Printed Proof greatness in design, printing, photography, marketing and web development

Jan26

Parents: A New Blog Help Manage Family & Finance

Posted in: Blog, Web Design & Development

I am proud to announce a new web project that just went live: KidsandBills.com.

KidsandBills.com is a site dedicated to helping parents deal with balancing both family and finances. The site is a compilation of helpful articles for parents by parents.

As publisher of the site, I am not an expert in either finances or parenting. However, I do have real life experience in both. Raising three kids on a single income has made it imperative to be smart with my money and find resources to be a better a parent and provider. My goal was to develop a place to share with others; great information and stories on raising kids in today’s difficult economy. Help me make KidsandBills.com that place.

On Facebook and Twitter

Kids & Bills has accounts on both Facebook and Twitter in order to share and socialize with parents. If you are on Facebook you can fan our page here. Follow KidsandBills on Twitter to get the latest updates and join in on the discussion. We follow back all legitimate accounts and are trying to build a strong network of parents helping parents.

Content

The articles on the site are written by a mix of professionals in finance and family, bloggers, authors, and real life parents. KidsandBills.com is putting together a staff of contributors to provide regular posts. This is a great opportunity for authors and bloggers looking to promote a business or website. For more information on joining the team visit the site.

Friends and Feedback

If you are a parent, I encourage you to check out this new project and give me your feedback in the comments below. Please also take a moment to fan us on facebook and follow us on twitter!
Dec23

Great Print Designs of 09

Posted in: Design

In November I made a call for entries of great print designs to be submitted into my group on Flickr. The group showcases great work from great designers – anything creative that can be put on paper may be included. I dropped the ball on spreading the word after publishing the post requesting submissions. I don’t have enough entries or prize sponsors to throw the big awards bash I had hoped for, but I did receive a hand full of great design work.

I’d like to acknowledge the great print designs and designers that took the time to upload and submit their work. Below are some of my favorite print designs from 2009. Each image is linked to the designers Flickr photo page. Please take a moment to comment on your favorites and be sure to submit your work to my Flickr group to be included in next years contest!

You can see all of the great designs in my Flickr group here.
Nov11

Entries Wanted: Best of Print 09

Posted in: Blog

This year I am kicking off a new contest looking for the best in print. The Best of Print 09 will showcase the best print projects and services for the calendar year 2009. Categories will be determined by the types of entries received. The contest is now open to anyone with something great to share.

How does it work?

If you have a project, product, service, or anything else ”print” related that you had something to do with in 2009, please submit it for entry. I am looking for the best designs, marketing pieces, promotional products, unique use of print, and printing services.

Enter by submitting an image(s) of your work to my group on Flickr. (You will need to have a Flickr account and join – if you don’t have one, its free)

Add your image to my group and please be sure to include….

1. A description of your entry

2. Suggested category (best business card design, best marketing piece, best large format graphic…)

3. Any information you would like included: name, company, website, twitter name…

As I receive entries I will choose the most creative and best projects to be showcased in an article to be published at the end of the year.

What do I Win?

As of right now, you get a free link back to your website and bragging rights amongst your friends and followers. I am currently in the process of looking for sponsors to provide prizes to winning entries, so please contact me with interest in being a part of this contest.

Since this contest is still an idea in progress I will iron out more details as we move on.

Please feel free to comment any suggestions below. Submit your best stuff now! Good luck and please help spread the word!

Ready to Enter?

Click here to visit my group on Flickr and submit your best stuff!
Nov9

How to: Create Holiday Cards Online

Posted in: Personalized
Its that time of year again – Christmas is just around the corner and you need to start working on those holiday cards. Let me guess, most years its a last minute effort to run to Target or Walmart and get them done, right? Well, good news: this year its easier than ever to design and create your own personalized holiday cards right online.

