http://media.marketwire.com/attachments/201204/37608_Blurblogo.jpghttp://at.marketwire.com/accesstracking/AccessTrackingLogServlet?PrId=876168&ProfileId=051205&sourceType=1SAN FRANCISCO, CA and NEW ORLEANS, LA -- (Marketwire) -- 04/18/12 -- Blurb®, the creative publishing and marketing platform, today announced that it is partnering with Consolidated Graphics (NYSE: CGX), one of the largest commercial printing business in the U.S., to enable businesses to create custom publications from a simple yet powerful design-to-print workflow powered by Blurb.
The new service, named Publish, utilizes a free Adobe InDesign plug-in that allows businesses to extend the use of their preferred design software to become an end-to-end print workflow solution for high-quality publications. The plug-in includes templates for four cover formats, five paper types, and eight trim sizes -- including Blurb's all-new 8.5x11 size, which is exclusive to Publish. Publish also enables designers to complete their projects up to 75% faster using Blurb's custom proofing tools, automated pre-flight checks, and the ability to order via credit card from within the interface.
"It used to be that businesses required a big budget, lots of lead time and a need for thousands of units before they could produce a high end print piece," said Eileen Gittins, founder and CEO of Blurb. "Now, with Publish, creative professionals can design and print rich publications, with amazing production values in runs as small as one unit -- and get them turned around in about a week." Gittins continued, "Although we have been working closely with businesses for years, taking this capability to scale with Consolidated Graphics is a big deal; we believe this new flexibility will result in an explosion of new and remarkably creative print publications."
By allowing orders of a single unit and higher, Publish provides a cost effective solution for smaller volume projects that require rich production values such as client pitches and presentations, highly customized brochures, commemorative publications, look books, corporate capabilities pieces, portfolios, product or exhibition catalogs and other limited edition corporate collateral. Businesses have a growing need for smaller, custom print runs to service specific needs on more immediate deadlines.