10 Colors That Increase Sales, and Why

Marketers and graphic designers have long known that color plays a major role in the success of any marketing campaign. Specific colors tend to stir certain emotions in customers, thus creating brand relevance and motivating purchases. The following lists 10 colors that increase sales, along with the specific emotions they evoke.

1. Red

Red is the color of power. It gets people’s attention and it holds it, which is why it’s the most popular color for marketing. Just don’t overdo it!

2. Blue

When you want to be viewed as trustworthy and cool, blue is the color for you. Mix blue with complimentary colors for best results.

3. Pink

Vying for the attention of a young female demographic? You can’t go wrong with pink. It’s fun, frilly and totally female.

4. Yellow

Yellow is a powerful color, but it is also the most dangerous hue. Use yellow to command your audience’s attention, and let them know you’re confident in your abilities.

5. Green

Green is a versatile color. It is warm and inviting, lending customers a pleasing feeling. Second, it denotes health, environment and goodwill. Finally, green is the color of money, so it creates thoughts of wealth.

6. Purple

Purple is the color of royalty, which makes it perfect for lending a touch of elegance and prestige to your marketing materials.

7. Gold

Gold is likewise elegant and prestigious, but adds an element of power purple can’t match. In combination with purple or green, gold is a powerful color that symbolizes wealth and pedigree.

8. Orange

Orange is energy. It has powerful attention-getting properties, it’s fun and cool, and it makes customers feel as though they’re dealing with a cutting-edge company.

9. Brown

Brown, an earthy tone, is known as a comfort color, lending relaxation to customers.

10. Black

Black is another highly versatile color. It can be modern or traditional, exciting or relaxing. Used as a contrasting color, black most often adds drama to whatever mood you want to cast.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS PLEASE GO TO:

www.printcafeli.com

 Print Is Not Dead: 5 Graphic Design Magazines You Should Subscribe Today

Living in a digital world makes everything easier including finding graphic design inspiration. Holding a magazine and leafing through the pages may seem a little obsolete in 2020 but gaining inspiration from digital sources can not top the feeling of the traditional, physical experiences.

The amount of online resources you can find is exciting. Also, we can’t argue that online resources have become our main source of inspiration and information in every aspect imaginable. Yet still, there is something special about waiting for the monthly subscription of your favorite magazine to arrive or discovering new resources in your neighborhood bookstore.

After all, the print is not dead. Graphic design magazines full of value-rich content and inspiration are still available. In light of this unbeatable pleasure, we curated our top graphic designer magazine picks around the world.

Top 5 Graphic Design Magazines for Print Lovers

Disegno

Disegno has a unique view on graphic design and can be counted among one of the world’s leading design magazines. Disegno’s colorful content not only covers graphic design but also touches on fields like architecture, technology, and fashion. The magazine features in-depth independent reporting, critical writing on design as well as academic analysis, reviews, and interviews.

Even skimming through the pages of Disegno is a satisfying experience with its text over remarkable photography. This quarterly London-based magazine is internationally available both in printed and digital versions in April, June, September, and November.

form

Founded in 1957, form offers a holistic coverage of industrial, graphic, and hybrid designs. The magazine is divided into three sections: Filter, Focus, and Files. The Filter mainly consists of the latest design trends and information about design-related events and conventions.

The Focus covers a comprehensive analysis of that individual issue’s key topic. The Files is a combination of international discussions and reviews. Its high-quality content is mainly geared towards designers, students, and architects. form is published every two months both in printed and digital versions. The magazine is available in German and English languages and offers an annual subscription plan along with a subscription gift as well as individual back issues.

Juxtapoz

It’s not a big surprise that this one is one of the best selling magazines in the United States. Juxtapoz can be considered one of the most exciting design magazines on our list with its psychedelic, underground approach.

It was first published in 1994 with the mission of celebrating urban alternative and underground contemporary art by combining diverse genres together such as street art and conceptual art. Juxtapoz covers diverse mediums including photography, painting, fashion, and installations. Each issue is published with two different cover images, newsstand and subscribers only versions.

Eye

Published since 1990, Eye magazine is a goldmine for professional designers and design enthusiasts aspiring to read about the international design scene, design history, and new media with its informative critical writings.

Being full of inspiration and visual culture makes Eye one of the most popular design magazines available. Published quarterly, this London-based magazine not only inspires its readers but also educates them with its in-depth articles and analysis of design history.

Wrap

Wrap puts the spotlight on some of the best up-and-coming artists, illustrators, and designers, giving them a chance to showcase their work.

