You’ve no doubt run across information about utilizing “5S” methodology to make your business run more efficiently and systematically. It’s a process that Miles Printing, a certified women owned (WBE) commercial printer, has put into place. We take it seriously – and so does our staff.

The “5S” process comes from Japan. It is a work process that describes how items are stored and how business order and peak efficiency can be maintained using a simple philosophy. The 5S process builds a clear understanding among employees of how work should be done. It also instills ownership of the process in each employee.

The five “S’s” refer to a list of five Japanese words:

• Seiri - sorting
• Seiton - ordering
• Seiso – systematic cleaning
• seiketsu - standardization
• shitsuke – safety

Miles Printing embraces 5S methodology for our printing processes and use the system in all work spaces, allowing our employees to work at peak efficiency. We even apply the 5S system to such things as ink storage for our DI presses, keeping our inks in stock and carefully organized.

By using the 5S method, Miles Printing provides our clients with efficient, top-notch service and finished pieces. Which means you can depend on us to have better, smarter, quality control for our clients.Tweet

What is typography? A boring definition of typography, according to about.com would be, “the practical and artistic arrangement of type and printing with type.” Although there is nothing wrong with defining it in that way, typography is much more.

It started in the early days of printing with the invention of the moveable type and printing presses. Pressmen could arrange the type on the page in any way they would like. The drawback then, was that the fonts were standard and there wasn’t much variation. As things moved forward, typography was actually a unique occupation until the digital age and then things started to change. Now, typography is almost like art. You can arrange your type in any way that you would like it. Bold the letters, italicize, make every letter look different, it really is just what is appealing to the eye and the type of work you are doing.

A cool design aspect with typography is that it’s common now for typography to be used to spell out shapes with words. You can see an example of that here: Ki6rcXvUWP0

The most important thing about typography is that you need to make it interesting.  To the consumer, if it is boring to look at it, it might be boring to read. Use appealing colors, switch it up and don’t overload the design. Typography can be a lot of fun; you just have to use your imagination!Tweet

Miles Printing is a proud sponsor of Women In Hi Tech who recently had Nikki Lewallen of Rainmakers speak at one of their events on “How to be a rainmaker in your networking.”

Here are the highlights from Nikki’s message:

• The number one skill needed by today’s professional is the ability to network (Success Magazine).
• Strive to becoming a Rainmaker in your networking.  This is a person with an abundance mindset and a daily practice of service.
• Get to know people and let people get to know you.  What is your ‘WHY’?  Share it.
• Become “Best of Breed” and “Top of Mind”
• Keep your introduction SIMPLE.
• Have goals for your networking time.
• Develop a brainstorm, a strategic tree, of the best relationships you can build to help you achieve your goals.
• Know you have great value to provide.
• Remember that networking rooms are not meant to be a sales environment.  Networking rooms are intended to build relationships that can help you get the introductions you need.
• Give, Give, Give!
• Have a system for your follow up.

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We recently blogged about 5s Methodology and it seems to be a hot topic.  We have been asked to show some of our before and after photos.  So here is one of our completed products!

As part of our manufacturing process, we keep each project in a “job ticket”.  This job ticket is an envelope that holds all the important details on a specific project that we are unable to store electronically.  Things contained in the job ticket are clients approved proofs, samples, mock-ups, etc.  We keep these job tickets for at least one year.  Since we produce more than 10,000 jobs a year, you can see why we needed to create a storage system for these job tickets.

Previously, we had a wall of racks where we stored the 9 x 12 tickets horizontally in numerical order.  Our invoicing clerk Amanda would have to carry all the tickets to the wall each evening and file them (before).  If you needed to reference one of these tickets you would just pick a spot on the wall, see what number it was and try to judge where the number you needed would be.  Returning the envelope also posed a problem.  Many times the racks were a little snug so you had to wiggle the ticket back in place which left the wall far from tidy looking.

Now (after) we have a dedicated cabinet with sliding doors, which looks much nicer and it holds individual baskets.  These baskets have a label on the front to identify the job ticket numbers that are contained inside.  Now Amanda can keep the latest basket in her office until it is full and then place it on the shelf!

