Seattle Publishing Journal
March 2009

Dear Seattle,

With daylight saving time upon us and it still snowing in March, spring seems to be sending us mixed messages. At Seattle Publishing we are using the tried and true method of predicting the future by reading tea leaves.

For this issue, we share some time-saving methods for desktop publishing and provide a look at one of the first innovators in mass communications.

We hope you enjoy this edition of our journal.

Cheers,
The SP Crew

TIPS & TRICKS

Object Styles

If you're working on a book, catalog or other long document with many objects (drop shadows, feather amount, borders, etc.), then you should consider using Object Styles in Adobe InDesign CS. Object Styles are similar to text style sheets in that they save the settings you apply to one object and place them in a palette for use on other images.

To use Object Styles, set up an image the way you want it to appear and then go to the Options menu on the Object Style Palette. Select Style, give it a name and click OK.

Now that your Style is set up, you can select several images or one at a time and simply click on the style in the list of the Object Style palette or assign a custom keyboard shortcut to apply the style. By using this InDesign function, changes can be simplified, thereby reducing time consuming changes to individual objects throughout a large publication.

FEATURED PROJECT

BicyclePaper Guides

What features over 1,400 events and covers all things cycling in two diverse regions? The answer would be our own Northwest and Rocky Mountain cycling guides. These annual guides have become the premier resource during the cycling season.

We write and edit the articles, calendars, and profiles as well as sell display advertising. Then we pull all the content together for printing and distributing to 700 newsstands in seven states and one Canadian province.

To check out the online versions go to BicyclePaper.com.

Northwest Tour Guide
Northwest Racing Guide
Rocky Mountain Tour Guide
Rocky Mountain Racing Guide

THE ART OF PUBLISHING

Who was Gutenberg?

The inspiration for our database-driven publishing system came from Johannes Gensfleisch zur Laden zum Gutenberg (c. 1398 - February 3, 1468). He was a German innovator who is credited with being the first European to use movable printing and is the inventor of the mechanical printing press.

The use of movable type was a marked improvement on the handwritten manuscript, which was the existing method of book production in Europe, and along with woodblock printing it revolutionized European book-making. His major work, the Gutenberg Bible, has been acclaimed for its aesthetic and technical quality. Gutenberg's printing technology spread rapidly across Europe and is considered to be a contributing factor in the European Renaissance.

Among the specific contributions to printing that are attributed to Gutenberg are the invention of a process for mass-producing movable type, the use of oil-based ink, and the use of a wooden printing press similar to the screw olive and wine presses of the period. The innovation came from combining these elements into a practical system.

DID YOU KNOW...

Sustainability

The U.S. is the largest market for paper products in the world, producing 90 million tons of paper annually and, in-turn, consuming about 100 million tons. Despite improved technologies for refining post consumer pulp, virgin fiber is still a significant requirement, as only 35% of current consumption is met by using recycled fiber.

While recycled fiber is a key element for responsible paper consumption, it has become clear that sustainable forest management with regard to paper manufacturing is critical. By selecting papers and printers that have been certified by the Rainforest Alliance's SmartWood program for meeting the strict standards of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for your next print publication, you can be assured that the wood in the paper has been selected and harvested with care to the environment. Seattle Publishing works with FSC certified printers for all of our print publication projects.

For FSC's Smart Guide for paper, go to www.fscus.org/paper/resources.php.

Darren Dencklau

IN THE NEWS

Congratulations

SP’s assistant editor, Darren Dencklau, was awarded first place in the Colorado Press Association’s 2009 competition for Best Advertising Special Section. Award submissions included Best Photography, Best Editorial, and Best Design. Darren’s former employer, The Durango Herald, received 52 awards in multiple categories. The Colorado Press Association's competition was for medium-sized daily newspapers.

 

The Gutenberg Publishing System's® namesake, Johannes Gutenberg, defined modern publishing when he blended 1400’s ink, type and mechanical technology to invent the moveable type press. With the same drive towards efficiency, Seattle Publishing’s database-driven system helps organizations manage their information and streamline the production process for print- and web-based publications.

Seattle Publishing, Inc. is a 36-year old company that blends current technology with time-tested publishing techniques. The company is a recognized leader in database-driven publishing and is constantly working to be the standard by which all competitors are compared.

Press Contact

Amber Zapffel
Seattle Publishing
206-903-1333
amber@seattlepub.com