Published biannually, Wrap also features design tips, interviews with creatives, and a glimpse into the lives of artists.

It comes with five double-sided wrapping paper for each issue and also offers products like greeting cards, and scented candles made in collaboration with favorite artists.

Whether they are in a printed or digital format, digging through graphic design magazines is a great way to gain inspiration and knowledge. If you prefer print over digital, we hope our graphic design magazine selection will help you pick at least one to subscribe to.

If you are looking for more in-depth resources other than magazines to inspire you and learn more about graphic design be sure to check out our article about graphic design books, which is full of great suggestions.

What are your favorite graphic design magazines that you love to read the most? Share your thoughts in the comments section!

FOR INFORMATION ON ALL OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS PLEASE GO TO:

www.printcafeli.com

 Sculpt an Eye-Catching Identity: 5 Bold Business Card Designs

Looking for an energetic start to a prosperous new year?

As you exhale after a tumultuous 2020, now is the time to clean out and set yourself up for a productive, successful new season. And one way to invigorate your image is with new business cards.

If you’re going to change a little, why not change a LOT? Here are five bold ideas for your next business card design.

1. Smart Cards

A modern business card includes not only contact information but also a stylish design that conveys the character and confidence of your brand.

When you want to close the gap between the physical and digital world, add a QR code to your business card. This saves space, looks modern, and increases the chance readers will follow up with your business later.

And don’t limit yourself to something bland. Instead of a black and white character set, generate a color cipher of an unusual shape to attract attention!

2. Transparency and Texture

Tired of the endless exchange of dull and flimsy white paper business cards?

Try a clear, frosted, or white plastic card. Translucent cards are sophisticated, visually intriguing, and fun to hold. And if you split the card into sections with different translucency values (one half partially opaque and the other half textured), you can create intense contrast that makes your name really leap up at the viewer. 

3. Colored Edges and Non-Standard Materials

Want a funky, three-dimensional feel for your introduction?

Colored edges are a fantastic option! Use colors to spice up a card with a neutral shade (like a black card with neon purple edges). Or use an unusual shape (like a gray die-cut heart) and add a hot pink outline on the edge.

Remember, the thicker the business card is, the better the colored edges will look. If you want to get really creative, you can even use non-standard materials like cork, wood, metal, or rubber.

4. Gorgeous Gradients

Color blending never gets old, and gradients offer endless options for unique, dynamic combos.

Gradient business cards offer so many possibilities! Add depth with thick pearly tones shimmering against a charcoal background. Or silver-purple waves against a deep blue sky. Voluminous gradients ebb and flow, creating an atmosphere of energetic motion.

When adding gradients, go for sharp color contrasts and highlight key elements. Do not apply the gradient to the entire card. Instead, limit yourself to the one element you want to highlight: background, logo, text, or graphics.

Need inspiration? Here’s one gradient sample spread to fuel your imagination.

5. Super Business Cards

Looking for something super impressive and super fun?

SUPER business cards are for you! Cut from premium paper that’s durable (yet lightweight), these non-bendy business cards bring a bold impression that LASTS. Customize them to your preferences, with round corners, shiny finishes, raised spot gloss lettering, and more.

Whether you want a muted matte feel or a sleek sparkly vibe, super business cards are guaranteed to be as resilient and creative as you are.

Start a Remarkable New Adventure

Today is the best day to start a new adventure!

Why not make 2021 your most imaginative year yet? Show the world a poised, passionate perspective – that comes straight from your pocket!

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ALL OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO:

www.printcafeli.com

 5 Straightforward (and FUN) Ways to Boost Your Productivity This   Year

Today is a great day to integrate some healthy new habits into your routine.

Everyone benefits from good time management, and here are just a few simple ways to free up more time to do things you really love!

1. Create Templates

Tired of repeating yourself?

Templates (a type of “fill-in-the-blank” document) are great for assignments created the same way every time. Whether it’s a weekly email, a presentation spreadsheet, a thank you note, or a method for re-directing inquiries to a better source, creating templates in advance can save you tons of time in the long run.

2. Listen to Audio Books

Who doesn’t want to read more?

Audiobooks are a wonderful way to maximize that “throwaway” time in the car, getting ready in the morning, or during exercise.

In 2020, many local libraries made audiobook apps totally free. People who previously struggled to finish a chapter found themselves gulping down five books a month, while sharpening their minds and adding spontaneous joy to each day!

3. Block Distracting Apps, Websites, or Emails

According to research carried out by RescueTime, the average digital worker can’t go more than six minutes without checking their email or instant messaging.

