comics, DC Entertainment and Archie Comics being the major players. But there鈥檚 plenty of room for smaller publishers and upstart self-publishers as well.

Major comic book genres include fantasy, romance, history and science. Captivating stories and intriguing illustrations help drive the global popularity of comics and their graphic novel subset.

So, comic books and graphic novels represent a growing yet competitive market. And being so visually driven, publishers need to ensure that their print versions, which form the core of even the largest comic book media companies, live up to readers鈥� expectations.

The Role of Paper in Comic Book Printing

Creating great print in any form begins with good paper choices. That鈥檚 why we鈥檙e offering our latest blog post, 鈥淓ssential Guide for Choosing Comic and Graphic Novel Paper.鈥� We want your words and graphics to pop off the paper and engage your fans.

We also know that selecting paper may seem routine. But despite significant industry consolidation, there are still many choices. And getting your stock selection right is one of the most important decisions in creating outstanding comic books and graphic novels.

Traditional Comic Books

The standard size for a comic book is 6.625 in x 10.25 in, with four to six story panels on each page, and covers are normally 6.75 in x 10.5 in to allow for bleed, though comic book sizes are highly dependent on what fits on the racks at comic stores. Though page counts can vary, 24-32 pages remain the norm. That鈥檚 mainly dictated by printing equipment that most economically produces eight- and 16-page forms.

For many years, inexpensive newsprint was the standard comic book paper. That changed in the early 1990s when Marvel Entertainment began using higher-quality, coated paper. They offered both basic and deluxe versions for a period of time, but the higher-quality, gloss editions soon eclipsed the basic versions, which then began to fade nationwide.

Today, most interior pages of major-publisher comic books are either 55 lb. gloss text or 70 lb. gloss text. Covers are typically 80 lb. gloss text. Varnish, UV gloss or aqueous coating are common for additional pop and durability.

Ultimately, you determine the look and feel of your comic book, which should reflect your audience and publishing objectives. For example, if you want to capture a vintage look, then your choice might be an inexpensive, lightweight uncoated stock with a heavier matte or satin-finish cover. And you might combine that by specifying the vintage size of 7.75 in x 10.5 in. These choices would provide a way-back look while offering more longevity along with a more substantial feel.

Graphic Novels

The graphic novel format emerged in the 1960s and 1970s but didn鈥檛 become mainstream until the late 1980s. Author, columnist and bookseller Richard Kyle coined the terms 鈥済raphic story鈥� and聽 鈥済raphic novel鈥� in his 1964 column which appeared as a feature in The Comics Journal (鈥淩ichard Kyle in Retrospect,鈥� Dan Nadel, September 7, 2017). From that point on, graphic novels, in particular, referred to longer-form, more complex comic book narratives that go beyond superheroes to tackle more complex genres and themes.

Graphic novels also have a clear beginning, middle and end, whereas comic books are generally extracted from a larger story. The graphic novel form covers fantasy, fiction, non-fiction, history, fantasy and even current affairs in an accessible way.

Both adults and younger people consume graphic novels. According to Aisling O鈥橫ahony The Publishing Post), 鈥�With the power to make literature increasingly accessible and engaging, graphic novels have cemented their reputation as a serious literary artform.鈥� In 2022, graphic novels accounted for the third-highest-selling fiction genre, with 35 million copies sold in that year alone.

Graphic Novels Have No Standard Size or Paper

While comic books lean heavily toward a standard size and paper grade, graphic novels do not. They can be whatever you choose, though more common trim sizes are 6.5 in x 8.5 in, 5.5 in x 8.25 in, 5.75 in x 8.25 in, 6 x 8.5 in and the standard comic book size of 6.625 in x 10.25 in.

You can choose softcovers or hardcovers, though most graphic novels are softcover, perfect bound. Printing runs the gamut from one to four-color process. But if you鈥檙e looking for norms, most graphic novels use an 80 lb. gloss cover that will likely be aqueous or UV coated.

