Here is what the design community had to say regarding a special project that we brought out of the digital world and onto paper. This was a real treat to work on since we felt as though we were continuing the design process. We had to get really creative with what we knew about printing, be quick on our feet and really push the envelope of traditional printing

The biggest challenge was printing white ink on uncoated black paper. Its was a beast to get it just right. Sure we could have done it on white stock but where’s the challenge in that?

Click here to check out the full article at UnderConsideration.com

Although the knowledge of Monty Python may carbon-date me into some-less-than-preferable genealogical era, there’s no escaping the fact the show has held it’s own over the years.

I mean, seriously… who hasn’t heard the classic lines and sketches from that series?  If you haven’t, then you’ve either been catatonic in a closet, or perhaps like, nailed to a perch.

A Few Examples of Monty Python at it’s best:

1.  “It’s just a flesh wound!”

2.  “I’m a lumberjack and I’m OK, I sleep all night and I work all day.”

3.  “This is a late parrot.   It’s a stiff.  Bereft of life, it rests in peace.   If you hadn’t nailed it to the perch, it would be pushing up the daisies.   It’s rung down the curtain and joined the choir invisible. THIS IS AN EX-PARROT.”

Classic!  Especially if you’re a fan of twisted or black humor.

The problem is, there are few things remaining constantly funny as a fake-dead parrot nailed to a bird-cage perch.  And this certainly applies to the printing industry, let me just say.  As a matter of fact, being nailed to anything right now might be preferable to having the wool pulled out from beneath you at every conceivable corner.

Printing is a tough biz… as it is with any other business trying to scrape and claw their way into the blessed sunlight of profitability.  At Cereus Graphics, we have certainly taken our lumps just as the Knights of Ni had.  We have lost a leg, maybe an arm or two along the way… but we have also concluded throughout the campaign they amounted to just a “flesh wound”.  We’ve made the hard decisions, we’ve persevered when many have not… and we’ve turned the corner to answer the question to, “What’s the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?”

The answer?  Well, from a few experts I researched,  it’s around 11 meters per second… but that’s not the real issue.  The real issue concerns Cereus Graphic’s ability to react to the economic stresses placed upon it in the best possible manner, while simultaneously retaining the most talented individuals in our pool of employees.  It’s been a long and winding road, yet amazingly, we believe we have done exactly that.  We’re lean, we’re mean.. and we’re here to kick some spleen!

Sure, maybe we’ve shaved off a few appendages hither and yon, but at the same time, we have remained resolute in our purpose… and in the end, we find ourselves in a position to provide even more value and superior quality to our clients.

I’ve been in this company for four years now (longer on and off-and-on basis)… and I’ve been in a few different capacities during that time.  And I will tell you during my tenure here, the people who now work at Cereus Graphics are among the finest and most capable individuals I have run across in my many years as either an accountant, plant superintendent, Controller, or CEO.

I absolutely love the fact that I can walk into the production area and chit-chat my way around the facility without thinking someone would rather stick a stiletto into my back because I represent “management”.  I love the fact everyone is genuinely concerned for the work they produce, is also genuinely engaged in our client’s best interest and resolutely have a “can-do” attitude that is neither faked nor rehearsed.  And oh yeah, I’m not joking… I’ve been in a ton a production facilities, and this one by far is the most close-knit I have ever had the pleasure to be associated with.  It’s the “Dream Team” of the hangers-on.

Call me crazy, but it’s the truth.  It’s a rare thing in these times, it’s a rare place to be ensconced, and it’s even rarer that I look forward to making my way to work each day.  I owe it to the environment, I owe it to our business associates… but most of all, I owe it to everyone working tirelessly under the roof at 2950-2 E Broadway road.  My hat is off to the ladies and gentlemen who sacrifice their time and energy here… it is certainly my pleasure to be within your company.

As a customer, potential client… or even just a curious surfer, I will assure you there are few companies, even fewer workers, and potentially even less print/marketing/data processing companies around who will love you like we do!  And it’s all about love, right?

- Sherm

Controller

Cereus Graphics, Inc.

Sir Bedevere:  “What makes you think she’s a witch? ”

Peasant:  “Well, she turned me into a newt! ”

Sir Bedevere: “A newt? ”

Peasant: “[meekly after a long pause] … I got better. ”

Crowd: “[shouts] Burn her anyway! ”

- Monty Python and The Holy Grail

Stochastic printing is a random series of dot placement that allows smoother flesh tones, finer details and elimination of moires. Stochastic printing also eliminates line rulings and screen angles.

What does stochastic mean to you? I can explain the difference to you, how it can apply to your next project and why and when stochastic printing is the right choice for your offset printed project. You can contact me at mstone@cereusgraphics.com

Visit Lorton Data to read more

When used wisely, this can be another way for our customers to interact with us, as well as a good way for us to get our word out and increase our visibility on the web. I have set up categories for posts, you will see them on the right sidebar. Use uncategorized, or create a category for content that doesn’t fit into existing ones. Have fun!!!

-Dimitry