5 Eye-Catching Banner Printing Tips

With the ease and low-cost of banner printing, you can utilize these eye-catching marketing tools to convey your messages.  With easy banner printing, you can create a custom sign for your business window, use it as a promotional sign on your vehicle, introduce a new product at an event, advertise your business at a trade show, or even wish your spouse a happy birthday at a party.

Although banner printing is easy and has many uses, there are a few things to consider when you make your banner printing order. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Hem and Grommets

Is your banner going to be securely tied? You may want to order your banner printing with hem and grommets. A hem adds reinforcement to your banner edges, and brass grommets are reinforced holes where you can use rope to tie off your banner to a building, pole, or other secure structure. A banner flapping in the wind and exposed to the elements can quickly become shredded. Consider hem and grommets if you plan to display your banner outside.

Pole Pockets

Another option for your banner printing is to include pole pockets on the left and right sides, or at the top and bottom. Pole pockets can easily allow you to slip your banner onto an existing set of poles to secure and display your banner.

Vinyl Banners

Your banner printing job can easily be produced on high-quality, long-lasting vinyl. Vinyl banners are rugged and help extend the life of a typical banner sign, especially if it is used outside. Vinyl banners can be high-grade with a smooth, matte finish, or top-quality mesh vinyl with a rugged finish.

Horizontal or Vertical Layout

Your banner printing layout can make or break the pizzazz of your banner. A horizontal banner is most commonly used, but why not try a vertical banner printing that is attention-getting and unique?

Banner Size

The size of your banner is also important for a first impression and lasting impact. Traditional size banner printing is easy and cost-effective, but if you have a special product you’d like to promote or an event you are sponsoring, why not opt for an oversize banner to make the biggest impact? An oversize banner can draw a lot of attention and give your product or event an exciting element.

Banner printing is a cost-effective way to promote your business, product, event, or for any special use. Use these helpful tips, and design a catchy banner that will improve your business.

3 Budget-Friendly Direct Mailing Marketing Ideas

Direct mail has continually been a trusted and effective method of conveying your message to customers.  However, for a direct mail marketing campaign to work, it requires a considerable direct mail printing job, costing both money and time to monitor the results.

Are there ways to conduct a direct mail marketing campaign that is budget-friendly and effective? Here are three ideas to get you started.

1. Acquire a Targeted Mailing List

Your direct mail recipient list should be targeted specifically to your researched demographic. Remember all the target customer research you did before you ever got your business off the ground? This information can be helpful in getting a solid mailing list of leads.

A direct mail campaign geared to acquire new customers can get very expensive when you start mailing to untargeted recipients. Your responses end up being much less than the standard, and money is wasted. However, when you aim your direct mail printing materials to targeted individuals, you have a much better chance that they will at least read your material and get a response.

2. Cost-Effective Printing with Postcards

To help save money on your direct mail printing materials, choose your media wisely. Of course, a typical direct mail marketing campaign utilizes a 1 to 2-page letter, a return envelope, and other promotional papers. But why spend so much on unneeded paper?

Using a simple postcard can save you considerable money on your direct mail printing and provide you a better chance of getting read. With a post card, there is no envelope to open, which means your recipients are more likely to get your headline message.

In addition, with postcard printing, not only can you save money on printing, but also on the copy. Professional copywriters charge much less for a postcard size direct mail.

3. Use Smaller Size Catalogs and Newsletters

Do you want to send your product catalog as part of your direct mail campaign? Avoid using traditional size printed catalogs. Instead, opt to have your catalog printed on postcard size paper.

The same strategy can be used on a newsletter. A newsletter printed on a booklet size paper saves you money. Print your material on all side of your booklet, and save the last page for making your offer to the recipient or sending the reader to your website for more information.

Direct mail still works. And while it may cost a bit to perform direct mail printing, it is still affordable, and if done creatively, you can enjoy lucrative returns on your investment.

Should You Use Recycled Paper for Eco-Friendly Printing Projects?

How do your printing projects fit with your carbon footprint reduction? If you are like millions of other Americans, you are taking steps to reduce energy use, reduce the amount of carbon emissions you produce, and reduce the amount of natural resources you use. That is why eco-friendly printing is a good strategy to complement your action-plan to help the environment.

Eco-friendly printing, or “green” printing, encompasses many facets, and one of the main strategies of green printing is using recycled paper. But there are many debates about using recycled paper. Here are some thoughts about why you should use recycled paper.

Using Recycled Paper Does Make a Difference

Many people debate whether using recycled paper is actually helpful for the environment. The fact is that using recycled paper can make a significant impact toward protecting the environment.

Green printing on recycled paper reduces that amount of trees needed to produce new paper stock. This saves our forests, a precious natural resource we need for producing the oxygen we breathe.

