Printing

The printing industry is full of many different companies.  From local mom and pop shops to national internet-based companies, the market has many different options to consider when picking your printing company to work with.  So how can you decide which one is best for you?  Here are a few things to keep in mind when you are selecting your printing company.

Consider your project

Most all printing companies can handle the same types of projects. However, some projects fit some companies better than others.  This can drastically change the price depending on the machinery a printing company has.  Consider if your project includes mailing, is this printing company a certified mailing house or will it have to outsource the work? Think about quantities. Depending on the size of the presses and if they are digital or offset presses some companies can handle larger runs while others specialize in short runs.

Customer Service

Spend some time talking with the potential printing company. How is their customer service? Ask how they handle problems that could arise throughout the project. Some companies are less expensive, but you can only communicate with them through email. Is that a big problem for you or are you willing to work with that? Good customer service in a printing company is a sign that they care about your project. They will go above and beyond to make sure that your project meets your standards

Location

Location is very important if you are on a tight deadline.  If you continually need projects printed with a very short turnaround then you will need to look for some place local.  Delivery from a national company can take 3 to 5 days after the project is completed.  Keep this in mind when you are placing your order.  Also, if your project is a high-quality piece you may want to see a sample proof.  A local company can prepare one for you very quickly.

Visit The Facility

If possible, you should take a tour of the company.  This will serve multiple purposes.  First it will confirm that you are working directly with the company and not through a broker.  Second you can tell a lot about how seriously a printing company takes itself by the working conditions.  Finally, it will give you an even better look at the company’s customer service.

History

Lastly, look in to the history of the company.  Has it been around for an extended period?  Check customer reviews.  Even ask the company for referrals.  This will give you a good idea of the quality of work produced by this printing company.

 

 

For more helpful information check out our blog at: /advice-from-the-printer/

And for more information on Inkwell Printing Company check out our website at: www.inkwellstl.com

What is a rack card?  Generally, a rack card is a printed piece that measures 4”x 9”.  It is a great way to communicate information that requires more space than a business card but less than a full brochure.

The 3 keys to a successful rack card are:

1. Standout Design
2. Call To Action
3. Distribution

 

Standout Design

Your rack card should be an eye-catching piece that effectively uses its extra space.  Focus on a graphic that is not too busy or distracting but that will encourage people to pick it up and learn more.  A rack card is not designed to be over flowing with information.  Remember it is not a brochure but instead it is a piece to raise curiosity in your business.

Call To Action

Your rack card should include a strong call to action.  Either encourage the potential customer to contact you or visit your website to get more information on the topic.  Another example of a good call to action is a coupon or offer.  Include this to get people to hold on to your rack card rather than tossing it after they have looked it over.

Distribution

The third key revolves around how you distribute your cards.  Rack cards are an inexpensive marketing piece, so it is important to get them to be seen by as many people as possible.  Have them at tradeshows or business expo booths.  Pass them out at your local chamber of commerce networking events.  And look to other businesses in similar industries as yours and ask them if you could put up a small stand at their front desk.  Many businesses and restaurants will allow you to do this.  And if you have a well-designed piece it should catch the eye of potential customers passing by.

 

For more helpful information check out our blog at: /advice-from-the-printer/

And for more information on Inkwell Printing Company check out our website at: www.inkwellstl.com

Trade shows are an excellent way to market your business.  But what all is needed to get the most out of your trade show booth?

1. Posters
   • Posters are a great way to show pictures that showoff your company’s products or services. Hang a few behind your booth to catch the eye of people walking by.  These are most effective when they are simply pictures and are not designed to overload with information.  Make them eye catching and pleasing to look at.
2. Retractable Banners
   • Retractable banners are a must for every trade show booth. They are easy to transport and install.  They are compact but then expand into a great marketing tool.  A well designed retractable banner will draw people in to your booth and let them know who you are. 
3. Flyers
   • Your trade show booth should have a strong mix of informational material. Flyers are an easy handout to pass to people that won’t bore them with too much.  A flyer is not meant to give every detail about a product or service.  It is meant to catch the eye and make people remember your company.
4. Brochures
   • With your flyers you should also have a few brochures. These will be informative and have more in-depth information on your service.  These you will hand out to people who seem more interested or who request more information. 
5. Coupons
   • A coupon is a great way to draw people to your booth. They also serve as an excellent tool to get people to come visit your store after the trade show.  People will be more likely to keep a coupon then the rest of the materials they are given that day.
6. Giveaways
   • If you have ever been to a trade show or a business expo then you have seen that most booths offer some sort of free giveaway. Maybe a chance to win a prize by entering a drawing or some free promotional handouts like pens.  These giveaways will get people to stop at your trade show booth rather than just pass it by.

