Sunrise Hitek is a digital printer & maker of tech accessories located in Chicago, USA
Just in time for the New Year, the United States Post Office has announced rate increases affecting first class mail. The first class class stamp rate has gone from $0.49 to $0.50. The largest increase is applied to flat/large envelopes up to 1 oz.
Here is handy reference chart to keep track of the increases:
Here at Sunrise Hitek we have just added a new Duplo DDC-810 raised Spot Coater to our litany of printing and finishing equipment. This service allows not just standard spot coating, which highlights a name, logo, or anything else one wants to stand out, but also allows for various coating heights and textures. Texturized coating can be done on anything from mailers to boxes. Many texture choices are available, including pebbled and lined finishes as well as more exotic patterns like leopard or plaid. Check it out:
Consumers are barraged with postcard mailers and brochures on a daily basis. This type of direct print marketing can get expensive and monotonous, so it is integral for that piece to stand out amongst the rest. Spot and texturized coating have long been a popular finishing option for printed items. Previously, this was a costly and sometimes time-consuming service reserved for large-scale projects. Spot and texturized coating immediately grabs the attention of the person handling it, leaving a lasting mark in their hands.
We are so excited to start using this feature on different projects!
Alphawood Gallery has partnered with the Japanese American Service Committee (JASC) to produce the Gallery’s first original exhibition, “Then They Came for Me: Incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII and the Demise of Civil Liberties”. This exhibition examines a dark episode in U.S. history when, in the name of national security, the government incarcerated 120,000 citizens and legal residents during World War II without due process or other constitutional protections to which they were entitled.
Sunrise Hitek was chosen to reproduce the B&W photographs that were hung throughout the exhibit. Photographs from renowned American photographers Dorothea Lange and Ansel Adams were among the photographs selected.
“We worked closely with Michael Williams, a Chicago-based photo historian and one of the curators of the show, on the reproductions to wring the maximum impact from each image. We used custom separations, in-line varnish, and G7 calibration methodology to maintain tone and detail throughout the dynamic range” said Steve Miller from Sunrise Hitek.
Although I saw the photos in the shop, they took on a new meaning when I experienced them in the show. The photographs were so stunning and beautiful, yet the circumstances were so troubling. When you see the photos in the show they really become that much more powerful.
I highly recommend anyone that is interested to see the show. It is available for free till November 19th.
Location:
Alphawood Gallery
2401 N Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60614
Hours:
Monday – Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday – Sunday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
July 28, 2017 by David Ditzler
When Barnabas Helmy, founder and CEO of SmashToast, Inc., was looking for a packaging supplier in the Chicago area, he had a very tight deadline. SmashToast makes PUCK, a Bluetooth low-energy device about the shape of a mini hockey puck that is only 1.5” wide. The PUCK is designed to stick on the outside of any device that uses an infrared (IR) remote. Using your smart phone and the free PUCK app which is available for both iOS and Android devices, you can choose the device you want to control from the app. Next just sync the PUCK via Bluetooth and you have a remote for your device using your phone. Since the connection to the PUCK is Bluetooth it has great range in the home or office and does not have to be line-of-sight like a typical TV remote where you have to point it directly at the TV for it to work.
SmashToast had a great opportunity to get their USA made product, which is manufactured right here in Illinois, in several Walmart stores across the country as a test. In order to be in stores though, they need to have retail display packaging. The hanging endcap unit that Walmart specified was called Sidekick. Luckily Barnabas and I are both members of Chicago MakerBiz which is a group of people that meet face-to-face once a month and stay connected online through Google Groups. MakerBiz is a product-focused, support community by, for and consisting of entrepreneurs. When Barnabas posted a message to the group another member recommended he contact David Ditzler from Sunrise Hitek. We exchanged messages online and the project was started.
With an in-store deadline of less than two weeks, we had to work fast. Barnabas supplied us with the specs of the Walmart Sidekick display and a quick sketch of what they wanted. We turned that sketch into a plain cardboard prototype for evaluation and then a full-color printed display that was sent to Barnabas for approval. The entire first run of 150 units was printed and cut at Sunrise Hitek and then sent ready to assemble to SmashToast’s manufacturing partner in Central, Illinois.
The PUCK is now available in 70 Walmart locations in IL, FL and TX. We are currently working with SmashToast on their second Walmart display, this time for use on a shelf.
“David and Sunrise came in like superheroes when we had a last-minute display request for a major retailer. David is a fantastic industrial designer and can accommodate virtually any request. Not only were the prices incredible, their product was outstanding and the turnaround time was FAST! I look forward to any opportunity to work together in the future.”- Barnabas Helmy
This is a great story of how small businesses can connect to help each other out. The entrepreneurial spirit has always been strong in the Midwest and Sunrise Hitek is proud to be a part of that.
PUCK is a small, wireless device that allows you to control things in your home with your phone. Simply place PUCK near the IR sensor on your device, download the free app, and toss your remotes! You can purchase PUCK in select Walmart stores or online at www.getpuck.com
About Sunrise Hitek Group, LLC.
