Wacom, newest sponsor of the ooprint Holiday Card Design Competition

We’re very excited to announce that Wacom, provider of tablets and displays for creative professionals, has joined the ranks of sponsors of the 3^rd annual Holiday Card Design Competition.

 

The best news?  Wacom is contributing three Bamboo Fun Medium tablets and three Bamboo Fun Small tablets to the competition winners!

Check out the competition page for more details about the amazing prizes:  http://www.ooprint.com/competition

3rd Annual ooprint Holiday Card Design Competition (First prize 1000€)

Designers, to your sketchbooks!

 

The 3^rd Annual ooprint Holiday Card Design Competition is officially open.  This annual design competition is a wonderfully exciting event, for you designers as well as for the ooprint team!  The number of submissions and design quality has increased from year to year, making the selection of finalists an even more difficult decision.  We’re up for the challenge, so send us as many creative, original, and exciting designs as you like. 

 

Feeling motivated?  Start sketching!  The competition is tight, and the stakes are high . . . we’re giving out tons of great prizes, from ooprint and our sponsors.  This year, we’re excited to announce that a new partner has joined the fun, the tee-shirt design company la Fraise. 

 

It’s up to you, designers, to set the bar of artistic excellence.  We’re counting on your creativity to make this year’s competition the best yet!  Good luck!   

MicroDon: The card that keeps on giving

Professionals, individuals, and even not-for-profit companies trust ooprint to supply them with printed products. Such is the case of microDON, a French organization whose purpose is to aid companies with fundraising campaigns for various associations (humanitarian, social, or environmental).  microDON also proposes a complementary charitable operation which is centered on the carteDON (literally, a gift card), which is located at the checkout lines of supermarkets and allows customers to make a donation to a specific association sponsored by the given supermarket.  A very noble activity which merits public attention and publicity!

 

To get the word out about its activity, microDON relies in part on printed marketing materials.  As they already have their own style guidelines, the organization chose from our collection of blank models, giving them the possibility to upload their own original designs.  In particular, MicroDon personalized invitation cards to announce their launch.  Similarly, they uploaded their design to our blank model business cards for their employees.  In just a few clicks microDON was able to order a collection of completely personalized printed products.     

 

Whether your have your own graphic guidelines or not, you can order your printed products on ooprint. Either upload your creations to one of our blank models, or choose from our collections of business cards and invitations.

Invite your clients to a cocktail hour with our professional invitations!

In these difficult economic times, it is essential to communicate about your company to remain competitive. Chances are high that your competitors propose less and less expensive and more and more interesting offers. Think of a more creative and original means of attracting new customers and developing their loyalty. Why not to organize a special event? A cocktail party, for example, is a nice and inexpensive opportunity (especially if you collaborate with partners) to thank your customers for their trust.

 

Ooprint has created a new collection of invitation cards designed for professionals. Our superior quality invitations will contribute to the elegant atmosphere of your festive event and thus to the satisfaction of your customers. Our digressive and competitive prices will also ensure that your event stays within your budget.

 

Simply personalize your texts and upload your logo: our invitations will then be sure to make a great impression on your customers.

International Business Card Etiquette

Global business has facilitated the diffusion and assimilation of different business practices from cultures worldwide.  In particular, Asian cultures have influenced the world in how we give and receive business cards.  More than a simple trading of contact information, the ritual of business card exchanges is a formal ceremony and has become an international business protocol. 

 

In Asian cultures, your business card is seen as a representation of who you are.  It should therefore be presented in pristine condition, just as your physical appearance.  You wouldn’t dream of wearing a dirty or wrinkled suit to a business meeting; the same goes for a crinkled business card. 

 

When introducing yourself, your business cards should be presented using the right hand or both hands.  Giving out your business card using the left hand is an insult in Muslim and other countries, so avoid making this mistake and disrespecting a new acquaintance.  Presenting your business cards using both hands, however, is seen as the highest form of respect.    

 

You should receive a business card in the same manner in which it was presented to you.  For example, if your new acquaintance presents his or her card to you in both hands, you should accept it with both hands.  Take time to study the card.  This will not only help you to remember facts about the person, but it also shows interest and esteem. 

 

Often, you’ll want to take notes about a person (send a brochure, interested in a certain product etc.) but you should never write on the business card.  The Japanese see this as the equivalent of writing on a person’s face!  Instead of committing such a gaffe, jot down reminders on a separate note pad. 

 

After a meeting, store your collected business cards in a carrying case; rubber bands and paper clips will damage the cards and show disrespect.  After you have stowed a business card in an appropriate case or holder, place it in a pocket on your upper body, not in your back pocket!  Think of the impolite message you would be sending by sitting on a person’s business card!  Most importantly, do not lose your contact’s business card!  This would be a major insult, and possibly the end of a professional relationship.

 

By following these guidelines, you will be confident in your knowledge of professional protocol and at ease when meeting new contacts from all over the world.

 

Order your own professional business cards on ooprint.

Your planet needs you!

“Your planet needs you!  Unite to combat climate change” is the theme of the 2009 World Environment Day.  Created by the United Nations in 1972, this day serves to stimulate global awareness of environmental issues and to prompt political action.  Celebrated on June 5^th, World Environment Day presents a different theme and host country each year.  This year Mexico holds the honor. 

Today, ask yourself: what importance does the protection of the environment have in your life?  Do you recycle plastics and glass?  Do you always turn the light off when leaving a room?  Do you eat organic foods?  Do you travel by bicycle instead of by car?

At ooprint, we are dedicated to pursuing environmentally-friendly business practices.  We exclusively use papers which are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, ensuring that our papers come from forests that are managed to meet the social, economic, and ecological needs of present and future generations.  More specifically, FSC certification guarantees the prohibition of conversion of forests or other natural habitats, the respect of international workers rights, the non-use of hazardous chemicals, the respect of Human Rights with particular attention to indigenous peoples, and the identification and appropriate management of areas needing special protection (cultural or sacred sites, or habitats of endangered animal and plant species).

Ooprint takes our commitment to the protection of the environment even further by implementing strict procedures concerning paper recycling, the disposal of ink cartridges and chemical products, and careful energy consumption. 

Do your part for the environment by adopting green practices in your everyday life . . . start by shopping on ooprint.com.