Lucky Ideas for Making St. Patty’s Day Event a Rousing Success!

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St. Patrick’s Day Promotional Printing Ideas For Your Business or Restaurant

Saying that St. Patrick’s Day is one of the most enjoyable holidays around the country would certainly be an understatement. And if you look around in the weeks before the festival of green, you’ll see plenty of flyers and ads promoting upcoming St. Patty’s Day sales, postcard promoting Irish music and dance events and vinyl banners for upcoming parades.

According to statistics in Forbes, more than 33 million people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day each year in the USA, with no less than 13 million pints of beer consumed on March 17 annually.

In the parties, parades, and celebrations that are thrown for St. Patty’s Day each year, 82.5 percent of attendees decide to wear green. The rest of them often decide to wear green or shamrock themed memorabilia to honor Ireland, the cherished homeland of St. Patrick and ancestral homeland of so many Americans. What a great idea!

This adds up to $5.3 billion dollars of expenses with a $38 expense for the average partygoer.

That creates an opportunity for businesses to be a part of memorable events that not only serve as a great source of revenue generation but which also allow ample entertainment to a majority of their customer base.

As such, this allows their customers to associate their brand with positive memories, and the mutual values they share towards a strong business connection.

To make sure that you make the most out of this great opportunity while having some fun along the way, here are a few lucky ideas to making your own St. Patty’s Day party a success.

st pattys day banner

Spread the Cheer With Green Beer

One of the best ideas to help make it a lively St. Patty’s Day bash is also the simplest: serve green beer to  the guests at your event to give your locale that ‘Irish pub’ feel.

While green beer is not originally from Ireland, this American brew has become a staple in St. Patrick Day celebrations in recent years. If your business wants to throw a fun party, then the inclusion of this vibrant drink is a must have.

Speaking of celebrations, announce yours with custom flyers. Color copies can be printed for pennies these days, and online printers like Color Copies USA can send you your flyers quickly via UPS or US Mail, so that you can get to work promoting your celebration or event.

If you own an Irish pub yourself, then it’s a good idea to make sure to utilize this drink to the fullest. On the other hand, even if you operate in a different business sector, you can sponsor a local pub as a part of your St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

In either case, make sure you have some branding materials in hand. Pop-up banners, special menus, and flyers to go around the neighborhood would all work towards ensuring a great guest turnover.

Throw a St. Patrick’s Day Concert

Putting together a concert can take some work. But if you have an idea as to how to pull it off, then it can leave your customers with long-lasting and positive memories.

You don’t have to go all the way and spend a leprechaun’s weight in gold at this event. Instead, keep it simple with local and passionate artists while making the event more fun by serving of some of the best Guinness you can find.

Remember, you can also simply sponsor such an event and be a part of the celebrations without doing the heavy lifting.

Once again, pamphlets, flyers, and t-shirts could serve as great branding merchandise. Make sure to spend some amount there for ample exposure.

Plan and Host a Irish Dance Festival

Irish dancing festivals are yet another popular way to uphold the modern spirit of St. Patty’s Day.

Like concerts, these events can take some work as well. But when they are put together well, you get to have passionate guests and long term customers who would remember your special and unique brand. They will remember that you made the extra effort and that you were there to celebrate. There are likely a number of dance schools in your area. Just make a few inquiries to find out which feature Irish dancers and then your sure to get them interested in appearing at your vent. Don’t forget to promote the event with flyers, banners etc.

Sponsorship and branding would of course once again be at play. Whether you are arranging the event yourself or simply participating as a sponsor, ensure to use some nicely printed merchandise such as indoor posters, banners and signs to make the most out of the branding opportunity at hand.

Make Use of Branding Opportunities

If you are planning a St. Patty’s Day Concert or Irish Dancing Festival, you’ll want to choose an online printing company such as Color Copies USA that has sufficient experience with event promotions.

Providers such as Color Copies USA can take the heavy lifting of merchandising off of your hands, so you can focus on your event planning and core business activities instead. We have great ideas to help you promote on for your March 17 event, sale or promotion.

