Printed Services

The Problem:

With the advent of the color copier and the associated technology getting better all the time, having anti-counterfeiting features built into your high-value printed documents is a necessity, not a luxury. At Cordes Printing, we have the ability to incorporate many overt and covert security features into your printed pieces to help guard against fraudulent activity, without blowing your budget.

The Solution:

Combining 2 or 3 security features is usually a sufficient deterrent to making a quick copy of an original document. A counterfeiter has to go to considerable trouble and expense to create an accurate duplication and in most cases the end result doesn't justify that much effort.

Overt Security Features

Sometimes referred to as Sensory or First-Level Security, Overt Security features are noticeable with little training and no special tools. Overt features include:

Thermochromic Ink: Remember mood rings? This is a similar idea where a printed image is applied to the document. When heat is applied (pressing a finger against the image is usually all it takes) the color of the image changes or even disappears. The image reappears when the heat is removed.

Gloss Imaging: A background image is printed in a clear coating which is visible to the naked eye. Copiers cannot reproduce this image. Works especially well on coated paper.

Holographic Foil: A spot of foil or any pattern or shape can be applied to your ticket or document. Typically only a small area is needed as the larger the area the more costly the process gets.

Embossing or Debossing: These processes deform the sheet of paper by either creating a raised area (embossing) or an indented image (debossing).
 
Coin Rub: Invisible image or text printed typically on the back of a document, that when rubbed by a coin reveals the text or image.

Split Fountain: Two colors are printed on the background of the document and allowed to "mix" together, creating a blended color where they come together which is almost impossible to duplicate on a digital imaging device.

Numbering (Batch and/or Barcode): Documents are numbered, sometimes using an alphanumeric number which can be tracked back to a database of documents issued.

Covert Security Features

Referred to as Second-Level features, Covert Security Features are not as obvious to the naked eye and require simple tools and minimal training to authenticate. Covert includes:

Pantograph: Printed background reveals the words "VOID", "COPY" or "UNAUTHORIZED COPY" when a duplicate is produced on a photocopier.

Micro-Text: What appears to be a heavy line on the document is actually readable text when viewed with a magnifying glass. Text this small cannot be reproduced by copiers.

Black Light Image: Invisible printed image or text that is revealed under black light.

Common Applications:

High-value printed pieces are good candidates for security printing measures. Included in this list would be:

Certificates
Diplomas
Coupons
Tickets to Events
Raffle Tickets
Policies
Warranties
Identification Cards
Forms

Debossing

Debossing works the same as embossing, except the surface of the page is recessed, rather than raised, by the effect. The process involves the same types of dies and takes place on a letterpress.

Debossing and embossing are distinctive touches most commonly used for "showpieces" such as announcements, invitations, postcards, business cards, and stationery. But they're just as useful for brochures, annual reports, and any other printed piece you want to stand out from the crowd.

Die Cut

Not all printing projects require a nice, straight cut along the edge of the page. Some need curved cuts, odd-shaped cuts, fancy cuts, or internal cuts. When your design calls for a specialty cut, call on the experts at our print shop.

Our bindery department can handle any cutting need. With access to state-of-the-art die-cutting equipment, we'll work hard to ensure the perfect cut every time. Choose from hundreds of specialty dies, or have one custom-made to your unique specifications. Call for details.

Our die-cutting services are great for:

• Table tents
• Door hangers
• Die-cut postcards
• Rounded corners
• Keyhole cuts
• And more

Embossing

Embossing is an art as old as printing itself. The process involves pressing paper between specially cast metal dies attached to a letterpress. The result is a raised impression on the page that matches the design of the die.

Embossing dies can range from very simple shapes with flat, smooth surfaces to more elaborate creations with contours, depth, and intricate detail. In either case, the result is a crisp, elegant effect well-suited to any printed piece.

Foil Stamp

Looking for a unique and classy way to spice up your printing? Consider adding a foil-stamped line, logo, or other design element to the page. Use foil stamping to dress up your stationery, letterhead, business cards, booklet covers, report covers, presentation folders, and specialty print jobs.

