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Showing posts from 2025

7 Ways Custom Envelopes Boost Response Rates

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In direct mail, first impressions happen fast, sometimes in the few seconds it takes someone to sort their stack of mail. The envelope is your campaign’s opening act. If it falls flat, everything inside may never get seen. That’s why a strategic envelope isn’t just a finishing touch, it’s a lead actor in your campaign’s success. Here are seven ways custom envelopes help your mailings get noticed, opened, and acted on. 7 Ways Custom Envelopes Boost Response Rates 1. They Help You Stand Out in the Mailbox. Plain envelopes blend in. Custom envelopes stand out. A splash of color, a unique size, or even a bold teaser line can make your envelope impossible to ignore. The right design piques curiosity and makes the recipient pause. That pause is the first step toward engagement. 2. They Establish Immediate Brand Credibility. Your envelope says a lot before it’s even opened. A polished design, logo placement, or consistent brand colors bui...

Pages, Sides, and Leaves, Oh My! A Quick Guide to Print Terminology

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Printing terminology can be confusing. Leaves? Pages? Sides? It sounds less like printing and more like assembling a dining room table. But if you’re getting ready to place an order for a booklet, brochure, or multipage project, understanding these terms can save you time and ensure your job is printed just the way you expect. So, here’s a quick, no-jargon-needed guide to help you count it all correctly. What’s a “Leaf”? Think of a leaf as one sheet of paper in your printed piece. If you pick up a book or catalog and flip through it, each “flip” is one leaf. But because it’s printed on both sides, one leaf equals two pages. 1 leaf = 2 pages What’s a “Page”? A page is what you read on one side of a leaf. So, the front side of a flyer? That’s one page. The back? That’s another page. This is why an 8-leaf booklet has 16 pages—it’s all about the number of printed sides. What...

Want More Impact from Your Print? Start With the Finish

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You’ve got the vision. The campaign. The space. Now you need the signage and displays to match. But here’s what most businesses overlook: It’s not just what you print. It’s how you print it. Because large format print isn’t just about filling space. It’s about making an impression that lasts both visually and physically. That’s where technology comes in. Not digital marketing tech, but smart, behind-the-scenes print tech that brings your brand to life in ways you may not even know are possible. Let’s walk through a few of the ways you can elevate the impact of your print, without making it overly complicated. Want to Break Out of the Box? Try Custom Die-Cuts Anyone can hang a rectangular banner. But if you want your display to stand out at an event, in a window, or along a wall, shape matters. Consider precision die-cutting to create custom contours and edges that: Echo your logo or product shape Add depth and movemen...

Is Your Trade Show Team as Ready as Your Booth?

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You've got your booth space locked in. Your banners are designed, printed, and packed. Your table throws and floor graphics are on brand and on point. But here’s the real question: Is your team as ready as your signage? The best trade show displays don’t just look good. They work because the people behind them are prepared to use them. Here’s a quick-read checklist to make sure your team and your visuals are aligned for your next event. 1. Do They Know What the Signage Is Saying? Your banners, posters, and backdrops carry your core message. But does your team understand what that message is and how to build on it? Pro tip: Print out a “Booth Talking Points” sheet. Connect each visual to a key benefit or product. When your visuals and team speak the same language, you create clarity, not confusion. 2. Can Someone Set Everything Up Without Guesswork? Large format signage looks amazing when it’s set up correctly. Retractable banner...

Print That Drives Clicks: Connecting Displays to Digital

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When marketers talk about multichannel strategy, they often mean email, social, web, and maybe a little video. But there’s a big piece missing from that list: a literal, large one. Printed signage, displays, and banners aren't just for brand awareness anymore. When used intentionally, they become launchpads for digital engagement. Let’s clear up some of the most common questions people have when trying to connect their offline visuals with their online goals. “Isn’t print totally separate from digital?” Not anymore. A banner isn’t just a display. It’s a bridge. Window graphics, posters, sidewalk signs, these are real-world media placements that drive people to scan, search, follow, or buy. What matters is the intention behind the design. Are you putting your social handle on that window graphic? Is your QR code trackable? Does your signage reinforce what someone just saw in a digital ad? When your message is consistent online a...

How Local Printing Helped This Bakery Go from Invisible to Unmissable

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When Elena opened her first storefront, it felt like the next big step for her business. She’d grown her bakery from a home kitchen to a full commercial space downtown. The product was there. The space was beautiful. Her team was ready. But for the first few weeks, the foot traffic just wasn’t. People walked by without noticing. Cars zipped past. She kept hearing the same thing from friends and customers who lived nearby:      “I didn’t even realize you were open!” That’s when she realized something important: the space was ready, but the signage wasn’t. Good Work Deserves to Be Seen A lot of small businesses put their heart into what happens inside, but forget about what people see outside. And in a busy area with limited time to catch someone’s attention, visibility is everything. Elena called a local printer and explained her challenge. Instead of pushing a package or asking her to upload artwork, they a...

