Équipe | Témoignages

Suzanne Vandenberg, Calgary Mountain Publishing

The Treasure

Les livres sont arrivés en bon état et sont magnifiques. Ils sont bien reçus et les gens me demandent qui est mon imprimeur. Je leur réponds que Friesens est une entreprise exceptionnelle et que c’était un plaisir de travailler avec vous tous.

Merci pour tout!


Lisa et Leslie Jones, Grant Morris Associates Ltd

Barbados Anniversary

Nous voulons simplement remercier Friesens de ses efforts en vue d’accommoder Grant Morris et l’équipe de rédaction responsable de la production du livre. L’équipe de rédaction a consacré énormément de temps et d’énergie à ce projet et, en tant que graphistes du projet, nous en sommes les témoins directs. Obtenir ces livres à temps pour le lancement était pour nous de la plus haute importance.

Votre entreprise nous avait déjà été fortement recommandée et comme nous participions aussi au processus de comparaison des imprimantes et des tarifs proposés, dès le premier entretien de Lisa avec vous, elle a pressenti que Friesens était l’entreprise qu’il nous fallait. Merci encore à votre équipe!
Nous voulons simplement remercier Friesens de ses efforts en vue d’accommoder Grant Morris et l’équipe de rédaction responsable de la production du livre. L’équipe de rédaction a consacré énormément de temps et d’énergie à ce projet et, en tant que graphistes du projet, nous en sommes les témoins directs.


Terry et Angelo Corrao, Colfax Press

Fatherdaughter


Merci infiniment à Friesens d’avoir fait de notre album de photos FATHER DAUGHTER une première expérience d’impression inoubliable. Nous avons été impressionnés par tant d’aspects que nous avons dû les énumérer :

  • l’excellente communication du début à la fin;
  • le respect de l’échéancier;
  • une équipe d’impression très talentueuse et compétente;
  • une usine extrêmement propre et respectueuse de l’environnement;
  • une grande attention aux clients, notamment en prévoyant tous leurs besoins, tant techniques
  • qu’artistiques;
  • un hébergement agréable offrant le confort d’un foyer.

Lila Strand, Luminescence Publishing

The Star Children

Je tiens à exprimer ma gratitude envers votre entreprise et les gens merveilleux qui offrent un service aussi fantastique. Merci de votre service à la clientèle exceptionnel : votre patience, votre courtoisie et votre serviabilité, sans oublier vos merveilleuses compétences techniques! Je vous remercie infiniment de votre volonté de redoubler d’efforts jusqu’à ce que tout soit parfait! En fait, je suis ravie du livre, de son apparence et de sa texture. Je ne pense pas que je pourrais en être plus heureuse. Je vous remercie tous du fond du cœur!


Milenda Lee, Columbia University Press

Man of Peace

Je viens d’avoir des nouvelles des personnes ayant reçu les exemplaires de prépublication. Steve Buccellato dit : « Noël est arrivé plus tôt que prévu, je viens de recevoir un exemplaire de Man of Peace! Je le trouve magnifique. » Une autre personne a dit : « Je pleurais littéralement de joie lorsque j’ai tenu le livre entre mes mains. »

Merci beaucoup, ce fut un plaisir pour nous aussi. Vous avez fait le bonheur de plusieurs personnes aujourd’hui.


Linda Hensellek, Winchester Galleries Ltd.

Abstracta Delecta


Nous venons de recevoir nos catalogues, merci beaucoup! Le catalogue est superbe! Encore une fois, nous vous remercions de votre aide et de votre attention. C’est un bonheur de travailler avec vous tous.


Elisa Gutierrez, Tradewind Books Ltd

Riddlemaster

Nous voulions vous faire savoir que nous sommes très satisfaits de la qualité du livre! Les couleurs, la garde (nous ADORONS le papier utilisé et la brillance des couleurs imprimées!), la finition, etc. Veuillez féliciter et remercier l’équipe de Friesens en notre nom pour ses efforts et son bon travail! Merci. Nous sommes impatients de collaborer de nouveau à d’autres projets.