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You’ve no doubt run across information about utilizing “5s” methodology to make your business run more efficiently and systematically.

So what is all the hype about and what really is 5s?

It’s a process that we here at Miles Printing have put into place.

The “5S” process comes from Japan. It is a work process that describes how items are stored and how business order and peak efficiency can be maintained using a simple philosophy. The 5S process builds a clear understanding among employees of how work should be done. It also instills ownership of the process in each employee.

The five “S’s” refer to a list of five Japanese words:

• Seiri - sorting
• Seiton - ordering
• Seiso – systematic cleaning
• seiketsu - standardization
• shitsuke – safety

Miles Printing embraces 5S methodology for our printing processes and use the system in all work spaces, allowing our employees to work at peak efficiency. We even apply the 5S system to such things as ink storage for our DI presses, keeping our inks in stock and carefully organized.

By using the 5S method, Miles Printing provides our clients with efficient, top-notch service and finished pieces. Which means you can depend on us to have better, smarter, quality control for our clients.Tweet

What is “print collateral”?    Print collateral is a term that includes business marketing items such as business cards, letterhead, capability brochures, fliers, postcards, folders, signage, and more.

In today’s digital and paperless world, one could argue that printed material is unnecessary and a low priority for businesses, especially for smaller businesses.

Here is why we feel it is important to invest in print collateral:

A potential client who receives or sees a piece of your collateral will judge your company on what is presented.  This happens whether they vocalize it or if it is just a thought in their head.  Making a first impression is very important and something that can never be redone.

If a high quality collateral piece is presented, the recipient knows that the company takes pride in itself.  The thoughts of “Wow, they invested a lot on this simple pocket folder, imagine how much more attention they place on client’s projects.”

On the other hand, however, negative thoughts can be drawn if a low quality piece is presented.  For example, lets use a business card printed on a home or office printer.  People who see this card, whether it was the initial recipient or someone down the line, get the impression that for some reason, the company felt it was not important to invest in an impressive piece.  This stems thoughts like “will their products be the same or not the best the can be with very little attention given to them?”

What does your print collateral say to others about your company?

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I am sure you have heard about changes happening at the United States Postal Service (USPS) and more than likely, these changes affect you.  Whether your concern is postage rate increases, no saturday mail delivery or regulation changes in folded mail pieces – we can help walk you through the changes.

The USPS changes to folded mail (aka Folded Self Mailers FSM) seem to be the hot topic among our clients.

Here is a great video explaining the changes to FSM’s 

Here is a summary of the changes:

• MAXimum SIZE is now shorter (6″ x 10.5″)
• You can NO longer use PERFED TABS (aka wafer seals)
• MUST have 2 TABS minimum
• There is now a PAPER weight requirement (Must use either 70# or 80# text)
• FOLDING requirements have changed
• FLAPS now have specific requirements on placement

Please make sure you contact your printer or mail house if you have an upcoming project that is a FSM (even if it is a reprint).  Many times postage cost are higher than the production costs of these pieces and you want to make sure you are getting the best postage rates possible.

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Miles Printing boasts about being a certified Woman-owned Business Enterprise (WBE).

And here’s why…

• Woman in a leadership encourages young women to pursue management and business ownership.
• Women are, by nature, listeners.  They listen to understand and learn and are inclined to seek input.  They want to know how others feel and what their opinions are. They make informed decisions after receiving the benefit of the thinking of others.
• Women leaders are more likely to ignore rules and take risks which leads to innovation.

Why do you think it is important to have Women in Leadership?Tweet

Miles Printing is striving to be an environmentally conscious printer.

We believe in being good stewards of the natural resources we have been given.

Here is a great piece from Unisource titled “Six Myths About Paper”.

• Myth #1: Making paper destroys forests.
• Myth #2: Paper is bad for the environment.
• Myth #3: The paper I use consumes a vast amount of energy.
• Myth #4: Paper has a high carbon footprint.
• Myth #5: Recycled paper is always better for the environment than virgin paper.
• Myth #6: Paper contributes significantly to landfills.

Is your print partner environmentally conscious?Tweet

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