The digital nature of your work and social life can leave you frazzled by constant alerts. This minimizes both productivity and potential as you struggle to focus on tasks for even short periods.

Start this year strong by implementing a few website and ad blocker tools. Unsubscribe from email lists or group chats that are sucking away precious moments in your day. And set your devices to block notifications from coming through in key work hours.

4. Batch Prep Your Meal or Meal Prep

If you want to save time in your busy week, mastering food prep can be huge.

Every time you mess up and clean your kitchen, it takes time. So why not make one big mess once a week, rather than a medium-sized mess every day? This can be as simple as chopping your veggies (or cooking all your meat) as soon as you get home from the store. Or it can be more intentional, like pre-cooking several meals and properly labeling them for fridge and freezer storage.

While the idea of prepping several meals at once can seem daunting, the time, energy, and money you’ll save in the long run are totally worth it.

5. Try the Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management system that encourages people to work with their time – rather than against it.

Using this method, you break your workday into 25-minute chunks separated by five-minute breaks (referred to as pomodoros). After about four pomodoros, you take a longer break of about 15 to 20 minutes. This work rhythm helps create a sense of urgency and productivity followed by natural releases needed in order to recharge.

Curious? Check out this short tutorial to learn more.

Save More Time, Live More Life

While you may not be a fan of resolutions, the emphasis here is on forming productive habits and finding tools to minimize your daily load.

To be more productive, look beyond your task list to the organizational tools needed to manage time well. That takes effort up front but gives you more time to enjoy each day later. And that really is crucial!

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ALL OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO:

www.printcafeli.com

Check Out Our New Digital Promotional Catalog for 2021!

To See Our New Catalog Click the Link Below

ttps://www.zoomcats.com/catalog/drinkware-catalog

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO:www.printcafeli.com

 

      4 Lessons We Learned Through a Year of Remote Working

In March of 2020, tens of millions of American workers jumped into a brand new world as they began working from home.

Nearly a year later, the trend continues. Google announced in July that its roughly 200,000 employees will continue to work from home until at least next summer. Mark Zuckerberg has said he expects half of Facebook’s workforce to be remote within the decade. Twitter has told staff they can stay home permanently.

How have we fared?

While many have a love/hate relationship with remote working, it seems one win has occurred in the area of productivity. In a recent survey of 800 employers, 94 percent said productivity was either unaffected or was actually improved compared to its pre-pandemic levels.

And as people have found this stride, many want to continue. When the pandemic is over, one in six workers is projected to continue working from home or co-working at least two days a week, according to a recent survey by economists at Harvard Business School. Another survey of hiring managers found that one-fifth of the workforce could remain entirely remote after the pandemic.

If you plan to continue remote working in the near future, maybe you could benefit from pro-tips others have discovered. Here are a few observations.

1. Create Tangible Cues

Without arriving or departing from the office, it can be hard to create -- or sustain -- momentum.

Use consistent physical cues to block your day. This can be simple, like watering the plants daily before sitting down at your work station. Or taking a 20-minute walk after lunch each day. Some find it best to “close” the computer as a signal that the workday is over.

2. Over-Communicate

Communication without body language is hard, and there are many ways to offset this challenge.

Prioritize clarity by over-communicating as much as possible, including questions, clarifications, and expressing appreciation. When you can’t rely on body language and facial cues, emojis and GIFs can be a fun way to bridge that gap. And since the potential for misunderstanding is high, assume the best intentions from others in absolutely all interactions!

3. Build "Closed Door" Blocks in Your Schedule

Technology has curbed our ability to "shut the door" at work without interruption.

You are at your best when you are undistracted, so guard your schedule and carve out key moments to hone your productivity.

If you can swing it, batch your meetings and syncs into one day (or one part of each day) so you can work heads-down at other moments. You may find it helpful to block off certain days or hours to receive no calls, emails, or notifications from your phone.

4. Consider Long-Term Strategy Changes

As companies consider a long-term commitment to remote working, substantial sacrifices may be required.

Whether it’s productivity software or flexible instant virtual office spaces (like Slack or a private Internet Relay Chat), remote teams that thrive will require a genuine investment to succeed.

Many tech companies are increasingly opting for is hiring a head of remote work. The position is intended to help create a cohesive experience for all workers, says Brynn Harrington, vice president of people growth at Facebook:

“We’re looking for the person with influence, skills, and experience who can help us pivot the company. When we think about the transformation to remote, it’s a wholesale shift in how we run.”

