Vinyl Tapes Are Versatile, Tailored to Many Purposes

A vinyl tape can come in many forms - packaging tape, barrier tape, chart and map tapes, color-coding tapes, conspicuous reflective tapes, decorative tapes, electrical tapes, and so on.

We look at some of these purposes and tape characteristics in a little more detail below.

<b>Sealing and Packaging Tape:</b> These are used to package cartons and parcels, are usually self-adhesive, and come transparent or in different colors. Vinyl tapes are excellent for printing, and they can be printed with handling instructions or promotional messages.

<b>Barrier Tape:</b> Used to mark off restricted areas such as police investigation scenes, barricade tapes are wider, non-adhesive and come in highly visible colors and patterns.

<b>Chart & Map Tapes:</b> These adhesive vinyl tapes can be used on different surfaces to create charts, graphs, etc.

<b>Color Coding Tapes:</b> Colored plain vinyl tapes can be used for identificatory marking, on glassware and tools, on factory floors, and so on.

<b>Reflective Tapes:</b> Reflective tapes are used to make things conspicuous, such as vehicles parked in dark surroundings, for large trucks and trailers and other areas.

<b>Decorative Tapes:</b> These help add glitter to event venues. There are mirror tapes, glitter tapes, prismatic tapes, holographic tapes and such.

<b>Electrical Tapes:</b> Thicker than usual, these insulation tapes come in different colors, and protect you from electric shocks.

<b>Camouflage Tapes:</b> Where you want to merge into your surroundings, and avoid attracting unwanted attention from hunted animals or wildlife and such, easily-removed camouflage tapes in different patterns can come in handy. While camouflage tapes might not be vinyl tapes, some are coated with that material for special effects.

<b>Flagging Tapes:</b> Flagging tapes can be used for surveying, trail marking, search & rescue operations, forestry and environmental studies, for example.

<b>Gaffer Tape:</b> Made of vinyl impregnated cloth, the thick gaffer tape has high adhesion properties and is used to secure wires, cables and props at conventions, film shoots, etc.

<b>Marking Tapes:</b> Colored and striped marking tapes are used to mark out plant and warehouse floors, and for other applications. These tapes are highly resistant to heat and other degrading agents.

<b>Hazard Tapes:</b> Another kind of tape that has applications in plants and warehouses, these tapes are used to warn of physical hazards and to mark out areas by functions.

<b>Conclusion</b>

Vinyl is used for and in many kinds of tapes for a large number of applications. These tapes come in different colors, widths, patterns, thickness and other properties to meet the differing requirements of the applications. Vinyl tape is easy to print upon and is ideal as packaging tape, barrier tape and other applications where information needs to be printed on the tape itself. The printing facility can also be used for promotional purposes.

Then there are tapes that are highly reflective in the dark, or add glitter to events, serve as camouflage or insulate electrical contacts.

Vinyl tapes are thus a highly versatile item with many uses.

Vinyl Banner Design Tips

Vinyl banner design is about as easy as it gets for the non-professional graphic designer. Generally speaking, a vinyl banner is easy to design, and anybody with a little bit of graphic design experience can do it.

Even if you have no experience, your supplier can point you in the right direction, or even design your banner for a small charge.

Here are some things to watch for when designing a vinyl banner...

1. Use a software that handles CMYK full color output. There are at least three kinds of software you can use:

- Image editors like Photoshop, PhotoPaint, or PhotoImpact

- Page Layout programs like Quarkxpress, Pagemaker, or InDesign

- Illustration programs like Illustrator or CorelDraw

Generally speaking, programs that are designed for consumers or general office applications are not recommended: e.g., Word, Wordperfect, Publisher, Excel, etc. If you have a specific inquiry, don't hesitate to ask your vinyl banner supplier. A good source of information is the contact person at your supplier (see below).

2. The best designs contain two or three basic elements. Usually, these will be a photograph, a large headline, and an "identifier" such as your company name, logo, or phone number.