Our commercial-quality foil stamping equipment uses heat to apply a thin layer of metal foil to a printed sheet of paper. Gold, silver, and a variety of other colors are available. We can help you choose the right foil or combination of foils as well as the right placement on the page to give your piece the perfect feel.

Invitations

In recent years, letterpress printing has become the method of choice for wedding and event planners looking to make their invitations as memorable as the occasions themselves. Known for producing rich textures, beautiful lines, and crisp, clear typography, the centuries-old process delivers elegant, distinctive results every time.

A letterpress invitation can capture the significance of any event you're planning. We offer a variety of traditional and non-traditional paper choices and will work with you to make your invitation stand out and look great.

Scoring and Slitting

When you need to fold a printed project that is on heavier card stocks of paper, we suggest you have it scored.

Scoring puts a groove in the paper that ensures the fold is accurate and doesn't damage the ink or paper.

Collating

Collating is the process of gathering individual sheets and other elements of your printing project and assembling those elements into a final product.

Copiers can collate automatically, but did you know that we can quickly and efficiently collate other items, too? Our high-speed collating equipment can bring together all the elements of your project, saving you the time it would take to hand-collate the project. The next time you have a big project that requires collating, keep us in mind - we make it so easy, you'll never want to hand-collate again.

Folding

When you need high-speed folding, you've come to the right place. Our bindery/finishing department provides many different options for folding. Our high-speed folding machines can fold at speeds exceeding 5,000 sheets per hour. Many different folding formats are available, and for more unique folding jobs, we also offer several hand-folding options.

We can provide unlimited quantities of folded materials for your special printed projects.

Hand Work

Do you have a special project that needs a unique touch? We do gluing, tying, folding, labeling, collating, stamping, inserting, sealing, product attachment, kitting, packing—and just about anything else you can imagine. Our bindery services department is fully capable of handling all your labor-intensive needs.

Hole Drilling

It sounds a little funny, but we're experts at drilling holes. We have powerful hydraulic paper drilling machines that feature many different sizes of paper drills and enable us to position the hole just about anywhere on the sheet of paper. Just remember to allow 1/2 an inch of extra margin for three-hole drilling along the side of the sheet of paper.

Here's an interesting note: Did you know studies have shown that people tend to save printed items longer if they are three-hole drilled? Marketing experts think that subconsciously we tend to feel like we need to put a three-hole drilled sheet into a ring binder or save it for future reference.

Laminating

Simply put, laminating prolongs the life of your printed projects. How?

• Increases durability
  
• Preserves colors
  
• Enables your projects to withstand moisture
  
• And protects your projects from fingerprints, abrasions, and smudges.

In addition to the many ways it preserves your projects, laminating also has the power to revolutionize your presentations by allowing for hassle-free display of your documents under a variety of conditions. Plus, the glossy finish gives your projects a professional look that you can be proud of.

Next time you want to add a little something extra to your printing, let us laminate your printed projects for you!

Numbering

Many carbonless forms and invoices require sequential numbering. Numbering is an inexpensive and effective way to maintain accurate records and improve organization.

We can number a variety of papers and sheet sizes. Choose from black or red ink, as well as descending or ascending numbers on most printed projects.

Paper Cutting

We have very sophisticated, computerized, digital paper cutters that are extremely fast and accurate.

Our commercial paper cutters feature high-pressure hydraulic clamps to prevent paper shifting and razor-sharp carbon steel blades to guarantee the most precise cuts.

Perforating

Perforating a printed form can create an easy-to-remove response card, coupon, or customer feedback form.

Our wide variety of perforating blades gives you flexibility when designing pieces that need to separate effortlessly. We can also design pieces that can stand up to the rigors of post office mailing equipment without pulling apart.

Our highly trained and knowledgeable staff will happily offer suggestions and solutions for your perforating needs.

Shrink Wrapping

We use high-quality shrink wrap materials to provide you with an attractive and secure method of bundling larger quantities of printed materials. Our versatile shrink wrap process uses semi-automatic equipment to meet high-volume demands without compromising quality. We can shrink wrap materials as small as a business card and as large as 11 x 17 posters.

