Consolidated Press is thrilled to announce its recent awards at the 2021 PrintROCKS! competition. We were awarded Best of Division for printers with 51 – 100 employees for our work to produce the Advantage Mailing / Pearl Jam / Fender Booklet and Poster.
In addition to our Best of Division Award, we received the following recognitions:
Best of…
Books, Book Jackets, and Diaries Offset: Sheetfed 40” and larger UW Publication A7597 Clamor Literary Journal 2021
Magazines and Magazine Inserts Offset: Sheetfed 40” and larger Freehub Media Craft Magazine
Second Place
Brochures, Booklets, and Flyers Offset: Sheetfed 40” and larger Western Washington University Jeopardy Magazine 2021
Catalogs Offset: Sheetfed 40” and larger Barn Pros
Books, Book Jackets, and Diaries Offset: Sheetfed 40” and larger Western Washington University Jeopardy Magazine 2021/JEOPARDY MAGAZINE
Third Place
Catalogs Offset: Sheetfed 40” and larger Mallory Paint Catalog
Magazines and Magazine Inserts Offset: Sheetfed 40” and larger Charles Wright Academy TIES Magazine
Honorable Mention
Brochures, Booklets, and Flyers Offset: Sheetfed 40” and larger MOHAI Q4 Programs and Events Brochure
Books, Book Jackets, and Diaries Offset: Sheetfed 40” and larger Bloom Journal
Hosted by The Pacific Printing Industries Association, now PIASC, the PrintROCKS! competition celebrates the outstanding work of printing companies in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, and Utah. Learn more about the PrintROCKS! event by visiting: http://www.printrocks.org/
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It almost goes without saying: Consolidated Press is here today because of our customers and their customers.
You are our whole story.
We appreciate you every day. We dream up ways to express our gratitude. Our team shows it by getting your work done expertly, on time, and within budget. We treat everyone who walks in with respect and dignity.
This holiday season, Consolidated Press is pushing ourselves outside our own story. We’ve persisted through the last two years, and we’re looking at a bright 2022.
But not everyone is. For many, this pandemic is not even close to over. And we know that a safe and thriving community is better for all of us.
The pandemic’s footprint is massive, but together, we can fill in the gap.
That’s why this year we are making a corporate donation on behalf of our clients, employees, and corporation to Northwest Harvest this December.
Northwest Harvest supports a statewide network of 375 food banks, meal programs, and high-needs schools. What’s more, they work for real transformation by seeking to remove barriers within our food and economic systems permanently.
We’re so proud to support this Seattle-based nonprofit.
We know that our clients support important causes and organizations throughout the region. We invite you to join us in two ways:
✔️ Support Northwest Harvest by making a donation that fits your business.
OR
✔️ Make a holiday gift to a nonprofit that is a meaningful match for your company’s values and culture.
THEN
✔️ Drop us a line by Dec. 15 to tell us what organization your company gave to this season, and—if you have an extra minute—tell us why. In December, we’ll publish a post featuring all of our “Friends in Philanthropy.” Tell us your story at sales@consolidatedpress.com.
Together, we can make a big leap forward into 2022. Bringing others along with us makes the ride that much sweeter for everyone.
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Ah, the allure of travel. Even though some restrictions are still in place, the pace of travel has definitely increased from last year. Consumer air travel in June 2021 reached its highest levels since 2020, at 83% of 2019 volume (564,583 flights compared to 679,802 flights). Although cruises were suspended in March of 2020, as the industry aggressively pursued safety protocols, 200 sailings took place from June to December 2020, and in 2021, CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) expects the industry to continue its recovery throughout 2021 in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
While it may be some time until travel and tourism numbers reach the highs of 2019, they are showing significant improvement from last year. Overall, July spending on travel reached $98.5 billion, only 6.5% under July 2019 levels. Demand for hotel rooms varies across locations, but is only 4% under 2019 levels. Business travel remains strong, and leisure travel rates are reason to be cautiously optimistic.
Spreading the News
Despite numerous online resources, the travel industry still relies on print to attract, inform, and retain customers. The travel book industry alone sold $124 million worth of print travel guides in 2017, the largest year for sales in the United States after several years of declining numbers. In another study, 73% of visitors would consider altering their plans because of a brochure. While the web facilitates travel planning, travel guidebooks introduce readers to the highlights of their chosen destination. Local contributors help give recommendations, write about can’t-miss experiences, and curate attractions to help their audience create memories.
