The summer postage discount offered by the USPS is back.  This year they are promoting mobile commerce and personalization.  The mobile barcode (aka QR code) must lead the recipient directly to either A or B as described below:

A mobile optimized and personalized web page/URL that is tailored to an individual recipient. The web address and content of the web page must be unique to each recipient.  CPC Solutions does this practically everyday.  If you need to create thousands of personalized mobile barcodes, we can do it. 

A mobile optimized web page that allows the recipient to purchase an advertised product or service on the mobile device. The entire purchase and checkout experience must be mobile optimized.

• Registration Begins:  May 1, 2012 (Mail service providers will be able to register after the June 10, 2012 PostalOne!® Release.)
• Program Period:  July 1 - August 31, 2012*
• Discount Amount:  2% of eligible postage
• Eligible Mail Classes:  Standard Mail letters and flats, Nonprofit Standard Mail letters and flats, First-Class Mail Presort and Automation letters, cards, and flats
• Download Program Requirements
• Download Mobile Commerce & Personalization FAQs

We are here to help.

As part of our holiday gift for 2011, we made the commitment to sponsor Arbor Day 2012 in Grand Junction and its marketing efforts for their yearly tree poster contest.  Over 1,700 trees, in a variety of species, were donated as well as 600 drawing pads for the poster contest.  It was the first time that participating schools were provided material, thus increasing the number of overall entries.

A few of our staff were in attendance to hand out “Treemendous Trivia” stickers to the children and take part in the festivities (the link above will take you to the questions and answers).  Thanks for the positive feedback, from many of our clients, regarding this program.  Our intention is to make it a yearly tradition. 

Go plant a tree!

A lot has been said in recent years about how irrational we are as consumers.  Whether we are buying toothpaste or investing for our retirement, we think we are using our logical minds to make wise choices, but market research and psychology studies prove otherwise.   In fact, recent studies claim that 90% of our thoughts are unconscious.  That means as marketers we only appeal to 10% of our consumers thought processes.  Clearly to succeed, we need to learn how to tap the other 90%. 

CPC Solutions has partnered with psychology-based marketing expert Jeanette McMurtry to develop emotionally relevant direct marketing campaigns that appeal to the unconscious mind while engaging the conscious mind.  Sound a bit too out there for you?  Consider the fact that these campaigns have generated 3100% ROI and beat past campaigns by as much as 640%.  If that is not too out there for your marketing budget, give us a call. 

Whether you are the marketing agency or the end user, we can help add value to your current marketing strategies with these psychology-based emotional marketing concepts.  We’d love to tell you more about how to achieve greater results than your unconscious mind can imagine!

Jeanette McMurtry

Author, Keynote Presenter, Consultant

Principal, e4marketing
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

970-390-6909

In a recent Nielsen study of around 1,800 participants, researchers found that direct mail, especially when personalized, is valued by consumers.  The study included a standard envelope, printed envelope, self-mailer and wrapper, while the online medium was email.

Today, recipients of advertising expect on the one hand the value of a real envelope and on the other hand the personal touch of an email. The demands placed by advertisers on the envelope have increased through the efficiency benefits which electronic communication offers: speed is of great importance.

Young recipients prefer envelopes – as long as they are personalized.

Interestingly, it is the older target segment (55–65 years) and not younger target groups (16–34 years) that value emails in a positive manner. Younger target groups are aware of both the advantages and disadvantages of electronic communication. While 63.2 percent of 16–34 year olds see emails disappear in the flood of advertisements they receive, an individually addressed printed envelope is valued very highly. Younger target groups want the best of both worlds: a real envelope and the flexibility of individualized emails.*

With today’s technology you truly can have it all.  Variable data printing and personalized URLs (PURLs) offer the personalization and measurability of electronic communication with the impact of print. 

