Shrink-Wrap: What is it and why you need it!

Dirt, dust, moisture, dinged up and damaged corners on printed pieces as a result of your brochures and other promo items rubbing against each other during transit. These are just a few of the enemies of printed pieces. What can you do to protect your investment? Enter Shrink-Wrap! Thin, light and durable, shrink wrap is the printing industry's protection super hero.

Sometimes referred to as shrink film, shrink-wrap is a polymer plastic film that (wait for it!) shrinks when heat is applied. As the film shrinks it conforms to the shape of the item being packaged, totally encasing and tightly securing it. Many printed pieces are shrink-wrapped in bundles however, there are some applications which require each item to be shrink-wrapped individually. Additionally a chipboard backer is often shrink-wrapped with the printed pieces to add stability to the bundle.

Shrink wrapping is considered a finishing operation used extensively in the commercial printing industry and like many other commercial printers Spectra Print offers it as an optional service. 

Why should you consider Shrink-Wrap for your Printing Orders?

Shrink-wrap reduces the chance of crumpled and scrubbed corners by restricting the pieces from rubbing together in transit or shifting in the shipping carton.

Shrink-wrap protects the printing from harmful contaminants such as dirt, dust, moisture and is a simple way of improving the longevity of printed orders especially those that are kept in long-term storage.

Printed loose pieces such as one page flyers or posters that are shrink-wrapped in bundles are much easier to handle, inventory, store, and distribute.

Due to the transparent nature of shrink-wrap it gives a clear view of what is enclosed. Printed pieces bundled in pre-set packs of 25, 50, or 100 pieces are easier to inventory and more manageable especially for high-gloss printing which has a tendency to slide around due to the nature of its slick surface.

Shrink-wrap is a cost-effective packaging option (probably less than you think!) especially when taken into consideration all of its advantages. 

If you have any questions about shrink-wrap give Spectra Prints a call at 715-344-5175. Or if you  have a project that you would like to have us quote, call or visit our website and click on the Request Quote link.

Photo Source: Internet Free Image

Regional 2019-2020 K9 Calendar Launch: Start the Presses!

In an upcoming calendar, 25 central Wisconsin K9 teams will be featured in support of each K9 team’s program. Collectively, the teams will represent six counties throughout the region including Clark, Lincoln, Marathon, Portage, Taylor, and Wood.  

On Thursday, September 7th, the printing of the calendar officially launched at Spectra Print. The creative team along with available participating K9 teams were on hand to experience the "Start the Presses!" moment.

The calendar, which has been been voluntarily coordinated and covers 2019 to March 2020, has been a heartfelt undertaking over many months. Starting spring of this year, Amy Zondlo donated photography of each participating team, with then later handing the images over to Robin Patrick of Moxie Creative Studio who donated graphic design of the calendar. 

“Whenever possible, I captured team images in the light of the relationship overall – the strong bond between K9 and handler, not only the working side of what may otherwise initially come to mind. I learned about the complexity of this bond, yet it was quite basic in the end – to defend and protect one another while doing good in the community,” shares Zondlo. “I experienced several emotions while photographing the teams including initial intimidation based on sheer size and strength of the dog, to amazement in the K9’s agility and obedience, to understanding how a K9 team can help provide comfort and trust, to laughter from the K9 simply wanting to be an ordinary dog playing with its beloved toy – the tennis ball in this instance,” she concludes. 

An anonymous party donated enough paper to print 700 calendars to be shared across participating teams, with Stevens Point-based Spectra Print also graciously donating the actual printing of the calendar. Wire binding, the spiral binding commonly found with calendars, has also been donated. 

Not only will the calendar feature current K9 teams throughout the region, it’ll share educational elements allowing the community to learn more about the different types of K9s as well as why the otherwise common tennis ball is so adored by these dogs. K9s that have served but no longer here will also be remembered. 

