Custom greeting cards are a great way to send a highly personalized message to customers, friends, and family. And today’s software packages have made it easier than ever to create a completely custom greeting card for the holiday season. Here are five easy steps you can follow to create the perfect custom greeting cards and one BONUS tip to use when selecting your printing options. Following these steps will help you take your initial design concept and bring it to a fruitful – and beautiful – conclusion.
Select a Custom Greeting Card Template – Most professional printing firms will supply you with downloadable templates to help you lay out the design of your custom card. Think about whether you want a horizontal or vertical card, flat or folded and the size you prefer. Then check the templates your online printer provides. Once you have downloaded the correct template, you can begin designing your custom greeting card using your favorite software.
Choose a Theme - Choose a theme for your greeting card, such as a holiday or special occasion. This is an important step so that you know what kind of graphics and text to put on your custom greeting cards. There are an abundance of themed images for public use that can be found on the internet and many that are often paired with certain software programs. The sheer number of available graphics can be overwhelming, so having an idea in mind helps keep you able to narrow down your selections. Think about designs you have seen and liked, and try to incorporate a few of those elements into your own card.
Get Your Graphics – Once you’ve decided on your theme, you can start collecting your graphics. Keep in mind that most internet images are 72 dots-per-inch, but all professional printing should be done at a minimum 300 dots-per-inch. Some software programs come with a library of images and graphics usually sorted by theme and category. However, there are also many excellent resources online for free and legal high resolution graphics, such as Stock Exchange. The number and scope of graphics available can be awe-inspiring; so entering into your search with a good design idea in mind can help you narrow your search results accordingly.
Arrange Your Text and Graphics – Once you have gathered your graphics, you can begin to arrange them on your template. Keep your original theme in mind and use fonts that are easy to read. Remember when designing your card to not over-do it – keep your design clean and readable, so your theme and message gets across easily. If these are custom greeting cards for your business, don’t forget to include your logo and contact information.
Proof and Print – Finally, print off a test copy, usually referred to as a proof, to make sure what you see on your screen is what you’re going to get. Once everything looks right, save your file, and send it to your favorite print shop. Unless you are only printing only a few of your custom greeting cards, you should strongly consider using a professional print shop to print them as they will more than likely save you money and get you better results. Online printers also have a variety of paper stocks, coatings and other options available to make your custom card even more eye-catching.
BONUS TIP – Make It Extra Special – Check with your online printer to see what extras might be available to dress up your greeting card. A UV coating can make the simplest card look rich. A High Gloss UV coating adds a brilliant, eye-popping lacquer-like finish to the card, while a Dull UV coating gives the card a rich, matte-satin look and feel. Don’t forget to have your online printer add scoring and/or folding to your card to make it easy to prepare for mailing.
Using these six steps will help you design and create a custom greeting card your business will be proud send to all your friends, clients and business associates!
Filed under: Printing Help | Tags: commercial printing, customer service, file preparation, printer, printplace
The wealth of online printers has brought the once expensive and time-consuming use of professional printing to the masses. Working with an online printer isn’t difficult. Most online printers today have unique software systems and easy to use graphic interfaces so almost anyone can create a professional looking printed product with minimal fuss.
Online printing has become so commonplace, that even someone who is not a design professional can create a fabulous business card, brochure, booklet and more. Easy to use software programs, even that old standby, Microsoft Word, can be used to create your custom marketing piece. However, there are a few things that you should look for in an online printer and think about prior to submitting your work for printing. The following tips will make the process just a little bit easier.
User friendly transaction processes. One of the things that you should look out for when printing online is the transaction process. The processes of order placement, payment and uploading files should be smooth and very user friendly. The best online printers usually have a sequence of step-by-step processes that are easy to understand and that make it easy to see progress. Some of the things to look for might include:
- Easy to use options that allow you to select paper stock type, quantity, finish, front and back side printing and more.
- Instant online pricing.
- Online templates for all types of products and folds.
- Quick and easy upload processes.
- Instant online proofing.
- The ability to store old jobs for a period of time for easy reordering.
