3 Fresh Color Combinations 

to Shake Up Your 

Next Flyer Design

Did you know the colors you select for your flyers can be the difference between them getting noticed or not?

If you're planning your next flyer design, we have a few combos (and the theory behind them) to help you get more eyes on the page. 

Why It Matters 

Brands don't have much time to make an impression. Most people judge products or services within 90 seconds, and up to 90% of that assessment is based solely on color. If people have limited bandwidth to absorb a flyer, you can't neglect how the colors come across to them. 

3 Fresh Color Combinations to Shake Up Your Next Flyer Design

Baby Blue & Peach 

Light colors have a way of lifting people's spirits by introducing some softness to the eyes.

Pastels have been a significant design trend as of late, mainly because bold and brash colors can be hard to look at for too long. They might attract some notice immediately, but the effects can be offputting with more than a minimal glance. 

Light blue and peach look beautiful together because they play off each other's natural tones, and their beauty throws the focus on the text without diminishing the design's visual appeal.

As your brand likely already has preferred colors, consider how a different color palette could be used for whatever you want to advertise. For instance, if you're having a soft launch of a new product, this could be a perfect selection. 

Gradient Green to Purple 

Gradient designs are excellent for making your flyer eye-catching without being too obvious.

The blend of colors in different hues draws your sight into a specific direction and prompts people to read the words too. So in much the same way as you'd want to stare at a rainbow, the color theory is that your eye is intrigued by how one shade harmonizes with the next. 

While you can pull this off in various combinations, green and purple are complementary colors. The high contrast will pop, and you can use the intermediate section to lessen the intensity of the colors.

With the two brightest colors at opposite ends of the spectrum, you can imagine that the words in the middle will stand out even more. 

Cherry Red and Gold 

Red and gold colors are typically associated with luxury and are typically standouts wherever they're placed.

Highly recommended for flyers that will be posted in crowded spaces, this energetic and passionate combo would be excellent for brands that are passionate and ready for action. 

If you want to play with this color combination without overwhelming the view, consider how a stark white background and hints of cherry red and gold could make an impression. This option still plays up the luxury angle but may have more impact if used sparingly. 

Flyer color combinations should, in part, reflect the overall branding sensibilities you've already chosen. However, just because your logo, fonts, and graphics are always in the same color scheme doesn't mean you can never mix things up.

If you want to experiment with a new flyer design, use these color combinations to inspire people to take a fresh look at what you can do for them. Or contact us to help you develop a unique color combination that perfectly fits your brand! Call Today! 516-561-1468

 

5 Ways to Make Your 

Print Catalog Campaigns Rock

From brochures, business cards, and mailers, it takes a variety of marketing collateral to build a comprehensive, successful marketing campaign.

Among the most critical pieces is a catalog, and it’s still the surefire way to build awareness of your products and services to customers and prospects. According to Data & Marketing Association data, 41% of millennials and 53% of Gen Xers reported enjoying catalogs.

With catalogs making a comeback, let’s make them work for your business.

5 Ways to Make Your Print Catalog Campaigns Rock

Choose the Best Size

Make your products stand out on the page by choosing the right catalog size.

If you have fewer products or services, you don’t need large spaces devoted to photos. The sizes of 5 ½ by 8 ½ inches or 6 by 9 inches will suffice.

On the other hand, if your products are intricate or detailed, you need space for large photos or illustrations. In that case, 8 ½ by 11 inches or 9 by 12 inches will be more comfortable.

Consider Coating

Customers and prospects can feel the difference between the catalogs they receive.

Getting your catalog to stand out is essential to getting it noticed. Adding an aqueous coating is one of the easiest ways to make it pop. To enhance your pages, you can choose from gloss, matte, or satin coating. 

Decide on the Best Binding

Another top consideration is the binding that will keep your catalog together.

Saddle-stitching is often your best bet because it’s user-friendly and affordable. This allows readers to open the catalog and lay it flat while reading.

Discover other styles such as case bound, perfect bound, and pamphlet stitch.

Remember to create your catalog in four-page increments to allow maximum use of the space and prevent the need to add blank pages.

Tell a Story

Essentially, your business is publishing its own magazine with a catalog.

It focuses on your products and services and the people, work, and mission that support your company.

