Nova News

FIT Visits Nova

Thu, 4 Nov 2010 13:30:34 -0400

We are always pleased by our annual visit of students from FIT - Packaging Materials and Methods Class. The students were giving a plant tour. It's always great to see students amazed as they see a photograph of themselves printing on a printing press. A follow up Q&A session lasted for over an hour.

We look forward to seeing more FIT students in the up coming semesters.

Canon imageRUNNER Advanced C5045

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 09:17:11 -0500

We are pleased to announce that Nova Graphics has just installed a new Canon imageRUNNER Advanced C5045. This new color copy machine can Copy / Print / Send / Fax / Store jobs up to 12" x 18" at up to 1200 x 1200 dpi.

Canon's commitment to protecting and sustaining the environment is stronger then ever. With the imageRUNNER Advanced Series, Canon has incorporated new green technologies that further conserve energy and resources, reduced CO2 emissions, and help prevent pollution.

Please stop by to see this new machine in action!

Nova Has Joined Twitter

Tue, 1 Dec 2009 13:14:08 -0500

We are pleased to announce that Nova Graphics has Joined Twitter. We will be sending out regular announcements as well as Hot Specials on a daily basis. Please stop by and follow us at  http://twitter.com/Novagraphics

Cards Mean Business

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:57:33 -0400

In today's world of e-mail, Palm Pilots, cell phones and social networks, are business cards obsolete? A resounding "NO" say most business experts, who agree that a professional-looking business card helps your networking effort and enables prospective customers to easily connect with you.

Still, business cards have changed, or should we say, evolved, from the days of the black and white traditional card. While certainly still appropriate for professionals like lawyers and physicians, today's best business cards are memorable ones: creative, whimsical or, occasionally, flat-out off the wall.

A business card, in its best form, should reflect a person's professional personality. We've heard of a particularly flamboyant casino executive who shunned the traditional business card route in favor of contact information imprinted upon a $100 blackjack chip. Designers, graphic and otherwise, have been known to request round, oblong or other unusually-shaped cards in materials that range from clear plastic to rubber or sturdy fabric, instead of the more common card stock. And colors? Don't even ask.

Your options when it comes to today's business cards are endless. But, no matter what format you choose for your card, following a few simple rules will make sure your cards mean business:

Is Your Marketing Material on the Mark?

Wed, 20 May 2009 12:56:17 -0400

Sales brochures, product information, rack cards, posters and signage: Together, they form a vital part of your company’s marketing strategy.

But is your marketing collateral really effective?

Effective marketing materials should sell the product or experience you represent, be distinctive, and provide your target audience with pertinent, easy-to-understand information in a visually appealing format.

While this may sound simple enough to achieve, many companies fail to establish specific goals and objectives before design begins. The end result is a printed piece that may be attractive in terms of
appearance but fails to present a cohesive picture or effectively communicate the message you envisioned.

How can you avoid this? Successful marketers agree that the following, important steps should be taken before even one word of copy or a single design element hits the drawing board:

•What is your objective in creating this piece? Involve your sales and executive staff in a discussion of what, exactly, you hope to achieve with this piece. Steer clear of vague objectives like “increasing sales” and, instead, identify specifics like “attracting more lunch-time business” if you’re in the food service industry, or “stimulating low-season cruise bookings” if you’re in the travel business.

•What is your “call to action”? Do you want to drive customers to your website? Do you want to capture passersby? Do you want your target audience to seize a special, specific offer?

•How will this piece be used? Will the piece be mailed, handed out, displayed in a window or all three?

epitoME

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 10:51:22 -0400

Potential employers are everywhere: the guy you’re chatting with in a bar or on an airplane or even the person you strike up a conversation with on the subway!

Now you can be ready to pitch your skills and experience to anyone at any time with the epitoME pocket resume, a handy business-card size that lets you provide an in-depth resume on the spot! No more exchange of e-mail addresses or uncertainty as to whether your resume was received, with epitoME, you’ve impressed this casual contact with both your resume and your innovation!

Is it time for a Trim???

Thu, 5 Mar 2009 16:11:07 -0500

Cut Your Business Costs Fast...and Painlessly

Who isn't looking for ways to save money? Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can economize without taking drastic measures or reducing head count. Some of these strategies save just a few bucks while others can save you hundreds.