*Source: PIWorld, Nielsen Study Proves the Impact and Attraction of the Printed Envelope, April 20 2012

Every so often we feature a member from our team because we feel it is important for you to know who is doing the real work.  While Mike is not quite as old as lead, he was certainly using it at the start of his career, so the image above has fond memories. 

In the days of yore, individual letters were assembled in reverse order into words and lines of text with the aid of a composing stick, and the whole assembly was then tightly bound together to make up a page.  Mike entered the profession during the transition to linotype, which was still lead, but processed in a different way.  Allow us to introduce Michael Amos, Plant Manager.

Nickname and battle cry: Super A - Faster than a sheet of paper; more powerful than a Heidelberg press; able to leap over a skid of paper; fighting for the right to put it on the press tonight! 

Year started at CPC Solutions: April 2^nd, 1975, for a nickel more an hour and thought life could not get better.   

First job:  His first printing job was in 1972 where he learned to be a Chief 15 press operator for the Delta Newspaper, back when running black ink was really cool. 

Current position:  Handles all matters of production and makes it happen every single day. 

What Mike likes most about what he does:   The fact that printing is constantly changing, which gives him the opportunity to always learn something new.

Favorite hobbies: Fishing, when he makes the time, and glasses of red wine.

Thanks Mike for your expertise and many years of service!

The United States Postal Service is again offering a postage discount to mailers who use a two-dimensional barcode (QR Code), or personalization leading to a PURL, in their mail campaigns from July 1, 2012, through August 31, 2012.  More specific information will follow in subsequent emails.

• Jelly beans are big this time of year, so we felt compelled to bring more awareness with these facts: 
• On October 15, 1999, the world’s largest jar of jelly beans was unveiled. It weighed 6,050 pounds.
• April 22nd is National Jelly Bean Day.
• Each year, U.S. manufacturers produce more than 16 billion jelly beans for Easter -- that's enough to completely fill a plastic Easter egg 89 feet high and 60 feet wide (about the height of a nine-story office building).
• For you Ronald Reagan fans, Blueberry flavor was created for Ronald Reagan's presidential inauguration in 1981, when over three tons of Jelly Belly beans were consumed during the festivities. 

Congratulations to Jack Padovano from Direct Response Group in Phoenix, AZ.  He is the winner of the book Data-Driven Marketing by Mark Jeffery.  We will do more giveaways as the year progresses!

The image in the left-hand column is what a name looks like in binary code.  Used by computers and digital devices, binary code represents everything you see on your screen and more.  It is essentially the building blocks of the digital world.  Every letter, space, character, color or graphic is made out of zeros and ones.    

Similarly, data can be viewed as the building blocks of your direct marketing program.  Data can make or break your campaign and your ROI will depend on it.  Did you notice that ROI has a zero and a one?  Well, sort of. 

Most companies have a list of clients they may market to, but how do you find more of those clients?  Do you even really know who your clients are?  We can help identify or “profile” your client list and then purchase a list with those attributes.  It is a great way to market outside of your current database.

CPC Solutions, in partnership with the CPC Peeps Museum, wants you to help choose the 2012 winners.  For a few years now, we have had an internal contest focused around how creative we can be with Peeps.  Look for an email on April 10^th to cast your vote.  Some of the categories are Best Peeps Parody, Most Edible and Funniest, to name a few.  It is through your generous patronage of CPC Solutions that allows us to hold this contest each year, so we thank you!  For last year’s photos and results click the Peeps.

CPC Solutions has made a commitment to give back to the community and the environment.  Below is a recap of a recent project.   Upcoming events include the Southwest Arbor Fest being held in April and additional revegetation efforts.

Think spring!

In the last several blogs we have discussed the mechanics of mailing with the USPS.  However, your direct mail efforts will amount to nothing if your lists are junk.  The term junk mail does not refer to the content; it refers to the relevance of the piece to the recipient.  Relevant mail is valuable and you should take care that your campaigns are reaching the right audience.

