Q&A: How Can I Use Print to Get 

My Business Noticed and 

Sales Funnel Overflowing?

It's no secret that you need to get noticed if you want your business to succeed.
 
But with so much competition, how do you stand out and ensure your sales funnel is overflowing?
 
Here's what the experts have to say!

Question: What are the most compelling printed products to help my business get noticed?

Answer: The tried-and-true method of printed materials remains one of the most effective ways to get your business noticed.
 
Business cards, flyers, and brochures are great for getting people interested in your company and its services.
 
But don't forget the power of mailers – a well-crafted direct mail campaign can generate leads and drive sales.

Question: How can I use print materials to attract potential customers?

Answer: Make sure your print materials are eye-catching and attractive. Research the colors, fonts, and images that best convey your message.

Be sure to include all the critical information, like your business name, logo, website URL, contact numbers, and a brief description of what you do.
 
Additionally, be creative with text, such as puns or jokes, to make reading fun and interesting.

Question: Are there any tips on maximizing the visibility of my printed material?

Answer: Print materials can be highly effective, but if you don't get them into the right hands, they won't help you.

Make sure to target your audience appropriately – think about their age range, where they live, and their lifestyle.
 
Local events and trade shows can be great places to distribute printed materials. Consider leaving brochures and flyers at nearby cafes, libraries, or even in the mailboxes of potential customers.

Question: How can I ensure the right people see my flyers, brochures, and posters?

Answer: Word of mouth is always a powerful tool – talk to community members and ask them to help spread the word about your business.

You can also use social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter to promote your materials. Create digital versions of your flyers, brochures, and posters for sharing online. 

Question: How often should I print promotional materials to stay top-of-mind with potential customers?

Answer: It depends on the kind of business you have and how often your promotions change.

If you frequently change your promotional materials, printing new copies every few months or so is best.
 
But if your promotions vary infrequently, printing once a year should be enough to keep customers informed.

Question: Are there any other ways I can use printed products to get more customers?

Answer: You can also use printed products as incentives or rewards for your existing customers!

Offer a discount coupon or a freebie with a purchase to encourage people to return and shop with you again. You can even create loyalty cards with discounts or special offers after customers accumulate points.
 
If you're looking for an effective way to get your business noticed and increase your sales, contact us today!
 
We can help you create compelling print materials to catch potential customers' attention and give your business an edge. Let us show you how the right printed products can be a great asset in helping your business succeed! Give Us A Call Today! 516-561-1468

9 Tips for Creating a Successful 

Coupon Marketing Strategy

A well-crafted coupon marketing strategy has the potential to not only drive sales but also enhance brand awareness and loyalty.

Coupons can entice potential customers and encourage repeat purchases by offering attractive discounts, exclusive deals, and personalized incentives. Additionally, leveraging data analytics and customer insights can provide valuable information to fine-tune your strategy and maximize its effectiveness.

With a strategic approach and thorough research, you can develop the right plan to help you achieve your goals and establish a strong connection with your target audience.

Achieve Your Marketing Outcomes with These 9 Effective Coupon Strategies!

Check out these nine key strategies to make the most of your coupon marketing campaigns.

1. Have a Goal

Whether you want to drive traffic or increase sales volume, determine specific goals and objectives for your coupon strategy.

This will help you measure the effectiveness of your efforts and ensure that they align with your overall marketing objectives.

2. Know Your Audience

Start by researching your target audience and what motivates them.

Understand their needs, values, preferences, and purchasing behavior so you can tailor your strategy and create coupons that will be most attractive to them.

3. Strike the Right Tone

Choose an appropriate tone for your coupons that reflects your brand voice.

Do you want to sound professional, friendly, or fun? Think about your target audience and pick a tone that best resonates with them.

4. Focus on Attractive Design Elements

Create eye-catching visuals for your coupons.

Whether you are designing a physical voucher or an online one, make sure it stands out and catches the eye of potential customers.

5. Make Your Message Clear

Make sure to clearly state the discount amount and any other relevant details, such as expiration date, in a prominent place on the coupon.

6. Provide Multiple Offers

Consider creating different types of coupons for additional products or services your business offers.

This can help you target different customer segments and tailor your campaigns for a specific audience.

7. Reward Brand Loyalty

Offer exclusive discounts or rewards to loyal customers as part of your coupon strategy.

This is a great way to reward those returning and encourage them to remain faithful to your brand.

8. Consider Creative Coupon Contests

Run contests or sweepstakes to attract more customers and encourage them to use coupons in exchange for a chance to win attractive prizes.

