Court Upholds Fingerprints
An Appeals Court in Maryland ruled April 7 that it's not unreasonable for a bank to require a fingerprint before cashing the check of a non-customer. In the case, Jeff E. Messing vs. Bank of America, the plaintiff brought the lawsuit after refusing to provide a fingerprint to get a check cashed at a bank where he did not have an account. Messing argued that the fingerprint requirement was unreasonable and violated the privacy of non-customers. Messing had provided a driver's license and a major credit card.

The court noted that the bank has no duty of responsibility to cash the check of a non-customer. In determining that the fingerprint was a reasonable request, the court said a bank cashing a check assumes "the risk that it may suffer losses for counterfeit documents, forged endorsements or forged or altered checks" and that fingerprints on checks are part of an industrywide response to the growing threat of check fraud. Click here for more information.

Discount Labels Launches New Press
Discount Labels has an 11-color press to provide high quality labels and quick turnaround time. Discount Labels, a brand of Englewood, Colo.-based supplier PrintXcel, built the press by joining three presses to form a single unit that can support a variety of ink, foil and lamination combinations.

In addition, PrintXcel recently received the Strategic Supplier of the Year award by Global DocuGraphix (GDX) , a large business-to-business solution provider for print management, imaging and warehousing. The award honors a company for providing best business practices, product offerings, and the rollout of new, creative programs.

Office Depot Closes Guilbert Acquisition
Office Depot Inc., based in Delray Beach, Fla., said it has completed the purchase of European office supplies retailer Guilbert S.A., a little more than a week after winning permission from European regulators. Office Depot said it expected the deal to add 5 to 10 cents a share to its 2004 earnings.

Increasing Customer Loyalty
Three years ago, Meriden, Conn.-based clothing retailer Bob's Stores decided to implement a customer loyalty program. At the time, Synergy Printing, a distributorship in Topsfield, Mass., provided the 34-store chain with commercial printing and direct mail. But Bob's Stores initiated the loyalty program with another vendor--that is, until Howie Emmons, the distributorship's owner, indicated his firm could provide the cards and accompanying documents. Click here for the full story.

Net-Driven Sales to Surge
How do customers decide whether or not to make an online purchase? Small business owners should take a look at this study, which shows the criteria consumers use to select an e-tailer, including competitive pricing, ease of use of the site, and a business' reputation. Click here for more.

Test Your Message
Once everybody has approved the message to be emailed, send a test message to yourself and others who use different email clients and browsers. Make sure all the images are there, check the line wraps, proof your copy and test each link.
Source: TargetX's Knowledge Center

Earn Over $100,000 A Year Selling Printing...Guaranteed
The book contains everything you need to know to supercharge your print sales. Whether you're prospecting for new accounts, making a presentation, writing a quote or closing a sale, you'll discover more than 100 proven and tested techniques. Product code: EARNOV. $33. Contact Tina Brown for details.

DMIA's Business Printing Curriculum
Print University's "Business Printing Curriculum" is a perfect opportunity for your employees to learn the industry. This intense program combines online training with sessions at the industry's premier trade show--DMIA's Print Solutions 2003 Conference & Expo. For more information, call Harriet Carter, CDC, at (800) 336-4641 or visit www.printuniversity.org and click on Certificate Programs.

Here are the top unusual source requests received by DMIA:

1. Mail house to duplex variable image on 10 7/8 x 16 3/4 cut sheets; Fold and insert into 9 x 11 1/2 envelopes; Q=107M
2. Trucking labels; 3 x 5 1/2; Consecutive bar code; 2 colors; 4 horizontal face slits; Padded and stapled to chipboard; Q=10M
3. Window decals; 3 x 3; Weatherproof; Removable adhesive; 3 colors; Synthetic material; Delivered on rolls; Q=100M
4. Reversible screwdrivers; Phillips and flat heads; Pocket clip; 1 color imprint; Q=1M
5. Plastic deposit bags; Tamper evident; 2 color imprint; Q=5M
6. Point of Purchase displays; 20 x 20; 4 colors; 18 pt. material; Q=2M
7. Cohesive luggage tags; 2 x 12; 12 pt. ivory stock; 1 color with full bleeds; Numbered in 3 positions; Q=5M
8. Letterhead and matching envelopes; 24# white linen; 4 PMS + black; Bleeds on all 4 sides; Very close registration; Q=1M
9. Bindery houses to mount transfer tape on cut sheets; Will supply 50M sheets; Sources close to Virginia
10. Translucent envelopes; 9 x 12; Q=10M

If you have a source request--for anything--call the Hotline at (800) 333-2828 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time, or use the Source Hotline Database online. For two new sales ideas every day, try our HOT product idea and our COOL product idea. Manufacturers, if you produce any of these items and would like to check your listing with the Source Hotline, please email Cheryl Rush.

Lists of Bests
A helpful and entertaining compilation of "best of" lists, this site is fodder for heated debates and discussions. Maintained by Bill Turner, a programmer for Yahoo Inc., the site's lists are divided into categories of books, movies and music. Click here for more.

The Life of John Coltrane
This visually-appealing and musically-enhanced site serves as the official John Coltrane site. Developed by the John Coltrane Foundation, it's home for information about one of the most influential jazz musicians of the past century. Click here for more.

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