I do apologize to any that really reads my blogs or is waiting for the next one. Well here it is at long last
This year has been the busiest yet in the history of Planet Ink.
I have made 6 trips to China to do press Ok's We did another Concorso Italiano book which came out really well as usual.
We also produced all the photo albums for Adesso. www.Adessoalbums.com. These are wonderfully made photo albums that are greatl for weddings or any social event. The old albums were based on Polaroid photos but now the newer albums will work with your mobile phone and a very small digital printer. Check it out.
The best book we did all year was "Cities Gensler" for Gensler Publications. This book showcases some of the most beautiful buildings in the world. Most impressive are the buildings in Dubai. One standout is the newest building to be built in Shanghai. It will be the second tallest building in the world. Ground breaking is this month. The book is 9 x 12 hard cover 360 page 6 colors FM screening. WOW! If you want a book drop me a note and I will send one to you.
Check out www.Gensler.com
Another standout book this year was a book for the Mormon Church " Exploring the Lands" 960 page book. Very interesting read.
Being an avid gear head I had the opportunity to print a hard cover book " Weekends of Glory" by Martin Rudow. www.rspubs.com. Anyone interested in vintage sports cars, this is a must read. Fabulous original photography of the golden years of motor sports.
We produced a series of books "Todays Mama" This is a wonderful idea. One of those why didn't I think of that.
These books reference guides for mothers and families in the county that you live in.
www.bayareamama.com or www.utahmama.com.
Most of the printing we did this year was in Beijing. I spent close to 6 weeks doing press Ok's. I started to feel like a local.
The weather was very good for the most part, rain in the evening and as the Olympics got closer the weather seemed to get better. Last year it was hot and smoggy all summer. One questions the truth in cloud seeding. But as the Olympics got closer the crowds of people in and around Beijing got smaller.
Apple has opened its first store in China. I went to the opening in 90 degree heat only to witness a 2 hour wait to get in.
All this for a free t shirt. I found an open bar with cold beer instead.
This next year is looking good. Our trusted printers are all in place and doing well so we don't see any problems for 2009.
There are current problems with factories in South China. Over 100,000 will shutter by the end of Chinese New Year.
Over 67,000 have closed so far this year. Most of these are involved in toy and textile production. The printing companies we use are in northern China, Shanghai and Beijing and are doing well. Also we are printing books again in S Korea. Korea is becoming more competitive as the US dollar weakens and the Chinese RMB gets stronger.
We are paying a lot of attention to market movements and we will not get caught flat footed. Hopefully we can start printing more in Thailand again. 5 years ago we printed the bulk of our work in Thailand. Great food, great golf....nothing like doing press Ok's during the week and going to great beaches on the weekend. Everyday was a holiday so it seemed. Great printing as well.
China is very fluid at the moment but we see our suppliers as a very stable lot and I look forward to going back soon.
Van