Keeping costs down isn't only a strategy to employ during a recession, though. It's always smart to keep an eye on costs. Consider implementing some or all of the following today and you'll be on your way to maintaining a good, cost-monitoring approach to your business that will work for you in good times and in bad:

Conserve Your Energy: Nobody needs to tell you that energy costs are soaring. Thankfully, these are among the easiest costs to contain. Turning off unnecessary lights, keeping heating and air conditioning at a reasonable level and extinguishing the power at the end of the working day are the most obvious cost-saving strategies. Consider, too, an investment in energy-efficient light bulbs which, though initially more costly, use two-thirds less energy than traditional bulbs and can last 10 times longer. Depending upon your particular office, you might investigate weather-stripping, caulking doors or sealing windows in order to keep out the cold and heat.

A Better Deal: Negotiate with your mobile phone provider and internet services. When times are tough, special deals may be available to stimulate greater sales. Is your local market for office space down? If so, you might be able to negotiate a lower rent.

Plan Ahead: Organize shipments to avoid costly overnight or next-day charges.

Wasted Space: Has downsizing resulted in unused office space? Consider renting the empty desk space out to an independent business person.

Giclee Prints

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:06:10 -0500

If you're an artist, you're certainly familiar with Giclee art prints, the extraordinarily high-quality brilliant reproductions that remain color true for decades. Even if you're not an artist, Giclee prints are something you'll want to have in your home or office!

Unlike most traditional printing which uses dot screen patterns, Giclee art prints are produced through an ink-jet process utilizing special light-fast inks. The absence of a dot screen results in exceptionally vivid reproduction and, best of all, this ink-jet process is compatible with any paper stock or fabric. Imagine your favorite photo applied in full, vivid color to a durable piece of canvas! Suddenly, the image takes on not only the true, lifelike colors of the original experience, but a texture that mimics an original oil painting, suitable for framing and decades of enjoyment.

Consider a Giclee print reproduction of your wedding photo, a family portrait, you child's first birthday, your pet, or any person or event you want to capture in a very special way. Reasonably priced, a Gilcee art print makes the perfect gift, too!

Rethink The Recession!

Mon, 2 Feb 2009 10:34:58 -0500

As a nation, the United States has endured nine recessions from 1950 through 2000--a total of 94 months or 14% of that 50-year time span. The average recesson has lasted 11 months, although the recessions that hit in 1975 and 1982 lasted 16 months.

Our current recession, which The National Bureau of Economic Research has confirmed began in December 2007, has again plunged our country into the fear and uncertainty that comes with hard economic times. Individuals fear the loss of jobs; companies fear a sharp decrease in business, one that forces massive layoffs or, in the worst case, the company's demise.

Fortunately, there are steps that a company can take during a recession to help maintain sales in the short run as well as in the long run, and a key step is continued promotion.

A study by McGraw-Hill Research shows that companies that maintained or increased their advertising and promotion during the 1981-1982 recession experienced enduring sales gains. In fact, the 600 companies analyzed, those that aggressively advertised throughout the recession, enjoyed sales that were 258% higher than companies that cut back on advertising during this time and those sales continued through the recession and into better times.

Cut Costs ... Keep Printing

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:20:16 -0500

Slashing your advertising budget to save money? DON'T! You can continue to advertise and save money at the same time by employing creative promotion strategies that deliver the biggest bang for the buck!

• If glossy, 4/c brochures are your norm, scale back to a 2/c piece or reduce paper sizes to reduce costs. Usually print 2-sided flyers? A single-sided one can be just as powerful and you'll save on creative and printing costs.
• Planning to reduce the frequency of your mailings? Maybe you should rethink that. Less contact means less awareness. Why not mail 3rd class postage to reduce costs or try a promotional postcard instead of a more costly brochure or flyer?
• People are frightened during times of uncertainty. Emphasize your guarantee, offer a sample or trial period, produce an informational booklet so they'll see exactly what they're investing in.
• Recycle...ideas, that is! Save on creative costs by resurrecting a previously successful sales piece or campaign.

How often do you reach for a scratch pad to scribble a note or two? Consider a handy, inexpensive cube pad, imprinted with your company's name and phone number. Send it to customers and potential customers and your service will always be in reach.