Marketing print collateral
We live the age of digital advertising. But in a digital world, is print completely dead? Not necessarily. Print collateral still has a place. When meeting with clients, brochures, catalogues, flyers, business cards are commonly passed on, or exchanged amongst entrepreneurs and business owners.
Brochures are a great way to give customers the marketing information they need, all in one easy-to-read print. Brochures are sturdier than flyers and they are meant to be used as reference material to customers. Choosing the right finish for your brochures depends on what element of your design needs to stand out—the colors and imagery, or the messaging. A glossy finish will boost the colors; matte, on the other hand, makes text more readable.
Few marketing materials work better for displaying your products than a catalog. Even in the digital age, catalogs connect with consumers and drive them toward your website.
Flyers are usually unfolded and have a shorter lifespan than brochures. Whether you’re making flyers for direct mail or a tradeshow, they are an inexpensive way to get the word out about your event or product to a lot of people quickly.
Few print mediums offer up more options to accommodate personal style than business cards.
As a rule, business cards should be printed on nothing less than 13 pt. cardstock for the crisp, heavy feel you associate with a good-quality card. Business card papers come in a range of textures and patterns to suit your personal aesthetic, as well as a variety of non-paper options such as metal, plastic, and even wood. Of all marketing media, business cards really offer up the most creative space to show off your branding. Choosing a classic matte finish card is the traditional look, but pairing strong colors and imagery/photos with a semi-gloss or glossy finish will attract attention.
For posters, as a general rule, the larger the print, the heavier the paper you will need to print on. Other factors you’ll want to consider include the longevity of the print and the cost, as large prints can get expensive quickly. The type of visual effect you want to create with your poster will rely heavily on the type of paper you choose. Glossy prints have the look and appeal you expect from movie posters, whereas matte finishes will lend an air of sophistication to the look of the poster.
While we’re on print collateral, let’s talk about your stationery. Business stationery is usually in a white, off-white, or cream color printed on a matte text paper. Depending on your industry, you can choose a textured or plain text or bond paper and get great results.
If you’re unsure how to develop a brochure, catalog or any other form of marketing print collateral, contact us for a free consultation. We’re happy to help.