Dan Johnson, High-Fishtrap-Rush Lake Association

Heaven on the Headwaters


Je voulais simplement vous dire que nous sommes ravis du produit final. Jusqu’à présent, pour ce qui est de la distribution limitée aux membres de l’Association, nous n’avons eu que des commentaires élogieux sur le contenu et la qualité du produit. Mon épouse, Jeffrey et moi-même recommandons Friesens sans hésitation à tout client éventuel. Nous avons tous beaucoup appris et si c’était à refaire, le processus serait beaucoup plus facile de notre côté. Scott était un excellent représentant à la clientèle, et il a été très serviable et réceptif.


Ben Bosah, Ben Boash Books

The Art of Nigerian Women


Je tiens à remercier chaleureusement la famille Friesens pour le travail qu’elle a fait pour mon dernier livre. Je suis très reconnaissant et je remercie les 500 employés de votre entreprise. Je suis amoureux de mon dernier bébé. J’ai le sourire aux lèvres. Merci à Glenda, à Paul, à Brad, à Scott, à Ralph et à tout le personnel chez Friesens. Je vous aime.

Adobe Express Add-Ons

At Friesens, we understand the unique challenges that arise with crafting the perfect yearbook, and our goal is to make this journey seamless and unforgettable. So, we are thrilled to introduce an array of add-ons carefully chosen to enhance your yearbook creation process. Allow us to present the thoughtfully chosen Adobe Express add-ons that will revolutionize the way you approach yearbook design.

Friesens Tailored Approach to Yearbook Creation

Integration with Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive: Seamless Collaboration, Secure Storage
In the collaborative world of yearbook creation, we recognize the importance of smooth teamwork. The Integration with cloud drives add-on ensures that your team can seamlessly collaborate on the yearbook. Your project files are securely stored in Google or OneDrive, making sharing, editing, and feedback a breeze. Elevate teamwork and efficiency with this invaluable integration.

Free Stock Image Search: Budget-Friendly Visuals Without Compromise
We understand the financial considerations of yearbook creation. The Free Stock Image Search add-on expands your creative palette with a vast repository of high-resolution stock images, all accessible within Adobe Express. Enhance your yearbook with stunning visuals at no additional cost, ensuring your budget goes further without compromising on quality.

Gradient Effect: Elevate Design Aesthetics in Your Yearbook
Your yearbook deserves to stand out, and the Gradient Effect add-on is here to help. Elevate your design aesthetics by seamlessly incorporating gradients that add depth and visual appeal to your yearbook pages. Whether you’re aiming for a subtle transition or a bold color blend, this feature allows you to infuse your yearbook with a touch of uniqueness.

Import/Export Various File Types: Versatility for Your Yearbook Assets
Yearbook creation often involves collaboration with various contributors and platforms. The Import/Export Various File Types add-on ensures compatibility by allowing you to seamlessly work with a variety of file formats. From importing content to exporting the final product, this feature provides the versatility needed for a smooth yearbook creation process.

Add-Ons Enhance Yearbook Creation

Focused on Yearbook Needs
Each add-on is selected with the specific challenges of yearbook creation in mind, ensuring they align with your unique requirements.

Efficiency in Collaboration
Streamline teamwork with features like Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive integration, making collaboration a breeze for your yearbook team.

Cost-Effective Visuals
The Free Stock Image Search add-on allows you to enhance your yearbook without stretching your budget, providing access to high-quality visuals at no additional cost.

Distinctive Design Elements
The Gradient Effect add-on empowers you to infuse your yearbook with unique design elements, setting it apart from the rest.

Versatile Asset Management
Import and export various file types seamlessly, ensuring your yearbook assets are versatile and adaptable to different platforms and contributors.

Start Your Enhanced Yearbook Journey Today!

Transform your yearbook creation process with these purposefully chosen add-ons from Friesens. Elevate collaboration, enhance visuals, and infuse distinctive design elements into your yearbook. Your journey to create a truly memorable yearbook experience starts here!

