You probably already know that your computer’s hard drive isn’t the ideal location for your beloved images. For one, hard drives routinely crash, sending the data stored on them into dark oblivion. Furthermore, pictures stored locally often get very little eyeball time, and in today’s easy media-sharing environment, there’s no reason your photos should be collecting digital dust.
WHY DO YOU NEED A CLOUD STORAGE FOR PHOTOS?
Photo cloud storage is an online storage model in which data (photos) is saved on numerous servers distributed over the network. In other words, these are highly reliable servers that store photo and video files in a virtual environment that is protected from equipment failure, phone loss, or environment dangers. As long as you have an Internet connection, you can access your photos on the cloud.
A BACK-UP IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA!
While you may keep a copy of your photo files on a personal computer, laptop, phone or tablet – you never know when something may go wrong and wipe out decades worth of images. When you sync your mobile device with your cloud service – you’ll be able to view, share and access the images from multiple devices.
SHARED ACCESS WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
If a group of people enjoy viewing and accessing each other’s images, consider sharing your cloud storage account. This allows authorized users to add photos of their own and view images from others in the group. Family shared accounts are very common for this purpose. Create folders for special events and members of the group to help sort and organize your photos.
ELIMINATE MOBILE PHOTO CLUTTER.
We all have those images of receipts, movie tickets or duplicate shots of the same event. In the new year, spend a little time cleaning up those unnecessary shots and getting them off your system. Here’s how:
- Slowly work your way through your image library and eliminate shots you don’t want to keep.
- Your goal is to curate your collection and keep only the best of the best shots that are meaningful enough to keep.
- Work on image de-cluttering while you’re in line at the airport, waiting in the carpool lane, on vacation or killing time surfing the web.
- Make sure facial recognition is set up properly on your device so you can better sort images in the future.
- Create and label folders or albums with dates, themes or subject matter. Doing this today, will be well worth the effort when it comes time to gather images for that graduation montage or a wedding video.
REMEMBER TO SHARE, ENJOY AND PRINT!
Today’s mobile photos have very high image quality – meaning they make great-looking prints. Recent phone model cameras can produce print sizes 16×20″ and larger!
WHY THIS YEAR’S HOLIDAY CARD IS SO SPECIAL
/by Brenda DiVincenzoWHY THIS YEAR’S HOLIDAY CARD IS SO SPECIAL
2020 has been quite the year, to say the least! For most of us, the holidays will feel a little different this year. Many of us will not be able to celebrate in-person with our loved ones. In this time of distancing, we are looking for a way to feel closer to our family and friends. This is the perfect year to send a joyful holiday greeting to stay connected. A personalized message, honoring the traditions that make the season special, will bring joy to every recipient.
Select Photos
Holiday card preparation is the best reason to spend time reviewing the memories you have captured over the past year. Select images that document special occasions and accomplishments, and those that best demonstrate the personalities of your family members – even the family pet! Choose up to a dozen images, and maybe even designate some favorites.
Holiday cards are also a great excuse to have a family photo shoot! This can be something casual that you do yourself with your camera or phone, utilizing a tripod and timer (or a selfie stick with a trigger). If you are looking for something more polished, call in a professional. Most photographers offer family mini sessions during the fall exactly for this purpose. All you have to do is decide what to wear!
Choose a Card
Photo greeting cards are available in a variety of styles to fit your family’s vibe this year. Choose from traditional or contemporary designs with multitudes of sentiments available in various sizes. Flat or folded? Horizontal, vertical or square? Or maybe a trifold, accordion fold or die cut (unique shapes/edges)? All of these are available with any number of photos, from the perfect single shot that you absolutely cannot wait to share, to the dozen that you just couldn’t narrow down.
Say hello and spread kindness with a warm, personal holiday card. Close the distance between you and those you love most in this incredibly unique year.
FOUR SIMPLE STEPS TO PRESERVE YOUR FAMILY MEMORIES.
