Cy Stapleton' HOTLINE Newsletter #2
Void when copied papers! Your fax cover sheet!
Copyright January 8, 1996
Void When Copied Papers
One question I can anticipate coming up several times each month
is Where can I get a paper that cannot be copied?
There are a number of papers that can't be copied on a regular
copier but they are generally very dark colors and it is very
difficult to read the copy that is printed on it. There is also
the Void Pantograph paper licensed by Standard Register to
certain forms printers. That is not something you can print in
your shop.
But, when there is a need for a product someone will generally
come up with it - as with Kan't Kopy.
I am putting together some material on Kan't Kopy now for a column
that will be appearing in an upcoming issue of Quick Printing
magazine. This is a preview of some of what will be going into
that column. If any of you have any experience in working with
this or similar papers I would like very much to hear from you.
Kan't Kopy is a paper stock whose patent is owned by Anchor Paper
in Minneapolis, MN. It is a very nice looking sheet that appears
to have a light pattern printed in the background in a variety of
colors. You simply print or copy your image to the patterned sheet
and when someone attempts to make a color copy of the document the
pattern drops out and the message Kan't Kopy repeats throughout
the entire document.
A dynamite market for this product is beginning to develop with
some areas requiring that perscription blanks be printed on paper
that cannot be copied.
Prospects for this technology are attorneys, physicians, real
estate, contractors, manufacturers, pharmacies, incentive
companies, restaurants, auto dealers, schools, retail busineses,
service companies, and, of course, printers.
Some suggested uses are coupons, contests, certificates,
confidential reports, transcripts, warranties, proprietary data,
incentives, commercial games, prescriptions, stock certificates,
direct mail promotions, original titles, legal documents,
contracts, checks, etc.
If you are interested in further information on this potential
profit center, contact anchor Paper Express in Minneapolis, MN at
800-659-2127 or in Plymouth, MN at 800-398-2524. Ask for Gary.
My June or July QP SHAREware column will go more into depth on
this topic but this is enough information to get those started who
want to get the jump on their competition.
Your Fax Cover Sheet
It never ceases to amaze me how printers, of all people, never
seem to think about the recipient when they design their fax
cover sheet - if they even have one.
It is not at all uncommon for me to receive faxs with the contact
information in 8pt type, with no area code, and even with only the
city - no state or zip. Puzzles are fun and challenging, but your
fax cover sheet should never be a puzzle.
Sometimes people simply don't even think about the obvious, thus
this little paper. When I say that it is not uncommon for me to
receive fax cover sheets that are very difficult to respond to,
I'm not talking about one or two a month - I will receive as many
as 10 or 15 each day...
There are certain things that should be considered when sending a
fax or designing a fax cover sheet.
*Never used colored paper, your regular letterhead, any kind of a
screened background, etc.
*Never use any type smaller than 14 point and your fax number
should be a minimum of 4 points larger - 18 to 24 point.
*Never use a fancy type face but rather some easy-to-read type -
either serif or sans serif is OK as long as it is easy to read.
*Always include the sender's name. If you have a public fax
service, make certain there is a place for the sender to put his
or her phone number.
*Always have your full address and voice phone number in a minimum
of 14 point so the recipient has a number to call if the fax
didn't come over properly, pages were missing, etc. Don't forget
your area code. When the type is large enough the recipient can
generally make out a phone number if it is large enough.
*If you have a multi-color logo, either do not use that logo on
your cover sheet or use a single color version of it. Remember - a
fax comes over only in black and white.
*Do not use rules for people to handwrite a message on. Leave the
message area blank.
*Once you have designed your fax cover sheet make the worst
possible copy of it by setting your copier to its darkest image
and recopy the output two or three times to make certain you can
read everything.
*Once you have a cover sheet that will work use your original to
either print or copy a quantity of cover sheets and file that
original. Don't make copies of copies of copies.
The bottom line is that you want to make it as easy as possible
for your fax recipient. I will receive as many as 100 fax
inquiries each day from my readers and a substantial number of
those are illegible. Those illegible inquiries are seldom
responded to because my postage budget to respond by mail is only
$30 per month. That budget is expended generally the first week
of each month.
You can use these same guidelines when talking to your customers.
If you see that they have illegible fax cover sheets, show them
your professionalism by bringing it to their attention and trying
to sell them on letting you design and print one for them.
Til next time, God bless you and yours...
cy
Cy Stapleton
Helene's Hotline
Box 151107
Lufkin, TX 75915-1107
Fax - 409-637-1480
Email - hotlinecy@aol.com
Upcoming Hotline Seminars
For Information, Contact
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(409) 637-7475
Fax (409) 637-1480
Email - hotlinecy@aol.com
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Date inserted: Monday, February 19, 1996 4:58:04