News Archive

The change of the seasons often means that many people find that their interests also change, making it important for such variations to be reflected in marketing. Printing companies are aware of this, and can suggest ideas for products such as flyers and postcards that will match any time of year.

Now that the warmer weather has arrived in most of the United States and more people are venturing out of their houses, outdoor advertising has become more important than ever.

Some people might instantly picture billboards when they think of outdoor advertising, but they are just a part of it. Outdoor advertising obtained from printing companies can also include posters, banners, and signs. Regardless of the advertising format, however, there are several rules that should be followed to ensure that a company’s efforts will be noticed and lead to success.

No matter what type of item a business contracts to be produced by its local printing company, graphic design is always an integral part. After all, graphics are usually what attract the eye first, regardless of whether it is a poster, flyer, booklet, or even a business card. Graphics help to make a company brand well-known in the community.

Business cards usually represent the first impression entrepreneurs make on future customers or business partners. However, many business people are now using postcards in a dual function as business cards – particularly among those whose business is within artistic fields, such as art and literature.

It's no secret that a happy workplace is a productive one too, and companies known to acknowledge and reward those staff members who go the extra mile for their employers tend to be the ones who hold on to reliable workers and achieve great business results. One excellent way to recognize the efforts of an employee is to present them with a professionally printed plaque or certificate.

Printing companies have become among the most environmentally friendly industries in North America. Most of them use wholly recycled paper, recycle their own waste paper, safely dispose of any harmful waste products that they produce, and use inks made from renewable sources like soy and corn. Most print industry associations have set up guidelines and rules for their members to follow, resulting in a widespread dedication to being more ‘green’. As well as the satisfaction they gain themselves from their efforts, companies with a green ethos tend to be favored by customers.

When creating flyers and other marketing materials, every aspect counts when a designer is trying to get the attention of the general public. Illustrations, text, color of paper, and quality of paper are all important and must be used properly to get the message across.

A local printing company will, of course, work with people who are looking to create printed advertising materials to make sure they choose the correct methods. One of the most important aspects is the choice of font used.

Business cards should be printed on good quality card stock, should not bend easily, and should feel good in the hand. They also need not be rectangular; in fact, a unique shape will allow the card to stand out from the others. Also, adding a QR code to make it easier for those with mobile phones to scan it is strongly advised, as is adding links to any social networking sites. With business cards, the only limit is the imagination.

Nobody enjoys receiving bills, but including such stuffers with mailings might soften the blow a little for the recipient, and is very cost-effective for the sender. They can be designed and printed by a local printing company and, since many of the stuffers are smaller than average size (often no bigger than a number 9 envelope), they cost less to produce than a full-sized copy. They can therefore maximize on color and info for less of an investment.

A variety of promotional products can be designed and printed by professional printing companies. They can be as simple as pens and pencils with a company name printed on them - often handed out at trade shows or sent to those who request them. Small items like these are often inadvertently taken by people, leading to them being seen by their friends and family.

Posters have been used for marketing purposes since the first printing press was invented. Originally, they consisted solely of text and were used to inform the public of news, upcoming events, elections, and announcements in the days before newspapers were published. These days, many printing companies concentrate exclusively on poster printing.

Most printing companies in operation today already have environmental policies in place. For example, Australian print companies have seen a 97% drop in their carbon footprint since 1990. Many printing associations have environmental standards that they encourage all of their members to follow. These can be achieved by sourcing paper from companies that use post-consumer and agricultural waste recycled materials to create their product. It can also be helped along by buying paper from companies who refuse to create their paper by using old-growth forest trees.

During the week, people might not have as much time to read what they receive in the mail, so it is crucial that any flyers or other materials catch the eye right away. A professional printing company can advise on what designs seem to be the most appealing, the quality of paper people might be drawn to, and the right graphics to use. Companies will no doubt still be looking for such services as flyer printing, brochure printing, and catalog printing for marketing campaigns over the course of the working week.

When a company rebrands, the name is not usually the only thing that changes. Often, the logo of the company is the most important change that happens. Companies become known for their brand and many recognize the company just by looking at the logo. Therefore, one of the most important things a rebranding company can do is work closely with a professional print company to help them portray a fresh and competent image.

The term ‘printmaking’ may immediately conjure up thoughts of art and design but, while the majority of prints are artistic, they also include advertising posters and flyers – which may or may not incorporate artistic elements. Poster and flyer printing services employ many of the different techniques used by printmakers. There are a wide variety of these and many of them are still used by printing companies today.

