The History of Naming Boats

It is boating season at the Lake of the Ozarks. When you buy a boat, there are a couple things you need to do. First, you need to make sure your boat is registered. Secondly, it is tradition to name your boat. Smart Postal Centers offers full graphic services and can produce letters and numbers for naming and registering your boat. If you are new to the boating world, there are a few traditions, ceremonies and rules that you should follow when naming and registering your boat.

Boat Registration Numbers

Photo Credit: Missouri Department of Revenue Website

Boat numbers are the license plates of the boating world. The numbers consist of two alpha characters followed by four numeric characters and two more alpha characters, such as MO 1234 AB. Per Missouri Department of Revenue, these numbers need to be permanently affixed on each side of the forward half of the vessel and usually remain assigned to the same vessel when ownership transfers, except in certain situations. The numbers should be contrasting to your boat color, so if you have a light colored boat, it is recommended you use white or light colors and vice versa if you have a dark colored boat.

History of Naming Boats

Boating is almost as old as civilization itself. Ancient mariners were very religious, but also strongly superstitious people. With unpredictable weather and the unknown strengths of the open sea, they turned to their faith to protect them while out on their voyages. Both ancient Rome and Greece has their own god that rules the sea. In Roman mythology, it is Neptune, and in Greek mythology, it is Poseidon. Sailors would name their boat to honor their god in hopes that he would protect their vessel from the dangers of the sea. Legend has it Poseidon or Neptune, has a ledger with every boat’s name and he watches and protects each one. If you happen to change your boats name, he will not know, and therefore he couldn’t protect it. It is still very common to hold a christening ceremony and name your boat to protect it. If you are buying a used boat and want to change the name, you are in luck. There is a way you can make sure your boat with its new name is kept in Poseidon’s or Neptune’s ledger.

How to Properly Change Your Boat's Name

There are several different methods for renaming your boat. The most common ceremony involves a large party with lots of champagne.

The first thing you need to do before you are able to rename your boat is to remove any evidence of the old name. This includes logs, ledgers, floatation devices, key changes, vinyl decals, etc. Be very thorough in making sure you remove any item that has the boat’s old name, if you miss even one thing, Poseidon or Neptune’s record will remain unchanged. It is important to remember that once the name has been removed, it must never be mentioned in the presence of your boat.

The next step is to hold a renaming ceremony. Be sure to buy plenty of food and drinks. In ancient Greece and Rome, wine was often use in the christening or renaming ceremonies. In today’s society, champagne is more commonly used. The amount you need depends on the size of the party, but make sure you have at least three bottles for the ceremony. You must not mention or show any signs of the new name until the ceremony begins. If you have your new name applied to the hull beforehand, be sure to leave it covered until the ceremony finishes.

Begin the ceremony by ringing a bell to gather the party’s attention. Then make an appeal to Poseidon or Neptune. Next, you will make an offering by spilling champagne or wine, over the side of the boat, down the hull and into the water. After you make your offering to the sea, you must then repeat the process to make an offering for the god of the wind, asking his blessing on your boat’s travels. You will pour the champagne or wine, in all four directions of the wind, north, east, south and west. Finally, it is time to reveal the new name of the boat and celebrate knowing that your boat is safely renamed and that you will have good luck in all your boating voyages.

Naming Your Boat with Smart Postal Centers

While your ceremony may not be that extravagant, naming your boat can be a lot of fun! If you need new registration numbers or letters for your boats name, come to Lake of the Ozarks’ best printing company. Smart Postal Centers can design custom graphics for walls, windows, floors and, of course, boats! We can help you with all your graphics needs. Visit our website or call 573-348-3100 for more information on all our services. 

Smart Postal Centers -  Here for all your packing, shipping, copying, and printing needs! 

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www.SmartPostalCenters.com

Tim@SmartPostalCenters.com

4320 Osage Beach Parkway, Osage Beach, MO 65065

573-348-3100

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Business Card Etiquette For Doing Business in Foreign Countries

Presenting your business card portrays you as a professional, and is a representation of your business. When doing business in other countries, there are different ways to exchange business cards, and handing them out should be done in the correct manner. A business card is an internationally recognized method of offering a fellow businessperson your contact details. Therefore, if you travel overseas on business a lot, you should have a printer at the Lake of the Ozarks print you a good business card supply. Smart Postal Centers is your full-service printing center for high-quality business cards at the Lake of the Ozarks.