Additionally, using recycled paper on your eco-friendly printing projects reduces the amount of energy and waste produced in processing. New paper requires 60 percent more water in the manufacturing process. Using post-consumer materials helps reduce the amount of waste water during the processing, and it reduces the amount of air pollutants by 73 percent. Additionally, recycled paper saves up to 70 percent of the energy needed to manufacture paper from raw materials.

Green printing not only helps the environment during the processing, but it also saves landfill space. Every ton of paper that is recycled saves 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space.

Americans are on a strong road to using recycled paper. By 2007, we recovered 56 percent of all the paper consumed in America, and the paper industry has set a goal of 60 percent by 2012.

Your Customers and Clients Will Notice

People are noticing when recycled paper is used - and decision-makers are also taking note of who uses recycled paper and performing eco-friendly printing. The best way to show your commitment to the environment is to use 100% recycled paper and print a small line on your paper that says so.

Your efforts to perform eco-friendly printing are a big contribution toward improving the environment. Do your part and use recycled paper for all your printing needs.

Why Your Local Printer is Good for the Economy and Environment

Businesses like yours need printing jobs performed on a regular basis. And most likely you live in a location with access to a host of local printers. But why should you choose a local printer over online printers? Here are two good reasons for choosing local Southern California printing services.

The Economy

When you buy printing products from a local vendor, you directly help your local economy. The global economic crisis which began in 2007 has affected many small businesses throughout the country. Most likely, your local print shops are locally owned and operated, and they are not immune to the adverse effects of a down economic climate.

It helps your business when your local economy thrives. So why not take the initiative and keep local monies right in your community?

Your local Orange County printing companies are set up to easily perform frequent print jobs, and you may be surprised at how little money you actually save by ordering a frequent print job online.

Business cards are a good example. The cost difference for a box of business cards between an online printer and your local printer is usually offset by the shipping costs. Why not keep that money local, and even save money, by choosing a local Southern California printing company?

The Environment

Employing your local printer means reducing carbon emissions that result from shipping printed goods across the country.  Imagine how many millions of miles and tons of pollution could be eliminated if printing projects were not shipped from New York to California!

In addition, f you look around your local community, you will likely find a printer who employs good and responsible environmental practices. What does an “environmental” printing company do? Here are some examples:

Recycled paper - Paper is a natural resource that is limited.  The good environmental practice is to recycle used and discarded paper so it can be re-used again. A responsible local Orange County printing company will have a large stock of recycled and post-consumer paper to choose from for your printing needs.

Natural products - Besides recycled paper, other environment-saving materials include vegetable-based inks, sugar cane paper, non-toxic toners, chlorine-free paper, and other natural materials.

Reduced carbon footprint - Many Southern California printing companies are engaging in methods that reduce their “carbon footprint.” One way is to use energy-saving devices, and even utilize electricity generated from solar, wind, or water sources.

There are many advantages to using a local Orange County printing company, but helping the economy and the environment are two major benefits. Take these into consideration when you choose your next printing job.

3 Tips for Great Magnet Printing

How do you get your business information into the hands of your customers or future customers?  Do you use the typical business cards and brochures?

To make a lasting impression, why not send out or give away magnets with your business info?  Magnets allow customers an ability to store your information permanently.

You can choose magnet printing in pre-cut shapes or possibly custom shapes.  Here are 3 great tips to help your magnet printing job a success for your business:

1. Use Full Color - Magnets are meant to be displayed.  Make sure yours gets attention wherever it is placed.  For your magnet printing order, take advantage of full color.  Even if you use just one or two colors other than black, this gives your magnet a great eye-catching start.  Perhaps you want to promote an upcoming festival or promote a specific line of your business.  Use a full color graphic printed on a magnet to make it memorable and a work of art on a refrigerator.

2. Choose the Right Materials - Where do you suspect your magnet printing job will end up?  On a refrigerator?  On a file cabinet?  In a vehicle?  Before you place a magnet printing order, consider whether your magnet will be used for display only, or if it might hold notes or other paper to a metal surface.

A .019″ magnet is a standard size and is fine for general flat surfaces.  However, it doesn’t always stick to all metal surfaces, especially if they are curved.  A .034″ thick magnet will hold papers underneath and stick to more metal surfaces.  If you expect your magnet to go on a refrigerator, use a thicker size magnet printing.

3. Consider the Shape - Most magnet printing jobs can be completed on a standard shape of a square, rectangle, or circle.  There are even custom shapes available that may work for your business, such as a telephone, house, or automobile.  Consider whether the extra cost of a custom shape magnet printing job is worth the expense.  If a magnet printing job simply shows your business contact information, then a business card shape will certainly suffice.