Magnify Your Message: What to Use (and When) to Make Your Brand Unmissable

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Not all signs are created equal. Some blend into the background. Others demand attention. The difference isn’t always size, it’s strategy. If you’ve ever wondered what kind of signage or display is best for your campaign, storefront, or event, it's okay. Most people don’t need to know how something is printed. They just need to know what to use when, so the message gets noticed, remembered, and acted on. Here’s your guide to choosing the right product for the right moment so your brand gets the spotlight it deserves. When You Want to Own the Sidewalk: Go With a Sidewalk Sign or A-Frame You’re open for business. But are you visible? Whether you're a restaurant, boutique, or service provider, A-frame signs are perfect for foot traffic zones. They’re portable, weather-ready, and let you change messages as needed. Use when: You want to drive walk-in traffic You’re running a daily special or limited-time offer You’re l...

Flat, Forgotten, or Captivating? How Bold Display Design Changes Everything

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Here’s the thing no one tells you before you head to your next trade show or event: Most booths get ignored. Not because the team isn’t great. Not because the products aren’t solid. But because the display doesn’t do enough to earn attention in a room full of noise. At every event, there are two types of booths: The ones people pass by. The ones people walk toward. The difference? It’s not the giveaways. It’s not the clever pitch. It’s the display itself. Let’s look at the real difference between booths that blend in—and displays that captivate. Flat, Safe, and Forgotten Flat banners. Tabletop signs. Posters taped to the back wall. They still have a place. But when they’re the only visual element, they leave your booth doing the bare minimum. Flat displays make your team work harder. They rely entirely on human interaction to start the conversation. They say, “We showed up,” but not, “We ...

Brochure Fold Cheat Sheet: How to Pick the Right Layout for Maximum Impact

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When it comes to designing a brochure, most people focus on the words and visuals. But there’s a quiet decision that can dramatically shape how your message is experienced: Which fold should you choose? Your brochure’s fold isn’t just structural. It’s strategic. It controls the flow of your message, how your reader interacts with the piece, and whether the experience feels flat or dynamic. To help, we’ve created a quick-reference Brochure Fold Cheat Sheet to guide your next project. Whether you're launching a bold campaign or explaining a service step by step, the right fold can make all the difference. Flat Brochure (No Fold) Use this when your message is singular and powerful. Think: posters, menus, display pieces, or one-page promos. Best for: bold visuals, direct messaging, minimalism Works well for: handouts, retail settings, takeaways Not ideal for: content that needs flow or segmentation Why it works: Flat brochures are immedi...

Why Do Brochure Projects Always Get So Complicated? (And How to Fix It for Good)

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You’ve probably asked it halfway through a project—right after the third round of edits, the “urgent” email from sales, or the meeting that left you with more questions than clarity: “Why is this taking so long?” “Who’s actually in charge?” “Why does no one agree on what we’re doing?” Let’s get straight to it: Brochure projects don’t fall apart because of bad design. They fall apart because of unclear collaboration. And if you’ve been stuck between competing opinions, last-minute feedback, and a print deadline that doesn’t care about your internal politics, we get it. The good news? There’s a better way to work together, and better results on the other side of it. When Should We Involve the Printer? (Hint: Not After the Final Draft) One of the biggest time-wasters in brochure design? Waiting until the piece is “done” to send it to your printer. By the tim...

The Print Advantage: Engaging at Your Audience's Pace

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You’ve felt it. So has your audience. The constant scrolling. The relentless pop-ups. The 2-second attention spans. The pressure to move faster just to keep up. And in the middle of it all, you’re trying to tell a story. Trying to build trust. Trying to say something that actually matters. What if the problem isn’t what you’re saying, but how you’re delivering it? The Loudest Message Isn’t Always the One That’s Heard Digital marketing moves at the speed of distraction. Ads vanish in a blink. Social posts get buried in seconds. And even your best messaging risks being reduced to a skim or swipe. That doesn’t mean digital is bad—it just means it’s noisy. And when everything’s loud, people stop listening. Print doesn’t chase your audience: It waits for them. It meets them where they are. It lets them engage when they’re ready. That’s not slow—it’s strategic. A Brochure ...