After all, the key of a successful St. Patty’s Day party is to focus on providing your customers with fun experiences while genuinely enjoying the event yourself.

How to Market My New Business in 2019 by Using Online Printing

Online Printing Can Help You Reach Your Goals

roll up banner sign by color copies usaCongratulations, you have taken the leap and started your own business! It’s a big step and an accomplishment you should be proud of. Now that you’ve set up your new company, you are likely wondering how to effectively market it. Most modern business marketing advice revolves around digital marketing methods such as having a good website. profiles on major social media platforms. search engine optimization and content marketing. While these are important, they cannot wholly replace the value of printed materials in marketing.

Some businesses, for example, may primarily operate locally and have little need for digital marketing efforts. Even if your business is wholly online, there are still benefits to using printed marketing materials. The following is an in-depth guide for how to market your new business in 2019 by using printing like that available here at ColorCopiesUSA.com.

Direct Mail

For certain types of businesses, direct mail can be an invaluable way to gain the attention of clients. This is especially true for small businesses like doctor’s offices and storefronts that don’t do much business outside of a local community. Direct mailings can remind customers that your business is still there if they haven’t come in a while, promote sales and discounts, advertise that your new business has opened and more. It is a good way to reach people who may not spend a lot of time online, such as older demographics, if your business caters to them. There are a lot of possibilities with direct mail you can discover by getting some printed and seeing for yourself.

Business Cards

Most professionals are well-served by having a business card they can hand out to people at events or in passing. This is especially true if you are a freelancer or even run an online business. A business card is a great way to encourage people you meet in real life to check out your website and the products or services you provide online. Business cards also provide contact information so people can contact you later with questions, commissions or other requests.

Storefront Signs

If you run a physical store or office, color banners and signage are practically a necessity. They can serve to advertise your business from the windows to catch the eyes of passerby and convince them to come inside and shop. This is helpful because these signs immediately let customers know what you sell and the type of business you are. They can advertise promotions or sales that may be going on at the moment. Retractable banners and indoor posters can also serve to make the inside of your store or office more vibrant.

Promotional Items

Your printed logo, the name of your business or a clever saying printed on promotional items is another great way printing can promote your business. T-shirts, for example, can be worn by your employees at events and sold to your customers to spread the word about your business. They are also helpful for branding and team-building efforts among your employees.

Other Types Of Signs

Billboards, flyers posted around town and other types of physical signage are very effective at drawing attention to your new business and will continue to be popular in 2019. Car signs, including magnets carried by Color Copies USA, are also a great idea. They serve as a moving advertisement for your business just while driving around town. They are especially useful if your operation goes to individual homes, such as if you run a cleaning business or a dog training service.

Printed materials are still very relevant in advertising your new business…even in 2019. They be used in any number of ways to help get your new business of the ground and experience growth. Choose an online printing company experienced in working with many different types of industries to successfully promote and grow your new business.

Tips for Thanksgiving Day Event, Catering, or Sales Promotions

If the last few years are anything to go by, the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday should prove to be an exceptional season for many eateries across the motherland. According to a report released by the National Restaurant Association, close to eighty million Americans will be dining out or requesting take-out meals on Black Friday and Thanksgiving; and this is a number that is expected to continue rising in the next few years.

For many entrepreneurs in the service industry, the Thanksgiving craze tends to be a two-edged sword. The increased business is certainly welcome, but striking the proper balance between marketing and ensuring that they are properly staffed often ends-up being more challenging than initially anticipated.
The following are quick tips to help you prepare for this holiday:

1. Offer a Regular Dinner or Holiday Dinner Package

By now you already know that the holidays are a busy season. Many homeowners do not have enough time on their hands to prepare any decent family meal. In addition, many locations across the country are experiencing snowy and cold weather; a factor that makes it hard, if not impossible to get to the local mall to do some last minute shopping. And given that this is a time when most families host friends and colleagues, it means that most homes now have more mouths to feed than is normally the case.

