Haven’t you always been fascinated by magnets? Ever since I was a child, the idea of metal that mysteriously gravitated to another metal just fascinated me.

Well, thanks to technology (and a company called MagneCote), there is a magnetic product that is specifically formulated for sheet fed printers.  The back of the material is a magnet and the front is a coated white stock suitable for offset printing.

Because we still think magnets are pretty cool, Miles Printing became a certified MagneCote printer. We are one of only four MagneCote certified printers in Indiana.

We recently had a client who wanted to send a magnetic postcard through the mail.  This was actually a pretty difficult request, since both sides of the card had to be printable to meet postal regulations and there are no magnet substrates suitable for printing on 2 sides, let alone mailed.

This USPS-approved postcard mailer is also a magnet. How cool is that?!

We came up with the idea of printing two pieces and laminating them together to accomplish what the client was looking for.  A printed MagneCote side with the customer’s message was laminated to a gloss cover reverse side for mailing.  The final piece was “kiss cut” on our die cutter so that the end user could peel off individual magnets to create words and phrases. Voila’ – a very attention getting direct mail piece.

This piece will receive customer attention when it is mailed, and that’s not easy to do these days. We absolutely love this… dare we say it? – magnetizing — printing solution and, more importantly, so does the client!Tweet

When you think about selecting a printer for your Indianapolis commercial printing project, you’ll likely consider things like paper stock, quantity, completion date, and the look of your finished product. Of all these considerations, it is the type of ink used in your printing job that has the capacity to most affect your finished look, turning it from a “ho-hum” invitation to a real show-stopper!

And that’s precisely where Miles Printing excels. Miles prints with 100% UV inks, which are not only “green,” but also give us the capability of doing VERY creative things with coatings.  UV coatings are more high gloss than traditional inks, and when they are coupled with flat inks and coatings the results can be highly edgy and attention getting.

Miles POP UV inks allow for matte vs. gloss contrasts that can't help but grab attention.

Take a look at this invite Miles POP produced for a local event. The invitation featured a spot gloss UV coating on a graphic element – while the rest of the invitation had a more “matte” or flatter feel. You may have seen this same effect  in a lot of national high-tech packaging these days for cell phones and iPods, for instance.

Next time you have something important to print, think UV inks at Miles POP, generating the right buzz for your event before it even begins!Tweet

According to statistics from the Center for Women’s Business Research, there are over 10.1 million firms in the United States owned by women (WBEs). Of these 10 million + businesses, here are a few statistics:

• Women-owned businesses employ more than 13 million people
• They generate $1.9 trillion in sales (as of 2008)
• Three quarters of all women-owned businesses are majority owned by women (51% or more), for a total of 7.2 million firms, employing 7.3 million people, and generating $1.1 trillion in sales.
• Women-owned firms (50% or more) account for 40% of all privately held firms
• Between 2002 and 2008, women-owned businesses of color grew faster than all privately held firms
• One in five firms with revenue of $1 million or more is woman-owned
• 3% of all women-owned firms have revenues of $1 million or more compared with 6% of men-owned firms.

That research confirms something Miles POP already knows. There’s something special about a women-owned business. We know because we are a WBE certified commercial printer and a certified minority owned commercial printer. As such, we have a connection and a commitment to support women’s initiatives and associations. We take that commitment and camaraderie seriously. This year, Miles POP is supporting the following women-run businesses and events:

• YWCA
• Healthcare Business Women’s Association
• NAWBO (National Assoc. of Women Business Owners), Louisville KY
• NAWBO, Indianapolis
• IBJ Influential Women’s Breakfast
• Women & Hi Tech “Leading Light Awards”
• Mickey’s Camp for Women

Miles POP goes the extra mile to support and sponsor other business organizations that are run by women because we understand there is still more work to do to make the numbers mentioned above, stronger still. We’ve come a long way, baby… and there’s many miles yet to go!Tweet

As a WBE, 100% women owned commercial printer, Miles Printing has a strong connection to women’s initiatives and organizations.

Every year, we provide marketing and printing support to several Indianapolis and Midwestern businesses, nonprofits, organizations, charities, and events that actively sustain and encourage women’s leadership and support issues vital to women in central Indiana.

This summer, Miles Printing provided brochure printing at cost to benefit Mickey’s Camp, a charitable event in Bradford Woods, whose net proceeds are donated to not-for-profit organizations selected by the women attending the camp. Local businesswomen and female leaders attending the camp network, relax, and increase their knowledge through a series of nationally recognized female speakers, while taking time to de-stress and re-motivate. The results have been fantastic for the fourth year in a row!

This year’s Mickey’s Camp benefitted charities selected by the 2010 attendees, including:

• Craine House
• School on Wheels
• The Villages of Indiana
• Bradford Woods Outdoor Center

Miles Printing was proud to help assure this event was a sell out and help provide a meaningful boost to charities supporting women throughout the state.

How can we help your organization?Tweet