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

Oct22

6 Ways to Backup and Safeguard Your Photos

Posted in: Photo, Reviews & Deals

One of my friends on twitter recently posted that his computer crashed and he lost all of his digital images. Everything gone. Sometimes it takes someone else’s problem to safeguard you from your own. I was sure to take an account of my own backup procedures and put together a short list of easy ways to secure your own digital images from being lost forever.

For any of you whom know me, I love taking photographs. I carry my Nikon D60 with me everywhere I go. My favorite subject is my kids. They grow so fast that I am fascinated with capturing every great moment I can, I’d be in ruins if I lost all those images.

The following are a few simple and inexpensive ways to backup and safeguard your photos. There are a number of other ways to do so including dedicated applications for both Mac and PC, but this list is for those looking for something simple and cheap.

Here are 6 ways to backup and safeguard your photos…

1. CD/DVD

Its not that sophisticated, difficult, or expensive. Simply insert the disc and drag as many photo’s as will fit on the capacity of your desired media. I would recommend using a DVD if you have the ability to write on on your computer (more space). I would also recommend that you always backup to CD/DVD on a regular basis in addition to at least one other method suggested below. I try to backup my photos to disc at least twice a year. Some will argue that compact discs wont last more than 5 years. At the rate technology advances, I’m sure DVDs will last at least until there is a new solution to hold all of our images forever.

(After I burn a new DVD of images, I put it directly into a fire/water proof safe for added measure)

Memorex 16X DVD-R (100-Pack Spindle) $24.99 on Amazon.com

Memorex 700MB/80-Minute 52x CD-R Media $14.99 on Amazon.com (100-Pack Spindle)

2. External Hard Drive

An external hard drive is a great and convenient way to backup your photos. It’s an upfront cost of about $100-200 bucks depending upon the size you choose. However, there are tools to help you set it and forget it. Once plugged in via fire-wire or USB you can set software to perform backups of your photos (and other important documents) on a regular basis.

These external hard drives all got good reviews and are the best deals for the money:

Toshiba USB 2.0 Portable Hard Drive – Vivid White (HDDR320E04XW) $90 on Amazon.com

Iomega Prestige USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive 34270 $69 on Amazon.com

Western Digital My Passport Essential USB 2.0 Portable Hard Drive WDME3200TN $69 on Amazon.com

3. Photo Prints Sites/Services

Photoworks.com, Kodakgallery.com, Clark Color and Snapfish.com are amongst the few services I use for photo prints. Yes, there is an angle here, they want you to upload images and order prints. If you are planning on ordering prints anyway consider your photos safe. Be sure to take a good look at the terms; some services offer unlimited space and uploads, some will expire after a certain period of time.

Save all your memories on an Archive CD at Kodak Gallery!

4. SmugMug.com

I am a big fan of this photo-sharing service, I use it myself as a place to keep my best photos. I think a professional photo hosting and sharing service is the best way to safeguard your image. Unlimited storage is just one of SmugMug’s great features. If you enjoy taking pictures and showing them off, check out SmugMug. They offer packages that fit every photographer and budget. As long as you pay the (small) annual fee your photo’s are safe and secure and can be accessed from anywhere in the world. A standard account (unlimited photos) starts at $39.95. Well worth the money.

Need Unlimited photo storage- FREE Trial of Smugmug

5. Phanfare

Phanfare is much like SmugMug. I just took their tour and free trial… very easy to use and a great way to present and safeguard your photos and videos. Gorgeous web galleries and unlimited storage. Lightroom friendly. A Premium account starts at $49.99. Start your free trial.

6. Zenfolio

Yes, Zenfolio is another online photo service. Much like SmugMug andPhanfare you can host and showcase your photo’s for all to see and be accessed anywhere. I think the small annual fee you pay to use the service (which ever you choose) is well worth the investment to keep your best shots safe and secure. Unlimited space starts at $40 and the Basic service is just $25.
Flexible plans and prices you’ll be pleased with

I asked: “How do you backup your photos?”

@kelvinwins: Time Machine does it for me. Have one copy on my HDD and one on Time Machine

@esdunne: smugmug and iBackup to an external drive

@jtdesigns: my book external FireWire drive. Backs up my machine hourly. Gotta love time machine and apples backup system.

How do you backup and safeguard your own photos?
Oct18

Identity Crisis: “Brand” New Look

Posted in: Blog, Design

What is a “Brand”?