Magnets are a great way to promote your business.  Make sure you make all the considerations necessary for the best possible use of your magnet printing order.

4 Steps To Catchy Promotional Rack Cards

Whether or not you are in the travel industry, your business can benefit from rack card printing that promotes your products or services to out of town customers.  Rack cards are aptly named because of where they are usually placed - on racks usually found in hotels, restaurants, airports, or other travel related places.  Not only can rack cards promote your business to out-of-towners, but also to locals who may have never noticed your business previously.

Rack card printing can be easy.  Once you have the basic setup, you can always place an order for more cards when the need arises.  If you want your rack card printing stock to stand out, here are a few easy steps to take.

1. Choose Your Design

An eye-catching design is essential for your rack card printing to be successful.  You want to attract visitors and new customers, and the first step is getting their attention.  However, your rack card must compete with dozens of other rack cards or multiple racks in a single location.  Use a professional graphic designer if you can, and have him or her incorporate stunning and colorful photos and images that will attract potential customers to your card.

One recommended design element is to bleed colors to the edge of your rack card.  Rack card printing allows for bleeding so you can fill the entire card with your design.

2. Choose a Cardstock

The cardstock you choose is important as well.  Make sure you choose a cardstock that is not too flimsy.  A 14pt paper stock is a good start.  You want the rack card to last.

3. Choose Single or Double Side Printing

You might want to choose double sided rack card printing.  Use one side as the colorful, brilliant, eye-catching side, and the other to print directions to your business locations, a map, special offerings, or any other additional information.

4. Choose a Coating

The final step in your rack card printing is the coating.  You can choose a smooth matte finish for a classy look, or a glossy UV coating that adds brilliance to your colors.

Rack card printing is a great way to promote your business at other popular locations.  The cost is very affordable, and depending on the number you order, can be less than $.10 per card.  Get your rack card designed today and talk to your printer for your next order!

4 Notepad Printing Design Tips to Promote Your Business

Notepads are a great idea to add to your promotional toolkit.  Custom notepad printing allows you to share your business contact information with customers and provide a helpful tool for telephone notes, messages, memos, and a multiple of uses.  Below you’ll find some helpful advice to make the most of your notepad printing orders.

Size Matters

The size of your notepad printing is an important consideration.  Notepads can be printed in just about any size, but not all sizes are helpful or beneficial.  A larger notepad printing order of 8.5″ x 11″ is great for taking plenty of notes, but not always useful to everyone.  It may be too bulky to keep handy, or the user may just think the size is too much waste for simple notes.  4.25″ x 5.5″ is a great size for telephone notes and simple uses.  With this in mind, consider carefully how big or small you want your notepad order.

Avoid Too Much Design

Notepads are meant to be used as a tool, not to be artwork.  Avoid designing notepad printing jobs that are too “busy” and leave no place on the paper for actually taking notes or writing ideas.  Include your business name and logo at the top or side, and perhaps include a design element, photo, or graphic around the sides or top as well.  However, don’t include too many graphics or photos that take up too much real estate on the page.

You might consider your logo as a lightly printed watermark on the page.  This is a great way to display your company name and logo without being too distracting on the page.

Use Full Color

Make your notepad printing order in full color if you can afford it.  Color adds spice and an eye-catching element that makes your notepad stand out and want to be used.  Definitely consider full color if you use graphics or photos.

Binding

There are many binding options.  A simple glue binding at the top of a notepad printing makes each page easy to tear off.  However, you might consider a metal or plastic coil binding with a printed cardstock cover to give your notepad printing a more professional look.

Remember, notepads are great for your own business use and for promotional purposes. Make sure your notepad printing job is easy to use and provides the important information about your company to customers.

Use Custom Presentation Folder Printing to Project Your Business Image

Presentation folders are a great way to send multiple forms of communication.  They can hold papers, brochures, slim products, CDs, and a variety of additional promotional material.  You might presentation folders useful for the following:

• Sales Packets
• Promotional Information
• Free Samples
• New Product Presentation
• Press Kits

But what exactly is a presentation folder, and how can custom presentation folder printing aid your business?

Certainly, any business has the option of purchasing generic presentation folders to use for any of the promotional ideas above.  However, a generic folder does not project your business image or professionalism.  Presentation folder printing allows you to design a folder with your business name, logo, and other stylistic additions so your business can not only present information, but also present a professional image.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when you make your presentation folder printing order:

• Size - Typical standard presentation folder printing size is 9″ x 12″.  However, the size depends mainly on what you expect to include inside your folder.  Will you use legal size paper?  You might want to lengthen the folder to a 14.5″ size.  You may also want to custom design a smaller size if you just include smaller note-size papers and brochures.