Fortunately for your clientele, you can try and simplify their lives by providing them with recently prepared meals. Provide meal packages that can be delivered to the customer’s doors or that can easily be picked by the customers on their way home from their places of work.

You can choose to provide the clients with two sets of packages: for instance, you can have a standard dinner that can feed between four and five people, as well as a holiday dinner. The latter should comprise of festive Thanksgiving food items like pies for dessert, roasted chicken or ham, fresh rolls, salads, and veggies.

Limiting the number of available options means that you can easily stock these items in advance, and then easily combine them for each new order placed by a client.

2. Organize a Thanksgiving Holiday Kick-off Get-together

There is no better way to usher in the holidays than to host a party that can also be used as an avenue to promote your restaurant. You will not have to go overboard with the party preparations as the best and most memorable parties are those that have happy attendees and well thought-out themes.

The one thing you need to do is ensure that no one leaves your holiday party without a holiday promotions calendar. You can also partner with another business, like Color Copies USA to print gifts and prizes to be handed to all the attendees. This can include but are not limited to:

  • Door hangers
  • Promotional items, e.g., t-shirts, caps, and mugs with the name of your restaurant boldly imprinted on the item
  • Banners
  • CDs/DVDs of the party
  • Retractable banners
  • Color brochures

This particular strategy is ideal for eateries that are looking to create an email marketing list that they can use to communicate with potential and existing clients. Many party attendees will be more than willing to provide you with their email addresses in exchange for a gift item.

3. Provide Retail Relief

A recent survey conducted by the National Retail Foundation indicates that close to sixty-nine percent of Americans will go shopping at some point between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, with Black Friday being the busiest of the five-day holiday period.

This is a day when more than 115 million people across the country will leave their homes to participate in the holiday madness. Given that they will naturally have the day off from their usual work-related activities, you can provide them with lunch specials to help them relax after queuing for long periods.

Conclusion

As your restaurant teams start making preparations for this holiday, ColorCopiesUSA recommends that you also share these special events and promotions via your email marketing lists, company website, and social media accounts.

An Overview of Today’s Printing Press Technology

There are so many technological advances in the world of printing these days, from 3D printing, from new innovations in digital printing, from nanographic printing to the explosion of online printing companies like ColorCopiesUSA, the industry is as viable as ever.

Initially however, the printing process was very tedious and time consuming. With the invention of movable parts, printing machines revolutionized the printing process. It facilitated faster and better printing which helped to spread knowledge and education around the world. Nowadays, the printing process has improved considerably due to technological advancement. Mass publications are made within a short time while still maintaining quality. Here are some of the common printing techniques used today.

Offset Lithography

It is one of the commonly used techniques in the printing industry. In this process, the content to be printed is contained on a printing plate. The plate has been designed to hold ink only on the part that contains the content. The inked part is transferred/offset to a rubber blanket and then on a printing surface. Modern offset printing machine uses computer systems to enhance quality. It is used to print any flat surface such as papers, plastic, etc. The most significant benefit of this technique is that it is cost effective and produces high-quality content. However, omissions cannot be corrected once the plates are set.

Flexography

Flexography is a commonly used printing technique used to customize content at rapid speeds. It is closely related to the traditional letterpress printing and is used in almost any type of surface. This technique utilizes flexible photopolymer printing plates that are attached on rotating cylinders. The plates are slightly raised and rotate at high speed to transfer the content on the printing surface. Flexography was extensively used in the 20th century in food packaging.

Digital Printing

Recently, digital printing has become popular due to the advancement of technology. The technique involves transferring content from a digital device to a printing surface. Unlike other traditional methods such as lithography, printing plates in digital printing are not regularly replaced. This significantly reduces the printing turnaround time and cost.

Digital printing allows for an amazing amount of variation and originality.  For instance, wide format printers of up to 98″ width allow small businesses to print their output to heretofore unimagined sizes. Vinyl banner printing allows for production of vinyl banners up to 8 feet wide and up to 30 feet long. UV curable flatbed machines allow for printing directly on many surfaces from styrene to foamcore.

