I think the thing I like the most about Spring is CHANGE.  ”Change” is all around us.  I would be lying if I said business was “as usual” during the cold of January and February, but the fact is time seems to be standing still during these cold winter months.  However, one of the positives that comes with the lack of orders flowing through our plant is we can plan for change, determine  what changes are needed, and implement changes in the services we extend to our customers.  To prepare for the future at Mastercolor we decided we needed a new printer that could print more 8×10s per hour to meet our commercial needs, but also a printer that could add something to our line that we have been lacking.  Starting May 1st we will be offering affordable panoramic prints sizes 8″x24″ to 12″x36″.  We recently attended the Carolina Nature Photographers Association convention and one of the main request we received was for us to offer volume pricing on panoramic prints, so please check back with us in May, or join our Email list to receive future notifications about our specials.

Change is not limited to the business decisions happening in the office.  Step outside, notice the changes all around you.  I walked out of our office yesterday and looked at a beautiful dogwood in the front lawn of Mastercolor.  All winter this dogwood  looked as if it was not going to make it, but yesterday confirmed my hopes, the buds are on the limbs, and the blooms are right around the corner.  What have you taken a picture of  recently or in years past that let you know that Spring is/was finally here?  If you have a favorite shot please enter your image in our photo contest and possibly win a 16″x24″ Canvas Gallery Wrap and a $50 credit.  The winner is selected by the public and you can vote on three different images daily, so tell your friends to select your print and become our second contest winner.  Good Luck!

Employees of Mastercolor are not eligible to win the “Spring” contest, but if I was I would submit  the picture I took from my car on my way home yesterday.  I was was driving past Page High School here in Greensboro and I looked with pride at what the Page Alumni and Friends Association had accomplished.  I looked at a hill that was once maintained by Alma Pinnix on a daily basis, but years of neglect had taken it’s toll and the ivy had completely taken her over. After hours of hard labor, the hill once again shines with beauty, the beauty that would make Mrs. Pinnix proud.  ”The Hill” as we have called it for the past 12 months means a lot to me, and the beauty that popped out this spring was special to me because my son , PHS class of 2021, planted most of the new  daffodils on the bank and they will be there the spring of senior year.

At Mastercolor Labs we see thousands of different Christmas Cards each year, and every year we are asked “which picture should I use for my card.”  My answer is always, use the photos that show what your family is like in their every day life.  Sure everyone wants to look like a Norman Rockwell Painting, but the cards I remember the most are the funny cards with kids laughing, dogs facing the other way, babies crying, and parents looking frustrated.  Remember you are sending these to friends, and they already know AND like you (hopefully), so be yourself. Put you favorite files on your desktop in a folder and download our ROES Software, and start preparing your own greeting card.  Our ROES software allows you to order straight 4×6 or 4×5 prints, slimline cards (4×6 with a 2″ Greeting on the end), 5×8 deluxe custom cards or 5×7 folded cards.  The ROES software is easy to use, but feel free to call us for step by step instructions.  While you are on the ROES program, why not order a couple Giclee Gallery Wrapped prints?  The perfect photographic gift for the loved ones in your life.

Happy Holidays from everyone at Mastercolor Labs!

C.Wright