Another print piece enjoying a resurgence is the travel brochure. Travel sellers and agents respond to consumer demand and create brochures for their customers to take with them out the door. People of all ages like to have something tangible to refer to, take notes on, and share with potential travel companions. These brochures are more like catalogs, with plenty of editorial content. While the internet provides basic details and prices, printed brochure content excites and entertains.
Don’t Forget Direct Mail
Travel agents don’t need to wait for customers to contact them to hand over a brochure, though. The travel and recreation sector uses direct mailers to attract and engage its audience. This industry uses envelopes, postcards, and self-mailers at lower rates than, say, non-profits and retail businesses, but reap the same benefits that direct mail delivers. Envelopes containing a brochure and response card can appeal to emotions, self-mailers are versatile and cost-effective, and postcards convey simple information with clarity (i.e., Now Flying Non-Stop to London!).
Go on a Journey
An experienced printer will enhance your travel and leisure publications. Combining the right paper type with unique inks and specialty finishes creates high-end pieces that will attract, inform, and entertain.
Get moving and contact Consolidated Press to get your printed publications into the right hands.
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The local magazines, brochures or maps are still a vital and booming communications resource for small cities, townships, neighborhoods, and villages. Produced by local experts, and mailed to residents, these local and regional publications are regarded as trustworthy and filled with relevant information.
Relevant Content for Readers
Community magazines, usually mailed to residents quarterly, provide timely articles on local issues, schedules of community events, information about recreational activities and clubs in local parks, and guides to community development. Local magazines targeted to local audiences impart a sense of community, and build a sense of comradery in neighborhoods.
For example, many community magazines publish information regarding the hours and contact information for the township or municipal offices. They share waste management schedules, including special recycling events and yard waste pick-up days. Parks and recreation departments publish trail maps, summer camp options, and farmers’ market schedules. Community events such as outdoor concerts, fireworks for the Fourth of July, and even car shows all appear in the local magazine.
A similar community publication that neighbors enjoy is a calendar. Filled with photos of local flora and fauna, children enjoying nearby playgrounds, and other familiar images, plus holiday events, and information regarding, for example, school start dates or library book sales, community calendars are useful and stay accessible in households.
Print Options for Advertisers
Community publications are a boon to local businesses. Advertising dollars are well spent on space in a local publication. Because of the way these periodicals can build community, seeing an ad for a local business can feel like getting a recommendation from a trusted friend. These print publications help lead readers to an advertiser online as well; print ads that include QR codes and links to websites provide readers with more information.
Whether mailed to residents or distributed at a neighborhood business, locally produced calendars provide another cost-effective option for advertisers. Because a print calendar stays on-hand as a relevant reference in households, an ad is guaranteed to be seen. While an ad on Facebook may have a bigger reach, it does not necessarily hit the right target and demographic the way an advertisement in a local publication does.
Print ads in magazines and on calendars have longevity. These publications have a life beyond the mailbox, often showing up in dentist and doctor offices, neighborhood grocery stores, coffee shops, and pharmacies. When someone picks up a magazine while waiting or just hanging out, they engage with the content and advertising differently than they do on social media.
Professional Looking and Timely
The nature of a community magazine demands a printer who knows how to print, bind, and mail in specific quantities and on schedule. Quality graphics, clear fonts, and the right paper are key to eye-catching content and ads. Events and shopping guides need to reach customers by mail well before they are going to happen so people can plan and budget, both time and money. Consolidated Press offers in-house mailing services, helping publishers navigate and negotiate the best mail rates for their magazine or calendar.
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The print industry is here to stay, and at the same time, the industries that use print are changing. Magazines and periodicals are perfect examples of industries in demand, yet these media companies are also changing how they do business. Ad revenues are down; subscriptions are up (in some cases, 15% to 30%), and printers can serve these markets in creative and exciting ways.
Reread, Retain, Reward
Research shows over and over again that people enjoy getting mail and many prefer interacting with print pieces rather than digital advertising. People who read print media learn more effectively and retain more information. Magazine readers are diverse and include members of every age group, income level, sexual orientation and ethnicity. According to research, 91% of adults in the United States have read a magazine in the past six months, including 95% of adults under the age of 25.