Do you know who your clients are and how to find more of them?  An extremely useful tool available is a household-based consumer lifestyle segmentation report.  In a nut shell, it can profile your current core customers, so you can purchase lists with similar profiles.  It classifies all U.S. households and neighborhoods into 71 unique segments and 19 groups (see the link below).  This system reflects the latest data presented in the 2010 census as well as a host of other reliable and relevant data sources.     

If you are in need of data and information for your next campaign, please let us know.

In the days of yore, sealing wax was used to hold a document closed and to verify that it was unopened.  In modern times, the wafer tab serves that purpose, albeit more utilitarian than attractive.  The link below leads to our Tab Placement Quick Guide, which explains how tabs are needed to efficiently and successfully navigate the USPS juggernaut.  In many instances spot glue can be used instead, which becomes cost effective at around 10,000 pieces.  

The locations of tabs are often misunderstood, leading to undesirable placements, which can cover up critical design elements.  This guide graphically illustrates the proper tab requirements and it will help you maximize the impact of your next direct mail piece. 

One of our trusted partners, Convertible Solutions, offers a variety of products which truly enhance the direct mail experience.  Convertible Solutions specializes in pre-converted stock, meaning that the sheets come prepared with perforations, glue, laminations and scores, eliminating the need for post-press converting.

Pre-converted sheets work well when utilized with personalized direct mail and variable data printing, since it eliminates the waste and time that a typical post-converted process can take.  Once the piece is printed, it’s simply trimmed, folded and it’s ready to mail.  The image to the right leads to a 24 page PDF catalog of all their products.  Because the bindery on the back end is minimal, these pieces are perfect for weekly or daily campaigns.

Use your keyboard and our online tools to measure the results of your next direct mail campaign. 

Variable data printing and personalized URLs provide analytics and an easy way for recipients to respond to your direct mail piece.  These methods offer a personal touch not seen in most direct mail and they engage the recipient in a way that piques their interest.  A personalized direct mail piece is typically more relevant and it infers that you know something about them, which can break down barriers and build on the relationship.

To the right is a link to a recent PODi digital print case study, which illustrates the effectiveness of such methods.  The same tools used in this case study are available at CPC Solutions.  They will help increase your response rates and provide you the analytics to make thoughtful marketing decisions.

Measure twice, cut once.  Plan ahead and incorporate the proper measurements into your design to save both time and money.  Knowing a few simple design rules will help you maximize the real estate on your next mail piece. 

The link to the right is a two page PDF with some helpful hints as it relates to mail piece design.  To get the full set of regulations, see the post below with the link to the USPS Postal Explorer.

Please let us know how we may help you.  

This past year the United States Postal Service (USPS) delivered 167.6 billion pieces of mail to mailboxes across this country.  We take for granted the complex machine that enables a letter from one area to be personally delivered to another, no matter how remote.  Despite the legacy issues the USPS faces, the fact that this happens day in and day out is actually pretty remarkable; all for a reasonable rate. 

Digital communication is a great tool, which we all use, but when you need to deliver a letter or promotional direct marketing piece in the “real” world, the USPS can get it done.  To help us get it done, we rely on our mailing professionals at CPC Solutions and a handy website managed by the USPS, the Postal Explorer.  The link to the right has more than you ever wanted to understand about mailing, most of which you may not want to know! 

Once on the Postal Explorer website, you will find the Quick Service Guides to be the most useful, which are located under Domestic Mail.  We are here to help you navigate these regulations, so feel free to touch base.  Thank you for thinking of CPC Solutions for your next direct mail campaign. 

In case you did not notice, the United States Postal Service raised their rates on us again. Don’t worry; the USPS will have a difficult time collecting the postage due in this particular post.*

In the meantime, as our gift to you, we thought you may like our brand new Postal Rates Quick Guide. The two page PDF below is filled with valuable information distilled from the hundreds of pages of USPS regulations. It is intended to be a quick summary, but it should cover 80% of your needs (that old 80/20 rule is always working). If you have questions regarding the other 20%, feel free to contact us!