Sunrise Hitek was established in 1988 and employs the most advanced equipment and technology, such as G7-certified HP Indigo and UV flatbed presses, laser engraving, and digital die-cutting, to create best-in-class color printing, short-run packaging, P.O.P. retail displays, and signage products. A privately-owned enterprise, the company is based in Chicago and sells products worldwide.
The super slim USB battery pack can be customized in as little as 5 days with your logo, image or contact information. The 5000 mAh extends the running time of your mobile phone and tablet and allows you to “top off” your phones battery when on the go. This make as great promotional gift or for your road warriors you work with. Businesses love the combination of functionality and brand exposure, making the Power Bank 5000 a great corporate giveaway or device for employee use.
Using the same type of high-density lithium-ion polymer battery as Apple’s iPhone, this USB battery pack is compatible with all USB powered devices on the market, including Apple, Samsung, LG, HTC, Sony, Motorola, and more. SMART circuitry communicates with your device and provides optimal charging.
Check out our cheat sheet for tips on designing yard signs. The steps run the gamut from suggesting color combinations, to which fonts to use. Whitepaper-01-10-Tips-For-Designing-Yard-Signs
New USPS rates for January, 2017. There have been a few changes, but surprisingly some prices have gone down.
| Select rates for First-Class Mail® | Expiring | New Prices |
| Prices | 1/22/17 | |
| Single-piece Letter – First ounce | $0.47 | $0.49 |
| Single-piece Metered – First ounce | $0.47 | $0.46 |
| Single-piece Flat – First ounce | $0.94 | $0.98 |
| Each additional ounce (letters and flats) | $0.21 | $0.21 |
| Parcels – Retail | $2.62 (0-3 oz.) | $2.67 (0-4 oz.) |
| Each additional ounce after 4 oz.(parcels) | $0.19 | $0.18 |
| Postcards | $0.34 | $0.34 |
| Presorted letter – (now same price up to 3.5 oz.) | $0.45 | $0.45 |
| Surcharge for non-machinable letters | $0.21 | $0.21 |
| Presorted flat – First ounce | $0.80 | $0.80 |
| Each additional ounce (presorted flats) | $0.21 | $0.21 |
| Automation letters & Postcards – 5-digit – First ounce | $0.38 | $0.37 |
| Automation flat – 5-digit – First ounce | $0.44 | $0.45 |
| Surcharge for non-machinable letters | $0.21 | $0.21 |
| Select rates for USPS Marketing Mail® | ||
| (previously Standard Mail®) | ||
| Letter 3.5 ounces or less – AADC (Non-automation) | $0.29 | $0.28 |
| Flat 4 ounces or less – ADC (Non-automation) | $2.55 | $0.56 |
| Select rates for Other Services | ||
| Certified Mail™ | $3.30 | $3.35 |
| Media Mail® – 1 lb. Single-Piece | $2.61 | $2.63 |
| Library Mail – 1 lb. Single-Piece | $2.48 | $2.50 |
| Return receipt – retail | $2.70 | $2.75 |
| Return receipt – electronic | $1.35 | $1.45 |
Here at Sunrise Hitek we have been producing professional quality canvas prints for a long time. We offer two ways to have them wrapped, gallery wrap and museum wrap.
Here is a print ready to be wrapped:
Putting photos on canvas is an effective way to expand the potential of pictures beyond conventional photo prints. Canvas on frame turn photos into decorative wall art for residential and commercial spaces with little additional effort. Professional artists and photographers have used canvas to display and showcase their work for ages, but thanks to Sunrise’s advanced digital printing process, their use is no longer limited to professionals.
The first style of wrapping is gallery-wrapping. Gallery-wrapped canvas is an excellent way to preserve wedding photos, family portraits, and other pictures and art and artwork for a lifetime and protect them from weathering, tearing and fading. In a gallery-wrap, the image extends beyond the front display area and wraps around the side-edge of the frame.
The second way to wrap is a museum wrap. In a museum wrap the image is on the front display area only and the side-edge of the frame can be any solid color, usually black or white. This looks more like a traditional framed picture, hence the name museum wrap.
The Dawn of the Sunrise Blog
Welcome to our new blog here at Sunrise Hitek! We’ll be using this platform to introduce new products, share how-to videos, and showcase fun news about the printing industry.
First, a little bit about us. We are a Chicago-based digital printer, founded in 1988. We are known for our capabilities ranging from small to grand format printing, digital die-cutting, coating, mailing, and fulfillment, as well as industry-leading fast turnaround times. In 2012, we started offering innovative solutions for customized iPhone and iPad cases, and expanded the product line to include a full range of tech gear.
Posts will be written by myself, Patti Elliott, a Sunrise employee for over 10 years now (!) and our newest employee and tech guru, David Ditzler, along with our President and company owner, Jimmy Sun, contributing at times as well. David’s expertise and my experience are a great combination to highlight the amazing work we’re doing at Sunrise and keep us all connected to the exciting world of printing. Stay Tuned!
