Great Postal News

This is the first good Postal news that I have ever received.

The USPS has determined that for every increase that has been imposed in additional postage, volume has decreased enough to more than negate it. With this realization the USPS has committed to holding rates on "market dominant" products though 2010.

"Simply stated, there will not be a price increase for market dominant products including First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, periodicals, and single-piece Parcel Post. There will be no exigent price increase for these products.

This is the right decision at the right time for the right reason. Promoting the value of mail and encouraging its continued use is essential for jobs, the economy, and the future of both the Postal Service and the mailing industry."

The full letter can be found here:
http://directmag.com/postal/1016-postal-pmg/

Yea!

Major Help for Designers Spec'ing Paper

There is a continual churn of new papers coming into availability, other papers going out of availability that is further complicated by the Renaming / Changing specs (brighter, higher opacity) / and Paper Mill buyouts. As someone in the Printing business, I have difficultly keeping up - though have a great deal of resources to draw upon.

For the average person specifying paper, a partnership discussion with their Printer will give them some excellent ideas on the best paper for the job: Uncoated, Coated, Gloss, Dull, Satin, Colored, Brightly Colored, Textured with Linen finish, Laid Finish, Columns, Duplex. As well as the many different paper weights. I personally love helping with paper. I started as an Estimator 12 years ago and love drawing on that experience to find the least costly, best fit for a job.

If you are specifying multiple papers per day, or looking for ideas in multiple creative pitches, you may want to have your own resource. This website offers access to 4,300 different papers from more than 70 paper mills: http://www.paperspecs.com. There is a fee of about 15 per month to be a member, and they do offer a 1 month trial membership. It may be just the thing for a busy paper spec'er.

J