It's summertime, the weather is nice and it seems like everyone but you is off enjoying the beach. Most industries, including printing, slow down during the summer, especially in the city.  It's a good time to catch up on all those nagging projects you've been putting off because you were just too darn busy. Here are five to consider:

1. Upgrade. Software, hardware, operating systems; now's the time to get the latest versions up and running. Stay on top of potential security issues and be ready for your customers before they get the latest and greatest, instead of having to react after the fact.

2. Update or Revamp your website. Still got a picture of that guy who hasn't worked here for six months on your team page? Now's the time to check your content, add your new services or maybe look at the total look and feel of your site and think of something fresh.

3. Try something new. Thinking of ramping up your email campaigns? Summer is a good time to work out the kinks of the process. You can expect a lot of our of office replies, and if your email message isn't quite up to snuff, chances are it will be lost in the return to work shuffle anyway. Summer is a good time to check out trial versions of software you might add to your mix later.

4. Learn something new. Chances are you've settled into a comfortable groove with how things are done. Slower production days are a great time to dig out the manual on your design or prepress software and see if there's a tool, trick or tip you may be missing out on. Production is slow now, but when it fires up again you'll be armed with new methods to make your day run just a little smoother.

5. Get thee to the Beach too! That's right, the printing business can be plenty stressful at times, so when it slows down take a little R&R yourself. Leave early one day a week, you know you'll make up the time later, when it's busy again. Or, gasp, take a personal day in the middle of the week and enjoy the beach when it's not quite as crowded.

Enjoy the sun!