Tag Archives: tips

25 Jun

“Make My Logo Bigger!” Syndrome

A common misconception about logos is that they need to be bigger to be noticed.

In fact, making your logo bigger can sometimes distract an audience from the company’s message. Less is more, and white space is your ally!

To all our lovely customers, we want to take the opportunity to poke fun – Enjoy this following video!

Angela Pack on Google+
28 May

Why Simple Business Cards Are Best

Simplicity

: the quality of being easy to understand, or use

: the state or quality of being plain, or not fancy or complicated

: something that is simple, or ordinary but enjoyable

Throughout my whole life, I have increasingly learned to appreciate simplicity and minimalism; spending time in nature, versus the city, brought out this appreciation for anything less than busy, cluttered, confusing, or unnecessary.

As an avid researcher and university paper writer, I have had to channel this appreciation for simplicity, in order to cope with the sheer amount of information available to me.

Yup, it is very difficult to condense a stack of research literature into one 20 page paper, and yup, it is especially difficult to ensure that my audience really gets what I am trying to say.

I guess I can say, I am working in the right place; my current place of employment definitely appreciates simplicity.

Not only can simplicity benefit you in your everyday personal life, but it can help you with your business successes, as well.

Business Card by Murat Ertürk

Hucul Printing encourages other businesses to promote strongly, by projecting a clean and uncomplicated image to their customers.

Just like in everyday life, a good, strong & simple design layout on a business card can mean the difference between the ordinary and the remarkable.

I really want to take this opportunity to remind businesses who are looking to rebrand, or revamp their look, to remember that simplicity is in.

The new is minimalism and the movement is going strong and for good reason.

A few important pointers about drafting up the details you would like included on your new business card:

  1. Necessary Information: Sort out the information that is necessary to be on the card. For example, your name, business logo, phone number, address, website and email address. Space permitting, a basic, concise description of your business can be included. If it is necessary to include extra information, there is the option of printing on the reverse side of the card. (But remember… Less is more!)
  2. White Space: Do not be afraid of white space. It can make your logo stand out, make your card easier to read. It can add to the balance and contrast on your card.
  3. Design Continuity: If you are thinking of purchasing other printing products in your package i.e. (rack cards, brochures, letterhead, envelopes, etc.), keep in mind that the style you want on your business card ie. (logo, colours, fonts) should be consistent with everything else you want designed and printed; all of the elements having common elements to tie everything together to help make it eye-catching.
  4. Customize: Something as simple as making the layout portrait-style, or getting the corners rounded on the business card, can make your card stand out above the rest.

“Truth is ever to be found in the simplicity, and not in the multiplicity and confusion of things.” ~Isaac Newton

Angela Pack on Google+
30 Apr

Which size of Canvas Print should I order?

Where will the Canvas be Hung?

Deciding on the size of a canvas mounted print for your home, or office, may be a little challenging, but we are here to help you!

Knowing where your canvas print will be displayed … whether it will end up at your business, or at your home, or someone else’s home or establishment… will help determine the sizing.

Is the print meant to advertize a business or company brand?

Is it intended for decoration and personal enjoyment for yourself, or someone else?

Or will it be sold to a third buyer?

Sizing your Canvas

The pixel size of the file would also be an important factor in figuring out the physical print size, because not all files can support all canvas print sizes.

Do you know how much wall space is available for your project? Have you measured the available space and allowed for both height and width?

There are many creative ways to showcase your favourite prints, or photographs.

You could opt to print 2 or 3 canvases with the same theme. These could be hung side by side, or one above the other, or even laid out diagonally. Perhaps your set of canvases could be parts or divisions of a single picture.

There are so many options available, and many variables will dictate the appropriate sizing and arrangements for your project.

Hucul Printing can provide the price for each size of print.

Here is a list of the most standard wall hanging sizes:

  • 8 x 8
  • 8 x 10
  • 8 x 12
  • 10 x 12
  • 12 x 12
  • 12 x 14
  • 12 x 16
  • 12 x 18
  • 16 x 16
  • 16 x 20
  • 16 x 24
  • 20 x 20
  • 20 x 24
  • 20 x 30
  • 20 x 36
  • 20 x 40

We can help you to gain some insights when you come in and lay out your plans, explaining what your project needs are.

Between us, we will determine the perfect solution for your canvas project.

Bernie Hucul on Google+
02 Apr

Committed to your business? Why you should hire a Professional Printer

Let’s face the truth.

There are plenty of printing options available to you.

You can order online or from a big -box store. You can even purchase a desktop printer to print your product at home, however, your well meaning efforts will probably result in a ‘homemade looking product’, not really reflecting your professional brand.

So, what are the reasons for hiring a local ’boutique printing’ company like Hucul Printing in a small town like Salmon Arm?

It all comes down to service.

gary1We have been working with our clients for a long time and have established a rapport with them. We have also built a reputation locally and this keeps our customers coming back.

Why is that?

Our clients feel that we make the “design to printing process” easier for them.

Having developed relationships with our customers, they regard us as friends and trusted advisers.

This is what we do.

We provide peace of mind about your printing goals, which is something only professional printers can do.

Sure, you can save a few dollars on business cards from an online printer, or an impersonal, ‘one-stop shop’ box store, but they do not have a full understanding of your company’s business needs, including its challenges, like we do.

