Tips And Tricks – Page 3

Unadulterated beauty: having printed matter laser cut or laser engraved

22 June 2020/in Stories, Tips And Tricks

Having your name engraved on a book cover. Incorporate a logo or special image into your packaging. Develop unique labels with complex cut-out shapes. With the laser, you can create exceptional effects in your printing. What is the difference between laser cutting and laser engraving? We’ll explain that to you quickly and easily.

Laser cutting by Buroform — *Project: laser cutting for Mesa – Tomorrowland restaurant*

What is laser cutting?

Laser cutting is a thermal separation process in which you cut extremely precise shapes, contours and patterns from a specific material. The laser beam heats the surface and melts or vaporizes it, then the actual cutting begins. In doing so, the cut made is barely wider than the laser beam itself, so you can work to fractions of a mm to create unique patterns.

What is laser engraving?

Rather, laser engraving is meant to give your printed materials a personal touch. The laser processes a text, drawing or image, removing portions of the surface point by point. As with laser cutting, you are virtually unlimited in your possibilities: just about any design can be done on just about any material. Think of an invitation with an individual message, a ballpoint pen with your logo or packaging with a serial number.

On what materials can all this be done now?

A laser cuts through just about any material, of any size or thickness. From paper and cardboard to cork, acrylic, plastic, wood and glass, almost no technology has so many processing options.

What applications are laser cutting or engraving ideal for?

So many materials, so many uses. Whether you want to embellish an invitation or greeting card, or give a book cover or brochure a special effect: with a personal engraving or a fine laser-cut pattern, you can give almost any graphic application an exclusive look!

More inspiration?

For Mesa, the tomorrowland restaurant, we provided menus, beverage cards, invitations and gift cards, among other things. See more about this fantastic project here.

Lunch Garden: deliciously remote together

25 May 2020/in Stories, Tips And Tricks

Posters, stickers, floor, wall and table markers. In times of corona, they are part of “the new normal. More than that: they are part of the solution to protect yourself, your employees and visitors. What can be done? This collaboration with Lunch Garden demonstrates that. An initiative that even made the news!

Everyone longs for a return of normal life. That it will continue to be very gradual is now clear. So structuring your store remains essential to ensure social distance. How that can happen in a restaurant, we doctored out with Lunch Garden. Hospitality is high on the menu there, so we tried to reintegrate it in a smart and tasteful way in a coronagraphic setting.

Stickers, posters and all sorts of markings help to bring people back to safety.

In addition to the presence of hydro-alcoholic gels in all areas of the restaurant, much attention is paid to clear markings: stickers on floors, walls and tables. These indicate where you may sit, which route to take, how far apart to stand, and so on. In short, they accompany “the new normal” in a playful way and make it all look just a little less sterile.

Creative signage brings life to your restaurant or store, creates clarity and still gives “the new normal” a playful slant.

What materials used can also be used for your store?

Removable stickers

These stickers are perfect for indoor and outdoor use. You can have them applied to all types of flat surfaces. Consider your store’s window to highlight temporary promotions or campaigns. Then you can repeat that promotion in your interior. We handle everything from sizing and full color printing to installation. Do you like to give some extra cachet to your communications? Then we add a matte or glossy laminate.

Yupo Tako stickers

Are you looking for stickers that you can easily apply and reuse yourself? Then you’re in the right place with Yupo Tako. This is a recyclable self-adhesive film that adheres to smooth surfaces via tiny suction cups. Think screens, beverage dispensers, windows, toys as well as electrical appliances. Thus, no glue is used, so you can easily reposition the decal over time. Just clean it with water and it is as good as new.

Yupo Tako is only available in white. Rather, are you looking for a transparent reusable sticker? Then go for the Yupo Jelly.

Floor stickers

To guide customers safely through your store, floor stickers are ideal. They look like ordinary vinyl stickers, but are specially finished with a hard-wearing floor laminate with anti-slip, so you can walk on them safely. In addition, you can use floor stickers very well as markers, for example, to indicate where someone should wait to maintain social distance. Sort of the principle you recognize in pharmacies and town halls, so that whoever is in front of you has adequate privacy.

