Designers: Never Choose Between Digital and Offset Again

08.26.2024

As summer break winds down, teachers everywhere are gearing up for another exciting chapter. While lesson planning and curriculum development take centre stage, it's equally important to create an environment that fosters creativity, organization, and inspiration. That’s where we have you covered. As the exclusive printing partner to several of Canada’s largest school boards, we're your go-to for creating a personalized classroom experience. So, we've put together a comprehensive checklist to help teachers elevate their space and head back to school in style. Here’s your step-by-step checklist to a killer September kick-off: Print your classroom course materialsCreate a personalized notebookDecorate your classroom Fuel your day with a personalized mugOrder a custom calendarCreate a custom teacher's tote1) Print Your Classroom Course Materials A successful school year begins with well-organized and engaging course materials. Instead of relying solely on generic handouts, consider the impact of personalized course materials – from custom worksheets to study guides – that reflect your unique approach to teaching. Plus, if you order your classroom materials from WCD before September 15, you'll receive a FREE personalized notebook. And on that note... 2) Create a Personalized Notebook Jot down lesson ideas, doodles, and reflections in a notebook that's as unique as your teaching approach. A teacher's desk is the heart of the classroom, where lesson plans come to life and creative ideas take shape. With a notebook made specially for you, you can make this space truly your own in a fun and functional way. Use our custom template made just for teachers, or create your own design that mirrors your personality and teaching philosophy! 3) Decorate the Classroom with Vibrant Posters Engage your students visually and foster a stimulating environment that encourages exploration and curiosity. A well-decorated classroom is a canvas for creativity and learning—and you can transform those beige walls into a vibrant educational masterpiece with just a few posters and prints. Whether it's motivational quotes, historical timelines, or scientific diagrams, you can bring life to any subject in creative ways. 4) Fuel Up with a Personalized Mug Energizing your day of teaching begins with a steaming hot cup of coffee or tea—and what better way to enjoy your favourite beverage than with a mug made just for you? Showcase your name, motivational quotes, or even subject-specific graphics as a fun way to sip and savour while creating conversation with students and fellow teachers. It’s a way to self-express, reminding you of your dedication to your students and your craft. 5) Manage Your Time with Customized Calendars Balancing lesson planning, grading, meetings, and personal life can be a juggling act. Stay organized and in control with a customized calendar made just for you. Tailor your calendar to include professional development days, to-do lists, and other special notes meaningful to your day. Whether it’s a miniature standing desk calendar or an oversized wall calendar, you'll navigate the school year with confidence and ease, ensuring that no important task slips through the cracks. 6) Get a Personalized Tote Bag for Teaching Essentials From textbooks and lesson materials to personal items, a teacher's tote bag is a lifeline throughout the day. Choose a design that resonates with you and add your name or a motivational slogan. Not only will you have a functional bag for all your essentials, but you'll also make a statement among students. Claim Your FREE Personalized Notebook! Teachers across Canada—we’ll send you a FREE personalized notebook for ordering course materials through WCD prior to September 15, 2024. To claim yours, simply submit your order online. For support, email clientservices@wcdconnect.com.

