Category Archives: Los Angeles Printing Company

Here We Grow Again

Here We Grow Again

It’s been 39 years since we started SLB Printing. Wow, time flies! Moving forward we want to continue growing while maintaining our excellent service and quality to our customers. We looked at several methods of how to attain both goals. The logical choice was to find a partner with experience, top quality printing, exceptional customer service and expanded product offerings. Here we grow again!

We are proud to announce SLB Printing has merged with Minuteman Press. MP is 40 years old.  They are aligned with our business model while offering a broader range of services now available to SLB’s customers. SLB Printing – Minuteman Press will stay true to the core principles of high-quality service. We provide additional marketing and business services going forward.  We offer digital marketing campaigns, graphic and web design services, integrating print and online strategies, direct mail, advertising programs, promotional products and a whole lot more.

Your New Partner in Business Printing

SLB – Minuteman Press is here to be your partner in business.  We help you market, advertise, and promote your products and services to your target audiences to increase your sales. The power of print is stronger than ever before. Printed marketing materials are tangible pieces that consumers hold in their hands. Print engages the senses and reinforces your brand on a more personal level than any other form of advertising.  Promotional products are experiencing booming growth thanks to their usefulness and staying power with customers. Now, we can help you use both print and promotional products. Our combined offerings bring your marketing strategy to a whole new level of success. At SLB Printing – Minuteman Press, we will design, print and promote you.

We know that our existing SLB Printing team together with our new partners from Minuteman Press will continue to serve you well. We look forward to a new beginning for our continuing business and know you will continue to be impressed by our print, design and marketing services at SLB Printing – Minuteman Press.

SLB Printing and Minuteman Press logo

FAQs - at SLB Printing in Los Angeles

FAQs – Ordering with SLB Printing

Need extra help? Let’s answer some of our customers’ most commonly asked questions with some of our FAQs below. If you can’t find what you’re looking for and want to talk to a real person, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Call us at (310) 558-4752 or email us at slbprinting@gmail.com.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q: Where can I get information on file preparation?
A: Artwork is to be saved to final size with a 1/8″ bleed and cut marks in the corners in a high resolution PDF in CMYK.

For large format printing: files are to be saved to final size in a high resolution PDF in CMYK.

Page order for booklets: cover, inside left, inside right and so on just like the book will open.

Check out our website under the How To Order tab for more details.


Q: Do you have templates to help me correctly design my artwork?
A: Templates are available on our website in the header. Our Design Templates page has a list of currently available templates.


Q: Will you match a sample print I provide and/or color match?
A: There is no guarantee that your finished product will 100% match your printed sample. This is due to the widely varying results from different output devices including inkjet and laser printers, printing digitally and offset printers, continuous tone proofing devices, and high-resolution files.  There are other factors that can contribute to color when printing digitally including humidity and air temperature.


Q: What is the difference between RGB and CMYK?
A: RGB (red, green and blue) are used in monitors, TV screens, digital cameras and scanners.
CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) are the primary inks used on the press in 4- color process printing or “full color printing”.

Unfortunately it’s physically impossible for the printing press to exactly reproduce colors as we see them on our monitors.  Monitors are additive color while CMYK color space is subtractive.

We request that you convert your colors from RGB color space to CMYK when submitting final artwork.

Q: What is your phone number and operating hours?
A: You can call us at (310) 558- 4752 from 9 am – 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday. You can email us at any time at slbprinting@gmail.com 

Q: What resolution should I save my artwork?
A: Artwork should be set at 300 dpi at the final size. Also note that you should save all photos, graphics and artwork in CMYK mode, not RGB mode. Images saved in RGB mode may not print properly.


Q: How do I get an estimate from you?
A: Email your artwork to slbprinting@gmail.com in PDF format, all the printing instructions, contact information and we will respond to you with a formal estimate.


Q: What is a “PROOF”?
A: A soft proof is sent to you once the estimate has been approved and payment has been received. A SOFT PROOF is a way of ensuring that all of your text is accurate and that everything is positioned according to your requirements. We will produce a digital proof and send it by email to you.  Once that is approved we will proceed to printing your order.