Consider these 6 things to get the most out of your next trade show booth.

 

For more helpful information check out our blog at: /advice-from-the-printer/

And for more information on Inkwell Printing Company check out our website at: www.inkwellstl.com

A brochure is an excellent way to give more information about your company or services.  But how do you design a brochure?  Here are some steps to get you started on creating this important piece of marketing material.

 

Checklist

Before you begin creating your brochure there are a few things that you will need.

1. Logo
   • A high-resolution company logo is vital to your brochure. This will appear throughout the different sections so a strong logo is important.
2. Image
   • High-resolution images are critical as well. Pick a few that represent your company and services and make sure that they will show up well in print form.  Many pictures that look good on a computer do not print well.  Check with your designer to see if your images will work or if they will come out blurry.
3. Copy
   • This is the text you will use to describe either your company or the service that you are advertising. It should include an about section, service information, and contact details.

Now that you have your checklist you will begin to create the brochure.

1. Format
   • First you will need to decide on the layout of your brochure. The two most popular are bi-fold and tri-fold.  If your goal is to show a lot of detailed information, then a tri-fold will work best.  If you are planning to show a few large pictures then stick with the bi-fold.
2. Design
   • Next you will select a template for your content. There are many different templates you can find online or a designer can design your own for you.  Stick to colors and a layout that matches your brand image.
3. Layout
   • Now you are ready to begin to insert your content. Use multiple images and sections to separate your different information.  Do not overload the customer with too much information or they will not read it.  Stick to short brief descriptions whenever possible.
4. Paper
   • Finally you are ready to select your paper grade. Choose a stock that fits with your style.  If the brochure is meant to be reusable then make sure it is a sturdy stock.  And consider a glossy finish to keep marks and stains off.

 

For more helpful information check out our blog at: /advice-from-the-printer/

And for more information on Inkwell Printing Company check out our website at: www.inkwellstl.com

Retractable banners are an excellent marketing tool.  They can be used to increase foot traffic at a store front or a trade show booth.  A retractable banner is perfect for setting up a booth at a business expo as well.  But how should one be designed?

Logo

First and foremost, company logo and name should be large and at the top of the banner.  This will help in company brand building.  Keep the logo separate from other messages and pictures on the retractable banner so that it is easily identifiable.  Other company information like contact info and address should be listed at the bottom of the banner.

Images

Secondly, a retractable banner has a large amount of space to be used.  Do not clutter this space up with too many messages.  Take advantage of one or two high quality full color images to speak for themselves.  Make sure these are full color and eye-catching images.

Message

Next, consider what message to display on the retractable banner.  If your company has the budget to buy multiple banners then consider having very specific call to actions that are relevant to the event.  If you do not have the budget for multiple banners then aim to make your banner one that can be used as a universal banner for all events.  Getting your company’s message and goal out to people is more important than just a list of products and services.  Try to display what your company is all about in as little words as possible.  The banner’s job is to draw people in and to introduce your company.  It is not a sales brochure.

 

In conclusion, the goal of a retractable banner is to increase foot traffic and introduce your company to a potential customer.  If designed effectively a banner can be an excellent tool for brand building.  Hopefully these tools can help get you started with designing your banner!

 

For more helpful information check out our blog at: /advice-from-the-printer/

And for more information on Inkwell Printing Company check out our website at: www.inkwellstl.com

Here are some easy tips to help your company select a printing company for your next project.

1. Consider the project
   • Most printing companies have areas that they specialize in due to the types of machines that they have at their disposal. Try and find a printing company that has experience in you the area of your project.  This will help your project be more successful and will also help to keep the cost down.
2. Color Matching
   • Depending on the type of equipment a printing company has it may or may not be able to match a certain color for your project. Keep this in mind if your project is very dependent on certain colors.  Ask your printer beforehand if they will have any problems with your colors.
3. Proofs
   • Make sure the printing company is willing to provide you with a proof before the project goes into production. This will ensure that the project looks exactly how you planned for it to look. Most companies will have no problem sending a digital proof over email but if you can drop by the company and see a hard copy proof this can be a much better way to catch any mistakes.  This is also an excellent way to test the quality of the printing company.  Going with a cheaper company usually means a much cheaper product.  And depending on your project this could be a crucial factor.
4. Customer service
   • Make sure this printing company is very responsive to your calls and emails. You want to have a relationship with your printer so that you can get a good feel for attention to detail.  Especially if you are creating this project yourself.  You want your printer to be able to catch any mistakes you might have made.  Some printers out there will just complete the project and bill you for it if the mistake was not their fault.  You want a printer that will catch the mistake before it goes in to production.
5. Ask for referrals
   • Do not be afraid to ask the printing company for referrals. Ask if they have done jobs like yours in the past and if you can contact those customers.  This can be an excellent way to get a feel for how this printing company operates.
6. Visit the facility
   • Finally, if you are close to the company location you should swing by for a tour. This way you can see what kind of operation they have.  This is also an excellent way to find out if they are a production facility or if they are just a broker.

