Print Rack Cards: Learning the Basics for those in the Entertainment Industry

If you are part of a theatre production, you would know how difficult it is to get noticed by people outside your circle. Those who are not exactly theatre enthusiasts may not even look at a printed promotional material that you will hand to them, simply because they have no interest. This is why you should combine a good digital promotional campaign with old-fashioned print ads. Rack cards printing is a good start, because it is a popular advertising tool used by those in the entertainment industry. Read on to find out why else you should use rack cards, how you can distribute them, and what else you can do to promote your production, play, musical, or any other show that you might be currently a part of. 

Why Should I Use Rack Cards?

Rack cards are 4” x 9” or 3.5” x 8.5” cards made from thick paper which are used to promote a business, brand, or event. These are displayed in brochure or rack stands, which are then picked up by people passing by. They are displayed in areas where there is high foot traffic like hotel lobbies, theatres, movie theatres, tourist centres, gas stations, and clinics. Rack cards are very handy and are quite effective. If you are promoting a play and the rack card is displayed in a theatre lobby, the person who picked it up is already a part of your target market. They’re also cheap, you can order rack cards from online printing services at a very low per piece price, but the quality is not compromised. 

How Should I Distribute Rack Cards?

After you print rack cards for your theatre production, how should they be distributed? Here are a few quick tips: 

  • Ask local businesses if you can display your rack cards in their area. Start with the local bars, retailers, rest stops, restaurants, hotels, clinics, etc. Use a free ticket as an incentive if you can. 
  • You can also strike a deal with the local restaurants, bars, or retails stores in your area to provide free refreshments – in exchange for an advertisement during your show.
  • Partner with a local charity, and advertise this in your rack card. People will shell out their hard-earned bucks if they know that they are helping a cause. 
  • Distribute the rack cards out in the streets, preferably in areas where there is high foot traffic. Have members of the cast don their costume, make it as fun as possible!
  • Lastly, combine your print marketing efforts with digital promotions. Maximize your social media exposure by creating funny trailers, bloopers, highlights of the show, interview clips, etc. 

With the help of well-designed rack cards, you can encourage people to flock to your theatre production. 

Stand Out from the Crowd with these Rack Cards Design Ideas

Similar to postcards, business cards, envelopes, and letterheads, rack cards printing should be part of every business owner’s print promotional campaign. The good news is that there are many online printing services which are now offering cheap business cards or rack cards printing packages – at an affordable price without compromising the quality. Rack cards are slim cards used to advertise products, services, or events. They are designed to be displayed in what are called rack or brochure stands. When people pass by, they can pick one up to read and take home.

Creatively Design Your Rack Cards

After looking for a print shop to order your rack cards from, the next and most important thing to think about is the design. The response to your advertising message will depend on how well-designed your rack cards are. Here are a few ways for you to creatively design your rack cards:

  • The upper portion of the card should include the most important information. 

Rack card displays or holders have full back, with a shorter front so the upper portion of your card is what will be seen by the reader. This means that they should be able to read your message even before they pick up the card from the holder. Make sure that there is a catchy tagline, and your business name and information should be placed prominently on top of the card. 

  • Use colors which are the same as your business logo. 

To make your branding consistent, use colors which are the same as your business logo. If you have a black-and-white logo, for instance, use the same color scheme in designing your rack cards. Mix it with something bold for contrast and to attract the eyes instantly. 

  • Highlight the benefits. 

With a 4” x 9” or a 3.5” x 8.5” card, you have very limited space so you should highlight the benefits that a customer will get from buying your products or services. Use bulleted lists instead of chunks of text to make it easier to read.

  • Use the back page for your call-to-action. 

Finally, use the back of the page to include a call-to-action. You might want to include a QR code that leads to your website, or a promo code that they can use for discounts or freebies. 

Creative design and proper placement of accurate information are the keys to having a successful rack cards advertising campaign. 

Printing Rack Cards for One-Time Events

Do you have a one-time event coming up and you’re not sure if a lot of people will come? Or maybe you are planning the soft launch of a restaurant and you want people to know about it? Aside from announcing the event on your official social media pages, you can go for rack cards printing as a way to advertise the event. You do need a mix of digital and traditional advertising if you want to reach as many people as possible. What’s good about rack card printing is that it is cheap without sacrificing the quality of material. It can also be easily distributed. 