9. Track Your Success

Measure the success of each coupon campaign by tracking redemption rates, sales, and ROI over time.

Constantly evaluate your coupon strategy and adapt it when needed to stay ahead of the competition and remain competitive.

With the right approach, coupons can boost your sales and increase customer loyalty.

Want to put the power of coupons to work for you? We are your expert coupon marketing team. Contact us today to start planning your next coupon campaign. 

Call 516-561-1468

 How to Ask Customers for Feedback 

(And What to Do with It)

Regardless of your business type, customer feedback is one of your most valuable resources.

Make no mistake: your customers have opinions. There are aspects of your operations that they love and want more of. There are aspects that they could be more enthused about. Disregarding this actionable insight would mean missing out on an opportunity to enhance future interactions.

Thankfully, that doesn't have to be the case. Soliciting customer feedback not only provides a roadmap for continuous improvement but also demonstrates a genuine concern for their input, thus increasing customer loyalty at the same time. 

Here are three practical approaches for collecting customer feedback and helping them feel comfortable sharing their opinions with you.

3 Ways to Ask Customers for Feedback 

1. Email Surveys 

One easy way to ask customers questions and get legitimate answers involves sending out surveys.

Make the survey brief enough, or you risk overwhelming someone or giving them an excuse to put it off. Try to limit it to five to ten questions via a survey that takes no more than a few minutes to complete.

Keep in mind that with email surveys, you're essentially playing a "numbers game." Because email is so easy to use, it's also easy for people to ignore it. You can't expect ten responses if you send out ten survey emails. But if you send enough of them, even if only 5% of the people respond, that's still a great starting point to understand better what people think about how you're doing.

2. Focus Groups

Conducting focus groups is another great way to ask real customers questions and get honest feedback.

The best practice is to bring in a third-party moderator. They'll collect all the feedback and present it as a report.

It's important to note that success here depends mainly on the moderator's abilities. They need to know how to ask the right questions and pay attention to non-verbal cues like body language that could uncover actionable insight that may otherwise go unnoticed. 

3. Printed Surveys + Giveaways

A great way to leverage print marketing to solicit customer feedback is by holding contests or giveaways.

The premise is simple: all someone has to do is give you their opinion or fill out a comment card, and they get something free, e.g., a notepad, a donut, etc., or you can offer something bigger and enter them for a chance to win a prize.

People will likely be more receptive to this tactic because it is tangible, print collateral instead of an email. Likewise, people always want to win free items! It's a perfect chance to increase your response rate and gather intelligence in one fell swoop.

Utilizing Customer Feedback

You can utilize the data you receive in a couple of different ways.

If you get constructive feedback on anything from your logo to packaging to customer service, you can consider that when making future decisions.

If you receive positive customer feedback in the form of testimonials, you can incorporate it into your marketing efforts. Whether on print materials, online initiatives, or social media platforms, firsthand accounts offer authenticity that resonates with potential customers.

Customer feedback is a compass that guides your business toward innovation, improvement, and satisfaction. Embrace it!

If you need help with print and marketing to help your business thrive, please don't delay - contact us today.Call 516-561-1468

Black Friday Print Marketing 

Ideas for Small Businesses

Along with the cooler weather and changing leaves of Autumn comes the beginning of the holiday season. In the business world, Thanksgiving also means the arrival of Black Friday. 

According to Capital One Shopping research, the average shopper spends $430 on Black Friday. This is a massive opportunity for companies within any industry to make sales! 

Although often, large, well-known corporations are the first to come to mind for Black Friday sales events, in reality, Black Friday can be an extremely lucrative time for your small business, too. Planning your marketing right will become the perfect time to spread the word about your company.

3 Creative Ideas for Small Business Marketing on Black Friday

1. Create a Holiday Gift Guide

50% of surveyed consumers responded that they would spend the most significant amount of money while Black Friday shopping on gifts for others. 

Since Black Friday falls right at the beginning of the holiday season, most customers will use it to purchase many gifts for their friends and family. Especially as a small business, paying attention to what your customers are looking for will be important in creating a gift guide for your store.

Compile some of your most gift-worthy products- such as decor, toys, electronics, clothing, and more- and organize them in categories based on price point or the type of person that might enjoy those gifts.

Then, use bold, eye-catching colors (such as red or yellow) to design an engaging handout for customers to browse. Printed versions of your company’s gift guide can be mailed or tucked into customers’ shopping bags at checkout starting a few weeks before Black Friday. 

2. Focus on Loyal Customers for Black Friday

One of the reasons why customers will choose to make purchases from a small business is because they like the more personal, local experience.

