A new year brings the perfect chance to reset, and that includes how your print business shows up on paper. January’s marketing lineup is centered around the power of first impressions. From invoices to thank-you notes, print buyers are reminded that every printed piece can reinforce their credibility, elevate their brand, and build trust at every touchpoint. Whether you’re adding levity with a laugh-out-loud newsletter, educating with web content, or launching a full-scale promotion, these print and digital tools help your clients look professional and polished as they start 2026 strong. Here’s what’s available to help you and your print buyers kick off the new year with clarity and confidence. Direct Mail for Printers Options FastStart Print Type: 8.5″ x 11″ Foldover Self-Mailer and  5.5” x 8.5” Postcard with Bleed For January, the FastStart campaign shifts focus to stationery with the bold headline: “Set the Standard for 2026.” This package emphasizes the power of professional letterhead to build momentum and reflect credibility, from thank-you notes to internal memos. Messaging like: “An image that builds momentum”“Make every impression count” …encourages businesses to use high-end materials that leave a lasting impact. Plus, an optional limited-time 10% off coupon incentivizes early orders and


Most printers are experts at producing the postcard, the brochure, or the email that starts a marketing campaign. The design looks sharp, the colors are on brand, and the message is clear. But after the campaign goes out, the next step often never happens. The phone doesn’t ring, no one follows up, and the conclusion is that the campaign “didn’t work.” In reality, marketing campaigns fail when there’s no follow-up plan in place. Great campaigns are not one-and-done efforts. They’re a series of connected moments that build recognition, trust, and ultimately, action. What you do after the first impression determines whether your campaign succeeds or falls flat. Let’s walk through what a strong follow-up looks like for a simple postcard campaign, something that works whether you’re a one-person shop or managing a whole production team. Step 1: Begin With a Clear Goal Before anything goes to press, decide exactly what you want to happen next. Are you trying to get people to request a quote? Do you want them to visit your website? Stop by your location? Each of those goals requires a slightly different follow-up path. For example, if your postcard encourages people to visit your site, your next


As the year nears its close, savvy printers know that early preparation equals better marketing results, especially during the high-traffic, high-expectation holiday season. This month’s marketing lineup is built to help you and your customers get ahead, with campaigns centered around one of the most impactful but underutilized formats: the printed event program. From holiday concerts and year-end fundraisers to corporate banquets and recitals, these pieces help your clients stay organized, look professional, and leave a lasting impression. And when you start now, you give your shop the time to print, personalize, and promote with ease. Whether you’re mailing a fun newsletter, launching a polished promo, or uploading fresh website content, here’s everything you need to deliver meaningful print marketing before the year wraps up. Direct Mail For Printers Options Coffee Break Humor Newsletter Print Type: Folded NewsletterSize: 8.5″ x 14″ flat, trifold self-mailer>> Download Samples Showcasing laughter and levity, the Coffee Break newsletter brings big smiles and subtle brand building to your December mailings. This issue is filled with chuckle-worthy holiday humor like: “Me: My 2025 goals? Eat less sugar, exercise more, and print smarter. Printer: Well, one out of three ain’t bad.” “What did the janitor say when


There’s something powerful about being the local printer. You’re not just another vendor; you’re a familiar face in the community. You print the school programs, the restaurant menus, the nonprofit flyers. You probably know the people behind at least half of the businesses you serve. That connection is your competitive advantage. The challenge? Making sure your customers see it, remember it, and feel it, especially online. Here’s how to turn “local” from a tagline into a marketing engine that helps you sell more printing. Make Local Obvious “Local” isn’t something to mention once on your About page. It should show up in the way your brand feels, looks, and communicates. When people visit your website, they should immediately know you’re nearby and part of their world. Use real photos, not stock ones. Showcase your shop, your team, and your town. Talk about the people you serve and the causes you support. You don’t need to say “we’re local” if your story already proves it. MI4P’s Base Website design helps bring this authenticity to life. The built-in photo galleries and homepage sliders make it simple to feature your community, not just your products. The goal: when someone lands on your site,


Print buyers aren’t comparing paper stocks or binding styles. They’re deciding who they trust to help them get results. That decision is rarely about logic alone. Studies on persuasion, like Robert Cialdini’s Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, show that people make choices based on emotions first, then back them up with facts. For you, as printers, that means your marketing should go beyond listing products and prices. It should connect with the underlying motivations that drive buyers to act. Here are five proven ways to do that. 1. Encourage Your Print Buyers’ Dreams Your buyers don’t dream about ink coverage. They dream about a successful event, more sales, or customers who actually remember them. If you talk about postcards as “cheap to mail,” you’ll lose them. But if you describe postcards as a way to “get more people through the door,” you’ve aligned with what they actually care about. That’s persuasion 101: connect your product to their aspiration. In your own campaigns, swap product-driven copy with dream-driven copy. For example, instead of “EDDM postcards starting at $0.15 each,” try “Fill more seats at your next event with a simple, targeted postcard.” Align your products with outcomes, not specs. Printers who