*Production Notes: The image above was created using our personalization software employing the Image Character Photoshop technique. A special stamp was created for each capital letter of the alphabet and we used its corresponding ASCII number, and then divided by three, to assign a “postage value” to it. That number was then added to the other letters in your name (using a value of 1¢ for each letter) and then subtracted from the new retail first class postage rate of 45¢, to come up with your postage due. These same techniques can be used in any variable data printed project as well!

                                                                The difference in size between a $100 bill and the largest postcard available

For example, many people do not realize that a postcard can be as large as 11.5” x 6.125” and still mail at the letter rate, meaning that $0.45 is all it would cost, if mailed first class, non-automated.  There are many variables in mail, so postage on that same card could cost as little as $0.142 to as much as $0.424 depending on the level of automation, class, mail stream entry point and zip code saturation (nonprofit is even lower).

Two things to consider when deciding on a postcard size:

1. Aspect ratio:  Simply put, it must be between 1.3 and 2.5 to maximize postal discounts.  Take the length and divide by the height, so 11.5”/6.125” equals 1.878.  A postcard can be any size within an aspect ratio of 1.3 and 2.5.  Anything outside of that ratio will mail as a flat.
2. Printing costs:  The optimal size will depend on your quantity and stock choice.

Click the links below for the official website on this topic. 

   Physical Standards for Commercial Letters and Postcards

   Designing Letters and Postcards for Automated Processing

For most of us, the direct mail process can feel like a mystery and its complete understanding elusive.  Perhaps it is our aversion to the voluminous regulations; or infinite variables that affect postage rates and the deliverability of a printed piece; or the nuances of the mailing panel and how it’s positioned on a postcard or catalog.  Whatever it is, over the next several weeks, we will provide valuable information to help you successfully navigate the world of direct mail. 

Despite the financial woes of the USPS, direct mail is alive and kicking.  According to Nielsen’s report, “The Evolution of Circulars: From Print to Digital, Q4 2011,” shoppers across the board state that direct mail is relied upon 67% of the time for sales and product information.  Permission based emails from retailers have an equivalent reach. 

According to the 11,000 shopper subset of the Nielsen Homescan panel, Millennials, the most tech-savvy generation, responded favorably to print as the most influential channel when deciding where to shop (direct mail – 92%).  Direct mail is still a valuable tool in the tool box.  We’ll help take the mystery out of maximizing its potential. 

Paper is the most recycled product compared to metal, glass, plastic and most other materials.  It is also biodegradable when it has a chance to mix with air, water and sunlight. 

Consider these facts:

• In 2010, 63% of the paper consumed in the U.S. was recovered for recycling – nearly 344 pounds for each man, woman and child in America¹.
• The recovery rate for other materials is much lower²:

                        7% for plastics

                        18% for electronic products

                        22% for glass

                        36% for metal

• The Unites States now dumps between 200 and 300 million electronic items per year.  E-waste represents an estimated 25% of waste in U.S. landfills and 70% of toxic waste found there.²

What does all of this mean?  As we have shown over the last 5 Paper Myth posts, paper is not as inefficient as many people believe.  Some efforts of “going green” are really aimed at “saving green,” which end up utilizing other resources anyway. 

All human activity uses resources and generates waste.  Technological progress and innovation will continue, as it should, so the real challenge is how to become more efficient using all of our communication tools, both print and electronic.

¹U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

²U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2008 Statistics

It has been said, “We will have paperless offices after we have paperless bathrooms.” 

Paper Myth #5 is “Recycled Paper is Always Better than Virgin Paper.”  This is not necessarily true.  Paper can be recycled an average of five times, which is why making all paper from 100% recycled fiber is not sustainable over the long run.  Introducing virgin fiber into the paper stream is essential.  As we have learned in previous Paper Myth emails, much of that new stock is grown in sustainable ways.

