2012 Designer-Friendly Directory

Every year, we spotlight roughly 100 companies and organizations providing first-rate products and services to creative professionals, adding value and finding solutions, communicating and standing behind our community and, more often than not, taking environmental and social responsibility seriously

Companies that understand the creative mind have always been rare. They are even more so today as changing technologies and tightening economics create dislocations, and established brands implode faster than Charlie Sheen or a Kardashian marriage. That makes the 2012 roster even more selective and the entities deserving of recognition

In the current listing, you will find treasures: paper mills and distributors, commercial and digital printers, stock agencies and type houses, hardware and software companies, recruiters and consultants, trade shows and associations, myriad goods and service providers, even the return of a famous cutting blade maker. These are smart and motivated organizations who “get it” — that your success is their success — and who have the commitment and resources to invest in the creative community

Included are company overviews, new developments of note, and contact information for buyers and specifiers. Not included are schools: education is becoming so critical to the evolving design marketplace that we have broken educational institutions into a separate listing for their own spotlight in the March edition

Why does all this matter? Because in an age of interdependence, collaboration and the blurring of design and production, you are only as good as your tools, your technologies, your services, your vendors, your knowledge and your information. That is true when the economic headwinds are for you and against you

– Gordon Kaye

color services

Dayglo

Cleveland-based DayGlo Color Corp. offers a diverse product line and customized color solutions for packaging and consumer goods, plastics, graphic arts, paints and coatings, dyes and textiles, as well as ingredients for the personal care and cosmetics industries. As the originator, and world’s largest manufacturer, of daylight fluorescent color, DayGlo also develops conventional color dispersions and specialty effects pigments. The diverse range of products can be used alone or combined with conventional colors to help achieve cleaner, brighter, more sophisticated colors. The company recently announced a new positioning, “Color. Only Better,” and launched a website featuring the Design Center, a new interactive tool for the industry, where visitors can see firsthand how to make color better using DayGlo products on a 3D object.
www.dayglo.com

Pantone

Pantone is the global authority on color and color standards for the design industries. For five decades, Pantone has inspired design professionals with products, services and technology for the colorful exploration and expression of creativity. Over the years, Pantone has expanded its color matching system from the graphic arts to other color-critical industries such as digital technology, fashion, home, plastics, architecture and contract interiors, and paint. Today, the brand is known as the standard language for accurate color communication for everyone from designers to manufacturers to retailers and customers. And the Pantone Color Institute, a color research and information center that shares its color expertise with professionals in a variety of industries, is a major resource for GDUSA stories and features on color trends. Pantone has declared the 2012 Color Of The Year to be… the vivacious PANTONE 17-1463 Tangerine Tango.
www.pantone.com

Tintbook

Tintbook CMYK color charts are a terrific tool for printers and designers: they ease the decisionmaking when creating four-color process tints for printing projects. Tintbooks’ CMYK color solution works with graphic design software such as Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and Quark Xpress. Color formulas are simple: designers just select a color, find the component values on the relevant chart, and enter those CMYK values into the color palette from popular design software applications. Over 25,000 CMYK screen tint formulas are already made in every Tintbook. Two editions are available — one printed on coated and the second on uncoated paper. Why do you need their products? Tintbook is produced under the same conditions as an actual printing project which — unlike the computer monitor, laser printouts and final digital proofs — accurately reflect printing ink, paper surface and true color matching.
www.tintbook.com

cutting blades

X-Acto

X-ACTO was founded in 1917 by Sundel Doniger from New York City. The company started by producing products for the medical profession. However, the X-ACTO blade that became the industry standard was created when an X-ACTO advertising artist needed a retouching knife. Doniger created one from his employee’s sketch, and it worked so well that the company began manufacturing the product for other artists and hobbyists. X-ACTO created a tool division for the hobby market in 1960, which continued to grow until 1981, when Hunt Corp purchased the company. Hunt continued to create new X-ACTO products, with advances such as the Gripster art knife, snap-off knives and blades, foam board cutter, and the X2000 knife. The X2000 displayed X-ACTO’s commitment to design and function by winning the 1996 Good Design Award from the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design. Today X-ACTO is part of the Elmer’s® family of brands; there remains a strong commitment to developing innovative products and redesigning current products to exceed customer expectations.
www.xacto.com

type

Berthold Types

Berthold is an important designer source for high-quality, classic typefaces. Founded in 1858 in Berlin, the H. Berthold foundry was renowned for crafting high-quality typefaces and was one of the largest and most successful type foundries in the world. Berthold Types continues this tradition offering design professionals the quality typefaces comprising the Berthold Exklusiv Collection. Berthold exclusively offers the Akzidenz-Grotesk typeface: the original sans and most influential grotesque. Berthold also exclusively offers other classic typefaces such as AG Book, Barmeno, Block, City, Delta, Formata, Imago, and many other new and long-time favorites. Berthold font software is available in the Open Type format with many font families available with extended language support. The firm offers a variety of licensing options from basic end user licenses for individuals and small companies to flexible corporate extended licenses for use with the latest technologies.
www.bertholdtypes.com

Hoefler & Frere-Jones

Since 1989, Jonathan Hoefler and Tobias Frere-Jones have helped some of the world’s foremost corporations, publications, and institutions develop their unique voice through typography. In 2011, The Museum of Modern Art in New York honored H&FJ by acquiring four of its type families — HTF Didot, Gotham, Mercury and Retina — to be added to the museum’s permanent collection. H&FJ was also named one of Fast Company’s Top Ten Most Innovative Companies in Design and included in their list of 50 Most Influential Designers in America.
T 212.777.6640
W www.typography.com

Monotype Imaging

Monotype Imaging combines technology with design to help the world communicate. Brand managers, product developers, content creators and designers depend on typefaces and technologies from Monotype Imaging for consistent, global, visual communications. The company brings text imaging and graphical user interface capabilities to consumer electronics devices such as laser printers, copiers, mobile phones, navigation devices, digital cameras, e-book readers, automotive devices, tablets, digital televisions, set-top boxes and consumer appliances. Its technologies are combined with access to more than 14,000 typefaces from the Monotype, Linotype and ITC typeface libraries — home to some of the world’s most widely used designs. The Fonts.com ™ store offers more than 150,000 font products that designers can preview, purchase and download. Designers can also learn about new typeface releases and discover typographic tips and techniques at the site and at the Fonts.com blog.
www.fonts.com

app platform

Mag+

Mag+ is a flexible and efficient platform for publishing creative content on touch screen tablets. Mag+ premiered on the first iPads in April 2010 with the award winning Popular Science+ application and now supports more than 100 apps, including those from Outside, IKEA and Maxim. With its streamlined production system, powerful backend and feature-rich design framework, Mag+ is ideal for anyone — from magazine and book publishers to catalog marketers and design agencies — wanting to bring beautiful, immersive content to the millions using this new generation of digital devices. The company recently announced two new offerings for designers: Mag + Go is a $199 app delivering a single issue for catalogs, e-books or any unique publication. Mag+ Lead offers personalized creative support and unlimited publishing for one low monthly price.
www.magplus.com

3d effects

Humaneyes Technologies

HumanEyes Technologies provides a complete, end-to-end solution for creating and printing of 3D and 2D effects. The company develops software for photographers, graphic artists and printers. HumanEyes Technologies applies vast experience and knowledge in the lenticular segment to engineer software that enhances creativity and productivity without compromising efficiency and practicality. A recent innovation is SnapilyPro, an online 3D Digital Printing Service for Creative Professionals. On the Snapily site, designers can sign up to receive “10 Free Tips on Enhancing Your Business with 3D and Animated Prints.”
www.humaneyes.com
www.snapilypro.com

papers + substrates

Cascades

Cascades Fine Papers Group is a Canadian-based leader in environmental and security fine papers manufacturing, with a century-long reputation for craftsmanship and sustainability. A company where initiative and respect for the environment are part of its everyday operations, they work constantly to improve products and processes and reduce their environmental footprint. Uncoated fine papers made by Cascades contain significant quantities of postconsumer fiber and are certified by credible environmental organizations. The product line includes a large family of Rolland Enviro100 grades for commercial printing and reprographic purposes, as well as the popular Rolland Opaque50. (A complete product chart can be downloaded from the website.) Cascades is consistently one of the most recognized and honored paper companies for innovation and environmental achievements by industry and environmental groups.
www.cascades.com

Clearwater

Clearwater Paper is recognized worldwide for its quality paperboard, consumer tissue, and wood products, enabling customers to compete in the highest ends of their markets. Of particular note to print and packaging professionals: Clearwater is North America's largest nonintegrated producer of bleached paperboard. Their Ancora® and Candesce® lines of premium SBS paperboard both have ultrasmooth surfaces for printing clear images and sharp text. Both stand up to demanding and advanced print jobs, making varnishing treatments, foil stamping, and embossing simple. In addition, Ancora and Candesce are available with either FSC or SFI certification in a full caliper range.
T 1.866.768.5282
W www.clearwaterpaper.com