Q: What type of products and services do you provide?
A: We offer a wide range of products and services that include, digital, large format and offset printing. To see a full listing and description of what we offer please check out our Home Page on our SLB website.

Q: What type of shipping services do you offer?
A: We use FedEx as our standard shipping services. Because prices vary depending on location we have no way to estimate shipping cost. All shipping cost will be added to your final invoice.


Q: What types of paper are available for me to print on for short run digital jobs?
A: Depending on paper availability and what needs to be printed, our house stocks include various thicknesses of gloss, semi-gloss and an uncoated cardstock or text weight stocks.

Wide Format Printing FAQs:

Q: What types of substrate materials are available for me to print on for wide format jobs?
A: Depending on availability, our house stocks include semi-gloss or matte poster paper, gloss or matte label, canvas and backlit film.  In addition to the wide format substrates we also carry film laminates in gloss, satin and anti-slip floor laminate for floor graphics.

Production Time:

Q: How long will it take for you to complete my order?
A: Every job is different. Some jobs can be produced in a RUSH while some may take several days to complete. Therefore, let us know when you need your job completed and we’ll let you know if it can be done. We go to great lengths to meet even your most demanding deadlines.

What Are the Most Common Standard Poster Sizes?

Standard Poster Size

There are a lot of requests made on Google Search for “What is the Most Common Standard Poster Size?”  Here’s the answer!  Posters are available in many different standard sizes as well as custom sizes to suit your needs. The most commonly used sizes for posters are 18” x 24”, 24” x 36” and 27” x 40”. These are the most requested sizes at SLB Printing, Inc. for common posters that print on our wide format latex inkjet printers. By no means is this the complete list of sizes. Review the chart below for a complete list of standard size for a poster , print methods and common “also known as” names used.

Standard Poster Sizes

Standard Poster Sizes from SLB Printing, Inc.
Sizes: Inches & millimeters Print Method Also Known As
8-1/2” x 11”   (215.9mm x 279.4mm) Inkjet, Digital or Offset Letter or ANSI A
11” x 17”    (279.4mm x 431.8mm) Inkjet, Digital or Offset Tabloid, Ledger or ANSI B
12” x 18”    (304.8mm x 457.2mm) Inkjet, Digital or Offset Mini-Poster
16” x 20”    (406.4mm  x  508mm) Inkjet or Offset Digital Camera Picture, Portrait Pictures
18” x 24”   (457.2mm x 609.6mm) Inkjet or Offset Architectural C, Medium Poster, ½ size
24” x 36”   (609.6mm x 914.4mm) Inkjet or Offset Architectural D, Large Poster
27” x 39”   (685.8mm x 990.6mm) Inkjet or Offset One Sheet Movie Poster – bulk printing
27” x 40”   (685.8mm x 1016mm) Inkjet only One Sheet Movie Poster
  48” x 36”   (1219.2mm x 914.4mm) Inkjet only Research Poster, Academic Poster
40” x 60”    (1016mm x 1524mm) Inkjet only Bus Shelter, Bus Stop or Subway Poster
   46” x 67”    (1168mm x 1702mm)       Inkjet only      Bus Shelter, Bus Stop or Subway Poster

Standard Poster Sizes from Movie poster to flyer and all common sizes in between.

Common Poster Sizes – click image to enlarge

Printing sizes for standard size picture frames

SLB Printing recommends using the standard poster sizes in order to help keep your costs down when it comes to finding premade frames.  However, custom sizes are no problem to print!

Since all the sizes above are printed using our inkjet equipment that use media that comes on rolls up to 61” wide, any custom size up to 60” wide can be printed. The offset method used for printing posters uses a premade sheet that can range in size from 8-1/2” x 11” all the way up to 28” x 40”.  When the job requires a larger quantity of bulk order posters, we will use our conventional offset print method. When you need a poster printed in 1 work day or less, we will use our environmentally friendly latex inkjet method when the job requires sizes over 13” x 19” or our digital method for 13” x 19” or smaller posters sizes.

What standard size poster should you use?

