[GPSCC-chat] Color in Green Party Literature

[Jim Stauffer]

 From a usability survey some years ago, colored literature tends to be 
perceived as more professional while black & white is more garage shop / 
street level. Adding highlighter to a B&W looks even more street level.

You have to consider who you're representing and who you're talking to, and 
what the expectations are for each. Chances are that you want some color 
pieces to give to those you really want to impressive or persuade. To those 
already receptive to the subject would be fine with B&W.

Jim




On 11/26/2011 5:54 PM, Spencer Graves wrote:
> Hello, All:
>
>
> I've spent a fair amount of money and time over the past 6 weeks making copies
> for the Green Party and Occupy San Jose, considering different options.
>
>
> If anyone wants black and white copies of anything, Brian Good has volunteered
> to print perhaps 40,000 copies for the Green Party
>
>
> BRIAN: IF I'VE MISUNDERSTOOD, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
>
>
> Hector Schneider with Occupy San Jose has agreed to get material printed for
> us at cost, which runs roughly 4 cents per page double sided, color, 2.5 cents
> black and white. By contrast, The Copy Factory in Palo Alto wants 75 cents
> each for 100 single sheets, color both sides, 82 cents folded. I don't know,
> but I suspect that FedEx Office, Office Depot, Office Max, and Staples are
> probably closer to $1 per page. Brian thinks we can get the old HP currently
> in Warner's garage working again. If yes, then using that could reduce the per
> page charge to something close to what Hector thinks he can get them for.
>
>
> QUESTIONS: What is the impact of color on the rates at which people (a) take
> our literature and (b) do something positive as a result? The only data I have
> on this is the subjective reactions of people with whom I speak. Some want the
> master so they can print black-and-white copies to hand to their friends.
> That's great. We probably don't need color in any context where the literature
> will be delivered to friends and relatives. However, Caroline and Merriam are
> pretty adamant that color increases substantially the rate at which people
> accept literature.
>
>
> Both Brian and Cameron suggested using a highlighter to add color to
> black-and-white originals. There was a fair amount of hand coloring of
> black-and-white printing in the 19th century, and this is perhaps reasonable
> if you are tabling when most of the time you are sitting waiting for someone
> to approach your table. However, especially if we can get real color copies
> for under 10 cents per page, this doesn't make sense to me.
>
>
> I distributed literature today at BoA across from Cesar Chavez Park with
> Merriam, Caroline, and Tian. I observed the following reactions (with
> guestimated percentages):
>
>
> * (1%) A few were close to hostile, e.g, "The media is liberal: All I hear is
> Obama, Obama."
>
>
> * (10%) Some went out of their way to avoid me.
>
>
> * (15%) Some didn't seem to change their walking trajectory, but tried hard to
> avoid looking at me.
>
>
> * (15%) Some looked at the flier for a second or so before deciding not to
> take it.
>
>
> * (25%) Some accepted the flier and kept walking -- no time to exchange comments.
>
>
> * (10%) Some paused or slowed enough that I made a comment or two as they
> accepted the literature.
>
>
> * (3%) A couple asked questions.
>
>
> * (20%) Several said they were already in Credit Unions or had otherwise
> already moved their money.
>
>
> * (1%) One even said he was distributing my z-folds for Occupy!
>
>
> Just guessing, I will speculate that the color may have doubled our acceptance
> rate to 1 in 4 from 1 in 8 (or maybe even 1 in 12).
>
>
> Comments?
> Beset Wishes,
> Spencer
>
>
> On 11/26/2011 3:59 PM, Cameron L. Spitzer wrote:
>> It seems to me the cheapest way to make color copies is
>> to make black and white copies then highlight them
>> with a little color after. Can we design our artwork to
>> work in black and white with a few strokes from
>> a highlighter?
>>
>
>