Category: General

Sometimes we forget the simple things when marketing, such as notepads.

Research shows that people remember more clearly when writing it down than typing it into a tablet or phone.

When you give customers a notepad, they will use it to write down daily notes and phone calls. And they will see your name and logo repetitively, boosting name recognition.

Also, many people are more likely to do business with someone who gave them something.

There are several types of notepads to choose from, and you don’t need to limit yourself to just one. Think outside the box, use them at your front counter as giveaways and promotional items, and give them to new (and existing) customers.

Here are some ideas on how to create fun notepads that get noticed!

5 Top Ways to Use Notepads to Increase Business

1. Mousepad Notebook

Mousepad notebooks are a fun, attractive way to build your brand.

We all use mousepads and search for paper to write our notes on. Why not put it together and create a mousepad that does just that? It’s name recognition all day long, and they can ask for more when they run out.

2. Sticky Notes

Create sticky notes in fun colors with your logo on them.

These are used all day long and all around the office regularly.

3. Magnetic Notepad

Creating a notepad with a magnet can be placed on a refrigerator, file cabinet, or another magnetic surface.

These are helpful not only in the office but to take home and put in plain sight.

And guess what? Potential customers look straight at your logo daily, creating a lasting image in their minds.

4. Journals

Journals are great for keeping meeting notes.

They can also be used at home in a personal way. Either way, your name, and logo are front and center.

5. Be Square

Make a cube notepad that lasts a long time.

These cubes sit on your desk, by your phone, or at the cash register for people to use daily. Your name and logo are imprinted on the side for all to see.

And it’s just a plain, white paper that everyone can use to jot down thoughts, notes, and phone calls.

No matter what types of notepads you create, they are economical to brand your business and cause top-of-mind awareness.

We can help you create one-of-a-kind items that represent your business in a fun, exciting, and professional way. Contact us today to learn more!

Your current and prospective customers want to hear from you in an engaging, thought-provoking, and welcoming way. Print marketing is the best and most effective way to do just that!

Done right, print marketing raises awareness of your brand, drives new leads to your business, promotes the sales of new and existing products, and reaches people offline at home.

In fact, 79% of consumers find reading physical mail more convenient than going online.

But where do you start? Let’s navigate the worthwhile road of print marketing together.

6 Key Steps to Crafting a Winning Print Campaign

1. Define Your Mission

Before thinking about fonts, images, and colors, set a clear goal or mission.

What exactly are you trying to accomplish? Do you have a new product ready to hit the streets? Are you trying to attract new customers, grow loyalty with your current customers, or increase your company’s awareness?

How you answer this question will set the tone for your print marketing campaign.

2. Identify Your Target Audience

One of the most common challenges you’ll likely run into is marketing your product or service to the appropriate audience.

Research and gather as much information about the demographic of your customer base. How old are they? Where do they live? Where do they work? What’s the average salary in the area?

Remember, you’re not trying to reach every audience; you are trying to reach the right audience. 

3. Focus on Trust

Prioritize transparency in your print marketing communications, and continually work to improve the trust that a customer can feel in the product or service you offer.

A survey of 1,000 consumers concluded that more than 80% consider trust a deciding factor in their buying decisions, but only 34% trust the brands they use. 

4. Clearly Communicate 

Always remember to include a few things in your design to get the purpose of the marketing piece across.

The headline should clearly state the topic of the copy, have a clear call to action, and tell your target audience what separates you from the competition.

5. Remain Flexible

Leave room for the unknown and be on the lookout for trends in your business or a shift in demographics.

Being able to pivot your print marketing effectively can allow you to be more efficient in your overall marketing efforts.

6. Embrace New Technologies

Print marketing will always be a vital element of any brand strategy and can be blended with other technologies.

Personalized print products are a surefire way to connect your brand with a customer, as they speak to the customer as an individual.

No matter how you plan your print marketing, by working with an experienced print partner like us, you can lean on the expertise of experienced professionals! Contact us today to get started.

Booklets are a powerful marketing tool for attracting attention, informing the public, or educating customers.
 
Not only can booklets capture your target audience’s interest, but they also convey critical messages accurately on various topics.
 
Handing out booklets can be an excellent way to increase brand awareness and subject matter authority. 
 
If you are considering giving this useful product a try, here are some helpful tips to make your booklets successful.

5 Helpful Hints for Print Marketing with Booklets

Before you hit the publish button, consider these five valuable tips!

