So we’ve come up with a simpler and extremely convenient solution: Placing your business cards on our site!

This easy solution solves several problems:

• It provides a centralized location for your business card artwork. No more losing track of files! Simply bookmark your business card ordering page, and you’ll always know where to find them.
• Your business card design is “locked down”. Consistency is assured. No one can take liberties with your fonts, colors or layout.
• Business card ordering can be handled by anyone within your organization, even employees themselves… there’s no need for special software or design skills.
• It’s extremely fast & simple… just type in the employee’s information, preview the new card onscreen in real time, review a PDF proof, and click “Order This Card.”
• We can even set up your ordering page so that you can order cards for up to 4 employees simultaneously!

We can provide any level of customization that your ordering page requires. For instance: Addresses can be auto-populated from a drop-down menu; different “versions” can be created based on an employee’s department; employees can upload their photo into their card (a great solution for real estate companies); and any field that you do not wish to be altered can simply be “locked down” in the design. There’s really no limit to the possibilities… in fact, it’s not just limited to business cards. We can create similar pages for virtually any of your organization’s printed materials.

We can have your business card ordering page set up in just a few hours. All we need is the original artwork and some simple instructions about which information needs to be editable. We charge a one-time setup fee of $150 for this service.

View a basic example of how it works.

To learn more about getting a custom business card ordering page set up for your organization, please contact Greenerprinter customer service at 866-978-8547 or email csr@greenerprinter.com.

At Greenerprinter we are always trying to make our ordering process easier and more streamlined, and the new Greenerprinter app is our next step. The app is perfect for our on-the-go clients with time sensitive deadlines. While away from your home or office you can see live order information, updates and even approve your proof, all through the convenience of your iPhone or iPod Touch.

Some key features include:

1. Access to live order status
2. Access to recent order history
3. Receive instant notifications when a proof is ready or an order has been completed and shipped
4. Quick customer service contact information in the event you would like to speak to us about the details of your order.

We will not stop here…

Upcoming versions will allow for easy ordering of our template-based business cards, postcards and greeting cards. You will be able to order, approve and track all with one mobile device.

At Greenerprinter we are known for high quality, 100 percent sustainable printing and great customer service. We are always looking for ways to improve our products and services and our new app is just one more example!

The Greenerprinter app is available as a free download from the App Store. If you have any questions about Greenerprinter’s services or our new app please drop us an email or give us a call.

Business cards may not come to mind very often, but they do have an interesting story of all their own.

The History of Business Cards

Business cards have a history dating as far back as the 15th century in China. First referred to as a “visiting card” or a “calling card,” these cards were a social convention that was bound by strict etiquette rules.

The visiting card so widely revered in China was introduced to Europe in the 17th century, and soon after evolved into what was called the “trade card.” Both cards were in use simultaneously, but trade cards directed potential new clients to a merchant’s location and usually contained a map and directions (critical during a time when the convention of street numbering as we know it did not exist). These early cards were printed by woodcut or letterpress, and were generally either monotones or contained a small amount of tint.

Gradually, the visiting card tradition vanished entirely while trade cards (known today as the business card) went on to become a business mainstay. Now, with the introduction of new materials for the cards such as plastic and magnetic backed cards, and the wide spread use of color, the business card industry has moved into the modern era.

Business Card Design: A Reflection of You

Business cards have evolved in innumerable ways since the days they were used as miniature city maps. Today they not only share key information such as your industry, business name and contact information, they can serve as your initial point of branding with new customers or clients. Your business card can reflect your personality, taste or sense of humor. They can communicate your creative passions or project your professionalism. Each of these characteristics – and more – can be expressed through design, putting a “human face” on your business that lasts well beyond first impressions made at a trade show, networking luncheon or chance meeting.

Business card design can range from a simple name, phone number and email address in 10 pt. font to anything your imagination can dream up. (Business cards with built-in USB drives or cards you can eat? Some people are doing it! ) Is it time to revamp your business card design to reflect the mission and personality of your work?