Yet there are many reasons that you might choose papers outside the norm. These include:

• Intended use and desired durability
• Page count
• The aesthetic appeal you鈥檙e trying to achieve
• Shipping weight considerations
• Budget

Whether you鈥檙e printing a traditional comic book or a graphic novel, request paper samples. You can also obtain paper samples with ink drawdowns to see how the paper and ink will interact.

Getting into the Weeds of Paper Selection

There are many nuances to paper selection. Here is more in-depth information for comic book and graphic novel publishers who wish to take a deeper dive into the world of printing papers.

Understanding Pounds Vs. Grams in Paper Weights

One small complication in specifying printing paper today is the introduction of foreign-manufactured stocks that use the metric system to determine basis weight. In this system, it is the weight of one square meter of paper expressed as grams per square meter or gsm. Basis 60 in the North American system means that 500 sheets of 25鈥� x 38鈥� 60 lb. book paper weighs 60 pounds. The metric equivalent of the same paper is 89 gsm.

Here is a simple conversion chart for coated cover and book weights. You鈥檙e unlikely to use cover weights in standard comic books, but graphic novels are another matter.

Coated Cover聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 Coated Book (Text)

Uncoated Papers

There is one other complication with uncoated paper when you move from one grade to another 鈥� like bond to offset. The tricky part is that the standard size can change from grade to grade as well as with cover stocks.

Other Factors Influencing Your Comic Book or Graphic Novel Paper Choice

Brightness

The paper鈥檚 ability to reflect a volume of light, the measurable reflection or brilliance of the paper. Premium coated papers have a TAPPI (North American Standard) brightness level above 88 and No. 1 papers have brightness levels from 85-87.9. No. 5 stocks have a brightness of 72.9 and below. Higher brightness is generally preferred among designers today. So, a coated paper with a brightness of 98 is an extremely bright sheet that illuminates transparent printing inks, giving a cleaner, crisper color and better black contrast. Papers may be sold based on TAPPI, ISO (European standard) or D65 Brightness (based on perceived brightness for paper viewed in north sky daylight) standards.

Whiteness/Shade

The ability of the paper to reflect all colors of light equally across the visual spectrum. Thus, the whiteness measure is more in line with your visual perception, and there is a general consensus that the higher the whiteness rating, which also uses a 0-100 scale, the whiter the paper. Choices among 鈥渨hite鈥� papers range from balanced to red and blue shades. Blue is generally perceived as being brighter and adds intensity to images with cooler colors.

Holdout

The ability of a paper to uniformly hold ink on the surface. Higher holdout means sharper dot reproduction and increased ink gloss.

Opacity

The property of paper that minimizes image show through from the reverse side or from the next sheet. Achieving opacity becomes increasingly challenging with lighter stocks and is one of the reasons groundwood is sometimes added to lightweight grades.

Bulk

The thickness of paper when compared to its weight. A high-bulk paper is thicker but less compact than a low-bulk paper of the same weight and size. Bulk can be a factor in the final thickness of the printed piece and can impact shipping costs or merchandising. You may get fewer books in a carton or a display rack even though the papers are the same weight.

Smoothness

The even and consistent continuity of the surface is achieved mainly through the calendering process. Calendering, however, comes with a tradeoff, as the process tends to flatten the paper, making it less stiff and opaque. Manufacturers compensate for calendering in their base formulations.

Digitally Optimized

Because toner-based and inkjet printing systems are different from offset lithography, they often require papers that are digitally optimized. The cost for these papers is continually coming down while selection is increasing. Despite the advancements, digital print production still requires matching the paper to the press and considering issues such as static, paper grain direction, ink coverage and image quality requirements. Your print provider will know approved stocks for its digital printing systems. If you want to try other papers, be sure to test a small quantity first.

Finish

Choosing the right finish is critical to achieving the desired result. Uncoated offers a wide range of finishes as well as colors. Coated paper finishes, from least to highest gloss, include matte, dull/silk, gloss and cast coated. Uncoated paper finishes include laid, smooth/wove, vellum/parchment, felt and eggshell.

