Stationery Printing Software

Those who know what I do may ask: Why do you want to talk about stationery printing software on your blog if your business is about printing personalized stationery products? My answer: “Well the information is out there for every one to easily find. So people might as well find it here.”

So you want to print your own stationery, what do you need?

1. Let’s start with the very obvious: A computer (preferably with a connection to the internet, you’ll see why below) and a printer (preferably a color one to allow you more latitude with your creativity).
2. Next step is the choice of software to use. If you have word processor software on your computer like the popular Microsoft Word, Word Perfect, or perhaps AppleWorks (for the Mac), you can already do a lot with them. They come pre-programmed with document templates from letters, flyers, brochures, to labels (just access their help section to see what options you have). Plus you have access to more templates for free (here is where your internet connection comes in handy) on their respective websites.
3. Then come companies that sell stationery products like Avery and that offers lots of template downloads, specialized software, and even clip-arts for free on their web sites to use along with their products.
   There are in fact tons load of free stationery templates resources to be found on the net aside from the Avery site. Just see here all the hits that were generated from Google just by typing the keywords “free stationery templates” (see search results HERE).
4. Now if you want to go another level and do very much more with your stationery printing, you have several choices of printing/publishing software. Price of such software can vary from about $20 to several 100s of $. The choice of which one to choose depends of course on your budget and the complexity of what you want to do. If for example you just want to be able to print flyers, letters, labels, or greeting cards, you can find many software in the $20 to $50 range (like Print Shop, Print Master, Greeting Card Factory, Hallmark Studio, etc.) which may be exactly what you need and allow you to put your creativity into good use. Below are links to 3 major sellers offering such products.
   • CompUSA (see selection here)
   • Best Buy (see selection here)
   • Amazon.ca (see selection here)

   *Please note: We do not officially endorse any of the products or the companies mentioned above or accessible through the provided links. Names and links are posted for informational purpose only. We recommend you do some additional research before you invest in any of those products.

So there you have it. Lots of resources available if you want to print your own stationery creations. Just keep in mind that if you don’t want or have the time for the “do it yourself approach”, you can always rely on a good personalized stationery printing services to get the job done for you.

Card Holders

For Enclosure, Calling, and/or Business cards

In our August 14 article, we suggested the practice of holding several types of cards, calling cards (or business cards), for different situations or usage. Once all your cards are printed, we suggest card cases to carry them on you. Often, folks would just put their calling or business cards in their purses, or pocket books, or wallets. In fact several models of those, come with special pockets for cards. The flip side is that your cards may be bay roughed up (folded corners, wrinkled), or hard to retrieve especially if said purses, pocket books, or wallets are very packed. The alternative of using individual card cases is a better guarantee that your cards will be protected and easier to retrieve.

We have searched for card cases suppliers over the internet. There are many. Some results are listed below. Types of cases offered vary from metal (choices of precious metal available), to leather, vinyl and cloth. Many companies even offer services to personalize your card cases for that extra stylish touch.

Card Cases samples (metal & leather)

• Google Search. Click -> Suppliers of Card Cases
• Yahoo Search. Click -> Suppliers of Card Cases
• MSN Search. Click -> Suppliers of Card Cases

Disclaimer: The search results above are only for your information about types of cards cases available on the market. We are not affiliated to any of the companies listed in these search results. We cannot guarantee availability, and/or quality of their products and/or services. If you plan on purchasing card cases (or any other items) from the suppliers listed above, we recommend that you get information about the company before placing any order.

And now start exchanging your cards happily.

Best Gift for Teachers

Every year this is one parents’ dilemma. And if like me, you send gift to your child’s teacher twice a year (end of year holidays and end of school year), then it becomes a bi-annual harder dilemma because you may not want to give the same gift twice. Some schools have set guidelines for gift to teachers, discouraging individual gifts and suggesting group gifts from the class. But even choosing the right group gift can be a challenge.

I asked the golden question to several female teacher friends of mine, i.e.: “What type(s) of gift do you like best from your pupils/parents”? The funny (almost) unanimous answer was: “Please no more soap-bath-lotion sets, or scented candles.” Seems like many female teachers in the US get dime a dozen of those (I wonder what’s the equivalent for male teachers) and although they probably make great recyclable gifts, they do take room in one’s closet many say. [laugh]

A favorite of late are the gift cards with credit cards logos (like Visa, or Master Card, American Express, or Discover, etc.) on them. One can’t miss with those as the teacher get to pick what s/he wants wherever s/he wants. One thing though, my teacher friends say, is that at times teachers would have to use such gift cards to buy things for the classroom (teachers’ salary are not in the high range in many places).

Another favorite, my teacher friends say, are personalized gifts. From personalized stationery sets, pictures, home decor items to other mementos, the market for personalized gifts is quite a big one (as Google would tell you). Personalized teacher’s gifts make a good impression, my teacher friends say, because it show that special attention was put into the choice.

In the end though, the really unanimously favorite gift among my teacher friends was the mementos created by the pupils themselves BY themselves. The old adage says: “…Teach the child to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”. The biggest reward is when she brings a fish she caught herself to you.

Deliveries on Holidays

When to Start Planning for End of Year Holiday Mailing

Mailing Shipping Deadlines:

Every year main shipping carriers announce their holiday shipping deadlines dates (along with shipping tips and guidelines) to ensure proper and timely delivery. Because those deadlines dates vary slightly year by year, depending of volume anticipation, and/or depending whether or not the Holidays themselves fall on a weekend, it is better to find out from each carrier what theirspecific recommendations for that year are. Below are links to a few shipping carriers:

• United States Post Offices News Press:
  http://www.usps.com/communications/news/press/
• Canada Post Office:
  http://www.canadapost.ca/personal/rates/default-e.asp
• Federal Express Press Releases:
  http://www.fedex.com/us/about/news/pressreleases/
• UPS Press Releases:
  http://www.pressroom.ups.com/pressreleases/frontpage/
• DHL Press Releases:
  http://www.dhl-usa.com/company/pressroom.asp?nav=PressRoom

As a personal rule of thumb, when shipping items for the end of year holidays, I find it best to have every thing ready to be shipped at the VERYlatest by the 1st of December for USA delivery and by the 10th of November for international delivery. And if ordering customized or special items (for example personalized stationery) to ship out, it’s better to have them delivered 4 weeks in advance (in case you need to return and/or exchange them). When ordering these special items, you should ask the company their terms about delivery time, return/exchange, and express/rushed delivery availability.

In short, if delivery by Christmas is important then start in October to be ready to ship in November. Better be safe than sorry.