Essential Books for International Childrens’ Book Day

International Children’s Book Day is a celebration of literature that transcends borders and speaks to the hearts of young readers worldwide. As we commemorate this special day, let’s explore a curated list of essential books that ignite imagination, foster empathy, and inspire a lifelong love for reading. From timeless classics to contemporary gems, these stories have the power to shape young minds and create lasting memories. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or simply a book enthusiast, join us on this literary journey to discover captivating tales that resonate across cultures and generations.

MOUNTAIN MACHINES – Sara Leach
Ages 2-5, Poppy Productions

This is an illustrated counting book where children explore the machines that work on a ski kill.  The book teaches kids to count and name the machines playing in the snow.  Each machine has its own personality, and on every page Marty Marmot watches the fun.  It’s the perfect book to help little ones learn numbers and new words.

SING TO ME – Molly Nightingale & Minnie Schmidt
Ages 3-6, Prairie View Press

“Sing to Me” is a songbook containing over 85 nursery rhymes, lullabies, bible songs, and songs suitable for baby showers and features beautiful full-colour illustrations alongside each shaped-note song.  It’s a treasure trove for parents and caregivers as they rock their little ones.

FUN FOR THE LITTLE NUNAVUMMIUT UKALIQ SERIES
Ages 3-6, Inhabit Media

These books celebrate the culture, traditions, and daily live of children in Nunavut, a Canadian territory.  These books feature engaging stories, vibrant illustrations, and relatable characters, providing a window into the unique experiences of Nunavummiut children. Each book is in English and Inuktitut.

LOVE YOU FOREVER – Robert Munsch
Ages 3-6, Firefly Books

This is a heartwarming story that captures the essence of unconditional love.  It follows a mother’s unwavering devotion to her son as he grows from infancy to adulthood.  Despite the occasional frustration caused by her son’s behaviour, she sings a lullaby to him at each stage of his life and shares the enduring bond between parent and child.

HOW FULL IS YOUR BUCKET FOR KIDS – Tom Rath & Mary Reckmeyer
Ages 3-8, Gallup Press

Each of us has an invisible bucket.  When it’s full, we feel great.  When it’s empty, we feel awful.  This book is an illustrated adaptation of the long-running bestseller “How Full Is Your Bucket” and revolves around a boy named Felix who learns a valuable lesson about “bucket filling”.  Through the day, Felix realizes that every interaction either fills or empties his bucket, and everything he says or does to other people affects their buckets as well.  It teaches kids valuable lessons about kindness and empathy.

WALTER THE FARTING DOG – William Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray
Ages 4-8, North Atlantic Books

The story revolves around Walter, a dog with flatulence.  Despite this, he is loved by his siblings, but their father is on the verge of surrendering him to the local pound.  When burglars break into their home, Walter’s superpower of heroic toots saves the day and earns him a special place in the family’s heart.  This story emphasizes acceptance, love, and the incredible power of being oneself, farts and all.

WHO’S HOCKEY? A “Hockey Is For Everyone” Book About Acceptance – Jeff McLean
Ages 4-9, National Hockey League

This is the first release in the “Hockey For Everyone” series, created in partnership with the NHL, and focuses on the NHL’s first Declaration of Principles – Acceptance.  The story follows Cam who moves to a new town far away.  To her surprise, nobody in this town has heard of hockey!  So, as the world’s biggest hockey fan, Cam embarks on an adventure to bring her love of the game to everybody she meets.  Through Cam’s efforts, we learn how hockey can bring a diverse group of people together, create a place for everyone in the game, and even bring a whole town to life through acceptance.   

BAXTER & JEFFREY – Ariane and Todd Erickson
Ages 4-8, Norse-Gael Books

The story revolves around an unlikely friendship between a young boy named Jeffrey, who aspires to become a knight without any help, and a friendly dragon named Baxter.  Despite their differences they learn to accept each other’s help and build a kind and helpful bond.  The story emphasizes themes of friendship, understanding, and accepting help from others.