Greenerprinter Specializes in High-Quality Business Cards

Since the early days of woodcut or letterpress trade cards, printing companies have played a vital role in the creation of business cards. What puts Greenerprinter ahead of the pack? Just a few of the things you can expect when you order business cards through Greenerprinter include:

• Professional appearance - Each card is printed on FSC certified 100 percent recycled, 50 percent post-consumer paper waste 16pt Matte Cover. This paper is thick and substantial, giving your business a professional appearance. For an elegant look you can also request rounded corners. Or, for a really organic and sturdy look, select our 100 percent recycled, 50 percent post-consumer waste 20 point “Kraft” Board.
• High quality and consistent quality – The seeds of Greenerprinter were planted in 1988 by Mario Assadi, a life-long leader in the print industry. Over the years, Assadi has built up a team of top-notch professionals that are dedicated to producing the highest quality print materials possible. See for yourself: printing using recycled content paper and vegetable-based inks no longer means you have to compromise on quality.
• Environmentally-sensitive products – Sustainability is an ever-evolving process, and we will continue to hold ourselves to high standards and provide a more environmentally responsible product to our clients. Read more about our ongoing efforts toward sustainability in our sustainability policy.
• Eye-catching designs - Upload a design of your own creation, or choose a predesigned template from our business card page. To integrate your cards with your social media strategy, include a QR code and don’t forget to list your Twitter and Facebook user names!
• Price – High-quality business cards do not have to be expensive. Greenerprinter’s pricing is competitive: starting at just $29.50 for 250 cards.

As a B Corp, we have boldly stated within our articles of incorporation our commitment to being socially, environmentally and fiscally responsible in all our business activities.

To spread the word, the nonprofit B Lab which certifies B Corps, is running their first B Corporation National Advertising Campaign to share the great things B Corporations are doing for people like you all over the country.

The ads demonstrate why it is important to support a better way to do business by making B Corps like Greenerprinter a part of your business and home sustainability practices.

So, what’s a B Corp?  It’s a rigorous certification process that goes beyond looking at just our products — it looks at our whole company and the impact we have on our workforce, suppliers, community and the environment.

Think of a B Corporation as a certification for sustainable business like Fair Trade is for coffee or LEED is for green buildings.

You can learn more about the business practices that stand behind our products by checking out our B Corp Impact Report. B Lab publishes these reports for all certified B Corporations. Use the B Corp Impact Reports as a reference tool when looking for responsible businesses or to learn more about the hundreds of companies that meet the same rigorous, independent and transparent standards of social and environmental performance as we do.

By supporting these B Corps, you’re supporting a better way to do business!

You’ll be seeing the B Corp campaign in online communities like Care2.com and in magazines like Mother Earth News, Natural Home, Herb Companion, Utne Reader and Sustainable Industries.  And we hope you’ll tell your friends!

Greenerprinter makes it incredibly fast and easy to order personalized cards from the Web, and right now they’re on sale for amazingly competitive prices. Plus this year, there are over 100 new designs now residing on the site, with something for every taste and preference!

Our online templates allow you to add your own messages and photos to our holiday-themed designs. Or maybe you’ve already created your cards yourself… no problem, just send us the files.

Tell your clients that you appreciate them while also making your business holiday cards or corporate Christmas cards stand out from the pack. Each card and envelope you order will arrive printed on the recycled paper stock of your choice.

We’ve also discounted all cards to prices that might surprise you: Folded cards are currently 15 percent off and flat cards are 10 percent off.

At these rates, 100 flat cards are just .73¢ each and folded cards just $1.30 each. All are offered at the generous size of 5×7 inches, and many are full-color both sides at no extra charge.

First and foremost, the most important task is to choose the right show to attend. What are the can’t-miss events in your industry? Which events will your potential new clients be attending? If there are multiple trade shows you would like to attend, how will you prioritize your time and event budget?

So far this Fall, Greenerprinter had the pleasure of both sponsoring and exhibiting at three Bay Area events: The Ki on Treasure Island, Bioneers in San Rafael and the California Sustainable Tourism Summit in Tahoe. Each event was unique in its offerings, audience and purpose. And each was a solid platform on which the message of moving toward the triple bottom line (people, planet, profits) through environmentally conscious and socially responsible printing could be communicated.

