Design Archives - Marketing, content, & technology to help printers sell more printing

If you’ve been in an Adobe product as of late, you may have seen warnings flash on your screen telling you the end is near for Type 1 fonts. But what’s the deal? Should you be worried? While it’s not a fontpocalypse, it is worth paying attention to and may require action on your part before Type 1 fonts are completely removed in 2023. Here’s what you need to know. What are Type 1 Fonts? Type 1 fonts (also known as PostScript, PS1, T1, Adobe Type 1, Multiple Master, or MM) were developed in 1984 to encode vector-based design into a specific file format. Or, in other words, the purpose of these fonts was for professional typesetting. The vector technology of these fonts helped create and ensure the print quality that publications desired. At the time, Adobe only had two types of fonts, respectfully labeled after their internal specifications as Type 1 and Type 3 fonts. Type 1 originally contained 13 base fonts initially reserved as Adobe-only, while Type 3 was intended for more general use. In 1991, Apple was fed up with the hierarchy of Adobe-imposed limitations and decided to go their own way as Apple often does. They

Having a great website starts with your home page. Just as a magazine or postcard gives you only a few seconds to capture the attention of your audience, the same is true of your digital doorstep. ”Your website is likely the first impression a potential customer will receive about your company. It’s almost like a first date. The customer simply needs to know that you have something they want and you can be trusted to deliver whatever that is.” – Donald Miller So, what can you do to ensure you grab and keep your print buyers’ eyes on you? Get started with these tips for a home page that is impossible to ignore. 5 Tips for an Effective Print Website Home Page 1. Stand out from your competition. Whether you create a website from scratch or you use a customizable website design template, your goal should be to make your website as unique to you as possible. Most of this uniqueness will come through your copywriting and images, not necessarily from your overall look. Here are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your copy is on-point: Skip the printer jargon and focus on using the same words

Good website design for your print company could mean the difference between getting an online order and being passed over for a competitor. But why? Isn’t a good website design like art? Isn’t it relative and dependent on the eye of the beholder? Not exactly. Your website design has to accomplish three critical things: Your website design should create a great, easy-to-use user experience. Your website design should translate competency. In other words, a good website design = a competent print business. Your website design should help to create trust in your print buyer. Here are seven best practices you can follow in your website design to help you get there: 1. Color Harmony While it’s true that you can print any color in the rainbow, it’s not necessarily a good idea to use them all on your website. Sensory overload can backfire and send people running to a more professional-looking printer. Let photo graphics provide the ‘full-color’ on your website, and keep your color palette simple and inspiring. “Good design is good business.” – Thomas Watson, Jr. 2. Let Them Scroll There’s no need to pack everything into the top portion of your website anymore. Times have changed. Remember,

Easy design process, tips, Marketing Ideas For Printers

The design process can be extremely fun to be a part of when done right. There are some challenges, however, that will pop up along the way within the design process, and it’s essential that you’re ready for them. Challenges like: Communicating with the customer Understanding the size or orientation of the piece Ensuring that the design layout is successful As simple as these concepts may seem, executing them is a whole different story. Here are three easy tips to help you streamline the design process for your team and your customer. 1. Know What Your Customer Wants Before starting any design, you must fully understand what the customer wants or has envisioned for the piece. Many customers know what they want and aren’t afraid to tell you. When this is the case, your primary job is listening. Once you’ve gathered all of the information from the customer, confirm and confirm again. Not only will it save you precious time and money later by making sure the piece is correct, but it also shows the customer that you are listening and that you care by taking the time to gather the information correctly. Other customers do not know what they want

Results. Whether it’s weight loss, test scores, or finances, tangible success is the payoff everyone wants. Your customers are eager to acquire customers and increase profits; it’s your job to sell them on PRINT as the strategic solution they need. Success Starts Here Start here! A 2015 DMA Response Rate Report found that, when it comes to results, direct mail consistently outperforms all digital marketing options. Direct mail allows readers to comprehend, process, and remember material more quickly and easily, with postcards and envelopes eliciting the best overall response. Think about how quickly you process your own mail – ‘bill, letter, junk, ad, … ’ It takes merely a split second to accept or discard each piece. Postcards put the message front and center as soon as the printed piece hits their hand. Front and Center with Eye-Popping Postcards The August design tip, available on every website provided by Marketing Ideas For Printers, features postcards as a simple way to guarantee rapid results. Our design tip offers several pointers to get your clients started: Get to the Point. Postcards should have one obvious call to action. Understanding the audience and key message will drive design, with branding that will reinforce

Let the Sparks Fly, Marketing Ideas For Printers, Websites, Ideas Collection

As sparks are to fire, inspiration is to great design. The word “spark” has become synonymous with life, vitality, or the heated release of anger, passion, or creativity. A creative spark is sometimes all it takes to inspire a grand slam idea. That’s why this month we’ve included a second BONUS design tip to every website from Marketing Ideas For Printers. After all, when sparks fly, fire happens! Prompt an Imagination Upgrade Want to help your customers re-energize or animate their design? This bonus design tip, available in the Ideas Collection of every website of Marketing Ideas For Printers, provides several strategies for sparking innovative ideas. Whether it’s a writer, artist, designer, or small business owner, everyone can benefit from an imagination upgrade. Here are five easy ways to release them from a rut: Make time to be creative. Designating a set time, tool, or training opportunity can unleash potential and open pathways for inspiration. Step away from your tribe. Changing your physical environment or the people you’re most familiar with can bring an exciting new perspective. Make a timeline. Breaking giant tasks into simple steps can move you forward in measurable, meaningful ways. Deliberately disconnect. Free at least part

Cut Through the Clutter with Beautiful Print Promotions, Websites, Ideas Collection, Marketing Ideas For Printers

Average media consumers are staggering under the weight of spam e-mails and information overload. Think you can’t compete? Think again! While your customers may believe print advertising has grown stale, the “digital deluge” means there has never been a better time to highlight beautiful print promotions. Rules of the Road The newest design tip in our Ideas Collection, available on every website provided by Marketing Ideas For Printers, features print options for anyone looking to cut through the digital clutter. Remind clients that repetition is crucial. Sending out just one mailing piece will not provide the desired results. Instead, help them to see the benefits of designing a series of staggered, targeted pieces, including a precise promotion, call to action, or a clear next step to ensure the message engages readers and delivers a consistent, compelling message. 5 Ways They Can Toot Their Own Horn Ready to roll? Here are five common promotions featured that will get your customers and prospects thinking about themselves: Self-Promotion: Detail exclusive offerings or illuminate company strengths. Brag Promotions: Let the audience know about an impressive award, ranking, or community contribution. Capabilities Promotions: Remind clients of breadth, depth, or proficiency of services. Invitations: Feature a

When I first started talking about Building Sales With Your Digital Dialog, I discussed how the real version of you is complimented by the online version of you. When your customers opt to buy their printing from your website, is the online version of you as engaging as the real you? That’s certainly an important part of the Digital Dialog, but before that dialog can even start, you need to build trust. Without trust, your prospects and customers may not even start the online conversation. So, the million dollar question is: “How do you build trust online?” Beautiful Visual Design May I share a secret with you? There was a time in my life I thought beautiful website design was for the “other guys.” You know, big names like Apple, GMC, and Nike, to name just a few. As long as your website looked “acceptably” good, that’s all that mattered. After all, if you’re faced with the choice of making your website look great or work great, then “work great” wins, right? The truth is, you need both. You need a website that’s both functional and beautiful. It’s convenient to repeat the tired, old phrase, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” Deep down, though, we all know that’s