Printing and Distributing Rack Cards for One-Time Events 

For your one-time event, here are a few important things to know when using rack cards for advertising: 

  • Printing Rack Cards 

The first thing that you need to do if you want to use rack cards for advertising is to design the card itself. Rack cards measure either 4” x 9” or 3.5” x 8.5” and they are made from thick paper. For the design, you need to make sure that it stands out. Rack cards are designed to be displayed on brochure or rack stands. The idea is for people to pick them up, read, and hopefully take home for future reference.

If your rack card is displayed alongside other events held on the same date, do you think that the design will stand out? If you already have a business logo, you can incorporate its colors on the design of the rack cards. Use bright colors and blend text with professionally-shot photos or HD illustrations. There are some online printing services that offer rack cards with a tear-off business card option – you may want to go for this for that unique look. 

  • Distributing Rack Cards 

After designing and printing the rack cards, how can you effectively distribute them to promote your event? First, make sure to have the rack cards ready two to three months before the event. This gives you plenty of time to display the rack cards to make as many people aware of the event as possible. 

Second, display the rack cards in areas where there is high foot traffic. Think rest stops, clinics, hotel lobbies, reception areas, local landmarks, tourist centres, movie theatres, etc. Ask permission from the business owner if you can display your rack cards in their place of business. 

Third, distribute the rack cards in other ways. Aside from using rack displays, you can also hand them over to people personally, still in high foot traffic areas. Or, you can include them in postcard mailers and send them to every household living within a five-mile radius of where the event will be held. 

By following these tips, you can use rack cards to promote your one-time event, turning it into a resounding success. 

Costs to Consider for Rack Cards Printing

The first thing that you need to do if you want to print rack cards is to look for an online printing services provider. Choose between offset and digital printing – some print shops offer both. With digital printing, desktop printers are used, and they can handle small volumes of orders. With offset printing, huge printing presses are utilized and once set up, these can print hundreds to thousands of copies within a short span of time.

Saving on the Costs of Rack Cards Printing

While choosing which shop to go with for rack cards printing, it’s good to know how to save some money as well. You want to get the best bang for your buck but without sacrificing the print quality. Check out these tips on how you can save on rack printing costs:

  • Compare the different packages offered by online print shops.

Some print shops offer just one type of printing: digital or offset, while others can do both. Because of the quality of machines and print technology used, offset printing can be a bit more expensive. But since rack cards are meant to impress, you may want to invest a bit more on this type of printed marketing material. Go online and check out the packages offered by different print shops. Will you save more on digital or offset? Also check on the material used and the turnaround time that they promise. By doing your research, you can make an informed decision about which print shop to best go with.

  • Order more to save more.

For offset printing, it is only the initial setup that is costly. Once everything is set, the per unit price actually gets lower as your order volume gets higher. For example, the per piece price of 1,000 rack cards is cheaper than ordering just 500 pieces.

  • Use promo codes and ask about special offers.

Finally, ask the print shop if they have special offers or promotional printing packages. Go online and look for promo codes which you can use when ordering online.

By keeping these tips in mind, you can save money while ordering rack cards which will be used to promote your business.

Why Rack Cards Printing is a Must for Those in the Health Care Industry

If you’re thinking about using rack cards printing as a way to advertise your business, you are on the right track. Rack cards are 3.5” x 8.5” or 4” x 9” cards which are displayed in tourist centres, hotel lobbies, rest stops, and anywhere that there is high foot traffic. They are meant to be picked up by people who are passing by, so that when they get and read one, they can learn more about the products or services that you are offering.

Now, if you are in the health care industry, why should you print rack cards? Why should you order a batch of rack cards from an online printing services provider? Here are the top reasons:

  • You can easily display rack cards in your own clinic or health care establishment.

Just like hotel lobbies or tourist centres, health care establishments, clinics, wellness centres, and hospitals are areas where people flock to. Those who are waiting for their doctor’s appointments, their companions, and everyone else visiting these establishments for some other reason are your direct audience. When you print rack cards, make sure to include a call-to-action and the design should be eye-grabbing enough to make people want to pick up and read the cards.

  • Patients usually have to wait for the doctor to come in, so they have plenty of time to pick up and read your rack cards.

In clinics, wellness centres, and other health care facilities, there is usually a wait time in between appointments. Use this to your advantage by prominently displaying rack cards in brochure stands.

  • Rack cards are a great way to present information about health care products or services.

Rack cards have more space than business cards but less space than brochures. The 4” x 9” space offers just enough paper area for you to present the health care products or services that you offer. Instead of filling the space with chunks of text, keep the copy short but impactful. Include sharp images or HD pictures.

