R.I.P to D&K's delivery truck

The wind in Boulder this weekend took out one of the large Cottonwood trees that line the creek behind our shop.
Our delivery truck took the brunt of the fall...

The view before the tree removal company got to work on Monday.

The view from inside the cab.

The tree is so large that it almost reached our delivery car, 

which was parked on the side of the building.

It was tall enough to fall across both of our shipping docks 

and cause damage to the roof.

While we're saddened to lose our great delivery truck, we are very happy that the tree chose to come down when no one was near by.

 The dock area is a popular spot during break time and for shipments/deliveries throughout the day.

Folding +2,000,000 Denver Broncos Pocket Schedules

Check us out - Boulder's #1 Commercial Printer

See the whole list at: http://tinyurl.com/27zfhwh

Check us out - Boulder's Top Ten Family Owned Businesses

Sure we're number 10, but that is still in the Top 10.

From the Boulder County Business Report (http://www.bcbr.com)

Marvelous March

 Now a week into April, we at D&K are fully realizing what a great month March was for us. We added equipment, capabilities, staff and produced some amazing work.
 Here is an update of what we were up to last month. A big thanks goes out to all that made it happen.

•  We hired a new Customer Service Representative, Jim Crewdson, a former employee of L&M Pressworks (which was seized by the government in June) and a new head pressman for our 40” 4-color press.
•  We increased our map producing capabilities by purchasing a 40” map folder. Giving us the capability to fold 40” wide sheets down to a size that will fit in your pocket.
•  After experimenting with new technologies in ink and vinyl substrates, we have added vinyl printing to our skill set.
•  The purchase of an automated wire-o machine will make the production of wire-o bound books faster and cheaper.

When we count our blessings at D&K, there is much to be grateful for.  While, in this economy, our staff is smaller than it used to be, the talent of our group is at record highs. The quality of the work we have been producing is among the best in Colorado and we would gladly compare it to that of our competitors.
 From business cards to annual reports to posters to brochures, we continue to make your projects look better and provide unmatched service along the way.

 Now is a pivotal time for D&K and for the printing industry. We want to make sure that you all know that its times like these when we shine. We are eager for an opportunity to prove to all of our great customers and the great companies that don’t use us yet, that D&K is still producing great work after more than 45 years in Boulder. And our eagerness and ability to provide excellent printing is as strong as ever. 

  

ADCD Paper Fashion Show

We had an amazing time at the ADCD Paper Fashion Show last night. 

Click here to see more of our images.

Top 6 Communication Tips When Working With Commercial Printers

We love keeping up with what our clients and friends are reading. That is why we subscribe to Margie's Print Tips. The author, Margie Dana, is an east coast print buyer with a great newsletter and blog about how buyers can get more out of their vendors and projects.

We especially liked today's print tip...

Top 6 Communications Tips
when Working with Commercial Printers

Common-Sense Guidelines for Print Buyers & Creatives

By Margie Dana

1. Give your printer as much detail as you can, as early as you can.
   You need to provide very detailed job specs (specifications) if you want a fair estimate. It will help prevent "surprises" when the job is done (I'm using air quotes in this sentence). Remember, every print job is unique. It's built spec by spec.
2. Tell your printer how you prefer to be communicated with.
   Ideally, your printer will ask you, but if not, be clear about how often he or she should be in touch with you during production, and by what means. Some people prefer phone calls; others, email.
3. Do everything in writing.
   Job specs change during the production cycle (quantities & delivery instructions, for example), and you need to keep track. Changes can affect your price. Paper trails (or email trails) are critical.
4. Admit what you don't understand, and seek a clearer explanation from your printer.
   I never understand people who are too proud to speak up and say, "I have no idea what that means," when they hear a too-technical explanation. Printing has a language all its own. If anything is unclear about what's happening with your job, just say so.
5. Make your priorities crystal clear.
   Different jobs have different priorities. Is it the delivery date? The quality? The cost? Out with it! Again, your printer should ask you, but if not, make sure you bring it up.
6. Ask your printer for input & creative suggestions.
   You may know exactly what you want and why, but perhaps you don't. It's extremely smart business to ask your printer for ideas. Maybe there's a better way (more creative, more cost effective, quicker, "greener," and so on) to produce what you want. Maybe a different paper would work better. In my mind, this is where the real value of a printing company lies: in how they assist in getting you the best product possible, to match your budget and your expectations. Get your printers involved, as opposed to merely giving them "job orders."