General Guidelines

If you are traveling to a country whose main language is not English, you should have one side translated into the language of the country you are visiting, if possible. Always present the card with the foreign version side up, not the English side. This shows you are serious about doing business there. In many countries, it is considered disrespectful to put the card you were just offered immediately into your pocket. You should look at it for a few moments and clarify any information on it before putting it away. Study foreign customs of the country you are visiting to be prepared. Here are some more examples of business card etiquette in various countries:

The Middle East

Business cards are often given to everyone you meet. It is wise to have one side of your card translated into Arabic, but if you do that be sure to check the translation. Always present and accept business cards with your right hand or both hands, but never with just solely your left. 

India

Put any university degrees or honors on your business cards, as India places a great deal of emphasis on academic achievement. Always use your right hand when offering your business card. If the local dialect is Hindi, then you may not need to print one side of the card in that language because most business people who speak Hindi can also speak English.

China

Present your business card before asking for another person's card. Hold out your card with both hands and text facing the other party when you present it to them. Study the business card when you receive one and comment before putting the card away. Never write on the card in the person's presence. Find out the specific dialect of the people you will be meeting, whether Cantonese, Mandarin, etc. and have the card translated to correspond to the region of China they are from. The script for the characters should be Simplified Chinese, as that is the most commonly used script today in most parts of China. Gold is a lucky color in China and any gold print or embossing expresses fortune. Highlight any pertinent information on the card, such as the year your business was established. Your title should be displayed prominently as well. 

Japan

Giving and receiving business cards in Japan is quite ceremonial. Business cards are not just for business interactions, but also for personal relationships. Nearly everyone, whether business or personal, from the time they are a student and onward has their own cards. Make sure your business and title are prominently printed on the card. Status is important to the Japanese so present your business card to the highest ranked person first. When accepting another person's card, hold out both hands. Do not write on another person's business card or fold it. In a meeting, it is respectful to keep all the cards in front of you.

Have Your Business Cards Printed at Smart Postal Centers

Business cards are an essential part of doing business throughout the world. When traveling overseas, it is critical to know the customs of the country you are doing business with, and it is important to find out all you can about proper etiquette there. Get high-quality business cards and other marketing materials to take with you overseas at your Lake of the Ozarks printer. Smart Postal Centers has a full graphics department to assist you with your professional image. Call us at (573) 348-3100 and let us help you make a good first impression when traveling abroad.

Smart Postal Centers -  Here for all your packing, shipping, copying, and printing needs! 

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www.SmartPostalCenters.com
Tim@SmartPostalCenters.com
4320 Osage Beach Parkway, Osage Beach, MO 65065
573-348-3100
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7 Things You Need to Know About Outdoor Banners

Banners are a great way to advertise your business at the Lake of the Ozarks. Whether it’s a sale, event, achievement or even a grand opening, banners can let the community know about it. Outdoor banners can get the attention of a large audience, who will then, hopefully, visit your business. Smart Postal Centers offer state of the art, wide format digital printing for outdoor banners. Here are a few things you should consider before ordering your next outdoor banner:

1. Have a Purpose

What is this banner going to be used for? Have a strong purpose for your outdoor banner. Be concise and clear with the wording. Most of the time, people who see your banner will be passing by and not have a long time to read what is on it.

2. Call to Action

Not only do you want to have a strong purpose, but it is a good idea to have a clear call to action. What do you want your target audience to do after reading your banner? A website is an easy place to direct people to get more information about your business or event.

3. Location, Location, Location

Where will your banner be located? Who are you trying to reach? Will they be walking by your banner or driving by it? How big does it need to be in order for your target audience to see it? Also, make sure your design allows for mounting.

4. Make it Simple

Have only one message on your banner. Outdoor banners are very different than indoor ones. Customers who see your banner indoors can take the time to read all the information, while those who see your outdoor banner may only have seconds to read it.

5. Durability and Color

Outdoor signs need to be a lot more durable than indoor signs. Not only does it need to be a thicker vinyl than indoor signs, but it you need to think about fading. Bright colors will not only attract customers, but will still be readable during bright, sunny days and even cold, gloomy days.

6. Font Size

Font size and type is an important factor when creating outdoor banners. Your banner will not be very effective if people cannot read it. The distance between your banner and your intended audience will help you determine what size font will be necessary. Size isn’t the only factor in readability; a neutral font can help your audience read your message better.

7. Branding

Make sure that your banner is concise with your business branding. Having a logo or a slogan on the banner is a good way to tie it back to your business.