Each participating K9 team will receive a supply of calendars to use as a fundraiser in support of its agency’s K9 team(s). Calendars will be available, on a suggested donation basis, at each agency so please contact one of the following for more information:

• Colby/Abbotsford Police Department
• Marathon County Sheriff's Office
• Everest Metro Police Department
• Merrill Police Department
• Marshfield Police Department
• Wausau Police Department
• Stevens Point Police Department
• Lincoln County Sheriff's Office
• Wood County Sheriff's Office
• Portage County Sheriff's Office
• Loyal Police Department
• Taylor County Sheriff's Office
• Plover Police Department

For additional information on the calendar follow Central Wisco K9 Law Enforcement Teams: 2019 Regional Calendar on Facebook.

Source: Press Release - Photos: J. Reichert

Direct Mail: Success and How To Make It Work for You

Direct-mail services can be a major boon to businesses both small and large looking for an economical and less-hassle way to reach a large number of their customer base. Get a list, take my postcards (or brochure or newsletter) and mail. Well that doesn't sound too difficult does it? However, not all direct mail services are equal and as we all know, there are good companies with good direct mail services and then there are the not-so-good companies.

Good direct mailing service providers know what they're doing.

When you do find a good direct mailing service, you can generally trust their advice as it’s based on years of experience. Go to them for advice on postage, which represents the biggest investment of any direct-mail campaign. A reputable direct-mail company can help you identify standard sizes and weight limits for a variety of mediums, including postcards, brochures, packages and more, so you can be sure you're getting the best deal for your money. Also seek your direct mail service’s assistance in mail list procurement if you do not have your own lists. In fact, you should start talking to your direct-mail service before you begin designing your promotions so you can get the sizing down pat.

At Spectra Print Corp we take pride in our customers trust in helping your business succeed in your marketing campaign however, direct mail can’t do it alone. You have to provide your direct-mail service a good mailer to start with - we can help you with that as well.

Contact us and let us handle the pre-mailing design and production of your promotional material including list procurement, address printing, stamping, sealing and mailing - all the time-consuming activities that take you away from the job of running a success business. If your marketing materials require attention, time-limited offers and calls to action - your direct-mail marketing campaign will be primed for success.

Who Doesn't Love Going On A Field Trip!

Other than having your day broken up by a movie (or film strip - depending on your age) there was nothing better than a field trip. Unless you are playing host to a school trip!

Earlier this week the 4th grade class of the Tomorrow River School District paid Spectra Print a visit. Everyone had a great time - we just hope the students from Amherst had as good of a time as we did!

Can you spot the budding photographer? Hint: He is not wearing a purple shirt.

Showing the students yet another step in the printing process.

And the magic number is ..... 1781#

Amherst Elementary Students Tour Spectra Print

Amherst fourth graders enjoyed a day visiting Spectra Print of Stevens Point on Wednesday, April 25, 2012, as a culminating activity of their Wisconsin manufacturing studies. Mr. Jeff Reichert led the tour of the plant, explaining the process starting with meeting customers to decide on products to be printed, estimating and customer service, scheduling projects, graphic designing, printing, binding, and finally mailing to customers.

The students were amazed at the size of the printing presses and other equipment, as well as the specialized tasks that can be done by machinery such as cutting huge stacks of paper, folding, stapling, binding, and even carrying scrap paper through a series of overhead tubes to be baled and sent to paper mills to be recycled.

Thank you,

Mrs. Nicholson, Mrs. Lutz, Mr. Lind

Grade 4 Teachers

Amherst Elementary School

Print Is Not Dead: The Journey

Take 3 minutes. Watch this short spoken word performance dedicated to the power of print.

Industry Leaders Set to Make a Splash at ICAST

We just delivered catalogs to two major players in the fishing industry: the Worth Company and Strike King Lure Company for their use at ICAST, the world's largest sportfishing trade show, held this year in Las Vegas.


The Worth Company, Stevens Point, WI, is a world class manufacturer of fishing lure components sold to lure manufacturers. Their 112-page plus cover perfect-bound catalog was printed by Spectra Print from client furnished art files.


