Tips for Streamlining the Process and Optimizing Results
Print marketing is a form of marketing involving printed materials curated for a specific target audience. It is one of the most effective ways to engage your target audience, and it can take many forms including:
- Sticky Notepads
- Flyers and Brochures
- Newsletters and booklets
- Direct mail inserts and buck slips
- Self-mailers, such as snap packs and postcards
- …and much more.
Print marketing has proven, time and again, to be a potent advertising tool, driving impressive recall, engagement and conversion rates for several reasons. Your campaign’s chance of success largely depends on planning. Here are three important things to address as you begin working with your printer.
Timeline
Clarify due dates with your internal team and share with your internal team and share them with your printer. Be sure to specify which date you expect your piece to leave the printer and which date you expect it to be in your customers’ hands.
Proofing Process
Let your printer know if you’d like to see more than a PDF proof, and once you receive the proof, how much time you’ll need to review and approve it.
Production History
If you’ve worked with a different printer in the past, it’ll be helpful for you to share a printed sample with your current vendor who can use it to determine things like fold
location and direction, assist with color matching and ensure overall brand consistency.
Choosing the Right Paper
In addition to nailing down colors and layout, you’ll want to consider the best paper and envelope options, too. For printed marketing pieces that are to be mailed, there are several
factors to consider including the thickness of the contents in the envelope, the number of inserts and the type of mechanical insertion equipment being used. The most commonly used basis weights for common envelope sizes are:
Tension Tip: Consider whether you’ll need samples of your print marketing piece for your own use. At Tension, we make it a habit to ask our clients if they would like us to run any job samples, especially if the order is delivered somewhere other than where they are located.
Other Planning Tips
There are endless design options in print marketing. Setting a budget up front will not only help guarantee a better return on investment, but it’ll also streamline the design process by narrowing down your selections to avoid any surprises and keep your campaign on track. The beauty of print marketing is its unmatched ability to reach target audiences. Be sure to select a specific demographic(s) to engage and check that your mailing list is up to date. Unlike digital marketing, print pieces are more likely to receive your customer’s undivided attention. Take care in developing a compelling design and messaging to make the most of the time the recipients spend with your marketing piece.
Work with Tension
Tension offers customers unmatched quality, innovation, and cost-effective mail piece solutions. Discover a wide range of print marketing and mail print products offerings from Tension on our Printed Products page. For expert assistance, reach out to our team today.