No matter what the inputs are, we all have a responsibility to promote the efficient use of our resources.  Recycling and using recycled content is surely part of that, which is why all our house sheets have at least 10% recycled content with some as high as 100%. 

CPC Solutions recycles over 1.5 million pounds of paper a year, which finds its way into paper towels, napkins, tissue and toilet paper¹.  This recycled paper helps supply restaurants, schools and yes, even our papered bathrooms. 

Production notes: The personalized image above was done by creating each letter out of shredded paper destined for recycling, photographed individually and merged with a database using special software for personalization.

¹All waste paper is sent to SCA Tissue in Flagstaff, AZ

Take only pictures and leave only footprints.  Any of us who have wandered into nature have probably heard that mantra.  Carbon footprint is the measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the CO₂ and other greenhouse gases (GHG) released into the atmosphere that have arisen through the manufacture and distribution of a product or service.

Consider these facts regarding paper’s carbon footprint: 

The Pulp and Paper Industry largely utilizes renewable energy sources that are considered carbon neutral to generate steam.¹

Sustainably managed forests are virtually carbon neutral.¹

Paper’s primary raw materials are renewable.

The paper and forest products industry replenishes more than it takes and ensures the sustainability of our forests by planting 1.7 million trees every single day, more than three times what is harvested.²

The U.S. Dept of Energy has stated that the carbon sequestered on forested lands in 2006 was greater than the carbon released from harvesting wood over the same period.

20% less CO₂ is used per year by a person reading a daily printed newspaper versus a person reading web-based news for 30 minutes a day.³

The same amount of CO₂ is used per year by all mail delivered to an average household in a year versus a coffee maker being on for one hour per day for one year.⁴

Knowledge is power.  Our goal is simply to educate, so we can all make the best decisions possible while keeping things in perspective.

¹Presentation from:  Lewis Fix, Vice President Brand Management & Sustainable Product Development, Domtar; Paul England, Environmental and Sustainability Manager, HP Indigo North America; Laura Field, Media Manager, HP Indigo North America

² Sustainable Forestry Initiative Program

³Swedish Royal Institute for Technology; Paper & the Environment, ATS Consulting 2007

⁴Life Cycle Inventory of the Mail; Greening the Mail Taskforce, 2008

Paper, kind of like Buffalo, NY, often gets a bad rap.  It is no secret that paper production consumes energy, but how does it compare to other industries for which we rely on daily?  The chart below illustrates electricity use by industry from 2006.  In 2011, servers and data centers are projected to use 107 billion kWh*  These numbers are not even accounting for the energy it takes to read this email on PCs, MacBooks, smart phones and iPads.        *U.S. Dept of Energy

At CPC Solutions, about 85% of our paper is purchased from Sappi’s mill in Cloquet, MN.  Sappi’s paper is made with 100% Green-e renewable electricity.  To find out more than you probably want to know about carbon offsets and renewable energy certificates (RECs), click the Green-e logo below.

• They come from a renewable resource
• They capture carbon
• They store carbon
• They are recyclable

A reputable company will have some level of certification.  At CPC Solutions, we are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified and all of our house sheets are FSC certified papers that use recycled content, some as much as 100% recycled fiber (i.e., Reincarnation Matte by New Leaf Paper).  FSC certified forest products are verified from the forest of origin through the supply chain.  Ask to have the FSC logo on your next project.

Click here to learn more about FSC Certification

We learned at a young age to have respect for nature, so carving your name into a tree was never acceptable - even if it was to express one’s undying love.  Over the next several weeks, to help balance the conversation in today’s electronic world, we will address the most common myths about paper and trees.

Today, we discuss forests.  For every tree harvested, several more are planted, or naturally regenerated, in its place.  Consider these facts:

Annual net growth of U.S. forests is 36% higher than the volume of annual   tree removals.