Part of building up that personalized experience, especially on Black Friday, is showing gratitude to the customers who have shopped with you during other times of the year.

Consider creating a loyalty points program if your business doesn’t already have one. Mail out ads that announce the chance for double earnings of loyalty points for each purchase made during the Black Friday sales event, specialty Black Friday coupons to existing customers, or a perforated ticket that they can drop off in-store during the Black Friday event to be entered into a raffle. 

Especially since Black Friday is such a busy time in retail stores, your customers will love to receive a handout in the mail that adds a touch of personal value. And those specialized deals might attract new customers to join your loyalty program, too!

3. Elevate Your Exterior and Interior Signage

Catch the attention of passersby with boldly printed signage in your store windows advertising the upcoming Black Friday sales event!

Don’t forget to utilize print marketing for the interior of your store, too. Two-thirds of consumersreported being more likely to impulse-buy during Black Friday than any other time of the year.

Customers will come into your small business curious and ready to purchase. Printed signage can work even better than sales flyers when drawing customers’ attention toward hot sales and guiding them around the store from section to section. 

Hang signs from the ceiling, post them on endcaps of aisles, and hang smaller signs on shelves to point visitors towards new, sale-priced, or unique products. 

Don’t forget that when creating a gift guide, direct mail coupons for your loyalty program, or signage for your store, we are the place to go for high-quality print products and additional marketing tips! Head to our website and get started today at www.printcafeli.com or give us a Call at 516-561-1468

 

Preparing your Design for the Print Process By Max Trewhitt

Print is an incredible word. It has made its mark on all aspects of our lives. It is the end of one process and the start of another, replicating finished articles and etching them into the pages of history. Its fascinating origins and immense power have given humanity the chance to communicate thoughts and ideas right across the globe, effectively clearing the path for what is now a global civilization.

But enough of print’s romantic past, are you ready for the challenge of sending your graphic designs to print? If so, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at how to prepare graphic design projects for the printing process. From dos and don’ts to less obvious techniques, you’ll have all the confidence necessary to get your own print files up and running. So let’s dive into it!

Problems often encountered when printing

When you’re getting ready to send your designs off to the printer, there are a few common issues that can arise. Things like:

• Unexpected color output
• Low resolution
• Pixelated images
• Images that have disappeared
• Inadequate bleed margins leading to white borders around artwork
• Replaced fonts
• Sabotaged artwork
• Dealing with huge file sizes

In order to avoid this, you need to make sure that your design is properly prepared before sending it off. Let’s take a look at how you can do just that!

Steps into creating perfect print

Keeping color under control

The first step in preparing a design for printing is assuring that the colors you’re using are correct and the color space you’re using is compatible with the printer’s output device. If your file is using an RGB color profile, make sure it’s converted to CMYK before sending it off. CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key. It is a four-color printing process that uses the primary colors of pigment to create different shades and hues. In order to get accurate prints from a printer, it’s important to make sure your color space is set up correctly.

Knowing the difference between RGB and CMYK color systems is crucial to understanding the print process. This will ensure that the colors you see on the screen match those of the printer. However, using your screen as a reference is not going to guarantee 100% accuracy, and for those on-brand design projects, you may need to run test prints to get the color right.

In addition to making sure that the colors you’re using are correct, it’s also important to use Pantone (or spot) colors for logos and other special elements. This will ensure consistent color reproduction across different printing devices. Brand guidelines will often have color references such as Pantone and CMYK numbers to ensure these constraints are met. Perhaps you will create your own guidelines one day, in which case, have a look at this article on How To Pick The Right Color For Your Brand. You will be clued up in no time!

When printing is a fundamental part of your day-to-day projects, it is advised to have a physical Pantone swatch at hand as a reliable reference to colors in the real world. Pantone libraries or books are no longer freely available on Adobe’s programs. However, they are still available via a subscription. Perhaps this is something to consider when taking print seriously.

Preparing your fonts

Convert any text in your design to outlines. This will ensure that the fonts you use stay consistent, even if the printer doesn’t have the same typefaces installed on their machine. It also helps keep your file size down, as outlined fonts don’t need to be embedded into the document.

If you are able to provide the fonts used in your design, do so. This allows the printer operator to use precisely what you’ve used and ensures that everything is as it should be in any case where they need to change something at their end.