How 色情论坛 Can Help With Paper Selection

色情论坛 has years of experience printing and distributing comic books and graphic novels. Our clients include some of the industry鈥檚 most recognizable names, from Dungeons & Dragons and Minecraft to art books for Larry Elmore, the noted fantasy illustrator whose work appears in Dungeons & Dragons, Dragonlance and his own comic strip series, SnarfQuest.

When it comes to paper, we offer a complete paper procurement program. Our high volume allows us to purchase in large quantities at very competitive prices. We also offer ancillary services such as providing swatches, dummies and ink draw-downs. Our representatives welcome opportunities to work with your design team.

And if you share our goal for sustainable print, our team will collaborate with yours to address the entire print production and distribution supply chain. Our integrated approach helps comic book and graphic novel publishers consider how their materials will be printed, distributed, used and recovered, as well as the impact of the paper selection and other actual raw materials used in production.

Getting in touch is simple. Just submit your information and a friendly 色情论坛 associate will be in touch within 24 hours.

The post Essential Guide for Choosing Comic and Graphic Novel Paper appeared first on 色情论坛.

Read the full announcement below.

A recommendation by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy not to raise prices in January 2025 for Market Dominant products, which includes First-Class Mail, was accepted by the Governors of the United States Postal Service. Accordingly, the price of a stamp to mail a 1-once single-piece First-Class letter will not increase.

The Postal Service鈥檚 operational strategies are designed to boost service reliability, cost efficiency, and overall productivity.

鈥淥ur strategies are working, and projected inflation is declining,鈥� said Postmaster General DeJoy. 鈥淭herefore, we will wait until at least July before proposing any increases for market dominant services.鈥�

The Postal Service remains committed to continued cost saving measures and to keeping its products and services affordable. Only a handful of countries have a lower price for a domestic single-piece letter.

Lastly, the Postal Service continues to deliver on the tenets of the 10-year plan, while executing our public service mission 鈥� to provide a nationwide, integrated network for the delivery of mail and packages at least six days a week 鈥� in a cost-effective and financially sustainable manner over the long term, just as the U.S. Congress intended and the law requires.

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The rate increases would affect select commercial and retail domestic competitive parcels, including Priority Mail Express (PME), Priority Mail (PM) and USPS Ground Advantage. Assuming the changes are approved by the Postal Regulatory Committee (PRC), these price increases would go into effect on Oct. 6, 2024, and cease on Jan. 18, 2025.

In their update, the DMM Advisory wrote:

The U.S. Postal Service filed notice today with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) regarding a temporary price change for some package services for the 2024 peak holiday season. This temporary price adjustment is to help cover extra handling costs to ensure a successful peak season.

The planned peak-season pricing, which was approved by the governors of the Postal Service on Aug. 8, would affect prices on the following commercial and retail domestic competitive parcels: Priority Mail Express (PME), Priority Mail (PM) and USPS Ground Advantage. No other products or services would be affected. Pending favorable review by the PRC, the temporary rates would go into effect at midnight Central on Oct. 6 and remain in place until midnight Central on Jan. 19, 2025.

This seasonal adjustment will bring prices for the Postal Service鈥檚 commercial and retail customers in line with competitive practices.

As a strategic part of the 10-year plan, these temporary changes will support the Postal Service in creating a revitalized organization capable of achieving our public service mission 鈥� providing a nationwide, integrated network for the delivery of mail and packages at least six days a week 鈥� in a cost-effective and financially sustainable manner over the long term, just as the U.S. Congress has intended.

The planned price changes include:

Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage: Zone 1-4

Commercial:

• $0.30 cents increase for Zones 1-4, 0-3 lbs.
• $0.45 cents increase for Zones 1-4, 4-10 lbs.
• $0.75 cents increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.
• $3.00 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail Zone 5-9

• $0.70 cents increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs.
• $1.25 increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs.
• $2.75 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
• $7.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.

