Introducing EcoFlexx™ an Eco-Friendly Flex Billboard Option

Our EcoFlexx™ material is now available all over the country and feedback is very positive. This new product will provide a unique and environmentally friendly substrate compared to current billboard materials. Read the article about EcoFlexx published in The Wall Street Journal (9/19/07) to find out "Can Billboard Trade Go Green?"

Circle Graphics has invested almost $8-million in development of EcoFlexx™ and in support of sustainable business practices. We are very pleased to provide this environmentally responsible print option to the outdoor advertising community.

The EcoFlexx™ material has been approved by the leading outdoor companies and will replace PVC flex in our production during the next few months. There are no price changes associated with this improved material.

The Key Advantages Are Straight-Forward

• The carbon footprint of an Eco-Flexx™ billboard is 60% less than a standard PVC flex billboard.

• EcoFlexx™ is a Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) product. There is no chlorine in EcoFlexx™ and no chlorine is used in making Eco-Flexx. In contrast, the production of PVC is the largest single use of chlorine, and PVC is almost 57% chlorine (by weight).

• EcoFlexx™ is made from 100% recyclable polyethylene (PE) plastic and is easily recycled. PVC flex, more often than not, ends up in landfills.

• Many environmental organizations recommend PE plastic as an excellent alternative to PVC.

• EcoFlexx™ is extremely strong but very light. A typical EcoFlexx™ billboard weighs 20-pounds compared to 75-pounds for a typical PVC-flex billboard.

• EcoFlexx™ billboards look spectacular and are produced with a seamless print surface up to 15-feet wide. EcoFlexx™ billboards are available at the same cost as PVC flex billboards so there's no additional cost to switch.

• EcoFlexx™ is in use by the leading outdoor advertising companies and is one of a new class of billboard materials endorsed by the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA).

• An industry-supported recycling program developed by the OAAA will be in place in early 2008 to provide an audited and verifiable recycling solution for EcoFlexx™ and similar billboards.

Is your billboard campaign as green as it can be? Compare your options... apples to apples

To out more about this innovative "green" product, we invite you to visit www.EcoFlexx.com and review our brochure (PDF).

You can make a difference for the environment with EcoFlexx™ billboards without sacrificing print quality and performance.

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A "Monster" Vinyl Flex Story

What was the biggest project you've ever done? Here's ours...

We've just completed and shipped the largest vinyl flex billboard that we've ever made.

This "monster" created for SJD Media for TicketsNow.com measured 47'2" by 126'2.5". As a point of reference, most vinyl flex billboards measure 14' by 48' or even 20' by 60'. This one is bigger than most of our experienced staff has ever even seen!

The TicketsNow.com billboard was produced in several panels and then welded together into one "monster" billboard. It was produced in an unbelievable three business days (including one weekend) and took 13 production team members to fold and box. When cartoned, our "monster beauty" weighed 585 pounds.

Andrea Dale, Circle's Account Manager for the project, said that this project was installed in Times Square in New York City two days prior to the scheduled posting date which thrilled the client.

If you have a big project or a tight turnaround like this one, you can count on Circle Graphics to deliver the goods on time for your "monster" project too!

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The Winner's Circle Spotlight: Kim Greathouse

Meet one of our Account Managers, Kim Greathouse. She's one of the winners that make Circle Graphics' personalized services the best in the industry.

What do you enjoy most about working at Circle Graphics?

I really like my job and the opportunities that I get to build relationships with people all over the country. I stay in touch with clients, we exchange cards and letters all the time, not just emails. We really become friends while working together. I guess the best part of my job is really about relationships and having the opportunity to help people out of a bind when they need it most.

Wow, is that really John Elway you're posing with?

You know I am a really big sports fan, I mean really big. Knowing how much I love the Denver Broncos and John Elway, my friends here at work arranged it all... well, they arranged it the Photoshop way.

Can you tell us something else about you that your customers might find interesting?

I am a fishing fanatic. I love fishing! I like fly fishing, bobber fishing, and lure fishing. In fact, before my baby was born, I used to get up at 4:30 in the morning and go fishing before I came into work. Yes, I know, that is "hard core", but I really love fishing. I learned to love fishing early with my family. Now I even participate in fishing tournaments. I haven't won anything yet, but I just love to be out there just doing it.

Do you cook what you catch when you go fishing?

No, no one makes fried beer battered fish like my grandma, so I take all the fish to her for cooking. I've watched her and tried to cook them just right, but I just can't seem to get the cooking part down. So I'll catch 'em and she'll cook 'em.

What about family, can you tell us a bit about them?

I am engaged to be married, and I have three children from 22 months to 13 years old. And yes, they all love fishing too. The baby isn't holding a pole yet, but he's looking ready. Oh, and we have a German Shepherd dog too that's six months old.

What type of food do you like?

Any old food will do, no really, I do love to eat. I like mussels, fried beer battered fish, clams, and just about everything else. On my birthday, I'll want prime rib or maybe even pasta, I love pasta - all kinds. The one thing that I hate is anchovies. Yes, I know it is a fish, but I still hate it.

What was your background before you came to Circle?

Before I came to Circle I was the Assistant Manager for a credit union and had a strong background in finance. I had never worked in the print industry before. I started working at Circle because one of my girl friends needed help in her department and talked me into it. I started out on order entry side. I liked the work and the people who work here are like family to me. We are a very close knit group.

What do you do at Circle Graphics?

I've been here at Circle Graphics about three and a half years now. As the company has grown, my responsibilities have too. Now I am an Account Manager. I really love my job and the people that I work with. I can't think of a better place to work.

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Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) Time

Why should I use Circle templates whenever they are available?
If you create your design using the correct Circle supplied template (see links below) you will realize several important benefits and ensure that we produce your design in the fastest and most accurate manner possible.

Here are some of the benefits of using our templates:

• Each template is set up for optimal output. The resolutions for each template are already optimized for the specific size and will produce optimal output when enlarged.
  
  
• Each template will be the correct size, if you use the correct template for your desired product.
  
  
• Each template has the proper color profile already applied.
  
  
• Each template is already saved with LZW compression.

Click the following links to see a list of recommended Photoshop templates for our various products (remember to open these in Photoshop):

Photoshop Templates – Vinyl Flex

Photoshop Templates – Digital Posters (30s & 8s)

Photoshop Templates – Transit Shelter/Bus Displays

Don't think that our Photoshop templates are right for you? We hope you'll reconsider; however, we still need your print-ready artwork.

Why should I flatten my Photoshop file instead of sending it in layers?
The simple answer is for predictability. When a Photoshop file is flattened it reduces the odds of something going wrong significantly. When layers are present and have text or layered effects applied to them, the file must be flattened before the enlargement can occur or those effects may disappear.

When I use JPEG compression my file is smaller than when I use LZW compression. Why?
LZW compression, (Lemple-Zif-Welch, the three that created this technique) will compress the file the most without causing any degradation in the pixel quality. It is true that a file can be smaller when compressing it with JPEG compression. However, occasionally there is a color transition between pixels, especially between solid areas, you may see blotchy looking pixels around the edges of that transition.

Is it okay to use the Style Menu in QuarkXpress to make my fonts italic or bold?
Not all font families have italic, bold, or bold italic versions. The only time it is safe to use the style buttons is when you are sure the particular font you are stylizing does in fact have an italic, bold or bold italic version. If there is not a version of the font available in the stylized format, it will be substituted with the closest version, which is normally the book or roman version of that font. To be safe it is best to select the font from the font drop down menu.

Other questions not answered here? Email us at info@circlegraphicsonline.com.

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