Check your design and clean up your artboard

Before sending your design off to the printer, you need to check everything is in order. Seeking out any spelling or grammar errors, as well as ensuring all of your text and graphics are properly aligned, keeping all elements at least 3mm from the edge of your artboard. Additionally, it’s important to clean up any extra elements on your artboard that may not be necessary. Take a look at this in-depth article on how to keep your designs clean. This will help keep the file size down and speed up the printing process.

Make sure your artwork has the correct bleed and cut marks. Bleed is when you extend any background colors or images beyond the edge of your design by roughly 3mm. This will ensure there are no white borders around the edge of your design once printed. Cut marks will indicate where the printer operator should trim off any excess paper in your design. Bleed and cut marks work hand in hand in achieving a flush finish, ensuring your final prints look exactly as intended right to the edge of the page.

Preparing your PDF for print

Once all the above steps are ticked off, it’s time to prepare your PDF for the printing process. This is an incredibly important step, as most printers require a PDF file for printing. When preparing your PDF, make sure to use the correct settings for the printer you’ll be working with. This will ensure that everything looks exactly as you intended once it comes out of the printer.

When creating a PDF for printing, you’ll want to use the correct presets. This includes choosing a ‘Press Quality’ or ‘High-Quality Print’ preset as well as selecting any other relevant settings such as color settings and resolution. It’s also important to make sure that all fonts are changed to outlines or embedded into the file before exporting it.

Checking compression and file types

When working on relatively small projects up to A1 size, it’s recommended that you set the resolution of your document to 300dpi in the PDF settings. Anything over and above, for example, working on billboard projects, you may need to consider working at a much lower dpi since bigger projects won’t be affected by its lack of close-up quality.

Additionally, make sure your images are saved in the correct file format. JPEGs are the most widely used file type thanks to their small file size and medium quality. However, TIFFs can hold more information at a higher file size leading to better quality.

When saving a PDF, you will have total control of the image compressions, allowing you to independently alter compression for Color Bitmap Images, Grayscale Bitmap Images, and Monochrome Bitmap Images. Getting the balance right will ensure that all of the graphics and images in your document are sharp and clear when printed out.

Preventing Illustrator editing capabilities

This is entirely optional. Preserving Illustrator editing capabilities will mean that recipients will be able to open and modify your artwork. Of course, this is welcome in some cases. However, to keep 3rd parties from altering artwork, it is advised to untick this option in the general PDF settings.

The last step before sending your design off to the printer is to run a test print. This will allow you to check for any color defects, errors, or issues that might have been missed during the design process. This is highly emphasized when printing off multiple copies or a batch. Once you’re confident that everything looks good, then go ahead and hit that print button!

Sending your print file to a 3rd party

Once you’ve got your design ready to go, it’s time to send it off to a third-party printer. Often the file will be too big to send as a standard email. However, these days, there are many different methods of sending files, such as:

• Email (files under 20mb)
• FTP servers
• Google Drive
• Dropbox
• iCloud
• WeTransfer

Depending on the printing service you’re working with, they may have their own preferred method of sending files. It’s always best to check with them beforehand to reassure that your file is promptly received and processed.

Many printers will require you to compress or zip up your print file before sending it off. This helps keep the file size down for easier transfer and also helps protect against any corruption during transit. Be sure to follow their instructions carefully when doing this.

When providing any fonts or other assets with your print file, make sure to include them in the zipped folder when sending it off. This helps keep everything organized and ensures that the printer has access to everything they need for successful printing.

Once all of the files have been sent, check in with the printing service to finalize the order on their end. This will ensure that they have everything they need and provide you the opportunity to address any last-minute changes and clear any questions before they begin printing.

Why it is important to count on a reliable printing company

It’s important to make sure that you’re entrusting your design with a reliable printing company. This will ensure that the quality of the final prints are up to standard and that there aren’t any unexpected delays or errors in the process. Taking the time to do your research on different printing companies can go a long way toward guaranteeing your design looks great once printed out.

One way to help make sure your design looks perfect when printed is to use a printing file review service. Professionals will check your files for any potential issues before they’re sent off to the printer. The reviewers will also provide helpful feedback and advice on how to improve the overall quality of your print files.

Sending your design to print can be an intimidating process, but it doesn’t have to be. By following these steps and using a reliable printing company, you can ensure that your design looks perfect when printed out. So take the time to do your research and make sure your file is properly prepared before sending it off. The results will speak for themselves! If you need more information or help setting up your files call today at: 516-561-1468

 

Myth or Legend: Understanding 

the Power of Direct Mail

In a world where everyone is glued to the screens of their smartphones and tablets all day long, it can be easy to underestimate the power of something like direct mail marketing.

It would also be a mistake!

