Category: Promotional Materials

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How to Communicate with Your Customers by Using Deliveries

Deliveries

If you’re anything like us, you’ve probably been opting to shop online a lot more frequently this past year. Whether you’ve been receiving packages from your favourite online retailers or food delivery from that restaurant you used to frequent when dining in was possible, there has certainly been a huge cultural shift in the way people are choosing to interact with businesses. Deliveries have become a popular method for consumers to shop at their leisure and receive goods straight to their door. While ordering online may result in fewer in-person interactions, you can still create meaningful connections with clients and define your brand by improving deliveries. While getting your deliveries sent out to the end user in a timely and secure manner is priority #1, it is also a fantastic opportunity to re-enforce your brand identity and how you add value long after the purchase. Keep reading to find out how!

Pay Attention to Your Packaging

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of excitement you get when tearing the cellophane off a pristinely packaged box. It’s like unwrapping a present on Christmas morning – whether you’re one to tear in right away or prefer to neatly remove all the tape before revealing the surprise, there is something to be said for the experience of unwrapping something.

Packaging plays a crucial role in how customers will judge your brand, so whenever possible, you have a chance to make your deliveries special? Specific designs appeal to different demographics making it important that you learn to build your packaging around the kinds of customers you aim to impress/inform/educate.

The colour and font on your packaging can impact how effective a delivery is at capturing the attention of the receiver. As a foundation, these elements need to be consistent to your brand. For example, children tend to gravitate towards bright colors, while sleek and minimalistic designs can appeal to mature adults.

Think of what kind of packaging will best work for your product and what kind of potential it gives you to be creative. Will you choose a box? A bag? Or package your product in some other unique way?

Show off your Branding and Logo

You can use a printing service like Minuteman Press Calgary Shepard to customize your deliveries and get great-looking, high quality packaging products with your company’s branding and logos. Packaging is the ultimate opportunity to strengthen your identity in the eyes of your customer and increase the visibility of your business to potential clients. Boxes and bags quite often get re-used again and again before getting recycled.

You can also use the packaging to provide clientele more familiarity with your brand. You can design packages to display corporate logos, mission statements, and slogans as well as use it as an opportunity to provide contact information like a phone number or website.

 

Including a simple, non-intrusive request for delivery recipients to provide an online review of your products and your business is a good use of the packaging you are already sending.

 

A brand guide can make it easy to come up with great packaging design, check out our recent blog Six Essentials You Need to Include in Your Brand Guide | Printer Near Me to learn more about developing your very own brand guide!

Consider Alternatives

Depending on the volume of deliveries you fulfil, you may want to consider what other options are available and within your budget. Fully custom packaging often requires high minimum orders which can be costly depending on what you need. The good news is that things like custom die-cut stickers are a great cost-effective alternative that accomplish the same goal of developing recognizable packaging. You can still incorporate your brand colours and logos into these stickers, using them to promote your business. The following two strategies are also great ways to connect with customers through deliveries without breaking the bank.

Include a Message

Turning packages into forms of communication with customers can elevate their experiences with deliveries. Simple messages such as a thank you or a kind phrase can be printed onto the package, which can help build emotional relationships with clients. A client who feels like you care about them will have a much more positive image of your company, which may prompt them to recommend you to friends and family as well as stay loyal to you. Different quotes can be added to the design to give the brand more personality and convey your values. For more ways to make an impression with clients who receive your deliveries check out this article 5 Ways to Create Brand Exposure in a Contactless World | Printer Near Me | Minuteman Press Calgary Shepard

Make it Personal

Make your customers feel special by addressing them personally! Personalizing packages can make a lasting impression on customers by showing that you recognize and value their support in your business. With the help of a print company, you can create unique boxes or bags for occasions like birthdays, promotions, or anniversaries that are customized for the receiver. Again, Minuteman Press Calgary Shepard encourages the use of custom die cut stickers as an effective cost savings solution.