TWO MÉTIS VESTS – Leah Marie Dorian
Ages 5-7, Strong Nations

This is a book that introduces young readers to the traditional clothing of the Métis people.  Kids will learn that a Métis vest is a piece of clothing similar to a short jacket but without sleeves, with buttons down the front and decorated by Métis women with colourful designs and fringes.  The book features two pictures of Métis vests and encourages readers to consider which would be the hardest to make.

SEWING FOR KIDS – Alexa Ward
Ages 6-9, Callisto Publishing

This book offers beginner-friendly techniques for both hand and machine sewing.  From threading a needle to creating fingerless gloves, this book takes kids step-by-step through various sewing projects.  The projects increase in difficulty, allowing kids to build confidence and explore their creativity. 

SALMA WRITES A BOOK – Danny Ramadan
Ages 6-9, Annick Press

Part of the Salma Series, this early chapter book follows Salma, a recently migrated Syrian refugee living in Vancouver, Canada.  She recently received exciting news: she’s going to be a big sister!  She’s determined to be the best big sister ever, so she sets out to write the ultimate guidebook to siblinghood.  However, as she learns more about siblings, she becomes more and more confused, especially since her mom is in conflict with her own brother over matters of love.  This book deftly tackles themes of friendship, family, honesty, cultural values, and LGBTQ+ identity.

DOG MAN: TWENTY THOUSAND FLEAS UNDER THE SEA – Dav Pikley
Ages 7-10, Scholastic

This is the 11th book in the Dog Man graphic novel series.  This installment follows the adventures of Dog Man, a half-dog, half-human police officer.  In this story, Piggy returns as a new nemesis, accompanied by his army of fleas.  Piggy’s villainy leads to chaos, and the Supa Buddies find themselves in a sticky situation when they end up in a sweat gland on Piggy’s nose, battling a giant mite.

JACK & THE BOYS: MOUNTAIN BIKING ADVENTURE – Delia Dumont
Ages 7-10, Eaglecrest Books

This is a chapter book for young readers and tells the story of Jack the dog, who accompanies Glynn and Adrien on their mountain biking adventures.  When they discover a cabin on fire, Jack lets them know that someone is inside!  While Glynn helps the lady, Adrien rushes off to call 911.  Meanwhile, Jack plays a crucial role in saving the day.

WEIRD BUT TRUE: DINOSAURS
Ages 8-12, National Geographic Kids

This is a fascinating book that looks at the prehistoric world of dinosaurs and is packed with over 300 DINO-mite facts.  Readers will learn about the places dinosaurs lived, the art they inspired, and the paleontologists who discovered them.  They’ll also discover fun facts, like the T. rex had vision 13 times better than the average human, and that people collect fossilized dinosaur poop!

96 FACTS ABOUT TAYLOR SWIFT – Arie Kaplan
Ages 8-12, Penguin Random House

Packed with fun facts, quick quizzes, and bonus pages for journaling, this is a must-have book for any Swiftie.  It’s a great exploration of fascinating tidbits about Taylor Swift and is truly the ultimate fact book and journal for die-hard fans.

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES – LM Montgomery
Ages 8-12, Penguin Random House

Set in the late 19th century, this classic Canadian novel follows the adventures of 11-year old orphan Anne Shirley.  By mistake, she’s sent to live with middle-aged siblings Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert on their farm in the fictional town of Avonlea, Prince Edward Island.  The book follows Anne’s journey as she navigates life with the Cuthberts, goes to school, and becomes an integral (and unique) member of the community.

TALK LIKE AN EXPERT: DINOSAURS
Ages 8-12, Merriam-Webster Kids

This book introduces budding paleontologists to the world of dinosaurs.  It takes readers back millions of years to explore how dinosaurs lived, ate, fought, raised their young and more.  It contains full-colour illustrations and teaches 400 essential words that paleontologists use like “coprolites” (fossilized dinosaur poop).  An A-Z glossary makes sure that readers not only talk like experts but think like them too.