USPS Ground Advantage Zone 5-9

• $0.35 cents increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs.
• $0.75 cents increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs.
• $1.25 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
• $5.50 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage: Zone 1-4

Retail:

• $0.40 cents increase for Zones 1-4, 0-3 lbs.
• $0.55 cents increase for Zones 1-4, 4-10 lbs.
• $0.95 cents increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.
• $4.00 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail Zone 5-9

• $0.90 cents increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs.
• $1.45 cents increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs.
• $3.25 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
• $8.50 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs

USPS Ground Advantage Zone 5-9

• $0.50 cents increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs.
• $1.00 cents increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs.
• $2.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
• $5.85 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail Express:

Commercial:

• $1.00 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-3 lbs.
• $1.75 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs.
• $1.50 increase for Zones 1-4, 4-10 lbs.
• $3.95 increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs.
• $3.50 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.
• $7.50 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
• $8.95 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs.
• $13.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.

Retail:

• $1.10 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-3 lbs.
• $2.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs.
• $2.00 increase for Zones 1-4, 4-10 lbs.
• $4.85 increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs.
• $3.90 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.
• $9.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
• $9.75 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs.
• $16.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.

The PRC will review the proposed prices before they are scheduled to take effect on Oct. 6. Complete USPS price filings, with prices for all products, can be found on the PRC website鈥檚 Daily Listings section at . Price change tables are also available on the Postal Explorer website at .

Notably, the Postal Service has some of the lowest postage rates in the industrialized world and continues to offer great value in shipping.

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Savvy publishers support this passion in a variety of ways. City/Regional magazines often are defined by their great design, excellent photography, insightful long-form journalism and superior printing.

As a result, subscribers regard these magazines as luxury items. They keep one issue until the next arrives (or even longer) and look forward to kicking back and losing themselves in their beloved communities. Simply put, local magazines win the hearts of their readers every month.

Promoting Positive Community Themes

Turn on your evening news and you might think your city is about to combust in crime, violence and political conflict. People get tired of the negativity and sensationalism. They know their cities and regions have a far better side. They enjoy immersing themselves in the cultural, social and physical characteristics that define 鈥渢heir place鈥� and support its ongoing progress.

Content That Makes Community Connections

City/Regional magazines help readers celebrate the storied past, exciting present and promising future of where they live. For example, among the most popular content of local magazines are 鈥淩eaders鈥� Choice鈥� and 鈥淏est of鈥� issues. The magazine invites readers to vote for their favorite businesses in a wide range of categories. Readers enjoy participating and getting to name the best their city or region has to offer.

That鈥檚 not to say that city/regional magazines are filled with editorial fluff and promotions. They include serious pieces as well and are a bastion for long-form journalism written by expert staff and freelance writers. Their feature storytelling prowess further engages readers in their communities.

Visually Showcasing the Community

Another way city/regional magazines win hearts is through high-level production. These magazines often provide both a visual and tactile experience that screams quality. The typography, visuals, design, printing and paper combine to create a luxurious item that reinforces the good vibes about the city, its neighborhoods, the people and the surrounding region. It鈥檚 not a stretch to say that city/regional magazines represent an art form in themselves. One that makes readers treasure each copy and eagerly await each new issue.

Consider the , a 160-page, large-format, print-only, regional-specialty magazine that publishes twice per year. It has a paid subscriber base of 24,000 and ships in a cardboard envelope to ensures arrival in optimum condition. Annual subscriptions are $70, plus a shipping charge calculated at checkout.

Mike Rogge, the owner and editor who revived the iconic publication four years ago, limits advertising to just 10 brands deemed a cultural fit. And yes, advertisers do get turned away. As you can imagine, the publication is filled with stunning photography and long-form storytelling all focused on mountain culture.

The point is that these geographic-centered magazines endear themselves to readers by delivering more, not less. Notably, this comes at a time when some magazine publishers are pulling back on paper quality and color, making city/regional publications even more of a treat. Add in the fact that virtually everything about the magazines helps celebrate the positive culture that defines these localities, and you have a formula for winning readers鈥� hearts and minds.

