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Please take a few moments to enjoy the most recent issue of Printer@Work below before you
Return to actionprints.com.

Action Graphics September 08, 2010


A delightfully absurd take on everything from superheroes to office humor, twisted relationships, huggable animals, and more.
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An adroit mixture of everyday settings and extraordinary events.
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A compendium of strange-but-true recent events as reported in the legitimate press.
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The world of business and finance gets skewered, as Bottom Liners tackles subjects such as foreign takeovers, office policies, getting a raise, and the fast-paced world of Wall Street.
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A wry look at the absurdities of every day life.
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With a daily readership of more than 95 million, Dear Abby is the symbol of a caring heart for millions of people around the world.
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News From
David Perlman
Idea of
the Week
Marketing Tips
Tech Tips
Uncommon Product
of the Week





Shady Text


Know When to Fold ‘Em


Safeguard Your Computer


Rethink Your Business Card
A Message From David Perlman
Project of the Month

The month's winner will receive lunch for two at Mama Ricotta's Restaurant.

Each month's winning entry will then be eligible for a weekend at Kingston Plantation in Myrtle Beach to be awarded in January 2011.

For details and restrictions call Action Graphics. (704)332-1164


We are pleased to announce that the winner in July was Sturner Murray General & Cosmetic Dentistry

Sturner Murray specializes in a wide array of dental services -
• Invisible Fillings
• Crowns
• Bridges
• Veneers
• Laser Dentistry
• Implants
• Bondings

By using the most up-to-date dental equipment and procedures available, Sturner Murray assures you a beautiful smile -- in fact,

They GUARANTEE it!

At Sturner Murray, they don't talk about great services;

THEY PROVIDE THEM!

Sturner Murray General & Cosmetic Dentistry
6406 Carmel Road #306
Charlotte, NC, NC 28226

(704) 542-9126

sturnermurraydds.com



Thank you for allowing us to be your printer.

P.S. Don't forget. Action Graphics gives you your most competitive prices on wide format printing. We also mount and laminate in house.


Idea of the Week
Using Type as a Mask

Adobe Illustrator has a wonderful assortment of tools for adding fill colors and patterns to paths and objects. However, those fill options aren't as plentiful when it comes to adding fills to type. Workarounds for these limitations are available. One method allows you to use type as a mask to apply a gradient to your text. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Create a word or phrase of text.



  2. Use the rectangle tool to create a rectangle about the size of your text. Apply a gradient fill to this rectangle.



  3. Drag your type on top of the filled rectangle, making sure that the text is on top. (Object > Arrange > Bring to Front)



  4. Select both pieces, the type and the rectangle.

  5. Choose Object > Clipping Mask > Make.

  6. Click anywhere outside your type to see the effect.

You could use this technique to create unique headlines for a newsletter, or in your company’s logo.

See more great ideas like this!
Click here to visit the Action Graphics Ideas Collection.

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Marketing Tip
Grab Attention with Folds


The layout presentation of your marketing materials is just as important as your images, verbiage, and color scheme. A unique layout that incorporates folds demands attention and entices the reader to open and read your marketing piece.
 
Many folded layouts enable you to present your information as a story - the beginning grabs attention (such as a headline or teaser), the middle tells the story, and the ending asks for a call to action (such as visiting your web site). Here are a few ways to tell your story with creative folds:  
  • Map your story by folding down a large sheet to a compact size. Every fold opens to reveal new information.

  • Roll fold your information to present your message in stages, a little at a time. As the reader unrolls the sheet, the next spread appears.  

  • Open the gate. Create a two-page “gate” that opens to a four-page spread. Not only does this approach allow ample space for attention grabbing introductions on the gate as well as in-depth information inside, it is an organized way to divide multiple products or services onto different panels.

  • Offer a sneak peak of the contents inside by shortening the width of your cover on a bi-fold brochure. For example, use an image on the inside that also sets the tone for the outside.

  • Create an accordion folded brochure and make each section a different width, and consider using the extra width as “tabs” for product names or services.
If you’d like other creative marketing ideas, give us a call today. We’ll help you think outside the box and develop eye-catching marketing materials that get read.

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Tech Tips
Increase Your Computer’s Security

Computers face security threats every time you go online. Besides using a firewall and anti-virus software, here are a few easy ways to help improve your computer’s security:
  • Upgrade to the latest version of your operating system and software to keep your computer secure. Also beware of spammers and download upgrades and patches from official sites only.

  • Check for the closed padlock or key symbol in the browser window when entering your credit card details and other personal information on a website.

  • If you use Microsoft’s Internet Explorer (which is subjected to the largest number of security threats), consider switching internet browsers to a popular safer alternative such as Google Chrome, Apple Safari, Mozilla's Firefox, or Opera. Otherwise, tweak settings and make usage adjustments, such as increasing your web browser’s security level to “high.”

  • Disable file sharing on your hard drive, especially if you are on an open wifi network, such as libraries where you don’t know who could be browsing through your files.

  • Password protect your wireless network to avoid allowing strangers to use your connection.

  • Never sign into financial accounts (banking, Paypal, etc.) while connected to an unprotected wifi connections in locations such as airports or apartment complexes, which may be traps set by hackers to snag your personal information.

  • Use caution when downloading, since spammers often hide dangerous malware in programs that are offered free on the internet.

  • Do not open attachments unless you are expecting them or click on links in questionable e-mails. Many phishing scams try trick people into opening attachments or clicking links which can install a virus on your computer after you click it.

  • Set up e-mail filters that help reduce the levels of spam that reaches your inbox.

  • Use strong passwords that are at least seven characters long, mixing digits with lower and uppercase letters. Also change your passwords frequently and do not store them on your machine.

  • Password protect your computer login access to prevent unintended harm to your computer from inexperienced internet users, such as young children.
Drop us an e-mail if you’d like other ideas on how to safe-guard your computer or important documents. We’re the printer you can trust to make your life easier!

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Uncommon Product
Business Card Labels

It seems that everyone has a business card now days, but what if you don’t have many good opportunities to hand out your cards? Business card labels offer an alternative way to creatively distribute your contact information. When printed on a label, you can easily affix your business card and ensure it won’t get lost or misplaced on product samples, literature, packages, booklets, quotes, envelopes, etc.
 
If you’re interested in trying business card labels but aren’t sure quite sure how often you would use them, try ordering a small run of 50 to 100 sheets of self-adhesive backed stock using the same template as your conventional business cards. It will be fun to rate your feedback and won’t cost an arm and a leg to see if this creative idea is something you’ll stick with!

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