What Not to Do During Brochure Printing

If you want to promote your brand through printed advertising materials, brochure printing is one of the best ways to go about it. Brochures are usually folded, thick paper which includes information and images about a business. These promotional materials are distributed in trade shows, or handed out personally to prospective customers. The good thing about using brochures is that it gives you plenty of space to write your content in. When looking for online printing services to create the brochures for you, make sure to check on the paper stock that they use, the ink, and the printing technology. Offset printing is usually more preferred than digital printing because of the higher quality offered by the former.

During the brochure design process, it pays to know what not to do – so that you can avoid the most common mistakes in printing out these marketing materials:

  • Overcrowding the available space.

Brochure printing gives you plenty of space because there are big paper sizes available. From standard to legal, folder sheet size, tabloid size, and map size, you can divide the paper into several panels. One mistake to not make when using big-sized brochures is overcrowding the available space.

  • Using too much text or a lot of images.

There should be a good balance between text and images. If there’s too much text, the reader might get bored and not bother reading the content at all. On the other hand, an images-only brochure may not necessarily give the reader enough information about the message that you would like to convey.

  • Not paying attention to the overall look and feel of the design.  

Just like when you are creating a business card, flyer, or postcard, brochures should be designed in such a way that it fits your brand’s imaging. If you are using black and silver in your company logo, for example, the same hues should be present in the brochure design.

  • Not considering the paper type and folding options.

Most printing companies offer two types of paper for brochures: gloss text book paper and a thicker gloss cover paper. For the folding options, you can take your pick from trifold, Z-fold, double parallel, double gate, or half then trifold. These give you anywhere from two to 12 panels. Depending on the length of content that you would like to include in the brochure, always consider the material and the folding options available.

By knowing what not to do during the brochure printing process, you can avoid costly mistakes and make the most out of this marketing material.

Brochure Printing Design Tips

Websites and social media platforms popularized the use of online advertising. If you are starting your own business, you should use all the digital advertising options at your disposal. But there is also nothing wrong with going old school and using something like brochure printing to promote your brand. In fact, there is such a novelty in holding something tangible so in this case, old school trumps digital.

There are many online printing services from where you can order a batch of brochures for distribution. When looking for one, make sure that they use state-of-the-art offset printing technology so that you can get the best quality possible. It may be a bit pricier than straightforward digital printing, but the results are well worth it.

Now, if you are still in the process of designing the brochure, what do you need to remember? Here’s a quick list:

  • Write the copy for the brochure in such a way that it appeals to your target market. If you’re a law firm, for example, you might have to use more formal language in writing the content for the brochure. On the other hand, if you have a younger clientele, using language that they can easily understand is the better option.
  • Know why you are publishing the brochure. Are you exerting a lot of effort in brochure printing so that you can introduce an old product to a new market? Are you trying to establish your brand as an authority in the industry? Would you like people to know how your brand name came about? Or who the brains are behind the operations? Depending on your desired output, you can write the content of your brochure accordingly.
  • Text should be mixed with images appropriately. Readers might get bored with an all-text brochure, so shake it up with eye-grabbing images. Make sure that the overall design of the brochure fits your brand’s image. You can choose colors which are similar to your logo for better impact.

After finishing the design, make sure to choose high-quality materials and an excellent printing process. By following these tips, you can come up with a  stellar brochure that you will be proud to use in promoting your business.

Download, Design, and Print Postcards through Online Printing Companies

If you are looking for a postcard printing company, you can either go with a traditional printing company or one with a purely online operations. These businesses will offer either offset or digital printing. Offset printing uses state-of-the-art printers with the latest in color match technology. Their services might be a bit more expensive than digital printing, but the quality is far superior.

Aside from the printing option, you also need to consider the ordering method that the company has. Can you place an order fully online? Or do you need to go to an office before receiving a set of 1,000 postcards, for example? For convenience, you may want to go with a printing company that has a fully online process for postcard printing.

Here is how the process goes:

  • First, download the guided design templates.

If you want to make it easier to print postcards, you can simply use the guided design templates offered by the printing company. The high-resolution templates can be used with any professional design software. Make sure that you already have an idea of how the postcards should look so that the design can be easily applied on the template.

  • Second, select all the ordering options that apply.

For postcards, you have to choose the size, quantity, paper type, paper finish, and printing speed. If you want your files to be checked by a professional, you just need to add a fixing fee to the order,

  • Third, finish placing your order and wait for delivery – either to your doorstep or to the addresses of your customers!

After uploading your files, you simply need to wait for the postcards to be delivered. If you are distributing it yourself, have the package delivered to your own address. You can also have the printing company directly mail out the postcards or use the Every Door Direct Mail service with the USPS so that you can mail to a specific zip code or demographic.

As you can see, the process of ordering postcards online is quick and hassle-free so get started on designing and printing them for your business.

Postcard Printing in Full Color

One of the cheapest yet most effective forms of print advertising is postcard printing. Similar to flyers, brochures, business cards, banners, letterheads, and rack cards, postcards are printed materials that leave a lasting impression to customers. Unlike digital ads which can only be seen onscreen, postcards can be held and felt, making the experience more memorable. This not only leaves a great first impression to customers, but it also boosts brand recall and the material can be kept for future reference.