Are you interested in a similar solution for your employees and customers? We provide communication, coordination and follow-up.

Everything you give attention to grows: 4 sales tips from Jesse

19 February 2020/in Stories, Tips And Tricks

Jan Roel has been researching the success formulas behind sales for 23 years. In his podcast RED-Selling, he regularly gives the floor to the best in the business. In early February, Jesse Marynen also got a chance to explain his insights on that theme. We summarize the interview in four statements, with expert commentary from our manager. Curious about the full interview? Just scroll and you’ll find it at the bottom of the page!

*Jesse at the table with sales expert Jan Roel van Rhee.*

1. It’s not your product that matters, it’s what your customer needs

“In the past, when I was still working as a salesperson myself, I used to pull up to the customer with a showcase each time: ‘Look what we can’t do.’ Now I realize that such an approach is actually counterproductive. By imposing your product, you miss the point. Namely that you must first and foremost listen to what your customer needs. His wish or need is your starting point. Only when you know that, then you can start showing the best of yourself with a personalized portfolio, if necessary.”

2. Really get to know your customers and make connections by letting them have their say

“As a salesperson, you are dealing with people. That’s exactly why you need to know who is behind that face. Prepare yourself well. Who do I have in front of me later? What has this person studied? What else is he/she working on? We live in a digital age. All that info is there for the taking. Google briefly, check LinkedIn, there are so many tools available to make a deeper connection from the first conversation. Make sure your customer is speaking and not you. To project it onto everyday life: when someone gives you the chance to tell your story or share your emotions, it still makes you feel incredible. That’s what I mean.”

3. Also learn to say “no” when you have to

“There is a lid for every pot. For every question there is an answer, but that doesn’t mean you always have to look for it in yourself. Sometimes you have to learn to say no. I myself am the best example of that: I always want to help everyone, when that is just not possible. Sometimes there are other people or companies who are better placed to help. Dare to express that too: half-hearted work is of no use to anyone.”

4. Treat your customers with the same care as your loved ones

“Today, every printing company is a top printing company. Everyone has modern machinery, offers super service and delivers quality. You distinguish yourself above all in human terms. By giving customers the feeling that you are really there for them. ‘Everything you give attention to, grows,’ I always say. Because there is so much truth in that phrase. In that view, customer loyalty is a lot like a love relationship. You have to keep caring for each other. If you stop paying attention, someone else will.”

Listen to the full interview?

Check out the podcast via Spotify.

Or watch it all in words and pictures via YouTube.

Desk calendar as an original promotional gift: this is how to score with customers

21 October 2019/in Stories, Tips And Tricks

A personalized year-end gift strengthens the bond with customers, partners and employees. The best example: a personalized desk calendar. Obsolete? On the contrary, if you handle it correctly at least. Because how do you make your calendar totally convincing? How do you make your attention feel real and genuine? Five tips, as a year-end gift from us.

Order year-end printing?
Get in touch and we’ll get you a quick quote!

Keep an eye on your target audience

Not unimportant: to whom will you gift the calendar? Sales people or office workers, for example, they function in a very different way. One group spends its time mainly in the car, while the other moves mainly between its own four walls. So think about the format of your desk calendar: will you go for a smart pocket version, a creative wall calendar or a wonderfully authentic desk calendar? Determine the form first, then think about the content.

Don’t make your desk calendar too commercial

It’s all about the attention. Through the calendar, you show appreciation and confirm the fruitful collaboration between you and your employee, supplier, partner or client. Of course, your logo and contact information may be subtly visible, but don’t flaunt it. What matters is the gratitude your promotional gift exudes: you are happy that that person is part of your company.

Provide a visual gem

What gets your audience hot? Respond accordingly. Choose a theme that you know will touch you. In addition, make sure you have a visually strong concept. Beautiful images appeal, colors work as well. In doing so, focus on what resonates with your target audience. Consider photos with meaning, emphasize common accomplishments, feature colleagues, provide a personal touch by printing the recipient’s name on each page. If you think a little off the beaten path, you soon have several options for doing something special.

