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Get Noticed with These 9 Out of the Box Print Marketing Ideas

While digital marketing has dominated the advertising world in recent years, it’s essential not to overlook the power of print.

Print marketing can be a refreshing change from the constant bombardment of online ads, emails, and social media posts. 56% of all consumers trust print marketing more than any other advertising method. Plus, it allows you to reach potential customers who may not spend much time online.

Make Your Mark Today with Print!

If you’re ready to make a lasting impression with your marketing efforts, here are nine out-of-the-box print marketing ideas to get you noticed.

Oversized Mailers

Think big!

Oversized envelopes have the greatest household return on investment over other mediums like postcards and letter-sized envelopes. You can use this extra space to showcase your brand, products, or services in a visually appealing and compelling way.

3D Pop-Up Cards

Bring that same wonder and surprise of 3D pop-up books to your print marketing with 3D pop-up cards.

These interactive pieces are eye-catching and provide a tactile experience for the recipient, making them more likely to remember your brand.

Magnetic Calendars

Looking for a way to stay top of mind with your customers all year long?

Consider creating magnetic calendars that can be easily attached to filing cabinets, refrigerators, or other metal surfaces. These calendars are practical for daily use and serve as constant reminders of your business.

Brochures with QR Codes

Make your print materials interactive by including QR codes that lead to exclusive content or special offers.

The modern touch of a QR code builds a bridge between your physical and digital materials, allowing you to track engagement and gather customer data.

Die-Cut Business Cards

Stand out from the sea of rectangular business cards by opting for a unique die-cut shape.

This will not only make your card more visually appealing, but it can also reflect your brand’s personality and creativity.

Custom Stickers

Who doesn’t love stickers?

Create custom stickers with your brand message or logo to give out at events, include them in orders, or use them as a fun way to personalize packaging. These small but impactful items can go a long way in promoting your business.

Personalized Notepads

Everyone needs a notepad to jot down quick notes or reminders.

Take advantage of this by creating personalized notepads with your logo and brand colors. This is a subtle but effective way to keep your business top of mind.

Mini Brochures

Sometimes, less is more, which is where mini brochures come in handy.

These compact, folded pieces are perfect for handing out at events, including in mailers or displaying on countertops. They allow you to share important information about your business without overwhelming the reader.

Scratch-Off Cards

Create custom scratch-off cards with discounts, prizes, or other incentives to encourage people to engage with your brand.

This is a fun and interactive way to promote your business while creating excitement and buzz.

Branded Packaging

Take your print marketing further by incorporating your brand into your packaging materials.

This can include custom tissue paper, stickers, or even branded boxes or bags that make receiving a package from your business feel like a unique experience.

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and try something new – it may be the key to getting noticed in today’s crowded advertising landscape. So start printing and promoting your business in a whole new way!

Are you ready to take your print marketing to the next level? Contact us today, and let us help you create eye-catching and unique materials that will get your business noticed.

Where to Find Data for Effective Marketing

Great marketing starts with knowing your customers. Knowing your customers starts with great data. So where do you get it? How do you find that “marketing gold” that helps you better understand your customers and refine your targeted communications? Here are five places you can start.

1. In-House Data: The Treasures Within

One of the most valuable assets a company possesses is its in-house data. This includes customer databases, transaction histories, and interactions with the brand. Analyzing this data provides insights into customer behaviors, preferences, and patterns. This will require breaking down the silos between the areas where these data sources reside so that you can create a centralized data repository.

2. Expanding Horizons with Purchased Lists

Data houses or list providers specialize in compiling and selling targeted lists based on specific criteria such as demographics, industry, or geographic location. Purchasing lists from reputable data houses offers a quick and efficient way to access a more targeted audience. Before you hit “purchase,” however, carefully vet your data providers to ensure data accuracy, relevance, and compliance with data protection regulations.

3. Magazine Purchased Lists

Magazines often compile and sell subscriber lists to businesses looking to target a specific niche audience. For example, a technology company might find value in acquiring a list from a tech-focused publication.

4. Online Surveys and Forms: Direct Engagement for Data Collection

Consider engaging directly with your audience through online surveys and forms. This not only fosters interaction but also provides valuable data. By incentivizing participation, you can gather information about your audience’s preferences, opinions, and demographics for use in refining your marketing strategies and tailoring your offerings going forward.