Strike King Lure Company is an industry leader of lures and terminal tackle with an emphasis on bass fishing. Strike King Lure Company is located in Collierville, TN. Spectra Print handled all aspects of Strike King Lure's 56-page saddle-stitched catalog from design through printing.


Both companies enhanced the functionality of their catalogs, utilizing the latest in mobile technology with Microtag and QR code applications in their printed pieces.


We wish success to the Worth Company and Strike King Lure Company at ICAST.

We've Made Business Cards Smart!

With the recent advent and expanded use of QR codes and other mobile tags, it's now easier than ever to have smart business cards.


We've taken this technology and applied it to a staple of the business world, your business card, and made it 'smart.'


Is There An App For That?


Business cards printed with your personal contact information are made smart with the addition of a QR code directing your contacts to your company web site or blog as well as a QRV code to transfer your personal contact information. These are just two ways to upgrade your business card.


With a QR reader installed on a mobile phone, the images on your business card are instantly scanned and the information decoded as a link to a web site or in the case of the QRV code, your personal information.


In the image below, you'll see the decoded QRV code scanned from the front of the business card of Spectra Print Marketing Director Al Scherwinski, shown above:

It really is easy to be smart. Contact us for other options.

What Am I Looking At?

In addition to the introduction of the Spectra Print blog, Spectra Now, this week marks the roll-out of QR Codes at the All-Canada Show at Pheasant Run, St. Charles, IL. With the QR Code for the Spectra Print web site prominently displayed on the booth banner and on the newly designed business cards, Spectra Print is definitely causing quite a buzz at the All-Canada Show. Oh and did we mention the QR Codes on the shirts?

What is a QR Code? No, you are not looking for Elvis.

The unique bar code known as a QR or Quick Response code lets your customers - and potential customers - instantly learn more about your business by visiting a mobile version of your web site home, special landing page or blog via a QR code reader app on any smart phone.

The QR code could quite possibly become your business' new best friend. You may have seen QR codes scattered around and not known what they are; essentially they are a two-dimensional bar code but instead of being limited to storing numbers on groceries, QR codes are able to store things like strings of text, URL's, emails and much more.

Terrific. But what's the point and how is this going to help me?

Think about it this way. Nearly everyone has a smart phone and with a reader app, the phones have the ability to read the QR codes and instantly direct them to your specific page on the Internet. Imagine the response if your business' QR code was on your business card or to allow a potential client the opportunity to view a video about your business or a product review or to find a coupon or special offer?

The possibilities are endless!

It's Cool To Be A Groupie

Welcome to the roll-out of the Spectra Print blog. Our goal at Spectra Print has always been to "provide our customers with high quality printed products and effective marketing solutions ..." In today's fast-paced, technology driven environment, it now includes incorporating social media into our customer's advertising arsenal.

The most frequently asked questions by our customers is, "I know about Facebook and Twitter but how is that going to help my company?" We recognize our clients uncertainty as to how to navigate the social media terrain; you know your destination but you are not sure how to get there. Technology seems to be evolving at a faster rate than our ability to grasp the lessons. While it may seem as if social media advertising has burst on the scene, we've been hearing the buzz for quite some time, incorporating social media into our long and short term company plans. The result is our formation of Spectra Group. We now can help our customers through the maze of social media information, providing them with innovation and creative solutions.

Our success is not measured merely by our presence on the social media scene; it is more than just creating Facebook pages and establishing Twitter accounts. We realize there are no "one size fits all" answers to social media questions. We are here to listen to your specific goals for your social media program and will help you obtain the results you are looking for.

Companies in today's highly competitive markets face unique challenges, something we understand. Spectra Print's commitment goes beyond its ability to help their clients online. Our staff regularly attends conferences and will be hosting a social media event in early spring. Social media is now part of our employee day to day activities and part of our entire agency culture.

Social media is always evolving and changing and is more than about making friendships and attaining numbers. We realize the value of building relationships with our clients, fans and followers and is more than just posting information.

We are excited about this new venture and being part of our client's team - the nice thing about a team is that you always have someone on your side. We invite you to join the group!