Cti Paper Usa

This company provides designers and printers with unique papers to complement their most adventurous and creative work. CTI’s exquisite collection includes the world’s finest specialty printing papers, including translucent, cast-coated, metallic, and pearlescent finishes, which are readily available through paper merchants, converters and online at The Paper Mill Store. In addition, CTI is FSC Chain of Custody and SFI Chain of Custody certified.
www.thepapermill.com

Domtar

Domtar is the largest integrated manufacturer and marketer of uncoated freesheet paper in North America and the second largest in the world based on production capacity. The company designs, manufactures, markets and distributes a wide range of business, commercial printing and publishing. Their converting and specialty papers include recognized brands such as Cougar®, Lynx® Opaque Ultra, Husky® Opaque Offset, First Choice® and Domtar EarthChoice® Office Paper, part of a family of environmentally and socially responsible papers. The company sponsors a popular and award-winning “Paper Because” campaign to promote the power of print and paper; a new wave of lighthearted videos was just released to push the campaign forward.
www.domtar.com
www.paperbecause.com

Fibermark

FiberMark’s specialty fiber-based materials support industries and consumers worldwide. The company’s distinctive covering materials express brands, inspire designs, and make lasting impressions. With an extensive range of visual and tactile options, FiberMark materials provide an endless array of design possibilities for applications in the office products, publishing, luxury packaging, technical/industrial and graphic design markets. Their premium and innovative covering products and specialty boards are made from sustainable materials and are enhanced with a variety of colors, finishes, and embossing techniques that create visual depth and invite touch. Design specialists are available to work with creative teams.
www.fibermark.com

Finch Paper

Finch Paper is widely recognized for the quality of its uncoated printing papers, its excellent customer service, and its commitment to sustainable forestry. Finch concentrates on “the basic stuff that serious printers and print buyers want the most” which, they state, is high-quality white and off-white papers that are made responsibly and meet the highest standards of print performance for offset and digital presses. The mill’s integrated approach to papermaking allows a lower impact on the environment as well as reduced costs. Finch Premium Blend, Finch Fine text and cover, Finch Casa Opaque, Finch Opaque and the Finch Digital portfolio are popular choices for corporate marketing materials, direct mail, book publishing, and business office use.
T 800.833 .9983
W www.finchpaper.com

International Paper

International Paper is a global leader in the paper and packaging industry and supplies a wide range of products that people rely on every day. The company produces uncoated papers and industrial and consumer packaging. Key brands for graphic artists include Accent Opaque, Carolina Coated Cover, Hammermill, Springhill and Williamsburg. It also offers printing, packaging, graphic arts, maintenance and industrial products through xpedx, its North American distribution business. Its Shorewood Packaging division provides packaging solutions and materials. IP partners with customers and environmental, academic, civic and governmental organizations, as well as landowners and harvesting professionals, to encourage responsible forest stewardship, improve the health and productivity of forestlands, and increase recovery of recyclable products.
www.internationalpaper.com

Kallima Paper

This past summer, the Tembec Paper Group launched a new whiter shade Kallima® FSC Certified Coated Cover paperboard products. The upgraded lineup sees Kallima® Coated Cover offered in a new, bluer-white shade while retaining all the physical target properties that deliver its superior printability and reliable runnability. The development of the new, bluer-white shade translates into important additional benefits to commercial print, graphic design and end-user customers with a greater scope of projects and applications: richer, vibrant colors and superior print gloss performance. In addition to being a leading advocate of sustainability, the company has the know-how to back it up: Kallima Paper has a low-density, high-bulk construction resulting in less trees used and significant cost savings to the customer. A popular blog, Kallima Storyboard, shares stories about papermaking, printing and design, environmental responsibility and more.
www.kallimapaper.com

Mohawk

Known for innovation, service, and quality, Mohawk Fine Papers is the largest premium paper manufacturer in North America. The company offers a forward-looking product line that includes some of the best-known brands: Strathmore, an internationally recognized name in corporate identity papers; Beckett, featuring environmental benefits in five extraordinary finishes; Mohawk Superfine, an industry standard for traditional uncoated printing paper; cast-coated Kromekote, the world’s finest printing surface; Via, the value leader in text and cover; Navajo Options, featuring the patented Inxwell process; the new i-Tone process developed for the HP Indigo; and Mohawk Color Copy, with the proprietary Digital Imaging Surface for superior color copy results. Independently owned, Mohawk is headquartered in Cohoes NY. Today, the company operates three mills with over 175,000 tons of capacity, two converting centers, and four strategically located distribution centers. Mohawk is known for its extremely high environmental standards and sustainable practices. The mill offers sustainable paper choices certified by FSC and Green Seal. In addition, Mohawk is one of the first major manufacturers to match 100% of its electricity with RECs from windpower projects.
T 800.THE.MILL
W www.mohawkpapers.com

Monadnock

Named for the mountain that dominates the local landscape, Monadnock Paper Mills is a family-owned business and the oldest continuously operating paper mill in the United States. It produces premium Printing, Packaging, Specialty and Technical papers, as well as Non-Woven products. Customers choose Monadnock for its high quality products, attentive customer service and commitment to the environment. The mill’s entire line-up of Graphic Arts Printing and Packaging Papers and Boards is now FSC Certified. All Monadnock printing and packaging papers are made using 100% renewable electricity, are manufactured carbon neutral, and are made under strict requirements ISO Environmental and Quality Management Systems.
T 877.877.2098
W www.mpm.com

Neenah Paper

For more than 100 years, Neenah Paper has been an innovative leader in the creation and manufacturing of premium, specialty and sustainable papers. Neenah brings state-of-the-art technology to its signature brands, CLASSIC®, ENVIRONMENT®, STARWHITE®, NEENAH® and SUNDANCE®, as well as a host of other fine paper with an ever-expanding digital paper offering. In addition, Neenah creates relevant, useful tools that empower customers when they want it and the way they want it, including the new Neenah Paper Cabinet. Recently, the mill engaged in a major update and simplification of the paper selection process by refreshing all four of its CLASSIC Papers brands, including CLASSIC CREST, CLASSIC Linen, CLASSIC COLUMNS and CLASSIC Laid Papers. More news: Neenah is the exclusive sponsor of GDUSA’s American Package Design Awards, open for entries now, which spotlights Neenah’s Packaging and Label Papers of instantly obvious distinction.
T 800.558.5061
W www.neenahpaper.com

Newpage

Headquartered in Miamisburg OH, NewPage Corporation is a leading coated paper manufacturer in North America, based on production capacity. The company’s product portfolio includes coated freesheet, coated groundwood, supercalendered, newsprint and specialty papers. These papers are used for corporate collateral, commercial printing, magazines, catalogs, books, coupons, inserts, newspapers, packaging applications and direct-mail advertising. NewPage owns paper mills in Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Among the popular designer and printer grades are: Sterling Ultra, Centura, Productolith, Arbor Plus and Arborweb. The company prides itself of its effective stewardship and rigorous sustainability policies.
www.newpagecorp.com

Sappi

Sappi Fine Paper North America is a preeminent North American producer of coated fine paper used in premium magazines, catalogs, books and high-end print advertising. Headquartered in Boston MA, its brand names include McCoy, Opus, Somerset and Flo. Sappi’s mills in North America are triple chain of custody certified by the FSC, SFI and PEFC. Over 80% of the energy used by Sappi’s North American mills comes from renewable resources, resulting in a low carbon footprint. Sappi Fine Paper North America is a division of Sappi Limited (NYSE and JSE), a global company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa.
www.sappi.com/na

Unisource

Unisource Worldwide, a leading distributor of paper, packaging and facility supplies in North America, has many ongoing programs aimed at supporting the graphic arts community and promoting print as an effective means of communication. Its allegiance to the design disciplines is evident in its ongoing support of corporate sustainability and environmental responsibility. As the first paper distributor to attain national Chain-of-Custody certification of FSC, SFI, and PEFC, Unisource provides an expanding selection of environmentally-friendly paper products through certified distribution centers and company-owned stores. Customers can keep up with Unisource’s latest paper offerings by visiting the Unisourcegreen website specifically targeted to the design and print community. At the site, there is the useful Unisourcegreenfinder online search tool as well as eco-calculators, videos, green news, links and other resources.
www.unisourcegreen.com

Verso

Based in Memphis TN, Verso Paper Corporation is a leading North American producer of coated papers, including coated groundwood and coated freesheet, and specialty products. Verso’s paper products are used primarily in media and marketing applications, including magazines, catalogs and commercial printing applications such as high-end advertising brochures, annual reports and direct-mail advertising. Company officials state: “At Verso our focus is simple: Do what is right, maintain a balance between environmental, financial and social responsibilities and ensure that we continually improve our ability to creatively solve customer problems with products and services that exceed expectations.”
www.versopaper.com