As defined in Wikipedia….

A brand is a name or trademark connected with a product or producer. Brands have become increasingly important components of culture and the economy, now being described as “cultural accessories and personal philosophies”

A brand is easily associated with identity. In business your “brand” has often been said to be “everything”. People identify you through your brand. So in order to fully succeed professionally your brand needs to be recognizable and identify you and what you do. Can we agree on that?

Branding and identity have been on my mind lately. I have been going through a bit of an identity crisis with my own “brand” PrintedProof.com. You see, originally printedproof was a site I launched with the intent to promote printing products and services. The site is still very much that place, however it has evolved into less of a magazine-commercial style site to a more personal-professional structure.

What is the crisis you ask? My own growth as a professional in the Graphic Communications industry led to “PrintedProof” becoming a brand for my own knowledge, skills, abilities, and even personality. A large player in this has been the success and response I have received from social media. Now, I am not saying I am now the most popular kid in the class or an expert on everything I talk about, but none the less… I have built a brand. This brand has led to other opportunities which I must now embrace.

I have a tendency to always be changing, evolving, and making things better. I am a designer, its what we do. I have segregated my original vision for this new brand into an entirely different entity and what is now a new identity.

PrintedProof.com is now a place for me to blog and provide my loyal viewers with information and opinions on my industry: Graphic Communications. Before launching printedproof.com I was a freelance designer and marketer. This is something that paid the bills and something that I loved doing, and will start to leap back into that driver seat. In addition I have many ideas that I can begin to build upon behind my new brand.

The short of the story is that a brand carries such importance that it can dictate its own path of success or even failure. Sometimes a vision, once in motion, can take off in ways that may not have been intended. The question is… can you evolve with a new identity and harness the power of a brand?

Please comment your thoughts on Brand and feedback on the new identity of PrintedProof.com
Oct5

Custom Printed Checks: Checks in The Mail

Posted in: Personalized, Printing, Reviews & Deals

OK, so most people use credit or debit cards when making a purchase, right? Thats true for most consumer purchases, however a number of businesses still use written checks to pay their bills.

Last week I recieved a message from a reader looking for custom printed checks. If you are one of those people that use printed checks, you should check out Checks in the Mail.

Checks in the Mail is a leading supplier of bank checks and related supplies with history in the check industry since 1922. They strive to create the most attractive and functional products in the industry by offering a wide variety of checks and coordinating products designed specifically to meet the needs of consumers and businesses.

Checks in the Mail has over 200 colorful check designs, coordinating checkbook covers, personalized address labels and more, Checks in the Mail produces high-quality products, distinctive design, superior service, maximum convenience and satisfaction guaranteed. Each year our team of associates effectively manufactures and distributes over a billion checks to customers in all 50 states.

If you are in need of custom printed checks see the offers below to save some money…

Save $1 on Eco-Friendly Checks at Checks In The Mail.Enter the code SAVE at checkout.

Save 10% on Laser Printer Checks – Just Enter “LASER” at Checkout.

Design your own checks

Say ‘Goodbye’ to Boring Checks. Shop 100’s of Check Designs and Save!Shop Now!

Pers0nal Checks

Take $2.00 off all personal checks at Checks In The Mail. Use code SAVENOW.

Order Disney Checks, Address Labels and Checkbook Covers from Checks In The Mail
Oct4

PrintRunner.com October Promotions

Posted in: Deal of the Day, Reviews & Deals

I just received the latest October promotions and coupon codes for PrintRunner.com. Check out the links below to save some money on custom stickers, holiday greeting cards, business cards, posters, calendars, presentation folders, and flyers. I have sued PrintRunner.com on many occasions and always got the best service, quality, and price on printing.

Get 25% OFF Custom Stickers with Code: OCTSTK25

25% OFF Holiday Greeting Cards with coupon code: GREET25 ends October 31

15% OFF Matte Business Cards – Coupon Code: OCTMBC15- Expires: 10/15/09

15% OFF Brochures – Coupon Code: OCTBRO15

15% OFF Posters with Coupon Code: OCTPOS15

15% OFF Calendars with Coupon Code: OCTCALA15

15% OFF Presentation Folders with Coupon Code: OCTFLD15

15% OFF Flyers with code: OCTFLY15 – Ends October 31