DOUBLE TROUBLE – Joanne Levy
Ages 9-12, Orca Book Publishers

Victoria Adelman’s best friend has moved away, leaving her to spend the summer alone.  One day, on her way home from a party, she meets Jazzy, her next-door neighbors’ granddaughter and hopes her friendless status is about to change.  Later she meets Jazzy again, but Jazzy doesn’t recognize the filthy, smelly girl as the one she met earlier.  Without thinking, Victoria tells Jazzy the girl she met earlier was her twin sister Vicky.  She figures she can fake being twins for two weeks, but then Jazzy announces she’s staying with her grandparents for the school year.  What is Victoria going to do?  Come clean and lose her new friend, or live her life as a fake?

A KWAKWAKA’WAKW POTLATCH – Sally Williams
Ages 9-11, Strong Nations

This book is part of the Strong Stories: Kwakwaka’wakw series and explores the sacred ceremonies of the Kwakwaka’wakw people, focusing on the Potlach.  This time for ceremony and community plays a crucial role in their culture.  Through these stories, readers will learn about the roots of the Kwakwaka’wakw people, their lands, and their traditions.

DRAGON ON THE LOOSE – Marty Chan
Ages 9-12, Orca Book Publishers

This book combines magical adventure, friendship and themes of Chinese culture.  The story revolves around eleven-year-old Hailey and her friend Kyle who accidentally bring a dragon to life when they make a wish on a Chinese lion statue.  The dragon, named Zhu, is a friendly dragon, and the kids show them around the city.  However, things take a turn when Animal Control gets wind of the creature on the loose.  Hailey and Kyle must find a way to send their new friend back home before she’s taken away.

THE JUMBLED JEWELS – David Gorman
Ages 10-14, FriesenPress

Seth and Julia Ambrose are seasoned mystery solvers at their favourite amusement park.  When Julia stumbles upon a ruby at the park, she and her friends embark on a quest to recover stolen jewels worth millions.  Can these kid detectives outwit the criminals?  And does Julia have what it takes to lead the team and save the day?  This all-girls mystery emphasizes self-confidence and believing in oneself.

GILMORE GIRLS: AT HOME IN STARS HOLLOW – Micol Ostow
All Ages, Insight Editions

This is a picture book that takes readers on a journey through the town of Stars Hollow.  Lorelai and Rory Gilmore reminisce about important moments in their lives, including their arrival in Stars Hollow in search of a welcoming home and community.  This book captures the essence of the town and its characters, such as Miss Patty, Luke, and Sookie. 

HAPPY READING!

Yearbook Proofing Checklist

Creating a yearbook is a labor of love, a compilation of cherished memories that will last a lifetime. To ensure your yearbook stands the test of time, it’s important to pay attention to the details.  Editing and proofreading play a pivotal role in producing a polished and error-free yearbook!  Here are some essentials to review before sending the pages to print:

PAGE BORDERS AND MIDDLE GUTTER

You’ll want to make sure that content, especially text and faces, aren’t going to be trimmed or hard to see through the middle gutter.  Nothing would be worse than losing half of a perfect quote or favourite student’s amazing Halloween costume!

PAGE NUMBERS AND ORDER

Check to make sure all pages are numbered correctly and are in the right order.  Also be sure that there are no missing or duplicate pages.  An important thing to remember – make sure that if you have any pages with dark backgrounds, you don’t have black page numbers…they won’t show up in the printed yearbook!

SPELLING AND GRAMMAR

This is a pretty obvious one, but you’d be surprised how often something gets missed!  Don’t just leave it up to a spell checker because it won’t catch typos that are actual words (like lose – loose or to – too – two) …be sure to proofread everything manually!

ACCURACY OF NAMES AND INFORMATION

When it comes to names, you absolutely don’t want to get those wrong.  Double check all names, including student names, faculty names, and the names of anyone else listed in the yearbook.  You also want to fact-check all information to make sure it’s accurate, like dates, titles, and descriptions.