Consider a premium finish

There are countless different paper types and thicknesses, printing techniques, forms of finishing. They make your calendar look as simple or extravagant as you like. One tip: make sure the finish of your printing is a nice translation of your company’s style. A corporate gift remains a form of branding, keep that in mind as well. In addition, pay attention to practicality: choose paper that is convenient to use or at least easy to write on.

Highlight important dates

Give your client or employee a hand: dot important dates so the recipient knows immediately when vacations fall, events or outings are scheduled. Of course, the dates indicated must be relevant. And the recipient must have a message for it.

Got enough inspiration? Ready for the real thing? We execute your ideas to perfection. Still a question here and there? Pop in, have a coffee with us and we’ll tell you everything you want to know. Connect with us through Sarah or Kelly.

Packaging: let’s build a greener world together

16 August 2019/in Stories, Tips And Tricks

The highest quality message does good for the environment. With every decision we make, our green footprint thoroughly plays into our consideration. That’s why our creative experts developed these beautiful presentation boxes for name cards.

Environmentally friendly packing

Everything starts with the first impression. Beautiful packaging makes that first experience memorable. That’s why we chose FoldKraft™ paper from Papyrus. This paper immediately gives a unique, natural look and feel. Its high rigidity and tear-through resistance make this paper ideal for packaging, menus, greeting cards and labels. In addition, the evenly smooth surface on the front ensures optimal printing results.

Reduce environmental impact

By choosing this paper, we try to keep our footprint small. In fact, FoldKraft™ is virgin Fibers (PEFC™) with up to 15% recycled fiber in the backing.

So what does this all mean?
Virgin Fibers, or “New Fibers,” is as environmentally friendly as paper made from recycled fibers. You can recognize this paper by the PEFC or FSC label.

Have you received your box yet?
Show us via @buroform.print or #buroform

3D Varnish: impress with your imprint

17 June 2019/in Stories, Tips And Tricks

Your printed materials are often the first knock on the door of your target audience. How do you ensure that that door effectively opens? With 3D Varnish, you are already one foot in. As the name suggests, this new technique puts a three-dimensional layer of varnish on your printed matter. The result not only looks beautiful, you also create a unique experience for the fingers. Because 3D Varnish creates a relief on the paper, which guarantees extra attention from your reader.

Give your logo, text or image a glamorous effect.

As subtle as 250,000 atoms in a row

Did you know that the layer of varnish of 3D Varnish is only 50 microns thick? That’s half as thick as a sheet of newsprint, or the thickness of 250,000 atoms in a row. Still, you can clearly feel the varnish with your fingertips.

Differentiate with class

3D Varnish offers unique opportunities to make your printed materials – and therefore your company or brand – stand out above other communications. For example, choose gold or silver foil on a black background, giving your logo, text or image a glamorous effect. And can you imagine the admiring looks you garner when you deliver your business card with 3D Varnish?

3D Varnish through a technical lens

3D Varnish…

… is a post-printing coating technique, in which a coat of lacquer is added via UV light
… Requires a font at least 8 pt in size
… has a gloss level of 99%
… can only be on paper with laminate or varnish
… is possible for offset and digital printing
… can be up to a maximum size of 52×105 cm

An extra dimension for beautification, as well as protection

3D Varnish literally adds an extra dimension to your printing. This not only offers aesthetic benefits, but also protects the paper from moisture, scratches and dust. The technique is ideally suited for printed materials that you want to give a longer life: a book cover, your corporate brochure, your business card, product packaging, the invitation to your event – even your wedding card. Because you can be sure of one thing: thanks to 3D Varnish, you will impress with your print.

The result not only looks beautiful, you also create a unique experience for the fingers.

One example says more than a thousand words

So come see some fine examples at our office. We warmly welcome you.

Make an appointment

BAAS over every aspect of your printing

6 June 2019/in Stories, Tips And Tricks

Buroform as a Service, or BAAS, is the name of our online printing platform. The direct link between you and our printing press. Not only do you personalize and order all your corporate identity documents with it, you use it equally well as an online product catalog and marketing portal.