Thriving Through Change

If Heraclitus was right, change is the only constant in life.

While remote working is new to many, it will continue to change the face of the workforce as 2021 ticks ahead. Whether you despise or adore it, your attitude toward this change can make all the difference in how you overcome challenges a new season will bring.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ALL OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO: www.printcafeli.com

5 Ways to Grow Brick-and-Mortar Sales Amidst a Burgeoning E-commerce Landscape

The ongoing pandemic has proven that no business is immune to its impact – companies of all sizes and across all industries have been hit. With consumers often opting for an online experience, many companies have quickly shifted resources and budgets to chase this new shopping behavior. While a digital transformation was needed by many companies, it’s important to focus on omni-channel growth and not lose sight of the value that brick-and-mortar provides.

Let’s consider the importance of a strong retail presence. To start, many local stores are trusted subject matter experts to their loyal customers. They focus on finding their shoppers the right product – not just upselling them. A strong partnership with these stores gives manufacturers an opportunity to extend their reach directly to customers needing help and solutions. Secondly, now more than ever, consumers are looking to shop locally. Abandoning brick-and-mortar could have an adverse impact on overall brand perception. Finally, brick-and-mortar stores are how many brands get their foot in the door and are often instrumental to growing large scale.

While it is critical to keep up with changing consumer behavior, including online sales, the retail channel should not be abandoned. Here are five ways to support brich-and-mortar sales while continuing focus on a growing e-commerce presence.

1. Ensure MAP (minimum advertised price) standards are adhered to across all channels

The internet gives e-commerce companies the opportunity to launch 24-hour “flash sales” in front of millions of people within seconds. This capability has led to many e-commerce giants predicating their business on extremely deep, short promotions. While these promotions can be alluring, they can also train customers to strictly shop while products are on promotion and only look online. To combat this, have a MAP policy that is strongly enforced, preventing any online sale to be promoted more deeply than what a retail store can do – leveling the playing field.

2. Consider channel-specific pricing and merchandising strategies

To build on the above, put together a strategy that sets a premium for the online business or prohibits certain products from being sold online altogether to drive people back to stores. For example, in third-party marketplaces like Amazon, we only offer our products in four-packs, while retail stores can sell singles. Furthermore, the individual unit price of each meal online is higher than retail MSRP. In doing so, online traffic becomes a customer-acquisition vehicle that ultimately brings people back to stores.

3. Use digital advertising to drive people to stores

Digital advertising has revolutionized the way marketers spend budgets; within 30 minutes, a targeted ad can be launched that garners thousands of impressions in no time. However, these advertisements don’t have to exclusively drive traffic to online sales, they should consider the full funnel – and sometimes have multiple objectives at once! A digital ad can direct people to stores with promotions, newly-launches sales, or to key partner stores.

4. Look for new ways to get coupons and samples into consumer hands Though in-store demos have been the traditional medium for trials and getting coupons into customers’ hands, the pandemic has led to most retailers prohibiting them. Even when in-store demos resume in the future, it’s likely that consumers will still have an aversion to these interactions. With that said, you shouldn’t abandon driving trial and awareness through sampling and coupons. Rather, consider alternative ways that you may be able to reach consumers – email newsletters, direct mailing campaigns, localized apps like Nextdoor, and sampling through digital providers are all great ways to continue these programs.

5. Offer exclusivity

Finally, there is no better way to drive retail sales than offering exclusivity to the channel. If you don’t have the resources to develop a litany of new products to keep all of your retail partners happy, there are other ways to offer exclusivity. For example, a new product can be given to a single retail chain weeks earlier than other stores or channels. Similarly, you can keep a new item exclusive to the retail channel for a period of time before offering it up online. Exclusivity always drives excitement and it is more attainable than many manufacturers realize.

As we enter a new year, keep in mind your retail partners in mind and consider how you can help work towards a mutually beneficial relationship amid the ongoing pandemic. Though consumer behavior points towards an increasing focus on online shopping, it’s crucial to not leave behind the stores that offer your products in-person.

Katie McCarron founded Portland Pet Food Company in 2014 after finding success formulating  meals at home for her aging poodle, Rosie. Prior to launching the company, she worked as President and CEO for Academic Network LLC, a medical communications company where she led and organized medical advisory consultants to educate consumers about nutrition, such as The Milk Mustache Campaign.

Brick-and-mortar stock photo by Iakov Filimonov/Shutterstock

For More Information On All of Our Marketing Products go to: www.printcafeli.com