The options for great affordable holiday cards are endless. There are so many different websites available to help you design and print your new holiday cards. I have spent the past month researching and reviewing the best ones. I choose a few of the best places to get your cards online and went through each process. See how easy it is to create your own great holiday cards online this year.

The Best Holiday Card Designs from Minted.com

Minted was my personal choice this year. I have to say Minted.com has the most impressive and professional looking cards available. This site has a selection of holiday cards you will not find anywhere else. I asked Minted.com to send me some samples of their best cards. Check them out below. You can also browse through their gallery online and narrow your search for the perfect card down to card type, style, price, and more. REAL designers create the cards per your personal needs and instructions.

Please check out Minted.com – you will not be dissapointed with their selection, quality, or service.

How to:

1. Visit the gallery on Minted.com and find the perfect holiday card. This is the most difficult part of the whole process. There are so many great cards it took me a while to find the one I liked best.

2. Get started with the design: choose your quantity (in 25’s), paper, and format (flat/folded/fold-over). Since a real designer creates the card, you can leave instructions on specifics colors, etc.

3. Personalize your Card: Upload your image(s). Upload your personalized text, font, color, and size.

4. Choose your envelope: color & personalized address option.

5. Review order & checkout. Simple.

Clicke here to get Free Shipping on Minted Holiday Cards

Create Holiday Cards for your Business with PrintRunner.com

PrintRunner.com makes ordering holiday cards for your office as easy as 1, 2, 3. Use the online Greeting Card Designer or upload your own design. Click on the link below to get started. You will see an instant price quote to the right, use this if you already have a design to upload. Get your price and get started. No design? Then, create a custom card in 3 easy steps…

Step 1: Choose your front cover design from 100s of great looking pre-designed winter and holiday themes. Enter your own text for the cover. Gloss or Matte finish. Choose Quantity (bundles of 25)

Step 2: Inside. Add a custom message and your logo, add your own image, or just leave it blank to sign them by hand.

Step 3: Preview your card, choose the envelope stock (70# Offset or #24 Classic Crest), choose turnaround time. Approve your card, pay, and done!

Go to PrintRunner.com and create your own custom Greeting Cards today!

Let your Photo’s Make your Holiday Cards with PhotoWorks.com

If you are looking for a holiday card with a picture of your family, your children, or your dog, PhotoWorks.com is your place.

PhotoWorks.com has an awesome collection of holiday card designs that all feature your own images. Its easy and inexpensive.

Your regular photocards start as low as just 50 cents. The folding pre-designed holiday cards start at around 2.00 a piece.

Start by choosing your own photo or photos depending upon the type of card you choose. PhotoWorks.com will take you step-by- step to 1. choose your card 2. add your photos 3. add your custom greeting. You will be done in 15 minutes.

Get free shipping on all holiday photo cards from PhotoWorks! Hurry, this offer wont last forever!

Create Unique Holiday Cards with your own images or MOO’s.

MOO makes it easy and helps you make the perfect pack of Holiday Cards with your own photographs, or a selection of designs.
- Print up to 25 different images per pack.
- Personalize each card with your own message inside, and logo or photo on the back.
- All cards are printed on thick, premium-quality stock with a satin finish.
How easy?

1. Choose to upload your own images, use a “ready made” pack, or mix and match pre-designed cards.

2. Customize the pack: add text, personalize the back, choose envelopes, check out!

Christmas is coming, and so are MOO Christmas Cards. Order online today!

Create your own Photo Holiday Cards Right at Home

Rather not order cards this year? If you have a color printer at home you can easily create your own photo cards with these photo card sheets from HP. The cards are prepackaged 5″ x 7″ glossy sheets and include envelopes. They will work with any inkjet printer that accommodates 5 x 7″ or larger photo paper. You get 20 sheets with each package so printing your own cards at home is a cost effective way to send personalized cards if you don’t have a large mailing list that some of the online printing services require.

HP Holiday Photo Cards – 5 X 7″, 20 Sheets With Envelopes ($9.99 per pack)