Keep these tips in mind when you are considering which printing company to trust with your next project.

For more helpful blogs like this one check out our website at: http://www.inkwellstl.com/advice-from-the-printer/

This “how to” article will outline how to get the most out of your booth set-up at any sort of trade show or convention.  Trade shows can be an excellent way to inexpensively market your business. Or they can be a waste of your valuable time. It all depends on your execution. Here are some tips to make sure that you are getting the most out of your trade show experience.

Appeal

• First and foremost, you need to make sure your booth is presenting your company well. Make sure to have signage behind the booth table that is visually appealing and gives a brief description of your services.
• The signage should be professionally designed to draw customers in and convince them to come to your table to ask questions about your business. The signage must give the prospects a glimpse into your business but not give away all the information. Engaging with the prospects is the best way to turn them into potential clients, so try to draw them to your booth.

Staff

• Probably the single most important aspect of your booth is going to the people you have behind your table. The staff does not have to be your best sales associates or even your most experienced employees. They just have to be friendly and inviting.  If you have ever been to a trade show and walked around and spoke to vendors, then you know that this is important.  Some booths have employees working who are unhappy and uninviting. This deters anyone from stopping and talking about your business. Remember that these potential customers are seeing many different booths at this trade show. The best way to separate yourself is to have them remember how friendly your company was. You will stay in their minds even after the trade show is over.
• Make sure to rotate your staff at your booth as well. Many trade shows can last all day and your staff can get very tired standing behind the table all day. Try and rotate out your staff so that they stay fresh and happy the entire event. You never know when a potential customer could come to your table.

Marketing Materials

• Now for what items to have at your table. You must have some sort of promotional product. Many people walk around trade shows to collect all sorts of free giveaways.  You need to have an inexpensive item at your table to giveaway to everyone who stops by.  Keep in mind that these people will be stopping at countless other booths throughout the day so you need to somehow separate yourself. Pick a promotional product that is relevant to your business and is functional to your target market.  A cheap pen will just be thrown away within hours of receiving it, so these are not worth having.  Consider items like USB drives, headphones, business card holders, and things of that nature. While these items might be a little more expensive, it is worth it to be separated from your competition.
• Next you will need to have a handout that explains what your company does. In fact, you will need two different types of handouts. First you should have a postcard sized brochure that briefly explains your services offered. This postcard will be inexpensive and handed out to every person that comes to your table. Second you should have a much more detailed handout that is professionally prepared.  This handout will be more expensive but will detail all of your company’s services.  You will only give this handout out to people that you feel you had a good conversation with and actually have a genuine interest in your company.  This tip will save you money on your trade show expenses.
• Finally, your company should consider having a giveaway of a higher priced, more popular item. You should have anyone who stops at your table enter their contact information to be entered into a contest to win this prize.  This will help you collect even more business cards at the trade show. And after the show is over you will be able to follow up with these new leads.

Follow all of these tips the next time your company has a booth at a trade show and you will see much better results.

 

For more helpful information check out our blog at: http://www.inkwellstl.com/advice-from-the-printer/

1. Simple

Keep your postcard simple. We have all seen postcards that have too many images, too many words, and too many colors. This distracts your audience from what your intention is and it will make sure that your direct mail postcard goes directly into the trash.

2. Branded

Never underestimate the importance of a unified company brand. Your postcard must have a similar theme to all of your other marketing materials. This includes your business cards and your website.  If you are successful in building a strong unified brand with your company then something as small as your company colors can make a potential consumer think of you.

3. Call to action

A direct mail postcard must have a call to action somewhere on it to achieve the best results. Your call to action can be to get customers into a store with a coupon or discount. Alternatively, it can be something as simple as driving customers to your website. Direct mail postcards are a great way to increase web traffic.

4. Targeted

Probably the most important aspect of a direct mailing campaign is your targeted audience. Your local printing company can give you access to very specific lists so that you can target your potential customers. There is no point in sending out postcards randomly when you have access to lists that can send the postcard directly to a potential customer.

 

For more helpful information check out our blog at: http://www.inkwellstl.com/advice-from-the-printer/