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Ready to level-up your delivery game? See how Minuteman Press Calgary Shepard can make all your branded packaging dreams come true! Contact us today! We Design. We Print. You Profit!

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5 Ways to Elevate your Custom Stationery

Custom Stationery

First impressions are important, don’t you agree? One of the best ways to impress your customers in the early stages of your relationship is by presenting your communication in a clean, consistent, beautifully formatted package. Custom stationery has a long and fascinating history as an artform dating all the way back to ancient Egypt where they first developed parchment out of things like animal skins! While we have refined papermaking techniques since then, the idea behind custom stationery is timeless.

Stationery gives you the opportunity to define yourself on your own terms and present your desired image to the world. By having unique and beautiful stationery you will set yourself apart and portray your company in a professional, put together manner. Follow these 5 tips to turn a plain office essential into gorgeous custom stationery your clients will remember!

1. Incorporate Your Branding

If your goal is to increase and maintain brand recognition, you need to focus on developing custom stationery that represents an accurate portrayal of your brand. With an amazing print partner like Minuteman Press Calgary Shepard, you can turn letterhead, envelopes, invoices or order forms into visually pleasing sources promoting your brand exposure by changing the paper’s color, fonts, or adding your logo as a watermark. Developing a brand guide, is an incredibly helpful tool you can use to nail down your signature colours, imagery, and personality. Every time a client or potential client comes across your stationery, they will become more and more familiarized with your company’s main identifiers, which is fantastic promotion for you.

2. Spice up Your Format

Changing up your formatting can be a great way to add interest to your company documents while maximizing their potential to communicate information. Adding custom headings and graphic organizers with coloured sections in your signature colour palette can be extremely helpful for viewers, plus it has the added bonus of making you stand out. Other things you can do with formatting include:

  • Adding patterned borders to frame your documents
  • Tinkering with your letter and line spacing until it looks just right
  • Putting in a header or footer

It’s important to remember not to overwhelm your design with too many elements to keep things looking professional. Our expert team is happy to help with your formatting needs and get you looking great!

3. Customize Your Font Styles

One-of-a-kind font is a sure way to differentiate yourself and make an impression from the very first look a customer has at your stationery. Straying away from traditional styles will give people a fresh experience with your print materials and create a unique brand identity. Want to convey a sense of elegance? Use a decorative script font! Looking for a more modern, professional vibe? A clean looking sans-serif font is a great choice. Brand consistency is the key to pulling off a cohesive overall look. Check out this article Why Brand Consistency is Key to the Success of YOUR Business | Printer Near Me | Minuteman Press Calgary Shepard to find out why brand consistency is the key to your business’s success and how you can use it to boost your company’s value.

4. Bring in the Heavyweights

Consider the kind of paper you choose for your various stationary needs. A thicker cardstock makes an impression on the viewer and comes across with an air of importance. We can print on a variety of differently weighted sheets to suit your preferences, as well as on colored sheets so that you have the option to choose what best represents the look and feel you want.

5. Develop a Custom Signature

Arguably just as important as your first impression is your sign off. Finish strong with your personal signature and brand logo. You can include your name, title, and contact information in a signature or keep it simple with your business’s name and logo. We can even help you turn your signature into a stamp to make signing off simple and look great every time.

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Ready to get your business looking sharp? Let our team at Minuteman Press Calgary Shepard help you put your best foot forward by designing and producing your professionally printed custom stationery. Contact us for a quote today! 

We Design. We Print. You Profit!

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How You Can Effectively Market Yourself at Outdoor Events

Outdoor Event Marketing

With summer right around the corner it’s time to start thinking about how you can refresh your business’s marketing to reach potential customers. Warmer weather means more people are getting outside which presents a great opportunity to make the most of print advertising and signage to show off your personalized branding. The approaching outdoor festivals can provide businesses with the perfect venue to meet local customers and build brand recognition within a community. Having the right tools to advertise your company can ensure that you make an impression, and that customers leave events remembering your business. The Minuteman Press Calgary Shepard team of highly skilled designers and print professionals can work with you to get the most of your outdoor event marketing strategy. We are here to ensure you literally stand out in the crowd! 