• Paper - The type of paper depends on what you can afford and how professional you want to project your business image.  You can use a single-sided coated paper, but a double-sided coated paper is much stronger and more durable.

• Pockets - You will want to consider the number of pockets as well.  Will you want a single pocket or a pocket on each side of your presentation folder printing order?  If you are including multiple items in a promotional presentation folder, you may consider two or more pockets.

• Accessory Slits - Accessory slits can be included with your presentation folder printing job.  Slits can be useful for including business cards, envelopes, CDs, or DVDs.  If you want to include additional media or papers, make sure your printer has the ability to include these accessory slits.

Custom presentation folder printing is a great way to keep your business image professional when you mail promotional materials, hand out information at meetings, or simply give to customers at trade shows.  Make sure you consider the uses for your presentation folder, and what will be included so you can design your custom presentation folder printing order accurately.

4 Easy NCR Form Printing Options

When you envision carbon paper, you’ll recall just how messy, wasteful, and time-consuming it can be.  Thankfully, with the development of carbonless NCR form printing, you now have many options at your fingertips to make your multiple-copy forms a breeze.

NCR forms uses chemically treated paper that easily transfers written or typed impressions from the top page to subsequent pages.  Multiple-copy forms are used frequently for invoices, statements, purchase orders, contracts, receipts, and many other business uses.  Here are some great options you can use for your business.

1. How Many Parts?

Your NCR form printing order can be performed from 2 parts up to 6 or more parts.  Typically, NCR form printing is done on 2 or 3 part.  It all depends on your business needs.  Do you need duplicate copies for your sales department, accounting department, and one for the customer?  Then 3 part NCR form printing will do you well.

2. Ink Options

You will find that single color ink jobs are less expensive.  However, you may want to add more colors to the top copy of your NCR form printing if that is the customer copy.  You can opt for multiple colors on the front page and single colors on subsequent parts which act as business department copies.

You might also consider double-sided printing.  On the back of the front page, you could include special instructions for the customer, maps, or all the “fine print.”

3. Binding Options

Do you want loose NCR forms or would you prefer that they are bound together?  You could opt to have your NCR form printing bound at the top edge that keeps your forms together, yet easy to dispense one at a time.  You might also consider a booklet form.  Booklet NCR form printing allows you to keep numbered copies together with a cover wrap to insert between forms with filling them out.  Booklet forms might be a good idea for receipts, invoices, or sales orders, etc.

4. Numbering

Numbering is important for forms such as invoices and purchase orders.  Keep your NCR form printing numbered sequentially.  You can provide the starting number to your printer so that your numbered forms continue without repetition.

NCR form printing is great for common form usage.  Remember the options you have with your NCR forms and get the most out of each NCR form printing order.

5 Creative Menu Printing Ideas

Whether you operate a 5-star restaurant or a corner café, you need a good menu.  A well-designed menu can help your business increase each ticket value.  Why provide your customers with a dull, every-day sheet of printed copy paper when you can add to your sales and show your restaurant’s personality with creative menu printing ideas?

Although there is no right or wrong about menu design, your customers may choose not to return if your menu is confusing.  Make sure your customers navigate your menu easily and all your special deals are highlighted.

1. Laminated coating

Do you reuse menus frequently?  Consider a menu printing order with a laminated coating to give it long life.  Laminated coatings are easy to clean and protect your menu from spillage.  If your menu doesn’t change often, a laminated coating option is a great idea to prevent having to re-print menus every day.

2. Cardstock

Make sure your menu printing orders are on a good cardstock.  Try using colors that match your food service color theme.  Avoid using colors, however, that do not provide enough contrast to read.  Your menu printing should be on a quality cardstock paper that is easy to hold and doesn’t wear out quickly.

3. Table Tent

Give your customers merchandising and ordering ideas.  Consider a tri-fold table tent for your next menu printing job.  Table tents are great for highlighting specials, encouraging appetizer orders, desserts, drinks, or even a special event you are planning at your location.

4. Don’t forget the kids

Parents love restaurants that think about the happiness and enjoyment of their children.  If you provide a special menu for kids, consider printing it on a separate menu.  You can get creative and do a menu printing with a coloring page included as part of the menu, or include a separate coloring page on the back.  You could even include games and puzzles that keep kids occupied while their food is prepared.  Remember, you want to encourage return customers, and parents love to return to kid-friendly restaurants.

5. Take-home menu

If your place of business serves take-out orders, why not make a batch of take-home menus with your next menu printing order?  Take-home menus allow customers to easily browse a menu and call in an order anytime.  Take-home menu printing can be done easily on colored paper, regular size, half-size, folded, and in full color.

Menus are important to the success of your business.  Be sure you make it easy for customers to read yours and include these ideas with your next menu printing order.