Laser printer creativity boosters - 20 tips for creative business use of laser printers - Cover Story

Home Office Computing, April, 1993 by Kay Hall

There's a business adage that says "Dress not for the job you have, but for the job you want." Here are 20 creative ways to use your laser printer, teamed with some compatible specialty products, to "dress" your business for the jobs you want.

BUSINESS IDENTITY

1. Today's selection of stationery-grade laser paper includes a variety of colors, finishes, and exotic looks such as parchment, granite, and marble. Paper preptinted with background patterns or other graphic designs can also be the basis for beautifully distinctive letterhead. I recommend papers from Paper Direct ([800] 272-7377).

2. Envelope printing on a laser is still largely a trial-and-error process. Until fully laser-friendly envelopes are available, clear laser labels provide an excellent alternative to direct printing. These specially designed labels, available from office supply stores, tend to "disappear" on most finishes when applied, yielding a polished look--even on colored envelopes. Try Avery Clear Laser Labels ([818] 915-3851, [800] 252-8879).

3. Be sure to maintain a professional look on out-going packages and oversize mailing envelopes. Large laser labels can be found in white and clear, with designer graphics. Paper Direct carries shipping labels in a unique "one-up" format for convenience when printing individual labels ($14.95 for a box of 75 sheets).

4. For special announcements and other mailings, Idea Art ([800] 433-2278) has compiled a wide array of laser paper illustrated to suit any business occasion ($3.95 for 25 pages)..For more formal business invitations or announcements, Shaffer Software ([408] 252-3935) offers raised-edge announcement cards, die-cut four to a page, in three colors ($32 for 40 sheets).

5. Colored light card stock, bordered papers, and translucent vellum are among the many laser-compatible choices for attractive proposal or report covers. Use solid or clear labels to customize heavier cover materials; these are available from PaperDirect and others.

6. Avery manufactures several kits for producing professional-looking divider pages. These items, as well as others in the extensive line of Avery laser products, can be found at office-supply dealers. Prices vary widely.

7. For a "big business" look, create your own custom multipart order forms, invoices, and so on, with carbonless paper and supplies from Laser Label Technologies ([800] 882-4050).

ADVERTISING AND MARKETING MATERIAL

8. One of the most exciting and useful developments for desktop publishers is preprinted brochure paper. These sheets are now available in a variety of colors, sizes, weights, and artistic layouts. Simply type your information in the proper format, and laser-print directly onto the professionally designed stock. The result is an instant, colorful, customized brochure for your company at a fraction of what a commercial printer would charge. Paper Direct offers a wide selection.

9. Letraset's brand-new Paperazzi line of premium-quality papers (available at art materials dealers) is perhaps the most beautiful and versatile available ([800] 343-8973). These 20 stunning double-sided designs will help you create memorable announcements, fliers, and other promotional materials.

10. For catalogs, price lists, specifications sheets, maps, and the like that will see heavy-duty service, there are durable pages that are tear-proof and moisture-repellent. Queblo Images ([800] 523-9080) offers a mylar-reinforced paper for three-ring binding durability.

11. Audiocassette, videocassette, diskette, and standard labels are available in a variety of sizes, colors, and adhesive types for your products or promotional media. One option is Paper Direct's fullpage neon-color label stock for eye-catching stickers ($17 for 20 sheets), or choose from Laser Label Technologies' selection.

12. Perhaps your business could benefit from having small quantities of custom-printed T-shirts, caps, aprons, or other apparel, either for promotional purposes or as a uniform. BlackLightning ([802] 439-6462, [800] 252-2599) develops and markets transfer toner for many popular laser-printer models. Their economy cartridges, in a choice of 10 transfer colors, sell for under $90 each; professional cartridges cost $275. Simply install the cartridge, print a mirror image of your design onto plain paper and then heat-transfer to the clothing item (preferably 50 percent polyester, 50 percent cotton). There are some limitations; but, in general, this is an ingenious product with many potential applications for the small business.

13. For business gifts, incentives, or premiums, personalize appropriate items with transfers or clear labels. Try transfers toner on mouse pads, tote bags, or luggage tags. Clear labels work nicely on calendars and other desk accessories. Paper Direct cames clear labels in uncut 8.5-by-11-inch sheets for convenience in customizing items of various size and shape ($14.95 for 100 sheets).

14. For an instant display, laser-print headlines, graphs, charts, and explanatory text in large type onto drafting applique film, and affix it to a readymade trifold display board. Repositionable adhesive, full-sheet formatting, and a choice of finishes make applique film handy for many other projects as well. The film is available from drafting supply stores or by mail from Laser Label Technologies ($53.50 for 100 sheets).