Maui Printing Company

Do you ever wander through a library aisle you would normally avoid? Perhaps you're a fiction reader who ambles into the autobiography section. Surprisingly, a cover grabs your attention and you check out a book you've never heard of. What was it that caused you to act? Just one short glimpse at the title. That's telling. Fool-Proof Headline Formulas Headlines matter. A lot. Researchers estimate that in today's content-saturated culture, only 8 out of 10 readers make it past the headline of most pieces. In 2016, an academic study of bit.ly links to BBC, CNN, Fox News, New York Times, and Huffington Post articles found that 59 percent of the links were never clicked. And even if you do get readers past the front door, you still need to bring them to a point of purchase. Which headlines best engage readers and maximize response? Here are three headline formulas to increase your conversions: "The Best" List Headlines ...

Want to make the holidays happier this year? Showing gratitude through your year-end greetings takes some creativity and planning. Maybe this would be a good time for your business to break the mold when it comes to year-end tidings! In 2016, Mayville Engineering Company, Inc (MEC) decided to amplify appreciation through an employee-empowered kindness campaign. In lieu of traditional greeting cards, MEC created a series of fun in-house GIFs for their employees to get them smiling. In tandem, MEC sent "acts of kindness" prompts to spur a contagious rash of goodwill. These 25 acts of kindness included both personal and professional ideas, such as, "compliment someone to their boss," or "donate a piece of clothing for every present you receive." Employees were encouraged to share the love in and beyond the company and to share photos on its social channels using the hashtag #MECKindness. Share a Simple Thank You While you may not start a...

What's so great about vacation? It's a chance to cut loose and take a break from the ordinary! But vacation just wouldn't be as fun if it wasn't anchored to the sense of consistent routine in our lives. In order to vacate, you have to have a place or a routine to break AWAY from. A Foundation to Build From The same is true in design. To have the freedom to challenge the norm, some type of coherent foundation must first be established. This is particularly true in multi-page publications like newsletters. One of the most important features of multi-page publications is consistency. So, before you go rogue in design, first you need to ensure each page looks like it belongs to the whole. How can you create this sense of cohesion? With repeating colors, icons, fonts, bulleted lists that repeat a formatting style, matching pull-out quotes, and more. Here are five strategies for organizing your next newsletter so you compel viewers to read and respon...

Do you enjoy creating? Are you an illustrator, a graphic design specialist, or a photographer who loves to see ideas come to life? If so, you've probably experienced a few slumps. Even the most innovative people need new inspiration from time to time. Ready to ignite a fresh perspective for your projects? Here are some creative exercises that may spark your next fantastic idea. 4 Design Catalysts to Inspire Your Imagination Loosen your turtleneck pullover and host an art night with friends. If you create for a living, what better way to connect with your inner muse than to host a no-holds-barred, imaginative free-for-all with your best pals? Tell guests to dress for a mess and drag out your paints, beads, clay, stamps, ink, and more. Remind people to leave the perfectionist self at home and have fun with the process. After all, some of the best art is spontaneous. Takeaway: Creating things with friends reminds us that art is fun, and beauty can aris...

In 1966, an American band called the "The Mamas and the Papas" released a song about Monday that captured the mood of millions of people regarding that dreaded first day of the workweek: "Monday, Monday, can't trust that day. Monday, Monday, sometimes it just turns out that way . . Every other day, every other day, every other day of the week is fine, yeah . . . B ut whenever Monday comes, but whenever Monday comes . . . you can find me cryin' all of the time." How to Kick Those Monday Blues It's true. Not many of us look forward to the start of the week. Half of all workers will be late to their jobs on Monday mornings. The abrupt transition from a free weekend to the grind makes many people miserable. But Mondays don't have to be a drag. While you can't magically get your team excited to head back to work on Mondays, there are a few things you can do to make Mondays a bit better. Ax Monday Meetings How of...

Individual design elements are the building blocks of today's best marketing pieces, and with today's technology, almost anything is possible when it comes to print. Print products can vary in texture, color, shape, and finish, bringing a staying power that allows your company to shine strong among competitors. Step Up Your Game with Memorable, Inspiring Print Promos Here are five simple and impressive print techniques that can drastically improve the appearance of your materials. 1. Cut it Out Whether it's brochures, business cards, or door hangers, printed pieces aren't limited to square or rectangular shapes. Consider reshaping your invitation to match your logo, or creating a custom label in the shape of your most popular product. For brochures or folders, you can add custom-shaped pockets, a peek-through window, or die cuts that accentuate the featured product. 2. Add Texture While embossing was originally known for its use in person...

Individual design elements are the building blocks of today's best marketing pieces, and with today's technology, almost anything is possible when it comes to print. Print products can vary in texture, color, shape, and finish, bringing a staying power that allows your company to shine strong among competitors. Step Up Your Game with Memorable, Inspiring Print Promos Here are five simple and impressive print techniques that can drastically improve the appearance of your materials. 1. Cut it Out Whether it's brochures, business cards, or door hangers, printed pieces aren't limited to square or rectangular shapes. Consider reshaping your invitation to match your logo, or creating a custom label in the shape of your most popular product. For brochures or folders, you can add custom-shaped pockets, a peek-through window, or die cuts that accentuate the featured product. 2. Add Texture While embossing was originally known for its use in person...

What is the right strategy when it comes to discount marketing: presenting strong visuals, mystery offers, or the word "free" in your print ads? Everyone is attracted to a deal, no matter the size. By using coupons or discounts, you appeal to shoppers in a unique way. Incentives Prompt Action When shoppers feel like they're getting a good deal, they are excited and more willing to purchase. Incentives also create urgency, build goodwill with clients, and dissuade people from looking for other offers. Want to move more products? Experiment with discount tactics like these: 1. Dollar or Percentage Off This discount type is the most widely used, simply offering a reduction on the original price, such as $50 savings or 40% off. Discounts can be placed on specific products or applied to an entire order. 2. BOGO Short for, "Buy One, Get One," this discount type prompts customers to purchase additional items. Examples of BOGO...

Have you ever seen someone make a pitch without clearly selling their product? In business, sometimes we get so close to our product that it's easy to assume every reader "gets it." Marketers spend big bucks to grab attention but fail to craft a message that truly connects. Take this example: Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is a technology company offering innovative computing and graphic solutions for work, home, and play. AMD has begun partnering with a famous auto company to significantly reduce design time on new electric vehicles. AMD recently ran a 2-page BusinessWeek ad with this headline: "AMD Makes It Possible." The problem? People have no idea what AMD is. So what would cause people to keep reading? In this ad's copy section, AMD mentioned that they were able to cut design time on electric cars by over eight months. By burying this information under an obscure headline, AMD confused the reader and probably lost many sales. A better...

It's not easy to start (or run!) a business. Many factors compete for your time and attention. Unexpected storms dampen passion or erode your resiliency. And then there are your competitors, who often have a jump on your best ideas. The best entrepreneurs master a broad set of skills to manage obstacles that arise each day. While you need expertise and focus to succeed in your business, you'll also need to nurture these four practical skills: Adaptability In business, things change quickly. The smartest people in business are those who grow and evolve. What works today might not work tomorrow, so to stay competitive, you need to keep a few steps ahead in the game. Be flexible and be willing to change your strategy. This requires ambition, strategic planning, and creativity. How do you keep those a priority? By embracing change! If you always do the same thing, you won't enjoy greater results. Be proactive about enriching your life with new expe...