Easy to use templates. Templates make the process of creating printed materials much easier. The best online printers will provide free, downloadable templates for most any type of software being used. When you use a template, it will not only make the design process quicker and easier, but you will also gain a certain assurance that there will not be problems with your file when you upload it to the online printer. The printer should easily accept your design since it was made using their template.
Use high resolution images. To lessen any issues with your design images, it’s important for them to have high resolution. A lot of people make the mistake of putting low resolution images in their designs only to be disappointed when the final piece is returned with a pixilated look. To lessen any resolution issues, it’s important to use photographs or images that have a resolution of at least 300 dpi (dots per inch) or larger. A quick way to check what your file will look like on your printed materials is to view your work onscreen at 300%. If your image looks pixilated on the screen, there’s a good chance it will look pixilated on your printed piece as well.
Use the right color model. Your personal computer is probably set to display your piece in RGB color. While this mix looks vibrant on the screen, most online printers use a CMYK process for printing. It’s important that your files be submitted in CMYK color mode or the color on your printed piece will be off. To ensure you are creating your document in CMYK color, check the Help section of your software. It can tell you how to be sure you are creating in the correct color model. It is also important to keep in mind that variations in the color printed can be a result of the computer monitor not being calibrated to a printing press. If color is a concern, a hard copy proof should be made available (although there is usually a fee for this type of service).
Submit your layout in the correct format. Be sure to submit your file in a format that is accepted by the online printer. At PrintPlace.com, we accept files that are in .pdf, .tiff, .eps and .jpg formats. A .pdf file is preferred, and there are plenty of free and/or very low cost .pdf makers online if you don’t have one (do a search for free .pdf maker and you’ll see a wide variety of results). Online printers like PrintPlace convert your file into an immediate .pdf proof, so submitting in this format is a great way to see how the system sees your file. Be sure to follow all the printer’s other specifications for things like bleeds, embedded fonts and file resolution to ensure that your printed piece looks exactly the way you want it to.
Knowledgeable and friendly customer service. Finally, an online printer would understand that different printing companies have different printing requirements and that customers range from novices to expert designers and print brokers. The online printer you select should have a knowledgeable staff that can meet your service needs any way you choose – by phone, e-mail or live chat – to answer any questions you may have about your printing project. They should be able to answer questions from the simplest to most complex, like: Why do gang run printers require a bleed? Your prices are low, how good is the quality? Are sample packs freely available? What’s the difference between offset printing and digital printing? Understanding the online printer’s printing process will go a long way in helping you achieve your desired result.
Using these tips, and understanding your online printer’s submission specifications, will ensure your printed piece looks as good as you expect.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: advertising, branding, design, flyers, posters, print advertising
It’s every garage band’s dream to make it big. And today, with music mixing software and some studio time, you can create your own demo CD and market yourself to the world!
There are plenty of bands who have managers who book the dates and do their marketing. But when times are tough and there’s no official management, band members need to be able to wear a lot of different hats – including the one with “Manager” embroidered across the brim.
But whether you are employing a manager or doing it yourself, one of the very best tools available for marketing and promoting a band is the press kit. A press kit is by far the most professional way to introduce your band to a potential venue.
What few bands realize is the importance of working with a professional printing firm. Almost every element of your press kit will need to be professionally printed. As you read through these press kit essentials, think about how best to promote your brand – and your band – with colorful graphics and catchy lingo.
Press Kit Essentials
Make sure your press kit includes the following:
- Business card – This gives your customer an easy tool to find your contact information when they’re ready to call you.
- 8 x 10 glossy photo – Your customers want to know what they’re getting, so send them an 8 x 10 glossy photo so they can see what you look like. For a personal touch, sign it and mention the name of the venue – a very cool touch that begs your photo to be posted on the venue’s “Wall of Fame.”
- Artist Bios – Make sure to include an artist biography that tells a little about the history of your music or your band. Make sure that the section also includes some references from other venues, if at all possible.
- Press Release – Many venue owners would gladly submit a press release about an artist that they will be featuring at their venue. Often, they do not have the time to write one of their own, so include a press release to make their job easier.
- Posters and Flyers – While many venue owners have their own network for advertising, be sure to include some free posters and flyers where dates and times can be filled in. Besides, wouldn’t you rather have quality posters advertising your show rather than something someone put together in 5 minutes on a word processor program?
