Digital marketing has taken off in a big way in the last decade or two. Social media marketing became a thing, while technology has wiggled itself into almost all aspects of our lives.
In this fast-paced world, one might think of printed marketing materials as a way of the past. However, ink and paper will always be part of our business strategies.
Printed marketing materials are something tangible, something real, not a jpeg or word document that you read on a screen. Having something you hold in your hands is a pleasure that technology will never replace.
In addition, it is often the first point of contact that a potential customer has with your business. You only get one chance to make a first impression, so your marketing materials speak directly to the customer to communicate your message, whether it is a business card, poster, or banner.
Perception is everything. Small businesses can look like big boys from their marketing materials and give the impression they are more successful than they are.
Multiple studies, including this one by the United States Postal Services, showed that potential customers recalled print ads more, had a more emotional connection, and spent more time reading.
Although reduced in the last decade or so, print marketing is here to stay and will always be an essential part of a company’s business strategy.
Let’s look at the various types of print materials and how they can benefit your business.
Leaflet Printing in Edinburgh
A product or service leaflet serves as an introduction to your potential customers, communicating quickly your key message, your product service offering, and a call to action to get in touch. Leaflets can contain coupons for discounts off a first order or time-specific special promotions.
They can be handed out on the street or dropped in homes. The cost of production is relatively cheap, especially if printed in significant quantities. Factor in the labour cost of hiring someone to distribute them on the street or a postal service to target residential homes, and you’ve got yourself a marketing campaign.
When designing your leaflet, simplicity is often vital. It is likely to be the first contact your potential customer has with your brand, so visually pleasing images, strong text, and catchy copy will make your message heard and read.
If your business is demographic dependent, you can also choose the leaflet’s distribution according to geographical location. For example, you can distribute leaflets for luxury products in high-end neighbourhoods, while businesses such as a gym or new shop opening can be targeting homes located in specific nearby areas.
Leaflets can be in several formats; single sheet, single folds, and many other options. Because of the wide distribution of leaflets and the high chance of going unread, keep the cost as low as possible, yet with an impactful design and copy to entice a response.
Booklets in Edinburgh
A thicker form of leaflets with more information, booklets should be sparingly distributed to potential customers that specifically request the information. They have multiple pages stitched together and contain much more information than a leaflet.
Examples of booklets include a portfolio of services and testimonials or a sales kit containing the most significant products.
The production cost of a 6-page booklet will be significantly more than a one-pager. As the prices climb, the distribution should decrease and only target specific customers as part of a lead generation strategy.
Printing Calendars in Edinburgh
Most folks these days look at their phones to refer to a calendar. Some also actively use it in daily lives, inputting meetings, deadlines, and to-do lists into the default calendar function on their phones.
However, nothing beats a well-designed calendar sitting at home or in the office, scrawled with several notes. At a glance, you see what’s going on that month with stunning, high-resolution images.
In addition, calendars get constantly looked at throughout the year by household members or other co-workers.
Calendars should also speak directly to the recipient to ensure usage. Images are key. You’ll want only the best pictures that are visually appealing to the recipients and their customers.
They also serve well in shops frequently by a particular demographic like pet owners. For example, a pet food brand handing out calendars to pet stores will expose its products to countless potential customers throughout the year.
Business Card Printing in Edinburgh
No matter how digital we get, nothing beats receiving a business card when you first establish a working relationship. It is the first impression that anyone has of your business and yourself.
There are 10 billion cards printed annually in the US alone, which roughly equates to 27 million a day! A study found that with every 2,000 cards handed out, sales increased by 2.5%.
Coloured business cards typically last ten times longer than plain black and white ones. A study by Statistic Brain found that 72% of respondents judge a business or service by the look of their business card. In addition, an additional 39% stated they wouldn’t consider doing business with a company with an inferior-looking card.
In addition to a striking design and impactful colours, unique finishes like matte laminated or custom die-cut can set you apart from your competition and make you stand out.
Some ideas on the information to include are:
- Name
- Title
- Company name
- Slogan
- Phone number
- Website address
- Social media presence
- Address
Whether you are a small business, a freelancer, or a major corporation, business cards will always be part of meeting new clients and establishing working relationships.
Poster Printing in Edinburgh
Printing posters have been around since we started printing in colour on an industrial scale. As far back as the mid-19th century, we have been using posters for promotions, advertisements, branding, and art.
Over 50% of survey respondents aged 22 to 38 years stated they notice outdoor posters. A recent survey by Outdoor Media showed 92% of shoppers saw an outdoor poster advertising half an hour before a purchase, while 82% impulse purchased something on the same day.
An attractive poster at eye level strategically placed can induce a strong response in potential customers, whether you are highlighting a sale, special promotion, or simply branding your product or service.
T-Shirt Printing in Edinburgh
The t-shirt is an essential part of any wardrobe, with many of us having multiple t-shirts as part of our clothing collection. Friends, family, employees will wear a well-designed t-shirt, and customers for many years to come, giving you excellent brand exposure by your brand ambassadors.
Employees – Studies have shown that employees wearing company t-shirts show their willingness to be part of a team, enhancing overall cohesiveness and job satisfaction.
Brand Exposure – Handing them out to customers and employees instantly turns them into walking billboards for your brand. A catchy slogan, funny text, and attractive design give excellent exposure to your company and will make an excellent first impression on potential customers.
Merchandising – Well-designed, good-quality t-shirts sell well and can be an extra revenue stream.
Commemorates Events – Having an event? Throwing a party? Print some commemorative t-shirts to give participants a souvenir of their participation. You’ll have walking advertisements for years to come!
Canvas Printing in Edinburgh
Personalize your work or home space with any custom print on canvas. Get creative; it could be a gorgeous print of your favourite travel destination, a tribute to your beloved pet, or a family photo.
An image of the highest quality must be used. It will be printed on a cotton blend canvas with a subtle textured effect. The canvas will then be stretched and wrapped over a thick wooden pine frame.
It can be the centrepiece of your home or a smaller print of more modest use. It can enhance the interior design of your home in a contemporary style and make it look like part of an art gallery!
About Crescent Print
We are one of the earliest print shops in Edinburgh and have been providing printing solutions to our customers for more than 60 years. We like improving our print technologies and benefiting our customers with improved savings, quality, and speed.
We have an in-house design team to help you with your materials if necessary and specialize in last-minute print services, often with little to no extra cost.
Same-day delivery is our thing. The time from when you submit your final artwork to receiving your prints can be a matter of hours.
No job is too small. We understand the challenges of small business owners and have several that have been printing with us for decades.
We also can handle print runs in the hundreds of thousands and have provided many outdoor signs or PVC banners to massive gatherings and festivals.
Drop in and have a chat with us at 301-303 Cowgate Street, which runs parallel to Royal Mile and is a 5-minute walk away from Waverly Train Station.
We are open from 9 am to 5.30 pm Mondays through Fridays. Come visit us and let us show you our past work from previous clients. We love sharing our work and look forward to meeting you!
