THE IN BOX

BUSINESS: THE IN BOX Do You Copy?

by Amy Barnes

With the increase of people working from home, there also has been a huge influx of people who suddenly found themselves without access to their company copier or the support staff they were used to having.

Previously, when presentation materials were needed, many were to be able to tell an assistant or the company’s marketing department to create materials and to have copies ready by

morning.

The COVID shutdown changed all of that for many employees.

Suddenly, employees found they still needed certain marketing materials, signs, multiple copies of documents, and manuals but now they were expected to find a way to produce them and, in some cases, even create them. This has presented several new challenges, including successfully transporting digital files from computer to off-site printing services.

There are some easy tips to follow to ease the pain until offices reopen and assistants are available or will help should the

business decide to remain virtual.

First, know what you want before you walk out the door.

Do you want a laminated, mounted sign? Postcards? Posters? Fliers? Single sided or double sided?

To help decide, think about how the end product will be used, what is the event or meeting? Size is influenced by whether the occasion is in person or virtual and if this is something that will be displayed or mailed.

Second, consider what will be done with the item once the

occasion has ended.

If it is large, like a poster, will it hang on an office wall or in a hallway? Is it something smaller that could be taken on the road for sales calls? Is it worth a slight redesign, such as removing the date, in order for it to have a secondary use?

If it is something smaller, such as postcards or brochures, how will the leftovers be used? Is it worth paying a small upcharge to get twice the number of copies to use as a follow-up, as a leave behind, or for another event?

Third, know if the original document is in color or black-andwhite and which one you want it printed as. There can be a huge price difference between the two options.

Fourth, get a blank flash drive. One that is fresh, new and has absolutely nothing else on it.

The simplest way to transport a file from office to copy shop is to load what is needed on a flash drive.

One advantage to using a blank flash drive is that there is no chance of the wrong file being printed.

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Part II with more important tips, including flash drive best practices, next month!

Have small business pointers you would like to share as a columnist? Contact Amy Barnes at Joy@BlakeHousePublishing.com Be sure to include information about your business experience and a sample column of no more than 350 words.