The paper and forest products industry replenishes more than it takes and ensures the sustainability of our forests by planting 1.7 million trees every single day, more than three times what is harvested.

There are nearly 750 million acres of forests in the U.S - about the same as 100 years ago.

600 million seedlings planted annually supplement natural regeneration in Canada.

“Forestry is the most sustainable of all the primary industries that provide us with energy and materials…To address climate change, we must use more wood, not less. Using wood sends a signal to the marketplace to grow more trees…”

Dr. Patrick Moore, Co-founder of Greenpeace Chair/Chief Scientist of Greenspirit Strategies Ltd “An Inconvenient Fact”, The Vancouver Sun August 29, 2007.

Source regarding the facts in this blog: HP, American Printer and Domtar Paper

We all have much to be grateful for this holiday season, so please have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We’ll have limited hours on Friday, November 25th, and back on Monday all fattened up to get us through the winter. 

In the right-hand column, under Weblinks, is a little holiday entertainment brought to you by Sappi Papers.  Click to see Off Register’s Thanksgiving adventure.

The last post in our personalization series focuses on what we call the Image Character Live.  Live because we use a live piece of art such as a drawing or object and then convert it, essentially, into a custom font. 

Does using your first name in zany ways seem trite and overused?  Perhaps, but when you step back and consider the end-user, you realize that the use of our names in everyday conversation is important and it breaks down barriers.  Below is a link to a blog that you might find interesting as it relates to first names.

What would be a stocking, hung on the quintessential mantel over the fireplace, if it were not personalized?  Imagine the chaos and confusion that would ensue.  You too can bring clarity and nostalgia to your marketing pieces by utilizing what we call the Image Character Photoshop effect, the fifth trick in our ongoing series.

Personalization using a name is the first step, but true one to one marketing goes even deeper.  In a study conducted in July, 2011, three-quarters (74%) of North American consumers said they "don't feel they're receiving a benefit from sharing personal information with marketers," and just 52% said they somewhat or strongly agree with the statement that companies use their personal data "so they can better serve me," according to a survey designed to test consumer attitudes about personal data collection and use by marketers.  To read the full post, click Print in the Mix below.

The “tiling” technique is the fourth trick in our personalization series.  Tiling is best suited for grid-like images, such as windows in a skyscraper, bricks in a driveway or ink swatches on a color chart.  Your product, service or environment probably has grid-like images associated with it.  When someone sees their name blended with your image, happiness and bonding will result; subconsciously at least.  If you’re not feeling that way now, perhaps it's because your last name isn't Picasso!

Do you remember the slogan; M&Ms melt in your mouth, not in your hand?  M&Ms may not melt in your hand, but they sure do get sticky if held too long. 

Part three in our series about personalization tricks revolves around the “fill randomly” technique.  The sample shown in this post is a good example of how it can be utilized.  The trick is making it look real and legible.  Baseballs, golf balls, popcorn or jelly beans are all objects that would work well.  Imagine a postcard targeting golfers with their name, message or offer written in golf balls.  Send a marketing piece that the recipient will want to keep for awhile (aka sticky) and your chances of a response increase.

Giving your marketing a name badge is easier than you think.  Part two in our series about personalization tricks revolves around the “masking” technique.  The samples shown in this post are variations of that method.  It is a relatively easy way to create an effect to personalize any piece while using variable data printing or email.

Picking up from our last post, we’re going to touch on the first “trick,” which is purchasing one of the hundreds of templates that already exist.  Imagine what your clients will think when they see their name or company name in a festive ornament.  Their first reaction will be, “How did they do that?”

Personalization has come a long way in the last decade, but it is still underutilized.  Let it elevate your response rates and the campaign’s overall effectiveness.  Over the next several weeks, we’ll explain in detail how we can help you with the following personalization tricks.

