GCU Forum - New Printing Partner

Mindy

GCU Administrator
Community Manager

Posts: 6567
Gender: female

New Printing Partner - no need to panic!
Jul 27^th, 2010, 6:38pm

As of Friday, July 23rd GCU have switched to a new printing partner. I know, I know...not another one, right?

Due to ongoing issues with our last partner in May we have been on the search for a new partner. We have been working very closely with this new partner both before and during the switch. They understand our business and are committed to a high level of quality and customer service.

Here are just some of the perks our new partner will afford us...
1. Saturday processing which means Friday orders will no longer have to wait until Monday
2. Fewer holiday closure days
3. Close to GCU HQ - they're a hop, skip and jump away so we can be there in person to resolve any issues and have face to face communications if needed
4. Less strict on Adult Content so if it meets GCU's Adult Content Guidelines it WILL get printed

Differences you may notice...
1. No Packing Slips for an interim period but they will resume
2. Different packing materials - the clear sleeve will once again be replaced with foam wrapping

We are confident the colors will be more accurate and consistent, quality just as good if not better, turnaround time better and responsiveness to any exceptions/issues will be a top priority for them.

There is nothing but good news here

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« Last Edit: Jul 30^th, 2010, 3:40pm by Mindy »

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Tanya_135475 Gold Member artist Posts: 1008	Re: New Printing Parnter - no need to panic! Reply #1 - Jul 27^th, 2010, 6:49pm Hiho Well the way I see it, if you like them I am sure they are great no other changes we should take note of? or should we at least order one to have a little view? All sounds good though handy being close for problems. Hugs Moonie
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Doreen_137017

Gold Member
artist

Posts: 5274

Re: New Printing Parnter - no need to panic!
Reply #2 - Jul 27^th, 2010, 6:50pm

Great news Mindy!

I searched and worked with fine art printers for many years when putting my work into Fine Art Giclee print runs and I know how frustrating and time consuming it is to have to keep testing print houses. It is so difficult to find one that reproduces good color, great tonal value and sharp clean edges...consistently.

Delighted with the news, perhaps we'll have more happy customers who return every time they need to send a card!

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Salon of Art:
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/SalonOfArt

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Nan_137018 Senior Member artist Posts: 297	Re: New Printing Parnter - no need to panic! Reply #3 - Jul 27^th, 2010, 7:20pm Mindy-- I just received a large order today. Was that printed by the former printing partner? When will the new one start?
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Laura_142481 Gold Member artist Posts: 583	Re: New Printing Parnter - no need to panic! Reply #4 - Jul 27^th, 2010, 7:25pm Sounds very promising! Best of luck!
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Kathy_131728 Gold Member artist Posts: 610	Re: New Printing Parnter - no need to panic! Reply #5 - Jul 27^th, 2010, 8:02pm This sounds great Mindy. The Saturday processing is especially good. Kathy
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Penny_134243 Gold Member artist Posts: 1337	Re: New Printing Parnter - no need to panic! Reply #6 - Jul 27^th, 2010, 8:50pm Thanks for letting us know! Penny
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Randall_140313

Gold Member
artist

Posts: 1013

Re: New Printing Parnter - no need to panic!
Reply #7 - Jul 28^th, 2010, 6:22am

Hello Mindy,

Have you got all the sand out of your toes? Didn't know you were back yet, but it's good to see you're back on point. Hope you had a good little reprieve!

I don't know about the new printer, but do know sometimes when dealing with a supplier or service provider, you do have to switch up to keep them honest or at their top performance, otherwise they get complacent thinking you have no other options. This is likely a good move on GCU's part!

I haven't ordered any cards for myself yet, but I'm in the process of putting together some displays and have a couple of restaurants ready to display cards for resale as soon as I am set up to service them which means I still have a few designs to complete before I'm confident I have sufficient product to support a line. I'll definately be putting an order through GCU as well as shopping one or two other printers. The price point is my biggest concern, but quality concerns are right even with price. I need postcards printed as well and if I give the business for both folded cards and postcards to one printer, it may afford some price break options.

Hopefully this new printer can deliver consistently!

I'm wishing you the best as youur success finding a convenient and quality concious printing partner is our success as well.