Dad-Approved Print Marketing: Tough, Practical, and Built to Last

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Father’s Day may be behind us, but the dad energy lives on. You know what we’re talking about—classic dad traits: practical, no-nonsense, a little sarcastic, probably wearing cargo shorts, and definitely giving side-eye to your “modern” marketing campaign. And if we’re being honest? Your next print project could probably use a little more of that. So let’s take a moment—post-Father’s Day—to appreciate what dads (and dad-like marketing) have always done best: kept things simple, sturdy, and surprisingly effective. Here’s what your next print piece might look like if it were designed by everyone’s favorite unofficial brand strategist: Dad. 1. Paper So Thick It Could Be a Coaster If your brochure can't double as a shim for a wobbly table leg, your dad would probably question your paper choice. He doesn’t believe in flimsy print. Neither should you. Thick stock = serious message. 2. Fonts You Can R...

A Brochure Isn't a Billboard. It's a Story Waiting to Be Unfolded.

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There’s something that happens when a person opens a brochure—if you’ve done it right. They pause. Not because they were told to, but because you’ve invited them in. The paper moves. A headline appears. A photograph pulls them forward. They turn a panel. Something else is revealed. Not everything. Just enough. And for a moment, they’re curious. The Point of a Brochure Is Not to Inform Information is cheap. Google has plenty. So do your competitors. If your brochure is just a laundry list of services, what makes you different? No one wants to be “educated” by marketing. They want to feel something. To be seen. To imagine what it’s like to work with you. To belong. That’s what a story does. But This Isn’t About Telling Your Origin Story This isn’t about where you were founded or how many square feet your facility is. That’s not a story. That’s a résumé. A real story starts with the custom...

Why the Smartest Brochures Don't Need a QR Code (Or a Screen)

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Walk into any marketing meeting today, and it’s easy to get caught in the digital spiral: “Add a QR code.” “Let’s layer in augmented reality.” “Can we track that in real time?” It’s not that these tools don’t have a place—they do. But somewhere along the line, we’ve started treating every printed piece like it’s incomplete unless it connects to a screen. That’s a mistake. Because the most compelling “technology” in print marketing isn’t new. And it doesn’t need batteries, bandwidth, or a backend. It just needs to be handled. The Original Interactivity Before we turned everything into a pixel, print had its own kind of magic. A gatefold that builds suspense before it opens. A clever die-cut that teases the message beneath. A soft-touch coating that makes your hand linger for just a second longer. These aren’t embellishments. They’re strategic. They...

How to Use Brochures to Strengthen Your Brand (Without Overthinking It)

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You want your business to look professional, polished, and trustworthy; but when your brochure doesn't match the quality of your work, that impression takes a hit. The truth is, a lot of brochures are either too generic, too cluttered, or just flat-out confusing. If you’ve ever handed one out and thought, “That’s not really us,” this guide is for you. Let’s break down how to create brochures that reinforce your brand instead of undermining it. Step 1: Clarify What You’re Really Trying to Say Before picking a layout, a font, or even a headline, get clear on the brochure’s purpose. Is it meant to: Introduce your business to new prospects? Highlight a product or service? Serve as a takeaway after a sales pitch or event? Whatever the purpose, commit to it. A brochure trying to do everything usually ends up doing nothing well. Keep the focus sharp, and your message will be clearer to your reader. Step 2: Choose a Format That Suppor...

6 Visual Design Tips That Make Your Printed Sales Collateral More Persuasive (and More Effective)

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If you’ve ever handed someone a brochure or left behind a sales sheet, you’ve probably wondered: Did it make an impression or did it hit the trash? Sales collateral can be a powerful tool in your marketing kit, but only if it’s done right. With today’s visual-first buyers, the way your materials look often says more about your company than the words on the page. So how do you design sales collateral that actually works? Let’s break it down. 1. Start With the Goal, Not the Design Too many companies start by picking a brochure layout or choosing colors before they’re even clear on what the piece is supposed to do. Ask yourself: Is this supposed to book appointments? Educate a hesitant buyer? Help a salesperson follow up? Once you know the goal, the design can do its job and support the message. 2. Visual Hierarchy Isn’t Just for Designers If someone glances at your brochure for 3 seconds, what will they notice first? If...

How a Single Flyer Serves Four Teams (and One Bigger Mission)

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Sometimes the most valuable tools aren’t the flashiest—they’re the ones that quietly support your team across multiple goals, departments, and audiences. Flyers are one of those tools. Easy to produce. Easy to update. Easy to distribute. And when done right, they serve a much bigger purpose than simply announcing a sale or listing your services. To show you what we mean, here’s how one well-designed flyer became a flexible asset for four different teams—all working toward a common goal. 1. The Sales Team: Breaking the Ice and Building Conversations For the sales team, the flyer acted as a door-opener. Instead of leading with a pitch, they used a clean, visual flyer to spark interest at networking events, trade shows, and in follow-up mailers. What made it effective: A strong headline that asked a question, not made a claim A product photo that instantly made the benefit clear A QR code that connected directly to a rep’s scheduling li...

