1. Using web graphics on printed material.

With many young designers coming from a pre-dominantly web design background the transfer over from web design to traditional design for print can bring with it a multitude of design sins. Images supplied at 72dpi and crunched down to load fast on a website are going to reproduce very badly in print you can get away with small thumbnails but blowing things up to any appreciable size is going to be pushing your luck. There are a number of online sites offering free or very cheap quality hi resolution images which are a good source for suitable imagery.

2. Forgetting about or not allowing enough bleed.

A very common error is to send to print a document or flattened image that has no bleed at all. Generally speaking you should allow at least 3mm around every cut off edge. Failing to do so will give the printers no leeway and will either crop off the side of the page or give you a white border. It is always a good idea when supplying image files to save layered psd files then if things need extending or cropping you can do this on the background layer and hopefully cut down your work

3. Using obscure fonts and not embedding or outlining them for output.

We’ve all been guilty of this at some point and things are generally fine if you are going to be the only person accessing your artwork or documents. However if someone else needs to amend the files or use your vector logo on one of there publications. Unless you package up the used fonts, they are not going to be able to open the files correctly and some software programs may replace any unknown fonts with a default. This is a particular problem when you need to dig out stuff that was created several years previously and you no longer have your old fonts installed.

4. Supplying print ready artwork using spot colours or rgb

There are valid reasons for using spot colours in artwork, logos that need to reference particular pantone colours for example. In general design work however most print is sent through on 4 colour presses CMYK with occasional 5th colour for luminoius or metallic colour or for spot UV varnish. It is very common for lazy designers to just place rgb images into files and expect the vibrant colours seen on screen to reproduce in print.

5. Allowing design illiterate clients to lead you round the houses

The customer is always right, goes the old adage. However it is often said with gritted teeth and a sense of patience that recognizes that these morons will at some stage be handing over a fat cheque for your troubles. It is often a good idea when first submitting visuals to throw in a couple of stinkers to hopefully get them to appreciate the design you would like them to accept. There is the very real danger of course of them loving the piece of absolute arsewipe that you knocked up in five minutes to make them think you’ve been earning your money. Still it’s a living.

Mindtap http://www.mindtap.co.uk is your single point entry into the UK creative industries. We are looking to create a unique site where you can access information on UK graphic design http://www.lunatrix.co.uk

Most brochures that businesses put out today end up doing little to impact the sales of that business. By applying the 6 must-have elements listed below you will transform you brochure from trash can lining into a powerful sales tool.

1. A Benefit-Filled Headline. On the cover of most brochures you’ll usually find nothing more than the company name, logo, and maybe a quick slogan like “committed to excellence”. This isn’t horrible, but there is a much better way to enhance your brochure. If you want to turn your brochure into a powerful sales tool you need to grab your prospects attention immediately. You do that through a benefit-loaded headline.

A benefit-loaded headline is a headline that clearly and powerfully communicates a desirable benefit that your product or service offers your customers. For example a benefit-loaded headline for a heating and cooling company would be “How the New XYZ System Can Shave $800 Off Your Utility Bill This Year”. This headline is clear, specific, and powerful. If a customer were in the market for a new heating or cooling system this headline would draw the prospect into the brochure.

2. Educational Content. Prospects read brochures because they want to make the best possible buying decision. Usually when someone reads a brochure, they are hungry for knowledge about your product or service. Make sure your brochure is written in such a way that your prospects will know more about your product or service after they read the brochure than they did before.

3. Unique Selling Proposition (USP). A USP is something that separates you from your competition. To be ultimately effective you want your brochure to cause prospects to lean toward your company instead of your competitors. Your USP is a statement that either your competitors can’t, or aren’t saying. A popular old USP that you’ll recognize is “Delivered in 30 Minutes or It’s FREE!” This USP was effective because nobody else was saying it.

4. Proof. Anytime you make a statement regarding the benefits that your product will bring, you need to back that statement up with proof. Testimonials, quotes, charts, graphs, pictures, endorsements, and articles are great ways to prove your claims and cause your prospects to believe what you are saying. Remember that most people are skeptical initially, but you can overcome that skepticism with proof.

5. A Low-Risk Offer. After a customer has read your USP, your educational content, and your proof, you need to encourage them to take the next step in the buying process.

The next step could be to make a purchase, to call for more information, to set an appointment, or whatever. Whatever the next logical step is you need to invite your prospect to take it, and make them feel comfortable about taking it. If you want them to make a purchase, mention a money-back guarantee. If you want them to call for more information, reassure them that they won’t be pressured. You need to try and remove all of the possible barriers that would prevent a person from taking the next step.

Incorporate as many or these elements as you can to ensure your brochure leads your prospects closer to making a buying decision.

