2009 DESIGNER FRIENDLY COMPANIES

Elegant Packaging
For nearly a century, Elegant Packaging has provided solutions for packaging professionals. It is known as a premier designer and manufacturer of customized rigid specialty boxes, presentation binders, soft sewn packaging and compression thermal forming. These products are sold to various industries, including advertising, computer, confections, cosmetics, education, electronics, entertainment, medical, publishing, software and toys/games. With roots extending back to Chicago in 1910, Elegant Packaging today operates in a modern 100,000-square-foot facility just west of downtown Chicago. The company is parent to Aspen Packaging & Media, a promotional packaging leader that designs and manufactures solutions for CD ROM/ DVD, promotions, VHS and P-O-P materials.
T 800.367.5493
W www.elegantpackaging.com, www.aspenpackaging.com

Enfocus
Enfocus’ tools and technology have made it easy for graphics professionals to deliver high quality Certified PDF files to their print provider, without having to worry about all the technical details. To be sure, PitStop Professional has for years been relied upon as the most comprehensive and powerful tool available for editing and preflighting PDF documents. The PitStop Professional 08 version is widely considered the defacto standard for graphic artists and publishers; no other preflight software comes close to its comprehensive range of tools, which offer unprecedented control over PDFs right up to the minute they go to press. Enfocus is an EskoArtwork company.
T 800.676.1775
W www.enfocus.com

Epson America
Epson offers an extensive array of award-winning image capture and image output products for graphic artists, consumers and businesses. Founded in 1975, Epson America is the U.S. affiliate of the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation. Epson manufactures, among other products, scanners, desktop printers, graphic printers, photo printers and projectors. Additionally, the company is a major supplier of ink and media. Surpassingly popular among graphic designers are the company’s wide format ink jet printers and proofers, such as the next generation 24-inch Epson Stylus Pro 7900 and the 44-inch Epson Stylus Pro 9900. This Epson Stylus Pro series incorporates Epson’s latest achievements in photographic ink jet technology, including Epson’s MicroPiezo TFP print head with new Epson UltraChrome HDR Ink technology. “We continue to innovate, refine and expand the limits of professional ink jet printing with every new introduction of an Epson Stylus Pro printer,” said Mark Radogna, group product manager, Professional Imaging, Epson.
T 562.981.3840
W www.epson.com

Erickson Productions
Jim Erickson is an industry leading, award-winning photographer. For over 20 years, he has created powerful and timeless imagery for blue chip clients such as AT&T, Bank of America, CISCO, Kodak, LL Bean, United Airlines, to name a few. His images are characterized by deeply real human moments with rich emotional content. In addition to his thriving assignment photography work, he has launched a rights managed stock collection with thousands of people, lifestyle, business and landscape images. They are all in a consistent style and work well together.
W www.ericksonstock.com, www.jimerickson.com

EskoArtwork
EskoArtwork is a global supplier and integrator of innovative solutions for packaging, commercial printing and professional publishing. Its products and services help customers raise productivity, reduce time-to-market, lower costs and expand business. EskoArtwork is the world-wide market leader with pre-production and collaboration software for packaging buyers, designers and manufacturers. Its portfolio of software products integrates graphic, structural and process management functions for packaging, label, sign and display applications. Headquarters are in Gent, Belgium, with R&D and manufacturing facilities in the US and 6 European countries.
W www.esko.com

Extensis
Extensis is a software developer whose products enable creative workgroups and professionals to streamline their workflow and securely manage their creative assets and fonts. Extensis’ award winning client/ server and desktop products include Universal Type Server, Suitcase Server X1 and Font Reserve Server for server-based font management, Suitcase for single-user font management and the Portfolio suite for creative assets management. Extensis was founded in 1993 and is based in Portland, Oregon, and the U.K. A recent release is Suitcase Fusion 2, a next generation solution for single-user font management. Suitcase Fusion 2 is said to “create an entirely new font management environment through a completely redesigned user interface and code base.” It is available immediately for download from the Extensis website.
T 800.796.9798
W www.extensis.com

4over
An industry leader in print order fulfillment for print brokers, graphic designers, photo-graphers and other trade professionals, 4over has a state-of-the-art print production facility and superior computer-controlled color quality, and has established itself with a tradition of quality and consistency. Full run, short run and print production capabilities are extremely strong. Since its inception in 2001, 4over has experienced triple digit growth annually. In only a few short years, it has grown into a 290 employee operation and, with more than 35,000 trade print customers, a market leader nationwide. Says CEO Zarik Megerdichian: “We realize our customers have very tight deadlines. That is why we are here to ensure their print jobs are delivered on time to meet their objectives.”
T 877.782.2737
W www.4over.com