Demonstrate your dedication to your business and the customers you serve. This will help you stand out by explaining why you’re different and better than your competitors.

Solve Customer Issues

Your customers have pain points.

After identifying those issues, show how your business addresses these challenges or how they can overcome them with your help inside the pages of your catalog.

Catalogs can be a powerful marketing tool if done correctly.

Partner with us as your printing provider to get the marketing expertise that makes a difference in your business. Let’s get started! Call Today 516-561-1468

 

Attract More Qualified Leads 

Using Print Marketing

Print media can be an effective tool for generating leads and capturing the interest of potential customers.

With 73% of all consumers showing a preference for print advertising, it's easy to see that print media is still an excellent business initiative today!

How to Attract More Qualified Leads Using Print Marketing

Both affordable and accessible, print marketing can be leveraged to increase your lead generation and capture. Here's how:

1. Identify Your Target Audience

To create effective print materials that will speak directly to your target audience, it is essential to clearly understand who they are, their needs and interests, and how they prefer to receive information.

2. Determine Your Print Materials

Once you have pinpointed your target audience, the next step is determining which print materials will be most effective for reaching them.

This may include business cards, brochures, flyers, magazines, newsletters, or postcards.

3. Design Your Materials

Having determined what materials you will use to reach your target audience, the design process can begin! 

The right images, colors, and fonts will resonate with your target audience and help reinforce your brand.

4. Select Quality Print Supplies

When printing your materials, don't overlook the importance of high-quality paper and ink to produce an eye-catching result.

Our expert team can advise you on the perfect products for your project! 

5. Track Your Success

After launching your print campaign, it is vital to track its success so you can determine what is working and where improvements need to be made.

This critical business strategy could include tracking website visits, social media engagement, and direct contact with your leads.

Capturing Leads Through Printed Materials

Integrating traditional and online marketing methods could prove invaluable in attracting more leads than either strategy alone. Consider these suggestions:

Personalized Mail

Using personalized letters to reach customers is a foolproof way to increase response rates.

To create an immediate bond with readers, tailor your direct mail campaigns to each region by incorporating local landmarks or events.

Response Cards

Direct mail campaigns are a great sales booster.

Your direct mail campaign can create incredible conversion rates with the right incentives and attractive offers.

Maximize this opportunity by creating attractive brochures and including order forms that can be sent back via the mail.

Consider using this for customer feedback surveys to identify areas where your business could grow.

Promote Online Resources with Print Products

Enhance your social media competitions by asking customers to post images of your product or store and include a unique hashtag only available through direct mail, postcards, or posters.

This is an effective way to ensure that participants have seen your print materials and are engaged in the promotion.

Business Cards

Exchange business cards with potential customers in a professional setting to ensure that your lead-generation efforts are successful.

You can ensure each party gains contacts or leads by taking the initiative and exchanging cards during networking events.

You could print specialized cards for trade shows or events demonstrating how your business fits in with the exhibition to stand out and make a lasting impression.

This will create an unforgettable memory of you and your brand - plus, quick follow-ups are an excellent way to rapidly grow your network of connections and possible sales opportunities.

Are you looking to increase the reach of your print marketing materials? We can help. Contact us for print media that is sure to make an impact! Call Now! 516-561-1468

 

5 Valuable Ways to Make 

Customers for Life

Customers make or break your business.

And while companies focus their budgets and time on attracting new customers, they often lose sight of their most important asset: Current customers.

Companies across the U.S. are losing $62 billion per year due to poor customer service. Don't let that happen to your business.

5 Valuable Ways to Make Customers for Life

1. Start a Loyalty Program

Did you know that about 68% of loyal customers will join a loyalty program if offered?

Customer loyalty programs, sometimes called customer retention programs, effectively increase purchase frequency because they spur customers to buy your product or service more often.

2. Offer a Discount for Returning Customers

Everybody likes to save money.

So, tuck a coupon into the bag when you're ringing up a sale, and tell the buyer about it, so they don't miss it. Not only will these offer help improve your sales, but they'll help improve loyalty among customers.

According to Statista, 92% of consumers in the U.S. used coupons when making purchases last year.

3. Celebrate Your Customers

Recognizing your core and loyal customers goes a long way.

