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News Updates
NEW - 13-Ounce Mail Rule to Take Effect July 30WASHINGTON, DC - A new Postal Service rule goes into effect next week for packages and envelopes that weigh more than 13 ounces, if they're being mailed with only stamps as postage at a location other than a Post Office retail service counter. Starting Monday, July 30, customers can use one of several convenient online postage applications - available 24/7 - or an Automated Postal Center, if they wish to mail items that weigh more than 13 ounces in Postal Service collection boxes or Post Office lobby mail slots; or if they wish to leave the items for pickup by their letter carriers. Online postage applications include the Postal Service's Click-N-Ship service on usps.com and PC Postage from an authorized USPS vendor. If a customer is unable to use one of the above methods to prepare and affix postage, items weighing more than 13 ounces must be presented for mailing to an employee at a Post Office retail service counter. Business customers who use postage meters may continue to use meter postage for packages of any weight and mailing method. Customers will notice new decals on USPS collection boxes, and Post Office lobby and Automated Postal Center mail drop slots. The new red, white and blue decals inform customers that deposit of stamped mail over 13 ounces is prohibited, and any such mail will be returned. Previously, the prohibition applied to mail over 16 ounces. The change is part of ongoing security measures established by the Postal Service, in cooperation with other government agencies to keep the public, customers, employees and the U.S. Mail safe. Copy Centers Go Green
UW Copy Centers are now using 100% post-consumer recycled paper. The transition from the 30% recycled to 100% recycled stock began on June 4th with plans to have all copy centers switched out by July 1st. This move is the first of many to support the campus sustainability efforts. Even in the age of computers, the Paper Industry Association Council reports that the average student uses just under 700 pounds of paper per year. With this in mind, UW Copy Services is making an effort to use only 100% recycled paper in all campus copy centers. The cost of copy services will increase 1/8th of a cent, a small price to pay for the inestimable environmental benefits. The original 30% recycled stock will be available on request for anyone who is bothered by the price increase, but the goal is to eventually make a complete change-over to the new, more green, alternative. The new recycled paper stock is supplied by local paper mill Grays Harbor which uses renewable biomass fuels and produces only carbon neutral, clean energy. The paper they supply is made entirely of post consumer recycled materials and meets the strict certification requirements of the Forest Stewardship Council. Grays Harbor describes their goal to take care of the earth as they guarantee that "no trees will be cut down, no fossil fuels will be burned, and the impact on the health of the local community will be minimized." The University Copy Services is excited to partner with Grays Harbor to make our campus more environmentally friendly. As a next step, Copy Services is investigating the use of this 100% post-consumer recycled stock in the Departmental Copier Program and the Dawg-Prints.com program. Add link to Grays Harbor website: www.ghplp.com As Postage Goes Up, Mailing Services Will Be Here To Help You.The United States Postal Service has recently approved postage increases for various types of mail. On Monday, May 14th, 2007, the cost of postage will be increased in relation to size and handling. The First Class letter stamp, currently 39 cents, will rise to 41 cents, and will be introduced alongside the new Forever Stamp. Unlike past postage inflation, these new prices will be associated with three classifications of mailing: letters, flats and packages. Instead of a general increase, some prices will actually decrease, with postage for a heavy letter 5 cents cheaper. With these changes, Creative Communications is ready to help you save money. Knowledgeable design specialists and mail experts can offer tips to reduce the expense of postage. With the new shape based pricing, Creative Communications can efficiently prepare your mailing as a letter or flat, saving you up to 38 cents a piece. Let Creative Communications take care of all your mailing needs. With high speed processing equipment, we can inset, address and format your mailings, while reducing your postage expenses to a fraction of the typical First Class costs. Below is a sample of the changes that will occur:
Contact Mailing Services today to help you get the most from your postage budget: 206.543.8757, or mailserv@u.washington.edu Contact your Account Manager today to help you plan your project with the best results. For the official press release from the United States Postal Service: http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2007/pr07_023.htm Tainted Mail AlertThe FBI has issued a press release about tainted letters being sent to television media about exploiting women in sports. The first letters were mailed in 2004 from Portland, and more letters were mailed in 2006 and 2007 from Seattle and Chicago. Some of the letters were found to contain a potentially harmful insecticide. While local news stations have received the letters, no such letters have been received by the University of Washington. With the apparent increase in risk of letter(s) containing a white powder with a hazardous insecticide, Mailing Services has begun performing enhanced mail inspections on incoming mail for departments that are potentially at risk. Mailing Services has special kits available if staff discover anything suspicious, and has reviewed safety, evacuation and notification procedures. If you discover any suspicious mail, please contact UW Police and Mailing Services. UW Police: 206.543.9331 UW Mailing Services: 206.543.8757 FBI press release: One Thousand Plates and Counting!