Magazines provide trusted information, and compared to Internet and television advertising; magazines persuade readers to try new things, buy new things, and help them make purchase decisions. Paper-based reading stimulates emotions and desires, and helps focus attention. Readers have positive associations with brands that advertise in magazines, and often seek out more information about the advertised product or service.
According to “Mr. Magazine”, Samir Husni, Ph.D., the founder and director of the Magazine Innovation Center at the Meek School of Journalism at the University of Mississippi, magazines are here to stay. We don’t have a print problem, he explains. We have a business problem. The COVID-19 pandemic changed the business model in terms of distribution and revenue collection. Bookstores and newsstands closed, so periodicals need to depend on the post office to get to consumers. Advertisers have other, often less expensive outlets than print magazines. The loss of distribution outlets and advertising dollars is a real double whammy.
Quality over Quantity
In order to continue to publish, magazines need to deliver experience-making content, says Dr. Husni. People depend on the publications to which they subscribe to provide content they can trust, content that has been vetted and verified. Magazines are reinventing themselves by moving to quarterly publication, rather than monthly, or by releasing special editions. Timeless content that readers can return to will pay off for magazines as advertising models change
Making a print project stand out from the pack can grab a person’s interest when browsing the magazine rack. As a non-disposable media platform, magazines have an advantage in style over other types of media. One option to engage customers is a bookazine, which is a publication that combines elements of magazines and books. A savvy magazine publisher will look beyond a monthly subscription, and create special editions on niche topics their readers will want to read and save. By using embossed graphics, foil printing, and high-quality paper, a printer helps publishers impart a feeling of value. (Very savvy publishers will also branch out into digital or streaming platforms, such as podcasts or television, information about which will be available to consumers via their print base.)
A Knowledgeable Printer is a Valuable Partner
Building a relationship with a printer will make a good print partner aware of the challenges magazines and periodicals face. By offering quality printing, an experienced printer will ensure that customers who are now laying down $12 or $15 per magazine get a collectible item that they can showcase in their homes.
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The golden age of print is happening now. More formats are available than ever before, more enhanced printing and finishing options at a lower cost, and lightweight papers that convey gravity and elegance while being economical to print and mail, especially for periodical publishers.
As magazines, periodicals and journals continue to compete for shelf space and strive to reach the top of the inbox, publishers should capitalize on the unique, hands-on experiences printers have to offer. Look for a color that’s outside the lines, eye-catching sizes and shapes, and highly touchable papers and finishes. The trick is to find a printer with these capabilities that also offers value, speed, competitive pricing, and unmatched quality.
Refining the look and feel of your publication will set it apart from and above the competition. Consider going outside the box with:
Paper.
Consolidated Press offers more flexibility and economy, starting with picking your paper. CP’s process allows for lightweight paper options that most offset printers won’t touch because they can be hard to print on. Publications can be lighter and less expensive to mail, making a huge difference to a magazine on a regular schedule.
Tipped-in pages.
Set your periodical apart with color illustrations, maps, coupons, advertisements, reply cards, and much more. Be sure your readers open to the page you want them to.
Customized binding and finishing.
Choose from in-house perfect binding, saddle stitching, drilling, laminating, gluing, and more — whatever binding matches the personality of your publication and works for mailing to your customers.
Color that dazzles.
In publishing, a printer’s capabilities should show their true colors. In addition to striking and precise color matching, true to the last page, CP can do a fifth spot color, as well as spot varnish. CP can print “5 over 5” in one press run, translating to faster delivery, less waste, and excellent color consistency throughout the run.
Versatility.
Not all the pages are created the same, and they don’t all need to go on the same press. Consolidated Press offers the upgraded, in-house process of simultaneously printing the inside of a publication on one press and the cover on another. This optimized workflow offers efficiency for printing pages while opening unique opportunities to make each cover impactful and distinctive using handpicked stock and finishing options.
After your unique publication is printed and bound, CP can shrinkwrap, mail, distribute and warehouse. We are indeed the premier resource for periodical publishers. See more of our work.
Consolidated Press is one for the books. Call or click today to start our valuable partnership in printing.
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While digital publishing trends may be the talk of the town in educational circles, the value of print pieces cannot be ignored. Whether you’re an educational institution looking to create and distribute marketing materials and alumni magazines, or an instructor seeking to reach students and help them learn, partnering with a print expert will benefit your audience and your bottom line.