Advertisers Become Part of the Family

Advertisers know the importance of reaching their target audience and establishing a positive connection. And city/regional magazines create an ideal environment for advertisers to win loyal customers.

For starters, city/regional magazines provide a readership that is passionate about supporting all things local. That makes a great environment for local businesses as well as larger advertisers with a strong local presence and community commitment. As the publishers of (a free NY-based title) say, 鈥淓ssentially, we hand the microphone to the small businesses who support our magazines, helping them to build a strong name in the community.鈥�

To this end, some city/regional magazines are also extending their print readership to create a digital community for daily interaction. For example, a print article on planning the perfect wedding in a particular city might be written by a local wedding planner. An online Q&A with the planner further engages the audience while providing more lead generation for the author-advertiser. The key to strengthening the reader relationship is to have a sound print-to-online strategy.

色情论坛 Connects With City/Regional Magazines

We live and breathe special-interest publications and promote them at every opportunity. Our multiple publication facilities currently print and distribute more than 225 monthly and quarterly titles. We have a special enthusiasm for the unique role played by city/regional magazines.

That鈥檚 not just idle talk. We constantly invest in the equipment, services and solutions to meet the demands of this dynamic publishing segment. Our ability to handle quick turnarounds with ease is supported by advanced premedia capabilities, multiple print platforms, a robust bindery and deep mailing and distribution know-how.

We can also help you reach your audience where they are. While print forms the core of your distribution strategy, you may also incorporate digital strategies to expand your reach, enhance engagement or address readers鈥� preferences. We can provide you with digital publishing apps, website solutions and other content delivery options to maximize your reader connections.

Getting in touch is simple. Just submit your information and a friendly 色情论坛 associate will be in touch within 24 hours.

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But how can you achieve consistent, accurate print color?

Color Modes

There are a few different ways to achieve accurate print color. In general, RGB is used for electronic displays like your computer screen, and CMYK is typically used in offset printing.

CMYK

Most commercial printing uses the CMYK color model. Those four letters each represent a color: cyan, magenta, yellow and black. Think of it like this: you start with a white sheet of paper, then the sheet gets darker as more color is added. Combining the colors you have (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) creates a vast palette. CMYK is called subtractive mixing because as colors are added to the page, the light reflected from the page is reduced.

RGB

The RGB model uses red, green and blue color combinations to create a wide array of colors. RGB is known as additive mixing because you start with black, then add and combine red, green and blue light to get colors. The more color you add, the more light gets reflected off the page or screen. If you mix all your colors, you get white.

Spot Color

Spot color is used when you need a precise, specific color. For example, a John Deere catalog might use spot color to ensure they get that specific shade of green. If you have a specific Pantone color you鈥檙e using 鈥� maybe the 鈥� you might use spot color.

鈥淭he thing to be careful of with Pantone is that there is absolutely no substitute for a swatch book or an ink drawdown. What you see on a screen 鈥� even when looking at Pantone鈥檚 own website 鈥� can be drastically different from how the actual ink will print,鈥� Prepress technician and Certified G7 Expert John Myers cautioned.

Setting Yourself Up for Success

There are a few things you can do to set up your publication for accurate print color.

When designing, Myers recommends working in CMYK whenever possible. This is because art created in RGB colorspace will need to be converted to CMYK ink channels. This can cause unexpected changes in tonality (how light and dark the image is).

鈥淭he color you see on the screen is not necessarily what you will see on the printed piece. There is no substitute for printed samples or color proofs when it comes to knowing exactly what you are going to get,鈥� he said. Myers also recommended looking at your samples under different lighting conditions, like fluorescents, LEDs, natural light, etc.

If you prefer designing your publication in RGB, most programs will allow you to convert from RGB to CMYK. 色情论坛 can accept RGB images, but we recommend our customers convert to CMYK before submitting their files.

