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We're happy to share that we've added another new free expert guide to our Resource Library that's all about creating certificates. Click on either image in this email, or go to our Expert Guides section of the website, and you can download it right away.

Custom-designed certificates are great for everything from course certifications to the successful completion of coaching or training programs. Plus they are a great way to add value and increase satisfaction with visible reminders of good work and great accomplishments.

Certificates can be printed any size, in full color, and feature any design or message. We also can use variable data printing to customize each certificate with individual information such as names, titles, and completion dates.

Vervante can print and ship certificates directly to you, include them in shipments as part of other products you provide, or individually print and ship to your customers. We are also able to package certificates in attractive folders or frames before shipping.

Here are some ways Vervante customers are using certificates:

• Course completion or accreditation
• Endorsements
• Sponsor recognition
• Training completion
• Awards
• Achievements
• Milestones
• Special offers

How Variable Data Printing Works
Variable data printing is a way to create a product that has the same general design, but with elements that can be changed from one piece to the next, such as names, titles, or dates. It provides you with a way to individualize products without having to update the design for each one.

Variable data printing eliminates the need for massive print runs and makes it more economical to print truly individualized products. Here at Vervante, we offer variable data services for digital on-demand printing, so you can make it look like each product has been expressly designed and printed for a single person.

Here are some ideas where variable printing can be used:

• Offer a membership package that includes a personalized letter or a membership card.
• A monthly newsletter personalized with the customer's name.
• A personalized letter that accompanies a coaching product.
• A learning course that includes unique access information for the user.
• Postcards or mailers that creatively feature the recipient's first or last name
• Announcements and invitations that recognize the readers' loyalty by calling them by name and mentioning previous products or programs they invested in.
• Personalized thank you cards, tickets, bookmarks, journals, etc.

Adding Fields on a Certificate or PDF
If you want to personalize your certificates, or any document, with elements such as names or dates, we need a PDF with fields added to allow for the customization. Here are the steps to add fields to a PDF:

• Create a PDF of the certificate complete with bleed and crop marks
• Open the certificate in Adobe Acrobat, click on File > Create Form > From Existing PDFs
• Click Add New Field > Text Field
• Double-click on each of the fields to customize appearance of font, size and placement. We recommend selecting font size “auto.” What this means is that the text entered in this field will be sized automatically according to the size of the field. So, if you have a customer who has a long name vs. another with a short name, the text will be sized accordingly and will look professional.
• Be sure to SAVE your changes once the fields have been added. 

How to Change the Font on a Variable Data Field

1. Open the certificate with Adobe Acrobat Pro
2. Click open TOOLS field
3. Open the FORMS section
4. Click on EDIT
5. Hover over the area of the certificate you want to edit and double-click that editable area.
6. Click on the APPEARANCE tab: From here you can change the font type and font size
7. Select the CLOSE button

To Send Your Print Files to Vervante

• Log in to your Vervante author account and click on UPLOAD FILES from your author dashboard.
• Complete the specification document and send us your print-ready PDF.
• When you send orders for your certificates, include the variable data in separate fields/columns on a spreadsheet or with your order information.   

If you have any questions about creating certificates or using variable data printing, our team can help at [email protected].

You've probably seen us talk about POD often enough, but what about MOQ? When it comes to the print and publishing world, becoming familiar with printing terms like these is a great way to minimize confusion and help you make the right decisions for budgeting, printing and sales down the line. Here's what you need to know:

What is MOQ?
“MOQ”, or minimum order quantity, refers to the fewest number of units required to be purchased at one time in order to place an order. The main reason for minimum order quantity is due to the upfront fixed costs associated with setting up a custom print job. Minimum order amounts can vary as well, depending on the product. To find out what the minimum order amount is for a specific product, please reach out to us either using the "Get a Quote" link on our website, or by emailing [email protected].

What is POD?
Print on Demand, "POD", uses digital printing methods to print books and other products only in the amount needed. This means you can order 1 book or you can order 100, whatever you need. (More details here: "How Vervante Print On Demand works")

POD vs MOQ
The deciding factor on whether printing will be POD or MOQ depends on the type and complexity of product. We've created a graphic you can see here that lists many of the products we provide and whether they are POD or MOQ. For example:

• POD: Card decks, paperback books, notepads, and saddle-stitch booklets
• MOQ: Hardcover planners and books, kiss-cut or die-cut stickers, and anything with foil stamping or wire-o binding

To access this graphic anytime, or download it for free, visit our Expert Guides page on the Vervante website.

If you’re feeling a bit apprehensive about what this new year will bring, you’re not alone. The good news is that we’re always thinking about ways to help, and we figured what better what to start strong for the New Year that to share the best of what we've been talking about here at Vervante headquarters!

Our team works in-depth and personally with each and every one of our customers. We’ve kept a close eye on what’s working for products and publishing right now so we can provide you with the best ideas and resources to help make this the best yet. That’s how we came up with:

Our Top 5 Lessons for Thriving in 2022

Lesson #1: Your Author Platform is Very Important
Once you write a book or create a product - you need to make sure that people know it's there! Every author  needs an author platform. Especially self-published authors. Social media is great, but when it comes down to it, you need to create and nurture an audience of interested and excited fans that will support your growth (and your bottom line). An author website that you control is a great place to start. Create and maintain a database of contact information as well, so you can send them newsletters or updates for new products, events or promotions. Add an active social media account and an Amazon Author Page and you've got all the makings for a vibrant author platform. A few resources to help:

• How to Create An Author Website
• How to Build A Contact List
• How to Set Up and Use Amazon Author Pages

Lesson #2: Don’t Stop with Just One Idea
If you’re launching a book, planner or other new product for 2022, don't stop with just that one idea, turn it into a collection! Customers who love your products will be excited when they see you have additional items available that complement or make it even better. For ideas about how to do this, check out our article about how to turn a planner into a whole collection. You can use these ideas for anything - books, journals, business training products, etc.

Lesson #3: Take Your Products for a Test Run
Looking at a product on your computer screen is a whole lot different than holding it in your hands in real life. We offer samples and resources to help you make absolutely sure that your product fits your vision before you send it out into the world.

• Start by watching videos of our CEO showing how products look and function
• Next, order samples of our products to road-test how they look, feel, and function
• Once you've created your book or product, order a test copy (or copies) for a final check

Lesson #4: The Technical Stuff Matters
When it comes to designing and creating a book or product, it's important to pay attention to design details for a successful printing experience. For example, you can have a gorgeous cover design for your book, but if when you look inside the words are cut off in the margin, or holes are punched in the wrong places, it can ruin the whole experience. Details like margin width and print file formatting are very important, as you can see. Whether you are doing the design yourself, or you use a graphic design professional, attention to these technical details is crucial. Here are a few resources to help:

• The Ultimate Checklist for Creating Print-Ready Files
• Why Margin Width is Important for Printing
• Using Canva to Design Printed Products
• How to Prepare Your Files for Printing
• The Importance of Copyediting

Lesson #5: Start Planning Now
As our CEO, Cindy Tyler, stated in last week's newsletter, it's very important to start planning now to ensure a successful experience down the road. If you want to create a 2023 planner, start now. If you want to write a book, develop a new product, etc., start now. Even if you're thinking of a holiday launch and it seems soooo far away, it really isn't. Set your goals, strategize your timeline, and don't put it off.

We’re cheering you on for a successful and satisfying 2022!