Student and Alumni Life
As with print catalogs and other direct mail pieces, the use of graphics appeals to the senses. For student catalogs and curriculum offerings, photography will bring your campus to life in living color. For alumni who want to stay in touch with their colleges and universities, magazines incorporating photos, graphs and charts regarding where their contributions go, and other visual elements will evoke positive feelings and memories.
An outstanding way to engage the user experience is by using tipped-in pages. “Tip-ins” are pages that pull the reader’s attention to a specific activity or content subset. If your university has a top-rated educational program, set it apart in the student catalog. For alumni, use a tip-in to highlight the achievements of their fellow graduate class members.
Promote Learning
According to research done by Dr. Naomi Baron, the vast majority of students say they learn better when they are provided print materials rather than relying on digital instructional materials and online educational resources (OERs). While higher ed institutions may be tempted to move toward digital resources because of perceived cost, learners still want print materials. Students report they re-read print materials, as opposed to just skimming through online resources one time; and they say they retain information better when they have read something from a print source.
Because higher ed is facing a contraction of resources, especially from a federal level, it’s more important than ever for these institutions to partner with an expert that can optimize their dollars. As students continue to demand books in print, a responsive and experienced printer with versatile offerings and an economy of scale can support this market by providing high-quality content to readers who want it.
Continuing Education
Colleges and universities aren’t the only educational institutions out there. Many industries demand that employees continue to learn to stay on top of industry trends, appeal to an ever-evolving customer base, and keep up with advancing technology. Providing employee handbooks, workplace manuals, and other corporate materials will engage your workforce in knowledge development and skills training, benefiting their careers and boosting productivity.
Consult with the experts at Consolidated Press. Cost-effective options include sheet and web printing for more options with sheet sizes and basis weights; in-house perfect binding to reduce shipping costs and time; and various paper options. We can ensure your printing projects will run smoothly, deliver on time and within budget, and thrill your audience with the information they are seeking.
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For over 80 years, Consolidated Press has been a part of Seattle’s thriving and vibrant evolution. When our doors first opened in 1934 near the famous Pike Place Market, no one could have imagined that our city would be the center of technology, innovation, retail, and tourism that it is today. Fast forward many decades and one big move down to Sodo, Consolidated Press brings print and mail projects to life for many of the companies that have helped drive Seattle’s success and bring new people to the region to live, work, and play. Here are some of the Seattle-based projects that help tell the story of our great city.
Destination guidebooks
No destination is complete without a guidebook. Whether sending these out to prospective visitors or handing them to customers who have just arrived, tour books and guidebooks are a great way to welcome new business and help retain customer loyalty. These are often kept for the duration of a trip or stay and taken home and shared with others.
Gameday books and fan guides
Our location in Sodo makes us a little partial to our neighbors in the Stadium District and beyond. Whether you root for the Seahawks, Mariners, Huskies, Sounders, or our new NHL expansion team, the Kraken, fans love to take home a piece of the action. Gameday books, fan guides, commemorative player rosters and more are all a part of the ultimate fan experience.
Direct Mail to Reach Your Community
Seattle is known for its many distinct neighborhoods, each with its own unique style and flavor. Community events and festivals are the glue that keeps our city together. Seattle Farmers Markets serve the city population providing food access and promoting Washington State farmers. Communities participate in the National Night Out with neighborhood block parties and other relationship-building events. Rack cards or direct mail are great ways to reach residential-based lists to spread the word about events and other important initiatives in your area.
Pass booklets
Amongst Seattle’s many attractions are its wineries and breweries. Woodinville, the popular wine region about 45 minutes outside the city, is home to more than 100 wineries. Locals and visitors pick up pass booklets to take advantage of discounts and find information along our many wine and beer trails throughout the region.
Consolidated Press is proud to be a part of Seattle’s rich heritage and looks forward to growing along with its strong future. We are honored to serve our many local companies and organizations with effective solutions in print — direct mail, brochures, catalogs, booklets, and more to help them stay on time and on budget. Let us know how we can help with your next project.
In this most digital of the digital ages, a catalog that shows up in your customer’s mailbox still delivers. While so many aspects of people’s lives moved online – from Zoom meetings to telehealth doctor appointments – putting a printed piece into consumers’ hands remains a reliable way to build brand loyalty and drive sales.