Once you’ve identified the shows that will be a good platform for your company’s message, you’ll need to contact the event organizers and go over the logistics. Just a few considerations for this task include:

• When do reservation forms need to be submitted?
• What are the requirements for shipping your exhibit materials and setting up your booth?
• What about adding the ability to sponsor events so that logos and company mentions can be seen in the programs. Can your company participate in helping the conference via expertise trades or product trades?
• Have you created a checklist and calendar to keep track of deadlines?

Next, organizing your booth materials can never be overlooked, and banners are a must-have for any booth. We offer two banner materials for both indoor and outdoor use: A bio-banner made of PVC-free material and a canvas banner, both of which are printed to your specifications using water-based latex inks. Banners with stands are also a great choice (pictured here).

If a banner or two will not suit the presentation style you’re aiming to create, try bio-degradable poster boards instead. Poster prints can be mounted on 3/16 inch 100 percent bio-degradable foam board, 1/4 inch recycled paper honeycomb or 1/2 inch recycled paper honeycomb. Your design; your choice!

Stocking up on good giveaways for your booth is important as well. There is an almost unlimited number of giveaway options, from eye-catching but pricey items, such as branded travel mugs, to ordinary schwag that most people will toss after the conferences (after all, who really needs another keychain or refrigerator magnet?).

We strongly recommend green giveaways that people will be excited to use. For example, a recycled paper notepad printed with your company logo is something that people can use to take notes during the show as well as when they return to the office on Monday morning.

Recycled paper bookmarks are also handy giveaways. Often at conferences, people are already carrying tote bags full of collateral and conference materials, so they can be reluctant to pick up something else to add to their burden. A bookmark is lightweight, useful and will keep your company in front of the client long after the expo has ended. This is a favorite Greenerprinter giveaway as it is functional yet give lends enough marketing space to include contact information and product and service offering.

Lastly, round out your trade show efforts by following up new contacts and potential leads. Schedule a time immediately after the event to send thank-you cards and personal emails to those you had productive conversations with during the show.

Today we have taken just a quick look at how to approach marketing your business through trade shows. Based on your past experience, what other tips and suggestions would you recommend?

This past Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 22-24), Greenerprinter sponsored a cutting-edge sustainable lifestyle event called The Ki. Now in its second year, this green expo attracted entrepreneurs, innovators and professionals from all walks of life to Treasure Island, a former naval base just east of San Francisco’s financial district.

The Ki - a Japanese word referring to chi or “life force” - is an online and offline platform created to present innovative technology, sustainable design and forward thinking.

Eco-friendly printing is just one the many ways companies, nonprofit organizations and entrepreneurs can work to balance the chi in the world around us. To this end, Greenerprinter supported The Ki through environmentally friendly brochures, recycled content postcards and high-quality badges.

Just a few of the attractions at the event included clean tech cars, electric motorcycles, a book store and eco fashions, home designs, appliances and furnishings. Attendees sat behind the wheel of a Tesla, took in an inspirational film, tried water “made from air” and just relaxed to the sounds of a live blues band while sipping organic wine or beer.

If you were at The Ki and dropped by the Greenerprinter booth, thank you!

Bioneers is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that “brings together social and scientific innovators from all walks of life and disciplines.” Acting as a social hub, Bioneers creates a space for cutting-edge ideas on environmental conservation, social justice, the urban green movement and more to pass from person to person, and to flourish.

Greenerprinter is no stranger to the Bioneers community. 2010 marked the third year that we supported Bioneers through sustainable and eco-friendly printing. And this supportive relationship couldn’t be a better fit. Greenerprinter CEO Mario Assadi’s vision of “business is personal” is an ideal expression of one of the core beliefs of the Bioneers community, which is: the solutions to the problems posed in science and business can be found in the perfectly balanced systems of nature.

To find out more, watch this six minute video that begins to capture the spirit of Bioneers.