Outdoor Events Marketing Tip #1: Make Your Company Visible 

The key to successful outdoor event marketing is visibility. Maintaining high visibility is a priority for companies attending events with large amounts of traffic where the opportunity to be seen by new potential customers is endless. Businesses can use banner printing services to create wide, eye-catching displays that gain the attention of crowd members. Information printed onto the banner should be big enough to be readable by those walking past the display, making it easy for them to write down your contact information or take a picture for later use. 

Outdoor Events Marketing Tip #2: Use the Right Materials

Outdoor event marketing happens outside, which can present some concerns when you’re thinking about using print media out in the elements. Our banners can be made from durable materials that resist damage received from rain, which can turn advertisements for outdoor events into long term investments capable of being reused at different festivals and events. General ads that feature the name of your company alongside your logo and slogan can be used as the sign for booths over and over again. 

Outdoor Events Marketing Tip #3: Pass it Around! 

There’s a near infinite possibility to the ways you can promote your business on the site of an outdoor event. Creating handouts such as flyers that can be distributed at a booth or printed materials that can be personally handed out to consumers around the event is a great way your outdoor event marketing strategy can cover ground. Flyers can help describe the goods and services you offer while providing useful contact information such as website addresses and phone numbers to potential customers. The more people who see your branding while out and about at an outdoor event, the more likely they are to remember your company and call you up when they need you.  

Outdoor Events Marketing Tip #4: Make Connections 

Business cards are another tool that you can bring to outdoor events as a distributable item. Customers may be interested in finding out more about the services you offer or purchasing items from you when they are ready, so it pays to invest in forming connections with potential clients by giving them professionally printed cards. Having a small token to bring home with them and toss on a kitchen table or fridge becomes a placeholder for your business and makes it easy for them to contact you in the future. 

Outdoor Events Marketing Tip #5: Dress to Impress

Sending your representatives to an event decked out in branded apparel is a great way to promote your business. They become a walking talking outdoor marketing event billboard. Not only will they be looking sharp while representing your company, but they will be walking advertising, promoting your business while passing out flyers, connecting with potential customers, and commuting to and from the event.  

Check out our recent branded apparel blog to discover five reasons why your company will benefit from having branded apparel!

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Ready to start prepping for your outdoor event marketing campaign? Minuteman Press Calgary Shepard is your one stop shop for everything you need to make an impression this summer. Contact us for a quote today! We Design. We Print. You Profit! 

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Show Your Prospects, Customers and Employees Some Love with These Seven Swag Items

swag

The weather is getting warm, and we are all getting into our summer, feel-good moods. Prepare for the inevitable urge to spread some love around by getting some branded swag. Your prospects, customers and employees will appreciate the thought you have put into their needs. Swag has an ulterior motivation as well. We also want your business to get your name out there. Always remember that if it’s functional then it will be used daily. The more an item can be used, the more likely your name will come up in conversation and lead to sales. Here are our top seven swag suggestions to offer your customers and employees.

1. Social Distancing Supplies

We know that everyone and their Aunt Sally are making masks, but have you noticed that it’s become a fashion trend? Latch onto that trend and allow your employees and customers to express themselves with your brand. The public will not even have to ask, “Where did you get that mask?” because it will be written on their face. Get your brand on this fashion runway called life!

2. Clothing

Well-constructed, branded apparel gets worn. Help your clients and customers look good while representing your brand. The more stylish the garment, the more likely it will be worn in public and that your name will be shared with the world. Choose something like a hoodie or a fashionable t-shirt.