1. Focus on Proper Brand Positioning

Your booklet’s title, brand, and logo are critical components, conveying to potential customers what the booklet is about and why it matters.

If the introductory elements of the booklet are ambiguous, then the booklet’s impact will be diminished. 

Consider these additional suggestions for effective brand positioning:

• Ensure your booklet’s logo, title, and brand are loud and proud at the top of its cover page.
• Design eye-catching font in big, bold letters to draw attention quickly.
• Consider adding a specific image associated with your organization, event, brand, or business that readers can easily remember as an additional way to make it stand out from others. 

2. Ensure Ease of Reading and Clarity of Your Message

To ensure your booklet communicates its desired message, be sure it is both easy to read and clear to understand.
 
An essential part of ensuring ease of readability and clarity of message is taking the time to read through your work with a critical eye before sending it off for printing.

Remember that too much information can overwhelm readers, while insufficient will seem inconsistent. Thoughtfully consider what amount of content conveys just enough detail without overloading readers so they understand precisely what you want them to know.

3. Select Effective, Engaging Images

The visuals you choose to incorporate in your booklet are fundamental.

Images can capture people’s attention and draw them into reading more. For maximum impact, ensure every image in your booklet is of excellent quality. Grainy photos just won’t cut it!
 
Since booklets provide more room than other media types, such as brochures or leaflets, take advantage of the added space by including graphs and charts, which will help clarify information for your readers.
 
This lets your potential customers understand exactly what you’re trying to convey quickly and clearly. 

4. Employ Vibrant, Eye-Catching Colors

The design of your booklet matters!

The colors selected should be captivating, engaging viewers while creating a visually pleasing experience.
 
Utilize vibrant and appealing hues to attract people to your content.

5. Display Your Contact Information Prominently

Your contact information must stand out to ensure that your booklet is successful.
 
Whether you are advertising for a business or event, including multiple points of contact should be a top priority!
 
Consider adding contact information, such as an email address or website URL, at the end of your booklet, so readers know where to reach you if they have any questions or comments about what was covered.
 
These five valuable tips equip you with all the tools necessary for success!

Are you considering booklets for your next print marketing initiative? We can help! Contact us by phone or email to get started.

Do you want to captivate potential customers with your printed marketing materials?

Try using embellishments to make your print marketing exciting and memorable for your recipients! 

Embellishments refer to ornamental touches that accentuate critical features of your invitations, stationery, business cards, and brochures.

Check out these five suggestions that can make your print marketing stand out!

5 Embellishments to Help Your Print Marketing Rise to the Top

1. Foil

Modern printing techniques allow your company to go far beyond just the silver and gold foil printing options that were once possible.

Use foil in any color to add interest to your print material or draw attention to certain essential words or statistics by printing them in foil.

2. Embossing or Debossing

Embossing (creating raised images) and debossing (creating lowered imprints) words or your company logo is a simple way of drawing attention to certain parts of your print.

These techniques can increase your brand recognition since your name or logo will stand out from the rest of the design. It can also create depth, adding aesthetic appeal.

Just keep in mind that this embellishment works best on thicker paper stock!

3. Unique Inks

In the printing industry today, your company can try a wide variety of new inks. Scented, neon, or metallic ink are popular options that will undoubtedly make your product stand out.

With the constant advancement of printing technology, there are different ink options every day: one of the new and unique options is thermochromic ink, which changes color based on temperature. Combine a special ink with these other embellishments, and your print will shine!

4. Finishes

Instead of opting for a traditional matte finish for your printed products, try more specialized finishes!

A glossy finish can protect against ink smudges or damages while in transit while also elevating the look of your piece.

Research shows that when consumers can touch something, it increases the perceived value. Textured finishes can allow your company to create new textures on your print products (like scales, water splashes, or the grain of wood), which will be raised from the rest of the design.

5. Laminating

Lamination is no longer just for protecting a printed product (though that is a bonus)! You can use it to create the effect of specialty paper without the extra cost.

Experiment with metallic lamination or soft lamination, which creates a velvety feel.

And don’t forget about spot laminating! Unlike a flood application, where the lamination covers the entire product, spot finishes are only used on certain design parts. Consider laminating your company name, logo, or tagline to make it pop!

We hope you are inspired by these ideas to help your next print marketing piece rise to the top! If you’re looking for more ideas to make your next project extra special, give us a call! 

Did you know you can incorporate what your customers say about your business in your print and digital marketing to boost your company’s sales?