Poster size choice is usually a function of what you are going to use it for and where it will be installed or used. 8.5 x 11 posters are also called flyers, circulars or hand bills. Therefore, these are used as handouts. 11” x 17” and 12” x 18” posters can be used for promotional give-a-ways. The next two sizes are 16” x 20” and 18” x 24”.  They get the work for portraits and smaller window ads. Stepping up to the 24” x 36” size is when you need a large poster. After that, the 27” x 39” and 27” x 40” are almost always used as One Sheets or Movie Posters.  Last but not least, the 40” x 60” is a Bus Shelter ad format. 

Above all, we don’t want you to feel limited by the standard poster sizes. Some people like coloring outside the lines and standard poster sizes are just not going to fit their needs. That’s perfectly fine with us because any size poster up to 60” wide can be printed and cut to size with our inkjet method to produce your job at SLB Printing, Inc.

Same Day Printing for Any Poster Size up to 60″ Wide

When searching for poster printing near me, SLB Printing usually tops of the list in Los Angeles for same day poster printing. Our numerous 5 Star reviews, quality and service is what keeps us at the top. Call us today for your movie poster, or any other type of poster, printing needs. Learn more about paper and VDP options for printing standard poster sizes by visiting our product page. Click here for the POSTERS product page!

Contact SLB Printing with our Contact Page!

Or you can call us at 310-558-4752 or email to slbprinting@gmail.com with questions on standard poster sizes or our poster printing services. SLB Printing is the best place to get posters printed in Los Angeles.

Paper Supply Chain Challenges and How SLB Printing is Addressing Them Head-On

As Covid restrictions continue to lift across the United States, many employees are returning to their offices.  Businesses are now experiencing rapid growth.  But now we are now faced with a challenge: paper supply chain challenges and interruptions.

 

Supply chain issues have been interrupting manufacturing processes over the last few years.  SLB Printing along with the rest of the printing industry is no exception. We’re seeing it in the unprecedented decrease in availability of paper stocks, the increased cost of raw materials and labor shortages. Because of the decreased demand for print products during the pandemic, mills reduced their inventories down to the lowest levels in history. Now, with the post-pandemic surge, they saw a dramatic depletion in their supplies finding themselves unable to keep up with the increased demand.  In addition to this, transportation of raw materials to the mills is exacerbating the problem of making paper domestically.

Everyone is wondering when will the paper supply chain challenges stabilize?

That’s the million-dollar question to which nobody seems to have a solid answer. Experts predict that some stabilization is likely toward the end of 2022, or possibly into the first quarter of 2023. However, just when we think we can expect supply shortages to ease, something new comes out of left field to keep the paper supply chain challenges front and center.

We found another great article from our friends at Printing Impression Magazine on how other printers are all in the same predicament when it comes to paper supply chain challenges.  To read more on this, click HERE.

 

One thing all experts agree on in riding out this storm of uncertainty is that communication with our customers is key. Talking with YOU sooner rather than later about maintaining flexibility in our offerings and the projects you are doing helps reduce the stress of scheduling jobs.  Unfortunately, there are going to be disappointments along the way.  Job delays due to paper and labor shortages is not something any of us have seen.  Navigating these paper supply chain challenges right now is a work in progress.  But this too shall end with time.  It’s not the first time we’ve had to navigate challenging circumstances.  At SLB Printing, our clients know that each one of you gets personalized attention from us and we can be proactive about job interruptions from paper shortages.

We Print Miracles!

The main thing we continue to do in order to work through paper supply chain challenges is invest in inventory.  We do this whenever possible now. Most other medium size print shops don’t have the time or space to do this.  We know!  We’ve been getting the daily phone calls with insane requests.  Somehow we find a way to Get It Done!  Guess that’s why people agree:

We Print Miracles

 

SLB Printing Top 3 Printing Services in Los Angeles

Top 3 Printing Services in L.A. (by Three Best Rated)

SLB Printing is one of the Top 3 Printing Services again for 2022!

