Identity. Can it really be packaged?

by Giselle Rondon

Individuality... Uniqueness... Identification. "This above all: to thine own self be true". What do all of the above have in common? They all translate into the meaning of 'identity'. Without it, we have no representation of our own characteristics or behaviour. Without it we remain nameless. Without it, we are in fact - lost.

In an age of increasing identity theft, its importance cannot be denied. Victims of this type of theft have lost parts of themselves that are difficult or which they may never be able to retrieve. The losses are much more substantial. They include loss of money; loss of good credit ratings and the most debilitating of them all; loss of one's reputation. In the consequential aftermath of this crime, victims are denied loans; educational opportunities; and job offers. Some have even been arrested for crimes they didn't commit.

It is much easier than most people realize, for fraudulent persons to access and steal one's identity. MEL Research, in its 'bin raidin' project found that 77% of UK households discard sensitive financial documents, such as bank statements and utility bills, without first shredding them. Another report, with its research aimed at traveling executives, found that tons of personal financial information can be found on the desktops of airport lounge personal computers. These desktop-saved documents describe multi-million dollar deals, inclusive of profit margins and lowest bid values.

Credit and ATM card fraud is the most widespread of them all. They are also the most popular. With the increasing use of purchasing-via-the-internet, consumers put themselves and their money in a vulnerable position. Not all sites offer a 'secure-shopping' feature. More often than not, these are the ones that 'capture' and 're-use' personal data. ATM fraud is not always easy to spot. Commercial banks should raise more awareness on how to identify (no pun intended) card slots that have been tampered with. These false slots are also used to 'capture' and 're-use' an individual's information. Further to depleting a person's monetary account, this type of information can also be used for kidnapping - where hefty balances can be seen.

The use of identity surrounds us in our daily lives. We have identifying usernames and passwords. We join groups that support of help us to seek our ethnic identity. Our modes of dressing are statements of who we are. Employees are mandated to wear ID cards.

The product and corporate branding of identity is no different. Nowadays, business cards are a point of entry for placing someone in an electronic database. You business name must gain your potential customer's interest and trust (they can trust that your card is a true representation of yourself and your business). And yes, image is everything. Just as books are judged by their covers, so too can business people be judged by their cards.

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'Branding' is one's identity in the marketplace. It should been done properly. Business cards, Letterheads, Labels and Compliments slips should be treated as one 'branding' entity. What's the use of having your business card in one design and all other supporting stationery in another? Consistency is the cornerstone of professionalism.

Because of the intricate emotional and societal issues that encircle the exchange of business cards, psychology and design are also co-related. There is always a tinge of anticipation when giving and receiving business cards. The giver hopes that his/her card will not be dismissed into the unseen depths of someone's wallet (agh!!) or worse, thrown away (double agh!!). The receiver sees a person's business card as the answer to their specific problem; the item or service that they had been seeking.

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People are always more comfortable when they're being themselves. They are also more trustworthy and their businesses more profitable. Shouldn't your identity, then, be packaged just right?

About the Author

Written for Goodprint Ltd, providors of instant online business cards and matching stationery via their website http://www.goodprint.co.uk.

The way to save your printing budget   by Karen Nodalo

The new LX800 has advanced and increased their printer's resolution. They have provided their inkjet printers with the highest quality that is fit for printing. Productive and brilliant colors were also enhanced in order to come up with the most beautiful prints. The print resolution is 4800 dpi and considering that size is already an almost perfect printer. It also has a high throughput speed which enables to perform tasks efficiently. This printer is considered the best color inkjet that was ever made. The printing types range from printing illustrations, full-color photos and graphics, bar codes, text and other forms of printing. You can print them anytime you want and be assured it doesn't fail you. Printing in large quantities is never a problem because it can print even the largest volume of prints. The result in prints of this printer is enormous. You can obtain quality print results that will surely be highly recognized. The high print resolution keeps the prints stunning and alive. The colors maintain the original colors after printing. The colors displayed on your monitor are captured and these results are highly in demand in printing services. This printer contains six built-in print resolutions that allow you to choose from combinations that will serve you best. Whatever choice you make, you are sure you maintain the bright quality of colors. This printer is compatible to your Mac, Windows XP and higher. This printer includes the Easy to use NiceLabel™ SE Design Software which is used for the production of your labels. Label printing with LX800 provides you with high-quality professional labels for all types of printing types such as the short-run printing. These labels are good because it is printed by a well-rounded featured printer. This printer does not only allow you to print on ordinary paper but also those coated surfaces like high-gloss, semi0gloss and matte. Labels which are printed on high-quality paper is waterproof and scratch free. Labels of course have different sizes depending on the product you are marketing. This printer is so easy to use because of its manageability and easiness of use. This printer comes with a software, a sample roll of labels for your reference, cartridge for black and white and last is the USB cable which makes it convenient.

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About the Author

Karen Nodalo came across writing when she was about 11. The whole craze for writing started when she first wrote her diary during elementary years. After school, she would write in it first before doing homework. She finds it cool and until now she still keeps one.

Can I Purchase the Finished Artwork Only?

If you would like to get your own interlingual rendition of your project you could order it in any reputable printing format. Some of the digital files we provide and utilise include QXD (Quark XPress Document), WMF (Windows Meta File), CDR (Corel Draw), PDF (Portable Document Format), MS Word, PSD (Photo Shop Document) and EPS (Encapsulated PostScript),

Professional Resources

Three Keys to Crafting Successful Print Ads I Business Designs Entertainment I Shades of Success - All About Color I Index of Backgrounds