Wausau

For more than 100 years, Wausau Paper has been a leading manufacturer of high-quality, affordable uncoated papers for consumers, printers, graphic designers and converters. From its mill facilities in Minnesota and Wisconsin, the company produces more than 2,000 different stock items from over 400 different types of papers in an array of weights, colors, sizes and finishes. These paper products are suitable for a variety of commercial printing, digital imaging and converting applications including annual reports, corporate identity, promotional, luxury packaging, folders, greeting cards and business communications. (Digital Space, a microsite, focuses on the company’s 23 grades of digitally-compatible papers.) Wausau products are eco-friendly approximately two-thirds of Wausau Paper’s Printing & Writing commercial stocking items contain 30% recycled post-consumer fiber and carry the independent Green Seal certification.
www.wausaupaper.com

Xpedx

xpedx is the world’s largest distributor of printing papers, graphic supplies and equipment by revenue and volume. Customers include commercial printers and publishers, manufacturers, retailers, facility managers, U.S. government agencies and companies across many industry segments. Creative professionals are an important market segment for xpedx, and the company strives, through its merchant division and retail stores, to provide designers with the tools and expertise they need to grow professionally and to make their workday easier. Sustainability and stewardship are high priorities: the company has set ambitious Sustainability Targets including substantial increases in recycling and of the use of Chain of Custody certified papers. xpedx is a business of International Paper.
www.xpedx.com

Yupo

More than forty years ago, Yupo Corporation embarked on a journey to create a variety of grades of synthetic paper that would stand out among competitors. Through extensive research and development, Yupo has become an industry leader in its production and found that waterproof, 100% recyclable, tear- and chemical-resistant synthetic papers had applications in the print, design and packaging worlds. Currently, the largest manufacturer of synthetic papers in the Western Hemisphere, YUPO Synthetic Paper is manufactured in a 160,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility located in Chesapeake VA. Available grades include YUPO Original, YUPO Accel, YUPO Blue, and YUPO Translucent. The company also presents the Wally Awards, a popular annual design competition that is open for entries now and culminates at the HOW Conference.
T 888.873.9876
W www.yupousa.com

retail paper stores

Envelopes.Com

Based in Lindenhurst NY, Envelopes.com is a second-generation family-owned and operated online envelope company. Begun in 1971 as Action Envelope, the recently acquired domain name Envelopes.com has led to a complete rebranding. The new company motto is “Keep It Real!” Early on, Envelopes.com realized there was a benefit to breaking down large quantity cases into small packs of 50 envelopes for re-sale to consumers and designers. Aligned with the “Keep It Real!” motto, Envelopes.com has several earth-friendly initiatives including 30%-100% recycled products, soy inks, carbon neutral shipping, and more.
www.envelopes.com

Felt & Wire

Felt & Wire is about the universe of design, paper and print — from posters to packaging, from memorable mail to beautiful books, from invitations to artistic innovations. Conceived by Mohawk Fine Papers, it is described as “a community, by and about those of us who are paper-obsessed.” Felt & Wire is both a shop of curated paper goods and related items, as well as a creative dialog that provides a forum for artists to share their accomplishments, their work and their stories.
www.feltandwireshop.com

Jam Paper

A proudly family-owned and operated company for over 50 years, JAM Paper & Envelope has retail stores and offices in New York and New Jersey — including three locations in Manhattan: 466 Lexington Avenue (Union Square/Downtown), 135 Third Avenue (Midtown), and 1282 Third Avenue (Upper East Side). They are in the center of the fashion, media, public relations, marketing, event planning, and photography industries. With plants and warehouses on both coasts, as well as overseas, the company offers a wide range of envelopes, plastics, paper, folders, bags, portfolios and boxes to help businesses and individuals look professional, creative and smart. This “Can Do” company ships the same business day, has no minimum orders, provides volume discounts, and can customize portfolios to the exact specifications you need.
T 800.8010.JAM
W www.jampaper.com

The Paper Mill Store

This online store began in 2004 with the idea of offering graphics professionals great papers at great prices that are easy to get when needed. The corporate office campus is in Sun Prairie WI, with a state-of-the-art 72,000-square-foot converting and distribution center in the heart of the “Paper Valley”-Neenah WI. Because they stock all papers in climate controlled safety, and their own people pick and pack orders for same-day or next day delivery, paper and envelopes will arrive on time and in perfect condition. The company uses 100% wind power through the purchase of renewable energy credits.
T 800.790.8767
W www.thepapermillstore.com

printing services

4over

4over is the largest trade-only printer in North America. With facilities in seven states, it offers a broad range of in-demand offset, digital and large-format printed products, with a wide variety of production turnaround and shipping options. An industry leader in print order fulfillment for print brokers, graphic designers, photographers and other trade professionals, 4over has a state-of-the-art print production facility and superior computer-controlled color quality, and has established itself with a tradition of quality and consistency. Since its inception in 2001, 4over has experienced explosive growth. In a few short years, it has grown into an operation with hundreds of employees and expanded from a single building to eight fully-operational facilities that encompass 400,000 feet of production and office space. The newest facility opened this summer in Phoenix AZ, joining Los Angeles, Dayton OH, Arlington TX, Miami Gardens FL, and Moonachie NJ.
T 877.782.2737
W www.4over.com

Allied

This full service solution-based printing company has grown, over six decades, to become one of the largest family-owned commercial printers in New England. Allied now operates out of a 254,000 sq. ft. modern facility on a beautiful 30 acre campus located in Manchester CT, with an additional 40,000 sq. ft. facility in Marlborough MA. With a vast array of prepress, printing and digital printing, finishing and fulfillment solutions, the company services a wide range of industries including financial/investment companies, advertising/design/marketing agencies, manufacturing companies, healthcare organizations, biotechnology businesses, and retail/wholesale organizations. Competitive prices and quick turnaround, high quality standards (ISO 9001 certification), responsive service, versatile capabilities, the ability to meet designers’ expectations, and a commitment to sustainability are among its many strengths.
T 800.225.8777
W www.alliedprinting.com

Catprint

CatPrint is a boutique color printing company offering premium short run printing via the internet. CatPrint’s team of print experts offers deep knowledge and experience in the fields of graphic design, print production, and superior customer service. Short run is the emphasis, and there are no minimum runs. The company is passionate about the environment: all paper stocks contain high percentages of postconsumer product, orders are shipped using bio-degradable non-toxic peanuts, wind-generated energy is used in every step of the process, and CatPrint is a proud ally of the Terrapass Carbon Offset Program.
T 877.228.7768
W www.catprint.com

Finlay Printing

Finlay Printing provides quality and innovative marketing solutions to a wide range of high-end clients across the nation. Finlay is known for supporting each customer with an individualized, cost-effective approach to their specific print needs. Established in 1876 in Hartford CT, Finlay has earned its reputation as a leading print provider due to the passion and commitment with one of the most modern production facilities, Finlay services education, museums, corporate, financial, consumer products and design. Products include all types of marketing materials, viewbooks, capital campaigns, brochures, annual reports, catalogs, art books, calendars, posters, point-of-sale display materials, complete on-line ordering programs for both on-demand marketing materials and stationery, personalized and variable data printing and an on-line fulfillment ordering system.
T 860.242.2800
W www.finlay.com

Highresolution

highresolution printing has been producing unique, challenging and creative printing for New York City’s design community for 30 years. Years of experience go into every job, whether it’s a simple brochure or multi-faceted campaign, and no job is considered “standard” or “commodity.” Offset, digital, engraving, hot stamping, embossing, debossing, and diecutting — or any combination — are available. Says David Drucker, known as the Guru of Printing, “highresolution clients don’t stress about their project outcome because our service, quality and product are consistently outstanding. And that just makes life easier.”
T 800.244.6949
W www.high-res.com

Imagers

Imagers opened in 1947 and has built a national following of professional designers and production people for its fast, reliable and affordable digital prepress, production and short-run printing services. The company is a single source for digital offset printing, large format posters and banners, banner stands and portable displays, color laser printing, business cards, brochures, invites and postcards with special new low rates. Imagers is also an environmentally conscious company, earning certifications from both FSC and SFI. A key to Imagers’ continued success: the knowledge and expertise to be a single source for its clients’ graphic needs and to serve as a true extension of the clients’ marketing departments.
T 800.232.5411
W www.imagers.com