- A copy of your CD –You should always include your CDs so the owner can listen to your music. Many artists have begun to print CDs that are only for promotions and press kits. Don’t forget the CD liner notes! Professionally printed liner notes make you look like a major player.
- Presentation Folder – Finally, you need a professional folder to fit the entire press kit into. Make sure to at least put your mailing address, logo, and band name on the folder. Some artists are even printing full color folders to grab the venue owner’s attention.
As you can see, nearly every part of the press kit includes printed materials. So find a quality online printing firm – like PrintPlace.com - that can complete your project in a cost-effective-yet- professional manner – and ensure that your press kit is appropriate for venue owners.
Presentations can be intimidating for the presenter and even – unfortunately – boring at times for the audience. One way to lessen the intimation and reduce boredom is to have a presentation that includes your presentation and marketing materials in beautifully designed custom folders. Custom folders can enhance presentations on any topic to any audience. Here are some tips for a powerful presentation with the use of custom folders.
Custom folders are an attention grabber – A beautiful design on the glossy cover of your presentation folder will catch the attention of your audience. The design can be customized to the presentation of a new product being launched or simply a representation of your business logo, large and prominently placed. Custom folders immediately give your audience something to focus their attention on and can help guide their attention throughout the presentation. Instead of the audience’s mind wandering, they can focus on your folder and the information it contains.
Custom folders inspire confidence in your product – Selling is all about the confidence you have that your product can meet your customer’s needs. In addition to your spoken presentation and the points made in it, a custom folder gives the audience an impression of the confidence you have that your product will meet their needs. When your customers have confidence in your abilities, having your name and logo on the cover of a custom folder gives credence to all that it contains. Customers will trust your recommendation because they trust your judgment.
Custom folders hold information – Without the use of custom folders, at the end of your speech the audience will stand up and walk out perhaps never again thinking about the information you presented. With a custom folder, all of the information your customers need can be placed inside ahead of time, and when they prepare to leave they can take all of that information away with them. Custom folders are often printed with the business name and have a place to hold business cards inside in addition to product brochures and other marketing information. Organizing all of this information neatly for your customer helps bolster their confidence that you can manage their needs as well as you can manage your presentation.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: advertising, commercial printing, company, printing
The ever-increasing global move to green practices has made green marketing efforts a necessary part for businesses of all sizes and industries. Conserving resources and limiting waste are becoming just as important to customers as value and quality. Since marketing materials can be a big consumer of resources and a process that creates waste, it is an important area to concentrate on when it comes to green marketing practices that are good for you and your customers.
There are many different areas that marketing practices can be greened up as well as many areas of green responsibility that your business can market. Trends of conservations, responsibility, and value will continue to grow in the business marketing arena. Use the ideas below to help form a strategy of green marketing practices for your business that will be better for you and your customers.
- Choose the Right Vendors – A large part of marketing is printed material in the form of advertising brochures and posters, direct mail advertising, labels, and packaging. Many of these items are sourced to other vendors. Make sure you are aware of the practices of vendors before hiring them. If you are not sure, ask about their green practices. A printing company should be managing waste in two ways: by avoiding it and by recycling it. The paper stock they use for brochures, posters, labels, etc., may have recycled material in its composition. Inks should be vegetable based inks and inks with low volatile organic compound emissions being used, as opposed to petroleum based inks.
- Eliminate Your Office Waste – In addition to choosing vendors who are environmentally responsible, find ways you can eliminate waste in your own business. Take note and ask employees to report environmentally responsible practices they notice around the office. From energy efficient office equipment to healthy green grounds that help clean the air, measure and document as much as possible the savings your business is doing.
- Alert Your Customers – Finally, be sure to let customers know about the efforts you are making to use and encourage green practices in the marketing realm and in business operations. Add a little note to brochures, posters, and labels that they are printed on paper using inks with low volatile organic compound emissions. Add a paragraph to your sales brochures about your business’s green marketing and operations practices and about how you encourage vendors to use them as well. The collective reduction all of these little changes make adds up to be a big difference for you, your customers and future generations.