Best always, Randy

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Kind Xpressions:
http://artist.greetingcarduniverse.com/KindeXpressions

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shirley_141241 GCU Newbies artist Posts: 3	Re: New Printing Parnter - no need to panic! Reply #8 - Jul 28^th, 2010, 9:53am Hi Folks, I work in prepress for boutique printer, so have to ask ... same resolution, color mode, same template? Thanks and this is such a friendly forum, it is a pleasure to be a participant.
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Paul_133086 Full Member artist Posts: 217	Re: New Printing Parnter - no need to panic! Reply #9 - Jul 28^th, 2010, 6:08pm I panic when the administrator spells "partner" wrong. But seriously, I hope the new printer is as good as the last one. I thought they were pretty good.
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niranjana_142624 GCU Newbies artist Posts: 2	how do I upload my inside of the card Reply #10 - Jul 29^th, 2010, 12:44am Hi Mindy I can't upload my inner part of the card,it is not only text but an artwork too..pl. can you guide me... thanks... niranjana
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Ernestine_131365

Gold Member
artist

Posts: 853

Re: how do I upload my inside of the card
Reply #11 - Jul 29^th, 2010, 5:07am

Quote from niranjana_142624 on Jul 29^th, 2010, 12:44am:

Hi Mindy
I can't upload my inner part of the card,it is not only text but an artwork too..pl. can you guide me...
thanks... niranjana undecided

Hi Niraniana-

Welcome to GCU. At this time we are only able to put text in the inside right (bottom) of a card. The customer can upload their own photo or picture to the inside left of a card (that is already available) when they purchase a card. Read the "wiki" page for more info: http://wiki.greetingcarduniverse.com/index.php/Main_Page

Also, questions such as this should be posted in the "GCU Support" section of the forum.
It's all a little confusing at the beginning! Wink

ernestine

Need more info and how-to on GCU? Check out Corrie's Squidoo pages, lots of good info:
GCU 101 - http://www.squidoo.com/gcu101
Card Design Tips - http://www.squidoo.com/designcardsatgcu
Marketing Tips - http://www.squidoo.com/makemoresalesatgcu
Retail Sales Tips - http://www.squidoo.com/sellcardsretail

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Ernestine's Easel:
http://artist.greetingcarduniverse.com/ErnestinesEasel

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Mindy

GCU Administrator
Community Manager

Posts: 6567
Gender: female

Re: New Printing Parnter - no need to panic!
Reply #12 - Jul 30^th, 2010, 3:38pm

Quote from Nan_137018 on Jul 27^th, 2010, 7:20pm:

Mindy-- I just received a large order today. Was that printed by the former printing partner? When will the new one start?

Started 7/23. If your order did not have a packing slip and cards were wrapped in white foam vs the clear sleeve chances are it was the new printer.

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Mindy GCU Administrator Community Manager Posts: 6567 Gender:	Re: New Printing Parnter - no need to panic! Reply #13 - Jul 30^th, 2010, 3:41pm Quote from Paul_133086 on Jul 28^th, 2010, 6:08pm: I panic when the administrator spells "partner" wrong. But seriously, I hope the new printer is as good as the last one. I thought they were pretty good. Sorry, fingers faster than brain It has been corrected, partner
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Mindy

GCU Administrator
Community Manager

Posts: 6567
Gender: female

Re: New Printing Parnter - no need to panic!
Reply #14 - Jul 30^th, 2010, 3:44pm

Quote from Randall_140313 on Jul 28^th, 2010, 6:22am:

Hello Mindy,

Have you got all the sand out of your toes? Didn't know you were back yet, but it's good to see you're back on point. Hope you had a good little reprieve!

I don't know about the new printer, but do know sometimes when dealing with a supplier or service provider, you do have to switch up to keep them honest or at their top performance, otherwise they get complacent thinking you have no other options. This is likely a good move on GCU's part!

I haven't ordered any cards for myself yet, but I'm in the process of putting together some displays and have a couple of restaurants ready to display cards for resale as soon as I am set up to service them which means I still have a few designs to complete before I'm confident I have sufficient product to support a line. I'll definately be putting an order through GCU as well as shopping one or two other printers. The price point is my biggest concern, but quality concerns are right even with price. I need postcards printed as well and if I give the business for both folded cards and postcards to one printer, it may afford some price break options.

Hopefully this new printer can deliver consistently!

I'm wishing you the best as youur success finding a convenient and quality concious printing partner is our success as well.

Best always, Randy

Thanks for the welcome back! Yes, sadly fully de-sanded cry

Good luck to you with your restaurant sales!

So far things are looking great! In fact just today the printer hand delivered a proof of a 3,000 card order placed yesterday just to make sure we were happy with it before printing.

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