One common color issue we see is with font colors. Sometimes fonts intended to be 100% black will contain cyan, magenta or yellow, which will affect the color of your text. (CMYK needs black as a fourth color because combining just cyan, magenta and yellow will create a deep brown instead of a true black.) Fortunately, this is a fairly easy issue to check. In InDesign, you can use the Separations Preview to see if the black type contains other inks. In Acrobat Pro, Output Preview can be used the same way.

One more way to ensure accurate print color is by seeing the product for yourself. Myers recommended visiting for a press check if possible.

鈥淧rinting is infinitely more complicated than it can seem from the outside and getting an inside look at what goes into creating the finished piece is invaluable. Come to the plant and watch the presses run, give input on color on the fly, and learn more about how the sausage is made, so to speak.鈥�

Precise Printing

We鈥檝e used the term 鈥淕7 certified鈥� a lot. But what does it mean?

The G7 certification program is an international calibration methodology that helps ensure uniform color across all print mediums. When a commercial printer achieves G7 certification, it shows their commitment to quality and consistency. G7 qualification is issued according to three distinct compliance levels. The qualification is issued to the facility 鈥� for example, 色情论坛鈥檚 plants in Fulton, Missouri, Ripon, Wisconsin, and Saint Joseph, Michigan, achieved G7 certification independently. A printer must meet the requirements for each G7 compliance level to achieve .

G7 Grayscale: The fundamental level of G7, this compliance level ensures that neutral tones are calibrated to match with the ideal G7 neutral density curve. Successfully printing these colors makes it far more likely a printer can recreate other colors across the CMYK spectrum.

G7 Targeted: This level is achieved when Grayscale compliance is met, and the solid ink measurements for primary and secondary colors (CMY and RGB) and substrate colors are within the spec of the G7-based color targets.

G7 Colorspace: This level demonstrates that extremely tight tolerances are maintained throughout the entire color spectrum, using an entire IT8.7/4 target. This level is also divided into printing and proofing processes, with stricter requirements for proofing.

A G7 certification means you can expect excellent on your printed project.

The Importance of Proofs

鈥淭he biggest concern for getting color right is consistency,鈥� Myers said. 鈥淚f you want one printed piece to match another or to match a physical product, you need to be very careful about how the art is built and supplied to the printer. Once again, there is no substitute for printed samples or color proofs when it comes to knowing exactly what you are going to get. Things like lighting can play a very important role If you’re looking at something under fluorescence versus natural light or incandescent.鈥�

If you鈥檙e serious about creating an exact color profile, it鈥檚 important to carefully proof your product, as there are many factors in the printing process that can affect how colors appear. 鈥淚n the industry, we also talk about paper as being the fifth color, because the substrate you print on can be wildly different from another. You could print the same page on the same press on two different substrates, and they could look wildly different depending on the quality of the paper and what kind of optical brighteners are used,鈥� said Myers.

Getting It Right With 色情论坛

You want your colors to be perfect. Getting accurate print color is important to 色情论坛. Our G7-certified facilities and experts can help ensure you receive a product that looks great. Reach out and one of our dedicated Sales Representatives will be in touch.

The post Color Correct: Why and How to Achieve Accurate Color Representation in Print appeared first on 色情论坛.

But that鈥檚 not your problem 鈥� it鈥檚 ours. And as an experienced printer and distributor of geographic-based publications, we have some advice.

Look Beyond Printing Presses

Don鈥檛 dwell solely on the ink-on-paper aspect. Make no mistake 鈥� it鈥檚 critically important, and you want to ensure that your print partner has advanced equipment featuring multiple print platforms. You also want to ensure that your printer has a reputation for executing special-interest magazines at the highest level.

But pay equally close attention to prepress and distribution. Those areas likewise yield big dividends in both efficiency and quality. Printing companies with distribution expertise give you a huge leg up in consistently achieving on-time delivery.

Seek Seamless Digital Workflows

PDF-based production is today鈥檚 defacto standard. You鈥檙e more than likely using it now. However, not all workflow systems are created equal. To maximize efficiency and file accuracy, you need a seamless digital workflow that links all aspects of print production as well as linking your system with the printers.