SLB Printing Top 3 Printing Services in Los Angeles

Once again for 2022, I am so proud to announce that SLB Printing, Inc. has been listed as Top 3 Printing Services in Los Angeles by Three Best Rated®. This is a relatively new review site that was desperately needed to balance out the issues related to other on-line review sites that love to delete good reviews while leaving all the negative ones. Three Best Rated explains on their web page that it was created with a simple goal; to find the top 3 local businesses, professionals, restaurants and health care providers in your city. They display only businesses that are verified by their employees since customers deserve only the best. SLB Printing was chosen to be included in their list for Top 3 Printing Services in Los Angeles for the past 4 years now.

Best printing services in Los Angeles

Accolades Are Nice

Even though it’s nice to earn awards and accolades such as this, SLB Printing’s focus has always been on serving our clients – the recognition seems to follow naturally. I don’t know what was used to verify our status. The number of Same Day and 2 hour service requests we’ve been fulfilling lately probably has a lot to do with this. I suppose being in the printing business since 1984, I’ve picked up a few skills that help my little store Get It Done! So, regardless of the inherent problems with other on-line review sites, I have to admit that 5 Star Reviews are still the best badge we wear proudly. Being named Top 3 Printing Services in L.A. is just icing on the cake.

The Secret Sauce

So what’s the secret? I’ve been doing a lot more reading lately on what it takes to be and stay “relevant”. Staying relevant in your field shouldn’t seem like a secret, but when you think about companies that are no longer around, you’ll find the main reason is they were no longer relevant. If I hadn’t chosen to continually update our capabilities, I would no longer be relevant either. Working with so many different businesses in a wildly diverse list of industries has helped shape the current capability of jobs we are able to produce. Staying relevant is what I believe was found to be the case at SLB Printing by Three Best Rated. This is what lead to the designation of Top 3 Printing Services in L.A.  Check out the list on the left to see what else we can help provide you with too.

Want to learn more about the SLB Printing secret sauce?  Here’s another blog article for you to enjoy: “How did SLB Printing Increase Web Traffic by 97% in 12 months? Secrets Revealed!”

We love living up to the challenge of being know for same day printing services in Los Angeles.

Case Study – Direct Mail Postcard Printing for the Real Estate Market

Direct Mail Postcard Printing

If you’re in the Real Estate game, as an agent or broker, the name of the game when it comes to marketing your properties is Direct Mail Postcard Printing.  Whether you’re announcing a recent sale, a new open house or a hot property that is your pocket listing, postcards are a quick and easy form of getting the word out.  The only question you want answered from your direct mail print provider is how do I get the most bang for my buck. Sounds pretty straight forward, but with so many options and methods to print and mail, the answer is more elusive than you would think.

Options to consider that will help solve the “bang for my buck” question.

Since the size of a postcard can be as large as 6.125″ x 11.5″, there are many standard size options to choose from. Take a look at how much information you have or how big you want to make your message.  Obviously, if you just have 1 picture, you can mail a small postcard and qualify for the First Class 6″ x 9″ postcard rate.  But not so obvious is the fact that this smaller card is going to get lost in the stack of other mail being delivered to an address. So, as you know, bigger is better.

I tell all my clients to make the card as large as you can afford.  The postage for a 5″ x 7″ 1st class postcard is going to be just slightly less than the postage for a 6″ x 11″ marketing mail card and our mail preparation fee is he same. By now you should see the advantage to go big for your next Direct Mail Postcard Printing project and let your card stand out from the rest. Especially since the only price difference is the printing cost for a larger card.

Postcard Printing Completion times differ from vendor to vendor.

The next discussion we have is regarding how long it takes from receipt of your artwork to the day we drop the mail at the post office.  From discussions I’ve had with several agents, there usually is a strong desire to have this completed ASAP.  However, is paying for a digital job done in 2 days going to give you the best bang for your buck?  I say NO it’s not. Even though we group jobs together to run on the 40″ offset press, we can still complete an offset press printed postcard job in as little as 3 to 5 work days. The mail preparation process is usually only 1 more day to inkjet the addresses, sort, tray and get the job over to the presort post office.

