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Pantone Announces the Color for 2022

12/9/2021

Pantone introduces VERY PERI, a hue of Kirkwood's favorite color!

PANTONE has introduced Very Peri as the color of the year 2022. The dynamic periwinkle blue hue with a vivifying violet red undertone blends constancy with energy resulting in a happy and warm hue. This year’s color is a periwinkle blue with violet-red undertones — designed, the company says, with the glowing screens of our digital world in mind.

PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri, a warm and friendly blue hue with a carefree confidence and joyful attitude, emboldens uninhibited expression and experimentation. This enthusiastic blue hue displays a dynamic presence and a whimsicality that lends itself to unpredictable color harmonies and spontaneous color statements. Futuristic in feeling, PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri takes on distinct appearances through application to different materials, finishes, and textures, from shimmery metallics, lustrous sheens, and high-tech materials, to hand-crafted looks and natural fibers.

"As we move into a world of unprecedented change, the selection of pantone 17-3938 very peri brings a novel perspective and vision of the trusted and beloved blue color family,’ says Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director, Pantone Color Institute. Encompassing the qualities of the blues, yet at the same time possessing a violet-red undertone, Pantone 17-3938 Very Peri displays a spritely, joyous attitude and dynamic presence that encourages courageous creativity and imaginative expression."

This year's choice is a "dynamic periwinkle blue hue with a vivifying violet-red undertone that blends the faithfulness and constancy of blue with the energy and excitement of red." - Courtesy of Pantone

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USING ELECTRONIC FILE MANIPULATION, OUR UNCOATED PRESS SHEET MATCHES COATED PROOFING & PRINTING

12/18/2020

When printing on an uncoated paper the ink is absorbed into the paper and this characteristic does not have to mean that images printed on uncoated stock are less crisp and defined.

The sheet on the right is our EPSON proof
The left is our uncoated press sheet

Take a closer look at the paper shade of the Epson proof verses the white shade of the uncoated paper - there is a big difference.

Using an UNCOATED paper doesn't mean you sacrifice any quality
and Kirkwood can PROVE & PROOF it!*

A BIT OF INFORMATION ABOUT PAPERS:

COATED PAPER STOCK
Coating creates paper with fantastic ink holdout, which is ideal for color reproduction. Coated papers often called art papers, are commonly found in glossy art books and textbooks containing photographs or illustrations. They have exceptional finish to print on, as well as a consistently high-quality surface, stiffness, bulk and opacity. This is due to the fact that coated papers are more calendared. This means the paper is flattened more, making sheets thinner than uncoated stocks.

UNCOATED PAPER STOCK
Uncoated papers are generally more porous than coated papers and are available in many different textures, colors, weights and finishes. This subtle, understated quality of printing on uncoated stocks may be just the perfect solution for certain high quality print work where a more approachable appearance is desirable.
Not all uncoated papers are created equal. Higher quality paper mills (called text & cover category) are formulated specifically to strike a balance between ink holdout and absorption.

SELECTING COATED OR UNCOATED PAPER FOR YOUR PROJECT

When choosing coated or uncoated papers, talk to us at Kirkwood about the effect you hope to achieve with your print work in terms of crispness vs. warmth, smoothness or a high tactile feel and economy vs. style.

We can guide you in selecting just the right combination of inks, paper textures, finish and coatings and print techniques that make your projects outcome is exactly what you want. Whether you choose a gloss, silk or matte finish it really comes down to your personal preference. Some people think that gloss is classy while others consider it to be a bit tacky. Uncoated paper can be used for full color projects and can be vibrant or produce a natural, refined look. If your document is designed to be written on, your best option is to select an uncoated stock. You'll find letterheads, stationary, invitations, etc. are almost always printed using an uncoated paper. (PRO TIP - always test the stock you are going to use on your laser printer - heavy weights and textures can be problematic.)

* Reach out - Kirkwood will prove this to you.

THE POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION APPROVES USPS’ TEMPORARY PRICE INCREASE FOR COMMERCIAL PARCELS

9/14/2020

The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) has approved the temporary price increases for commercial domestic parcel products that USPS proposed last month. Commercial Plus rates are only offered to high volume shippers and retail prices for parcel products are unaffected.

The planned commercial price increases for Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, First-Class Package Service (FCPS) and Commercial Parcel Select will take effect Oct. 18, 2020 at 12 a.m. Central time and continue until Dec. 27, 2020 at 12 a.m. Central time. After that, prices will revert to 2020 prices.

Here are the current prices and temporary price increases:
• Parcel Select Destination Entry DDU: starts at $3.19 (current), 24 cents (temporary increase)
• Parcel Return Service: starts at $3.05 (current), 24 cents (temporary increase)
• Parcel Select Lightweight: starts at $1.81 (current), 24 cents (temporary increase)
• FCPS Commercial: starts at $2.74 (current), 25 cents (temporary increase)
• Priority Mail Commercial: starts at $7.02 (current), 40 cents (temporary increase)
• Parcel Select Ground: starts at $6.92 (current), 40 cents (temporary increase)
• Parcel Select DSCF: starts at $4.37 (current), 40 cents (temporary increase)
• Parcel Select DNDC: starts at $5.98 (current), 40 cents (temporary increase)
• Priority Mail Express Commercial: starts at $22.75 (current), $1.50 (temporary increase)

The temporary price adjustments are in response to heightened package volume due to the Coronavirus pandemic, as well as expected increases in online shopping during the holidays.

Details at: https://www.prc.gov/docs/114/114473/Order5673.pdf

Blue is gold.

3/4/2019

(This post is part of a series about the color blue, which has become a symbol of our evolution over the last fifteen years.)

In a time when blue appears on everything from automobiles to sports drinks, it might be hard to believe there was an era when blue was one of the rarest colors in the world.

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