The cornerstone of every underclass/sports/event job is the ability to send the correct student and package information to the lab.  If you are able to communicate with your lab efficiently, then you will receive a quality product in a shorter period of time.  Long gone are the days of hand written run sheets. Messy, hard to read, cross outs, misspellings… it’s amazing that any job was delivered 100% correct or on time.  Technology has paved the way for faster ordering methods with fewer errors.

Seven years ago Century Color wrote the first version of its data entry program called DataMatch. This program allows you to import a database (from the school or league) or manually type in the student and package information. It also allows you to import and crop your images, so you can receive your photos exactly the way you want them. DataMatch is supported with a highly trained tech-support staff to answer any questions that you may have. We are continually updating this software. It has evolved into one of the best order entry programs in the industry. We are in constant communication with professional photographers so we know what they want as well as what works best for our workflow.

Dawn Sikorski of Art Rich Photography, has this to say about DataMatch:

“We’ve been using DataMatch for years at Art Rich Photography. Before DataMatch, we tried other ordering software and were dissatisfied with the service we received in regards to fixing bugs and compatibility issues. One of the hardest things to find is a good customer-service driven company that strives to improve its software continually to achieve a user-friendly, glitch-free program. Century Color is quick to answer questions, offers great one-on-one training and releases frequent updates to keep DataMatch running smoothly as technology advances. DataMatch is an easy to use program that makes bulk ordering a breeze; by using a bar-code scanner you’ll save a ton of time and virtually eliminate mistakes.”

The best part is, DataMatch is free for our customers! Why buy a program written by a programmer who doesn’t know anything about the industry? Click here to request your copy of DataMatch today! *Note* DataMatch is only compatible on PCs with Microsoft Windows 2000 or higher.

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Retouching has been revamped! At Century, we are always listening. Each year, we visit many of our customers to get feedback on new products and make sure that we are exceeding expectations. During these visits, we heard a common story. Several of our senior photographers expressed concerns about the embarrassing conversation with their clients that they require “extensive retouching” and that it will cost more to get rid of their blemishes and eye bags. In response, Century has done away with the current two-tiered retouching pricing structure and is introducing a new one.

Retouching is now done at one low price! This price includes removing facial blemishes and softening bags under the eyes no matter how extensive it may be. No more embarrassing conversations! Another suggestion we heard multiple times concerned the pricing on additional retouching services. Many photographers felt that if facial retouching was ordered that there should be a discount on additional retouching services like toning down shine or removing stray hairs. The reason being that the file was already open, so a little more retouching would not take that much more effort …and we agree! When you order retouching, you will now receive a significant discount on any additional services the image may need. We all know that the better a person feels about their portrait the more they will order, so use retouching as a tool to boost sales!

Click here to see our new retouching pricing structure

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The marketing department at Century Color has been busy developing new products as well as improving old ones. When a new product is introduced there is always a “sink or swim” stage. If the new product is a success we then work on ways to improve it. Event books are definitely a “swimmer” product. Event books were introduced several years ago as an alternative way to showcase your images instead of the traditional 4x6 proofs. Because of their huge popularity we have developed several classy new designs that are great for weddings, birthday parties, Bar Mitzvahs, anniversaries, any event imaginable!

There are six beautiful covers to choose from; one is sure to capture the essence of your client’s event. Coordinating pages are available in 6-up or 12-up configurations. You have the option of including file names under each image, creating an easy and efficient way for clients and their relatives to place orders.

May/June Promotion: For the next two months, Century Color will be running a promotion on all event books ordered through ROES. From May 1st to June 30th all event book orders (including printing and binding) will be 30% off. Be sure to take advantage of this offer today!

Click here to see the various cover and page designs.

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Century Color Labs, Inc.
494 School Street
East Hartford, Connecticut 06108
860-289-9501; 1-800-242-9501
www.centurycolor.com, www.centurycolorblog.com
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