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Why Kitting is the Unsung Hero of Efficient Manufacturing

If you’ve ever found yourself or your team hunting for that one last part to complete a job or worse, delaying a shipment because something small slipped through the cracks you’re not alone.

In the world of manufacturing, it’s easy to underestimate how much time and energy gets eaten up by little logistical snags. Sourcing parts. Assembling components. Packing and labeling. Handling one-off requests from the field. These “small” tasks quietly balloon into major time sinks.

That’s where kitting and assembly services can step in, and at ImageMark, we’ve been helping manufacturers solve logistical challenges and scale smarter for decades.

What Is Kitting in the Manufacturing Industry?

Think of kitting as your behind-the-scenes efficiency booster. It’s the process of gathering all the pieces someone needs to complete a job and packaging them together in a ready-to-use kit.

Some examples:

• Accessory packs that speed up product installation
• Service kits your field team can grab and go
• Line-ready kits that keep your production floor humming

One company we support, a window treatment manufacturer, asked for simple kits with brackets and screws so installers could quickly fix issues on-site. The result? Time saved, pleased customers and fewer fire drills for their internal team.

Why Outsource Kitting for Manufacturing?

Manufacturing runs on efficiency and, let’s be honest, your team has enough on its plate. When you outsource your kitting and assembly to us, you unlock:

• Speed: Kits go out fast, helping you avoid bottlenecks.
• Simplicity: We handle the details—sourcing, assembly, packaging, tracking—so you don’t have to.
• Less Waste: You get exactly what you need, when you need it.
• Scalability: Whether you’re scaling up or slowing down, your operations stay smooth.

What Can We Kit for You?

From one-time sample kits to ongoing service kits, we’re ready. We’ve partnered with clients in automotive, medical, industrial, home goods, and beyond.

Popular kitting options include:

• Accessory hardware kits
• Instruction manuals and branded packaging
• Custom foam inserts or protective packaging
• Labeling, barcoding, and part-number accuracy

Take the Weight Off Your Production Line with Manufacturing Kitting Services

At ImageMark, we don’t just assemble parts—we build solutions that fit your workflow, budget, and goals. We help you create smoother workflows, happier customers, and lighter loads for your production team. With locations in the Southeast, our kitting teams are ready to help you breathe a little easier.

Want to talk through a project? Contact us today. You might be surprised how much smoother things can run with the right partner in your corner—especially when it comes to kitting in the manufacturing industry.

The Impact of Custom Patient Education Materials: Why It Matters More Than You Think

Whether you run a chiropractic office, counseling center, skincare studio, or surgical clinic, you’re in the business of trust, easing worries, and guiding people through some of the most personal parts of their health journey. And one of the easiest ways to strengthen that trust is with custom patient education materials.

Why Custom Education Materials Matter

When a patient walks through your doors, they often have questions (sometimes more than they’re ready to ask). Maybe they’re nervous about a procedure, unclear about post-treatment care, or overwhelmed by choices. Handing them a thoughtfully designed brochure, folder, or FAQ sheet that speaks their language? That’s powerful.

It doesn’t just answer questions—it builds credibility, reduces follow-up calls, and shows you care enough to communicate clearly. That’s the kind of value custom patient education materials deliver every time.

Tips for Creating Effective Patient Materials

• Break it down. Use plain language and short sections. A friendly tone is more approachable than textbook definitions.
• Add visuals. Diagrams, checklists, or before-and-after images (especially for cosmetic services) go a long way.
• Stick to your brand. Even a simple logo, color palette, and consistent font help create a professional, polished look.
• Include next steps. Whether it’s a checklist for post-visit care or QR codes linking to appointment booking, follow-up care options, or helpful product info, always guide your patient toward action.
• Bundle materials together. A branded folder with a welcome letter, service menu, and post-care instructions can make new patients feel at home.

Educate Patients Like A Pro

Want to help your patients feel seen, heard, and supported beyond the appointment? custom patient education materials offer a clear path to doing just that. When information is easy to understand and beautifully presented, your practice earns even more trust and loyalty.

At ImageMark, we help healthcare providers across Charlotte and Greenville design custom patient education materials that look professional and communicate with purpose. From new patient packets to wellness brochures, we make sure your message makes an impact.

Because clear, personalized communication isn’t just good marketing—it’s good care. Let’s create custom patient education materials that support your patients and your brand.

Postage Rates Are Going Up. Here’s How to Keep Your Direct Mail Working.

If you use direct mail to promote your business, you’ve probably seen the headlines: starting July 13, 2025, the USPS is planning to raise the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 73 cents to 78 cents. And this isn’t the first bump this year. Back in January, the USPS raised shipping rates for Priority Mail and other services by around 3.2–3.9%.

If you’re wondering what that means for your marketing budget, you’re not alone.

For small businesses, nonprofits, and marketers who rely on mail, these rate changes can feel like a punch to the budget. But direct mail still works. The key is making it work smarter. Let’s look at a few real-world ways you can adjust, save money, and still get results from every piece of mail you send.

1. Stop Mailing to Everyone. Start Mailing to the Right People.

This one’s big. If you’re sending to a huge list just because it’s what you’ve always done, it might be time to reconsider your strategy.

Instead, ask yourself:

• Who actually responds to our mail?
• Are there segments we could trim or target better?
• Do we have outdated or duplicate addresses?

You don’t need a massive list. You need the right list. Clean data and smart segmentation can help you send fewer pieces and get better results. Try mailing to a smaller, more qualified group, like repeat customers or leads who’ve engaged recently, and test your message with them first.

2. Save Postage by Designing Smarter Mail Pieces

Postage isn’t just about how much you mail. It’s also about what you mail.

The shape, size, and weight of your piece can all impact how much you pay. For example:

• Stick to standard postcard sizes (like 6″ x 9″) to avoid surcharges
• Square cards? Cool-looking, but they cost more
• Thicker paper? Also pricier to mail

Even a simple change, like trimming the size of a flyer or using thinner stock, can shave off cents per piece. Over a few thousand pieces, that adds up.

If you’re not sure what qualifies for the lowest rates, just ask. We’re happy to walk through the options before you print.

3. Get More from Every Mail Piece with a Digital Boost

Direct mail on its own is powerful. But when you connect it to digital tools, you get even more traction.

Here are a few simple ways to do that:

• Add a QR code that links to a video, promo code, or sign-up form
• Create a special landing page just for people who received your mailer
• Follow up your mailing with an email reminder or social post

Why does this work? Because it gives people an easy way to respond, and it helps you track what’s working. (And what’s not.)

4. Work with a Printer Who Knows the Postal System

Look, navigating postal rates, mail classes, and delivery timelines isn’t exactly most people’s idea of fun.

But it’s our thing — and we’ve helped a lot of businesses get better results while spending less. Here’s what that looks like:

• Choosing formats that qualify for discounts
• Timing your mail drops to hit mail boxes just right
• Cleaning your list so you’re not paying for undeliverable addresses
• Helping you decide if options like EDDM make sense

When postage prices go up, it pays (literally) to work with someone who knows the ins and outs of the system.

Why Direct Mail Still Belongs in Your Marketing Plan

Postage rates are changing, but it’s not the end of direct mail — not even close. With the right strategy, you can master how to save on direct mail postage and keep your campaigns effective and affordable.

If you’re thoughtful about your list, design, and strategy, you can keep mailing, stay on budget, and still get results. You just need the right approach and the right support.

Want help adjusting your next mailing before the new rates kick in? Let’s connect. We’ll walk you through the options, help you find ways to save, and make sure your message still lands where it matters — in the hands of your next customer.