What We Learned from This Year's Mother's Day Flyers (And How to Use Those Insights All Year Long)

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Mother’s Day has a way of tugging at heartstrings—and it turns out, that emotional connection matters just as much in flyer design as it does in holiday dinners and flower deliveries. Even though this year’s celebration has come and gone, the flyers we saw leading up to it revealed some smart strategies that deserve more than a one-day spotlight. From the messaging that clicked to the designs that customers actually responded to, here are a few takeaways from this year’s campaigns—and how you can apply them to your future print marketing. 1. Sentiment Over Sale The most effective flyers didn’t just advertise a Mother’s Day deal. They told a story—or at least started one. Whether it was a simple “Thanks, Mom” at the top of the flyer or a heartfelt quote woven into the design, the brands that prioritized emotion over promotion stood out. These flyers reminded people of who they were shopping for, not just what they wer...

Showcase Your Brand with Unique Printing Techniques That Reflect Your Style

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Your print materials don’t just share information—they express who you are. Whether you’re designing brochures, business cards, or product packaging, the finishing choices you make can help your brand stand out in ways that are memorable, tactile, and entirely you. But not every technique fits every brand. What feels premium to one customer might feel over-the-top to another. Here’s how to think about pairing your brand’s personality with unique printing techniques that leave a lasting impression. The Bold and Energetic Brand You’re not trying to blend in—you want to get noticed. For brands with a high-energy identity—think entertainment, retail, hospitality, events—the goal is to attract attention fast. That doesn’t mean going over the top. It means choosing finishes that emphasize movement, light, or contrast. Examples to consider: Spot UV that highlights just one element (like a logo or product image) against ...

Connect Creatively: Using Flyers to Engage Your Audience

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When Katie launched her small-batch bakery, she knew she needed to spread the word fast—but in a way that reflected her brand’s handmade, high-quality vibe. She tried posting on social media. Some local ads. Even a few community event booths. But it wasn’t until she sent out her first creatively designed flyer that things really started to stick. And not just any flyer. This one was folded like a six-panel recipe card, printed on a textured linen stock that felt warm and familiar to the touch. It opened with a headline that read, “A Little Sweetness Is Headed Your Way,” and featured real photos of her baked goods—with a tear-off coupon at the bottom that invited neighbors to “bring this in for a free cookie.” The response? Far better than she expected. Why Do Uniquely Printed Flyers Work? Flyers might get overlooked if they look—and feel—just like everything else. But the moment they break from the norm, they get noti...

Innovative Flyer Designs: Leveraging Technology for Impactful Marketing

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Flyers have long been a staple of marketing. But in a fast-moving, tech-savvy world, today's most effective flyers are doing more than announcing events or listing promotions—they're connecting print with digital. If your flyer isn’t built to engage beyond the page, it might be missing its full potential. Below are some common problems with traditional flyer design—and modern, technology-driven solutions that can take your marketing to the next level. Problem: Your flyer ends the conversation instead of continuing it Solution: Use QR codes to bridge print and digital QR codes are no longer clunky or obscure. Now, they’re one of the most reliable ways to take a customer from physical print to digital action. Tips for making QR codes work: Send people to a mobile-friendly, purpose-built landing page Use QR codes to share more detailed content like product videos or menus Add UTM codes so you can track how many scans you’re getting QR usage...

Make a Statement with Flyers: 5 Things You Might Not Know About Effective Design

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Flyers have been around for decades, but they’re anything but old news. In fact, when done well, they can be one of the most cost-effective and attention-grabbing tools in your marketing mix. The trick? Knowing what most people miss. Here are five flyer design strategies that often go overlooked—and how you can use them to your advantage. 1. Headlines Don’t Have to Explain—They Have to Stop People Your headline isn’t a label. It’s a hook. A lot of flyers start with something safe: “Annual Clearance Sale” or “Join Us for Our Spring Open House.” That’s fine—but it’s also forgettable. If you want someone to actually read your flyer, the headline has to stop them in their tracks. Some options to consider: Ask a question: “Tired of Overpaying for Car Repairs?” Use urgency: “This Weekend Only. No Extensions.” Go bold: “You Bring the Crowd. We’ll Bring the Firewo...