/by Natalie GunnSTEP 1: SORT
Take pictures out of albums, frames and boxes so you are working with only loose prints. Choose the photos you want to keep. Remove duplicates and poor-quality shots. Keep only the most meaningful images and toss the rest if you are working to downsize or eliminate clutter. At this point, you could stop and move on to Step #3.
STEP 2: ORGANIZE
If you want to get your photo collection truly organized, then continue sorting. Separate pictures into piles by subject, people, theme or year. Whatever makes most sense to you. Then, label those piles in chronological order. This will pay off when you move on to Step #4 and eventually share copies of your images with family members. Advanced sorting will make specific photos easy to locate on a computer or device later on.
STEP 3: DIGITIZE
Box up your printed memorabilia and bring them to a trusted local photo preservation expert (like us!) for scanning. The key word here is “local”. We never recommend shipping your most precious possessions across the country! Each print will be professionally digitized and saved as high-resolution JPG files. We can even create labeled folders to keep your sorting efforts intact. Your newly digitized images will then be safely saved to a media device of your choice, a cloud storage location and/or to any other location that you request.
STEP 4: COPY + SHARE
At this stage, you’ll have various options for what to do with your digital image files – including how many copies to share. This is the fun part! Think about who would like a set of the scanned images – even if they may not completely appreciate them today. (IE: children and teens.) Once the images are scanned, duplicate media copies are extremely affordable – so be generous and share freely!
Your story is meant to be shared – and now is the perfect time to do it! Don’t wait until it’s too late to protect those photos of your grandparents, your high school prom and that family vacation to the Grand Canyon.
ARE YOUR MOBILE PHOTOS SAFE + SECURE?
/by Natalie GunnYou probably already know that your computer’s hard drive isn’t the ideal location for your beloved images. For one, hard drives routinely crash, sending the data stored on them into dark oblivion. Furthermore, pictures stored locally often get very little eyeball time, and in today’s easy media-sharing environment, there’s no reason your photos should be collecting digital dust.
WHY DO YOU NEED A CLOUD STORAGE FOR PHOTOS?
Photo cloud storage is an online storage model in which data (photos) is saved on numerous servers distributed over the network. In other words, these are highly reliable servers that store photo and video files in a virtual environment that is protected from equipment failure, phone loss, or environment dangers. As long as you have an Internet connection, you can access your photos on the cloud.
A BACK-UP IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA!
While you may keep a copy of your photo files on a personal computer, laptop, phone or tablet – you never know when something may go wrong and wipe out decades worth of images. When you sync your mobile device with your cloud service – you’ll be able to view, share and access the images from multiple devices.
SHARED ACCESS WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
If a group of people enjoy viewing and accessing each other’s images, consider sharing your cloud storage account. This allows authorized users to add photos of their own and view images from others in the group. Family shared accounts are very common for this purpose. Create folders for special events and members of the group to help sort and organize your photos.
ELIMINATE MOBILE PHOTO CLUTTER.
We all have those images of receipts, movie tickets or duplicate shots of the same event. In the new year, spend a little time cleaning up those unnecessary shots and getting them off your system. Here’s how:
REMEMBER TO SHARE, ENJOY AND PRINT!
Today’s mobile photos have very high image quality – meaning they make great-looking prints. Recent phone model cameras can produce print sizes 16×20″ and larger!
WHY EVERY FAMILY SHOULD PRESERVE THEIR HISTORY.
/by Natalie GunnIn 50 years, will you be able to reminisce? Will your grandchildren know if they’ve inherited your good looks? Will you be able to show them your childhood home? The answer to these questions is largely dependent on how you store and archive printed images today. After all, we’re not simply talking about pictures and home movies. We’re talking about your childhood, your wedding day, your entire family history – your life.
NO MORE CLUTTER
Storing a digital version of your memories takes far less space in your home. Plus, no more digging through closets and flipping through albums looking for a single photo! Archived images are easily searchable in their digital state.
PEACE OF MIND
Aging photo albums, boxes of prints and home movies are at risk for deterioration, misplacement and destruction in their current state. Archiving is also insurance for loss due to water damage, fire and other environmental hazards.