IMAGE QUALITY

Cameras these days, even cellphone cameras, are amazing. However, you still want to check that your images are high-resolution and appear crisp and clear.  You’ll want to check for any pixelation or distortion, and make sure that images are properly cropped and positioned.

CONSISTENCY

Does your book flow nicely or does it feel disjointed?  You will want to ensure consistency in formatting, style, and tone throughout the book.  Consistent use of fonts, colours, and design elements help maintain a cohesive look.

LAYOUT AND DESIGN

Much like consistency, review the layout and design of each page to make sure that it’s visually appealing and easy to navigate.  Check for alignment, spacing, and overall balance of elements. 

HEADLINES AND TITLES

Review all headlines, titles, and section headings for accuracy and consistency.  Do they effectively convey the content of each section or page?  If not, you may want to take the time to revise.

CAPTIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS

Do all captions accurately describe the content of the photos and provide relevant context?  You’ll also want to make sure that all captions are correctly placed and formatted.

CONTENT FLOW

Evaluate the way the book flows from beginning to end.  You want to ensure that it progresses smoothly from section to section and that there are no abrupt transitions.

FEEDBACK FROM OTHERS

If you ask us, this is one of the most important things to remember!  Don’t just leave the job of proofing to one person.  It’s helpful (and just plain smart) to have multiple people look over the yearbook pages to catch any errors or inconsistencies that may have been overlooked.  Consider seeking feedback from teachers, students, or other staff members. 

Remember, a meticulously proofed and reviewed yearbook not only preserves memories, but also showcases the dedication and care put into its creation!

Our Takeaways from the London Book Fair

The London Book Fair 2024 returned, bigger, louder, and busier than ever before, even in the wake of the pandemic. The organizers made a deliberate move from April to March, positioning it as the premier Book Fair of the season. Initial observations suggest that this strategic shift paid off, with over 30,000 visitors flocking to the LBF.

One of the driving factors behind the bustling atmosphere was the return of American publishers, a group not seen in such numbers since pre-pandemic times. Among them were many production professionals, a welcome sight given the scarcity of production-specific meetings. Attendees come to London to network with clients, gain insights into the direction other printers are taking, and stay informed about industry trends.

At the fair, several key topics took center stage, including the Impact of AI, Climate and Sustainability, Net Zero, and Books with Neurodiversity. Printers, in particular, expressed keen interest in sustainability, recognizing that the printing and shipping of books contribute significantly to the carbon footprint. While Europe leads the way working out how to measure and reduce the carbon footprint of printing and shipping, North America lags behind but is superior in the adoption and use of recycled paper. Simultaneously, discussions abound about the rising carbon footprint of the internet and the growing demand for server power driven by AI.

Ultimately, the London Book Fair serves as a powerful reminder of the vast and diverse industry it represents. Until next year!

Rolland Paper is Now Sustana

Many of you are familiar with the name Rolland Paper. They are one of our key suppliers of uncoated paper and a popular paper used by many others. Rolland Enviro, Rolland Opaque, Rolland Enviro Satin are all papers you have probably seen on our quotes, samples, marketing material, or referenced in other correspondence.

As such we want you to know that you will see a change in samples and correspondence from Rolland to Sustana as their rebranding begins in the coming months. They expect it may take until later in 2024 to be fully complete.

Below is a statement from Sustana:

We proudly announced a strategic move to streamline our operations and enhance our commitment to sustainability with the rebranding of Rolland and our other subsidiaries under the Sustana umbrella. By bringing together our business units under the Sustana brand, we are creating a stronger, more united company around our shared purpose – making sustainability an ingredient in everyday products.

Sustana is dedicated to finding new ways of putting clean materials within more everyday paper products—sustainably, responsibly, and meaningfully. We are an industry-leading producer of quality fiber-based products and services built on a solid commitment to sustainability and continuous improvement. From recovery to fiber to paper production, Sustana produces the clean materials used in coffee cups, food packaging, your favorite book, and so much more. At Sustana, creating real change starts from within.

Learn more about how our products and manufacturing practices support the circular economy at www.sustanasolutions.com