When other people engage in something, it triggers the brain to reduce the perception of risk associated with an idea or activity, creating social proof. When you utilize social proof successfully, you convey to potential customers that buying your product or service is the safe thing to do.

Authenticity, transparency, and honesty are paramount to the success of social proof by building loyalty and trust with your customers.

Sound complicated? It’s not.

6 Ways to Boost Your Sales with Social Proof 

1. Build Your Social Media Reach

You need to build your social media platform by asking for online reviews.

This is a trusted source for many people looking to do business.

People regularly check the reviews online to see what others have experienced and decide who to do business with. Nearly nine out of ten consumers read reviews before making a purchase. 

2. List Customer Experiences

Listing customers’ experiences online will encourage people to follow the pack and try you.

Ask customers if you can get a quick testimonial from them and have them write it down or write it as they tell you what they’ve experienced.

3. Mix It Up

Don’t just ask for one type of review.

Spread the reviews on multiple sites, such as Yelp, Facebook, Google, etc. Approximately 59% of consumers look at two to three review sites before making a purchase decision. 

4. Help Your Customer Visualize

Use staged photos and action shots of people using your product.

People trust this much more than an ad. They will see people just like them using your product or services and think they might benefit from getting a hold of you, too.

5. Use YouTube

Show your customers unboxing your products and freebies or learning about a contest they won from your business.

This is exciting and fun for people to watch, engaging them in what you’re business is doing.

6. Promote Your Accomplishments

If your company won an award or received recognition in some way from a third party, capitalize on this by advertising it on your website, in your marketing materials, and online.

If you have an article written about you or your company, post it online. If any trust badges are available, place them on your website.

These are a few ways to build social proof and help people decide on their own that they want to do business with you. Seeing others trust you and use your product or service encourages them to do the same.

If you need signs to post on your company’s doors to encourage people to give reviews, or you want posters or business cards to feature QR codes to link to a review site, we can help.

Check us out today!

Did you know the colors you select for your flyers can be the difference between them getting noticed or not?

If you’re planning your next flyer design, we have a few combos (and the theory behind them) to help you get more eyes on the page. 

Why It Matters 

Brands don’t have much time to make an impression. Most people judge products or services within 90 seconds, and up to 90% of that assessment is based solely on color. If people have limited bandwidth to absorb a flyer, you can’t neglect how the colors come across to them. 

3 Fresh Color Combinations to Shake Up Your Next Flyer Design

Baby Blue & Peach 

Light colors have a way of lifting people’s spirits by introducing some softness to the eyes.

Pastels have been a significant design trend as of late, mainly because bold and brash colors can be hard to look at for too long. They might attract some notice immediately, but the effects can be offputting with more than a minimal glance. 

Light blue and peach look beautiful together because they play off each other’s natural tones, and their beauty throws the focus on the text without diminishing the design’s visual appeal.

As your brand likely already has preferred colors, consider how a different color palette could be used for whatever you want to advertise. For instance, if you’re having a soft launch of a new product, this could be a perfect selection. 

Gradient Green to Purple 

Gradient designs are excellent for making your flyer eye-catching without being too obvious.

The blend of colors in different hues draws your sight into a specific direction and prompts people to read the words too. So in much the same way as you’d want to stare at a rainbow, the color theory is that your eye is intrigued by how one shade harmonizes with the next. 

While you can pull this off in various combinations, green and purple are complementary colors. The high contrast will pop, and you can use the intermediate section to lessen the intensity of the colors.

With the two brightest colors at opposite ends of the spectrum, you can imagine that the words in the middle will stand out even more. 

Cherry Red and Gold 

Red and gold colors are typically associated with luxury and are typically standouts wherever they’re placed.

Highly recommended for flyers that will be posted in crowded spaces, this energetic and passionate combo would be excellent for brands that are passionate and ready for action. 

If you want to play with this color combination without overwhelming the view, consider how a stark white background and hints of cherry red and gold could make an impression. This option still plays up the luxury angle but may have more impact if used sparingly. 

Flyer color combinations should, in part, reflect the overall branding sensibilities you’ve already chosen. However, just because your logo, fonts, and graphics are always in the same color scheme doesn’t mean you can never mix things up.

If you want to experiment with a new flyer design, use these color combinations to inspire people to take a fresh look at what you can do for them. Or contact us to help you develop a unique color combination that perfectly fits your brand! 

From brochures, business cards, and mailers, it takes a variety of marketing collateral to build a comprehensive, successful marketing campaign.