Karr Graphics

Karr Graphics has been putting ink on paper for the New York City design community for over 35 years. The company has won hundreds of awards for many of the city's most prestigious graphic designers, art directors and print professionals. In-house specialty print processes include: engraving, foil stamping, embossing, die-cutting and letterpress, as well as two through seven color printing. “Our work is what differentiates us from other printing firms,” says President Larry Karr. “Whether it’s a new corporate identity package, media kit, special event package or new promotional campaign, we deliver our company’s full resources to make our clients look good on paper.” The website provides a detailed explanation of available print processes and the portfolio of work.
T 212.645.6000
W www.karrgraphics.com

Modern Postcard

Modern Postcard prides itself on helping clients attract and retain their best customers. With over 25 years of printing experience, the company specializes in direct mail with postcards. Its state-of-the-art 75,000 square foot facility in Carlsbad CA makes it possible to print and mail the highest quality postcards on the market at competitive rates, combined with quick turnaround and true one-on-one customer service. Everything from start to finish — typesetting, drum scanning, direct-to-plate digital imaging, printing, shipping, bindery and complete mailing service — is produced inhouse. Complete mailing services also add convenience, improve delivery and maximize postage savings. Their superior customer service support features personal account teams, web-based status reports and automated reminder calls. And the company’s paper stocks and print production is environmentally friendly. There are several ways to order: Full Service - a complete solution, Upload & Go - where designers prep their own files and enjoy savings, and Simplecard - greeting or postcards for small orders.
T 800.959.8365
W www.modernpostcard.com

Mpress

MPress Graphics, led by industry veterans Gerry Schneiderman and Maggie Black, has extensive experience working with top graphic designers and corporate end users in the New York metropolitan area. MPress’s business model is to align itself with leading production and manufacturing resources in the industry and to find exactly the right fit of capacity, capability and quality for clients. Offerings include engraving, offset printing, thermography, embossing, foil stamping and die cutting. The company has been marked by extremely rapid growth, built, say the founders, on their ability to “stand in their clients’ shoes” so as to understand their needs and deliver for them. mPress crafts GDUSA stationery and the Award Certificates for many of GDUSA’s competitions; it was also a winner in GDUSA’s inaugural American Printing Awards.
T 212.398.1500
W www.mpressllc.com

Navitor

Navitor is a recognized leader in the full color, print-ready industry with an impressive portfolio of products and processes to prove it. The company continues to provide highly customizable products while focusing on investing in people and technology and is committed to finding new and innovative ways of accomplishing the tough jobs no one else can do. There are now three print reseller order options for those in the printing, graphics and promotional industries — Print It-where you upload your print ready file, Create It-with a range of customized products and templates to assist with online design, and Order It-something out of the ordinary not found in the other two options.
www.navitor.com

Rohner Letterpress

This company has been pressing ink into paper since 1997. They state: “No job is too big or too small. We print for ad agencies, greeting card companies, new parents and future brides. We balance efficiency with quality and artisan technique with commercial sensibility. Your design is our command.” The firm is known for bringing a commercial sensibility to the craft of letterpress, with a focus on clean, sharp type and crisp impression. In addition to letterpress printing, inhouse capabilities include die-cutting, edge painting and custom-converted envelopes.
T 773.248.0800
W www.rohnerletterpress.com

Solo

Established in 1985, Solo Printing is a provider of superior color lithography and one of the largest minority-owned printers in the nation.The Florida-based firm takes great pride in partnering with many marquis companies in the fields of publishing, retail, travel and marketing. Solo began as a two-man printing operation. With hard work and dedication, the enterprise has steadily grown into a 100,000 square foot complex, employing more than 100 dedicated associates. Clients attribute the growth to Solo’s attention to detail, unparalleled service and an unfailing desire to help customers succeed. In addition, Solo Printing is committed to the promotion of sustainable forestry practices: the rigorous industry certifications — FSC, SFI and PEFC — they’ve been awarded are a testament to their continuing dedication to socially responsible printing practices.
www.soloprinting.com

Unimac Graphics

Said to be “a graphic designer’s dream come true,” UNIMAC Graphics is PANTONE Printer Certified and press approvals are second nature to them. They are a quick trip for designers, just 8 miles from New York City. UNIMAC officials ask, “Have you heard about Cast & Cure or Cold Foil Printing? How about UV Textured Coatings? If not… we’d love to show you how to have some unique treatments fun. It’s not just ink on paper anymore, how about ink on plastic, foil, vinyl, static cling? And our pressroom is to die for… large format offset presses 56” to 76”, 6 color web offset, and 5 color digital web and digital sheetfed, embossing, hot foil stamping, diecutting… all waiting for you to come out and play.” The company also excels in quality standards and the environment: they have installed 3,458 solar panels on their roof, which generates 1 megawatt of power; they are ISO 14001 Environmental and ISO 9001 Quality Management Certified, FSC & SFI CoC Certified, NJDEP Environmental Stewardship Certified, and G7 Master Printer Certified.
T 201.372.1000
W www.unimacgraphics.com

Vistaprint

With over ten million transactions a year, Vistaprint offers high-quality printed marketing materials, promotional products and marketing services such as copywriting, design, websites and postcard mailing. Through a revolutionary business model supported by patented and proprietary technologies, Vistaprint delivers high-quality printed products in low volume for a great price. Products range from business cards, brochures and postcards to invitations, note pads and thank you notes. Vistaprint also provides online services and solutions, such as email marketing, websites and postcard mailing. The key to the business is technology: Vistaprint’s proprietary technologies fully automate the manufacturing of printing, as well as the way orders are created and submitted. Lower costs are passed along to savings for customers. The company also has a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
www.vistaprint.com

Zoeprint

ZoePrint.com was created for graphic designers who have small printing jobs. In developing the site, the company focused on what really matters to print buyers, eliminating unnecessary steps in the process. Designers can save big money by uploading their own artwork and proofing it instantly online. Other features include: true 1200 x 1200 dpi, fast turnaround, low pricing for small projects, and design assistance if necessary. ZoePrint.com is an offshoot of a 21 year-old bricks and mortar printing company in Brentwood TN.
T 877.216.9155
W www.ZoePrint.com

eco certification

Forest Stewardship Council

FSC was created to change the dialog about and the practice of sustainable forestry worldwide. The group sets forth principles, criteria, and standards that span economic, social, and environmental concerns. Its standards represent a strong system for guiding forest management toward sustainable outcomes. Like the forestry profession itself, the FSC system includes stakeholders with a diverse array of perspectives on what represents a well-managed and sustainable forest. As a multi-stakeholder organization, FSC applies the directive of its membership to develop forest management and chain of custody standards, deliver trademark assurance and provide accreditation services to a global network of committed businesses, organizations and communities. The U.S. division is based in Minnesota.
T 612.353.4511
W www.fsc.org

Sustainable Forestry Initiative

The SFI program was launched in 1994 in response to market concerns about forest management and illegal logging, primarily in developing countries. Its original principles and implementation guidelines began in 1995, and it evolved as the first SFI national standard backed by third-party audits in 1998. Today, it is an independent, non-profit organization responsible for maintaining, overseeing and improving a sustainable forestry certification program. It is internationally recognized and the largest single forest standard in the world. The SFI 2010-2014 Standard is based on principles and measures that promote sustainable forest management and consider all forest values. It includes unique fiber sourcing requirements to promote responsible forest management on all forest lands in North America. SFI certification also extends to the market; its label assures consumers — including print and package designers — they can be confident they are buying wood or paper from certified forests or certified sourcing.
T 202.596.3450
W www.sfiprogram.org

associations + conference organizers

Aiga

This preeminent professional association for design is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing design as a professional craft, strategic tool and cultural force. Founded in 1914, AIGA today serves more than 22,000 members through 66 chapters and 200 student groups across the United States. AIGA stimulates thinking about design, demonstrates the value of design and empowers the success of designers at each stage of their careers. The organization’s emphasis runs the gamut from setting the standards for professionalism and ethics to communicating the power of design to business and societal leaders to representing designers through a network of chapters and student groups.
T 212.807.1990
W www.aiga.org

Art Directors Club

The Art Directors Club is a premier organization for integrated media and the first international creative collective of its kind. Founded in New York in 1920, ADC is a not-for-profit membership organization whose mission is to “Connect, Provoke and Elevate” world-changing ideas. It focuses on the highest standards of excellence and integrity in visual communications for the industry, and encourages students and young professionals entering the field. ADC provides a forum for creatives in advertising, design, interactive media and communications.
T 212.643.1440
W www.adcglobal.org

Apdf

Founded in 1985, the Association of Professional Design Firms is comprised of leading firms that consult in the use of design to help drive innovation and strategic business success. Member firms represent a diverse collection of design skill sets including identity, experience, environmental, branding, packaging, interactive, product, engineering and industrial design. APDF emphasizes design as a business and provides a forum for leaders to grow their business skills and businesses through education, interaction and collaboration. The mission: to elevate the standards of professional business practices, as well as to gain greater recognition for the role the design consultant plays in achieving the goals of business and society.
www.apdf.org