Printing Press Technology

Inkjet and xerography are the most popular digital printing methods.

  • Inkjet –  It is a printing process that involves recreation of digital content by propelling small droplets of ink on a surface. Inkjet printers come in small, inexpensive devices and professional machines used on a range of surfaces such as papers, plastic, canvas, etc. The idea of inkjet printing was conceptualized in the 20th century but advanced extensively due to the development of computer technology.
  • Xerography –  Also referred to as electrostatic imaging, it is a printing technique based on electrostatic charges. The concept was invented and patented in the mid 20th century by Chester Carlson. An electrical charge is evenly distributed on a metal cylinder known as the drum to attract toner particles that are then transferred to the printing surface. Depending on the printing surface used, Xerography provides archival durability.

Gravure

Also known as rotogravure, it is a rotary printing technique where the content to be printed is engraved on a cylinder. Through high speed, the cylinder transfers the content on the printing surface. The method is mainly used in large volume works such as newspapers.

Here at the start of the 21st century, with new electronic printing methods emerging, there has never been a better time to explore the unlimited options that print technology brings you and your business.

How to Prepare Your Files for Successful Printing

CMYK Rollers On A Printing Press, Print File Preparation

Get Your Printed Pieces Back Without Errors
You’ve spent all day – sometimes days or even weeks working on your project and when it comes back from the printer it doesn’t look like you expected it to. Sound familiar? It happens more often than you might think. In this blog post about preparing your files for successful printing we’ll cover are some easy steps you can take relating to CMYK, bleed and fonts for example ( see below ) to prevent printing problems from happening. Let us take you through some troubleshooting basics to ensure your next printing project turns out as great as you expected.

Color is Everything – CMYK

Let’s start off with color. We will use one of two processes to print your project – Full Color or Spot Color. Full Color presses use the CMYK process to create the final printed project while Spot Color uses just one ink color, the latter is mostly used when printing black ink on an envelope or something similar. More than likely your print job will need to be saved on your computer in the CMYK format. RGB color format is for use on a monitor only and the color will vary quite a bit if you save your art in RGB instead of CMYK mode, almost guaranteeing you will see a different color between what you made on your computer and the final printed piece. No matter what program you use to create your project, you should be able to easily change the color mode to CMYK. Most often it is in the Preferences section.

Color Tip: To ensure the black text in your file prints out dark instead of washed out gray, make the CMYK profile of your text 60 C 40 M 40 Y 100 K

What Do You Mean it Has to Bleed?

Bleed is a term that is used when your art has to print to the edge of the paper. In order to make this happen, we have to print the job on a larger size sheet then trim it down to the finished size. That means your art has to extend beyond the finished piece so we can trim off the excess. Adding .25 inches to the overall size of your project will ensure we can make that happen. For example: If your finished piece is 8.5”x11”, the file you send us should be 8.75’x11.25’ with the part of art going to the edge actually extending out to this new bleed area. Don’t forget to make any essential information like text stays within the finished size. A safe practice is to make sure text never gets within .25’ of the finished edge.

Why Did My Font Change?

The font you used to typeset your project might not be a font we have on our computer. Sometimes this causes the program to use a default font to replace the one missing from our system. There are two easy ways to make sure this doesn’t happen. If you are using Illustrator or a similar program, select your text and choose “Create Outlines”. If you are using Photoshop, flatten the artwork before saving. Just make sure you save the original project under a different name as both of these methods makes it so you cannot edit the text any longer.

PDF is the Way to Go

To help ensure you get a printed piece that looks correct, the file format you send should always be a PDF File. This is a universally accepted format that embeds more information into the file than most other files. Never send a file that needs to printed in the native software format i.e.; Word, Excel, Pagemaker, etc… No matter what program you use, you can save the art as a PDF.