So the final decision is up to you, but my opinion is that any direct mail postcard mailing for the Real Estate market can be handled in 5 to 7 work days more cost effectively than running it digitally. If you feel it’s absolutely necessary to have your postcards printed and mailed faster, we have the digital equipment for that too.  But just like the other 2 day vendor that is producing digital postcards instead of conventional offset printing, there is a cost associated with that speed of service.

Case Study: How we helped a real estate agent get to maximum bang for the buck on a postcard printing and mailing job.

After considering all the options, one of our Real Estate agent clients decided that 4.25″ x 6″ was too small but didn’t want to pay for the jumbo 6″ x 11″ card either.  So, a 5″ x 7″ postcard was what he felt would be the appropriate size for his twice a month direct mail postcard printing campaign.  But he was struggling with our stated 5 day production time.  Another vendor his office used was claiming to mail in 2 days from proof approval, but the cost was “astronomical”.  5 work days for SLB to complete the printing for his “JUST SOLD” postcard seemed excruciatingly too long to get the word out. But once approved, the job was printed in only 3 work days with 1 day in mail prep and then off to the post office.

We’re now mailing his “JUST SOLD” announcement postcards at least twice a month and at a much lower overall cost.  Even the postage is less than he was previously paying. How is this possible you ask? Postage is postage, right?  WRONG!  Using Automation Certified Presort Software we are able to provide the lowest postage rates to our clients.  The competition insisted on charging a fixed postage rate, never discussing how postage rates are determined. No mention of what the actual postage for his job was.  “This is really upsetting” said the agent upon seeing how much more the “experts” were gouging him on postage on top of the higher rate for digital printing. So just like in any real estate transaction, the cost you pay for a service or a great deal may really have hidden costs buried that you can’t see.

Just the Statistics Please

From the NPF website:

  • $0.332 is the 5 digit rate for USPS Marketing Mail Letters as of Aug 29, 2021
  • Response Rates: Display advertising .2%, Social Media Advertising 1%, Email Advertising 1%, Mobile Advertising 2%, DIRECT MAIL PIECES 3.7%
  • Less than 30% of email gets opened but over 80% of direct mail will be opened and looked at
  • People preferred the mail 70% more for receiving unsolicited offers from sellers
  • When Millennials were asked “Which is more effective at getting you to take action?”, direct mail 30% and only 24% for email.

Contact SLB Printing with our Contact Page!

Or, just give SLB Printing a call at 310-558-4752 or email to slbprinting@gmail.com to discuss our direct mail services for your next Direct Mail Postcard Printing project. We mail for the fashion industry, furniture manufactures, non-profits and a host of other industries, in addition to the Real Estate industry, that know how beneficial Direct Mail Marketing is.   More information is available on our web site under Mailing Services.

Need to find a postage rate?  Here’s a quick link to the USPS Notice 123 for July 9, 2023

Same Day Printing – Reality or Fantasy?

Same Day Printing – Reality or Fantasy?

To be competitive in today’s’ short run printing world, providing Same Day Printing services has become a much needed reality.  However, only for the select few Printers out there who have the equipment and staff that can pull it off is it really a reality that can successfully be achieved.  What YOU need to know is that the promise of Same Day Printing is really more of a fantasy at a lot of other print providers. Unfortunately, like the old saying goes, a few bad apples can spoil the whole bunch.  So please don’t let a few bad apples prevent you from calling SLB Printing for your Same Day Printing needs.

The reality of Same Day Printing services at SLB Printing means that your job could be accepted, proofed, printed and finished all in one day.  It’s also realistic to say that not every job can be handled this quickly.  There are cut off times, press ready file standards and quantities that all play a part in the reality of Same Day Printing.  Overall, short run, same day printing is something we know we excel at. SLB Printing in Los Angeles  would very much like the opportunity to prove it to you.

Same Day Printing Job Examples

Here are some examples of the types of jobs we can do for you with a Same Day Printing result:

Movie Posters, usually 27” x 40” or smaller but we can print up to 59” wide.  Need a dozen, no problem!

Booklets, need 50 or 100 saddle stitched 24 page booklets?  We can do that!

Labels for your new edible or cosmetic product?  Custom contour shape? 500 or more is really a reality!