A highlight of every Bioneers event are the plenary sessions featuring master speakers. This year, just a few of the plenary speakers included:

• Dr. Elizabeth Kapu’uwailani Lindsey – award-winning filmmaker, anthropologist and National Geographic Fellow who was named Hawaii’s “Woman of the Year”
  
• Dr. James Hansen – climate researcher and head of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York
• Lynne Twist – co-founder of the Pachamama Alliance, an organization dedicated to protecting tropical rainforests by empowering the indigenous people
• Dr. Jane Goodall -founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, a non-profit that seeks to improve the treatment and preservation of great apes

In between the keynote speakers and other exciting activities this weekend, we hope you had an opportunity to visit the Greenerprinter booth in the Bioneers exhibit hall and meet your friends at Greenerprinter!

Variable Data Printing

VDP (also called one-to-one marketing or personalized printing) offers customized, targeted encounters with prospective customers. VDP can dramatically increase response rates to your printed pieces while reducing overall printing costs (due to shorter, more targeted print runs as opposed to traditional “shotgun” campaigns).  VDP can be especially powerful when integrated with cross-media marketing campaigns.

Quick Response Codes

A QR code (short for Quick Response code) is a revolutionary new bar code that can be read by smart phones (and other devices with cameras) to automatically perform such functions as:

• Add your contact info to a user’s address book.
• Take a user to a specified web page.
• Find your business using Google Maps.
• Dial a phone number, send a text message and more!

Our site makes it easy to automatically add a QR code to your business card, postcard, brochure, banner or just about any other item we produce.

Large Format Latex Printing

Our eco-friendly large format printer can print up to 60″ wide using latex inks from Hewlett-Packard. Latex inks are pigmented, water-based inks that use an innovative aqueous-dispersed polymer (”latex”) technology. The most popular use for this cutting-edge printing equipment is greening trade show graphics or event signage.

State-of-the-art Equipment

Almost every piece of printing equipment at Greenerprinter’s Berkeley shop was purchased within the last four years. Our HP Indigo, saddle-stitcher and most of the machinery in our bindery are new. Newer equipment not only produces state-of-the-art results, but also uses the latest and most efficient technologies to do it, which allows you to print smarter.

So whether you need 5,000 catalogs, 50 postcards, or a single tradeshow banner, our diverse array of equipment allows us to produce your project on the device most suited for it, with maximum efficiency and minimal waste.

This powerful combination of high-tech equipment, efficient techniques and exciting new digital technologies is helping us to take printing into a new age of responsibility and sustainability.

Greenerprinter was delighted to participate in the second annual California Sustainable Tourism Summit in South Lake Tahoe. During this two-day summit (Oct. 14 and 15), top industry leaders presented best practices for sustainable tourism and outlined how to promote sustainable efforts efficiently and effectively. This event was sponsored by the California Travel & Tourism Commission.

A quick web search will yield a large array of eco-tours and mission-driven travel companies in business today. One of the original companies to offer “reality tours” was Global Exchange (yep, the same folks that bring you Green Festivals each year).

Volunteerism is a hot a trend in ecotourism right now. Why not give back to a community while enjoying what it has to offer? Many non-profit organizations – such as Builders Without Borders, Amigos de las Americas, Travel-to-Teach and more – specialize in fun, rewarding experiences for volunteer vacations.

Greenerprinter supports the environmental travel industry by helping ecotourism companies meet their triple bottom line (people, planet, profit). Some of our most popular travel products include:

• Maps – Our state-of-the art finishing equipment can create expert maps folded to your specification.
• High-quality brochures – Always a hit. And brochures are currently 15 percent off!
• Fliers – Get the message out about your ecotourism company while reducing your company’s impact on the planet! Fliers are 15 percent off through October 31.
• Eco-friendly postcards – Include postcards in your business’s next marketing campaign. Postcard are currently 10 percent off.
• Folded booklets – A quick and engaging way to showcase your green travel company. Choose 80# Reincarnation Matte paper for the best balance between quality and sustainability.

And when you return from your eco-friendly vacation (or want to show off your tour packages to potential customers), share your photo keepsakes with our high-quality recycled paper photo books.

Remember, ecotourism isn’t a travel style just for far-flung places. Many low-impact adventures can be found right in your area. For example, kayak down a nearby river, take a guided walk through a nature preserve in your bioregion or book a lake cruise to view birds and other wildlife up-close. Check your state’s travel and tourism website for a list of local travel outfitters.