CONVENIENT ENJOYMENT
Once your photos and home movies are digitized, the files can easily be viewed on almost any device.
ONE LESS FAMILY BATTLE
Each and every family member can have their very own digital copy of the files. This is especially helpful in the case of a divorce or death in the family.
PASS IT ON
The digital files can easily be shared with family members around the world. Email specific files and store your new digital library in the cloud so that others can access them. For redundancy, we recommend ordering multiple copies of the digitized images for children, grandchildren or siblings.
WHAT’S YOUR PHOTO MANAGEMENT STRATEGY?
Make a plan for your story. How do you plan to preserve all the meaningful events in your life? If you don’t have one, don’t worry. We provide tools, training and assistance so you can tell your story for generations to come. We’ll pair your lifestyle needs with the right photo management solutions, making it easy to keep up with your collection as it grows. Archiving is an important but never-ending process, and The Print Refinery is here to help you preserve your family’s history for future generations to enjoy and remember.
Last Minute Gift Ideas
/by Natalie GunnJust a few more weeks to go! Are you ready?
That’s right! There’s still a bit of time for you’re to create adorable photo gifts and prints for your friends and family. Not sure what to gift? Here are a few solutions to help you choose.
The Gather Box
Our #1 MOST MEANINGFUL gift idea! The Gather Box is an easy way to have family photos, home movies and keepsakes digitized for use on today’s technology. Here are our favorite ways to gift it:
Prints
Give the gift of prints! Select a series of your favorite mobile snapshots and make fun-sized prints to package as a set. Tie a bow around them and you’re all set! Print sets can be ready for pick up in as fast as 1-day!
Ornaments
Start a new tradition and gift personalized ornaments to everyone in the fam. Children especially enjoy having their very own special ornaments and it’s fun to reminisce when decorating the tree each year.
Sending Holiday Cheer!
/by Natalie GunnTradition starts with you — time to start planning your holiday cards! Who knew you could send a hug through the mail in the form of a holiday card? Don’t let creating the perfect card quickly fall off your radar – time to start making your plan now! Use these tips and suggestions for a killer holiday card:
– Invest in having a professional photograph taken of your family, kids or pets. Trust us, you’ll appreciate having that image in 10 years.
– If you’re sending cards on a budget, plan a time to get a great shot with your mobile phone camera. Add a subtle overall filter or lighting enhancement to give everyone a fresh look. If that fails, a well done selfie can work!
– Splurge a little on the card style. Try something new like foil imprinting, a uniquely shaped die-cut card or upgrade to textured cardstock. Your card is sure to stand out with any of these options.
– Order an extra 6-12 cards for the unexpected. You never know who you’ll receive cards from and it’s always a nice gesture to return the hello with a card of your own.
– Missed the Christmas and Hanukkah window? Send a Happy New Year style instead!
This year, resist the urge to order from an impersonal online source – try us instead! We have thousands of stunning designs to choose from and graphic experts to help you customize the perfect card the way you want it.
AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
/by Natalie GunnIn our digital age of ephemeral tweets, posts and emails, handwritten thank you notes have become a bit of a lost art. For that reason, they are incredibly impactful and sentimental ways to show customer appreciation. Nothing sounds more dull and impersonal than “thank you for your business.” So remember to keep your messages authentic, specific and individualized. Here are some additional tips and creative ideas:
Exceed your customers’ expectations and include a little pleasant surprise with their thank you note. Some examples are discounts/coupons for a future purchase, car decals and stickers, magnets or flyers.
Not only will they delight your customers, free samples allow you to showcase something that the customer hasn’t tried yet. Free gifts like promotional branded items spread brand awareness and add perceived value. Try to personalize the gift or sample for each customer and pick items that complement the purchase.
Video helps you stand out in the social media crowd by attracting likes and shares. In fact, 93% of businesses using video report it’s landed them a new customer. With the help of some pretty cool apps, you can create quick and personalized videos to thank your customers and engage them on social media. You can even use a QR code generator to send a barcode for the customer to simply scan and watch your video. Best of all, most of this can be done from the convenience of your smartphone or tablet!