Digital means, such as email and social networking sites, are heavily used in today’s marketing world, but traditional direct mail is still the most efficient form of advertising. A Direct Market Association study named the ‘2012 Response Rate Report’ has found that the response rate is much higher from direct mail than it is from email.

Services such as flyer printing and catalog printing are very much in need in business as we enter 2013, and flyers sent out through direct mail are still the most effective form of marketing. As the fast-moving world of online marketing and social media continues to gather pace, however, it is important that any online accounts or social profiles should be listed on flyers under contact information.

Despite the emergence of social media and the heavy modern day focus on online marketing, it should be remembered that flyers remain one of the most effective marketing tools due to their flexibility of distribution. They can be delivered door-to-door, distributed publicly at events or in the streets, or left in buildings where interested people are likely to pick one up and take it home. By making sure that the flyers list the social media profiles of the company along with all the other contact information provided, business owners can get the most out of both their printed and online marketing efforts.

As 2013 approaches, it is becoming more and more common to hear of people printing from their iPhones, clouds, and directly from their browsers. For example, there are several ways in which to print from an iPhone, such as air print, Wi-Fi direct, and even through email. These methods are useful for everyday documents that need to be printed for personal us, particularly for those on the move. However, for quality printed products, especially in business, the best advice is to hire a printing company.

Printing has become a lot more accessible to the general public in recent years, with printing even possible directly from some modern smartphones. While home printing may be adequate for personal use, it is a different ball game for people using printing services to market their business. Businesses will always be in need of quality printing products, as well as the expertise and advice that they can expect with doing business with a professional print company.

In terms of marketing, print media is still the most effective form of advertising, which explains why printing companies remain in heavy demand. Flyers, for example, are most often mailed directly to homes and looked at by at least one person in each household. However, it is also important that those who design the flyers link them to their online sites. Along with address and telephone number, a flyer should also contain a website address and social media links for those who prefer to do business online.

The holiday season is here again and businesspeople are already sending out greeting cards to their customers and suppliers. While sending a card is a small gesture to make, it is something that is always appreciated by those who receive one. It might be seen as a ‘thank you’ for custom or as a gentle reminder to not forget the business the next time something is needed. No matter the reason, it makes good business sense to send out greeting cards.

One of the main reasons people choose to consult a professional printing company when they require such services as banner, poster, and flyer printing is because of the speed and efficiency with which large amounts of printed material can be produced. For an individual to mass produce their own printed items would require them to buy their own supplies of paper, ink, card, laminating pouches, and the like. This could be an expensive and time-consuming exercise, and the end product will still lack the quality of a professional printer’s output.

From a business perspective, printed marketing can be used to great effect. If marketing is solely carried out online, the business is relying on people to visit or stumble across its website. Through printing, potential customers can be targeted on their way to work or during a weekend trip to the shops, through well-placed poster, banner, and flyer printing.

Adding digital capabilities to a traditional print shop means an investment in digital equipment, and some in the industry would like to wait and see if the idea of rapidly changing packaging continues to be used at the current rate. While there are opinions on both sides, the majority opinion seems to be that this is an exciting idea that greatly appeals to consumers and will rapidly enter the mainstream.

Stationery printing is a process that creates a beautiful product and, while digital and online communication grow, traditional stationery remains as important a means of communication as ever, fulfilling a variety of needs not supported by email or online media.

The holiday season is quickly closing in and many companies are already thinking about the holiday cards they will be sending to their clients. Sending cards is not only a good way of thanking customers and suppliers for their patronage during the year; it is also a way to remind them of the company and to encourage them to return for future business. In all in, it is a form of marketing that can bring great benefits if done properly.

When carrying out catalog printing, it is important to remember that a catalog should not overwhelm the consumer. As with many things, simple is better. Using just one font throughout the catalog and not overusing such styles such as bold and italics will make it easier to read. Consumers will prefer their catalog to be easy on the eye.

Most printing companies today buy recycled papers and those from sustainable sources, many use vegetable-based inks, most recycle whatever waste they create and the majority, if not all of them, dispose of any hazardous materials in a way that will not further damage the environment. When printing companies follow industry standards, it can only help the public and potential customers to decide for themselves whether or not they wish to do business with that company.

All printing companies can work with their clients to provide the highest-quality product possible within their price range. Businesses should think about the extent to which they need to use color. Letterheads on memos, stationery, and envelopes can be printed in black and white or in full color. Flyers can be vibrant and colorful or kept in simple grayscale, perhaps allowing the color of the paper to be the focus. Colorful business cards are eye-catching, but a well-designed black and white card can be just as effective.