5. Partnerships and Collaborations: Shared Data for Mutual Benefit

Collaborating with complementary businesses or forming partnerships can open avenues to shared data. By mutually leveraging each other’s customer insights, you can both expand your reach and create more impactful marketing campaigns.

A Holistic Approach to Data Utilization

Great data is everywhere, and you don’t need to tap into every resource all at once. Pick one data source and start there. Incorporate what you learn, then gradually add to your knowledge over time. Regardless of where you start, carefully integrate the wide variety of data sources available so you can enhance your understanding of the market, refine your targeting efforts, and ultimately achieve more impactful results!

Avoid These 5 Top Mailing Mistakes

Consumers love direct mail, but just because your beautifully designed letter or postcard arrives in their mailbox doesn’t mean they are automatically going to read it. Even with the most eye-catching pieces, common mistakes can hinder your success. Let’s look at five top mistakes to avoid in order to get the best results.

1. Inaccurate targeting

Your piece may look great, but if you’re sending it to the wrong audience or not including relevant information, it’s going to be a dud. Instead of delighting your audience, you’ll get lower response rates and risk damaging your business reputation.

2. Poor data quality

When was the last time you cleaned and updated your mailing list? Whether they’re changing jobs, upsizing (or downsizing) their homes, or just looking for something new, Americans move an average of 12 times in their lifetimes. In the business environment, the average worker makes a career change every four years. Keep your mailing list up to date!

3. Overlooking personalization

Even something as simple as personalizing a piece using the recipient’s name causes them to take a second look. Adding relevant information based on what you know about them holds recipients’ attention even further. Personalize your mail pieces, even if it’s just their name. This will increase response rates, increase engagement, and create opportunities to deepen connections.

4. Ignoring print quality

Thinking about using a lower quality of paper or going with a cut-rate printer to cut costs? Don’t! Even with a great list and a powerful call to action, a poorly printed piece risks being sent right into the trash. Plus, it looks very bad for your brand.

5. Not integrating with digital channels

We live in a busy world in which your audience is constantly being bombarded with marketing messages. Don’t risk getting lost in the noise. Integrate your print and digital campaigns to keep your name in front of your audience. Combine print, email, social media, and events. Drip, drip, drip your messaging until it breaks through.

Successful mailing campaigns aren’t rocket science. Focus on accurate targeting, personalized content, and seamless integration with other marketing channels. With careful planning, attention to detail, and a commitment to maintaining high-quality data, you can see a huge payoff in the end.

Web to Print Services in Charlotte, North Carolina: Empowering Businesses with Customized Online Printing Solutions

Web to print services in Charlotte, North Carolina have revolutionized the printing industry, providing businesses with a digital platform to order and customize their print products on demand, eliminating the need for physical interactions and streamlining the process from start to finish.

ImageMark offers comprehensive web to print solutions to businesses of all sizes.

What are Web to Print Solutions?

Web to print solutions are online platforms that allow businesses to order and customize their print products from any location with an internet connection. This eliminates the need for physical interactions and minimizes the potential for errors, making the process more efficient and cost-effective.

With web to print services in Charlotte, North Carolina, you can upload your own designs or use pre-made templates to create customized prints, giving you complete control over the design and specifications of your print products.

Enhance Your Business: The Importance of a Web-to-Print Storefront

• Convenience: Easily order and personalize print materials anytime, anywhere for a seamless experience. Enjoy smooth communication with your print partner, simplifying order placement and tracking.
• Time Efficiency: Streamline manual processes, freeing up time for other tasks while ensuring quicker and more effective print ordering.
• Brand Uniformity: Ensure consistent brand identity throughout the ordering process, offering customers a cohesive experience.
• Cost Savings: Achieve greater cost-effectiveness, especially beneficial for companies with diverse product offerings and recurring orders.

Discover the convenience, time efficiency, cost savings, and brand uniformity that ImageMark can provide with our tailored digital storefronts.

Custom Branding with Web-to-Print Solutions

In today’s competitive market, branding is crucial for businesses to stand out.

Web-to-print solutions let you easily customize print products to reflect your brand, including logos, colors, fonts, and messaging.

A dedicated web-to-print storefront ensures consistent branding for a seamless customer experience, enhancing recognition and building trust.

These solutions also allow easy updates to branding materials, which is ideal for businesses with frequent promotions or seasonal updates.

With ImageMark’s web-to-print services, you’ll have complete control over your branding needs for consistent representation across print materials.

Experience the power of customized branding with our tailored web-to-print services in Charlotte, North Carolina today. Contact ImageMark now to get started!