Stitching

Did you know that "stitching" is another word for stapling? The only difference is that the phrase stapling is generally used when you're trying to bind together no more than 40 pages. Stapling is done with lightweight desktop equipment. Stitching generally requires an industrial-sized, floor-mounted piece of equipment. At our printing firm, we have a variety of stapling and stitching machines that can handle any type of book or printed project you need to assemble.

Postal Presorting

Our mail presorting services save you money on postage and speed delivery time.

Our advanced mail presort technology lets us barcode and presort your mail according to 3 and 5 digit ZIP code. Presorted mail is easier and faster for the USPS to process. The ease of processing allows the Postal Service to charge us, and you, less postage. Whether it's first-class or standard mail, we get you the best possible postage rates. In order to accurately process mail and integrate it into the mail stream, we use high-speed sorting machines and recognition systems that are very similar to the ones used by the Postal Service. We can CASS certify your mail, spray barcodes (if necessary), and sort mail into the most accurate 'final destination' ZIP code. Once sorted by ZIP, the mail is put into trays and presented to the USPS for mailing at a discounted rate on your behalf.

CASS Certification

CASS is a United States Postal Service (USPS) acronym for Coding Accuracy Support System. The term CASS is widely used by the USPS when they refer to the verification status of an address list. In order for an address list to receive CASS certification, it must be checked against the USPS Address Matching System (AMS) CD-ROM, and the 11-digit delivery point ZIP code and corresponding barcode must be added. Only addresses with the delivery point ZIP code and barcode are eligible for "automation" bulk mailing rates. A mailing list must undergo address verification every six months (every three months for carrier route mailings) and is particularly important to mailers because of the difference between the "automation" and "non-automation" mailing rates, which is about $.05 per piece. For a 10,000 piece mailing, CASS certification of the address list could save the mailer approximately $500.

Our mailing services department uses the latest CASS certification technology (in-house) to help our customers keep the cost of their mailings as low as possible and to ensure a high percentage of delivery success.

Database Management

Keeping your mailing list organized and up-to-date can be challenging. Let us manage and maintain it for you. We'll store your customer data securely in our database—updating it, weeding out bad addresses, and ensuring its accuracy every time. Our database management solution is designed to optimize delivery and ensure the best rate possible for all your mailings. It also makes it easy to personalize your materials and target your mailings based on predefined criteria. So before you try to go it alone with your mailings, give us a call. We're here to help.

INKJET address

Personalization can play a key role in the success of your direct mail marketing campaigns. Even something as simple as a personalized headline or greeting can have a significant impact on response. That's where our state-of-the-art inkjet address service comes into play. Once we print your mailer, we can personalize it as we address it, all in one easy step. Choose any font you'd like, any size, and any ink color. Our equipment can even add a personalized or static headline or ad line anywhere on the mailer at the same time it's applying the address.

Prefer address labels instead? We can do that, too. We can even barcode and live stamp your pieces as they're being addressed, saving time and ensuring better accuracy. Our equipment can print on virtually any surface, including coated papers designed to withstand the wear-and-tear of automated Postal Service sorting equipment. It's just one of the many services our mailing department provides to ensure better results for you.

Inserting

Whether a simple, one-page sales letter in an envelope or a multi-piece marketing kit (letter, several brochures, training CD, reply form, etc.), our printing firm can put it all together for you accurately and fast. Our high-speed automatic inserters allow us to handle very large mailings. We've also perfected a fast and accurate method of hand insertion for those projects which cannot be done by machine.

Post Office Delivery

When your mailing is completed, you are welcome to pick it up at our office, or we can deliver it directly to the post office for you. We are experts at completing USPS paperwork (which is often complicated and confusing), and we have a lot of experience working with the bulk mail department at the post office. We strongly suggest you allow us to work with the post office on your behalf. There is a small cost for our service, but we can save you a lot of time and possible frustration. Allowing us to handle your mailing project from concept to post office delivery is a smooth, one-step process that saves you time, money, and stress.

Postage Discounts

The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers significant discounts for volume business mailings and nonprofit organizations. These discounts apply to basically all types of business mail and can significantly reduce the cost of postage at your company.

When you work with a mailing services specialist at our printing firm, you can be sure you'll receive the lowest postage rate and the best possible delivery times.