Color Marketing Group

Color Marketing Group is an international association for color design professionals. The mission is to create color forecast information for professionals who design and market color. Headquartered in Alexandria VA, CMG consists of 1,000 color experts from a broad cross-section of industries worldwide. They follow and report on trends and developments in all industries. They conference together in a dynamic forum that promotes the exchange of broad color marketing information and provides vital reportage on color news across industries. Ultimately, they produce trustworthy color forecasts their companies can rely upon to make color decisions.
T 703.329.8500
W www.colormarketing.org

Glm

GLM creates face-to-face and online buying, selling and networking platforms for designers, product developers, manufacturers, reps, retailers and operators through tradeshow and event production, online community development and association management. The company was founded by George F. Little, in 1924, and acquired by Providence Equity Partners in 2011. GLM currently produces 15 tradeshows, serving industries as diverse as giftware, home furnishings, social stationery, home textiles, tabletop, gourmet housewares, contemporary furniture, personal care, art & design, and hospitality. Most notable for graphic designers is the Surtex show, which offers art and design for sale or license to numerous major industries, scheduled in 2012 for May 20-22, and the National Stationary Show, which overlaps during May 20-23.
T 800.272.SHOW
W www.glmshows.com

Graphic Arts Show Company

Setting the pace for printing and related tradeshows, the Graphic Arts Show Company operates first-rate events that serve the print, package, and, with increasing emphasis, the design community. “The Show Company” was formed in 1982 by three leading industry associations, the NAPL, the NPES and PIA. GASC’s mission is to provide an effective forum through shows and conferences to meet the marketing requirements of the graphic communications and converting industries. GASC brings the industry’s buyers and sellers together in the most cost-effective way. A major event planned for the coming year: Graph Expo 2012, set for the McCormick Center in Chicago October 7-10.
www.gasc.org

How

The popular HOW Design Live, sponsored by F+W Publications’ magazine of the same name, is a multi-level conference that includes the traditional HOW Design Conference, plus the InHOWse Managers Conference, the Creative Freelancer Conference and The Dieline Package Design Conference. This year it takes place in Boston, from June 21-25.
www.howdesign.com

Insource

InSource aspires to be the global network for inhouse creative business leaders connected by common professional experiences, knowledge and best practices. Started in 2002 by two managers of creative services, InSource was formed to help inhouse creative managers break their isolation and come together and learn from each other. The goal was to create a common ground where leaders could enhance their understanding and develop common positions to maximize their impact and elevate the value of inhouse design in corporate environments. Since those early days, roundtable discussions on topics relating to real-life challenges and best business practices have been at the heart of InSource. InSource has expanded to reach creative professionals around the world through online channels and events.
www.in-source.org

Paf

The Printing Association of Florida (PAF) is a trade association for the printing and graphic arts industry in Florida. It is a member-driven organization serving the needs of Florida's graphic arts companies since 1937. It also sponsors the 37 year-old Graphics of the Americas tradeshow which will be held March 1-3, 2012 in Miami FL. With worldwide attendance, GOA attracts an average audience of 9,000 printers, designers, and creative professionals from over 67 countries, and emphasizes “international networking at its best.”
www.pafgraf.org

Segd

Society for Environmental Graphic Design is the global community of people working at the intersection of communication design and the built environment. In pursuit of its mission, the association aspires to: promote public awareness of our community and its role in shaping experience; nurture demand for design excellence within the built environment; serve as a source of education and inspiration for our community; continue to define and refine standards of practice; foster relevant research; sponsor peer recognition programs that inspire excellence; promote collaboration across multiple design disciplines; and strengthen ties with educational programs that provide the academic underpinnings of our field.
T 202.638.5555
W www.segd.org

The Print Council

This business development alliance is dedicated to promoting the greater use of print media. Formed by leaders across the spectrum of the graphic arts industry, The Print Council’s goal is to influence and promote the greater use of print media through education, awareness, market development, advocacy and research. Sponsors represent a range of industry interests from commercial printers to industry suppliers and paper companies, as well as the USPS and marketing firms. Initiatives include Print In The Mix, Why Print Is Green, the Print Delivers seminar series and, most recently, a Resource Center of available studies and information on the effectiveness and sustainability of paper and print.
www.theprintcouncil.org

Type Directors Club

The Type Directors Club supports excellence in typography, both in print and on screen. Founded in 1946 by some of the industry’s leading practitioners, the TDC’s earliest membership included Aaron Burns, Will Burtin, Freeman Craw, Louis Dorfsman, Gene Federico, Edward M. Gottschall, Herb Lubalin, Edward Rondthaler, Bradbury Thompson, and Hermann Zapf. TDC today represents the best of today’s type design and type use. The TDC holds two yearly competitions, and its educational efforts have always been an important part of the Club’s mission. The TDC began offering lectures in 1947, and current lecture and class schedules offered by the TDC continues apace. The TDC is the home for typography — a physical meeting place and a strong professional affiliation.
T 212.633.8943
W tdc.org

Visual Connections

Visual Connections organizes the only events of the kind in the US, bringing together buyers and suppliers of photography, illustration, footage and fonts in city center locations. Formerly known as Picturehouse Marketing US, LLC, the name and identity change reflect involvement in connecting suppliers and users of all visual media. The events are intimate and the perfect place for buyers to discover great new imagery and design elements and mingle with the people who matter. Their website includes Infozone, a one-stop source of information on all aspects of licensing images for commercial use. Their next event is Visual Connections Chicago on April 26 at the Chicago Cultural Center. The organizers are major supporters of the Young Photographers Alliance.
www.visualconnections.com

Young Photographers Alliance

All across America there are young people passionate about expressing their vision through photography – but every year, it becomes harder for them to do so. The photography industry is chaotic and complicated, with no clear track to artistic and commercial success. Survival often depends on one’s ability to build a small business independently with limited resources and little access to advice or direction. This lack of support not only affects aspiring photographers, it will also have a long-term negative impact on the future of professional photography. Initially founded in 2009 by Jerry Tavin and Deborah Free, YPA was created to inspire and empower young gifted photographers. Led by industry professionals, it provides the kind of practical industry knowledge, experience, resources, and contacts they need to build sustainable careers. YPA is unique in its focus on community and the fostering of direct, meaningful connections between emerging and established photographers, in the hopes of energizing and advancing the profession as a whole.
www.youngphotographersalliance.org

staffing + recruiters

Aquent

Aquent is a global marketing and design staffing company. It specializes in staffing traditional marketing and design as well as the emerging fields of digital marketing and design. With offices in more than a dozen countries, Aquent has customers that include two-thirds of the Fortune 500 and 90 of the Fortune 100 companies. At Aquent, agents are organized into specialized practice areas with a track record of great service, including hundreds of clients who have worked with them for more than 10 years. A new division, Vitamin T, provides carefully screened freelance designers, developers and copywriters on a freelance and contract-to-hire basis. The exclusive focus is on mid-market and agency customers, with an emphasis on temp and temp-to-perm placements.
T 877.227.8368
W www.aquent.com

Artisan

Artisan was founded by Bejan Douraghy in 1988 as a creative haven for Chicago’s top talent. Artisan’s ability to appreciate the demands of businesses while advocating for its A-List talent attracts a strong base of loyal clients. By 1993, the company tripled in size and was named to Inc. Magazine’s list of fastest-growing private companies. The company extended its enterprise and today serves 2,000 companies along with thousands of skilled professionals in interactive, print and marketing. With branches now in San Francisco and Los Angeles (both in partnership with Artisan Creative) and additional offices in Indianapolis, D.C. and New York, there is no shortage of opportunities to find excellent or talented professionals within all these markets.
T 800.216.0600
W www.artisantalent.com

The Creative Group

The Creative Group specializes in placing a range of highly-skilled interactive, design, marketing, advertising and public relations professionals with a variety of firms on a project and full-time basis. Internal account managers typically have prior experience working within the creative industry, which helps them better understand client needs and freelancers’ talents. Headquartered in Menlo Park CA, the firm has offices in major markets across the U.S. and Canada. As a designer-friendly company, The Creative Group is second to none. TCG’s Executive Director Donna Farrugia is a regular columnist for GDUSA and TCG contributes monthly, practical “Take Five” career tips at gdusa.com . They also conduct and share meaningful salary and other surveys with the community and sponsor, support and participate in important creative awards programs and conferences including GDUSA’s Students To Watch feature, Inhouse Design Awards and Web Design Awards. The website includes lots of data and information, an award-winning career magazine, and an insightful Salary Guide.
T 888.846.1668
W www.creativegroup.com