3. Use bright colors. The most striking vinyl banners have lots of bright colors.

4. Design your vinyl banner so it is readable for your target audience. If it is going to be placed on a building or beside a road on a fence, or on an outfield fence at a baseball or soccer field, make sure your most important message is easy to read.

5. Make sure your images have sufficient resolution. For some advice on image resolution, see the FAQ link below.

6. Make sure your vinyl banner fits the area where you're going to mount it. Don't guess the size. Most people who are not familiar with signage will UNDERESTIMATE the required size.

7. Consider alternative methods of mounting your vinyl banner. Grommets are the default method of mounting a banner on a wall or fence. But often "pole pockets" are simpler and more efficient.

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Vinyl Banner as a Powerful Marketing Tool

With the numerous advantages contributed in the market banners had been regarded as a powerful marketing tool. And as of peoples choice and as well as the demands in the market these vinyl banners had been a valuable tool for product campaign and for event announcement.

What makes vinyl banner different from other campaign materials?
Well taking this into consideration vinyl banners are designed and printed only through the highest quality materials and groundbreaking printing equipments. They can be designed based on customers specification or even let the remarkable company do the job for them.

Banner Printing Processes
The production of printed vinyl banners can be done using different printing processes.

One of the key processes to make a good banner is through custom banner printing. Custom vinyl banner printing works out to develop unique design prints for your banners. This printing process is beneficial particularly to businesses who wants create a unique presentation and as well as for those who wants to stand out among their competitors.

Digital printing in this process vinyl banners are printed making use of the 4 color digitally printed photographic indoor and outdoor banners. With this method you can choose to produce different banners of any size, color and any designs. This application can merely set yourself apart from your competitors.

Additionally as part of the printing process this vinyl banners can also be developed for outdoor and indoor use. With the application of large format printing you can bring into life your poster banner prints. Sequentially you can have them printed with variety of quality materials such as papers, backlit media, out door vinyl and many more. With the digital printing equipment applied to it for sure your material will shine out.

With the different printing processes mentioned for sure you will be able to come up with the desired design and print for your material.

However before deciding to where to render your printing projects you have to rightfully choose for the company who has the capability to perform your printing jobs. Though there are lots of commercial printers offering vinyl banner printing services not all of them can provide the service that you are aiming for. Remember in any material presented in the market quality must always be foreseen before anything else.

Vintage Posters as Valuable Investments

Advertising posters have first become popular in the 1800s. The method of printing known as stone lithography was first developed for posters in this period. This printing method was an exciting form of art that brought out colors for people to see. Today, posters are available in all forms and sizes and are used for many different reasons.

At present, vintage posters are adorning the walls where fine arts used to hang. These posters, who have its roots in the later part of the 19th century, have been one of the most effective forms of vintage graphic design. They have been used in a wide range of fields from fashion and entertainment to advertising. Some people buy posters with a specific color scheme or subject matter but others look for the works of a particular artist. The price of a particular vintage poster will most likely depend on its condition, artist, and the image itself. Nonetheless, the size of the poster does not always determine the value of the poster; hence, the better the condition of the poster the higher its price.

People usually buy vintage posters for a number of reasons. Some buy them to use as decorations in their living rooms and others, especially business owners, buy them to display in their lobby or in conference rooms and showrooms. This way they can create an atmosphere pleasing to their customers and employees. Restaurants and hotels also use them to improve the atmosphere in their businesses.

There are several online stores today that sell original vintage posters. By original it is meant that if a poster reads 1920 it must have been printed in 1920. For a buyer, it is difficult though to determine whether the posters are really authentic original posters. The only thing you can do to be certain that you are indeed getting original prints is to buy from reputable and knowledgeable dealers.

As the first modern advertising medium, posters that have survived the years have proven to be striking decorations or advertising tool that is aimed at delivering a punch to passers-by. Be wary though for forgeries. Remember that as opposed to lithographic prints, forgeries can be revealed through careful inspection.  

Thus, is you seek authentic original vintage posters always deal with vendors that you are familiar with. Keep in mind that vintage posters could be a wise investment and good collector’s items, so make the right choices and deal with the right people.