08.05.2024

There’s magic in event planning—an overwhelming feeling of pride that rushes in as you watch your guests arrive and their eyes light up with joy. It’s the small moments of surprise and delight, curated with care throughout every detail, that make for a truly unforgettable experience. From the venue down to the menu, every selection is an opportunity to put your event a cut above the rest. But where do you begin with crafting that standout experience? In this article, we’ll walk you through the behind-the-scenes planning process our Creative Services team uses to dream up and design branded event experiences—from the initial concept down to the decor, print, and signage materials that bring it all together. We’ll be looking at this process through the lens of our 2024 West Canadian Cup, an annual occasion we’ve hosted at Spruce Meadows for more than three decades! You'll learn all about how to: Dream up your branded event's themePlan the on-site experiencesWeave the theme through every detail Step 1) Dream up your branded event’s theme We’re firm believers that all great events begin with a memorable theme. Each year, the West Canadian Cup is hosted at Spruce Meadows. There are just a few constants to this event: it’s always a brunch accompanied by the equestrian competition. Other than that, we take creative licence in transforming the event space into whatever’s inspiring us. In this initial ideation stage, we’re looking for general inspiration rather than specifics. That begins by establishing the tone of the occasion. Whether you’re hosting a customer appreciation event or a conference, this will help you nail down the overall vision for the theme and the event’s brand and design. Here are a few examples of how you might identify your event’s tone: Fun, quirky, creativeProfessional, sophisticated, suave Dark, moody, mysterious This year, we wanted the event to reflect the phrase "I choose chocolate"—a concept of embracing whatever life brings you. To us, this optimistic outlook was best brought to life through a fun, inspiring, and whimsical event experience. Once we have a general concept nailed down, our first step is always brainstorming themes. We begin by assembling 2-3 mood boards, incorporating elements of colour, typography, imagery, and decor that help us visualize the creative direction. Here’s a sneak peek at what that looks like. Mood Board 1 — WCD's Chocolate Factory Mood Board 2 — Chocolate-Western Chic Ultimately, our team chose to run with the first mood board—and our Wonka-inspired West Canadian Cup began to take shape! Step 2) Plan the on-site experiences The Welcome Creating immersive on-site experiences is our key to making each guest feel special from the moment they arrive. At the West Canadian Cup, we start with a welcoming experience that sets the tone for the entire event. This includes branded nametags, thematic welcome signage, and a signature welcome cocktail inspired by our theme of the year. Welcome name tags personalized to each guest. Custom event cocktail to greet guests. Welcome floor decal made with removable, non-damaging vinyl. The Entertainment Next, we focus on the entertainment experiences—the heart of our event. Hosted at Spruce Meadows, the West Canadian Cup always involves an equestrian competition, but we elevate it by adding elements like a custom photo backdrop inspired by our event theme, allowing guests to capture and share their memories. We include interactive experiences such as a blind Calcutta auction that adds an element of excitement and engagement. Photo backdrop designed and produced by WCD. Branded tablescapes including custom-designed Calcutta instructions. A whimsical spread by Great Events Catering. The Parting Gift Finally, we leave our guests with a lasting impression by creating takeaway gifts that are both meaningful and on-theme. This year, we crafted personalized print products including custom-branded mugs in-house, which we filled with gourmet chocolate as a sweet reminder of a day to remember. Guest giveaways featuring mugs custom-made at WCD. Step 3) Weave the theme through every detail Event Decor To truly make an event memorable, we weave the theme through every detail. This starts with the event decor, where we integrate colours, textures, and elements from our mood board. At the West Canadian Cup, this includes florals and centrepieces that feature whimsical Wonka-inspired elements. Wonka-inspired florals. Event Print and Signage They say it's all in the details—which is why we weave the theme throughout event signage and print materials as well. We design and produce branded menus, programs, and table numbers that carry the essence of our theme, serving both a functional and thematic purpose. Custom-designed menus and signage materials. Small table details that bring the theme to life. Wonka-inspired candy bar to wow the guests. Ready to craft your next unforgettable event? If you need a little creative juice to design the theme for your next corporate event, lean on our WCD Creative team to help bring it to life. From conferences and tradeshows to customer appreciation events and more, we specialize in crafting unique, memorable event brands that are sure to wow your guests. Sound like what you're looking for? CreditsPhotos: Jonathan Tieh Photography Venue: Spruce MeadowsFood: Great Events CateringFlorals: FoxGlove StudioChocolates: Epiphanie Chocolate