3. Pens

People love pens. Pens are inexpensive to produce and very functional – even in the digital age. Who doesn’t look around their office or home and search for a pen to write that note while they’re talking on their phone? Give them a few extras. That way, when they reach to find that pen they’ve been searching for, they will see your name and remember you.

4. Notepads & Calendars

Where there are pens, there must also be notepads to write on! Notepads can be given with your branded pens or on their own. Print a to-do list with a magnet added to the back so it can be placed on a fridge or filing cabinet.
No one wants to buy a calendar, but we all need one. Ease your employees or your customer’s minds and offer them a branded calendar as a gift. You are giving them one less thing they need to purchase and leaving them a daily reminder of your company.

5. Stickers

Fun stickers are always a great swag giveaway. Stickers are especially popular with children. Parents love it when their children are offered something in a store, especially a store where children may not be engaged. It makes them feel welcomed instead of an inconvenience. It also distracts the children so they can allow their parent to shop in your store and make a purchase.

6. Hot & Cold Beverage Containers

Give the gift of hydration! A tumbler or coffee/ tea mug is the perfect ‘just because’ gift for anyone. When it is branded, each sip reminds them of you and the great times you have shared together. Positive affect is the best feature of this swag item.

7. Custom Gifts

Your employees move mountains for you and your company. As a small business, your staff is more like family than employees. Giving them a personalized gift will make them feel special, valued, and show that you are loyal to them. Custom gifts are also appropriate to thank a long-term customer for their business or a customer who made a large order.

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So, what are you waiting for? Get on choosing the swag that will make your special someone(s) feel loved and keep your business in their hearts and minds. There are so many ways you can use print, so get creative. We can help you choose the right swag to keep your business top of mind with your customers while showing them some love. Let us help you because here at Minuteman Press Calgary Shepard We Design. We Print. You Profit.

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Six Ways to Attract Local Clients with Yard Signs

yard sign

Six Ways to Attract Local Clients with Yard Signs

Yard Signs are perfect for local marketing. If you want a low-cost way to target your ideal audience, spread brand awareness, and more, this may be the answer.

Choosing a marketing mix that’s both effective and budget-friendly for your business can pose a challenge. Geographical location is a major factor. If your business only provides services in a select area, yard signs (also called lawn signs) create an easy way to target a specific demographic. This is particularly important if your business is a home service such as roofers, arborists, external home care specialists, Christmas light installers, lawn care or landscaping companies etc. Let your work do the marketing for you for passersby traffic.

Well designed yard signs are a cost-effective and results-driven marketing option that reach a wide spectrum of prospective customers. What was once the standby marketing tool for real estate agents and political campaigns is now a sure-fire way to get your business noticed. Keep reading to learn six ways yard signs are the perfect marketing strategy for your small business.

1. They Help You Grow Your Brand

If your business has only a single location, the only brand awareness that you’re spreading in your area is word-of-mouth and awareness to those who drive by your business. Spreading yard signs throughout your immediate neighbourhood is a great way to spread awareness of the services you offer and your company’s name and logo.

Since they enable you to grow your brand, make sure both your sign and your work are pristine examples of your professionalism. The last thing you or your customers want is a cheaply made sign taking the focus away from a perfectly manicured yard. Use a quality printing service that lets you fully customize your signs in any color and size you choose to match the look you’re going for. You could even make them two-sided to catch attention from both directions of traffic. Don’t forget to include a call-to-action such as your address or phone number. We have included several best practices in the tips section below. 

2. They’re Low Cost

Compared to just about any other form of advertising, yard signs are among the cheapest ways to advertise your local business. Many types of local advertising come with huge price tags. From billboards to TV/Radio commercials, to PPC or social media ads, your small business marketing budget can disappear and provide only a limited source of marketing. They are relatively low-cost option but can help you reach a large, hyper-targeted audience.

Many forms of local advertising require repeated investments to remain effective. TV or radio ads require both production costs and paid time slots. Online advertising requires monthly, weekly, or even daily costs. Even print ads must be produced and then mailed. Yard signs printed locally from quality printers such as Minuteman Press Calgary Shepard help your business stand out.