Among the most critical pieces is a catalog, and it’s still the surefire way to build awareness of your products and services to customers and prospects. According to Data & Marketing Association data, 41% of millennials and 53% of Gen Xers reported enjoying catalogs.

With catalogs making a comeback, let’s make them work for your business.

5 Ways to Make Your Print Catalog Campaigns Rock

Choose the Best Size

Make your products stand out on the page by choosing the right catalog size.

If you have fewer products or services, you don’t need large spaces devoted to photos. The sizes of 5 ½ by 8 ½ inches or 6 by 9 inches will suffice.

On the other hand, if your products are intricate or detailed, you need space for large photos or illustrations. In that case, 8 ½ by 11 inches or 9 by 12 inches will be more comfortable.

Consider Coating

Customers and prospects can feel the difference between the catalogs they receive.

Getting your catalog to stand out is essential to getting it noticed. Adding an aqueous coating is one of the easiest ways to make it pop. To enhance your pages, you can choose from gloss, matte, or satin coating. 

Decide on the Best Binding

Another top consideration is the binding that will keep your catalog together.

Saddle-stitching is often your best bet because it’s user-friendly and affordable. This allows readers to open the catalog and lay it flat while reading.

Discover other styles such as case bound, perfect bound, and pamphlet stitch.

Remember to create your catalog in four-page increments to allow maximum use of the space and prevent the need to add blank pages.

Tell a Story

Essentially, your business is publishing its own magazine with a catalog.

It focuses on your products and services and the people, work, and mission that support your company.

Demonstrate your dedication to your business and the customers you serve. This will help you stand out by explaining why you’re different and better than your competitors.

Solve Customer Issues

Your customers have pain points.

After identifying those issues, show how your business addresses these challenges or how they can overcome them with your help inside the pages of your catalog.

Catalogs can be a powerful marketing tool if done correctly.

Partner with us as your printing provider to get the marketing expertise that makes a difference in your business. Let’s get started!

Print media can be an effective tool for generating leads and capturing the interest of potential customers.

With 73% of all consumers showing a preference for print advertising, it’s easy to see that print media is still an excellent business initiative today!

How to Attract More Qualified Leads Using Print Marketing

Both affordable and accessible, print marketing can be leveraged to increase your lead generation and capture. Here’s how:

1. Identify Your Target Audience

To create effective print materials that will speak directly to your target audience, it is essential to clearly understand who they are, their needs and interests, and how they prefer to receive information.

2. Determine Your Print Materials

Once you have pinpointed your target audience, the next step is determining which print materials will be most effective for reaching them.

This may include business cards, brochures, flyers, magazines, newsletters, or postcards.

3. Design Your Materials

Having determined what materials you will use to reach your target audience, the design process can begin! 

The right images, colors, and fonts will resonate with your target audience and help reinforce your brand.

4. Select Quality Print Supplies

When printing your materials, don’t overlook the importance of high-quality paper and ink to produce an eye-catching result.

Our expert team can advise you on the perfect products for your project! 

5. Track Your Success

After launching your print campaign, it is vital to track its success so you can determine what is working and where improvements need to be made.

This critical business strategy could include tracking website visits, social media engagement, and direct contact with your leads.

Capturing Leads Through Printed Materials

Integrating traditional and online marketing methods could prove invaluable in attracting more leads than either strategy alone. Consider these suggestions:

Personalized Mail

Using personalized letters to reach customers is a foolproof way to increase response rates.

To create an immediate bond with readers, tailor your direct mail campaigns to each region by incorporating local landmarks or events.

Response Cards

Direct mail campaigns are a great sales booster.

Your direct mail campaign can create incredible conversion rates with the right incentives and attractive offers.

Maximize this opportunity by creating attractive brochures and including order forms that can be sent back via the mail.

Consider using this for customer feedback surveys to identify areas where your business could grow.

Promote Online Resources with Print Products

Enhance your social media competitions by asking customers to post images of your product or store and include a unique hashtag only available through direct mail, postcards, or posters.

This is an effective way to ensure that participants have seen your print materials and are engaged in the promotion.

Business Cards

Exchange business cards with potential customers in a professional setting to ensure that your lead-generation efforts are successful.

You can ensure each party gains contacts or leads by taking the initiative and exchanging cards during networking events.

You could print specialized cards for trade shows or events demonstrating how your business fits in with the exhibition to stand out and make a lasting impression.

This will create an unforgettable memory of you and your brand – plus, quick follow-ups are an excellent way to rapidly grow your network of connections and possible sales opportunities.