Are you serious about your company’s success?

If you plan on growing and building your business, planning for the long term, you can approach us just like you would your Accountant, or your Doctor.

Ask us for our opinion & ideas, talk to us about your options. Let us know what you envision and we will tell you what we know.

That’s the difference.

Are you ready to take your business to the next level?

Come and see us.

Speak with Bernie and start your plan.

You will see the benefits of adding a commercial printer to your businesses team.

Jordan Pack on Google+
19 Mar

You Can Become a Self-published Author!

Printing books is a mysterious process to most people.

Publishing Houses are often inaccessible and indifferent to budding authors, making them unsure about submitting their life’s work for publication.

I don’t blame them, and I would probably hesitate to submit my own manuscript to a Publishing House too.

Photo by Walt Stoneburner

This is probably because my family owns the printing company, Hucul Printing, in Salmon Arm and I would opt to self-publish my book through them. I’ve watched them print books for others over the years. They know how to design attractive book covers, choose appropriate and readable fonts, design and format text (taken from a Microsoft Word, or a similar computer software program), paginate (page numbering), select paper stock, print page signatures, ensure ISBN and bar coding is included on the back cover and choose the style of binding to complete the book. This makes it easy for the author to end up with the finished product of their own printed book.

In fact, there are several local authors who have had their books printed at Hucul Printing; you might have heard of some of them:

  1. Fleeting Images of Old Salmon Arm, by Denis Marshall
  2. Photographic Memory, by Denis Marshall
  3. Sawdust Caesars, by Denis Marshall
  4. Salmon Arm’s Historic Roots, by Denis Marshall
  5. Life is What Happens, by Alli Graham
  6. Calluses, Blisters and Near Misses, by Ernie Graffunder
  7. Tales of an Old Bold Pilot, by Jack McCallum
  8. A Collection of Short Stories for All Ages, by Marion Williams
  9. Oranges - A Novella for Puppets, by Alexander Forbes
  10. Hot Lead and Tender Hearts, by Robin Burgess
  11. Ulu - A Tale of Terror on the Tundra, by Robin Burgess
  12. Small Town Boy - Memoirs, by Bob Priest
  13. The Leading Edge, by Jack G. Barker
  14. A Raven in My Heart, by Kay McCracken
  15. Stalking the Wild Heart, by Deanna Kawatski

If it weren’t for the ability to self-publish, these books probably would have gone through a lengthy process of repeated submissions, being forced to go from publisher to publisher to “find a buyer”. It might have taken years (or never) to find a publisher who would agree to publish your manuscript. And if they agreed to publish your book, it would then have been under the control of that company and distributed in a way they saw fit. This would take away your creative license and your power to make decisions independently about your own book.

Now, book production is relatively easy. Even getting a USBN number with bar coding is a simple process for Hucul Printing.

As a writer, you can have your manuscript printed and displayed in the manner you want, and later you can print additional copies as required.

With the use of the internet these days, you are able to market your own books, if you want to! I know that you can get your book onto Amazon fairly easily … and even sell your book in an E-book format, if that suits your fancy.

The bottom line is that you do not need a publisher to produce a book. You can print your book right here in Salmon Arm.

We can help you fulfill your life long dream, or side project. We also have someone on staff available to edit your manuscript, if needed.

Feel free to come to Hucul Printing and speak with us about how you can get this ball rolling; you just might end up being an author with a self-published book!

 

Jordan Pack on Google+
05 Mar

How to Use Business Cards at Networking Events

Every business has business cards (and if you don’t, you should), and in the day-to-day grind in your shop their place is usually sitting at the front counter, dormant and inactive.

Photo by Robert Scoble

This is a good place to keep them when your customers are in the context of being in your shop.

But what about that situation where you are outside your business, one-on-one, at a networking event?

How do you actually use your business cards? When is it appropriate to exchange them?

Let me tell you.

Business cards are not a deck of cards

When it comes to social business settings, business cards should be handed out with care. You should consider them as an option, if you are asked for it.

If you have a stimulating conversation about your business and the person you are speaking with is genuinely interested in your services, then they will ASK for it.

You should not wander around the room dealing out your deck of business cards like a Black Jack dealer in Vegas.

How annoying would it be if someone jammed a business card in your hand and then just quickly walked away and onto the next guy?

You would feel awkward and annoyed…wondering, ‘ What do I do with this?!’

Don’t hand out your card when you should ask for theirs

If you meet somebody who’s services you want to use, the best thing you could do would be to ask them for their contact information.

That is polite and it will allow you to make the next call. It would not be polite to offer up your card and ask them to contact you!

That puts an unwanted obligation on them and they are as busy as you.

Also, if you do this, you have no control over whether or not you connect in the future.

It’s not Halloween and Business Cards are not candy

Photo by Sean Narvasa

I know it’s a really easy way to end a conversation by asking for a business card, however do your best to avoid collecting cards from people you have no intention of contacting later.

Collecting cards may seem productive at the time, however your purpose in a networking event is to make personal connections with potential business partners, not to collect people’s info. If you wanted to collect people’s info, save yourself the hassle and go to LinkedIn. It’s easier to find people on that platform than randomly at an event.

Make you conversations count!

Remember business cards in networking events serve as a convenient way to respond to a request for your contact information, not as a tool to promote yourself to everyone you meet.

Jordan Pack on Google+