This blog has been adapted from an article by Steve Deitz, President/Creative Director, 900lbs of Creative, and keynote speaker at the 2014 Print Leadership Summit, June 2–3,Dallas, TX. Remember when companies first began talking about applying augmented reality to printed materials? What seemed like science fiction is becoming, well, reality, and providing some uniquely creative, engaging marketing pieces for companies. If you’re not familiar, augmented reality adds new layers to the traditional print campaign. Using their mobile device, a reader scans a flat, 2D marker. The result is 3D virtual content that appears, simultaneously, layered on top of the 2D marker and the physical world. It also adds an additional layer of interactivity and creates a visual, tangible storytelling experience. Basically, it blends the user’s physical world and digital content into a single, multidimensional image. But does augmented reality really work in the real world? Well, try feeling the sensation of driving over rugged terrain or the experience of redesigning your homes—all through print! Here are a few campaigns that showcase how companies are successfully marrying this technology with traditional print campaigns. Drive a Land Rover How would you like to experience the adventure of driving a Land Rover vehicle? The car company designed a fold-out cover for the November 2013 issue of Esquire magazine that engaged readers with a white-knuckled virtual ride over rocky terrain. The cutting-edge spread featured three augmented reality-enabled pages that delivered a multi-sensory experience, including audio and vibration. Plus first-person perspective images gave readers the feeling they were in the driver’s seat. This campaign reached Blippar’s “Top 5 Most Liked/Shared” augmented reality experiences in history. Try Before You Buy with IKEA No one enjoys buying a piece of furniture only to find it doesn’t fit in your house or go with your décor. IKEA created a solution. Using the IKEA app and their catalog as the marker, the company was able to let their customers “test drive” IKEA products in their homes before making a purchase. The results were thousands of customer-shared pictures posted on social media sites, and the campaign’s positive effects are still being felt today. Imagine Your Lego Creation One of the first companies to put augmented reality into action, Lego created a package in 2009 that, when held up to a kiosk in their store, would display a 3D finished version of that product. The marker is the printed imagery on the front of the box. Today, kids and parents can get the same experience at home when they hold their mobile device in front of the Lego catalog and engage their imagination when they see what they can create. This feature has proven to be an effective sales tool...

This blog has been adapted from an article by Steve Deitz, President/Creative Director, 900lbs of Creative, and keynote speaker at the 2014 Print Leadership Summit, June 2–3,Dallas, TX. Remember when companies first began talking about applying augmented reality to printed materials? What seemed like science fiction is becoming, well, reality, and providing some uniquely creative, engaging marketing pieces for companies. If you’re not familiar, augmented reality adds new layers to the traditional print campaign. Using their mobile device, a reader scans a flat, 2D marker. The result is 3D virtual content that appears, simultaneously, layered on top of the 2D marker and the physical world. It also adds an additional layer of interactivity and creates a visual, tangible storytelling experience. Basically, it blends the user’s physical world and digital content into a single, multidimensional image. But does augmented reality really work in the real world? Well, try feeling the sensation of driving over rugged terrain or the experience of redesigning your homes—all through print! Here are a few campaigns that showcase how companies are successfully marrying this technology with traditional print campaigns. Drive a Land Rover How would you like to experience the adventure of driving a Land Rover vehicle? The car company designed a fold-out cover for the November 2013 issue of Esquire magazine that engaged readers with a white-knuckled virtual ride over rocky terrain. The cutting-edge spread featured three augmented reality-enabled pages that delivered a multi-sensory experience, including audio and vibration. Plus first-person perspective images gave readers the feeling they were in the driver’s seat. This campaign reached Blippar’s “Top 5 Most Liked/Shared” augmented reality experiences in history. Try Before You Buy with IKEA No one enjoys buying a piece of furniture only to find it doesn’t fit in your house or go with your décor. IKEA created a solution. Using the IKEA app and their catalog as the marker, the company was able to let their customers “test drive” IKEA products in their homes before making a purchase. The results were thousands of customer-shared pictures posted on social media sites, and the campaign’s positive effects are still being felt today. Imagine Your Lego Creation One of the first companies to put augmented reality into action, Lego created a package in 2009 that, when held up to a kiosk in their store, would display a 3D finished version of that product. The marker is the printed imagery on the front of the box. Today, kids and parents can get the same experience at home when they hold their mobile device in front of the Lego catalog and engage their imagination when they see what they can create. This feature has proven to be an effective sales tool...