Paladin

Paladin is a professional staffing and recruitment firm dedicated to the marketing, creative and communications professions. This includes freelance, direct-hire, temp-to-perm, and payrolling services. Each account manager has direct experience in the fields served and seeks to provide personalized, effective and efficient service to clients and expert counsel to candidates. Clients include major industries across corporate, agency, and non-for-profit organizations. The organization is more than 20 years old, has eight offices nationwide, and is a division of Adecco Group NA, a global provider of professional staffing and consulting solutions.
www.paladinstaff.com

stock visual companies

Art Resource

Art Resource is a comprehensive source of fine art images available for licensing. They offer images from thousands of museums, officially representing The Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA, the National Gallery London, Tate Modern, Tate Britain, and the British Museum. They are also the exclusively authorized representative for all fifty-one national museums of France, including the Musée du Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, the Musée Picasso, the Centre Georges Pompidou, the museums and Chateaux of Versailles, and the Musée Matisse. In addition, Art Resource represents many prestigious international photo archives such as Italy’s Scala Archives, The Erich Lessing Fine Arts Archive of Vienna, and all twenty-one Berlin State Museums. With hundreds of thousands of keyword-searchable fine art images online, and millions more accessible through their affiliates worldwide, Art Resource puts “the power of the masterpiece at your fingertips.”
T 212.505.8700
W www.artres.com

Bigstock

Bigstock has quickly grown into one of the world’s largest digital marketplaces for stock imagery, featuring both credit-based plans and pay-as-you go options. It now offers over 9 million royalty-free photos and vectors and illustrations from talented photographers and artists worldwide, available for almost any purpose. Benefitting from a site redesign last year that gave Bigstock a modern and professional look, easy and logical navigation, and a greatly improved interface, today’s customers include graphic designers, web designers and small business owners for whom the attractive price points are important. Earlier this year, Bigstock introduced language-specific sites for the Latin American, Spanish and German creative markets. It was acquired by Shutterstock in 2009.
www.bigstockphoto.com

Blend Images

Blend Images is an industry leader in multicultural stock photography, specializing exclusively in ethnically diverse lifestyle and business imagery. The collection celebrates ethnic and cultural diversity, reflecting the realities of today’s multicultural society. Founded by a consortium of talented and respected photographers within stock photography and managed by key industry veterans, Blend Images has established itself as the premiere destination for ethnic diversity in stock images. Through extensive market research and creative intelligence, Blend seeks to create vibrant, culturally relevant imagery for the marketplace, capturing the real-life essence of a variety of ethnic groups. This exclusive niche focus on ethnically diverse imagery speaks directly to clients’ needs. The company offers a value royalty free collection, Boost, and a unique rights-managed collection.
T 888.721.8810
W www.blendimages.com

Bridgeman Art Library

Bridgeman Art Library is a unique resource for designers, not only for fine art and historical images, but for painting details, backgrounds, design elements, patterns and new contemporary artists. With images from over 8,000 collections and more than 29,000 artists, it represents international museums, galleries and artists by providing a central source of fine art for image users. By registering at the Bridgeman site, designers will have instant access to more than 400,000 images. Here they can keep up with a constant stream of new developments, create, store and send image selections with a personalized lightbox, and have the option to license and download high-resolution images.
T 212.828.1238
W www.bridgemanart.com

Corbis

Corbis is a leading creative resource for advertising, marketing and media professionals, providing a comprehensive selection of stock photography, illustration, footage, fonts, creative merchandise, and entertainment licensing and rights representation services. Through its branded websites — Corbis Images, Corbis Motion, Veer, and Greenlight — the company helps the creative community produce distinctive work for websites, magazines, newspapers, books, television and films. Founded by Bill Gates, the company is headquartered in Seattle, with offices in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia and serves more than 50 countries.
www.corbisimages.com

Crestock

Crestock licenses micropayment stock photos and vector illustrations to help people with tight budgets find creative images for their projects. Usage fees can start as low as one dollar and users can license single images online without having to stock up on credits. There are also a range of subscription options for high-volume users. With a fast and reliable image upload system, Crestock also gives photographers and illustrators a great platform for licensing their creative work. Crestock is a global business with artists, editors and clients in over 100 countries. Crestock was acquired by Masterfile in 2010.
www.crestock.com

Erickson Stock

Erickson Stock has a sophisticated new look and several new features including better search options, larger image views, and a growing collection of stock video clips. The site is the home to over 50,000 images selected from the extensive body of work by Jim Erickson, an industry leading, award-winning photographer. His love for photography and his relentless pursuit of being in the right moment at the right time has created a body of work that is the go-to source for stock and commercial imagery. Thus, the new site, which is also mobile device friendly, makes it easy to “download your next campaign.”
T 707.789.0405
W www.ericksonstock.com
www.jimerickson.com

Getty Images

In 1995, Mark Getty and Jonathan Klein founded Getty Images to bring the fragmented stock photography business into the digital age. And that's exactly what they did. Today, Getty Images is the largest provider of digital media worldwide, creating and distributing a range of assets and tools that enable visual communicators to create inspiring work of their own. Indeed, Getty Images continues to drive the industry forward with breakthrough licensing models, digital media management tools, and a comprehensive offering of creative and editorial imagery, microstock, footage and music. An iPad app is one of many tools that helps bring the collection of imagery right to the fingertips of creative professionals, allowing for more creativity and collaboration.
T 800.IMAGERY
W www.gettyimages.com

The Granger Collection

For nearly a half-century under the same continuous direction, The Granger Collection has been a convenient and reliable source for the history of the world in pictures. The collection holds more than six million images spanning more than 25,000 years of world history, from before the Stone Age to the dawn of the Space Age. The Granger Collection specializes in the history of people, places, things, and events represented in a variety of mediums including photographs, paintings, engravings, lithographs, and more. The website offers easy access to the growing scanned collection.
www.granger.com

Istockphoto

iStockphoto started in 2000 with a handful of images, pioneered the micropayment photography business model, and has become one of the most successful and profitable user-generated content sites in the world. Today it offers easy, affordable inspiration with millions of vetted, royalty-free photos, illustrations, video, audio and Flash files. Using advanced search, customers download a file every second from a collection of more than nine million for business, marketing and personal projects. Though the company has grown, the basic idea remains the same: anyone, anywhere can join for free, find the digital media they need and sell original content of their own. Always innovative, iStockphoto recently announced Feast, a new online community for creatives. Feast provides inspiration from a diverse group of designers, photographers, directors, writers, marketing professionals and more. The centerpiece is a unique public mentorship between creative leaders and protégés who apply to work with them online.
www.istockphoto.com

Masterfile

Masterfile is a major independent stock photo agency. It has an exceptional photo collection of rights-managed and royalty-free stock images and illustrations by world-class artists and photographers. A suite of timesaving tools for the creative professional are at the heart of Masterfile’s recent website upgrade. In addition to powerful extant features like SimSearch™, zoom and visual pairing, the new capabilities enable users to customize the interface; open, refine and save searches on multiple tabs; search by color with preset palettes; review previously enlarged images with an extensive search history; and upload a reference image and find a similar (or a match) in seconds. John McDonald, Vice President of Product Development says this “raises the bar for online search.”
www.masterfile.com

Museum Of The City Of New York

The Photographs Collection at the Museum of the City of New York consists of more than 300,000 prints and negatives that document New York City and its inhabitants from the mid-19th century to the present. Some of New York's earliest photographic views are represented. The collection is a major repository of several noted photographers, including Jacob Riis, Jessie Tarbox Beals, and Berenice Abbott. Additionally, the Museum’s voluminous holdings incorporate the LOOK Magazine photographic archives, photographic work commissioned by McKim, Mead and White, and numerous commercial photographic firms. The Museum is in the process of digitizing its photographic and other iconographic holdings. There are tens of thousands of historic photographs of New York City online in the Collections Portal, with more to come.
collections.mcny.org

National Geographic Stock

This is one of the most comprehensive and unique collections of photographs and original artwork in the world. It contains more than 10 million transparencies, black-and-white prints, glass plates and pieces of original art. As one might expect from the source, the photographs are real, dramatic, accurate, thought-provoking and impactful. Importantly, the website is powerful and easy to use. It also provides information on personalized projects or needs, including custom research, all-inclusive story packages (images and text), dupes or digital delivery via CD or FTP, and assignment options. Stock footage is also available via National Geographic DigitalMotion. Specific assignment shoots are possible: they have recently done campaigns for Ford trucks, Ralph Lauren RLX, Nike, Audi, State Farm, Nikon, Panasonic, and United Airlines, among others.
www.nationalgeographicstock.com

Photocase

One of the most popular photo portals in Germany, Photocase was started in 2001 specifically as a way for graphic designers to freely and easily share photos among each other. The early users became hooked, and today this site has gained “go-to” status for unique royalty free images. Hundreds of thousands of users visit the site monthly to take advantage of a large selection and low price point.
www.photocase.com