Making your customer appreciation memorable is all about the finer details. The Print Refinery helps you create stunning marketing impressions that extend your customer relationships beyond the initial sale. When you lead with an attitude of gratitude, your team, brand and culture reflects it – and loyal customers always follow!
INSTANT MAKE-OVER FOR YOUR OFFICE SPACE
/by Natalie GunnLooking for an easy and cost-effective way to visually enhance your office space? Adhesive vinyl is the hottest trend in wall decor, because it’s beautiful, functional and semi-permanent. The low-tac adhesive allows the vinyl to be repositioned, reused and removed without damaging paint or drywall. Adhesive vinyl works great on glass too and adds visual impact to store-front windows.
Celebrate your company history with engaging installations reflecting your brand story. Create energetic project boards and calendars to motivate your team and push goals forward. Or add instant color and character to a dull office space with a one-of-a-kind masterpiece on a focal wall. With the fantastic variety of shapes, sizes, and patterns, your design possibilities are limitless!
Whether it’s one wall or every wall, The Print Refinery helps you express your company’s voice and create custom, quality solutions that fit your brand communications!
Are You Ready For Your Next Trade Show?
/by Natalie GunnCheck the condition of your backdrop, signage and furniture. Is it time for a cleaning, refresh or replacement? Avoid the unexpected by practicing your setup prior to the event. Remember any tools you’ll need to unpack, assemble and disassemble your exhibit booth. Getting setup in a timely manner will give you valuable extra time for networking and marketing.
Refine your positioning, features/benefits and pitch. Does your marketing communicate a clear and targeted message? Correct formatting issues, grammatical errors and outdated information. If you need help adding visual appeal to your marketing materials, The Print Refinery is here to make your brand shine!
Current design trends in branded promotional gifts are: popular retail brands, bright and bold colors and unique materials (like cork, wood grain and matte finishes). Cellphone accessories, insulated drinkware and wellness products are always top choices. A branded tchotchke or trinket that ends up in the trash is a waste of marketing dollars, so think “useful, creative and unique” when selecting promotional items.
From backdrops and signage to business cards and promotional branded items, The Print Refinery can fulfill all your commercial printing needs for your next trade show. So let’s create, collaborate and turn your vision into bold marketing statements!
Top 5 Commercial Sign Requests
/by Natalie GunnTOP 5 COMMERCIAL SIGN REQUESTS
Did you know that 85% of your potential customers pass by your business each month? If you want to increase sales, you have to drive foot-traffic, and one the most effective ways to do so is with signage. Here is a list of our top 5 commercial sign requests and general guidelines for each:
Like judging a book by its cover, customers gather first impressions of a business based on its exterior signage and appearance. So make sure your outdoor signs accurately convey the tone and experience you want a guest to expect upon entering your business.
Informational signs help guests navigate your business and find what they came in for more easily. They should be self-explanatory and easy to read, so large, bold fonts and highly-visible colors work best.
Persuasive signs influence purchase behavior through convincing language and visual appeal. They can encourage traffic flow to certain areas of the business, create interest in specific products or draw attention to promotions and add-on services.
You want every guest, regardless of disability, to feel welcome and comfortable in your business. So if your business offers wheelchair accessible parking, doors, restrooms or elevators, you should have those accommodations clearly displayed on signs. Also, any permanent interior signs indicating an entrance/exit, stairwells, restrooms and elevators must have Braille and tactile characters and be mounted at specific heights according to ADA compliance and local fire codes.
Branded mats are perhaps the most versatile type of signage, because they serve a multitude of purposes. They can be marketing messages, directional tools, safety precautions during inclement weather – or just sheer ergonomic relief for retail staff standing on their feet all day!
A well-designed and properly-placed sign can drive traffic, build brand awareness and increase revenue. Remember to be specific and keep it simple, as too many signs or too much information can have the opposite effect. The Print Refinery is your creative partner for all your commercial printing projects. We consult and collaborate with you to design the best commercial signage that fits your specific business needs.