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We are proud to announce our new Flat Rate Shipping!

All orders will be shipped with our new Flat Rate Shipping of $9.99 per order within the US via UPS Ground or FedEx Ground. Our Flat Rate Shipping option will automatically appear as an option when checking out for qualified orders. Orders can have one item or multiple items (including sale items!) shipped to the same address.

This new flat rate shipping will make ordering simpler while at the same time making it easier to estimate complete order totals when setting up marketing budgets.

Did you know you can place a single order with ProSourcePrinting.com and have it divided up and shipped to multiple locations? Let’s say you have a client with 10 locations across the country and each location needs 1,000 brochures, you don’t need to place 10 different orders. Simply place an order for 10,000 brochures and supply 10 different shipping addresses. You save money by combining 10 different orders into just one order.

Another smart way to use this service is to have samples of an order sent to you while the rest of the order is sent to your client. Because ProSource Printing overprints on orders over 500 units, your client will still get their full order even if you have up to 20 samples sent to you.

Keep these options in mind when you place your next order. Additional Shipping charges will apply.

Still not convince about QR codes? Let me convince you.

In a recent report on QR code adoption in North America, Mobio says QR code scanning rose 4549% within one year. It goes on to say that the number of consumers who added QR scanning capabilities to their devices in the first quarter of this year increased 938% from the same period a year ago.

Continue reading on BizReport.com

All I have to say is wow! Contact us to get your QR code campaign going.

1. QR Codes Can Store a Variety of Data

A traditional 1D UPC barcode can store up to 30 numbers, while a QR code can store up to 7,089 numbers.

 

 

 

 

The additional storage capacity accommodates a variety of data beyond numbers:

  • Text
  • Hyperlink
  • Telephone number (Phone call)
  • SMS/MMS message
  • Email (Send message)
  • Contact entry (vCard or meCard)
  • Calendar entry (vCalendar)

Storing a hyperlink presents a myriad of possibilities beyond just loading a web page — play a video, download a mobile app, check-in on Foursquare, update a Twitter status, “Like” a Facebook page, display map directions, and more.

 

 

 

 

2. QR Codes Can be Placed in and on Nearly Any Location

Once the QR code is created, it can be printed on nearly any surface and location — postcards, business cards, posters, vehicle magnets, yard signs, brochures, and more. This enables you to drive traffic and interaction from anywhere. QR codes excel at bringing non-digital media to life. Your print campaign is now interactive!

Keep in mind the location must be easily scannable. Plastic packaging can reflect light. Lighting can cast shadows, and hillsides and subways can kill connectivity. Consider all contextual factors that could impact the scanning experience.

3. Mobile Barcode Scanning is on the Rise

QR codes can be used for nearly any function (logistics, advertising, customer service, etc.) for B2B and B2C across a variety of industries:

4. QR Isn’t the Only Type of 2D Barcode

The most popular 2D barcode formats are QR codeDataMatrixScanLife EZcode, and Microsoft Tag (Tag).

There are several key differences in these code formats. ScanLife EZcode and Microsoft Tag are proprietary formats only decodable by their tools, while QR and DataMatrix formats are open standard. The open standard format is why we have chosen the QR code as our standard.

Google Trends analysis of these QR codes shows “QR code” dominates by far from a search popularity perspective. QR has become a common term used to reference a 2D barcode (2D code, mobile tag, mobile barcode, etc.) even when codes are technically a different format. Even @MicrosoftTag uses the #QRcode hashtag on Twitter.

5. Tools to Read QR codes

To read QR codes you’ll need to download a reader for your phone. Because of the open standard for QR codes, dozens of reader apps are available. (DataMatrix is usually supported on most QR readers.) Some mobile handsets come with a reader app pre-installed.  Note:Microsoft Tag and ScanLife EZcode can only be decoded by their respective reader apps.  Some available readers are:

Reader App Code Formats Download Link
(from your mobile phone)
RedLaser QR, UPC redlaser.com
I-Nigma QR, DataMatrix, UPC i-nigma.com
AT&T Code Scanner QR, DataMatrix, UPC scan.mobi
ScanLife EZcode, QR, DataMatrix, UPC getscanlife.com
Optiscan QR, UPC (also generates codes) Optiscan

RedLaser and AT&T Code Scanner also have geolocation features for local price comparison shopping.

Also, a quick search in iTunes reveals no less than 238 results for QR code readers.

6. Keep Codes Simple

When generating your QR codes, you want to keep it short and simple. For example: a long URL results in a complex code. If the code is too complex, some phones mat not be able to read it as well due to limitations of the camera and lens.

 

 

 

 

The two codes above take you to a Google search for “white iPhone“. The one on the left is the URL of the search result. The QR code on the right has been shortened with Google’s URL shortener, goo.gl. The result is the code on the right is less complex and therefore is able to be read by more phones than the code on the left. It is always best to use the URL-shortener of your choice to shrink hyperlinks.  Some popular URL shorteners are:

  • Goo.gl
  • Tinyurl.com
  • Bit.ly
  • is.gd
  • tr.im

Warning: Small, complex QR codes are the biggest mistake currently being made by marketers. Smartphone cameras with resolution less than 4-megapixels can’t scan a QR code smaller than about 1″x1″. Moreover, without the auto-focus (AF) camera feature, a complex QR code will have the same scanning issue, even if the code is larger. Unscannable codes kill and delay the adoption rate for QR code campaigns.