Are you looking to increase the reach of your print marketing materials? We can help. Contact us for print media that is sure to make an impact!

Customers make or break your business.

And while companies focus their budgets and time on attracting new customers, they often lose sight of their most important asset: Current customers.

Companies across the U.S. are losing $62 billion per year due to poor customer service. Don’t let that happen to your business.

5 Valuable Ways to Make Customers for Life

1. Start a Loyalty Program

Did you know that about 68% of loyal customers will join a loyalty program if offered?

Customer loyalty programs, sometimes called customer retention programs, effectively increase purchase frequency because they spur customers to buy your product or service more often.

2. Offer a Discount for Returning Customers

Everybody likes to save money.

So, tuck a coupon into the bag when you’re ringing up a sale, and tell the buyer about it, so they don’t miss it. Not only will these offer help improve your sales, but they’ll help improve loyalty among customers.

According to Statista, 92% of consumers in the U.S. used coupons when making purchases last year.

3. Celebrate Your Customers

Recognizing your core and loyal customers goes a long way.

It might take a little more time than sending a quick email or phone call, but when you thank your customers from day one, you build momentum to help your business succeed.

Simple signs of gratitude include a handwritten note, a birthday card, giving back to causes close to your customers, noticing customers who go above and beyond, or offering a free service or product during a challenging time. 

4. Invite Customers to a Special Event

While online events seem to get the most fanfare, there is no replacement for face-to-face customer interaction.

That’s why customer events drive loyalty. Everyone likes to be part of an exclusive group! 

Organize round tables with your company’s executives or yourself if your business is small. Give them a sneak peek of what’s coming next, or ask them for feedback on a new product or service. Another option is an after-hours client reception focusing more on guest entertainment than business goals.

5. Keep a Customer Communication Calendar

Whether you run a small or large business, initiative-taking communication should be a top priority.

Manage customer engagements and create opportunities to build brand loyalty. 

There are so many ways to reward and retain your loyal customers, and we can help! Contact us today to learn how we can help you, from loyalty cards and invitations to coupons and more! 

Paper is a critical resource and an essential part of our daily lives.

If you didn’t know, a paper shortage started last year and will likely continue in the coming year. In times of uncertainty, it helps to have all the information, so let’s talk about it! 

Understanding and Planning for the Paper Shortage

The Paper Shortage Issue

In recent years, a few North American paper mills closed their doors as aging infrastructure and rising labor costs, combined with strict environmental regulations, made it increasingly difficult to keep up with the competition.
 
Many mills have switched from paper production to packaging to replace this lost capacity. This shift to a focus on packaging resulted in nearly 20% less paper production from 2019’s supply. Many companies are stockpiling more paper in anticipation of a continued shortage expected in the coming year.

In the past few years, we also experienced a pandemic-induced shortfall in supply. This has led to reliance on overseas sources, which comes with its own set of obstacles. Recently, there have not been enough containers or ships to transfer materials made and acquired by US markets in the Pacific. 

The shortage has highlighted the need for increased global collaboration to ensure that international trade and supply chains are as resilient as possible.

Paper Shortage Implications

We will do everything we can to keep you on time and budget throughout the shortage.

But we do want to acknowledge that it is possible, at some point, you could experience an increase in price as we, too, are experiencing an overall marginal rise in prices across the industry.

It is also possible that some print materials, such as specialty paper stock, will be harder to obtain. So, if you have a particular project in mind that requires a specialty paper, the sooner you can let us know, the more time we have to obtain the materials.

If you are working on a project with a tight timeline, we will happily offer you suggestions based on what we already have in stock to speed up the process. 

Paper Shortage Solutions

These excellent opportunities can help you stay on track with your business objectives during this time of paper shortage:

• Proactive planning with lead times
• Maintaining an open line of communication throughout the entire printing process
• Considering sustainable sources of paper, such as recycled paper and alternative materials

And here’s what we are doing as a business and an industry: 

• Advocating for increased reforestation efforts to help replenish the world’s forests
• Staying informed about changes in the supply chain that could impact our business operations
• Monitoring pricing trends to anticipate potential cost increases due to shortages and advise you in the process

While this is a real challenge, it doesn’t mean that print materials have lost their place in marketing and advertising strategies!

In fact, with many businesses relying on digital media, a well-designed printed item can stand out from the crowd and make a big impression.
 
Print advertising has never been more valuable than it is today!

Whatever your print needs, we’ve got you covered. Contact our team today to get started on your next print project.