Brett Curry is a Marketing Consultant and Marketing Director for Brochures.com. Brochures.com is the home of top quality, full color brochures, business cards, postcards and more at up to 70% off of retail. http://www.brochures.com marketing@brochures.com

Make an impact at your next exhibition, banner stands and exhibition systems are an exciting medium of presentation, giving instant impact, they are ideal for conferences, retail displays and for additional emphasis on an exhibit stand at tradeshows.

There are many different types of portable banner stands available on the market but some of the most popular types feature an easy-to-use display with a retractable graphic, it works like a window blind, simply slide the graphic up and secure it. This type of banner stand can be set up very quickly, they are great for use in tradeshow booths, retail presentations and product information displays. Simply snap the pole together, pull the display graphic from the bottom base and snap to the top of the pole. When you are finished, the graphic display retracts back into the case. The display graphic is protected inside the aluminium case during transport.

Other types of banner stand use pole, roll up or telescopic means of standing and storage instead of a retractable method, the pole system being the most economical choice while some of the more cutting edge options feature lighting and double sided motorised displays. The choice of system most suited to your needs will be based mainly on portability, budget and how much of a visual impact you want to make as some systems can extend to a height of three metres.

Exhibition systems range from mini counters, pop up displays, display panels right up to large scale custom designed exhibit stands, mini counters are simply a small unit which have a display graphic at the front, these are often seen at supermarkets for product sampling. Display panels are modular panel systems that fold out to form a versatile exhibition solution, they range in size from desktop to full exhibition stands. PopUp Exhibition Stands are systems that incorporate a lightweight frame which effortlessly pops up from a folded position to form a superb graphic presentation trade stand or press kiosk, when not in use it can easily be transported in a rugged wheeled container that fits into the boot of a hatchback car.

Custom designed exhibit stands are the most visually stunning in appearance and require some planning for construction and presentation, they can include additional options such as multimedia systems, advanced lighting, flags, banners and the actual product in such cases as vehicle and home exhibits.

Full colour graphics are usually printed on high quality digital large format inkjet systems. Banners and pop-up panels are printed on top quality vinyl for stunning visuals and a longer lifespan. Artwork for graphic panels can be supplied by client to specification or can be generated at the studio of the display printing company.

Banner stands and exhibition systems can promote products and services with colourful and attractive graphics in an inspiring and imaginative manner, this is essential when attracting potential customers.

(c) Copyright 2006, Tim McCarthy. All rights reserved. D-Signs, Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland. Signs, Printing and Display

Swapping business cards is one of the most basic and common forms of networking in the business world. With something that is so common practice, people often hand out cards blindly while not really thinking about what the card does AFTER you hand it out.

How do your clients feel about your business card? Put yourself in their shoes.

Is it valuable to them?

Does it solve a problem?

Take advantage of the extra real estate on the other side

Most business owners don’t utilize the backside of their business cards. It’s prime space to include important facts, offers, and information that help sell your company to the holder. Including valuable offers on your business card will make it worth holding on to.

P.T.O - How to get someone to turn over your business card

One small abbreviation added to the front of your cards can double your success rate. P.T.O. (Please Turn Over) lets the holder know there is something of value of the backside, and it would be in their best interest to check it out. Alternatively, you could include "See back for special offer" if you have the space for it.

Now that you have their attention, reel them in with a:

Survey, redeemable for a free gift

Punch card for frequent clients

Valuable coupon URL to a special webpage targeting business card recipients

Research your sector to learn what business card marketing words will flip their switch and turn them on to your company. Give them what THEY want.

Even if you only hand out 50 cards using this technique, you’ve just created 50 opportunities for new business. Just imagine the possibilities that would come with having 1000 highly effective business cards floating around.

Now that you’ve found the secret recipe for business card marketing success, hand those cards out wherever and whenever you can. The more you hand out, the better chance you have of scoring another life-time customer.

About The Author

Chris Brunner specializes in helping people design and market their business cards for better results. Create inexpensive and effective business cards online at GreatFX Business Cards

Marketers in the advertising industry are continually searching for cutting edge ways to reach niche markets and attract more and more customers to increase sales. They look for unique ways to market themselves; ways that will not only distinguish themselves from their competition, but will also leverage themselves into unknown marketable territories. Millions of dollars a year are spent on radio ads, TV infomercials, print ads and so forth. The avenues are similar and unchanging. Although they have proven to reach the masses, wouldn’t it be nice to find an untapped marketing tool that will reach potential buyers? A product that is completely underdeveloped and has the potential to change the face of advertising? Introducing the industry’s BIGGEST , little secret:

WINDOW ADVERTISING

When a company is hiring staff (especially sales persons), they spend a lot of valuable time and money choosing the appropriate people to represent the image of their business. They look for a face that will justifiably represent their integrity and motivation. However, an area that they fail to focus on is their storefront. It is what drive by traffic sees as the face of their business, and currently most storefronts lack enthusiasm and character. They are silent billboards. A consumer needs to go inside to get the feel of the establishment. Professionally hand painted window ads meet these needs and go beyond creating enticement. They offer a visual experience of excitement, curiosity and upfront no nonsense messages as to what the company has to offer its customers. Window ads bring silent billboards to life!