You don’t have to convince your customers that gratitude matters, but you can show them how print makes it more personal, more powerful, and more likely to be remembered. The November content lineup (available now) is built around folded cards: a format that offers a simple, timeless way to say thank you, reconnect with loyal clients, or stand out with elegance during the busiest season of the year. From laugh-worthy newsletters and thoughtful appreciation campaigns to marketing tips that bridge print and tech, each piece is crafted to help you spark stronger connections, elevate your value, and sell more print before year-end. Whether you use one or all, here’s how to put this content to work for your print business. Direct Mail For Printers Options Coffee Break Humor Newsletter Print Type: Folded NewsletterSize: 8.5″ x 14″ flat, folds to 8.5″ x 7″ If you want to stay top-of-mind in a light, low-pressure way, the Coffee Break newsletter is your go-to. This edition delivers seasonal humor, quirky trivia, and a December calendar that gives people a reason to keep it on the fridge or in the breakroom. This month’s featured jokes include: “I cleaned out my inbox. Now I only have


This blog can be summed up in one thought: Don’t underestimate how many times print buyers will land on your website, click around for a minute, and then disappear without contacting you. It happens every day. And it’s not a bad thing. Prospects aren’t always ready to place an order yet. And that’s okay. Sometimes, they’re looking for answers. And if your website isn’t answering their questions, they’ll find another printer who will. That’s where blogging (and website content) comes in. It’s common to hear printers say things like, “We don’t need all this content. We just need to sell printing. Amazon doesn’t blog, and they’re doing fine.” But here’s the difference: Amazon sells to consumers (B2C). Most printers are selling to other businesses (B2B). And in B2B, content isn’t optional: it’s the fuel that builds trust, answers questions, and creates confidence before a sale ever happens. Blogs Position You as the Print Expert When your buyers are unsure what kind of mailer will work best for their campaign, where do they turn first? Google. If your blog answers their question, you’ve already earned trust before they even contact you. Research shows that companies that blog get 55% more website


Ever tried to get back to the gym after months away? The first workout feels like starting from scratch. Muscles that used to feel strong are sluggish. Progress is slower. Motivation is harder to come by. Marketing works the same way. Many printers hit pause and put marketing on the back burner when things get busy, when money feels tight, or when they assume one big push will cover them for months. But just like skipping workouts, stopping your marketing means you lose the strength you’ve built. And the longer you stay away, the harder it is to rebuild. “People often say motivation doesn’t last. Neither does bathing—that’s why we recommend it daily.” – Zig Ziglar What Happens When You Let Your Marketing Muscle Rest Too Long Think about what happens when you stop working out. At first, you don’t notice much. But over time, your strength fades, your endurance drops, and the progress you made slips away. Marketing is no different. Your audience drifts. Clients have short memories. If you stop showing up, they don’t wait around. They fill the silence with someone else’s voice. Maybe it’s a competitor’s postcard in their mailbox, or another shop staying active on


As autumn settles in with its mix of urgency and opportunity, here are several ways you can make the most of the season’s momentum. October often signals a pivot point: end-of-year planning, pre-holiday promotions, and the push to stay relevant in a busy marketplace. But not every campaign needs to be big and complex. This month’s content proves that small, focused print pieces—like rack cards—can pack a powerful punch when done well. Whether it’s creating visibility in high-traffic spaces, supporting fall events, or providing grab-and-go marketing, October’s lineup leans into clarity, confidence, and connection. From newsletters that make readers laugh to marketing tips grounded in timeless principles, here’s a look at the content your clients can count on to drive results this month. Direct Mail For Printers Options Coffee Break Coffee Break brings the laughter once again in October’s issue with clever jokes, seasonal wit, and engaging side content that keeps your brand top-of-mind. This 8.5×14″ direct mail newsletter keeps the tone light but the connections strong. Sample jokes include: “Would you like to round up for charity?” Me: “Only if I can round myself down for taxes.” Friend: “What are you dressing up as for Halloween?” Me: “Someone who


We’ve heard it before, and maybe you’ve even said it yourself: “I delete most of the emails I get. I don’t think email really works.” It’s an honest thought. But here’s the thing: you aren’t your print buyer. Just because email doesn’t resonate with you doesn’t mean it doesn’t work. In fact, many of your print buyers rely on email as their primary way of hearing from businesses they trust. Some aren’t active on social media. Some toss printed mail in the trash. Some skip websites altogether and just wait for updates to hit their inbox. Visibility For Printing Companies Matters If you’re not showing up where your customers are paying attention, even if that’s not where you prefer to engage, you’re invisible.And when you’re invisible, you’re forgotten. That “I didn’t know you did that” moment?That’s the sound of a missed opportunity echoing in your inbox. You’re Not Trying to Reach Everyone. Just the Right Someone. It’s easy to assume your audience behaves like you do. But marketing works best when you meet people where they are, not where you wish they were. Even if 90% of your list scrolls past your email, that remaining 10% may be your best


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