Shutterstock

Shutterstock is the largest subscription-based stock photo agency in the world. Every day, they add thousands of photographs, illustrations, and vectors to our outstanding collection of premium, royalty-free images. Shutterstock’s growth has been explosive, currently at 17 million images. Top quality video material, a user-friendly interface, and a diverse collection of vector art numbering more than 1.6 million round out their assets. Several subscription options are available for frequent users — GDUSA’s creative department is a happy subscriber — as well as an on-demand option and one for special uses.
T 866.663.3954
W www.shutterstock.com

Stockfood

StockFood is the leading international food image agency and offers the largest food picture database on the internet. A unique variety of rights managed and royalty free food images and clips by international photographers and filmmakers. In addition to food and beverages, collections include wellbeing, health, flowers and decoration photos. Recently, StockFood launched living4media, a new picture agency specializing in home and living. The concept is to unite outstanding interior and lifestyle images produced by photographers and niche agencies all under one roof. Living-4media offers images covering every aspect of contemporary domestic life: interiors, DIY, renovation as well as crafts, home décor and gardens.
T 800.967.0229
W www.stockfood.com

Stocklayouts

StockLayouts offers an extensive library of agency-quality pre-designed layouts for creating print marketing materials quickly and affordably. The template designs include brochures, flyers, newsletters, postcards, ads, letterhead and business cards, menus, posters, and greeting cards. The layout files are fully customizable, include photos and artwork, and are available for both Mac and PC platforms in QuarkXPress™, Adobe® InDesign®, Adobe Illustrator®, CorelDRAW®, Apple® iWork Pages®, Microsoft® Publisher and Microsoft® Word file formats.. Prices range from $29 to $99 for individual templates, and there are affordable subscriptions of varying lengths. A free Design Portfolio Catalog, with 350 pages of ideas and inspiration, is downloadable on the site.
T 877.833.3305
W www.stocklayouts.com

Superstock

Superstock is a pioneering website that features a wide assortment of royalty free and rights managed images, as well as several specialty collections of note. The rights-managed images feature contemporary photography covering all major categories including business, lifestyle and travel from many leading brands. Over two million royalty-free images are offered at the site’s RF Store. Superstock recently created SuperFusion, a grouping of 275,000 (and growing) lifestyle, food and travel value priced images.
T 800.828.4545
W www.superstock.com

Thinkstock

Thinkstock has become a growing player in image subscriptions, providing one of the most complete offerings available in the marketplace. Developed for value-conscious creative professionals, Thinkstock offers quality, simplicity, completeness and value all in one place, with world-class legal protection. Thinkstock offers millions of select royalty-free images, vectors and illustrations from leading content providers Getty Images, iStockphoto and Jupiterimages, available to license through image packs or monthly and yearly subscriptions. In addition, Thinkstock also provides creatives with innovative tools and resources, such as the Social Art Buyer, which offers free image research, and the @Thinkstock twitter feed and Facebook page, which shares visual ideas, trends and news.
T 888.698.8547
W www.thinkstock.com

Vintagemedstock

This new entrant in the marketplace has immediately become a leading resource of royalty free and rights managed antique medical images on the web. The images, from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, are authentic and characterized by an incredible level of detail — which can be viewed using the site’s Zoom tool. The firm shoots all of the images in-house, and all images are color-balanced to ensure a true white balance. Founder Mark Strozier of The Brainstorm Lab says the idea for this unique designer resource arose from his avid collecting over the years of antique medical books and materials such as textbooks, journals and advertisements.
T 888.601.1984
W VintageMedStock.com

packaging + presentation

Admore

Since 1947, Admore has been a major manufacturer of premium presentation folders and related items such as binders, portfolios and other presentation products. Admore products are sold only through qualified distributors and the production line features hundreds of standard design pocket folders, portfolios, report and tax covers, binders, computer packaging, key and gift card holders, totes and boxes. Customization of all products is also available. There’s also a large selection of in-house stocks, including recycled and certified papers, and sales tools and art templates are available at the website. The company is part of the Ennis family of businesses, engaged primarily in the sale of business forms, apparel and other business products, as well as private label printing.
T 800.523.6673 (MI) 800.338.5525 (CA)
W www.admorefolders.com

Corporate Image

Corporate Image is a leading provider of sustainable 3-ring custom binders and promotional presentation materials, including folders, boxes and multimedia packaging. The company is an FSC Certified printer, and remains committed to improving its production processes and introducing new eco-friendly materials that maintain a high level of quality while reducing waste. This year, Corporate Image partnered with the HOW conference to promote the planting of trees across the U.S.
T 800.247.8194
W www.corp-image.com

Shorewood Packaging

Shorewood Packaging is a leading value-added provider of high quality printing, packaging and retail display products. For almost 40 years, the company has helped customers enhance their award-winning brands in the global marketplace. Shorewood serves a diverse range of customers including media, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, confectionery, sporting goods and private label marketers in the consumer products industry. The company is committed to helping customers achieve their sustainability goals through its greenchoice™ sustainable packaging solutions program. Shorewood Packaging is a business of International Paper.
www.shorewoodpackaging.com

Univenture

Ross O. Youngs founded Univenture in 1988 to invent and manufacture innovative media packaging solutions for corporate customers. Ross received a US Patent in July 1989 for the innovative Safety-sleeve design. The product was an immediate success and the company has grown quickly, with major production facilities in Ohio and Nevada. Today, the company provides a wide variety of customizable, cost effective packaging and storage options, binders and automated packaging machinery — under the Univenture, Unikeep, EcoEndure, EnvyPak, and Safety-sleeve brands. The company has received numerous industry awards and accolades for innovation, commitment to its customers, and its sales growth. Univenture has repeatedly been listed on the Inc. 500 list of fastest growing private companies, and Youngs has been named Business Person of the Year by the Small Business Administration and Manufacturing Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young.
T 800.992.8262
W www.univenture.com

time management

Functionfox

FunctionFox is the leading provider of time and project tracking software for small creative companies. TimeFox, its web-based timesheet and project management software, is the number one ranked time-tracking system in North America. Graphic design, advertising, communications, marketing, multimedia, public relations, and interactive firms use TimeFox as their web-based time and project management application. TimeFox is currently used by thousands of customers in Canada, the US, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. A newsworthy introduction is Flink, a document-sharing feature that lets users of TimeFox share documents easily and safely with colleagues and clients.
T 866.369.8463
W www.functionfox.com

hardware + software

3M

3M is fundamentally a science-based company. It produces thousands of imaginative products and is a leader in scores of markets. Its success begins with its ability to apply technologies to an endless array of real-world customer needs. This includes the graphic arts. Over the years 3M Commercial Graphics has helped customers worldwide build brands by providing total large-format graphics and light management solutions. 3M manufactures or certifies lighting solutions, graphic films and graphic protection, flexible substrates, as well as inks and toners used to create large-format finished graphics that are consistent, reliable and durable. A recent innovation for creatives in advertising and design: the 3M Visual Attention Service, a consulting service which helps marketers and advertisers stand out and meet their visual goals in print, still images, rich media and online videos.
www.3Mgraphics.com

Adobe

Adobe is changing the world through digital technology. The company has redefined business, entertainment and personal communications by setting new standards for producing and delivering engaging content. Its portfolio contains many of the most respected and recognizable software brands such as Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver and Acrobat. A new thrust of particular interest to graphic designers: the Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 product family. Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 delivers important advances in HTML5 and Flash authoring, enabling designers and developers to create compelling content and applications. The products also feature innovation in the areas of video production and editing. Finally, Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 delivers exciting new capabilities in the exploding area of digital publishing; content authors worldwide can deliver high-impact work to multiple platforms, operating systems, Web browsers, smartphones and tablets – including Android, Blackberry Tablet, and Apple iOS devices.
T 800.833.6687
W www.adobe.com

Agfa Graphics

Agfa has long been a world leader in prepress solutions for the printing and publishing industries, and an important advocate for graphic designers and print buyers. Agfa Graphics offers workflow automation, project management, computer-to-film, computer-to-plate and proofing solutions. These solutions comprise consumables, hardware, software and services. As the world’s largest plate supplier, the company produces analog plates as well as thermal, visible light, and chemistry-free digital plates. It is also moving into a leadership position in the growing digital inkjet market. And it has strengthened its distribution power with the acquisition of Pitman, a major graphic arts distributor. An environmentally friendly program of note: Agfa GreenWorks recognizes printers who promote environmental awareness through inhouse programs and the effective use of “green” prepress and printing technologies. More information on GreenWorks, can be found at www.gdusa.com/agfa
www.agfagraphics.com