03.12.2024

Thinking of self-publishing your book? From autobiographies to photographic memoirs, the trend towards book printing on-demand is reshaping how authors and publishers approach the creation and distribution of books. With a vibrant literary culture and advanced printing technologies, Canadian writers and publishers have first-class access to an ecosystem that empowers self-publishing like never before. This guide delves into the essentials of on-demand book printing in Canada, offering valuable insights for anyone looking to navigate this new approach to publishing. We’ll get into: What is On-Demand Book Printing?Why Authors Choose to Self PublishThe Benefits of On-Demand PrintingHow to Approach Book Printing in Canada Key Considerations for Choosing a Canadian Book Printing Company You’ll learn the basics of this evolving industry, and key steps you can take to print your very own book on demand. Let’s get into it! What is On-Demand Book Printing? On-demand book printing is a printing process that empowers you to print books in specific quantities as needed, ranging from a single copy to a few hundred thanks to the nimble technology behind digital printing. This model is a departure from traditional bulk printing, offering a flexible and cost-effective solution for authors and publishers. Why Authors Choose to Self-Publish A primary motivator for self-publishing may be a desire for creative control over your book's content, design, and marketing. Self-publishing allows authors to retain full rights to their work, making decisions about the cover art, format, pricing, and distribution channels—all according to their vision and goals. Self-publishing can also lead to higher royalty rates compared to traditional publishing routes, offering authors a potentially better return on investment. Access to self-publishing platforms has lowered the barrier to entry, empowering authors to reach their audience directly without the need for approval from a publisher. For example, many authors now leverage their online audiences to market their books and sell them directly through their own website, using a print-on-demand method to order only as demand requires. This direct access empowers authors to share their unique voices and stories, catering to niche markets or specialized topics that might not attract mainstream readers. It’s the artists and small businesses that love to storytell—like photographers, business advisors, life coaches, poets, and more—that are greatly benefiting from this new approach to publishing. The Benefits of On-Demand Printing Book printing on-demand has many benefits when compared to traditional methods. Let’s take a look at a few. 1) Lower Costs Traditional printing methods often require large initial print runs, leading to high upfront costs and the need for storage space. On-demand printing eliminates these concerns by allowing authors and publishers to print books only as orders come in, dramatically reducing storage needs and minimizing the financial risk. This is particularly handy for independent authors and small publishers who may have limited budgets. 2) Eco-Friendly Option By producing books only when there is demand, you can cut down on the overproduction of unsold copies, meaning less paper consumption and waste. This sustainable approach aligns with growing consumer and industry interest in environmentally friendly solutions. 3) Flexibility to Update Content Because on-demand printing produces books in short runs, authors have the luxury of updating the content of their books between each run with ease. This is particularly handy if your book requires frequent updates to remain relevant, or if that first pass at editing didn’t quite make the cut. It also opens up opportunities for authors to customize books for specific audiences or to test different versions of their work. If these benefits sound worth the investment, read on for insights on how you can get started with book printing in Canada. How to Approach Book Printing in Canada Congratulations! You’ve decided to print your book. While there’s no one way to tackle the production of your piece, here are some general steps to follow before you can hit ‘print’. 1) Research Printers — When you’re looking for a company to print your book, search for printers that specifically offer on-demand printing services and who specialize in book printing in particular. See the section below for some key factors to take into consideration when choosing a service provider. 2) Prepare Your Manuscript — If you’re self-publishing, you’ll need to ensure your manuscript is entirely edited, formatted, designed, and ready for printing. It’s important to remember that your printer will not edit your manuscript for you, so however you deliver it to them is how it will turn out in production. Some printers will have an in-house creative services team that can help you with format and design. 3) Choose Your Book's Specifications — Decide on your book's size, the paper type, and binding. This includes decisions like whether your book will be hardcover or paperback and what style and aesthetic you want it to have. This is where budgets can drastically vary, so it’s good to come prepared with an understanding of your price range. 4) Request Quotes — Contact several providers to compare quotes. Prices can vary based on the book's specifications and the quantity ordered. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for when it comes to book printing, and sometimes investing a bit more to guarantee a quality product can save you headaches down the road. 5) Consider Distribution — Some on-demand printers offer distribution services, including direct shipping to customers and listings on major retail sites. If you choose to ship your product yourself, you may want to select a printer that’s within Canada to avoid hefty cross-border shipping fees. Get a free book printing quote online > Key Considerations for Choosing a Canadian Book Printing Company Here’s what we suggest you look for when selecting a Canadian book printing company. 1) Quality The quality of your book reflects on you as an author or publisher, so prioritizing printers that use high-quality materials is important. Look for companies that are transparent and request samples of their work to get a tangible sense of the final product's quality. 2) Turnaround Time While the appeal of on-demand printing includes not having to stockpile books, it's important to remember that on-demand means production times can vary. Ask about expected turnaround times to make sure they align with your publishing timeline, especially if you have specific launch dates in mind or are coordinating marketing efforts. 3) Customer Service If you're navigating the process for the first time, you’ll want a print partner that’s on your side! A responsive and helpful printing company can offer guidance, address your concerns, and provide updates throughout the printing process. Look for companies with positive reviews to get a sense of their reliability. 4) Creative Services Many book printing companies offer design assistance, which can be invaluable for creating a professional-looking book cover and interior layout. Opting for a printer that provides these services can save you time and effort, making the journey from manuscript to final piece feel like a breeze. Begin Your Book Printing Journey By leveraging the flexibility, cost-efficiency, and eco-friendly aspects of on-demand book printing, you can navigate the publishing landscape more effectively and bring your literary creations to eager readers with ease. Curious what it takes to launch your creation?