Now that you have the basics of troubleshooting for printing problems before they happen – feel free to give us a call if you have any questions regarding print file preparation. We pride ourselves in producing high quality printing with complete customer satisfaction and would love to give you any advise to make sure that happens!

Spectacular Ideas to Promote Your 4th of July Event!

Using the Power of Printing to Make Your July 4th Event Sparkle!

4th of July promotions

When you are promoting a special event for the Fourth of July, it is essential to use a variety of high-quality advertising materials. At Color Copies USA located in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and serving customers online throughout the USA, you can leverage the ‘power of printing’ to create dynamic advertising materials for your upcoming July 4th holiday event.

What Are the Different Types Of Advertising Materials?

If you haven’t shopped for customized advertising materials in several years, then you are going to enjoy shopping at our website. We offer the highest quality items for holiday events, and you can order the items from the convenience of your own home or office. Here are some of the items that you can use for the July Fourth weekend:

  • Postcards – mail postcards to customers
  • Window displays – cardboard or vinyl signs for windows
  • Flyers – inexpensive flyers for mailboxes
  • Signs – in various sizes to advertise your event
  • Menus – special menus for festivals or restaurants
  • Catalogs – designed for advertising Fourth of July products
  • T-shirts – for your employees or guests
  • Brochures – great for amusement parks or hotels
  • Banners – plastic banners for buildings and fences
  • Car magnets – perfect for helping people find an event
  • Promotional goods – free items such as pens and cups
  • Invitations – special invitations
  • Envelopes – printed envelopes with decorative designs

How Many Individuals Travel During the July Fourth Weekend?

 July 4th Sale Printing

Nearly 50 million individuals will travel for the Fourth of July weekend, so you must use this opportunity to increase your business’s profits. Our company’s advertising materials are diverse, affordable and attractive. We make it easy to send us images, logos or other information to customize a variety of products.

BTW – this blog post is brought to you by Color Copies USA. We’re a ‘deep discounter’ for printing and we make it easy to order an assortment of items from our online website, delivered to any address that you choose FAST!

Use the Traditional Fourth of July Colors For Your Advertising

 July 4 Flyer Printing

The traditional color options for the July Fourth weekend are red, white or blue, and we offer an assortment of color printing with different font styles. In addition, you can order advertising materials that are made in different colors to capture the interest of your customers. You don’t need to worry about whether or not you will like a particular type of advertising material because you can design it online to see what it looks like before placing your order.

Remember To Add Important Information To the Advertising Materials

You will want everyone to recognize your advertising immediately by having your business’s name in a large font size, but you may need other important information such as the time of the event. When you are sending any type of advertising in the mail, you can provide additional information such as the address for the event along with your business’s telephone number.

Use Decorative Elements Such as Stars and Stripes

For Fourth of July advertising, you can use decorative elements such as red and white stripes, blue backgrounds with stars, or images such as the American flag. When you select the font for your advertising, you might want to select an old-fashioned style that looks patriotic. Remember that when you are designing signs or other items, you will want your advertising to stand out from your competitors.

Use Your Advertising Materials At the Right Time

Don’t wait until the last minute to use or mail your advertising materials and promotional items. Send flyers and postcards to potential customers at least a month in advance. Begin to hang signs in the windows of your business or use pop-up signs on the sidewalks or along the street to capture the interest of anyone passing by your business during the week before your sale or event.

Celebrate ‘Mom-Ness’ with 4 Special Mother’s Day Printing Ideas

Leverage the Power of Print to Make Mom’s Day Pop

 Mothers Day Sale Promo Printing

Mother’s Day is fast approaching – May 13th – and it’s time to think about the ways that you’re going to celebrate ‘Mom-ness’ in a fun and original way. Whether you’re a business looking to promote a particular event or product or you’re just looking to make the most of a celebration with your own mom, leverage the power of print to make your Mother’s Day Pop!

Idea 1 – Use Retractable Banners

You can opt for a reusable retractable banner for your retail sale or for your brunch event. This is something that you can look at as an investment ( after all – it happens every year! ). It’s easy to stand up because it’s self-contained with the banner and a stand. It can go inside your lobby to greet people or at a host stand to let people know of an upcoming event.