Unlike traditional mailing houses, we're unique because we have the ability to take your mailing piece from design through delivery to the post office. We specialize in mailing services project management. Why would you want to have your mailing project designed at one place, printed at another, and then mailed at a third place? We can save you significant time—and hassles—when you let us manage the entire print and mail process for you.

Qualifying for discounts
To qualify for mailing discounts, your mailer must meet certain guidelines set by the USPS. Generally speaking, your piece must meet size restrictions (length, width, and thickness), weight restrictions, and design/layout requirements.

Nonprofit mail
A qualified nonprofit organization is entitled to significant mailing discounts over standard mailing rates.

Presorting - DPBC (Delivery Point Barcode)
Presorted mail that is sorted by ZIP code and imprinted with a barcode prior to delivery to the post office can save you money. The USPS gives discounts to companies who participate in their "revenue sharing program" (that's really what they call it). In order to receive these discounts, your mail must be CASS certified, sorted, trayed, tagged, sleeved, and strapped... all services we provide.

To learn more about postage discounts and designing an effective mailer, visit the USPS's helpful Business Mail 101 resource page.

Print-Then-Distribute

Ever feel like there aren't enough hours in the day to accomplish everything you need to do? You're busy enough already. The last thing you need to worry about is finding the time to swing by your printer, pick up your mail pieces, and deliver them to the post office for distribution. Let us handle that for you. The folks in our mailing services department work closely with the Postal Service. We know all the ins-and-outs and can make sure your materials go out when you want them to... without any hassles, headaches, or delays. So relax. We have you covered.

Tab Sealing

Tabs, sometimes called wafer seals, are a USPS requirement that must be applied to all self-mailers. Tabs prevent the open edge of your mailer from jamming the Postal Service's high-speed processing equipment. Our mailing services department can apply one or two tab seals easily as part of our inline mail processing capabilities. Choose clear plastic, paper, or customized tabs to complement the design of your mailing piece.

X-date Fulfillment

Need your mailer to go out on a specific date? Just let us know, and we'll make sure it gets printed in time, then work with the Postal Service to ensure it's distributed on the date you request.

Graphic Design

Our professionally trained graphic designers are computer artists who know how to use their creative abilities to improve the look of your printed projects.

Creative use of color, typography, photos, and illustration can dramatically improve the effectiveness of your project. Good design can help create a favorable impression that makes your company and its products stand out in the crowd.

Our designers are skilled at creating attention-getting brochures, sell sheets, booklets, manuals, and newsletters. They also specialize in the creation of business forms and all types of workplace documents.

Photography

Adding photos to your company's brochures and flyers can be a great way to get prospective customers interested in your products. In addition to meeting all your printing needs, we can take the pictures you need to complete your desired look. Our digital photography equipment enables us to set up a photo shoot for your products, which saves you a trip to a photographer, and keeps your entire project under one roof. We would be happy to provide this service for you, just let us know what you need and we will work with you every step of the way!

Proofreading

Misspelled words, poor punctuation, and glaring grammatical errors can damage your credibility and hurt your professional image. While software spellcheckers can catch many simple mistakes, others require a keen eye and expert understanding of proper English grammar and usage. These are traits you'll find in the proofreaders at our printing firm.

Affectionately referred to as our "word nerds," our proofreaders are meticulous in what they do. Whether editing a multi-page newsletter or reviewing a single-page sales letter, we make sure our customers look—and sound—their best before they go to press.

Direct Mail Marketing

Newer technologies and distribution channels have made some people question the effectiveness of direct mail marketing in today's business world. But smart marketers continue to find success using direct mail. A recent study from MarketingSherpa found that 79% of more than 1000 marketing professionals questioned still consider direct mail to be effective or very effective marketing.

And why not? Done properly, direct mail marketing can deepen customer loyalty and increase front-of-mind awareness for a company and its brand.

When you're ready to launch a direct mail campaign, we can help. We're experts at creating super-successful direct mail materials that "wow" customers and prospects alike.

From creative concepting and eye-catching design, to expert production, mailing list curation, and efficient, effective distribution, we can manage your direct mail project every step of the way. Whatever the goal, we'll help you get the word out and succeed.

