AGC joins UnisourceGreen.com Respect Family of Printers

UnisourceGreen.com is a place where you can learn more about Unisource Worldwide, Inc.'s commitment to providing environmentally-friendly papers, with "green" attributes and green, certified printing companies like AGC who partner with them.

There are three categories to "green" papers available to you today. Unisource refers to these categories as "Eco-Pillars." These papers are made with:

• post-consumer, recycled fibers;
• wood fibers from responsibly managed forests and other certified sources; or
• a manufacturing process that uses a renewable energy source.

These three "Eco-Pillars" define the Unisource Respect family of mill brands and private label papers. All three pillars can be traced back to certifying agencies.

AGC is certified by both Forest Stewardship Council and Sustainable Forestry Initiative. These certifications verify our commitment to the environment and guarantee our compliance of both the FSC and SFI standards as set forth by our certifying body, Bureau Veritas.

Recognition and certification programs have become central to the issue of green printing. Many companies make green claims as a marketing tool, to ensure your materials are being produced by a company with a proven track record request a copy of their FSC and/or SFI certification form. Download our Environmental Certification forms here.

AGC Wins Green/Sustainability Marketing Award

The 209 edition of our 52 Weeks 52 Works desk calendar/capabilities brochure was the winning entry in the category of Green/Sustainable Marketing from the first NAPL Marketing Awards for Excellence.

The concept of merging our capabilities brochure with a weekly desk calendar while highlighting the talent of our local community is the essence of being more environmentally conscious. We seek to:

• Be more efficient and productive with our resources
• Minimize adverse impact on our environment
• Consider the entire life-cycle and purpose of a product from design, to raw materials and natural resource use, to end use and disposal.

For a detailed list of material specifications used during the production of 52 Weeks 52 Works please contact Candice Champion 

Intelligent Mail Bar-Coding

AGC now offers Intelligent Mail Bar-Coding

Mailers looking to catch a break can save money by making the most of the U.S. Postal Service's latest technologies -- and doing some smart marketing!

The USPS launched Intelligent Mail Bar-Coding (IMB) to improve mail deliverability. It encodes up to 31 digits of a mail-piece data into 65 vertical bars so each address can be assigned a unique identifying number for tracking. By May 2011, Intelligent Mail will be the only barcode that qualifies for automation discounts from the USPS.

IMB Improves Tracking

Marketers can now gauge better in-home delivery of direct mail packages. Specific mail packages can be tracked as well.

IMB Leaves Room for More Copy

IMB integrates various functions into one streamlined barcode, eliminating the cluttered appearance of current address blocks utilizing endorsements and bar-coding for automation schemes like address correction services.

An IMB/ACS Combo is the best way to comply with the postal service's new "move update" requirements

These guidelines were changed last November (see press release dated 11/20/08 Postal Regulation Changes). Using IMB with ACS, the USPS captures information about address changes and undeliverable mail, then returns this data electronically to the mailer.

To save money and time, learn how particular designs affect postage rates before committing to the campaign. Before you design any direct mail package contact AGC to evaluate your concept.

Also, find out how you can make your direct mail more green to help minimize their environmental shortcomings.

DMA Strengthens Efforts for More Choices

DMAchoice is about empowering consumers to identify what they like and what they do not like.

What goes into your mailbox depends on what you're into. You can arrange to start getting the mail you want -- and stop getting the mail you don't.

Companies what to reach people who are most like to be interested in what they have to offer. Direct mail keeps you in-the-know. it helps you find out about new products, services and money-saving deals. It connects you to local merchants. It informs you of important local and national charities. it even helps you compare prices and shop anytime you like -- day or night.

Last year alone, more than 70% of Americans shopped direct. More than 80% of U.S. households reads some or all of their advertising mail. And non-profit organizations raised nearly $200 billion from generous donors through direct mail.

Check out DMAchoice for more information