September 26, 2007

Proportion Wheel - No Batteries Required!

Our society is definitely focused on gadgets with glitz; sleeker and more digital the better. In some cases more technology can be better. But, we prefer tools you can rely on like our completely non-digital, non-electronic, non-battery operated Proportion Scale. It will never fail you. And, you can always use it as long as you have enough light to see by.

From our Website:
This 6" diameter vinyl proportion scale is designed to quickly ascertain new reproduction sizes for original art, copy, or photographs. It gives number of times of enlargement or percentage of reduction and shows the new size of any element or area of an original when the whole original is reproduced to a new size. Measurements under 1" are marked in red for slides and other small scale work.

Your cost: $6.49

Order Yours Today!

September 17, 2007

Save between 25% and 75% on our Sale Items

Some of our favorite magnifiers are on sale! Click each image below to read the product details:

6x Focusing Wide View Magnifier with Cut-Away Base

Regular price: $19.95, Sale price: $4.95

You save: 75%


22x Adjustable Stand Magnifier

Regular price: $44.95, Sale price: $33.75

You save: 25%



6x Focusing Loupe Magnifier on Stand

Regular price: $69.95, Sale price: $47.95

You save: 31%



15x Focusing Magnifier with Acrylic Base

Regular price: $29.95, Sale price: $19.95

You save: 33%


10x Focusing Octagon Collimating Magnifier

Regular price: $59.95, Sale price: $39.95

You save: 33%

September 16, 2007

PayPal and Precision Graphic Instruments!

We are pleased to announce that we have integrated PayPal Express Checkout with our store. This means that when you begin the check out process, you will have the option of using the express PayPal option or our Standard secure Yahoo checkout process.

More payment choices! Quicker checkout process for PayPal users! Everybody wins!

September 14, 2007

Paper Basis Weight

What is paper basis weight? It can be a complex topic. We are working on some guides to place on in the reference section of our site. Until then, here is an excerpt from the International Paper "Pocket Pal -19th Edition" that may help you:

Basis weight identifies printing papers, with few exceptions. In the United States, it is the weight in pounds of a ream (500 sheets) in the basic size for that grade. In the metric system, it is the weight of one square meter of paper and is expressed in grams per square meter or g/m2. Basis 70 means that 500 sheets 25 x 38 inches of book paper weigh 70 pounds. This is equivalent to 104 g/m
2 in the metric system.

In the U.S. system, the basic size is not the same for all grades: It is 25 x 38 for book papers (coated, text, offset, opaque, etc.); 17 x 22 for writing papers (bond, ledger); 20 x 26 for cover papers (coated and uncoated); 25.5 x 30.5 for index bristol, 22.5 x 28.5 or 22.5 x 35 for mill bristol and postcard; 24 x 36 for tag and newsprint.

Paper is commonly identified by ream weight: 20-pound bond, 70-pound coated, etc. However, paper is usual
ly listed in size-and-weight tables and price lists on a thousand sheet basis: 25 x 38 -- 140M for a 70-pound book paper, the "M" meaning 1,000 sheets 25 x 38 weighs 140 pounds. Each grade is made in many standard sizes other than the basic size, and in many weights. Ffor example, book papers are made in weights from 50-pound to 100-pound in 10-pound increments.

From our site. We some tools that can help you measure basis paper weight.

Check out our
Pocket Paper Scale


and our
Premium Basis Weight Paper Scale.

September 11, 2007

SGIA Expo, Orlando (Oct 24-27)

More info: http://www.sgia.org/events/current_expo/sgia07/index_attend.cfm

Graphics and garments, fleet graphics and vehicle wraps, imaged fabrics and signs and soft signage. Technologies, connections and know-how. SGIA ’07 has everything a specialty imager could dream of.

You can’t miss the leading specialty imaging expo in the Americas, the one place you can see it all. SGIA ’07 is the event that takes you up-close and personal with the specialty imaging community in all its high-tech glory.


From us:

Don't forget!
When it comes to handing out a promotional item, you want something your prospects and customers will use and keep – something of real value! Refrigerator magnets and coffee mugs (the ordinary advertising specialty products) simply don’t cut it in the graphics arena.

Our custom imprint magnifiers and production tools are sold exclusively through our distributors. Call your advertising specialty distributor or contact us for a referral to one in your area.

Print Solutions, Las Vegas (Oct 18-19)

More information: http://www.printsolutionsshow.com/

From the producers:
The Print Solutions Conference & Expo has long been understood to be the premier show in the print distribution industry, designed to unveil and demonstrate new and exciting products, services and technology.

Top executives and decision makers, along with the sales managers growing their businesses, see the Print Solutions Conference & Expo as the one show during the year where they can learn about new sales channels, new products, and network with other like-minded individuals.

This year’s show will highlight some of the most fascinating developments in technology, groundbreaking advancements in the industry, and our third annual PEAK awards program which provides a behind-the-scenes look at proven, award-winning solutions. Conference programs, including educational seminars on building a digital sales force, are certain to delivery superior methods to train your sales teams to sell programs instead of products and increase your bottom line.


From us:

Don't forget!
When it comes to handing out a promotional item, you want something your prospects and customers will use and keep – something of real value! Refrigerator magnets and coffee mugs (the ordinary advertising specialty products) simply don’t cut it in the graphics arena.

Our custom imprint magnifiers and production tools are sold exclusively through our distributors. Call your advertising specialty distributor or contact us for a referral to one in your area.

September 4, 2007

Is the Fly Out Navigation Helpful? Let us know.

We spend a a lot of time thinking about the layout of our website. One decision we made a long time ago is to use 'Fly Out' navigation on the left side of the screen. When you put your cursor over one of the main items you'll see a sub menu of items 'fly out' allowing you to drill down without clicking. It's supposed to save you clicks, but we've been thinking recently that it just adds clutter.

What do you think of this? Does it actually help you navigate our site? Does it create too much text to look at? Leave us a comment to let us know what you think.

Thanks!