Eyes on the Prize
Consumers spend more time with direct mail pieces than online ads or email marketing. On average, advertising mail is part of a household for 17 days. Up to 90% of mail gets opened, as opposed to only 20-30% of emails. Every generation reports being a fan of physical mail: looking forward to receiving it, taking the time to read through it, and preferring to engage with it instead of marketing emails.
The tangible nature of direct mail evokes positive feelings in recipients, creating memories and connections. Catalogs, in particular, are accessible in many settings and at almost any time, allowing consumers to browse and shop at their convenience. The way catalogs enable companies to incorporate content, telling a story while featuring products, has a lot of appeal for consumers.
Most companies use a multi-page marketing publication to introduce consumers to new products and feature a select number of items rather than everything “on the shelves.” In addition, when catalogs and brochures are used to present seasonal offerings, customers look forward to what is next from the company.
Options to Shop
The high visibility format of a print catalog invites people to browse while also giving them various ways to make a purchase. These page-turning engagements have proven over and over again to drive sales. Catalogs are most successful when used as a launching pad to omnichannel marketing. They inspire people to use their phones to purchase more than social media ads do.
72% of people surveyed said catalogs make them more interested in a retailer’s product
84% have made a purchase after seeing an item in a catalog
60% of catalog recipients visit the website associated with the catalog they receive
Combining catalogs with direct mail postcards is another way to boost browsing and shopping engagement. A postcard with a promotion reminds customers that they were interested in an item, and now they can save by using a special offer.
Easy-to-track results
Deliverables such as ROI and attribution are easy to track by using catalogs as well. Leveraging industry databases allows companies to segment customers by buyer behavior, product or service niche, and vertical, getting the right product details into the buyer’s hands. Catalogs can be tracked by mail date, customer codes, and source codes to accurately attribute sales. Companies can also use information from digital apps to track how specific catalogs are performing.
Supporting Sustainability
Before decrying the potential environmental impact of printing catalogs, know that the print and paper industries have a long history of developing and employing many eco-friendly practices. Sustainable systems are much more in demand now. Vegetable- and soy-based ink long ago replaced petroleum-based ink; vegetable-based inks release only 2-4% volatile organic compounds (VOCs), compared to the 100% of solvent-based inks. Energy sourcing and usage, responsible forestry and paper supply chain certifications and recycling programs all come together to reinforce the positive footprint printed materials bring to the marketing arena.
Ask about our commitment at Consolidated Press toward sustainability, waste reduction, carbon emission reduction, and other steps in place to protect the environment. Working with a knowledgeable printer will give your catalog a look and feel that your customers will respond to while meeting your company’s eco-friendly goals.
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Paper and packaging manufacturing are feeling the squeeze as demand for printed goods continues to outpace the supply of paper. It’s a sign that industries are recovering from the pandemic, but what does it mean for consumers? Consolidated Press is ahead of the curve with a healthy supply of materials in stock, and we want to share just a few tips and tricks that will come in handy for our clients who purchase printed goods. Our goal is to help you save time, money and more than a few headaches in the future.
Plan Ahead
Preschedule the print jobs you know are on the horizon, particularly as we enter the crucial holiday catalog season. If you can provide your print service provider with estimates of the number of projects, materials needed, and page counts, they can, in turn, place supply orders now for paper goods to have in stock at a later date.
What’s Happening
There are critical shortages in the supply chain required for the manufacturing of paper. International imports of paper are at a lower volume than normal forcing domestic mills to try to pick up the slack. COVID-19 protocols and short-staffing are also causing slowdowns in production cycles and port operations across the globe. This perfect storm of circumstances leaves inventory low for many paper suppliers. It also means that paper prices are increasing.
How We Can Help
We constantly manage our customer expectations and make every effort to not disappoint anyone or delay work unnecessarily because of supply shortages.
Work with your sales rep to identify projects well in advance
Be creative about the size, shape, or type of paper you’re using for your printed piece to help with both supply and costs
Consolidate projects into one print run to save time, money and paper
Target or segment your audience for greater impact at a reduced volume
Look at other printing options like roll-to-sheet versus sheetfed
The road to economic recovery will have a few speed bumps along the way, but we’ll get through this together. Ultimately, the temporary supply shortages are a sign that more and more companies are investing in the future of commerce, and that’s a win for all of us. Know that we have your back and, when in doubt, pick up the phone to discuss your options for print success with Consolidated Press.
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