You can distribute postcards to potential and existing customers by physically handing them out to people or by mailing them. Put together your own mailing list or take advantage of the Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) service offered by some printing companies. For the latter, the printing company will work with the USPS so that you can send out mailers to every door within a specific zip code. Or, you can narrow down the addresses based on demographic, age group, or household size.

Now, when it comes to the process of postcard printing, you want to make sure that customers will be impressed once they receive the actual card. This is where full color printing comes in. There are companies that promise to print postcards using the best in color match technology. Check the reviews or ask for sample prints so that you can see for yourself how the postcards will look. Pay close attention to details such as the resolution, the brightness of the print, and the contrast and vividness of colors. The material used is also important. Check on the thickness and paper stock, as well as the finish of the print.

By keeping a close eye on the tiniest details of postcard printing, you can make sure that your customers will receive only the best quality cards possible.

All About Designing, Postcard Printing and Distribution

If you want to include postcard printing as part of a full-blast print marketing campaign, then you must be familiar with the steps involved. First, design the postcard itself. Second, look for a postcard printing company that will print the cards for you. Third, decide how you will distribute the cards.

Let’s take a closer look at these steps.

  • Designing the postcards

Why go for postcard marketing in the first place? It’s a tangible form of advertising that can effectively deliver your marketing message. No matter what your business is, you can use postcards to let people know about your business name, address, the products or services that you offer, etc. When designing the postcard, consider the size of the card. The copy should be short because limited space is available. The information should be accurate and up-to-date.

More importantly, there should be a call to action. Indicate whether you want customers to call you for more information, if you want them to visit your store to check out your wares, or visit your website to know what your business is all about. Also consider the demographic of your target audience when designing the card so that the look and feel would appeal to them.

  • Printing the postcards

Next, look for a company to print postcards for you. Offset and digital printing are your two options. The former has better quality than digital, although it may be a bit more expensive. When looking for a printing company, make sure that the quality of print is excellent, as well as the material used. The ink should be long lasting and there should be several options for print finish.

  • Distributing the postcards

Lastly, decide how you will distribute the postcards. Some printing companies offer direct mail and Every Door Direct Mail distribution services. With direct mail services, they can mail out the postcards for you if you already have a mailing list. If you don’t, the better option is EDDM because you don’t have to put together a mailing list. Simply choose which zip code, demographic, or other mailing category to send the postcards to. The printing company will work with the USPS in mailing out the postcards to the address category of your choice.

By familiarizing yourself with these steps, you can take full advantage of the marketing benefits of postcards mailers.

Effective Messaging Tips for Postcard Printing

If you are creating online ads or copy for postcard printing, your goal is to effectively deliver your marketing message. Let’s say that you are promoting the soft opening of a local diner. Everyone living within the vicinity of your food establishment is a possible customer, so how do you “talk” to them? You can try ordering postcards online then mailing them out to households within a five-mile radius of your location. You can distribute the postcards to people in areas where there is high foot traffic. These mailers or printed advertising materials can also be displayed in your storefront on opening day.

Short but Sweet or The Longer, The Better?

You already know how the postcards can be distributed – but how about taking a step back and determining exactly what you will write on the postcard? Is the rule to follow ‘Short but sweet’ – or ‘The longer, the better’? First, consider the size of the postcard that you will use. For printing companies, the most popular sizes are 3” x 4”, 4” x 6”, 5” x 7”, and 6” x 9”.

If you will write one or two paragraphs on a 4” x 6” postcard, imagine how crowded the letters would be. You would have to use a very small font which is difficult to read. If you will reduce two paragraphs to just one, the letters might look bigger but if there is no white space, the overall design would still look too packed on the card.

For postcard printing, the better rule to follow is to keep it short. If you want people to go to the soft opening of your diner, include only the relevant information. When and what time is it, where is the diner, and what kind of food should they expect? You might want to include a message that if they bring the postcard, they’re entitled to drink upgrades, a free dessert, or 5% off their total bill. Print advertising is all about clarity and by keeping the copy concise, you can effectively deliver your marketing message.

Postcard Printing: Going Back to Basics

Mobile, in-game, in-app, social media, and search engine are some of the online ad options available right now. Depending on your products or services, most of these may be effective, but what about old school print ads like postcard printing? Online advertising may be the obvious choice especially for new businesses, but there’s just something about holding a tangible item in your hands that makes printed advertising materials still effective.

Whether you’re offering a unique service or a retail product, here’s how you can go back to basics with the help of postcard ads:

  • Use the limited space in the postcard to get your message across.

What is the main goal of advertising in the first place? To let your target audience know that your brand exists. How do you get this message across? With postcards, you have very limited space. A 4” x 6” card, for example, only has space to include your business name and contact information – then maybe a tagline or two. Use the available space wisely – and make sure to include a call to action.

  • Design the card in such a way that it appeals to your target audience.

When you are advertising using printed material, pay close attention to detail. Design the postcard in such a way that the color, font, and any image that you will include pops and appeals to your target audience.

