LaserSign System

                             LaserSign System

                                and more

                             by Tony Curro

    Last month I looked at products from PaperDirect. I also touched

    briefly on templates. Since then, I have worked with several more

    template packages, other items, and worked with a new product line.

    PaperDirect, to paraphrase a Martin Paint commercial "Ain't just

    paper!" They have a product called 'Files on the Move,' that is like

    a briefcase but designed to carry hanging file folders. In addition

    they have portfolios, presentation binders, 3-ring binders

    with/without storage sleeve, overhead transparency projector,

    acrylic stands for 8 1/2 x 11 paper, and much more.

    This month I worked with their Desktop ColorFoil product. This adds

    color to ANY paper (32lb or less suggested) that is printed through

    your laser printer. ColorFoil comes in rolls, sheets, and a special

    Holiday assortment. Choose from any of 16 colors, solids to glitter.

    This product is easy for anyone to use. You do not need

    instructions. There are basically 3 steps. First, you take a sheet

    that is already printed. Second, you apply the ColorFoil to the area

    you wish colorized. Third, you run the page through you printer and

    remove the foil. You get beautiful color that stands out and gets

    noticed, all at a reasonable price.

    With all the paper products in the catalog, it would be almost

    impossible to format you text to fit into these pages. It can be

    done, but it is a painstaking task, that can take hours and much

    wasted paper. PaperDirect has an easy solution for this,

    PaperTemplates Software. Each product comes with over 160 templates

    to cover almost every paper product in their catalog. The software

    is available for Macintosh, DOS and Windows. With the holiday season

    fast approaching, they also have a Holiday PaperTemplates package

    (which also contains fonts and clipart). This has over 60 templates

    for their whole holiday line, and is available on the same three

    platforms. You can print custom laser greeting cards, holiday

    desktop design paper, laser miniCards and Postcards, holiday labels,

    holiday brochures, and many more products. All easily done, using

    the above Holiday PaperTemplates package.

    When you use CorelDraw!, PageMaker, QuarkXpress or Microsoft

    Publisher templates, you get true graphic representation on screen

    of the selected product. When using with a word processor, like Word

    or WordPerfect, you have the document formatted to specifications,

    but you do not see the visual image of the page. I prefer to do my

    letters in Word, and business cards, brochures, etc., using MS

    Publisher. Whichever way you choose to work these products will work

    fine.

    An associate of mine uses CorelDraw!, and purchased the template

    package for it. I found that, when entering information especially

    in brochures where you have to enter text vertically, Corel does not

    allow you the freedom to do it horizontally. However, as an MS

    Publisher user, I found that using these templates, that Publisher

    allows you to enter the text in a horizontal box, and then the

    program places it in the vertical position. This is true of both

    version 1.0 and 2.0 of MS Publisher. I was more pleased with this

    way of working.

    I worked with both the regular and holiday template packages in MS

    Publisher. Doing labels, business cards, brochures, certificates,

    etc., were a snap. When using Publisher, as stated, you see a visual

    page image on screen. When you are ready to print you must select

    'Ignore Background' from the menu. If you do not it will print the

    image also. I was experimenting with the Holly Labels for Christmas.

    I did not select the above option, and had a plain white sheet of

    paper in the printer. It printed the holly design along with the

    names and addresses. This is good if you want to check formatting,

    and true appearance, without using the actual labels or other

    product. What I also did was make a photostat of the page I want to

    use, and then use it in the printer to see the effect.

    The LaserSign System

    --------------------

    The LaserSign System by Paper Direct, is a complete sign creation

    package for your laser printer. Signs are available in a variety of

    sizes that are perfect for any job and location. All signs can be

    used in the specific holder of the same size, or you can purchase

    acrylic stands, easels, velcro or magnets, and even a 52" pedestal

    that stands on the floor. You can purchase the size holder that fits

    your needs, and then buy the corresponding paper insert. After you

    print the sign, just remove it at the perforation, and place it in

    the holder.

    LaserSign Templates Software is the perfect add-on for the same

    three platforms mentioned previously. The software includes 10 fonts

    and 20 ADA ClipArt images (No Smoking, Handicapped, Elevator,

    Telephone, and more). Of course it includes the templates for all

    the available sign sizes.

    The LaserSign System in being introduced with a specially priced

    starter kit. The retail value of the kit is $289.95, but for a

    limited time you can purchase it for $149.95. Below is the complete

    description of the kit.

    The LaserSign System Starter Kit includes:

    * A sampling of all LaserSign Frame sizes (from 2"x4," to

    8.5"x8.5"). You receive a total of 11 frames.

* Choose from one of three frame colors: Black, Putty or Gray.

    * 72 paper inserts for the various sizes. Choose one of the seven

    paper styles (Blue Carrara, Green Marble, Speckled, etc.).

* Velcro dots to mount you signs anywhere.

* Acrylic sign stand for counter or desktop display.

* Complete LaserSign Templates Software as described above.

    This is an excellent price for this package. You will be up and

    running within minutes. It is an easy, quick and simple way to

    create the perfect sign.

    Any orders placed before 3 P.M. are shipped the same day.

    PaperDirect has a minimum order of $30.00. Shipping is $6.00 for UPS

    ground. For $1.00 more they will ship any size order FedEx standard

    overnight. Call 1-800-A-PAPERS (1-800-272-7377) to place an order,

    or to receive their catalogs. You can call Mon-Sat.

                          Company Information

                           PaperDirect, Inc.

                              P.O. Box 677

                             205 Chubb Ave.

                        Lyndhurst, NJ 07071-0677

                             1-800-272-7377

                              201-507-1996

                   (Outside 48 contiguous US states)

                           201-507-0817 (FAX)