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FROM THE REFLECTIONIST & REFLECTIONS NEWS
05/14/12 - REFLECTIONS BECOMES A 3M CERTIFIED GRAPHICS INSTALLATION COMPANY
Reflections is proud to announce our fully endorsed status as a 3M Certified Graphics Installation Company.
Reflections achieved the 3M Preferred designation, through participating in a challenging 3M program designed to qualify and test companies expertise at all types of graphics installation. The rigorous program required demonstrating knowledge and skill for the following applications: vehicle wraps, boat wraps, trailers with rivets and corrugations, smooth and textured wall surfaces, and floor graphics.
Owner Chris Clemens commented on the award, “Fleet graphics are a powerful medium for building brand awareness—achieving 3M certification assures our customers that the Reflections graphics installation team is best in class. We’re very pleased.”
Becoming 3M Endorsed is high praise for best business practices— and simply reinforces Reflections ongoing commitment to integrated excellence. Thanks to 3M for this honorable recognition and—a special high-five to the Reflections team for another job well done.
02/2/12 - Flat Out Better
Our new Fuji Acuity Advance Flatbed printer adds bigger, broader and better options to your Reflections printing choices. This high resolution UV flatbed unit has opaque white capabilities and can lay it down on anything up to 4 feet by 8 feet by nearly 2 inches thick. (Hmmm, drywall? Just a thought.) This new addition will print on both rigid and flexible substrates, making Reflections even more flexible for all of your marketing needs.
02/1/12 - Why would I need a double hit of color on a larger solid?
There are many factors that will help you to achieve beautiful results when producing solid colors.
With today’s newer press equipment, size of transfer rollers and dampening (water/alcohol) systems, it is much easier to lay down color without streaking and marking (such as hickies). But, there are still several factors that prevent nice saturation of solid colors. Your paper makes a big difference in your ink’s appearance. Non-coated papers do not have the sealed or clay finished surface of a coated sheet. More ink is absorbed into a non-coated paper, leaving more of the paper’s fiber and uneven surface to show through. Though that look might be desired as a design element, most clients want as solid a look as possible. A double hit of color will help to saturate your sheet with ink and help to hide most imperfections, such as ghosting. With this heavy coverage it is also wise to place a sealant coating, such as a varnish or aqueous, over the solid to help prevent offsetting and scratching.
02/1/12 - What is the difference between varnish & aqueous coatings?
Coatings and varnishes can not only protect a printed piece, they can enhance the images and add a level of tactile richness not otherwise possible. The options for where and how you use these coatings are almost endless. They include choices of finish, from high gloss to matte, dull and satin and techniques for application that range from flat coverage to halftone and from clear to tinted.
While varnishes are oil-based, aqueous coatings are water-based, which means that they dry faster than varnish and don’t yellow with age. Generally, aqueous coatings are used overall, since there are limitations with fit and trapping.
01/20/12 - Making “Impressions” Again
“Tap-tap, is this on? Testing uno-dos-three. Thank you all for coming. We’d just like to say that everyone at Reflections is once again humbled to be named one of Printing Impressions, Inc Top 400 Printers In The Nation. Thanks so much. We never get tired of winning this shiny piece of hardware, 8 years straight now (oh did I say that?). Shucks. It’s a team effort and our great clients are a part of that team. See you next year. What? Oh…okay. I need to have my photo taken with Miss Nevada now…”
12/22/11 - Reflections Keeps Updating the Hardware!
Our digital division has two shiny new presses to WOW you with.
We just completed the installation of our Kodak Digimaster EX 138 with an inline finisher. Now your booklets, multi-page brochures and collateral can be printed and bound all in one step! We also have a NEW – Xerox Docuprint 135 for imprinting variable direct mail letters, forms, and training manuals of all sorts. Call your representative today to find out about these new accoutrements – another step in getting your marketing materials to market FASTER!
09/12/11 - The 5 Steps to Building a Stronger Brand
“According to Chris Clemens, president of Reflections, Inc. “Branding has been at the heart and soul of Reflections since its inception.” Over the past five years, Reflections has been expanding beyond print. According to Chris, the brand they have developed has helped in the start up of their Creative and Design Division. “Because our brand has always been creative and fun, I think our clients believe and accept (this new division) as a natural step and direction for us.”
08/30/11 - Going To The Next Level (Literally and figuratively)
REFLECTIONS take creative partnering to a new level — Upstairs (and beyond). 2500 newly remodeled square feet of inspiring, collaborating and creating upper level space. This open floor plan is specifically designed for clients and team members to bring their creative sides front and center. Dig deeper and think better in our creative suite, staffed with designers, marketers and web guru’s helping to power and produce your most successful campaigns.
You’ll also discover a complete photo studio with staff photographer, allowing us to capture your latest widgets and whatevers for websites, brochures, mailers and more
Next time you visit REFLECTIONS, ask to be elevated to a new level of communication, creativity and collaboration (actually, just ask to see the new space upstairs).
Watch for upcoming events and seminars that will kick off this oasis of originality. Take your marketing to our next level.
07/27/11 - The Ultimate Resource Under Your Fingertips
You are a mere electronic blink away from complete cyber enlightenment. Simply send The Reflectionist your industry questions, queries, problems and puzzlements. From printing, production and mailing to creative, marketing and more, more, more, we’re your solution source.
For instance: “Dear Reflectionist, What’s the difference between a varnish and an aqueous coating? Do tell.”
Ask away friends.
06/19/11 - REFLECTIONS GRAPHIC COMMUNICATIONS, INC RECEIVES BEST IN CATEGORY IN STATEWIDE PRINT COMPETITION
minneapolis, mn APRIL 5, 2011 – Reflections, inc.: received an award for outstanding achievement in Presentation Portfolios during the annual Star of Excellence Awards, a regional printing competition hosted by the Printing Industry of the Midwest, Inc., the state’s trade association for printing, communication and graphic arts industry.
Competing against entries from printing and graphic arts firms throughout the state, Reflections, Inc. received a Best in Category Award. The company’s winning submission was a Portfolio Folder for Boston Scientific. “We are very proud of our winning team of designers, pressman and account service representatives for this coveted award” said Chris Clemens – President of Reflections Graphic Communications. “It is an honor to be recognized by the industry as a company that produces top quality, award winning materials.”
PIM President David Radziej agrees, “This was as close competition with a very impressive standard of entries. The judging process was challenging. Reflections should be proud of the company’s achievement and the excellent work done by their employees.” “In addition to this Best in Category Award, Reflections also took home 10 more merit certificates in numerous categories.”
PIM Midwest is the association of choice for the graphic arts industry, representing the Midwest’s second largest manufacturing industry, with more than 235,000 jobs and $7.5 billion in annual sales.