  • Rack cards can be brought home for future reference.

Once picked up, these rack cards can be brought home for future reference, or can be given away to friends and family. If you designed a rack card about cataract, for example, and a patient has a friend with this eye problem, then he or she can bring home the card and give it to this friend. As long as the information is accurate and beautifully presented, rack cards about health care products and services become really useful.

Rack Cards Printing Etiquette

Rack cards printing is an effective way to advertise your business. Unlike business cards which have too little space and brochures which have to much space, rack cards give you just enough paper area to create a marketing message for your target audience. Rack cards come in two sizes: 4” x 9” or the slightly smaller 3.5” x 8.5”. All you have to do is look for a cheap printing services provider and ask them about the rack cards packages that they offer. Your goal is to get good quality prints while getting the best value for your money at the same time.

Dos and Don’ts in Rack Card Printing

Now, when you print rack cards, there are a few things to keep in mind:  

  • Do include a call-to-action.

For your marketing message to be effective, do include a call-to-action. This can be in the form of a number that they can call for questions. You may want them to sign up for a newsletter, visit your website, or go to a one-time event that you organized for your business. Whatever this call-to-action is, it’s better to put a sense of urgency in the message so that you can get quick, good responses.

  • Do check out the rack cards design of your direct competitors.

If you’re just starting out in the business, you can actually check out the rack cards design of your direct competitors. What colors do they use and how did they tempt the reader into trying out their product or service? Make sure that your rack cards stand out by using the same color palette as your logo, and using HD photography to impress readers.

  • Do not ask your direct competitors if you can display your rack cards in their place of business.

Once the rack cards are printed out, you can ask local business owners in your area if you can display your cards in their stores, offices, or reception areas. Do not ask the same of your direct competitors!

  • Do not go with the online printing service provider that offers the cheapest package.

When looking for a print shop, you can choose between digital and offset. Some companies offer both and use one that suits the volume of orders that you have. Do compare the packages offered by different companies, do further research on their quality of print and customer service, then make an informed decision from there.

Must-Have Features for Rack Cards Printing

When you’re ordering any type of printed marketing material, your goal is to make it noticeable, for it to send the right message to your audience, and for you to save on printing costs. Let’s say that you are thinking about rack cards printing. These are typically 4” x 9” or smaller cards which are displayed in high-traffic areas. The idea is for people passing by to get one card to read, take home, and maybe even distribute to friends and family for referral. If your rack cards are attention-grabbing enough, passers-by will surely grab one from the rack. If they are displayed prominently in areas where there is high foot traffic, you are bound to get a good response for your rack cards advertising efforts.

Next, how can you make sure that the rack cards are noticeable and that they are sending the right message to your target audience? Here are the must-have features for rack cards:

  • Eye-catching design

Rack cards are usually displayed in hotel lobbies, theatres, and tourist centres. Your card will be displayed with cards of similar sizes. How do you think yours will stand out if it’s made from thin, rough paper with black-and-white print? You need to make sure that the design of your rack card stands out, and that it is made from high-quality materials to impress your reader.

  • Catchy slogans

Rack cards have more space than business cards, but less space than brochures or flyers. Since you have limited space, you need to come up with a catchy slogan to deliver your marketing message. Stay away from chunky blocks of text, people want to get your message right away.

  • A benefit for the reader

What benefit will a person get by reading your rack card? You may want to include a promo code or any other similar offer for them to be enticed into trying out your products or services.

  • An urgent call-to-action

Once you identify the benefit, include a call-to-action. Do you want people to call you, sign up for a newsletter, or visit your website? To incorporate digital marketing into your traditional printed marketing material, a QR code would be a nifty addition.

When you print rack cards, look for a reliable online printing services provider. Make sure that they offer affordable package prices for high-quality products so you can get the best value for your money.

Looking for an In-between Solution? Try Rack Cards Printing

One of the most popular ways to advertise your business is by distributing business cards. When you meet a prospective client, handing out a thick, beautifully printed business card is a sure way to impress the person. Brochures, on the other hand, provide a lengthier version of your business information. They can have anywhere from four to twelve panels, giving you plenty of space to tell the readers about the background or mission and vision of your business, for example. Brochures are usually given away during trade shows, or handed over to clients who want to learn more about the products or services that you offer. Business cards may contain too little information while brochures may have too much, so if you are looking for something in between, rack cards printing is the ideal solution.