It might take a little more time than sending a quick email or phone call, but when you thank your customers from day one, you build momentum to help your business succeed.

Simple signs of gratitude include a handwritten note, a birthday card, giving back to causes close to your customers, noticing customers who go above and beyond, or offering a free service or product during a challenging time. 

4. Invite Customers to a Special Event

While online events seem to get the most fanfare, there is no replacement for face-to-face customer interaction.

That's why customer events drive loyalty. Everyone likes to be part of an exclusive group! 

Organize round tables with your company's executives or yourself if your business is small. Give them a sneak peek of what's coming next, or ask them for feedback on a new product or service. Another option is an after-hours client reception focusing more on guest entertainment than business goals.

5. Keep a Customer Communication Calendar

Whether you run a small or large business, initiative-taking communication should be a top priority.

Manage customer engagements and create opportunities to build brand loyalty. 

There are so many ways to reward and retain your loyal customers, and we can help! Contact us today to learn how we can help you, from loyalty cards and invitations to coupons and more! 

Call Now! 516-561-1468

 

Paper Shortage: 

What You Need to Know

Paper is a critical resource and an essential part of our daily lives.

If you didn't know, a paper shortage started last year and will likely continue in the coming year. In times of uncertainty, it helps to have all the information, so let's talk about it! 

Understanding and Planning for the Paper Shortage

The Paper Shortage Issue

In recent years, a few North American paper mills closed their doors as aging infrastructure and rising labor costs, combined with strict environmental regulations, made it increasingly difficult to keep up with the competition.
 
Many mills have switched from paper production to packaging to replace this lost capacity. This shift to a focus on packaging resulted in nearly 20% less paper production from 2019's supply. Many companies are stockpiling more paper in anticipation of a continued shortage expected in the coming year.

In the past few years, we also experienced a pandemic-induced shortfall in supply. This has led to reliance on overseas sources, which comes with its own set of obstacles. Recently, there have not been enough containers or ships to transfer materials made and acquired by US markets in the Pacific. 

The shortage has highlighted the need for increased global collaboration to ensure that international trade and supply chains are as resilient as possible.

Paper Shortage Implications

We will do everything we can to keep you on time and budget throughout the shortage.

But we do want to acknowledge that it is possible, at some point, you could experience an increase in price as we, too, are experiencing an overall marginal rise in prices across the industry.

It is also possible that some print materials, such as specialty paper stock, will be harder to obtain. So, if you have a particular project in mind that requires a specialty paper, the sooner you can let us know, the more time we have to obtain the materials.

If you are working on a project with a tight timeline, we will happily offer you suggestions based on what we already have in stock to speed up the process. 

Paper Shortage Solutions

These excellent opportunities can help you stay on track with your business objectives during this time of paper shortage:

• Proactive planning with lead times
• Maintaining an open line of communication throughout the entire printing process
• Considering sustainable sources of paper, such as recycled paper and alternative materials

And here's what we are doing as a business and an industry: 

• Advocating for increased reforestation efforts to help replenish the world's forests
• Staying informed about changes in the supply chain that could impact our business operations
• Monitoring pricing trends to anticipate potential cost increases due to shortages and advise you in the process

While this is a real challenge, it doesn't mean that print materials have lost their place in marketing and advertising strategies!

In fact, with many businesses relying on digital media, a well-designed printed item can stand out from the crowd and make a big impression. 
 
Print advertising has never been more valuable than it is today!

Whatever your print needs, we've got you covered. Contact our team today to get started on your next print project. Call: 516-561-1468 or Visit Our Website: www.printcafeli.com

 

4 Top Reasons to Use 

Direct Mail to Help Build 

Your Brand

It would be best to build brand awareness when you start a business or revamp its image. So what's the best way to do this?

Direct mail!

Not only is it what your customers want, but it's also incredibly effective. Research shows that 73% of customers prefer direct mail over other marketing channels! And according to the Data & Marketing Association, in 2019, the average response rate for direct mail campaigns was 9%, and consumers engaged with 96% of direct mail.

So, why not take the plunge into direct mail?

4 Top Reasons to Use Direct Mail to Help Build Your Brand

Direct Mail is Terrifically Tangible

Unlike digital marketing and social media, direct mail requires you to touch it.