FiberMark
FiberMark promotes excellence in design by providing distinctive covering materials that help designers to capture a brand’s unique personality, differentiate it from competitors, and create impact. Applications include graphic design, office products, publishing, luxury packaging, and technical/industrial. For designers, FiberMark sponsors a “Naturally Creative” competition, which is elucidated on the website. FiberMark’s FSC Chain- of-Custody certification verifies the flow of environmentally responsible forest products through the supply chain and into its final products. The environmental commitment doesn’t stop there. Products are all elemental and process chlorine free, and many are made from renewable resources, such as the new Reprise cover stock made from 100% recycled fiber and 30% postconsumer waste. Also of note: the recycling of office waste, energy efficient lighting, reengineered manufacturing processes and cutting-edge conservation strategies.
T 888.695.2424
W www.fibermark.com

Finch Paper
Founded in 1865, Finch Paper operates a single pulp and paper manufacturing facility perched on the edge of the famed Adirondack region in upstate New York. Finch concentrates on the basic stuff that serious designers, print buyers and printers want the most: high-quality white and off-white papers that are made responsibly and meet the highest standards of print performance for offset and digital presses. This integrated approach allows the mill to lower its impact on the environment, reduce costs, and deliver value. Finch Premium Blend, Finch Fine text and cover, Finch Casa Opaque, Finch Opaque and the Finch Digital portfolio are popular choices for corporate marketing materials, direct mail, book publishing, and business office use. All Finch Premium Blend, Finch Fine and Finch Casa Opaque products are FSC chain-of-custody certified, and all of the fiber utilized across its product line is certified by SFI. As part of a landmark environmental partnership, Finch foresters manage more than 160,000 acres of forestland owned by The Nature Conservancy.
T 800.833.9983
W www.finchpaper.com

Finlay Printing
Finlay Printing is among the country’s leading printers. Its expertise has led to long term relations with some of the most respected companies, brands and organizations in the nation. The basis for its success: the highest standards of quality, real-time responsiveness, intense attention to detail, and dedicated, knowledgeable service. Finlay has made a big splash this year among creatives with Brilliance™ Foil By Finlay, an inline foil technique, the first offered by a U.S. commercial printer that integrates real foil into printed materials on a 40” offset press! Free samples are available for graphic design professionals.
T 860.242.2800
W www.finlay.com, www.addbrilliance.com

Flight Design Communications
Founded in 1996 by RIT-educated principals John Mazur III and James Bombolevicz, Flight is known for its innovation and creative excellence. The firm provides holistic creative solutions for a range of branding, design, prepress, production and printing needs. Services include visual merchandising, point-of-purchase, retail environments, print design, brand identity, packaging and all aspects of production to fulfillment. Clients include some of the biggest names in marketing and merchandising, such as Reebok, Diageo, Hilton, Sony BMG, Adidas, Meijer, London Fog, The Robert Allen Group, Bayer, People Magazine, the Grammy Awards, the NBA and many more. The company has won several awards in recent years.
T 212.226.1777
W www.flightnyc.com

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
The Forest Stewardship Council was created to change the dialog about, and the practice of, sustainable forestry worldwide. FSC supports environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world's forests. This is manifest by promoting responsible forest management by evaluating and accrediting certifiers, by encouraging the development of national and regional forest management standards, and by providing public education and information about independent, third-party certification as a tool for ensuring that the world’s forests are protected for future generations. Forest certification enables consumers to make informed choices when selecting wood, paper and other forest products. FSC-US, the national chapter, is responsible for establishing independent forest certification standards and promoting FSC certification in the U.S. There are currently nearly 25 million acres of FSC-certified forestland in this country and more than 268 million acres globally.
T 202.342.0413
W www.fscus.org

Full Sail University
Over nearly three decades, Full Sail University has built a reputation as a premier media arts school. Graduates have made their names working on films and albums, video games and design projects, live productions, working inside major media companies, and more. Full Sail’s campus and online MA, BA and AA Degrees include Computer Animation, Digital Arts & Design, Education Media Design & Tech-nology, Entertainment Business Bachelor’s, Entertainment Business Master’s, Film, Internet Marketing Bachelor’s, Internet Marketing Master’s, Game Art, Game Design, Game Development, Graphic Design, Media Design, Music Business, Recording Arts, Show Production & Touring, and Web Design & Development. With more than 5,000 students, Full Sail was named the 2008 “School/College of the Year” by the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges.
T 800.226.7625
W www.fullsail.com