Rack cards come in two sizes: 3.5” x 8.5” and 4” x 9”. You can also go for the tear-off business card option, which means that the bottom part of the rack card is perforated and can be torn off. Since rack cards have more space than a business card but not too much space such as in brochures, you have just the right area to place information in.

Let’s say that you are promoting the soft launch of your restaurant. You can print rack cards with the help of an online printing company. Once done, the cards will be delivered to your doorstep for distribution. But how will you get the rack cards out to your target audience? Rack cards are meant to be displayed in rack or brochure stands, thus the name. They are placed in high-traffic areas and the rack cards are meant to be picked up by people passing by. For your soft opening, you can place rack cards in areas where a lot of people pass by including tourist centers, hotel lobbies, theatres, and rest stops. You can also include them as mailers if you are sending out postcards to every doorstep in your area.

When having rack cards printed, make sure to work with an online printing company that offers a good rate, quality prints, and excellent customer service. No matter what type of product of service it is that you are offering, rack cards are an in-between solution when it comes to containing just the right amount of information.

Proper Placement for Rack Card Printing

Business cards are personally handed out, postcards are included in mailers, while notepads and envelopes are distributed as gifts. These are examples of printed marketing materials and how they are distributed. But what about rack cards? Rack card printing is a popular option for those who are in the entertainment and tourism industry. You would usually see stacks of rack cards displayed at hotel lobbies, movie houses, or theatres. Fortunately, even if you are in an industry other than these two, you can still use rack cards printing to promote your products or services. You just need to know about proper placement.

Proper Placement for Rack Cards

If you want to print a stack of rack cards, look for an online printing services provider with a cost-efficient yet high-quality printing package. Rack cards usually measure 4” x 9” or 3.5” x 8.5” – so the space that you have is limited. Use similar colors as your logo for branding, keep the message short but impactful, and include a call-to-action. 

When it comes to distribution, here are some key points: 

  • Choose a strategic location. 

The rack cards should be displayed in areas where there is high foot traffic. Examples are local landmarks, hotel lobbies, rest stops, retail stores, tourist centres, convention centres, and restaurants. When displaying your rack cards, make sure that the local business is not your direct competitor and ask them if you can display your rack cards in their office, store, or reception area. 

  • The rack stand should be easily seen. 

If possible, place your rack cards on top of the stack of cards in a brochure stand so that it can easily be seen and picked up. 

  • They can be displayed horizontally.

If there is no brochure or rack stand, you can also place a stack of your rack cards horizontally – at a table in a reception area or by the cashier at a gas station. 

  • Rack cards can also be handed out personally or mailed out. 

Aside from displaying them, rack cards can also be personally handed out on the streets in areas where there is high foot traffic.  You can even include them in postcards mailers or use them as inserts in delivery receipts.

Rack Card Printing: Offers to Back Up Your Call-to-Action

When you have a print marketing campaign and rack card printing is part of it, the first thing that you need to do is come up with a design. Before that, what are the quick benefits of rack cards printing? These cards usually measure 4” x 9” so they are very handy. People who are passing by a hotel lobby, for example, can pick up a rack card from the display case – which is the purpose of printing one in the first place. Once someone picks it up and reads it, the card becomes an instant advertising tool. 

Another benefit of rack cards is that they are easy and cheap to produce. If you’re a business owner, you simply need to get in touch with an online printing services provider and ask about their rack cards printing package. Offset or digital are your print process options; you should also choose the type, thickness, and finish of the paper; and come up with your own design. For this, it is best to use colors which are already in your business logo. The images should pop, the copy should be short since you have limited space, and there should be a call-to-action. 

Offers to Back Up Your Call-to-Action

While designing your card, you must come up with a call-to-action since rack cards are marketing materials. Do you want people to call your number for more information about your business? Do you want them to see your next play? If yes, how would they buy tickets or get more information about it? Would you like people to visit the soft opening of a restaurant? When and where is it, and what type of food should they expect? 

By providing short answers to these questions, you are making the reader more interested in what you have to offer as a business. To amp things up, you can back up your call-to-action with offers like these: 

  • Buy one product, get one for free
  • Book services at 10% off
  • Kids aged 12 below eat for free during weekends
  • 2-for-1 admission to plays, concerts, shows
  • Freebie with every purchase
  • Mystery gift for every purchase of $20 and up

Make sure that the offer is something that is too good to pass up. You can also put a timeline on the offer, to ensure that the customer takes immediate action.