Video Sharing Sites

Are you interested in uploading any videos that you may have made to the YouTube website? YouTube is a website that is often referred to as a video sharing website. It allows internet users, like you, to upload and share any videos that they have made. With a large number of members and site visitors, having your video or videos displayed on YouTube is likely to get your videos thousands of views! If this is your first time uploading a video to the YouTube website, you may be wondering exactly how you can go about doing so. The good news is that uploading videos to YouTube is a relatively easy process. YouTube not only gives you step-by-step instructions on how to upload your videos, but they also provide you with video uploading tips; tips that will not only make it possible for your videos to be uploaded, but tips that will also help to improve their quality. If you have used YouTube before, even just to watch videos, you likely already know that you need to have a YouTube account before you can start uploading and sharing your videos. Registering for you a YouTube account is not only free, but it is also easy. You only need to answer a few personal questions. For instance, you are asked your name, your zip code, the country you live in, your email address, your birth date, and your gender. Once you submit the registration form, you will be sent a verification email. Once you have followed the instructions in that email, you should be able to start uploading videos to YouTube right away. Before uploading your video to the YouTube website, you will need to get it on your computer. Once you have done so, you will want to review it. This can be done with a movie editing software program. Should you wish to edit your video before submitting it to YouTube, now is the time to do so. When editing your YouTube video or saving it, YouTube encourages to you save it as a .Divx or .Xvid file. They also suggest making sure that your audio is in the .mp3 format. Once you have officially saved your video on your computer, you can begin to upload it to the YouTube website. The first step is to make sure that you are signed into your YouTube account. Once you are, you will need to click on the Upload Videos, link, which can be found at the top of the YouTube website. You will then be brought to a page where you will be asked to describe your video. YouTube requests that you are descriptive as possible. Once you have entered in as much information about your video as you can, you will then need to click on the Go Upload a File, link. This will allow you to select a file from your computer; the file that contains your recently saved video. Once you have selected the right video, your video will automatically start uploading, after have confirmed your actions. Speaking of the uploading process, you will find that the amount of time it takes for your video to upload to the YouTube website will vary. The larger your video file size is, the longer it will take for your video to upload to the YouTube website. In all honesty, YouTube states that it could only take a few minutes, but that it could also take as long as an hour. In addition to the size of your video file, the type of internet connection you have will also have an impact on your upload times. For instance, if you have a dialup internet connection, it will take longer for your videos to upload than it would if you had DSL or cable internet. YouTube states that within twenty-four hours of your video being uploaded, your video should appear listed under the correct category, as well as appear in YouTube video searches. This is when your videos will start seeing the most views, as many internet users search for videos that meet their interests.

Video And Meeting Presentation Tips For Newbies

I'm an A-V Geek, and for thirty years, I've sweated the big and small stuff as a producer of meetings, conferences, and sales rallies. During that time I have developed a checklist of five special "secrets” I use to ensure that the meeting media will go right. Go right?

You see, the customer has paid big bucks for the video or multimedia piece that will help the crowd shake off the cobwebs (or hangovers) and get focused on the goals, spirit and business of the meeting. I want my client to love the video, and the only way the client will love it is if the audience loves it.

Well, you can bring in Christopher Walken floating on air, and if the room isn't right, the audience will be distracted and that major piece of genius the client contracted will be snoozed through, ignored, or poo-poo'd for reasons that have nothing to do with the quality of the media.

It's all in the room. It's a group experience, and just like in a movie theater, many things come together to make the experience right.

Tip One: Let the video be seen.

You have to create a theatrical experience. Using a TV Monitor, or even a large computer monitor for audiences over 5 or 10 people is folly.

Video projectors are cheap to rent or buy, and they help create the movie theater experience audiences expect. Remember, some people in the audience may have better home theaters than the environment you create.

The hotel's a-v tech can help, or your staff a-v squad member can lend a hand. Screens beginning at 4x6 feet work for crowds if up to 25 people; after that, you'll be looking at 6x8, or for much larger crowds, 12x16' or larger (much larger than that and you're not reading this article, anyway.)