How about a mini Step and Repeat for that grand opening or big party?  We can provide one up to 59” wide by 78” tall!

Postcards, 5” x 7” or 4” x 6” club cards.  Need 500?  How about 2000?  Easy!

Proposals, 90 pages, coil bound.  Need 50 or more?  We’ve done that too!

If you have a press ready file, the possibility of completing your job by 5 p.m. is very high as long as we have your soft proof approval and payment all handled by 10 a.m. in the morning.  After that, we may have to juggle around our production schedule to accommodate your needs. It all starts with a phone call & email with your files.  Just call and ask what we can do for you.  Remember, we’re the company that knows how to Get It Done and is widely referred to in on-line reviews as the printer who really does print miracles!  Let SLB Printing prove to you that Same day printing can be a reality when you come to us.

Click on this link to learn more about how we do this by visiting our main page.

 

Need a Movie Poster for LA Film Festival 2018? We Can Print That Same Day! 

Poster Printing for LA Film Festival 2018

We print movie posters for independent filmmakers as well as advertising agencies, marketing agencies and major motion pictures studios around Los Angeles all the time.  One-sheets, movie posters and backlit film are the 3 common product requests we get all the time.  But what’s the difference between all three of those?  Good question!  Let’s talk about this more a little later.  So when you need a movie poster for LA Film Fest 2018 or any other film festival, give us a call!  LA Film Festival 2018 is running Sep 20, 2018 – Sep 28, 2018.

Common Movie Poster Sizes:

Common Movie Poster Sizes are either 27” x 41” or 27” x 40”.  However, we’ve produced custom size movie posters too.  Sometimes, the promotional poster design and location where it will be placed require something smaller or larger.  A bus shelter is a good example of a very large movie poster that measures up to 45” x 70”.  If you need a movie poster for LA Film Festival 2018 that measure up to 45” x 70”, SLB Printing can do that too.

Standard Poster Sizes from Movie poster to flyer and all common sizes in between.

Common Size posters – click image to enlarge

What’s the difference between a One-Sheet, Movie Poster and Backlit Film?  Well, there is no difference between the one-sheet & movie poster, it’s just a name.  However, the backlit film describes a material that is used in a light box while standard poster printing on either matte or semi-gloss material is for front lit job requirements.  We can also mount front lit posters on foam core when they are to be displayed on an easel. Lastly, if you want to go really big, we have a giant double wing easel option that is used for theater lobby displays measuring up to 48” wide by 96” tall.  How’s that for getting your film noticed!

SLB Printing is your Eco-Friendly Poster Printing Source!

Environmentally friendly inks.  We use HP water-based latex inks in our wide format poster printers.  Water-based HP Latex Inks offer health and environmental advantages compared to eco-solvent, solvent, or UV-curable inks.1  HP Latex Inks were tested for Hazardous Air Pollutants, as defined in the Clean Air Act, per U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Method 311 (testing conducted in 2013) and none were detected.1  Working with SLB Printing for your wide format poster needs gives you the opportunity to choose an environmentally friendly supplier too.

Fast Production Times

Production time: With multiple latex printers on site, we can produce short runs of movie posters in 6 hours or less. Larger quantities of 100 or more can be done in 2-3 work days with partials available after the 1st day.  Let SLB Printing take care of your need for a movie poster for LA Film Fest 2018.

Local Los Angeles Based Printing Company

We are local to all of the major studios.  The Culver Studios, Fox Studios, Sony Studios, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Raleigh Studios Hollywood, Sunset Las Palmas Studio, Paramount Pictures and more are all within minutes of our plant.  Not to mention the production companies on Wilshire Blvd and in Century City, Culver City and Beverly Hills.  Our client list is a who’s who in the movie poster printing business.  Film distribution and small independent filmmakers round out our list of clients using the services we provide for movie poster printing.  Make SLB Printing your choice partner when it comes to your need for a movie poster for LA Film Fest 2018.

