ChinaBook_EFLIP

- Printed signatures





\"The Chicago team is very nice and smart. When I explained printing technique and knowledge to the team, they always understood the points quickly. With their visit to China, I was very excited to show the team the vendors workshops, machines and production processes, which would be easier to explain in the actual factory than in emails or calls. It was really helpful for the team to understand how our customers projects were produced step by step when seeing them by person. Meanwhile, with the teams visit, the China team had the chance to learn the focus, concerns and attention to projects from customers perspective as well, which was very important for the China team to pay attention to right details and to keep the books and games in highest quality and exceed customers expectations.\"





Watching the production team prepare digital files to make printing plates helps our prepress ninjas understand what’s involved and how they can adjust things to make it easier for file preparation.



\"The most interesting thing I saw in China was the wide range of printed products the vendors we work with are able to produce. They had incredibly unique, bound masterpieces from every major international brand you can think of.\"

We also get to browse through our vendors’ sample libraries and get ideas for specialty options that we haven’t worked with before.





Shenzhen is the heart of the financial district in China and we stay in a beautiful hotel smack dab in the middle of it. The hotel caters to international travelers and is a hop skip and jump away from our Chinese office. We typically visit before Chinese New Year and the whole country decorates for the occasion. We’re delighted equally by the sophisticated silk lanterns adorning the lobby of the Shenzhenarie and the cheesy paper decorations at the local 7-11. Yes, they have 7-11’s.







_ Shenzhen weekday shuffle!

-Shenzhen view from hotel





After we take care of business in Shenzhen, we always try to stop in Hong Kong for some sightseeing. While we don’t get to spend as much time there as we’d like Hong Kong is always a highlight of the trip. It’s a beautiful, active city with lovely people and amazing sights.

\"Almost immediately upon landing in Shenzhen, Daniel, Eason, Jack, and Chelsea introduced us to the perplexing world of Mahjong. We were not able to master the game on our own, but it was a blast once we started getting the hang of it! Once in Hong Kong, I felt a particular appreciation for the game when watching a shop owner paint new Mahjong tiles by hand.\"





- Hong Kong Disney Land







It’s become a tradition for the team to have a nice beverage of choice at the InterContinental Hotel. From their bar, you get an awe-inspiring view of Victoria Harbor and the nightly light show that emanates from the Hong Kong skyline.











A nice benefit of visiting Shenzhen in the winter is that their winter is much nicer than ours in Chicago. Shenzhen is lush and beautiful and it’s lovely to feel that humid breezy weath- er during the cold months of Midwestern America. They have amazing trees and foliage everywhere and a simple walk to explore the local shopping mall will feel like an exploration of the Amazon.

\"When we landed in Beijing the first night it was cold and snowy -- just how we left Chicago! But in Shenzhen, I was surprised and delighted by all of the lush greenery. It was amazing to see some of the tropical ficus plants I have potted at home thriving outside.\"





- Tree on the way to the office!

- Late night outing





International travel is learning about other cultures and yourself in a different context. Sometimes that learning involves asking yourself important questions. Like.... Should I try eating Pigeon?

Justin says YES.

Does bad art cross all cultures?

SOMETIMES.

Is the Supreme brand really selling tea?

How do their toilets work? Take a GUESS.