Tip Two: The sound should be as "BIG" as the video.

This is true even if your meeting is just a sales call between you and a prospect in a closet-sized office. Sound is your secret weapon. Words should be understood, music should be felt, and emotions should be driven-- just like in the movies. Bring along those portable speakers, or in a larger meeting, rent a really good stereo sound system to make sure your audience is enveloped in the words and music you or your producer created.

Tip Three: Control the lights.

Imagine a movie theater where they leave the lights on. Pretty weird, right? Now think about your meeting. To maximize the impact of your media, you need the picture to be seen, and your audience to feel comfortable reacting to what's on the screen. There's no room for a person to feel self-conscious about laughing, applauding, or even crying. Only in the anonymity of the darkened room will they truly react to your message and internalize its meaning. Shutter the windows. Turn off florescent lights (they're a real meeting killer). Slowly fade the room lights as the video begins.

Tip Four: Rehearse.

Run through the technical aspects of what we've discussed. Know when the video is supposed to roll, when the PowerPoint is supposed to be played, and practice switching, dimming the lights, adjusting the sound (both in volume and EQ), and switching between the inputs if necessary. You don't want to be stumbling instead of speaking, and if you're behind the scenes, you don’t want the speaker calling you out for being asleep at the switch (you'd be nasty too if you were left hanging there with nothing to say or do while the a-v guy is farting around with the media in the back of the room.)

Tip Five: Use the Letterman effect.

In short, chill the room. David Letterman runs his studio at 60 degrees. It keeps him and his audience sharp. I’m not saying keep it that cold, but if you have more than 50 people, you have an audience that is a walking furnace. Body Heat is real, and many bodies mean a warm room. While the room may seem comfortable to you at 7:00 am, at 8:00 am attendees may be sweltering, because you didn’t anticipate how the room would warm. A warm room means sleepy viewers. Sleepy viewers don’t applaud, will not retain your message, won't get excited or enthused, or may not even keep their eyes open. When you walk in the room, feel the room. Is it slightly chilly to you? Good. Is it quite comfortable? Bad. And don't wait until it gets too hot. When you need to lower the temperature, the hotel contact will be no where to be found, and even when they do grace you with their presence, it will take a good hour to "chill" the room. The walls retain heat. So do people.

I know these tips will work, since I discovered them by real life experience. I’ve seen great media play poorly because the shades were open and the room was warm. I've been yelled at by the presenter. I've fumbled around in the back while Mr. Rome burned.

But once I adopted these five basics, things began going my way. The videos were the same, but suddenly, people were applauding.

That's what I call cheap insurance.

Vertical Markets

Vertical markets are a great way to develop your business.  The question is though, "Should you pursue vertical markets from the start or let them evolve naturally?"

The answer is highly dependent on your business plan and how you have positioned yourself in the market.  However, with computer consulting, vertical markets tend to come about naturally. Start with getting a good base of customers.  That's how you will resonate as a real expert.

Aggressively pursuing vertical markets doesn't make sense when you are trying to build customers and a reputation. When you have a good reputation then you can think about how vertical markets might expand your business.

Focus on finding the sweet-spot clients that have a need for your services on a consistent basis and are willing to pay premium rates for them. From that point, vertical markets may open up for you.  You might end up with 10 clients who are attorneys. Suddenly you have a vertical market in the legal profession.  You then concentrate on serving the needs in the vertical market whatever they may be.

Natural Vertical Markets

There are times when vertical markets will make sense from the start.  If you have experience in a particular industry like the medical or banking fields, you'll probably concentrate there.  The best place to start your business is always with what you know, so you will create a vertical market within an industry due to your expertise.

The Bottom Line on Vertical Markets

Vertical markets are a great way to grow your business.  Your primary concern as you start your business however, is on gaining a steady client base.  Whether these clients come from a vertical market from the start or your business evolves into a vertical market over time - the bottom line is the same.  Build your clients and your reputation first and worry about a vertical market second.

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