George Little Management
Founded in 1924, George Little Management is the largest producer and marketer of consumer product tradeshows in North America, serving industries as diverse as giftware, social stationery, home textiles, tabletop, gourmet housewares, contemporary furniture and wellness. GLM also has an extensive roster of managed business expositions and conferences that serve the hospitality and meeting planning industries. Coming up for graphic designers are the Surtex show, which offers art and design for sale or license to numerous major industries; the National Stationery Show for the social stationery industry; and the Supply Side Show, which brings together manufacturers, suppliers and decisionmakers from the social stationery, giftware and graphic arts industries. All three will take place simultaneously at the Javits Center in New York City May 17-20.
T 800.272.SHOW
W www.glmshows.com

Getty Images
Getty Images is the world’s leading creator and distributor of still imagery, footage and multimedia products, as well as a recognized provider of other forms of premium digital content, including music. From contemporary creative imagery to news, sports, entertainment and archival imagery, Getty products are found each day in the full range of media worldwide. The company was founded in 1995 with the goal of turning a disjointed and fragmented stock photography market into a modernized industry able to meet the changing needs of visual communicators. Among other things, it was the first company to license imagery via the web, moving the entire industry online. Today, the portal serves up an average of 3.2 billion thumbnails to 7.3 million visits, 4 million unique users and 175 million page views each month. In July 2008, Getty Images was acquired by an affiliate of the private equity firm Hellman & Friedman. Next on the agenda: the acquisition of Jupiterimages, which has been cleared by two federal regulatory agencies and is expected to close imminently.
T 800.IMAGERY
W www.gettyimages.com/creative

Glasshouse Images
Glasshouse Images is a boutique stock photo and representation agency that caters to creatives who are on the lookout for exceptional and distinctive imagery. Say officials, Glasshouse does not intend to be another “mega-merger agency,” but rather is “dedicated to difference,” being “big enough to show only the best, most artful and creative work” and being “small enough to give the care and attention that forms profound and lasting relationships with both photographers and clients.” The company has made its name providing clients with high quality rights managed images — and, more recently, selective and distinctive royalty free brands — at a fair price, scans that are second to none in the industry and fair treatment of photographers.
T 212.462.4538
W www.glasshouseimages.com

Gmund
Founded in 1829 in Bavaria, Gmund is a small, personalized mill that makes and markets unique paper grades such as Bier Papier, Savannah, Reaction, Treasury and Kaschmir. A family owned paper mill, the Kohlers have overseen the creation of some of the world's finest paper design. The craftsmanship is quite unique, and a lively new website, introduced in 2008, presents the entire product line to the U.S. audience in an appealing manner.
W www.gmund.com

Grant Heilman Photography
Grant Heilman Photography is a venerable source of agricultural photography. Grant Heilman began marketing his imagery in 1948. It is now an epic collection of agricultural, horticultural, wildlife and pet images, complemented by a stunning vintage collection of black-and-white photos from the 1920s to the 1960s showcasing farm life during the Great Depression and beyond. The offerings are rounded out by a fast growing collection of renewable energy imagery. Appropriately, Grant Heilman Photography is situated in bucolic Lancaster County PA.
T 800.622.2046
W www.heilmanphoto.com

Graphic Arts Show Company
Setting the pace for printing and related tradeshows, GASC is owned by the National Association for Printing Leadership; NPES The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies; and the Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation. The internationally-known PRINT and GRAPH EXPO events are recognized as the largest and most comprehensive graphic arts trade shows and conferences in the Americas. With a growing focus on graphic designers and other print buyers, today’s GASC events feature products, services, and educational offerings of high interest to creative professionals. Coming September 11-16, 2009: All eyes will be on the PRINT 09 event, where tens of thousands of graphic artists will converge on Chicago. The website provides a head start on planning with a customization feature called myPRINT.
T 703.264.7200
W www.gasc.org

Grid Typographic Services
In its 23rd year, Grid Typographic Services has taken its place as a quality financial typography services firm in an age of commodity typography. The company is active all year in providing typography for financial communications, with a primary focus on corporate annuals and mutual fund reports. Clients are located across the country. Grid maintains a steady workforce of experienced professional typographers, and uses the latest technology, software and production techniques to provide quick and accurate responses to designer and corporate clients. In addition to typography, Grid provides a full complement of financial typographic services, including Illustrator graphics and plotting, color proofing, black-and-white proofing, 10K settings and EDGAR filings.
T 212.627.0303
W www.gridtypography.com