Apple

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. In the 21st century, the company continues to innovate with its desktop and notebook computers, its spearhead of the digital music revolution with iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and its contribution to the mobile phone market via the iPhone. Typical of Apple’s continuing impact on how the world communicates: millions of iPad tablets were sold in the previous quarter and this, too, is changing how the world reads magazines and newspapers. Despite the symbiotic history between graphic design and Apple’s origins, Apple’s focus has moved to the consumer market and to mobile devices. The death of Steve Jobs evoked a worldwide outpouring of grief — an indication of Apple’s influence — and the company’s next challenge is to move forward without his towering presence.
T 800.MY.APPLE
W www.apple.com

Canon U.S.A.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. With more than $45 billion in global revenue, its parent company ranks fourth overall in patent holdings in the U.S. (in 2010), and it is one of Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies in 2011. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. Many of their office products, professional imaging products, and production printing solutions are relevant to the graphic design community.
T 800.OK.CANON
W www.usa.canon.com

Corel

Corel is one of the world’s top software companies with more than 100 million active users in over 75 countries. The company has built a reputation for delivering innovative, trusted products that are easier to learn and use, helping people achieve new levels of productivity. The award-winning product portfolio includes widely recognized and popular software brands, including CorelDRAW Graphics Suite, Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo, Corel Painter, VideoStudio, WinDVD, Corel WordPerfect Office and WinZip. The theme: delivering software that helps people express their ideas and share their stories in more exciting, creative and persuasive ways. Global headquarters are in Ottawa, with major offices in the U.S, Europe and Asia.
www.corel.com

Dell

For more than a quarter of a century, Dell has been a major provider of computers and information technology infrastructure. Its climb to market leadership is legendary. Dell is making a concerted effort to serve the creative professional community and related small businesses with targeted products, such as the Dell Precision workstations, which often come with special offers on Adobe software. Interestingly, in the traditionally Mac-oriented world of design and publishing, Dell’s use among designers, artists, photographers and 3D animators is on the rise. Early this winter, CRN named Dell founder, chair and CEO Michael Dell as the number one most influential technology executive on the planet. Michael Dell's biggest accomplishment may well be taking his company from a PC maker that relied on supply chain excellence and low prices to a technology firm with a strong product portfolio from the desktop to the data center.
T 800.WWW.DELL
W www.dell.com

Epson America

Epson America is the U.S. affiliate of Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, a global technology company. Epson offers an extensive array of award-winning image capture and image output products for the consumer, photographic, business and graphic arts markets. Of particular note for GDUSA readers are the family of Epson Designer Edition printers. With these, you can print on one sheet, full-bleed, from 17" up to 44" wide, tapping into the most advanced and accurate color management system available. This includes demanding CMYK files and matching the toughest spot colors — even on the same sheet. The EFI eXpress RIP is included with every Designer Edition printer uses true Adobe® PostScript 3, runs on both Mac and Windows platforms, and is compatible with the latest graphic design software and file formats.
www.epson.com

Esselte

Esselte’s global business is comprised of four operating divisions that service the office supplies and creative needs of customers in over 120 countries. With more than 30,000 innovative office products, the company is the leading global office supplies manufacturer, and holds dominant positions in the filing and hobby and craft industries. The Creative Division markets products for graphic designers, small/home office workers, and hobbyists at the desktop. Their Xyron brand is known for products that allow the user to perform a variety of creative tasks such as the application of adhesive or laminate, the making of magnets or labels, cordless printing and digital cutting.
www.xyronpro.com

HP

Stanford University classmates Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard founded HP in 1939. The company's first product, built in a Palo Alto garage, was an audio oscillator — an electronic test instrument used by sound engineers. One of HP's first customers was Walt Disney Studios, which purchased eight oscillators to develop and test an innovative sound system for the movie Fantasia. Today, HP creates new possibilities for technology to have a meaningful impact on people, businesses, governments and society. The world’s largest technology company, HP brings together a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure to solve customer problems. Among the current graphic arts product offerings are: Designjet Printers, Scitex Industrial Printers, Indigo Digital Presses, Inkjet Web Press, Specialty Printing Systems, Workflow Solutions, and selected Desktop Computers and Workstations.
www.hp.com

Konica Minolta

Konica Minolta Business Solutions is a leader in advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop. Advances in security, print quality and network integration are brought together via the award winning line of bizhub multifunction products; bizhub PRO production printing systems; magicolor desktop color laser printers and all-in-ones; and pagepro monochrome desktop laser printers and all-in-ones. Headquartered in Ramsey NJ, Konica Minolta Business Solutions delivers expert professional services and client support through an extensive network of direct sales offices, authorized dealers, resellers and distribution partners.
www.kmbs.konicaminolta.us

Kodak Graphic Communications Group

Kodak helps consumers, businesses, and creative professionals unleash the power of images, information, and printing to enrich their lives. In the graphic communications industry, Kodak serves customers in the printing, publishing, packaging and enterprise markets with intelligent solutions for competitive advantage and greater return on investment. The Kodak Graphic Communications Group unit has one of the broadest portfolios of technologies, products, and services in the graphic communications and document capture industries. One such technology, the Kodak NexPress Digital Production Color Press is the center of an annual national competition — organized by GDUSA and culminating in a GDUSA cover — that challenges designers to demonstrate the visual impact and special effects made possible by the dimensional and other Fifth Imaging Solutions available from Kodak NexPress digital presses.
www.graphics.kodak.com

Microsoft

It’s hard to add too much to the legendary Microsoft story. Founded in 1975, and now the largest software company in the world by far. The company offers products — such as Microsoft Word, Office and Office:mac and, of course, Windows — that affect most everyone. Notable, too, is the growing sophistication of the suite of professional design tools know as Microsoft Expression, which enables visual communicators to create designs for the desktop and the web. A new Expression Community site contains a wealth of in-depth information and resources, including tutorials, instructional videos, webcasts, discussion forums, team blogs, user galleries, and a vibrant community of creative and production users
www.microsoft.com/expression/community

Quark

Founded in Denver in 1981, Quark’s vision was to create software that would lay the foundation for modern publishing. For 30 years, Quark has delivered on that promise. Quark’s dynamic publishing solutions are setting new standards in automated cross-media publishing by combining the power of XML with flexible layout and design to automate the delivery of customized, intelligent communications across print, the web, and digital media.
T 303.894.8888
W www.quark.com

Roland Dga

Headquartered in Irvine CA, Roland DGA serves as the U.S.-based marketing, distribution and sales arm of Roland DG Corp of Japan. Founded in 1981 and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Roland DG is the world’s number one provider of wide-format inkjet printers for the durable graphics market. Celebrating 30 years of innovation, Roland provides business-critical solutions everyday to professionals across the sign, grand-format, sublimation, UV inkjet, digital graphics, vehicle graphics, fine art, dental, photography, packaging, label, engraving and 3D modeling industries. The company recently created the Roland Creative Awards contest. Contest entrants compete for monthly People’s Choice awards, as well as the grand prize trip to Japan and a machine of their choice.
www.rolanddga.com

Wacom

Founded in 1983, Wacom’s vision to bring people and technology closer together through natural interface technologies has made it the world’s leading manufacturer of pen tablets, interactive pen displays and digital interface solutions. The advanced technology of Wacom’s intuitive input devices has been used to create some of the most exciting digital art, films, special effects, fashions and designs around the world and provide business and home users with the ability to explore digital content creation in a comfortable, natural way. For design professionals, The Cintiq™ and Intuos™ product lines sport features inspired by members of the creative community, with an emphasis on superior control, enhanced comfort, and efficient workflow advantages. Wacom is exceptional at education and training: GDUSA and Wacom recently sponsored two webinars for designers: another such webinar is planned for February.
www.wacom.com
www.wacom.com/en/In-Use/ForCreativeProfessionals/Learning.aspx

Xerox

Xerox Corporation is a $22.5 billion leading global enterprise for business process and document management. Through its broad portfolio of technology and services, Xerox provides leading-edge document technology, services, software and genuine Xerox supplies for graphic communication and office printing environments of any size. For the creative community, Xerox produces, among other things, digital printing systems that address multiple needs: printing of proofs, comps and short runs of final color pieces in design studios through the Phaser family and printing of final jobs in print shops on Xerox iGen3 Digital Production Presses. A notable new product launch is the Phaser 7800, made especially for the color management and media handling needs of professional graphic designers.
T 800.ASK.XEROX
W www.xerox.com

X-Rite

X-Rite is a global leader in color science and technology. The company, which now includes design industry color leader Pantone, Inc., develops, manufactures, markets and supports innovative color solutions through measurement systems, software, color standards and services. X-Rite's expertise in inspiring, selecting, measuring, formulating, communicating and matching color helps users get color right the first time and every time, which translates to better quality and reduced costs. X-Rite serves a range of industries, including printing, packaging, photography, graphic design and video, as well as automotive, paints, plastics, textiles, dental and medical.
www.xrite.com