Simplicity, transparency and efficiency. These are the code words of BAAS. The new platform brings all our previous initiatives together under one umbrella, making it easier for you to organize, personalize and order all your print materials. No more phone calls or emails. No hassle with choosing printing technology or paper, with numbers or sizes. Everything is highly automated so that future order confirmations can happen in just a few clicks.

Printing personalized in line with corporate identity

Many of our clients have several branches or dealers. All must communicate according to the guidelines of the headquarters. Therefore, BAAS is first and foremost a platform that monitors the corporate identity for everyone directly connected to your company. Like you, each of your branches can log into it for its printing. In your account, they will find all documents according to fixed, predetermined templates, in line with your corporate identity. These can then be personalized to your heart’s content. BAAS therefore helps ensure that all communications linked to your company run according to the agreements made. Name tags, brochures, flyers, posters, you name it. Your branch or dealer requests its templates, adjusts data such as logo, contact and opening hours and hop: the order can be passed on.

BAAS makes it easier for you because you truly control every aspect of your printing, without detours.

Online marketing portal and product catalog

Having all your corporate identity documents in one place is one thing. But thanks to BAAS, you also have more control over your further marketing initiatives. In fact, the platform also acts as an online marketing portal. For example, you can use your own image bank where you can house logos, images for social media, sales brochures and the like. In addition, BAAS also collects your product catalogs. Its pdfs are just online in your account. In an instant, you order the copies you want and have them printed on demand. Or you can have your products printed ahead of time for later retrieval from our central stock via order picking. BAAS makes it easier for you because you truly control every aspect of your printing, without detours. And so you can spend your precious time on other things.

Want to know more? Go to the website and connect with BAAS!

How is a cliché created?

2 June 2019/in Stories, Tips And Tricks

Foil printing adds a very nice shiny touch to your printing. But no foil printing without a cliché, a brass template used to press the desired text, shape or drawing into the paper. How does such a cliché actually come about?

Like just about everything these days, clichés – or stamps – cannot really be lumped together. You have them in different materials, manufactured using different processes and techniques. However, the most commonly used are clichés in etched magnesium and brass, the latter being particularly popular. “A brass stamp is very easy to bend to your will,” says Rosita Van Unen of Repro Hermans, specialist on duty in Rotterdam. “You can edit those in great detail and adjust them almost endlessly until you get the desired effect.”

From black and white PDF to engraving file

Within the product range in brass, Repro Hermans distinguishes foil stamps (the standard cliché for shiny foil), embossing stamps (bring relief to your printing) and foil embossing stamps (combine both techniques). Rosita Van Unen: “The basis of the creation process is always the same. We receive a pdf from the customer that we import into a special engraving program. That pdf must be black and white, otherwise the system will not accept it. If it is colored anyway, we adjust the color. The same goes for files with different encoding. We also have to convert them to the correct format first. So starting can be very easy, but just as well you have some work in Adobe Illustrator first.”

A brass stamp can be molded to your liking very easily. You can edit those in great detail and adjust them almost endlessly until you get the desired effect.

Engraving with CNC machine

In the engraving program, Rosita creates a simulation of the cliché. It is important to consider what milling size the actual machining will be done with. “Let’s assume a 0.1mm cutter,” she says. “Then we must first see which parts are large enough to engrave with the CNC machine and which are too small. Some details require such minute treatment that additional processing with the laser is necessary. Were we not to do that, we run the risk of an upset result. So we select the smallest parts of the file that the cutter can’t go through and transform them into a laser file.”

Lasering for additional refinement

The cliché is first engraved with the CNC machine, as fine as possible. “In some cases, this step is sufficient. In the case of a very detailed file, we then move on to the laser machine. There we engrave the stamp again, so that even the very finest particles are burned away. Actually, you should engrave the entire file that way. That would be the most beautiful thing. But that is not desirable, not for the customer and not for us. The laser burns away microscopic pieces of 0.02mm per focal point. If you make a cliché that way, you’re easily two weeks away. I don’t think anyone wants to pay that cost.”

The laser burns away microscopic pieces of 0.02mm per focal point.

print

realizations

about us

stories

Read our latest story

shop