When it comes to printing promotional items for your business, there are now so many options available that it can be hard to figure out what might be beneficial for your company and what will simply be a waste of money. From the more traditional items – such as leaflets and business cards – to branded clothing, umbrellas or even packaging for sugary treats, there is so much to choose from that you really do have the opportunity to shape your marketing materials to be as unique as you are.
And of course, the more your promotional items stand out, the more likely it is that people will remember you and your business.
In particular, items that involve print design are increasingly popular these days, as not only are they a fantastic opportunity to get your brand out there and noticed, but if you can also manage to combine your printed materials with the products or services you provide, then they also become a brilliant way of bringing in new businesses.
But how do you know where to start? There are now so many possibilities that simply working out where to begin can give you a headache, but luckily that’s where North West Digital come in. So, if you’re looking for a little inspiration on how to produce the best printed promotional materials for your business, then read on to hear our 5 top tips.
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Make a Good First Impression
What’s the first thing that anyone engaging with your brand might experience? Yep, you guessed it; it’s the old trusty business card.
You probably have a pocket (or a classy holder, if you’re feeling flashy) full of your business cards, and the chances are that these will be the first thing your potential customers will see from your company. Particularly if you do a lot of networking, your business cards are invariably the first place your brand will have a chance to make an impression, so it’s crucial you get them right.
It’s very easy to underestimate the humble business card, but it’s so much more than just a way of passing someone your phone number. At the very least, you need to make sure your business cards are of a good quality and are well designed; a cheap and nasty business card never sends out a good impression about the way you do business.
There are also now plenty of ways to make your business cards not only good quality but also innovative and exciting; from cards that can be folded to create a pop-up image, specially shaped cards, inserts that can be removed and even cards that aren’t made from card at all, the possibilities are literally endless. And if you really want to stand out, then you can even get business cards made that contain a small flash drive, which the recipient can pop into their USB port to access whatever further information you want to pass on. How amazing is that?!
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Stand Out From The Crowd
Whilst it’s true that the volumes of postal adverts have decreased since the advent of email, it’s also true that we’re all still more than familiar with the problem of finding more advertising material on your door mat than actual post. And with printing services increasingly available for every budget these days (such as through our very own Copy Shop!), it is incredibly important that, if you are going to take the plunge and use direct mail and leaflets to reach out to your potential customers, it really must stand out from the crowd.
Despite the proliferation of online marketing, direct mail remains a valuable – and somewhat unrivalled – way of getting your branding straight into people’s homes, and of making them aware of any offers or promotions you may be running that they would otherwise be unaware of. However, if it doesn’t stand out from the crowd, you might as well throw that money straight down the drain.
Whether you choose to make use of a graphic designer or prefer to do it in-house, you need to make sure your leaflet is well-designed and eye catching. Often, a good rule to employ here is the ‘less is more’ principle, and don’t be afraid to try something different or be a little quirky. Also, as with your business cards, it’s advisable to use only the best quality materials; for example, a card with a higher GSM (grams per square metre) will not only look great but will also feel more special to the recipient than something dashed off on flimsy paper.
If you take a look at some of these examples of good and bad leaflets, you’ll notice you can easily tell which ones will stand out and which will get chucked straight in the bin;
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Get Carried Away
You know what promotional item we always find useful and never say no to? Tote bags! Believe us, there is no one in the world who doesn’t appreciate a good tote bag; they are incredibly useful to have on you, everyone uses them (especially now most carrier bags will cost you 5p!) and – most importantly – they are a brilliant way of getting your brand out there using print design.
Whether you choose to go for the standard canvas tote bag or prefer to go with one of those made from a thin material that can be folded down to save space, people will snap them up instantly and use them again and again. It’s the holy grail of promotional marketing, because you’ve provided your customers with something useful and, in turn, they’ve become a walking advertisement for your business – it’s a win-win situation.
As with the other forms of marketing though, don’t forget that this is still an advertisement for your business, so make sure it’s a product that shows your business off in the correct light. Plus, don’t be afraid to be creative with your bag designs; the more unique it is, the more it will be treasured and used, so whether you just go with your brand image or choose to get something fun or artistic created instead, make sure it’s good. If you do that, then you really can’t go wrong with having these in your promotional arsenal.
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Be A Sweet Heart
Whatever line of business you’re in, you’ll be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t enjoy a sweet treat every now and again; that’s why there are few ideas better than using branded sweets and chocolates to tempt people your way.
And the beauty of this promotional offering is in its versatility; basically, if you can think of it, then you can print your branded message on it. There really are no limits to what you can do, whether you want to go with individually wrapped luxury chocolates, quirky jars of retro sweets, handmade regional biscuits or even perhaps special, seasonal ginger bread houses (well it’s worked before…sort of), there will be an option out there that’s right for your business and your customers.
And however you want to use these promotional sweet treats, whether you send them out as gifts, use them to treat your visiting clients or hand them out at networking events, showing someone your sweeter side is a win-win approach to getting people on side.
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Don’t Let Your Customers Be Caught Out
What’s the one single item that is an absolute must-have if you live in the UK, but which none of us usually have to hand when we need one? Of course, it’s the trusty old umbrella!
How many times have you been caught out by the wonderful English weather and ended up turning up to an important meeting looking like a drowned rat?! Living in Manchester, it’s practically an everyday occurrence for us! That’s why showing your customers that you have thought about their needs and stopping them from suffering the same fate could really put you in their good books.
As with the tote bag, using branded umbrellas as promotional items, with your company logo or message on them, not only solves a problem for your client but also turns them into a walking advertisement for your business. And far from being the reserve of estate agents, company branded umbrellas are a fantastic way of getting your brand out there and noticed by people, no matter what line of business you’re in.
Get In Touch
Here at North West Digital, we’re experts on printing and, thanks to our own Copy Shop right here on the premises, we can pretty much print any promotional material you need. And, if we can’t do it for you in-house, we’ll know someone who can!
So, if you’d like to speak to us about how we can help you get your company name out there without breaking the bank, then please do get in touch with us today and we’ll be happy to help.
You can contact us in any of the usual ways; by email at info@, by phone on 0161 477 8950, or via the contact form on the website. Alternatively, pop in to the Copy Shop at Meadow Mill Industrial Estate on Water Street in Stockport and we’ll sort out what you need.