Targeter PC Software

For Press Kits That Impress

Media Distribution Services (MDS) is the company to call for all your press kit needs.We provide complete, one-stop service for press kit printing, assembly and distribution.

Whatever your job requires — kit covers, photos, news releases, fact sheets, backgrounders, other inserts — we will produce and deliver them on time and on budget.

Plus, we can mail your kit to all the media you need to reach. With our unparalleled Mediamatic® System, you can target it to any of more than 250,000 editors by name at the more than 50,000 print and broadcast media in


MDS can help you with a broad variety of presentation materials, from the simplest of kits to very sophisticated binders and other packaging materials.

North America, plus all daily newspapers worldwide, the U.S. Congress and its staff, and the nation's leading security analysts. You can get a report of who it went to with names and phone numbers for easy follow-up. Equally important, it's updated daily with an average of more than 1,500 changes, which are immediately available.

In addition, our 3,500 classifications of editorial interest make it easy for you to select only those media with an editorial interest in your material.

Call us for estimates and scheduling. We'll also help you select the media and editors you want to reach. With MDS, press kit production is as easy as 1,2,3.

Everything You Need to Know When You or Your Client Needs a Press Kit (a.k.a Press Kits 101 à la MDS).


1. When do you need the kits?

a) Yesterday? Today?
You may need to use a blank kit (we carry a broad selection) and possibly a label.
b) In 3-5 days?
You have time to imprint a logo (assuming it has been created and is readily available) on a ready-made kit.
c) Up to 10 days?
You have lots of options for a very nice custom kit.


2. How many do you need?

a) About 100?
You may want to use a blank ready-made kit. It can get expensive to imprint a small quantity. It's more economical to begin with a print run of 250.

b) 250, 500, or 1000?
Again, you'll probably want to do a ready-made kit with a logo imprint. We have plenty of samples to show you.

c) More than 1000?
As above, lots of options.


Affixing a four-color label to a ready-made kit with an embossed or debossed frame is an excellent alternative to a four-color printed kit, especially when time is short or small quantities are needed.

3. What color is the logo and stock (on business cards and letterhead)?
Ideally you want the business card and the letterhead to stand out when inside the kit. Try various colors and textures of kits with the card/ letterhead inserted and see how they look. Then, you can determine how to handle the logo on the front.

4. How much material is going into the kit?
"Rule of thumb" is that 5 items or more requires a kit. Once you get to more than 50 pages, you may need additional capacity features (double scoring and/or capacity pockets). Do you need a three-ring binder? We can help here too!
5. Other considerations
If you have a diskette or CD, do you want a die-cut slit on one of the pockets? Do you want to make a matching holder? Who has the artwork? What format? Can it be e-mailed?
Everything You Need to Know About Custom Press Kits (a.k.a Press Kits 201 à la MDS).

Imprinting a ready-made kit with your logo can be quick and economical.
6. What makes it a custom kit?
It might be the quantity (usually 1000 or more), a stock that's not one of our ready-made kits, the fact that it's 3-color or 4-color (and may be cheaper to print than to foil), or a special design detail that calls for litho printing.

 

7. How will the art be provided?
JPGs and PDFs are fine for viewing, but often can't be used to produce final copy. Illustrator or Photoshop files generally give no problems, whether in PC or MAC format.

8. What are the main choices to consider regarding stock?

a) Stock: What kind of stock will you use?
gloss/semi-gloss/velvet; felt/laid; matte/vellum; linen; columns/groove/lineal?
b) Color:
Will the stock be a given color, heavy or light coverage on a sheet, or will we cover a white stock to match your PMS?
c) Weight:
The minimum weight we recommend is 12 pt. coated stock or 80# on uncoated materials. Other weights are available, but availability or minimum quantities may be a factor.

9. What functional elements need to be considered?

a) Capacity:
Will you have more than 20-30 sheets or a brochure or annual report? A double center score won't add to the price, but capacity pockets will.

b) Pockets:
One or Two? Horizontal or Vertical? Size (4" is standard)?; Shape: radial? slanted? special die cut?
c) Corners:
Square or rounded? (rounded don't dog-ear as easily).
d) Business card slits:
Not only do you have to check for vertical or horizontal orientation, but for where the copy falls on the card. Slits on
one or both pockets?
10. Any other details?

Special varnishes, coating, laminations?
11. Will MDS talk to my designer?
Absolutely. Most designers are glad to have us handle these details for you (and for them).
12. How much do custom kits cost?
Give us a clue about some of the options above and we'll be
glad to provide you with a quote. We'll also try and show you comparable kits, obtain swatch mock-ups, and work out other details.

For more info click here
Press Kit Covers

• MDS offers a wide assortment of sizes, shapes, formats, designs, stocks, and colors.

• One, two, three-pocket or more. Plain, labeled, printed, embossed, foil stamped, silk screened, laminated, die-cut.

• We'll produce a kit cover you can be proud of — from the simplest one-color folder to the most complex four-color multipanel design.
Personalized Ready-Made Kit Options

• Foil stamping – a die makes a depression that is filled with foil, available in a variety of metallic and non metallic colors. Foil stamping is surprisingly cheaper and faster than ink printing (letterpress) and in most cases looks better!

•Blind embossing or debossing - produces a raised or lowered impression without ink or color. Works best with thick letters or logos.

•Letterpress printing – a process that uses your exact PMS color, but costs somewhat more that foil because more kits are used in the set-up. Can look washed out.

Screens or half-tones can not be handled with any of the above process.
Artwork

When personalizing a ready-made kit, keep these requirements in mind:

• Artwork may be over or below, but not crossing the horizontal pocket line.

• Embossing must be kept above the insert pocket.

• A 3/4" border without artwork must be maintained within the lower 4" of the folder, due to the glued pocket tab.

• JPEGs and PDFs are helpful for viewing your art, however they don't always work for reproduction. Illustrator or photoshop is usually best. We can accept your art in PC or MAC versions.
Timing

Production time on ready-made kits usually runs no more than four working days; custom kits can take about six to ten working days. A 50% deposit is required on all jobs over $500. We can also do C.O.D. shipments or Mastercard/Visa/Amex.

Tips on Kits

You don't need to include your address on the pocket or back as it will appear several times on the insert materials. The kit will look classier.
Assembly

Our production department quickly, efficiently, and economically handles all details: from copying of photos and releases to final assembly and shipping.
Photo Prints

• MDS photo-reproduction is fast and cost-effective.

• Black-and-white or color. Prints or slides. Glossy, matte finish, RC paper, any size. Tip-on, strip-in or label captions. From a dozen to a thousand or more.
News Releases, Fact Sheets, Backgrounders and More

• MDS printing and production services are second to none. We're the nation's largest printer and mailer of publicity material.
• Fast turn-around and attention to detail are just two of the reasons why public relations professionals count on MDS for all of their print production needs
• We can work from your originals or prepare your material from start to finish with our complete word processing and layout services.
Letterhead, Envelopes, & Labels

• For a coordinated, professional look — at very little extra cost — MDS can match the design of your press kit cover with special letterhead for your releases and other inserts, as well as matching envelopes and/or labels.

 

 

 

A custom press kit is often necessary because of the color of the stock, the use of full coverage, the size of the run or other design features.