3. They Target Your Actual Audience

Even the best thought-out digital marketing strategy and execution ends up targeting a high percentage of people who are unlikely to ever become customers. This means targeting customers who aren’t located in your area. Unless you offer a product or service that’s entirely unique, customers are unlikely to travel long distance for something that they could find in their own community. That’s where a yard sign comes in. They only target people who are already close enough to visit your business, so you won’t have to worry about wasted ad money.

4. Increase Your Referrals

Referrals from existing customers are an ideal way to gain new customers. The downfall is that getting customers to refer your services can take additional effort. Even if they are fully satisfied with your services, they may forget to pass on the good word as time goes on. Yard signs make it easy for customers to refer others by letting the sign become a stamp of approval on your work. People will see your name every time they drive or walk by, keeping your business top-of-mind. Signs in the yards of neighbors or simply an abundance of signs in an area can be as convincing as actual, spoken recommendations.

5. They Aid in the Infamous ‘Rule of Seven’ Advertising Principle

Studies have long suggested that consumers need to be exposed to a product or service at least seven times before they’ll decide to buy. While this number has been debated, there’s no question that increased exposure leads to increased sales. Yard signs can lead to far more than seven exposures.

6. They Are Flexible

Because they are light weight and easy to set up, you can regularly move your yard signs around to take advantage of different high-traffic locations. Further, because they are inexpensive, you can easily change or update your message and try out new offers.

Examples of Uses for Custom Yard Signs

A well-designed yard sign made of durable materials can speak volumes about your company. Here are some examples of how businesses can leverage them to attract customers:

  • Showcase/promote home services: Yard signs provide a customer endorsement and brand recognition for everyone who views the sign and your work long after the work is completed.
  • Real estate: For real estate agents, yard signs are a must to get the attention of passersby and let them know that the property is “for sale,” or “sold.”
  • Contractors: There are two key reasons for contractors to use yard signs:
    1. Proudly announce projects you are working on.
    2. Provide caution or directions for people to stay away or detour from certain areas.
  • Grand openings: Use eye-catching designs in areas around your new business to let people know you are open.
  • Sales/specials: Use well-placed signage in highly visible areas near your store to advertise specials and boost sales.

Tips for Effective Yard Sign Marketing

Design Considerations:

  • Use high-contrast text and colors in your sign.
  • Keep your design uncluttered to avoid distraction from your message.
  • Keep your text short and sweet.
  • Include a simple call to action (ex. phone number to call).
  • Opt. for a larger sign for a better response rate.

Placement Considerations:
{Note: you should confirm with local bylaws to ensure size and placement meet civic regulations. If your business is in Calgary, start here.]

  1. Place them where drivers are most likely to see them up close and from a distance.
  2. Put them in highly trafficked areas.
  3. Position your sign far enough away from your business so drivers have time to process the information and pull into the parking lot.
  4. Work with a company like Minuteman Press Calgary Shepard that specializes in custom yard signs for the best possible results.

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There’s a reason you see yard signs everywhere. It’s because they work! As stated above, there are so many uses and benefits of using them to attract customers to your business. Don’t know where to begin? Let us help you because here at Minuteman Press Calgary Shepard: We Design. We Print. You Profit!

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Five Design Tips for Improving Poster Legibility

Poster

Five Design Tips for Improving Poster Legibility

Whether you need one or a bunch of custom poster prints for your advertising, school events, announcements, warnings or anything else, it needs to be clear, concise, and captivating. When you or your designer get set to design of your poster, there are a few tips you should keep in mind. Often, posters are seen from a distance and only for a few moments, so the information should be easily processed within seconds of exposure. At the end of the day, getting your message seen and acted upon is the number-one priority. By following a few of these design tips, you can avoid illegible designs and make it easy for viewers to read your featured content.

