HOW SENDING GREETING CARDS CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS?

Thinking about greeting cards conjures up images of cute birthday cards sent to friends and family members, Christmas cards sent to acquaintances, and Mother's Day cards. However, businesses also often send greeting cards to customers and to clients.
The types of cards sent by businesses can include holiday cards, cards to give thanks for past business, invitations to upcoming receptions or company events, customer retention cards asking those who have done business with the company in the past to visit them again, or even cards sent out to remind a customer or patient of an upcoming appointment. Most printing companies can provide all the kinds of greeting cards that are required by business.
In order to make the most of sending greeting cards, cards produced should be personalized to the person to whom they are being sent. In the case of holiday cards, they should also definitely be hand-signed by the CEO of the company. When a client or customer receives a holiday or a thank you card, it is sure to be shared with the entire company, or at least with management. Those who receive the cards are like to think fondly of the company that sent it and might be more likely to be inclined to do business with them over someone who never contacts them.
Printing companies have a lot of experience in designing and printing greeting cards of all kinds. They can advise on a wide range of issues that may come up, such as paper quality and what to include in the card.

Source: Minuteman Press

PRINTING SERVICES CAN SUIT ANY PRICE RANGE

In business, the most important thing is the bottom line. All businesses work to some kind of budget, so it is important to get things done as effectively as possible while still keeping an eye on the financial side. This is no different when arranging for commercial printing services. Quality printing is the first priority but there are many ways in which companies can base their printing requests around their budget.
All printing companies can work with their clients to provide the highest-quality product possible within their price range. Businesses should think about the extent to which they need to use color. Letterheads on memos, stationery, and envelopes can be printed in black and white or in full color. Flyers can be vibrant and colorful or kept in simple grayscale, perhaps allowing the color of the paper to be the focus. Colorful business cards are eye-catching, but a well-designed black and white card can be just as effective.
Budget-conscious businesspeople should also consider size. Large, content-packed brochures can certainly be suitable for events and promotions requiring plenty of detail. On the other hand, there are occasions where a smaller brochure can be more practical, especially if being presented to people on the move.
Businesses can also use desktop tools to create and design their flyer or poster themselves, saving it in a format that allows them to send it directly to the printing company to print it out. Whatever the choices, there are many ways in which printing services can be catered around any budget. It may take a little more work on the part of the business but clients are always appreciative of companies who go the extra mile.

Source:Minuteman Press

MAKING THE MOST OUT OF OUTDOOR ADVERTISING

Now that the warmer weather has arrived in most of the United States and more people are venturing out of their houses, outdoor advertising has become more important than ever.
Some people might instantly picture billboards when they think of outdoor advertising, but they are just a part of it. Outdoor advertising obtained from printing companies can also include posters, banners, and signs. Regardless of the advertising format, however, there are several rules that should be followed to ensure that a company’s efforts will be noticed and lead to success.
For starters, most advertising experts will agree that a billboard, banner, or sign should have no more than seven words to be at its most effective. Long paragraphs about a company or service will simply be ignored in the majority of cases. Only one or two compatible fonts should also be used and will help make it easier to read.
As a rule, only images that are directly related to the product or services being advertised should be integrated, and it is vital not to overlook the choice of colors used, especially since those used in the background must make the print stand out and not detract from it.
Another mistake many make with outdoor advertising is to have too much contact information provided. It is important that only one contact is provided on a billboard, banner, or sign to avoid confusion. The message on these items must also be original and not parrot other companies’ campaigns. Local print companies can advise their customers on what should and should not be included on their outdoor advertising.

SOURCE: Minuteman press

WHAT A BUSINESS NEEDS TO DO BEFORE DOING COMMERCIAL PRINTING?

What a business needs to do before commercial printing

When a business sends a print request to a commercial printer, it will save them time and money if they know what they want the final product to look like. They should consult with their printing company beforehand so the print firm can understand exactly what the client wants and also their budget - a good print firm will help a company to find the right product at the right price. While any business can do their own printing in-house there are times when a professional is necessary, due to large quantities or detailed work.
Before sending items to a printing company it is important that a business knows and understands such things as what files and formatting will be needed by the printer, how many copies are required, what type of paper they want, how large the final print run will be, what type of binding is required, if the final product will be folded, and, of course, need to know the printer's deadlines to get the project finished on time. There is also the choice of color models; does the business want any color, single color, spot colors, process colors or process plus spot colors. It all depends on how they feel their final product will be viewed; color always makes a brochure or a flyer stand out.
Following these procedures will make it entirely possible for a business to create and design the entire print project, just sending the final plans to the print company. However, if they need help their printing company should be there to offer advice.

Source: minuteman.press

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GREEN PRINTING- CARES ABOUT ENVIROMENT

Switch to green printing to help the environment

'Green printing' is a method of printing that takes the environment into account when deciding on what types of papers to buy and what types of chemicals to avoid. The first place to start to switch to green printing is with the source of the paper. Estimates suggest that 100 million trees are cut down annually to supply fiber for writing and printing paper. Although trees are replanted, this is not done on the same scale. Using recycled paper cuts down on that number by reusing post-consumer content such as paper and fabrics. For example, one alternative to wood pulp is blue jean cotton. Instead of using caustic bleach to whiten papers, manufacturers can use chlorine dioxide. This is the same chlorine used in swimming pools and is less harmful.
When going green, a printing company should also consider the inks that it uses. Soy-based inks are becoming very popular because they let out fewer VOCs (volatile organic compounds) into the environment. Print companies can also cut down on the number of colors they use on some works; two can be as effective as three. Pantone color inks are also preferable to metallic based ones.
Companies can also make sure they are following industry standards. Most printing associations have information on these and how to follow them effectively. The last way for a printing company to become green is by keeping up on the latest technology such as water-washable inks and wind energy.
By following the steps above, printing companies will find that they are helping to preserve the environment for the next generation.

SOURCE:Minuteman Press

DIGITAL PRINTING, YES OR NO?

To go digital or not, that is the question. Changes in one industry often prompt changes in other industries - a process occurring at this very moment. Companies like Heineken and Coca-Cola are offering their customers a chance to design their own packaging to reflect personal interests, an idea that will no doubt have the printing industry taking note.
When a major player like Coke says Sprite drinkers can design can sleeves to match their interests, it will probably only be a matter of time before other companies do the same. How can companies change their packaging so quickly? The answer is digital printing. Many printers are already offering digital business cards, but this is only the start of the possibilities opened up.
It represents a challenge for the printing industry, because packaging has traditionally been done using the offset method. However, digital printing projects can be changed more readily, making them the natural choice for this new type of marketing.
Adding digital capabilities to a traditional print shop means an investment in digital equipment, and some in the industry would like to wait and see if the idea of rapidly changing packaging continues to be used at the current rate. While there are opinions on both sides, the majority opinion seems to be that this is an exciting idea that greatly appeals to consumers and will rapidly enter the mainstream.
Whether they add digital capabilities immediately or not, it would seem prudent that printers at least start researching this trend. Since many printers are now familiar with digital business cards, they will not be forced to ‘start from scratch’ if they choose to expand their offerings.

Source:Minuteman Press