Boost Your Marketing Strategy with Direct Mail Services in Charlotte, North Carolina

Direct mail services in Charlotte, North Carolina have been a cornerstone of effective marketing strategy for decades. Despite the rise of online marketing, direct mail is a powerful tool for companies seeking to connect with their target audience through personalized messaging.

ImageMark, a reputable direct mail service provider located in Charlotte, North Carolina, offers a range of services to assist businesses in enhancing their marketing strategies through direct mail.

Tangible Marketing Material That Grabs Attention

In today’s saturated digital landscape, standing out among countless online ads and emails can be challenging.

Direct mail offers tangible and physical marketing material that is more likely to grab the attention of potential customers.

With creative design and eye-catching visuals, direct mail can make a lasting impression on your prospects, leading to higher response rates than digital methods.

Targeted and Personalized Messaging

Direct mail allows for highly personalized and targeted messaging catering to specific demographics, interests, and behaviors.

With accurate data and mailing lists, your business can tailor your message to resonate with the recipient and increase the likelihood of conversion.

Direct mail allows for personalization in terms of design, such as including the recipient’s name or location, adding a personal touch to the marketing material.

Cost-Effective Marketing Solution

With technological advancements and data analytics, direct mail has become a cost-effective marketing solution.

By targeting specific audiences and reducing printing costs through digital printing options, your business can save on overall marketing expenses while achieving a high return on investment.

Comprehensive Direct Mail Services in Charlotte, North Carolina

ImageMark offers a wide range of direct mail services to meet the needs and goals of businesses in Charlotte, North Carolina, and beyond.

Our team can handle every aspect of your direct mail campaign from concept to delivery.

Whether your business is looking for traditional postcards or unique and custom mailers, ImageMark has the expertise and resources to create effective direct mail campaigns that generate results.

Among the services we offer are:

• Direct mail design: Our design team can create visually appealing and on-brand marketing materials that will impact your target audience.
• Digital printing: With our numerous digital printing presses, we can produce high-quality direct mail pieces quickly and cost-effectively without compromising customization options.
• Mailing list acquisition: We have access to accurate and up-to-date mailing lists, allowing your business to target specific demographics and increase the success of your direct mail campaigns.
• Informed Delivery Support: With our knowledge of USPS Informed Delivery service , we can assist with triggering campaigns and providing performance tracking of your direct mail campaigns, giving insights into what works and what can be improved for future initiatives.

Ready to enhance your marketing strategy with direct mail? Contact ImageMark today to learn more about our comprehensive direct mail services Charlotte, North Carolina and how we can help your business achieve its goals.

Choosing the Right Envelope for Every Occasion

Direct mail is a powerful tool! It can spread the word about your company to prospective customers and help you to engage with existing contacts. According to research, 73% of American consumers say they prefer being contacted by brands via direct mail because they can read it whenever they want.

Creating a direct mail plan for your company is essential. However, one simple factor that can increase the response rate for your direct mail is the type of envelope you use! Interestingly, oversized envelopes have the highest direct mail response rate, with the second-highest response rate being 5.7% for postcards and 4.3% for letter-sized envelopes.

It’s important to realize that your direct mail has many different sizing options. Read more to find out the perfect size for your next mail campaign!

A Quick Guide to Envelope and Insert Sizes

Two main categories of envelope sizes can be used for direct mail purposes: A-Style or Commercial.

1. A-Style (Announcement) Envelopes

These envelopes are square-shaped, which makes them stand out from other mail pieces and creates a sense of elevated importance for the recipient.

A-Style envelopes are ideal for things like invitations or important announcements, but they can also be used for brochures, cards, or any other type of direct mail.

Read on for an easy guide on insert sizes for each corresponding envelope size.

a. A2

For the envelope, use a width of 5.75 inches and a height of 4.375 inches. For the insert, use a width of 5.5 inches and a height of 4.125 inches.

b. A6

For the envelope, use a width of 6.5 inches and a height of 4.75 inches. For the insert, use a width of 6.25 inches and a height of 4.5 inches.

c. A7

For the envelope, use a width of 7.25 inches and a height of 5.25 inches. For the insert, use a width of 7 inches and a height of 5 inches.

d. A8

For the envelope, use a width of 8.125 inches and a height of 5.5 inches. For the insert, use a width of 7.875 inches and a height of 5.25 inches.

e. A10

For the envelope, use a width of 8.125 inches and a height of 5.5 inches. For the insert, use a width of 9.25 inches and a height of 5.875 inches.