With a retractable banner, you can combine graphics with text to promote various things:

– Mother’s Day Brunch
– Flower Arrangements for Sale
– Mom’s Day SALES or specials
– A unique Mother’s Day Gathering

Whatever it might be, you can say it bigger and better with a banner so everyone NOTICES it and more people can find out about it.

Idea 2 – Mom Luv You Mugs

Do you want to give mom a custom mug that has your face on it? This has been a popular Mother’s Day gift for years and one that you can easily create and have printed in time. If you’re a hotel or restaurant prepping for the holiday, you may also want to think about a giveaway where every mother gets a free mug that day as a way of celebrating the women who visit.

If you have a family brunch – imagine how happy everyone will be to receive a mug with Mom’s picture or a photo of the whole family on it!

Mothers Day Mugs with Mom

Idea 3 – T Shirts

Celebrate mom in a fun way by having custom t-shirts made for everyone in the family (or everyone at your business). It’s a great way to theme everyone for the holiday so that mom knows that the day is dedicated exclusively for her enjoyment.

You can have her photo or we can use any artwork you supply. We can even custom design artwork especially for the occasion! Our Custom t shirt printing will make it a Mom’s Day that will be remembered the whole year through!

Idea 4 – Mother’s Day Flyers or Postcard Invites

Whether you’re promoting a Mother’s Day brunch or even a cool sale in advance of the holiday, color flyers can be printed and then distributed around town. It will be a great way to get the word out about what’s going on with plenty of room to share the details.

You may also want to consider postcards. These are smaller but can be used to mail directly to people. Mail them to your already established mailing list or buy a mailing list of your community. It may allow you to boost your sales for the holiday by tapping into a demographic that didn’t know you existed.

Mothers day banner flyer

Print marketing is still alive and well in 2018, especially because people can pin a flyer or postcard to a bulletin board or fridge as a reminder that you have something going on.

This is a once-a-year holiday so it’s important to make the most of it. Flowers, brunches, and jewelry are favorite mom gifts, so be sure to consider that as you prepare.

You can get wildly creative for how you get ready for the holiday. It’s even more fun when you brainstorm with your family or business associates. The friendly and imaginative team here at ColorCopiesUSA is also happy to hop on the phone with you and get creative with you to help your Mom’s Day ideas come to fruition!

So the good news is you still have time to get it printed by May 13 and you can rely on ColorCopiesUSA.com to take care of this event and all of your printing needs, from flyers and banners to gifts and promotional items!

Easter is Coming! Printing Ideas to Make Your Event Sparkle

Easter Eggs

Eastertime – Egg Hunts, Church Events, Parties!

Easter is a time of year that many people celebrate the joys of this season. Whether your Easter holiday consists of commemorating the resurrection of Jesus, the hunt for Easter Eggs, or the joy of Spring celebrations, there is much to prepare for during this holiday. Spring has sprung, the weather is beginning to change, and with it comes new opportunities for fun and party planning. When you begin searching for the perfect decorations and invitations, it is important that you know what to look for to make your 2018 Easter celebrations perfect.

First, identify what you want to celebrate and the kind of festivity you want to plan. There are numerous choices for the spring season, in which case Easter is the premier. Regardless of whether you are planning for a church cantata, a cookout, an Easter egg hunt, or a family gathering, it is important to prepare beforehand. The best way to draw the attention of your neighbors and friends is to use bright and bold, colored marketing materials. Show them that you mean business with your party and that their presence is valued. You can do this by investing more into how you present this event to them. Here are a few tips that can capture anyone’s notice for you holiday event, all of which we provide through www.colorcopiesusa.com.