You may think digital is the way to go because people are always online. But the reality is that they are bombarded with online ads that they tend to ignore.

Direct mail, on the other hand, requires the viewer to pick it up and read it to take action, whether it's throwing it away or hanging it on the fridge. 

Furthermore, this tangible experience is significant in trust-building. It acts as social proof of your brand authenticity, which is excellent for your awareness-building marketing efforts.

Displays Your Expertise

Delivering whitepapers, reports, guides, newsletters, etc., to customers, without a call to action can help you grow awareness and develop trust.

Sending this type of content to customers sets you up as the expert. They will create an image of your business that causes customers to turn to you when they need your expertise.

Shows Your Audience You Know Them

Direct mail can pinpoint the right people at the right time.

Brand awareness means you know your target audience and get suitable marketing materials in front of them at the right time.

Direct mail is perfect for this as you can mail it out at the right time and send it to a targeted audience.

Improves Recall and Builds Trust

A growing body of evidence suggests that consumers trust direct mail because of the unique way that paper-based advertising connects with the parts of the brain that control how we feel and remember things.

A 2015 study by Canada Post showed that direct mail marketing "requires 21% less cognitive effort to process and elicits a much higher brand recall" than digital media. This helps build trust and recall.

Direct mail also involves more emotional processing than other channels, which is essential for memory and brand associations. As a result, your customers will remember your efforts more when you send direct mail.

When you use direct mail, you boost your image and build brand awareness. And when it's time to create something new, you know where to go. Contact us today! Call: 516-561-1468 or Visit Our Website at: www.printcafeli.com

 

The 60-30-10 Color Rule: 

How to Use It in Print Marketing 

(and When to Break It)

Designing eye-catching postcards, brochures, and business cards for your company might seem daunting- especially if you don’t have a background in graphic design.

But don’t fear! It’s easier than you think to bring visual appeal to your print marketing.

Follow this simple principle for how to use color, and you’ll be on your way!

5 Steps to Use the 60-30-10 Color Rule in Print Marketing

1. Choose Three Colors for Your Print Product

To begin, choose three colors that represent your company well.

If you have a signature color, use it as one of your three! And keep in mind that different colors communicate different emotions and meanings to your customers.

You should also make sure to select colors that fit together. If your colors clash, it will decrease the visual appeal of your design. 

A foolproof way to choose three colors that look well together is by choosing either analogous or complementary trios. Analogous colors are next to each other on the color wheel (ex. orange, red, and yellow), while, to determine one color’s complementary matches, you should draw a line straight across from it and then choose the two (ex. blue, red, and orange). 

2. The 60%

Next, you’ll need to designate which color will be the base of your design.

Following the rule, this first color should occupy 60% of your print marketing piece. 

This color will fill the most space, so it shouldn’t be the most vibrant of the three you’ve chosen. You can use this color for your primary background or large text blocks. 

3. The 30%

This will be your secondary color, which will take up 30% of the space in your printed piece.

It’s intended to draw attention to the more critical parts of your design. 

It’s wise to use this color for any headlines, sub-section titles, bolded words, or statistics within the text of your ad.

4. The 10%

Your final color is your accent color, which will only take up 10% of the space in your design.

This should also be the most vibrant and bold of the three you’ve chosen. 

This third color is best used to make your call-to-action stand out from the rest of your design. It draws your customer’s eye toward the piece you want them to interact with: a QR code, contact information, link to a social media account, or coupon code. 

5. Breaking the Rule

Maybe your company has a design idea, and it will take more than three colors to bring that idea to life. Don’t stress!

The 60-30-10 rule is a helpful way to get started with your use of color, but going outside the box is perfectly fine!

If you want to emphasize more than just one part of your print design, consider choosing two accent colors for your 10%- 5% of one and 5% of the other.

Another impactful idea is to go monochromatic. Rather than choosing three complementary colors for your design, you could use different shades of the same color.

Don’t be afraid to create your own formula if it feels right! Use the principles in the 60-30-10 rule to get started, but once you’ve got an idea of how different colors and shades work together, you can break the rules and find a balance that works for you.

Contact us today for expert advice on the best colors, paper, and print for your next campaign! 

Call: 516-561-1468 or Visit Our Website at: www.printcafeli.com