2. Commercial Envelopes

Commercial envelopes are a classic option for your direct mail.

Commercial is an excellent choice for standard direct mail, including newsletters, invoices, checks, etc.

Also available with or without a window, the following sizes are all options for commercial envelopes.

a. #6 ½ 

For the envelope, use a width of 6.25 inches and a height of 3.5625 inches. For the insert, use a width of 6 inches and a height of 3.3125 inches.

b. #6 ¾

For envelopes, use a width of 6.5 inches and a height of 3.5 inches. For the insert, use a width of 6.25 inches and a height of 3.325 inches.

c. #7 ¾ (Monarch)

For envelopes, use a width of 7.5 inches and a height of 3.875 inches. For the insert, use a width of 7.5 inches and a height of 3.625 inches.

d. #9

For envelopes, use a width of 8.875 inches and a height of 3.875 inches. For the insert, use a width of 8.625 inches and a height of 3.625 inches.

e. #10

For envelopes, use a width of 9.5 inches and a height of 4.125 inches. For the insert, use a width of 9.25 inches and a height of 4 inches.

As you use this helpful guide to create your next great direct mail campaign, our company is here for you every step of the way! Visit our website today for more tips and information.

Gratitude: Enhancing Your Well-Being and Business Success

We’re grateful for incredible customers like you all year, especially this season.

Taking time for appreciation is important for all of us – for many reasons. Research shows that gratitude has several beneficial effects:

• Gratitude enables people to savor positive experiences and have greater life satisfaction.
• Thankful attitudes help individuals cope with stressful circumstances and be resilient in facing challenges.
• Expressing appreciation strengthens social relationships.
• Gratitude improves people’s health and well-being.

According to the Mayo Clinic, feeling thankful can improve sleep, mood, and immunity while decreasing depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and disease risk. In Mayo’s words: “If a pill could do this, everyone would be taking it!”

A Year-End Message of Appreciation from Our Business

In this holiday season, we want to express our gratitude.

Thank you for your patronage, partnership, and loyalty. Print is not about projects; it’s about people, and it is truly our pleasure to help people like you succeed.

Also, your steadfast partnership is the fuel that powers our firm to offer greater flexibility, shorter lead times, and best-quality service. Consider this unbeatable customer care our most sincere expression of gratitude.

Create Pristine Products with Start-to-Finish Partnership

As you think ahead to a new year, please know our team is standing by to assist.

Create, order, and shape your printing project with practical help at each step.

Design and Marketing Support

Shape logos, branding, new product launches, or personalized mailings.

Build from scratch or revitalize existing designs with helpful consults from our experienced team. Our goal is to provide the right level of service for projects large and small.

Solutions-Oriented Teamwork

Wondering about sizes, layouts, or projects that break out of the preset templates?

We’re glad to collaborate. With can-do attitudes, our team seeks to flush out ideas in ways that work best for your budget – any color, any size, any time!

Exceptional Bindings and Finishes

Custom finishes can make your products sing like a beautiful bow on a gift.

Amplify impact with textures, bindings, die-cuts, gloss or matte overlays, custom seals, and more. Inquire about details if you are looking to brainstorm!

Helpful Proofing and Accessible Consults

Are you prepping artwork or handling large orders?

Avoid stressful setbacks and costly mistakes with friendly guidance from our team.

We are pleased to serve you and look forward to collaborating soon. We know the world is full of choices. Thank you for choosing us!

How to Keep Remote Employees Connected with your Brand

In today’s remote work landscape, it is more important than ever to keep your brand top of mind for your employees. One way to do this is by providing custom promotional products that they can use and interact with daily.

Kitting, also known as assembly, involves gathering various items together to create a custom package. For example, you could create a kit that includes a custom-branded t-shirt, a tote bag, and a laptop sticker. This allows you to create a cohesive, branded look for your products and ensures that your employees have everything they need to represent your brand.

Fulfillment services take care of the logistics of getting your custom promotional products to your remote employees. This includes warehousing, inventory management, packaging, and shipping. This allows you to focus on creating and branding your products, while ImageMark takes care of the rest.

One example of how you can use these services to promote your brand among remote employees is by creating custom swag bags for new hires. These bags could include a branded t-shirt, a notebook, a pen, and a mug, all packaged together in a custom-branded tote bag. This not only promotes your brand but also makes your new hires feel welcomed and valued as part of the team.