Gift and Promotional Items

When people come to your event, you want them to leave feeling valued. To keep them connected to your event or services, there are many promotional items you could give them to remember you by. A coffee mug, notebook, or mouse pad with your logo on it will keep the memory of their experience fresh in their mind. Therefore, if you are hoping to plan the most exciting event of the year, help them look forward to the next festivity that you plan with a gift item that keeps your church or company fresh in their minds.

Invitations and Registration Cards

The first impression that you may have on a new guest is likely to be the invitation or registration card that you place in their hands. When they see your invitation or words of welcome, will they be impressed or disappointed? By using color and bold images, you will undoubtedly capture their attention. If you want someone to be impressed with your Easter event, do not miss the opportunity to influence them during what is possibly the most colorful holiday of the year.

Banners and Posters

Make a statement with your marketing materials this season by making then even bigger. By investing in a banner or a poster, you ensure that your event is seen even at a distance. By optimizing your promotional content and making them even more noticeable, it is likely that you will draw a bigger crowd. Choose to excite your potential audience and partygoers with an amazing banner.

Conclusion

What can you possibly say to someone else to convince him or her to spend Easter at your event? No matter what you say, people are always going to believe what they see. If they see your effort in creating beautiful materials that draw them in and make them feel included in something spectacular and well presented, they will be more likely to enjoy themselves. By using our commendable services at www.colorcopiesusa.com, you are promised an opportunity to amaze your target audience. No matter what kind of event you are planning, prepare it with the intent to impress.

5 Ways to Leverage Printing to Stand-Out at Your Next Trade Show or Conference

5 Ways To Use PrintingEven in this digital age, ‘the power of print‘ cannot be denied. Human beings will always have an emotional reaction to holding something colorful and interesting in their hands. From a very early age, people learn to examine and understand with their fingers and hands. This is why the printed page will very likely always have a unique appeal.

As a business owner, you have to take advantage of that power and use professional printing to your advantage. But how, in this age of distraction and animation and slick video presentations can a mere roll-up banner, poster or business card measure up? Consider the fact print book sales are going up, even though e-books have been available at retail now for more than ten years.

Using print effectively is not as difficult as you think. In fact, you may find a fair number of your prospective clients and customers relieved by the fact your business cards and brochures aren’t reaching through a screen at them.

If you are looking for ways to leverage print for your business, here are some things to consider.

Coordinate Your Imagery

Think about the most successful music videos of all time. What did they have in common? Some can credibly argue they all shared at least one synchronized dancing segment.

Well, what if your documents could synchronize themselves somehow? Wouldn’t that draw more attention than a simple business card or booklet?

If you were to place a pen, business card, roll-up banner, brochure and t-shirt on your table at your next trade show, and all five objects had the same logo on them, how do you think people would respond? You know how you responded the last time you saw five image-coordinated objects. It draws the eye. It creates curiosity.

Coordinate Your Colors

Ask your printer to explain color theory to you sometime if you want to learn one of the keys to the universe. Even simpler, ask yourself this question: Why are all fast food logos red and yellow?

Color theory says yellow makes you anxious and red makes you hungry. If you want to know if color theory works, stop by In-N-Out Burger on a Friday evening around 6PM and count the cars in the drive-thru.

If you want to use color theory in your brochures or tchotchkes, try green. It conveys peace and prosperity. It should probably be your official color if you’re selling investments.

Whatever you do, pick great colors that send the right message and paint everything you print with them.

Face to Face

The human brain is uniquely constructed to decode human faces. Nothing draws attention like an unfamiliar face, except possibly the face of a very attractive man or woman.

If at all possible your printed materials should have someone’s face on them, whether it is your own or a stock photograph. If you can use color theory and image coordination to combine with the same face on all of your materials, so much the better.

Tell a Story

Everything starts out as a story and ends up as a story. The reason is pretty simple. Human beings respond to stories in ways we respond to nothing else.

There is no faster way to get someone’s undivided attention without their defenses going up than to start with “let me tell you a story.”

Your print materials should tell a story of some kind. Even if it’s just an intriguing tag line, getting someone to buy in before you even start your pitch is vital to your long-term sales prospects, even at a trade show.