  • Look for the right postcard printing company.

Finally, work with a printing company that has ample experience in printing postcards. Choose from offset or digital printing. Consider the costs, but do not compromise on quality.

When you print postcards and use it as part of your print advertising campaign, you may be going back to basics. However, the appeal of printed materials will improve name recall, giving your target market a chance to remember your brand, allowing your business to grow.

Things to Look for in an EDDM Postcard Printing Company

Are you thinking about launching a targeted print advertising campaign? You might want to consider EDDM postcard printing. EDDM stands for Every Door Direct Mail and it’s a hassle-free, cheap, yet effective way of getting the message to your target audience. If you’re a health service provider, for example, you can print EDDM postcards then mail them out to those living near your place of business. But how would you know the names and owners of the houses near you? Instead of putting together your own mailing list, you can simply look for a printing company that offers EDDM services. Basically, they will work with the USPS or the local post office in your area. You just need to choose a zip code or narrow down the mailing list to a certain demographic or age group. By doing so, you don’t have to spend money on printed cards advertising to people who might not be interested with your products or services at all.

Now, if you are considering using EDDM mailing as part of your print advertising campaign, how can you choose a good printing company? First, make sure that they do offer Direct Mailing Services. As mentioned earlier, the printing company would work with the USPS. Once you’re done choosing the design, they will take care of the USPS requirements for you. This way, you don’t need to do any heavy lifting – the printing company does all that, even the bundling of the cards.

Second, just as it is when choosing any printing service provider, make sure that they offer good quality prints. Offset is generally superior in terms of quality than digital prints – although you can still opt for the latter if you are on a limited budget. Check on the paper thickness and the size of the EDDM postcard printing materials. Whatever you choose should still fit the requirements of the USPS for direct mail marketing.

Third, look for a printing company that offers great value for your money, and excellent customer service. Compare three to four printing companies, read the feedback of their customers, then narrow down your choices and a make an informed selection from there. By doing your research, you can work with the best printing company that can take care of your direct mail marketing needs.

Localize Your Marketing Approach with EDDM Postcard Printing

If you’re doing some home improvement and you need wood glue or nails to finish a project, where would you go? Instead of travelling all the way to a huge hardware store that’s far from your house, you choose the nearest one. This not only saves time but also gas money, while also allowing you to support the local business owners within your area. As a business owner, this is something that you must consider when launching a marketing campaign that includes something like EDDM postcard printing.

You want your campaign to target those within the vicinity first, before going on a state-wide or even national scale. Television and radio ads are not necessarily targeted, not to mention they are overly expensive. You might also consider having a purely online campaign, but that is not necessarily targeted. The best thing to do is to launch a cheap but targeted, yet effective marketing campaign. For this, you can print EDDM postcards and mail them out to those living within a five-mile radius of your place of business. EDDM stands for Every Door Direct Mail. It is a type of print advertising campaign where a printing company works with the local post office in your area.

Instead of having to gather names and addresses of potential customers, you can simply specify a zip code. Once done printing the EDDM postcards, the printing company will work with the USPS to mail out your advertising materials to every address within your specified zip code. If you have a more targeted audience, you can narrow down the mailing list based on demographic, household size, income bracket, carrier route, or other categories which are provided by the United States Postal Service (USPS). Once the route is chosen, the printing company can take care of all the USPS-related paperwork. In just a few days, your EDDM postcards can reach the hands of your targeted customers.

With such a localized approach, sending out EDDM cards is bound to deliver better results than non-targeted TV, radio, or online ads.

Which Businesses Can Benefit from EDDM Postcard Printing?

If you’re a business owner, you are missing out on a lot of marketing benefits if you have not tried EDDM postcard printing yet. With Every Door Direct Mail, a printing company that works with the United States Postal Service can print flyers, brochures, and EDDM postcards for you. You don’t even have to put together your own mailing list. Simply choose a zip code, demographic, income bracket, age bracket, or any other classification that fits your marketing needs – then the postcard printing company will handle the rest of the work for you. Aside from being hassle-free, this type of marketing is cheap and effective.

Types of Businesses Suited for EDDM Marketing

Now, which types of businesses can benefit from mailing out EDDM cards? Here’s a quick list:

  • Restaurants

Everyone living within a five-mile radius of your restaurant, bakeshop, coffeeshop, diner, or food truck is a possible customer. If you’re in the food business, sending out EDDM cards to every door near your place of operations is the simplest way of attracting customers. They would know that your business exists, where you are located, what type of food you offer, your operating hours, and prices.

  • Real Estate Firms

Instead of sending out EDDM cards to every door within the five-mile radius of your real estate firm, you might want to narrow down your target market by demographic. Those on the higher income bracket might find themselves in need of a house to buy or rent, so send your postcard printing marketing message directly to them.

  • Medical Service Providers

Every household will find the need for medical services at one point or another, so you can use the door-to-door marketing approach for this.

Aside from these three, those who are operating local businesses can benefit from direct mail marketing.  If you own a barbershop, dry cleaning, retail store, home cleaning services, auto dealership, plumbing services – direct mail print advertising is a must-try.