New freight system:
With our new freight system we have heard a few concerns regarding IBS's details being on the label as the sender. The electronic system requires sender’s details to be submitted or it will error. We are looking at getting this changed. 

Alternate deliveries going direct to the end user are all flagged at label stage. The sender’s details are deleted with a permanent marker until we can use a blind sender solution.

Invoicing at job inception:
Please also note that you will no longer receive a hard copy of your invoice. Instead, all invoices will be supplied as an attachment to your confirmation email only. There are three primary reasons for this move away from mailed invoices to emailed ones. Firstly, there are time efficiencies in using email, as well as the ability to track successful receipt. Secondly, as part of our company-wide commitment to environmental initiatives, there is a saving of paper, electricity and fuel in generating emailed invoices. Finally, supplying invoices by both email and mail was double-handling (and therefore time-consuming) for our accounts department.

The invoices will also now be dated the day your job is received, not the day it gets despatched, as previously done. Invoicing now takes place once we receive your jobs and they are approved through our pre-flight process. Up until now we have been accepting payment after the job has been produced (before despatch), however with the new system we require it at order stage. We are gradually moving towards payment with order. Having your order prepaid will streamline the process and get your orders back to you quickly with the minimum of fuss.

Please note that as part of this change, a sticker will replace where the invoice used to go on the box for delivery (see above regarding sender’s details).

Email updates on the progress:
The new system will keep you better informed on the progress of your jobs. A receipt of order with an attached invoice will be sent to you once your job has been pre-flighted. An email update will be sent within a few days with an ETA of the print schedule. The last email update will be sent to you once the courier has your job on board. The email will include courier and tracking details for you to follow up on the delivery of your orders. Tracking of orders once despatched is best done by you, the receiver, direct with your local depots. This saves time and provides a more accurate answer on the location of the courier than we can obtain through the Gold Coast office. Urgent requests can then be made with the depot and driver in your area. Please note however, we are still available to assist with any enquiries you may have.

As we all settle into the new MIS, we would appreciate your feedback, particularly in regard to the couriers and freight system. I am confident this system will give us all the tools we need to provide even better service to our clients. Already, staff feedback has indicated that they can see the benefits of a streamlined workflow and the important role the MIS plays in this.

Scott Siganto, Director

It is important to note that if you send your updated files to another email address at IBS for the resupplying of your artwork, there is the possibility your email will go to the bottom of the queue, delaying your job. It may also be booked as a new job, again further delaying the receipt of your finished product.

Should you have any questions about the resending of artwork, please call 1800 062 550 or visit our website www.ibscards.com.au/design.html for product design templates and video tutorials on providing the correct file formats.

Oh, and you can save 41% on greeting cards if you order before 28 November, with free Metalix! Choose any finish and colour, including Metalix, on our ‘Business Class 420’ stock for one low price! Click here to see the range of cards available.

Pre-printed generic letters
Since you can design anything on your letterhead, many clients have been pre-printing generic letters for easy mailing. For example, a client’s real estate customer has written a promotional letter that doesn’t need to be personalised, that is simply letter box-dropped loose to their target audience. Instead of spending time designing and printing the letterhead, then overprinting it with their letter content, the client is simply getting the entire letter printed at once. Not only does this save valuable time and money, but the 1,000 minimum quantity gives the client’s real estate customer an ideal number to specifically target one particular suburb. For the client, this means more repeat business. Obviously this idea can be extended to any industry other than real estate. Perhaps you should start suggesting this to your customers?

And in the meantime, you can get on board the pre-printed letter boat, by modifying our Christmas greeting card template letter and sending it to your customers. Let us know what the feedback is!

All details are on the email order (For example, size, quantity, finishes, etc) – go to www.ibscards.com.au/support for how to order and to download ibsorderform.zip

Files are supplied as a PDF – go to www.ibscards.com.au/videotutorials to learn how to save as a PDF

The size is correct on purchase order and artwork

Files are supplied as two pages in one PDF document (For example, front and back)

You’ve included a 2mm bleed (For example, if the finish size is 90 x 55mm, then the file size needs to be 94 x 59mm)

You’ve flattened transparency

You’ve converted text to curves

You’ve embedded fonts

Files are supplied in CMYK only

You’ve attached a proof for any extra finishing required (For example, size of drilled holes, placement of scoring, shape of corners, etc)

By following these simple tips, your job should go through our new MIS smoothly and efficiently.