SAN FRANCISCO, CA and NEW ORLEANS, LA -- (Marketwire) -- 04/18/12 -- Blurb®, the creative publishing and marketing platform, today announced that it is partnering with Consolidated Graphics (NYSE: CGX), one of the largest commercial printing business in the U.S., to enable businesses to create custom publications from a simple yet powerful design-to-print workflow powered by Blurb.

The new service, named Publish, utilizes a free Adobe InDesign™ plug-in that allows businesses to extend the use of their preferred design software to become an end-to-end print workflow solution for high-quality publications. The plug-in includes templates for four cover formats, five paper types, and eight trim sizes -- including Blurb's all-new 8.5x11 size, which is exclusive to Publish. Publish also enables designers to complete their projects up to 75% faster using Blurb's custom proofing tools, automated pre-flight checks, and the ability to order via credit card from within the interface.

"It used to be that businesses required a big budget, lots of lead time and a need for thousands of units before they could produce a high end print piece," said Eileen Gittins, founder and CEO of Blurb. "Now, with Publish, creative professionals can design and print rich publications, with amazing production values in runs as small as one unit -- and get them turned around in about a week." Gittins continued, "Although we have been working closely with businesses for years, taking this capability to scale with Consolidated Graphics is a big deal; we believe this new flexibility will result in an explosion of new and remarkably creative print publications."

By allowing orders of a single unit and higher, Publish provides a cost effective solution for smaller volume projects that require rich production values such as client pitches and presentations, highly customized brochures, commemorative publications, look books, corporate capabilities pieces, portfolios, product or exhibition catalogs and other limited edition corporate collateral. Businesses have a growing need for smaller, custom print runs to service specific needs on more immediate deadlines. Publish serves this need by delivering high-quality publications using the industry's only digital print-on-demand workflow with independent color management in as little as seven days.

"We're pleased to join with Blurb to deliver a solution for marketers to deliver key content quickly and efficiently to targeted audiences," said Aaron Grohs, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Consolidated Graphics. "The combination of our expansive sales force and customer base and Blurb's leading software and high-quality product selections is a win-win for businesses that need quick turnaround on short- to medium-size print runs, without sacrificing quality. Blurb is the ideal partner to power this new offering."

Publish powered by Blurb will be available exclusively through Consolidated Graphics in the U.S. as the newest addition to WorkSmart Suite™, a platform of technology solutions for customers to grow sales, reduce costs and give savvy marketers an edge. Other applications include Streamline, ad advanced Web2Print solution; Organize, an online library solution to manage digital assets; and Connect, a multi-channel personalized marketing solution.

For more information about Publish, please visit the website here.

About Blurb®

Blurb® is a creative publishing and marketing platform that unleashes the creative genius inside everyone. Blurb's platform makes it easy to design, publish, market and sell professional-quality print and ebooks. Blurb's bookstore and online marketing tools enable customers to market and sell their books, and keep 100% of their profit. Blurb's social and community features allow customers to create and share Blurb books across social channels with ease.

Eileen Gittins founded Blurb in 2005. In 2011, Blurb shipped nearly 2 million books to 70 countries and territories. Blurb authors used the company's Set Your Price program to earn more than $1 million in profits on print and ebook sales. Blurb is based in San Francisco with offices in London. For more info, visit www.blurb.com.

About Consolidated Graphics, Inc.

Consolidated Graphics, Inc. (CGX), headquartered in Houston, TX, is one of North America's leading general commercial printing companies. With 70 printing businesses strategically located across 27 states, Toronto and Prague, and a presence in Asia, CGX offers an unmatched geographic footprint, unsurpassed capabilities, and unparalleled levels of convenience, efficiency and service. With locations in or near virtually every major U.S. market, CGX provides service and responsiveness of a local printer enhanced by the economic, geographic and technological advantages of a large national organization. Consolidated Graphics' vast and technologically advanced sheetfed and web printing capabilities are complemented by the world's largest integrated digital footprint. By coupling North America's most comprehensive printing capabilities with strategically located fulfillment centers and industry-leading technology, CGX delivers end-to-end print production and management solutions that are based on the needs of our customers to improve their results. WorkSmart Suite is a trademark of Consolidated Graphics, Inc. For more information, visit www.cgx.com.