Today, many companies employ more diverse workforces. Do you have the up-to-date Form I-9 to prove that every employee in your firm is identified and verified to work in the U.S.? If not, your company could face serious fines. HR professionals and business owners may know that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has recently stepped up employer audits, and two printing firms have already been targeted this year. Luckily, the firms received advance notice from ICE about the audit and contacted Printing Industries’ Human Relations Department for help.    Every day many companies are receiving an audit notification, or Notice of Inspection (NOI), from the ICE. When you receive this notice, you have only three days to produce the Forms I-9. If you are unsure if your firm is prepared for ICE, read on! Avoiding Problems with ICE Unlike the kind brought on by freezing temperature, this type of ICE can be avoided easily by following a few easy steps to prepare. If you are an HR professional or business owner, taking the right precautions can make a big difference in whether you pass or fail a Form I-9 audit. Review the Fact Sheet: Form I-9 Inspection Overview to learn more about the audit process. If audited, you may be asked to provide supporting documentation, which may include a copy of the payroll, list of current employees, Articles of Incorporation, and business licenses. Have new hires? This video will help you ease the process and explain to your new employee why the Form I-9 is necessary and how to complete it. This Employee Information Sheet is also a useful tool to highlight the I-9 process for new hires (there’s a Spanish version available as well). You, as the employer, are responsible for completing sections two and three of the Form I-9. Find a video explaining the details of Section Two here and Section Three here. Penalties You could Face These HR resources can help streamline the process for ensuring that you are in compliance with Form I-9. However, in the case that you do not meet all of the inspection criteria, these are the penalties you should be aware of: If corrections for a technical or procedural violation are not rectified within 10 business days, you could receive a fine for all uncorrected violations. When an unauthorized worker is knowingly hired or continually employed, ICE will require their employer to cease all unlawful activity, institute a fine, and may criminally prosecute the company. The firm may also be debarred and ineligible for some government benefits. The fees for knowingly hiring or employing unauthorized workers ranges anywhere from $375 up to $16,000. If your company fails to produce a...

Today, many companies employ more diverse workforces. Do you have the up-to-date Form I-9 to prove that every employee in your firm is identified and verified to work in the U.S.? If not, your company could face serious fines. HR professionals and business owners may know that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has recently stepped up employer audits, and two printing firms have already been targeted this year. Luckily, the firms received advance notice from ICE about the audit and contacted Printing Industries’ Human Relations Department for help.    Every day many companies are receiving an audit notification, or Notice of Inspection (NOI), from the ICE. When you receive this notice, you have only three days to produce the Forms I-9. If you are unsure if your firm is prepared for ICE, read on! Avoiding Problems with ICE Unlike the kind brought on by freezing temperature, this type of ICE can be avoided easily by following a few easy steps to prepare. If you are an HR professional or business owner, taking the right precautions can make a big difference in whether you pass or fail a Form I-9 audit. Review the Fact Sheet: Form I-9 Inspection Overview to learn more about the audit process. If audited, you may be asked to provide supporting documentation, which may include a copy of the payroll, list of current employees, Articles of Incorporation, and business licenses. Have new hires? This video will help you ease the process and explain to your new employee why the Form I-9 is necessary and how to complete it. This Employee Information Sheet is also a useful tool to highlight the I-9 process for new hires (there’s a Spanish version available as well). You, as the employer, are responsible for completing sections two and three of the Form I-9. Find a video explaining the details of Section Two here and Section Three here. Penalties You could Face These HR resources can help streamline the process for ensuring that you are in compliance with Form I-9. However, in the case that you do not meet all of the inspection criteria, these are the penalties you should be aware of: If corrections for a technical or procedural violation are not rectified within 10 business days, you could receive a fine for all uncorrected violations. When an unauthorized worker is knowingly hired or continually employed, ICE will require their employer to cease all unlawful activity, institute a fine, and may criminally prosecute the company. The firm may also be debarred and ineligible for some government benefits. The fees for knowingly hiring or employing unauthorized workers ranges anywhere from $375 up to $16,000. If your company fails to produce a...

We hear plenty of grim predictions about the future of print. But if you look at what the industry’s fresh talent is producing these days, the future is looking brighter and brighter. Recent studies say that students prefer print, but did you know many print and graphic arts students are producing outstanding, high-quality printed materials as well? Today’s students tell us a lot about where our industry is heading. That’s why it’s invigorating to see the amazingly creative craftsmanship they’re producing. Their contributions deserve to showcased! Take a look at some of these outstanding student-produced Premier Print Award winners. Examples of Student Entries in the Z-1 Category Examples of Past Entries in the Z-2 Category Distinguish YOUR Work The creators of these award-winning pieces entered the Premier Print Awards competition. This prestigious print event offers more than 100 print categories, and we also have special categories reserved just for student entries. Why are students entering the 2014 Premier Print Awards? Students can enter the competition at discounted rates. Winners receive valuable, industry-wide recognition. The online entry system is easy to use. Here’s a blog and a video to tell you more about it! Categories are designed for High School Students (Z-1) and Post-Secondary Students (Z-2). Enter as an individual or as a student group. Learn more about the 2014 Premier Print Awards at www.printing.org/PPA. The early-bird deadline is 4.18.14. Final entries are due by 5.16.14. More Opportunities for Students Entering this competitive job market can be intimidating.  But there are many ways students can network and show their talents, such as: Attending industry trade shows Working in student-run print shops available at some schools Creating an online portfolio or blog Entering print competitions Volunteer to create pieces for a nonprofit or other business Do you have a great idea for students looking to gain recognition for their work? Let us know...