CPC Solutions is the only company on the western slope of Colorado to achieve Full Service Certification through the United States Postal Service.  To qualify for Full Service Certification, CPC Solutions committed to a thorough validation process analyzing our intelligent mail capabilities and our ability to interface effectively with the USPS. Mail processing performed at CPC Solutions now exceeds the highest standards set by the USPS.

In short, Full Service Certification offers our clients the following:

• Faster mail entry with electronic submission
• Maximum postage discounts
• Maximum mail tracking capabilities within the postal system
• Seasonal and special USPS promotional discounts

Published from printinthemix.rit.edu

Twitter Analysis from the marketing consulting firm Winterberry Group, entitled “Outlook 2011 What to Expect in Direct & Digital Marketing,” shows a positive outlook for direct channels in 2011.

Spending on direct mail is expected to increase 5.8% in 2011, to $47 billion dollars.  This surge is driven by a return to acquisition mail led by financial services, retail, and automotive, according to the report.

The HP Indigo Press, which we use for variable data printing and short run projects, has a special ink called Digital Matte. It's not technically a varnish, but it has the appearance of one.  It adds a nice touch to those special projects.  Please click on the link to access the How-to Guide.  http://www.redline.com.gr/pdf/matte.pdf

HP Indigo Digital Matte ink creates a differential gloss effect to add impact and sophistication to graphics and design.

For the last several years JUCO baseball cards have been a big hit at the tournament. Some cards even selling on e-Bay for hundreds of dollars. In this edition of 11 Cares for Business, Aaron Luna takes us inside the local company that makes them, CPC Solutions.  View entire story by clicking 11 News below.

Since 1971 CPC Solutions has been designing and printing the Junior College (JUCO) World Series Program. In 1998, we took over all aspects of marketing and selling the program as well.

Look for us on Channel 11 (KKCO, Grand Junction, CO) on Sunday, 5/29/11, at 5:30 and 10:00 pm.  We should be on both time slots unless we get bumped for a more tantalizing news story, but I can't imagine that.

The Postal Regulatory Commission has approved a 3% postage discount for First Class and Standard Mail containing QR Codes.  The discount is effective July 1st to August 31st, 2011.  Step into the future with a QR Code on your next direct mail project; everybody's doing it! 

Neal Sceva, a 30-year veteran of the direct marketing industry and an integrated solutions specialist at CPC Solutions, is a QR Code enthusiast. We asked him to contribute a post about the benefits of this innovative technology and he was happy to oblige. Thanks Neal.

Either you’ve seen them or heard about them – those funny looking B&W squares in advertisements, on billboards and, with growing popularity, on business cards. They’re QR (Quick Response) Codes.

CPC Solutions is seeking motivated printing professionals in all departments: Digital, Prepress, Press, Bindery, and Mailing. Responsibilities include operating and maintaining equipment, organizing and prioritizing tasks, and contributing to our team environment. Email your resume to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Domestic Mail Manual of the U.S. Post Office is over 700 pages long, so an understanding of their rules and regulations is daunting. A professional mailing service will pay for itself over time with information about proper mail preparation for maximum postage discounts. Consider us your experts for dealing with the Post Office—just like a good CPA can help you navigate the rocky shoals of tax codes, so can CPC’s mailing service help you achieve maximum discounts with minimal hassle. Some rules apply: design, data, format, and language can make all the difference between a mail piece that goes for the least amount of postage and one that is rejected.

Join us on Tuesday, April 26th, for food and drinks as we host the Grand Junction Chamber Business After Hours networking event.  The much talked about CPC Peeps Museum will be open to all and participants will get to vote on their favorites. 

The categories are:

1. Best Peeps Parody
2. Most Creative
3. Most Edible
4. Most Detailed
5. Funniest
6. Best of Show

The CPC Peeps Museum is a great example of the fun and creativity that weaves through all of us here at CPC Solutions.  More Photos can be found at facebook.com/useCPCsolutions.