Direct Your Viewer’s Attention

As readers, we are hard-wired to read from left to right, top to bottom (at least for English readers.) Use this to your advantage! Design your poster to be read similarly to reading a book. It will make a noticeable impact for your viewers.

Avoid Using Decorative Fonts

Adding a stylish flair to the words on a poster may unintentionally create text that is difficult to read. Instead of using italics and cursive to emphasize certain sections of the poster, consider using bold text to draw attention to important information.

Properly Spaced Text

It can be overwhelming when there is too much information in a single space. Use spacing techniques to prevent viewers from glazing over essential details. Separate densely packed text into manageable paragraphs, making sure to deliberately group relevant content into different sections of the poster. Viewers are typically drawn to the middle of the sign, so the main messages should be spaced near the center.

Consider Using One Large Visual

The human eye is attracted to visually-appealing graphics—ensure your poster is no exception. Single item illustrations, close-up cropped photos and oversized display typefaces front and centre are all effective ways of creating a focal point that commands their attention.

Be Mindful of Your Visual Hierarchy

Visual hierarchy is the principle of arranging elements to show their order of importance, making it easier for the viewer to understand and process the information easily. Visual hierarchy can be arranged in many ways, but whatever direction you decide to take, make sure that it is consistent.

  • Relative size: Adjusting the size of objects on your poster—such as enlarging an object to provide it more importance or making it smaller to de-emphasize it—is one of the easiest ways to develop a visual hierarchy. Whatever you decide, always remember that balance is key. Turning the dial to the extreme of each spectrum could make the element overwhelming, or conversely, unreadable.
  • Colour combinations: Maintaining a cohesive, consistent colour palette should always be a priority. The color of the words and background should contrast one another to help the text pop out to passing viewers. Using color combinations that blend together or look unappealing can prevent people from accurately reading the poster’s content. Use high-impact colours like yellow or red to make something stand out or prioritize information. Remember: Value, saturation and temperature are also important factors to consider.
  • Typography hierarchy: Just like a book where authors use headings to anchor our eyes to the beginning of a paragraph, poster should be designed the same. Organize titles, subtitles and body copy by their sizes respectively.

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By following these tips, the content of your posters will be clear and concise, which will help to reach a wider audience and therefore increase exposure for your company.

Having difficulties? Perhaps you’d like us to handle your print design instead? Not a problem! Minuteman Press Calgary Shepard’s graphic designer specializes in print-ready designs. We can work with you to make your poster stand out and convey the appropriate mood without causing your information to fade into the background. Request a Quote from us today and we’ll contact you shortly!

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How Postcard Marketing Can Help Your Brand Stand Out

Postcard - Postcard with MMP logo on it

How Postcard Marketing Can Help Your Brand Stand Out

Your marketing dollars need to go as far as possible. We all see ads stating you must use this digital tactic or that one. Or that the only way to grow your business is to use the latest new shiny social media trick. Digital communication has become far more prevalent than ever, hitting your inbox and social feeds as much as 150 times a day. But this does not mean that traditional printed advertising cannot still make a big impact on your company’s bottom line. In fact, effective design and print can be a very profitable tactic for your business. Postcards can prove to be an effective marketing tools to get your message literally in the right prospects’ hands. Minuteman Press Calgary Shepard has lots of suggestions for how to incorporate postcards into almost any multichannel advertising campaign.

What is postcard marketing?

Postcard marketing is a form of direct mail that helps you reach your targeted audience with promotional print pieces. Examples include coupons, announcements, or even as a retention tool in the form of a thank-you card for existing clients. Since the prominence of digital marketing, creating tangible, vibrant, and memorable print marketing pieces your customers and prospects can hold to can actually make your brand stand out. In fact, a study conducted by USPS showed that 86% of consumers take the time to read through their mail. Postcards can also be used as a fantastic trigger re-marketing tactic after a prospect interacts with you online. It creates quite a “wow” factor to receive a message from you directly in their mailbox a handful of days after visiting your website.