Mailing Services

When your printed project is finished, we can also manage your mailing services to save you time and energy. We offer a full-service, turn-key mailing solution. To learn more, follow the links in the Mailing section above.

New Product Launch

Say you're launching a new product and want to give it a competitive edge. Or perhaps you're ready to introduce your services to a new market or to a new segment of prospects who have previously gone untapped. Whatever the case, you want to make a big splash, but you also want to make sure it's the right kind of splash (think Olympic diver vs. cannonball or belly flop). That's where we come in.

Our marketing support team provides the services and expertise you need to make a positive impact (and impression). From printed postcards, product literature, PURLs, and media kits to complete multichannel marketing campaigns, we'll get you started on the right foot and lead your journey every step of the way.

One-to-One

All business is personal, whether we realize it or not. The fact is, companies don't do business. People do. Understanding the personal nature of business is what one-to-one marketing is all about.

One-to-one marketing can take different forms, depending on the medium involved.

• In email marketing it may mean a personalized message, tailored to a person's specific interests or tastes, with a PURL that takes the person to an offer, again tailored specifically to them.


• For direct mail, it might mean a postcard, flyer, or brochure using variable data to make the recipient feel more appreciated and less like just "postal patron" number 48927.


• For website visitors, it could be anything from a personalized greeting on the homepage and content selected based on personal preferences to an ad delivered based on geography and other demographic data.

Whatever the case, we can help with all your one-to-one marketing needs—from gathering pertinent customer information and storing it efficiently, to designing highly targeted marketing campaigns that put that data to its most effective use. Give us a call. We're here, just for you.

Personalizing

Personalizing occurs when each of the printed pieces includes the name of the person who's receiving it. Instead of saying "Dear Occupant" or "Dear Sir or Madam," the mailer would say, “Hi Tom, here's a special offer for you!"

Variable Data

Have you ever received something that you know is bulk mail, but yet you read it because it is personalized with your name? It's amazing how seeing your name in print can raise the level of curiosity you have about the contents of a mail piece. Your customers and prospects will have the same reaction when they receive a mail piece that has been personalized using variable data printing.

Variable data printing enables you to be more intentional about your marketing strategy by providing a way to personalize any printed piece. However, moving personalized information from a database to paper can be a difficult task, especially when the database is large or complex. We can help.

We would be happy to partner with you in exploring the world of variable data printing. Call our print shop today for more information about how you can incorporate variable data printing into your company's marketing strategy.

Versionizing

Versionizing is a type of variable data printing where different versions of the same printed piece can be automatically printed on a digital press. For example, a postcard direct mail piece could be printed in one color for men and a different color for women.

Booklet Binding

We have many, many options to choose from when you need to bind your booklets, manuals, or catalogs.

Here are some of the more popular binding products and services we offer.

• Our booklet making machine - A truly amazing piece of equipment that collates, staples, and folds loose sheets into very nice and professional looking booklets.
  
• Comb binding - The classic round plastic bindings that require nineteen little square holes in each sheet of paper. This process can be used for books up to 400 pages. Pages can be added or removed easily. And the finished book lies flat when opened.
  
• Tape bindings - Known for its strength and durability, tape binding is frequently the choice of librarians and graduate school professors. Works best with documents up to 300 pages.
  
• We also provide printed or plain covers, clear acetate covers, and other types of bindings for specialty projects.

Coil Binding

Coil binding, also known as spiral binding, is a commonly used bookbinding style for creating documents, reports, presentations, and proposals. This binding style is known by a number of names, including spiral coil, color coil, ez-coil, plastic coil, spiral binding, plastikoil and coilbind. Documents bound with spiral coil have the ability to open flat on the desk or table and offer 360° rotation for easier note-taking. Durable and strong, this binding method is often used for documents that need to be mailed. Spiral-coil-bound spines are available in more colors and sizes than other binding styles. Please call us to learn about the many options we have available.