Tip: Always provide a back-up (i.e. hyperlink, SMS text message, etc.) option for users to retrieve info within the code. A back-up enables non-smartphone users to also participate.

7. Track Scanning with Analytics

URL-shorteners and web analytics should go hand in hand. For comprehensive scan tracking, you’ll want to use a service like Google Analytics to track all of your activity. Analytics are a great way to look at what codes get scanned, how users navigate your mobile site, device stats, location of users and more. DigitalDept.com provides analytics with all of our mobile plans.

8. Qr Code Content Should Provide Special Value for the Customer

It’s work to scan a barcode, so users have higher expectations as to what content they will find. Reward the user with discounts, exclusive content, or useful tips relevant to the code’s context. Consider scenarios that leverage smartphone features (email, SMS, phone call, video, map, apps, etc.) to save the user time.

For example, including a QR code on a business card that links to contact information would be a lot easier than the user manually entering the contact record. In contrast, a QR code that links to a traditional website homepage adds limited value and on some phones will not be displayed properly.

9. Consumers Need Guidance to Scan QR Codes

The variety of code types, readers, and different terminology is confusing to consumers. Nielsen Company estimates that only 40 percent of U.S. mobile devices are smartphones as of Q1 2011, growing to almost 50 percent by Q3 2011. That means there are a lot of smartphone rookies that barely know how to use their phone, much less distinguish differences in mobile barcode formats and reader apps. As QR codes are in their infancy here in the U.S., it’s best to include a visual with your QR code to help users understand what the code does. We include this image with all of our codes:

 

 

 

10. Testing Scannability is Imperative.

Before you mass print or distribute barcodes be sure to test for scannability. Testing factors:

  • Smartphone cameras (resolution/auto-focus)
  • Types of phones
  • Reader apps
  • Scan context (i.e. lighting, shadows, surfaces)
  • Scan distance
  • Scan timing


To ensure campaign success, consider consulting with a mobile barcode marketing expert, especially if it’s your first time running a mobile barcode campaign. Technology, trends, and tools in this arena are rapidly changing. A few hours of expert consulting can bring your team up to speed, help optimize campaigns for success, and avoid unnecessary embarrassment for poor implementation.

ProSourcePrinting.com provides a managed solution that connects your customers to mobile specific content through print, email and signage.  We’ll build a mobile web site that is consistent with your brand and business image. And once it’s up and running you can use multiple QR codes to direct your client to code specific content. The content is delivered to them instantly! No more waiting, no lost customers due to a better opportunity, and it’s trackable!

Columbus, Oh—Dec. 16, 2010—ProSource Printing is excited to announce the addition of a Canon iPF8300 44″, 12 color professional large format printer in its Delaware location.

The equipment has been added to produce quicker in-house turnaround time for projects involving full-color promotional printing, digital printing and large-format printing. The Canon iPf8300 has capabilities to produce high quality indoor/outdoor vinyl banners, posters, vehicle magnets and more with 1-2 day turnaround times. With in-house industry leading technology this new equipment is sure to exceed all expectations!
Canon iPF8300
Built for ultra high quality imaging and exceptional performance, the imagePROGRAF iPF8300 44″ large format printer is equipped with an array of professional features. The 12-color LUCIA pigment ink system increases the achievable color gamut by approximately 20% from the previous imagePROGRAF 12-color series. To fully utilize on the dynamic color range of the LUCIA EX ink set, a high-precision printing mode delivers quality a step above previous models. By combining Canon’s technological achievements, the imagePROGRAF iPF8300 achieves consistently breathtaking, durable and long lasting prints.

President of ProSource Printing Jeff Brown, said, “This new printer will allow us to offer extra services and increase our client base along with our revenues and profits. We pride ourselves on a quality customer experience and feel very confident we can earn new clients’ business if they try any of our services once. In today’s competitive marketplace it is important for your printing partner to help eliminate extra time and cost by offering additional in-house services along with other project management tools like creative, design and fulfillment services.”

About ProSourcePrinting:
ProSource Printing (originally DigitalDept.com) has been a recognized name in the Columbus area for over 13 years. ProSource Printing offers a range of full color printed products to fill every printing need great or small. With over 65,000 products in more than 40 categories, ProSource Printing can fill most printing requirements. The core business areas include creative and design services, printing, brand awareness and event marketing. https://www.ProSourcePrinting.com

We have always prided ourselves on exceptional full color printing at great pricing. Now we are offering a NEW huge range of product options for our 1-2 COLOR products. We print our 1-2 color jobs, using the same high-quality metal plate technology used for our other printing, ensuring you get the best quality printing.

For our 1-2 color printing, there are options for paper type, paper color, SELECTION OF ANY PANTONE SPOT COLOR INK, and bindery.

We invite you visit our website for NEW lowered pricing on everything we offer, and details on the product options available for our 1-2 color printing.

Visit DigitalDept.com today and see what we have to offer!