Direct mail isn't just as effective as ever; it's arguably more popular, despite what certain myths would have you believe.

People Pay Attention to Direct Mail

One idea that has cropped up about direct mail over the years is that it is easily ignorable. Thankfully, this is false.

According to one recent study, about 42.2% of the people who receive direct mail regularly say that they read it entirely or at least scan it to get the gist. 

Now, think about that in the context of an email. Emails can wind up in a "spam" folder or be ignored entirely. If you catch someone at the wrong time of day, they may even hit "delete" and never think of it again without even considering what the message may have contained.

People Prefer Direct Mail

Another common misconception about direct mail is that it is somehow "less desirable" than email.

Some are operating under the incorrect assumption that just because digital technology is available, we want to use it 100% of the time. You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who would tell you this is the case.

But those supposed "downsides" work to direct mail's advantage. In 2021, the Direct Marketing Association conducted a study revealing that 73% of consumers prefer direct mail for brand communication. That's because it's tangible - they can hold it, feel it, and it's far easier to engage with than something like a digital ad. 

Shattering the Myths of Direct Mail Marketing

Especially given the fast-paced digital world we're now living in, two of the biggest myths surrounding direct mail over the years have to do with the idea that it is somehow A) labor-intensive and B) cannot be reliably measured the same way something like an email could be.

Again: both of these things are myths, plain and simple!

With the right partner by your side, direct mail isn't labor-intensive at all. The same types of automation tools that can send emails can also be used in the print realm. You're just getting all the added benefits of print that you don't get from its digital counterpart, like that it is unique, tangible, and much harder to ignore than something that can be permanently deleted in seconds.

Direct mail can also be tested and measured to prove how effectively your tactics work. You can still find metrics like your response rate and platforms that integrate print and digital campaigns, allowing you to enjoy the best of both worlds regarding insight. All of this is highly actionable information that you can use to improve the performance of your campaigns further moving forward. 

If you're interested in discovering more about how direct mail marketing is more powerful and effective than ever, or if you want to improve your printing and marketing efforts but aren't sure where to begin, please don't delay - contact us today. Call 516-561-1468

 

Need to Outshine Your Competition? 

Here Are 3 Ways to Do It With Print!

Your company's success depends on many different factors, each playing a vital role. While there are many things to consider when budgeting and creating marketing, it's important not to put too much emphasis on digital campaigns and overlook the power of print materials. 

According to a national survey, 82% of Americans find printed advertisements more credible than online ads! Print marketing can be incredibly beneficial for your company to increase brand awareness, engage existing customers, and boost sales. 

Here are some tips on using print marketing to give your company a competitive edge in your field! 

3 Ideas for Creative Print Marketing

1. Get Original with Shapes

Many companies will get creative with the graphic design and typography components of their print marketing, but one aspect that could help you rise above the competition is unique shapes and sizes! 

Consider putting a unique twist on the shapes and sizes expected for certain print materials. For instance, rather than a traditional rectangular business card, consider using a round, square, or other-shaped card (such as a leaf for a landscaping business) to stand out! 

Similarly, sending out larger-than-average postcards or using oversized envelopes might gain your recipients' interest. Even something as simple as using a different fold pattern for your brochures could help your brand stick in a consumer's mind!

Use various sizes and shapes in your coupons, mail pieces, signage, and more to distinguish your company!

2. Infuse Local Flavor 

One thing that most companies might not have considered is the value of connecting with your customers on a specific personal level- their location!

Data shows that 74% of consumers will respond to location-specific messaging.

Try this method by incorporating specific local landmarks, similar scenery, or references to the community and its values in your next print design. You could even team up with one of the local businesses to offer a discount or small freebie!

This will undoubtedly make your customers feel more valued and personally connected with your message. 

3. Add Some Life To Your Signage

Your company's signage is a powerful part of engaging and communicating with your customers.

Creating unique designs for the signs at your in-store location can make a difference in your customers' experience, setting you ahead of your competitors.

Remember that signs can serve two primary purposes- to inform your customers or to engage your customers. Great signage will accomplish both by including a visually appealing design and a clear call to action. Get creative with your signage's colors, designs, shapes, and sizes to be eye-catching.

One idea might be adding a sign advertising a sale or a new specialty item on the sidewalk or posted outside your store to draw customers inside. You could even print your company's name or add the company logo to the awning across your storefront if your location has one.

Now armed with these insights, it's time to differentiate and captivate with print! Reach out to us for personalized guidance, and let's amplify your brand's impact together. Give Us a Call at 516-561-1468