Comb Binding

Comb binding is one of the many ways to secure pages together into a book. This method utilizes round plastic spines, 19 rings, and a hole puncher that makes rectangular holes. Comb binding is sometimes referred to as plastic-comb binding or spiral-comb binding, too. Our printing firm has a large variety of different-sized comb bindings, ranging from 3/16 of an inch (for 10 sheets of 20# paper) up to 2 inches (for 400 sheets of 20 pound paper). We can also provide a variety of different colors to enhance the appearance of your project.

Stapling

Stapling is one of the simplest – and most effective – methods of binding used today. In addition to stapling loose sheets together through the front of the page, we can saddle-stitch (staple through the spine) magazines and other multi-page items such as catalogs, annual reports, and newsletters.

Saddle-stitching is a sturdy, durable, and attractive binding option. The number of pages our saddle-stitching equipment can bind together varies depending on the weight of the paper used, but the results are the same every time: nice, clean, and professional.

B&W Digital Printing

Black and white digital printing is one of our specialties.

We have the capabilities to produce big copy jobs very quickly. Our commercial-quality, high-speed copy equipment provides high-quality images at a surprisingly low cost!

When you need fast, inexpensive copies of higher quality than you can get on your office copy machines, give us a call. We're ready to help!

Color Printing

The demand for full-color printing is exploding, and why not? Studies have repeatedly shown that full-color printed materials are more "influential" and promote higher response rates than two-color or black-and-white materials. This holds true whether those print pieces are used for sales, marketing, or educational purposes. Adding color will cost more, but it serves a useful purpose. If you're considering moving up to full-color printing, give us a call. We're experts at color printing and look forward to putting our knowledge to work for you.

Docutech Printing

Digital means quality and speed in today's business world, and the Xerox Docutech has made high-quality, short-run, digital printing an affordable option for businesses of every size. Not just a high-speed copier, the Xerox Docutech printer allows for high-resolution, digital output at astounding speeds. Each copy is an original all its own, with crisp, clean images and clear, sharp edges.

Docutech printing is excellent for one-to-one marketing and makes it affordable to personalize your company newsletters, sales presentation handouts, and other printed materials for each recipient, targeting their specific needs. Eliminate waste by ordering shorter runs of sales flyers, trade show handouts, spec sheets, and other printing that requires frequent updates, using preprinted shells and then dropping in the most up-to-date information later using our Docutech. Short-run catalogs and manuals are created at a price no office printer or copier could match, with exceptional clarity and professional imaging.

Litigation Copies

In the courtroom, a single case can require thousands of individual documents, all carefully reproduced and painstakingly organized. Whether it's paper originals or computer files, we can copy, enlarge, mount, and laminate your court materials to look their best when you need them the most.

Litigation jobs demand speed and precision from an experienced hand, but more importantly, they require complete confidentiality on the part of our employees. No amount of speed and accuracy can make up for a breach of confidence. That's why we never compromise our commitment to maintaining confidentiality.

Government copying. Medical records. Legal briefs. Whatever the need -- large or small -- we can handle all your litigation needs. Our wide range of litigation copy services includes:

• Color copies from books, slides, photos, maps, charts, and graphs
  
• Black and white copies
  
• Enlargements in black and white or color
  
• Full-color exhibits
  
• Oversized document reproduction
  
• Custom or standard index tabs
  
• Two or three-hole drilling
  
• Complete bindery services
  
• Bates stamping
  
• Mounting

And when we're finished, your originals will be returned to you in pristine condition, just as we received them.

We're proud to provide exceptional service and quality while preserving your clients' privacy. Let us show you what we can do for you today!

Spot Color Printing

Spot printing provides depth to your project by adding one or two additional colors in key locations on the page. Spot colors can be added to any standard one, two, or four-color project. They're great for overprinting logos, company colors, and other key elements that require exceptional color accuracy.

Two-Color Printing

Two-color printing uses two colors of ink (most often black and a second color) to create a dramatic contrast for a variety of printing needs. Less expensive than full-color printing, two-color printing is often used for business cards, flyers, brochures, letterhead, stationery, envelopes, and other similar office or business documents, to produce an eye-catching image at a competitive price.

Studies show that two-color printing is more effective at attracting attention than its one-color counterpart. We have hundreds of ink colors to choose from and can even create a custom-mix for you.