The more complex your needs, the more important technology becomes. Processes such as content management, collaborative prepress workflows and personalization/customization all rely on high technology at the front end.

But just having advanced technology isn鈥檛 enough. Your provider needs to apply it to your benefit. For instance, a provider may have great digital prepress technology, but the best will also have G7 Certification. This means you鈥檒l get the same predictable color output every time, whether your magazine is running on a digital press or an offset press鈥攔egardless of the substrate.

Obsess on File Preparation

Having noted the importance of the printer鈥檚 technology, everything starts with getting your file right. Many time-consuming errors occur because of improperly prepared files.

Although your printer will undoubtedly run your file through their own software, the cleaner and more accurate your original file the better. Anything that鈥檚 missing or out of spec causes a file to be incomplete and can result in costly delays. Sending duplicate files or previous issue files also can cause unnecessary confusion.

Set your raster and transparency settings to high resolution and be certain to arrange type in the uppermost level. Image resolution will vary by print production method and paper, but a good default standard is 300-350 dpi.

Many workflow systems also work with pages, so be sure to export your PDFs as pages using your printer鈥檚 PDF export settings 聽(these are typically available on their website or by reaching out to them). Also be sure to extend the bleed to the gutter. Note: when exporting PDFs you may get a 1/8 inch bleed from the facing page — that is expected and taken care of when imposing the pages in prepress.

Seek Mailing and Distribution Expertise

You don鈥檛 need a lecture about the cost of mail distribution. You鈥檙e all too aware that mailing costs can exceed all production costs combined.

With so much resting on this phase, you must have complete faith in your plan as well as the systems and people executing it. Best-of-class magazine printers will be front-loaded with systems for data management and mail list processing. They鈥檒l have a laser focus on minimizing postage costs and meeting critical arrival dates.

You can鈥檛 settle for second-rate solutions in this make-or-break area.

Downstream, top providers should offer advanced CoMail and pool shipping options. Keep in mind that smaller circulations often benefit more from CoMail than larger circulations. Although city/regional magazines often begin with more penetration of a specific geographic area and receive better presort levels, presenting the mail into that area can often reward work share delivery discounts.

Except for some minor design requirements and schedule flexibility, the CoMail process is pretty straightforward. The printer or service provider combines your list with the lists of other magazines to form a much larger mailing pool, resulting in lower costs. Plus, you can participate in CoMail with circulations as low as 5,000.

Seek Access to Subject Matter Experts, Education & Training

The combination of stretched personnel, lower training budgets and ever-evolving technology can create the perfect storm for disaster. You鈥檒l benefit from a printer that invests in the education and training of their own staff and yours.

You鈥檒l gain even more advantages if that printer has deep experience in the special-interest publication world. When your provider knows the ins and outs of the publication business, it takes a load off you. And with increasingly collaborative workflows, knowledge sharing is more important than ever.

Education and training can take many forms鈥攂logs, newsletters, white papers, webinars, technical sheets and both small group and one-on-one training opportunities. The availability of certified subject matter experts (think Adobe Certified Instructor or USPS Regulations Expert) is a big bonus.

Partner with 色情论坛

We live and breathe special-interest publications. Our multiple publication facilities currently print and distribute more than 225 monthly and quarterly titles. We have a special enthusiasm for the unique role played by city/regional magazines.

That鈥檚 not just idle talk. We constantly invest in the equipment, services and solutions to meet the demands of this dynamic publishing segment. Our ability to handle quick turnarounds with ease is supported by advanced prepress workflows, multiple print platforms, a robust bindery and deep mailing and distribution know-how.

We can also help you reach your audience where they are. While print forms the core of your distribution strategy, you may also incorporate digital strategies to expand your reach, enhance engagement or address readers鈥� preferences. We can provide you with digital publishing apps, website solutions and other content delivery options to maximize your reader connections.

Getting in touch is simple. Just submit your information and a friendly 色情论坛 associate will be in touch within 24 hours.

The post Streamlined Solutions for Local Magazine Printing and Distribution appeared first on 色情论坛.