Watch for license plate promotions in:
Thanks to all you Husky fans, we appreciate your support. Look forward to more success! Creative Communications 2006 Customer Satisfaction SurveyDrive Like a Dawg EventOn March 26, 2006, the University of Washington released its newly designed UW license plates. Creative Communications has lead a collaborative effort to get the new plate created and now to market it. The response has been overwhelming and to date 560 plates have been sold. In order to continue successful sales, Creative Communications has created an exciting marketing campaign that includes:
License plate profits support student scholarships. Sales have been brisk to-date and with the marketing campaign in action and the Drive Like a Dawg event approaching, we anticipate an even greater response! Keep an eye out for more news about how to Drive Like a Dawg. For further information, or to order your new UW license plate, visit: www.uwlicenseplates.com Creative Communications is a Winner!The International Publishing Management Association (IPMA) and In-Plant Graphics magazine recognized three Creative Communications projects as winners in the In-Print® 2006 competition. The In-Print competition showcases excellence in print quality produced by an In-Plant (non commercial) printing facility. Judging is based on perfection and the difficulty of job produced. Judging criteria includes great registration, crisp folds and the absence of hickeys. Congratulations, winners!Creative Communications would like to thank the talented designers and press operators for going the extra mile to create superior quality projects. Thanks also to the clients who continue to entrust us with their publications needs - we promise to keep delivering the very best. Winners' work:Click sample for larger image.
Finding a "Spot" at Creative Communications
Creative Communications clients and vendors will find convenient Load/Unload parking stalls in lower lot W40, on the south side of Creative Communications. Two Disability parking spaces will be located on the north side of the building. The west entrance will be completely accessible and the preferable entrance when meeting with Account Managers or Creative Services. The south Mailing Services entrance is still the best choice for matters related to mailing. If you are a UW employee with a current parking permit in another lot on campus, and are coming to meet with your Account Manager, you may request a temporary out-of-area parking permit sent to you in advance. They will also be available at the Creative Communications reception desk on the 3rd floor. We apologize for any minor inconvenience as a result of this change, and hope you will join us in anticipation of future discoveries that will occur where we previously parked and picked blackberries. Online Order SecurityCreative Communications has upgraded its ability to authenticate web transactions for secure online ordering. For secure online ordering, update your browser with the UW Services CA Certificate. This certificate is administered by UW Computing and Communications (C&C), and is used to authenticate many UW services. If you see either error screen shown below, please update your certificate to enhance the security of online ordering. It takes only a moment.
Paper ShortagePaper prices are climbing and there is a tightening supply. Some mills are considering allocations. Creative Communications is taking measures to ensure paper is available for your next project. You can help by planning your projects ahead and building in a two-month lead-time for paper. After a period of flat or declining prices, paper prices have increased an average of 4 percent in April and May, with some segments showing increases of 8 percent to 15 percent. The trend is projected to continue for another six months and is being attributed to:
Some mills are imposing allocations that limit printers or paper suppliers to orders no greater than their historical purchases. This is compounded by delays in delivery - up to six weeks from the time of order. Creative Communications is taking measures to ensure we have the paper you prefer when your job goes to print. We are engaged in weekly negotiations with our suppliers and are holding our contracts at current levels for house stocks. You can help by planning ahead and involving your Account Manager early on in your discussions about paper. For large orders and special paper orders, we will make every effort to source the stock you desire, or suggest an alternative for your consideration. If you have any questions or concerns, contact your Account Manager. We are here to help. Working together we can weather yet another economic inconvenience. |
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On August 14, UW License Plate W1000A was sold. This is the 1,000th license plate sale since the release of the newly designed plates on March 23rd. That means we're still on track for "2,006 in 2006."