Postcards have been used in advertising since the early days of business. Of course, the early cards were black and white and consisted mainly of text, possibly with a drawn illustration. Today, a postcard can be as simple or as complicated as necessary. Printing companies give plenty of choices for those planning on using postcards to advertise.

Tickets are, of course, a means to get into an event. However, the design of a ticket can make the difference between a successful event and a mediocre event, as the way a ticket looks can often encourage more people to buy one. Printing companies are well aware of this and can help event organizers design tickets that will appeal to the greatest number of people possible.

The types of cards sent by businesses can include holiday cards, cards to give thanks for past business, invitations to upcoming receptions or company events, customer retention cards asking those who have done business with the company in the past to visit them again, or even cards sent out to remind a customer or patient of an upcoming appointment. Most printing companies can provide all the kinds of greeting cards that are required by business.

It is fair to say that most people appreciate it when they are given free items at a trade show or in a department store, especially when they did not expect it. They will usually be happy to pick up a pen or a fridge magnet with the logo of a company emblazoned on it, regardless of whether they are familiar with the company or not. Of course, these promotional products are an important merchandising tool to get a company's name out to the general public.

On-demand printing has become the norm for many companies since digital printing was developed. It is almost as quick to print a publication on-demand as it is to walk through a warehouse to find it. This results in a swift, convenient turnaround of product and also allows them to frequently offer the products at reduced prices to their customers.

Campaign posters are certainly nothing new - for as long as there have been political rivals, posters have been used to either build up a candidate or to criticize an opponent. The posters that political campaigns put out for their candidates are designed to show him or her in the best light possible. They choose the best photograph of the candidate, and possibly his family, to put on the poster. This is usually accompanied by the campaign slogan or a listing of the candidate’s policies, promises, and beliefs.

Today, the business card is one of the most important tools that business professionals can have at their disposal and business card printing has become very important. It gives a first impression of a business and is instrumental in creating networks between business peers. However, business cards were not always just for businesspeople.

When a business decides to design a letterhead or to change the one that they have, there is a lot of thought that must go into it. A letterhead is as important as a brand, in that it represents a company and can impart a first impression to its potential customers. Therefore, a letterhead must look professional, otherwise people might assume the business is less competent and not one they want to have any dealings with. Working with a professional graphic designer and a printing company will ensure that a company gets the letterhead that they deserve.

Any business that wants to distribute coupons will usually use a professional printing company that offers coupon printing services. There are many choices when an organization decides to distribute coupons, such as whether they should be perforated on a sheet of paper, whether they should be separated, and whether they should be printed in color or black and white. A professional company can help a business make the appropriate choice confidently. Coupons printed on a flyer, or contained in a brochure or booklet, are other options to consider.

When people think about direct mail, they may conjure up images of the flyers and postcards often received in their mailboxes from local businesses. However, direct mail can be anything that can be sent through the mail system and can still be highly effective in this modern age.

Printing Industries of America (PIA) is the largest association in the country for the graphic arts trades and is located in Sewickley, PA. With its mission "the advancement of the graphics communications industry worldwide," it also helps to advocate for graphics and printing companies with local, state, and federal governments.

When companies decide to change their brand, it is usually for many reasons. Often, owners feel that by making a change, their company will get a shot of new energy and its products will receive a boost. There are occasions when a company may feel that its logo and taglines have become outdated and that it needs to freshen up its image. If the company has introduced new products and services in recent times, this may be all the more reason to consider a brand change.

It has long been recognized that one of the most important tools a businessperson can have is a business card. It will give the first impression of a business so it must look professional. To ensure that cards look impressive, it is always best to work with a professional printing company, who can both design and print them. The quality of professional business card printing goes without saying, since printing companies have the correct tools and the quality card stock, resulting in cards with a tip-top appearance.

When many of us think of postcards, we think of those sent by friends and family when they are on vacation, but postcards have grown to become so much more than that. The earliest known postcard was sent in 1840, with the first American ones being printed in 1873.

There are many reasons that businesses need labels. An office may need mailing labels and name tags to be worn at conventions or for customer facing members of staff. Files need labeling, as does computer equipment for safety checks or security purposes.

Flyer printing is one advertising method still used by businesses of all sizes daily, mainly because it is relatively inexpensive and effective. Marketing campaigns using flyers, especially when distributed through direct mail or handed out in the right locality, are still an effective campaign.

Brochure printers can provide a variety of brochure design choices to fit any number of uses. There are five brochure designs that are often chosen by clients. Those are bi-fold, tri-fold, Z or accordion fold, double gate-fold and two parallel-fold.

When companies are looking to advertise they have many choices to make: do they want to hand out flyers, buy time on the local television and radios stations or create banners to display in various locations?