Outdoor Advertising with Smart Postal Centers

Smart Postal Centers makes advertising at the Lake of the Ozarks easy! With fast turn-around on custom orders and delivery service available, it has never been easier to advertise your business with outdoor banners. If you need help with printing, copying or shipping, make sure you stop by Smart Postal Centers in Osage Beach!

Smart Postal Centers -  Here for all your packing, shipping, copying, and printing needs! 

Contact Us

www.SmartPostalCenters.com

Tim@SmartPostalCenters.com

4320 Osage Beach Parkway, Osage Beach, MO 65065

573-348-3100

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The Power of Color

When creating print items for business use, color is an important factor to consider. According to Strathmoor Press, ads in color are read up to 42 percent more often than the same ads in black and white. In addition, color can affect the way consumers feel about products or services, and can even influence their buying decision. Do you know how it affects the way consumer buy products? In this blog, Smart Postal Centers looks into the power of color and how it affects the marketing for your business.

Branding

Researchers found that up to 90 percent of initial judgments made about a product can be based on color alone, depending on the type of product. The relationship between brands and color is based on the perceived appropriateness of the color being used for the particular brand. Color has a direct effect on how the brand’s personality is perceived. According to a study by the University of Loyola, color also increased brand recognition by up to 80 percent, which makes it an important factor when creating a brand identity.

Gender

If your target market focuses on a certain gender, it may be important to know what colors men and women like and dislike. The color blue is favored among men and women, while the color purple is only favored by women and, for the most part, strongly disliked by men. Both men and women dislike the colors red and brown, while women dislike the color grey. Additional research found that men prefer bold colors, while women liked softer colors. Men additionally liked shades of color (color that added black), and women liked tints of color (color that added white).

Emotion

Although color plays an important role in business, there isn’t always a universal response to one particular color. People with different backgrounds, culture and upbringings will all respond differently to the same color. The key to using color in your business is to look for practical ways to make decisions about color.

Color at Smart Postal Centers

Our Lake of the Ozarks’ printing company can help your business succeed with high quality, full-color marketing materials. We can print anything from business cards and brochures to menus and table tents. We offer fast turnaround on all custom orders with delivery services available. The next time your business needs marketing materials come to Smart Postal Centers!

Smart Postal Centers -  Here for all your packing, shipping, copying, and printing needs! 

Contact Us

www.SmartPostalCenters.com

Tim@SmartPostalCenters.com

4320 Osage Beach Parkway, Osage Beach, MO 65065

573-348-3100

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Dock Address Signage

On January 1, 2010, a new state law was put into place requiring dock owners on Lake of the Ozarks, and all Missouri lakes, to post the closest emergency address for their dock. Hopefully, this will help with faster response times by emergency services to incidents on the water. It should also aid in non-emergency calls for lost or disabled boaters. Smart Postal Centers offers fast services on all Ameren UE dock address signs to Lake of the Ozarks residents.

Photo Credit: Fun Lake

How it Affects Lake of the Ozark Residents

This new law affects all docks on the Lake of the Ozarks and all Missouri lakes that are managed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The law states that “the appropriate ‘911’ address or in the absence of a ‘911’ system, the physical address nearest to the dock by land,” must be posted.

How the Sign Should Be Displayed

It is recommended that the sign be visible when looking at the dock from the water. The Missouri State Highway Patrol recommends a minimum of three inch, reflective letters be used for the addresses on the signs. The letters should also be made in a color that contrasts with the backing. It is recommended that the posted address include the street number and name, as well as the zip code, or the 911 address and zip code.  For convenience, the dock permit number, which in most cases should be displayed already, can be posted alongside the emergency address.

Photo Credit: Ameren

Get Your Dock Address Sign at Smart Postal Centers

Smart Postal Centers is now printing signs that follow this new law. With summer here, more people are visiting the lake and spending time out on the water. Make sure you’re following the law by having your dock address sign prominently displayed. If you need a sign for your dock, or if your sign has wear and tear, visit your Lake of the Ozark sign shop.

At Smart Postal Centers, we create more than just signs. We copy, print, pack and ship almost anything! Smart Postal Centers serves Lake of the Ozarks by providing competitive products and services for everything related to packing and shipping, copying and printing, as well as custom signs and banners. 

Smart Postal Centers -  Here for all your packing, shipping, copying, and printing needs! 

Contact Us

www.SmartPostalCenters.com

Tim@SmartPostalCenters.com

4320 Osage Beach Parkway, Osage Beach, MO 65065

573-348-3100

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