How do I start designing a piece for postcard marketing?

When choosing a design, follow the KISS (keep it simple, stupid!) principle. A cluttered appearance can detract from your message. Keeping the look streamlined with a straightforward message can grab and keep your reader’s attention. When choosing what will be printed on the cards, it can be useful to consider how to make the most of the available space. As Shakespeare wrote, “brevity is the soul of wit”, so keep your message to the point. There won’t be room to make a full sales pitch, so go straight to the solutions your offer solves for. It should then have a clear call-to-action (CTA) directing the reader to a trackable website, phone number or address where they can get more information.

Who should I send it to?

Your mailing list is responsible for almost half of the overall success of your mailing. If you have lots of bad addresses, your direct mail goes nowhere. If you send it to people who have no interest in your solution, it goes straight to the trash.  If you’re using your own customer list, be sure you have ‘scrubbed’ your list and eliminated any bad addresses – or updated any addresses that have changed due to customers moving, etc. Experienced printers use software to check your address format and that the addresses on your list are valid. These services are a small investment but is definitely a worthwhile step in the process.  Cleaning up your list costs far less than printing a bunch of postcards that can’t even be mailed. If you are renting a list for your mailing, make sure that the source is a good source that will provide good, ‘clean’ addresses that will get to the intended audience. Most reputable list sources are constantly updating their lists and records. They too know how important good, clean lists are to the overall success of the mailing.

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Postcards are an effective and profitable tactic for many businesses just like yours. Looking for a local printing company that can design, produce, and print an impactful postcard that stands out from the rest? Let Minuteman Press Calgary Shepard handle your project from start to finish—we will even handle your direct mail campaign and send it off precisely to the homes or businesses of your choice. Ready to get started? Request a Quote today to learn more!

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6 Design Pitfalls When Creating Business Cards

6 Design Pitfalls When Creating Business Cards

Everyone knows how important it is to make great first impressions. If you’ve ever been to a networking event and found yourself with a handful of business cards, you’ll know what we mean. For better or worse, a business card is how your newly met contacts remember you. A professionally designed business card is essential to making long-lasting positive impressions on new contacts. However, a poorly designed card may result in the loss of a potential client and a lack of familiarity with the brand.

Companies can prevent negative interactions by avoiding these six business card design pitfalls:

1. Providing Insufficient Information

While it may seem self-explanatory, ensure that all your company’s information is included. This includes the common details such as your company name, contact information and logo, but also other pieces that tend to be forgotten such as your slogan and/or mission statement. We cover 4 ways to market your small business through print in another blog here.
 

2. An Unoriginal Design

If your business card lacks originality is likely not going to be remembered. To ensure your card is not forgotten, seek out a print company to alter your business card with visually interesting customizations. For example, a custom die cut will help businesses turn their cards into unique, non-rectangular shapes that stick out from the norm. Spot UV also deviates from the typical card, drawing eyes to the card’s information.
 

3. Failing to Represent the Brand

Your business card is a lasting impression of your brand. Business cards without clear brand representation prevents companies from properly introducing customers to their brand. Create recognition by including prominent brand-related visuals on the card, such as the corporate logo, company colours, and typeface. Business cards can be coloured by printing companies to expose contacts to themes utilized by the organization.
 

4. Offering No Additional Functionality

Increase the value of your business card by incorporating design elements that give your business card additional value to your customers. Depending on your industry, your business card can double as a stampable loyalty card or you may include a tear off discount code.
 

5. Typos, Misprints, and Colour Alignment

While everyone makes mistakes, your business card is an area where you don’t want typos, misprints, or misaligned colours. Nothing screams, “I don’t care about my business” louder than these three problems. Print companies normally offer a, “physical proof” before beginning a print job. This is your only opportunity to perform quality control, so make sure your business card is perfect!
 