Another example is creating a custom branded work-from-home “kit” that includes branded items like a mousepad, a notebook, and a pen to help remote employees feel connected to the brand even when they are working remotely.

With ImageMark’s kitting and fulfillment services, you can easily create custom promotional products for your remote employees that will keep your brand top of mind. These services take the hassle out of logistics and allow you to focus on creating a cohesive, branded experience for your remote workforce.

In conclusion, custom promotional products are a great way to keep your brand top of mind for your remote employees. ImageMark Business Services, Inc. offers custom branded products, kitting and fulfillment services to help you create and distribute these products to your remote workforce with ease. Whether you’re looking to create a custom swag bag for new hires or a branded work-from-home kit, ImageMark can help make it happen. Don’t let the challenges of remote work take away from the visibility of your brand, take action now and contact ImageMark today to discuss how their kitting and fulfillment services can help promote your brand among your remote employees.

By Wes Pollock

Using Packaging as a Marketing Tool

When a shopper walks into the store, even if they aren’t looking for something in your product category, the proper packaging can entice them to make a purchase they hadn’t planned. That’s why packaging should be considered part of your marketing toolbox. Here are five ways to use product packaging to stand out and create competitive differentiation.

1. Great design matters.

The front of your container is your face to the market. Whether a label or a folding carton, bright colors, glossy coatings, and specialty techniques like embossing and foil can stop shoppers in their tracks, and creative design techniques, such as vintage effects, can grab attention, too. Get creative!

2. Emphasize sustainability.

With more and more consumers looking to buy sustainable products, the packaging is a great way to show that your brand is committed to the environment. Use recycled materials, biodegradable packaging, and reusable packaging, then promote your efforts on the package where shoppers can see it easily.

3. Target specific audiences.

Did you know that you can break your packaging into target segments just as you do with other marketing materials? You might create complementary packaging for different audiences—one for men and one for women. Or, if you sell into areas with a high percentage of Spanish-speaking consumers, you might print a portion of your packaging with messaging in Spanish and English.

4. Create personalized options.

With today’s digital production, packaging can be printed in runs as short as one. Allow customers to purchase your hand-ground coffee in bags with their names on them (for example, “Joan’s Favorite Breakfast Mix”) or with the names of friends and family to use as gifts. Encourage businesses to brand their products for corporate events.

5. Add something extra.

Include something fun and surprising inside the package. This might be a coupon for their next purchase, a free sample of a related product, or a funny refrigerator magnet. Customers appreciate and remember this extra effort.

Packaging is one of your most essential marketing tools, so use it to your advantage. With a bit of creativity, you can surprise and delight your customers, build brand loyalty, and keep your customers coming back.

During Times of Uncertainty, Market Like a Leader

In today’s times of uncertainty, it can be challenging to know how to strike the right tone. While consumer spending remains strong, there is still much uncertainty about the future. Some Americans are doing quite well. Others are still struggling. For marketers, this means crafting messaging that is both optimistic and sensitive. It can be a tricky balance. Here are five tips for getting it right.

1. Exude confidence.

During difficult times, people flock to leaders who exude confidence. Brands can inspire, motivate, and make people feel that everything will be okay. Reach out using the theme, “We’re here to help.”

2. Invest in social and environmental justice.

Consumers like to align with brands that “do good.” Promote your support for socially or environmentally conscious organizations and let people know about it. For example, a SheerID study found that, during the pandemic, 68% of respondents wanted brands to donate to programs that provided direct support for medical workers.

3. Offer a helping hand.

While the U.S. economy continues to grow, this is still a time of struggle for many. Offer deferred payments, ideas for lowering expenses, and so on. Even if your customers don’t need the help themselves, this kind of care for others builds brand equity that pays off in the long run.

4. Show off your expertise.

This is a great time to share meaningful expertise with your customers. Think “Top 5 Ways to Save on Lawn Care” or “3 Plumbing Fixes You Can Do Yourself.”

5. Make your customers’ lives easier.

When the world is uncertain, consumers want to feel that they at least have control over their own homes and families. Position your products in terms of how they can help your customers make lives safer and easier, even in small ways. “Let us help you save 10% on your home electric bill,” or, “We’re offering FREE delivery of pool chemicals all summer long so you can relax at home!”

Brands can play a positive role in helping their customers through uncertain times. Striking the right tone tells your customers that you are paying attention… and that you care.