Importance of Contrast

The most effective contrast combination on Earth is white on red. If you are skeptical, count the number of youth sports teams that use red jerseys with white numbers. Then count the teams with green jerseys and blue numbers.

Good contrast is attention getting. Think of the best book cover you’ve ever seen. Chances are it has big bold letters and a high contrast centered color of some kind on a receding darker-colored background.

The reason you bought that book is because it jumped off the shelf, and the other books had inferior covers.

Your business should have superior attention-getting power. That’s why you need contrast.

There are no silver bullets when it comes to marketing. All you can do is give yourself the best chance of success and throw for the end zone. But if you follow the advice of professional printers and get the highest quality printed materials you can, your chances of success will be considerably enhanced.

Tips for Printing Amazing Holiday Promo for Your Retail Store!

Christmas sale flyerAlthough digital marketing has received a lot of attention with the emergence of the internet age, printed marketing has not lost its relevance. It’s crucial for retail businesses to understand that promotional products and print materials are an expression of your brand and will remain an essential component of the success of your small business marketing plan. In fact, having an attractive product presentation is one of the top 3 most important success factors in printing, according to IBIS World. A retailer that harnesses the power of print this Holiday season can make an enormous impact on their bottom line. Think about it, if your customers can see the difference between you and your competitors in your use of high graphic design, imaginative layouts on postcards, flyers and banners and the use of your logoand branding in the marketplace, you’ll take more market share and make more sales!

Printing is also more affordable now which means that you can take advantage of huge savings on marketing your retail brand.Color presses are allowing online printers to print thousands of full color items at pennies on the dollar. You can get dynamic promotional materials such as roll up banners in front of your store, custom feather flags and a frame sidewalk signs. This professional signage helps extend your brand outside your store and onto the streets.

Loyalty Cards and Business Cards

One of the most significant advantages of business and loyalty cards is that it’s easier for customers to grab and share with friends at social events, professional meetings, and expos. Additionally, it creates a visual and mental link every time you hand over your business cards. Wallet-friendly loyalty cards are also cost-effective, and they help to build fans and encourage repeat business. If you are in search of a classier look, it’s vital to consider glossy or coated stock paper. Alternatively, you can make your business card do a double job by designing the back as an appointment card.

Flyers and Brochures

Even in this day and age, printed materials and promo are still a valuable marketing tool, especially during the holidays. One of the most considerable advantages of catalogs and brochures is that they not only remind your customers of the products and services offered but they also present your information quickly. Besides, you can choose to use brochure holders for display in expo booths and trade shows or at your stores front counter. It’s important to note that apart from your location, logo and messaging, you also need to include your social media handles, website URL, as well as testimonials from satisfied clients.

Promotional Apparel

Small and Large business owners need to understand that wearable branding whether they are donated by customers and fans or staff makes a lasting impression. However, if you opt for a promotional appeal, you need to go with the cheapest option. During the Holidays, it is especially important to ensure your staff look uniform and are easy to spot during busy times.

Christmas sale flyerTake Advantage of Shoppertainment

You should at least organize two to three minor events and one major event during the Holidays at your retail store during November and December. A major event usually takes time to plan, and it not only packs your shop with customers, but it also builds traffic. Take note that fashion or class show is a major event, but it can only be crowned as a major event if it attracts potential clients. A minor event could be something like a mini-classes or a weekend full of demonstrations.

Postcards, Letterheads and Branded Envelopes

To effectively promote your business or specials to customers you should consider putting your logo or holiday message notes on the card. If you have excellent graphic or image, unique product or historical storefront, chances are that it wouldn’t take long before your clients send to friends. That aside, investing in high-quality letterhead and envelopes that are emblazoned with a smart business logo is a traditionally great move. Such envelopes can quickly establish a good first impression when mailing correspondence, gift cards, invoices as well as direct mail campaigns.

Be creative this Holiday season in the use of printed promotional materials for your retail business and you’ll notice the difference in store traffic and increased retail gift purchases.