6. Using a Poor-quality Card

High-quality business cards with thought and intention behind them leave a positive feeling in your customer’s mind. Your customers make decisions based on emotions, so make sure there are positive emotions associated with your business card. Cards that are feather-light, have rough edges or are peeling create an impression of cheap-quality which reflects poorly on your company. Take the time to plan and design your business card—even the card material itself.
 

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Post-Press Minuteman Press Calgary Shepard has years of experience with creating high-quality, memorable business cards for hundreds of businesses, offering timely and friendly service at competitive prices. Ready to get started on building your network through memorable business cards? Contact Minuteman Press Calgary Shepherd today.

 

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5 Benefits of Branded Apparel for Your Business

5 Benefits of Branded Apparel for Your Business

Effective branding can create a unique and lasting impression of your company. However, building your brand requires investment and time. Branded apparel is a cost-effective option with several benefits for your business. Considering adding branded apparel to your marketing mix. We have compiled 5 major benefits of branded apparel for your business below.

It Increases Brand Awareness

Your business can work with print companies to design custom t-shirts, hats, aprons, and other apparel that carries your brand logo and tagline. When your employees, clients and customers wear the apparel in public, they become walking billboards of your brand, giving your business additional exposure wherever they go.

Work with a printing company to design apparel that represents your brand while being stylish and high-quality enough for people to want to wear it time and time again. The more frequently they wear your branded clothing, the more repeat brand interactions you will get, thus increasing your brand’s familiarity and awareness.

It Ignites Interest

Customers tend to associate branded apparel with large, established companies. By having branded apparel, your company’s professionalism and expertise is boosted in the customers’ eyes. Branded apparel, like uniforms, also give your employees a sense of authority and helps them be seen as experts in their field. As a result, customers can feel more confident in purchasing from you and be assured that you can get the job done.
 

It Promotes Loyalty and Unity

When your customers have a positive experience with your brand, they are likely to return. People associate brands with experiences. If they had a positive experience with you, next time they see your

logo, they will know what to expect and will gladly choose to work with you or purchase from you again. The more they see your logo on apparel, the more they are reminded of your brand, which can encourage repeat interactions and sales.

Providing your employees with branded apparel can also create a sense of unity amongst them, which can influence their loyalty with your business. Whether the branded apparel is part of their every-day uniform, or your company is participating in a team sport or tradeshow, the branded apparel will give everyone something in common and make them feel like they are part of the team and united in their goals. When all employees wear the same thing, the distinction between management and subordinates is blurred, promoting communication and cooperation amongst everyone. Employees who wear corporate apparel can also identify more strongly with the company’s values, mission and goals, and strive to represent the company well as a result

It’s Cost-Efficient
 
Traditional marketing tactics like commercials and print ads can cost you more money and resources. Branded apparel is a less expensive but equally effective marketing investment for your business. When the clothing is worn, you get maximum exposure from prospects and the general public. Also, there’s no expiry on the usage of branded clothing – unlike TV advertisements which only last for a few seconds or minutes. Apparel can be worn repeatedly over a long period of time, making them a long-lasting investment that’s worth your money.
 

It Makes a Great Gift or Giveaway

You can create positive brand experiences by providing your customers or clients with relevant apparel that is suitable for the season. In the fall or winter, you can give out branded scarves or toques, and in the summer, you can hand out branded t-shirts. If your company is attending a sporting event, you can hand out branded headbands and activewear to the athletes. You can also use branded apparel for promotional giveaways as a marketing tactic.
 
Post-Press

Your brand is everything, so it’s time to include promotional clothing in your marketing mix if you haven’t already. Here at Minuteman Press Calgary Shepard, we offer a wide selection of promotional apparel that can be customized according to your branding needs. We can print your logo and tagline on t-shirts, jackets, hats, socks and many other items. Contact us today for a quote on your next batch of custom branded apparel!