Desktop Impressions

Since my charges are dependent on the scope of your project, please contact me for a bid or quotation.  My desktop publishing fees do not include printing, postage, mailing services, or photos that I purchase off the Internet. 

Desktop publishing is taxable with the exception of city newsletters.  Newsletters that are sent out to residents a minimum of quarterly are tax exempt.  Customers must complete a Minnesota Certificate of Exemption (ST3) form, which is then given to me for my file.  However, all of my desktop publishing work is done electronically so it is not subject to tax anyway.  Website services are non-taxable.

You will be billed once your project is complete.  Payment is due within 30 days.  A late fee of 2.5% of the amount due will be assessed quarterly until paid.

I accept cash, checks, or money orders.  Please make your check or money order payable to "Desktop Impressions."  I do not currently accept credit card payments.

I have partnered with Nystrom Publishing Company, Inc. of Maple Grove, MN for newsletter printing and mailing.  Nystrom is a full-service printer that offers high quality work at reasonable prices, and will bill you directly for their services.  I am also willing to work with a printer of your choosing or you may decide to print the document yourself.  I give all of my clients a PDF copy of their document for uploading to their websites.  My newsletters are prepared using Adobe InDesign CS4. 

For newsletter printing services, Nystrom Publishing Company, Inc. says that after the proof has been approved, it takes them 3 or 4 days for smaller jobs or 5 days for larger jobs to print and mail newsletters.  However, they never know for sure how long the post office will take to deliver them -- sometimes it is only a day, but it can take a week. 

The time I need to prepare the newsletters before giving them to the printer depends on the size of the job, but generally 3-4 days are required for projects under 10 pages.  Due to my flexible schedule, I am able to work evenings and weekends to get jobs done in a crunch, but I appreciate as much time as possible to prepare a project since sometimes I am working on multiple jobs.

No one can write a city newsletter better than those who know it best – its city staff.  When I used to be employed by the City of Little Canada, we hired someone to write our articles and they never turned out good.  We ended up spending countless hours re-writing them.  Therefore, I generally do not write articles for placement into my customers' newsletters.  My customers email their articles to me in Word format already prepared.  However, I do edit articles for proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation.  Also, I can prepare readable articles from flyers or ads that are given to me, and I can help with article ideas based on my city government experience.  I do not write content for inclusion in city websites, unless it is general in nature.

I encourage all of my customers to hold "newsletter committee meetings" where staff members can brainstorm about article ideas and delegate writing responsibilities.  Creating quality newsletters is definitely a group effort. 

I do not provide photography services.  However, you are welcome to email photos that you would like me to feature in your publications and I do have stock photos that I can use.  I can also purchase high quality photos off the Internet for use in your publication.

Typically, my work on websites is not continuous.  However, I will perform one-time jobs such as content enhancement, content transfers, organization of websites, and implementation of best website practices.  I'm very familiar with GovOffice and NonProfitOffice, and will make the most out of your site using their amenities.

Minnesota counties, cities, organizations, and businesses that I have worked with include Avenet Web Solutions, Blue Heron Elementary School PTO, City of Chisago City, Chisago Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, Chisago Lakes Rotary Club, City of East Bethel, Healing Haiti, City of Lexington, Lexington Liquors, City of Lindstrom, City of Lino Lakes, Lino Lakes Police Department, City of Little Canada, Little Canada Historical Society, City of Mahtomedi, Morrison County, Oneka Roofing, City of Redwood Falls, Rice Creek Watershed District, SMW Federal Credit Union, City of Taylors Falls, City of West Saint Paul, City of White Bear Lake, and the White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation.  However, I have worked with numerous other cities across the United States.

Please visit my testimonial page for references.

Although my specialty is working with governmental organizations, I am willing to consider desktop publishing projects for non-profit or for profit businesses depending on the scope of the project.  Contact me for more information.