Planning...

We work together with you to plan your design concept while establishing realistic, achievable goals. Careful exploration of your creative options along with any necessary research formulates your design plan. It becomes your "design road map."

Formulating a solid design road map is where it all begins and it is one of our strong points. The map needs to be a good one to begin the journey.

Budgets...

With your road map in hand, we establish a working budget for its execution that encompasses all aspects of the project from start to finish.

We are committed to keeping you informed of any contingencies as well as your options should your budget need revising.

Schedules...

For complex projects, we develop a schedule identifying all phases, establishing critical milestones to keep the project on track, and adjusting the pace of the schedule as necessary to complete the project on time.

We maintain lines of open communication between key players as we work on the project, requesting client approval of proofs at critical stages.

Support...

We continue with follow up after we have successfully completed your project. We are meticulous about keeping records, archives and back ups. We've been around a long time and you can depend on us.

We have achieved our success by helping others achieve theirs. Working together long term and successfully achieving shared goals is our hallmark.

Partial list of Clients...

Activus Publications
Addicus Books
Aligned Management Association, Inc.
Aloe Vera International
Alternatives Group
American Association of Surgery Centers
Aqualung / U.S. Divers
Audio Publishers Association
California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse
Carlsbad Ranch Flower Fields
Canine Learning Centers
Chicken Fried Publishing
Children's San Diego / Chadwick Center
City of Oceanside
City of Carlsbad
Cosmo Space of America, Ltd.
Crowded Hour Press
Crown Circuits
Doose Landscape, Inc.
Dream Books
Dream Design Builders (formally: Dream Maker Builders)
Dreams Shared Publications
Eleven Western Builders
Enalasys (formally: Digital America)
Grand Slam Exterminators
Gürze Books
Honeywell
J.T. Kruer and Company
Levee Press Two
LexFusion
Light & Shadow Play
Literacy for Life Foundation
Macaw Electronics
Montecatini
NAMM – Association of Music Merchants
North County Child Study Center
Nurturing Center
Peregrine Systems, Inc.
Planetary Publications
PMA – The Independent Book Publishers Association
Pure Juice, Inc.
San Diego Magnetics
San Diego Music Awards
Scientia Publishing
SKMA
South Side Press
Torrey Pines Research
Touche Publishing
Tri-City Hospital Foundation
Tri-City Medical Center
Turn Key Plus
UBL Financial Corporation
U.S. Marine Corps
Vacation Beach

Kudos...

We have received many kudos for our work. Here are a few of our favorites:

John and Francie are more than mere artists. To say they are “creative” is an understatement. Listening skills and sensitivity to our organization’s mission and purpose are two of their greatest assets. Their attention to detail allows projects to be efficiently completed without requiring a lot of time making corrections. Abacus Graphics delivers an exceptional product, time after time, and we rely on them for many of our graphic art needs.
— North County Child Study Center, Carlsbad, California

Just wanted to say how delighted we are with the finished brochure. Thank you both for all the hard work and effort in getting it there.
— Yvonne Hunt, Dream Maker Builders

Abacus Graphics did a fantastic job designing the dust jacket and internal layout for my novel, Diamond Deception. John and Francie were very professional and personable and clearly have an enormous amount of experience. The work was completed on time and at very competitive rates. I will use them again and recommend others to do so.
— Peter Skinner, Author / Publisher – Activus Publishing

Abacus Graphics takes great care in providing excellent interior book design. I highly recommend them.
— Rod Colvin, Publisher – Addicus Books

John, it's so thrilling to see your design of the new logo for Literacy for Life -- it's gorgeous!! I think it is an absolute winner. Very nicely done!
— Susan Nicoletti, Literacy for Life Foundation through PMA

We are getting great feedback on both the cover and the interior design. We have many opportunities to sing the praises of Abacus Graphics. We are thankful for you and the awesome work you do. We have benefited from your commitment to excellence.

Thank you so much for your awesomely excellent work on the Eternal Route 66 book. We could not be more pleased. You both were so helpful and encouraging from our very first inquiry.
— Chuck Williams, Chicken Fried Publishing

Congratulations! I think the 2006 PMA Publishing University Brochure is perhaps the most attractive and appealing one I have ever seen. I love the faces on the cover! Kudos to all who worked on the piece. It really looks nice.

Kudos to your design team! I just received my 2005 PMA University brochure and was very impressed with the design and elegance of the presentation. Please relay my compliments to your designers.
— Robin Bartlett

The National Association of Music Members' Press Kit is the best graphics and layout to cross my desk in many years. I wish it was ours.
— Jack Maher

This is the best cover I have seen in the 10 years I have been here. Great job!!!
— Terry Nathan, Publishers Marketing Association

I just spent 45 minutes at PMA-online.org. The new site is OUTSTANDING! I like the readable type, easy navigation, feeling of inclusiveness. The volume of information is astonishing.
— Kent Sturgis, Epicenter Press

Consider Your Options is a tremendous success, having reached as high as number 163 among all books on Amazon.com. We're getting ready for our second printing already – only six weeks after the first one! From what I can make out, people think the contents are OK, but the thing they find irresistible is the cover.
— Kaye Thomas, Author and Publisher, Fairmark Press

I can't tell you how many complements I have had on the appearance of the book. Thank you, Thank you.
— Mecca Carpenter, author and publisher Southside Press
Author of "No Regrets: Dr. Ben Reitman and the Women Who Loved Him"

This year again, John Webster and Francie Droll of Abacus Graphics, did a spectacular job of designing this Call for Entries, allowing us to have another beautiful poster to place on our wall."
— Jan Nathan, Publishers Marketing Association

Let me start by saying how completely pleased we all are with what you've created for the prostate conference. The brochure truly captures the mood we were going for: professional, clean, cutting-edge. I think it will be the best brochure we will have produced since I've been around, thanks for your excellent work.
— Susan Westwood, AMA, Inc.

So many times, John, we call you up to make last minute changes or redesign a concept. But very seldom do we call you to say 'thanks' -- or to let you know how much we appreciate your help in completing a project or meeting a deadline. Thank you very much for the extra time and energy you and your people put in on our ad. With your help, we were able to stay on schedule. Thank you.
— Francine Linhart, Director of Education, NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants)

I just received the first issue of "Eating Disorders Today" – great job on putting together a fantastic newsletter. Besides the great content, the layout and overall visual impact of the newsletter is terrific. Congratulations!
— Bill Earl, Remuda Ranch

I wanted to comment on the new look of the PMA Newsletter. It is so clear and clean and refreshing. Please compliment all of you who conceptualized and designed the new format.
— Carra Robertson, publisher