1 Technical white paper | HP Latex Inks: health and environmental advantages

National Night Out at Poinsettia Park in West Hollywood

Free Printing for My Local National Night Out Event in W. Hollywood

Free Printing for my local National Night Out Event

Community involvement has always been a priority at SLB Printing.  That’s why we do things like provide, at no cost, the mini-posters for National Night Out event at my local Poinsettia Park.  We’ve been thanked and recognized for doing this with Certificates of Appreciation by Councilman Koretz so many times we’re running out of space on our walls.  The point is, it’s important for EVERYONE to get out and show support for your local police and meet your neighbors (and thank Peter from Melrose Action Committee too).  If you live near Poinsettia Park in W. Hollywood, come and join us on August 7th  2018 between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.  You can even grab a free tree from City Plants and a Free dog from Pink’s (while they last) along with a bunch more free swag from the local vendors!

National Night Out at Poinsettia Park in West Hollywood

National Night Out is the event to make your voice heard

Everyone feels the crunch from an overwhelming number of good civic causes and non-profit organizations.  I would like to believe that SLB Printing has done its fair share of free or low cost work for a number of these worthy causes and organizations over the past 34 years.  Without a doubt, National Night Out is one of those events that I feel needs to get more attention.  It’s the place where you can actually go and talk face to face with your Councilman, local police captain, emergency responders and others that can help make a difference in your neighborhood. Because of this fact you should consider making the time to go.

It’s all too easy to complain about everything that’s wrong with your friends and family.  Maybe you’ll even have a discussion with the neighbor next door.  How’s that working for you? When you attend National Night Out is the only time you can talk to everyone at the same time and make your voice heard.  At the very least, you’ll get a quick answer on how to deal with any issue that’s been in need of some attention.

So get out there, take a little walk to the park and enjoy National Night Out this year!

What are Text Weights and Writing Weights?

One day, I’m visiting my local paper supply house and I’m curious to see what they know about paper weights.  So I ask a question to 2 members of the staff.  What’s the difference between text weights and writing weights?  You’d think they would have the answer for this but instead, I’m getting the deer in headlights stare!  If they don’t understand, and they’re working in the paper store, then it’s about time someone like me writes about this.  So let’s get started answering the question, what are text weights and writing weights.

Paper stocks are not cover stocks

First of all, both text weights and writing weights are considered paper stocks as opposed to cover stocks.  So if you pick either of them up, they will not feel as thick as a sheet of cardstock.   Some text weights can be very thick, but no matter how thick the basis weight of a sheet of text stock is, it couldn’t be confused with a card stock.  Now here comes the technical part.

Text weights and writing weights are measured by taking 500 sheets of the “basis ream”.  The reason 500 sheets are used is that 500 is the common number of sheets in a “ream” of paper.  Basis ream refers to the common size the sheet is manufactured as, not to the finished cut sheet you buy in the store.  This is where the difference is between text weights and writing weights.   Let me explain in a little more detail.

  • Writing, Bond and Ledger papers have a basis ream that is 17” x 22”
  • Text, Book and Offset papers have a basis ream that is 25” x 38”

Now let’s discuss “equivalent weight” because this is where I feel the confusion comes from.  Equivalent weight is how you define a sheet of text weight against a sheet of writing weight papers.  Go back and look at the basis ream sizes again.  You’ll notice that text weights use a larger paper size for their basis measurement.  This is the reason why text weights can feel exactly the same as a writing weight but have a higher number printed on the package.  Here’s a list of common equivalent weights:

  • 20# bond is the same at 50# offset text, with an approximate GSM of 75
  • 24# bond/writing is the same as 60# offset text, with an approximate GSM of 90
  • 28# bond/writing is the same as 70# offset text, with an approximate GSM of 105
  • 32# bond/writing is the same as 80# offset text, with an approximate GSM of 120

You’ll notice I added the GSM weights above too.  This is the metric equivalent and is also referred to on packages of paper as g/m2 and all it means is grams per square meter.  GSM is commonly used in European countries where in the United States, we use pounds or # to express the weight of paper.  When you go to the paper store and look at prepackaged reams, you’ll most likely see all 3 units of measure now.  Being equipped with your new understanding of what are text and writing weights, you’ll be able to avoid that deer in headlight look because YOU will know what it all means.

Text Weights-Writing Weights