Window painting is a specific form of sign advertising done on a client’s windows. Its potential to draw desperately needed attention to retail outlets is incomparable to any other form of marketing. As discussed most retailers spend the majority of their marketing dollars on advertising avenues such as radio, TV, and print adds. Although their importance in generating traffic is undeniable, there is a financial sacrifice to be made and it is high. As an example a half page black and white ad in a local newspaper may run around $1000. If you were to add color, plan on adding an addional $500. The distribution is one time. How many of those people will actually take the time to read the ad, remember the ad, and act on the ad?

For a mere fraction of the price, window advertisements work 24 hours a day, every day for the duration of the ad. It provides direct attention not only to the storefront, but also up front, no nonsense information about in store promotions. All information is readily available to the potential customers right in front of their store.

Due to the demand of the well-informed consumer, the retailer has to offer far more than good deals. They must offer an experience, a felt experience. This is why we are seeing so many malls popping up that have skating rinks in them, zoos and water parks. People want to be entertained. Shopping must become more of an adventure as it is too easy for customers to buy online or through infomercials. Window ads will contribute to the over all atmosphere of the store. It provides dramatic color, excellent presentation and is extremely supportive of all in store activity and promotion.

Owing a business such as this has proven to be extremely lucrative as marketers are willing to pay high prices for cutting edge advertising. The amazing aspect of this opportunity is that you don’t have to be an artist or graphic designer. There are ways to generate profitable window ads regardless of your talents. It is not uncommon to earn in excess of $100/per hour creating window ads! It is a little secret up and coming in a big industry of profit!

This article reviews the proven financial opportunities available to those searching for a legitimate home based business idea. The website http://www.wildways2ads.com offers a comprehensive guide for non-artists and artists to realize their desire to become a successful entrepreneur by implementing hand painted window ads.

What is it about magnets that draw people to leave them on fridges and file cabinets for years at a time?

Many people like to have the contact information handy for common service providers without flipping through a bulky phone book. Magnets are the perfect solution for being seen in this situation. It’s a win-win relationship for you and the customer.

Putting Magnetic Business Cards to Work for You

Almost any small business can take advantage of the advertising power a magnetic business card holds. This includes:

• Pest control
• Repairmen & Contractors
• Veterinarians
• Realtors
• Food Delivery
• Insurance agents; and
• Hair/Nail/Tanning Salons

Hand them out at:

• Conventions
• Open houses
• Tradeshows
• Product launches; or
• When you perform a service for the customer

Your customers can stick your magnets to fridges, filing cabinets, vending machines, appliances, cars, lockers, and just about any other metal surface making the magnet a powerful advertising option.

When your clients place your magnet, you instantly have an advantage over the competition. Now, all the client has to do is pick up the phone and call when they need you. They will appreciate the fact that they didn’t have to spend valuable time flipping through the yellow pages trying to pick one company to fulfill their needs. With their satisfaction comes repeat and referral business for you. It’s a snowball effect that can’t be beat!

On my fridge, you’ll find magnets from Wing Stop and Boston Market restaurants, Domino’s and Papa John’s pizza, a heating and air specialist, a massage therapist, the local veterinarian, as well as the nail salon my wife goes to. I have no idea when these magnets were placed there, but I do know that they don’t move from the prominent spots they were placed months or years ago.

Creating Magnetized Business Cards

Now that you are convinced of the positive effects that magnetic business cards can have for your company, what’s the best way to obtain them?

Option #1: Buy stick-on magnets and attach them to the back your current business cards

You can buy magnets of various shapes and sizes at your local craft store at a relatively cheap price. Take a hot-glue gun and glue the magnets at each corner on the back of the cards. The upside is that this is a cheap and easy method of creating magnetized business cards. The downside is that it can be a very time consuming process to attach the magnets and the end result usually looks less than professional.

Option #2: Buy magnetized business card stock from your local office supply store and print them yourself

Avery is a popular brand that offers these types of do-it-yourself inkjet cards. With these, you print out your card design multiple times on a sheet of paper that already has a full magnetic backside. There is less work involved in creating them; however, magnetic paper can be costly.

Another downside to this method is that inkjet printers don’t print well on magnetized card stock because the paper surface is so thin. The ink from your printer will tend to glob on the surface once the paper is saturated making your cards sticky with the possibility of staining clothes and hands. Inkjet printer ink cartridges aren’t cheap either, so be sure to figure that into your costs as well.

Using this method, you will end up paying the same, if not more, than the next option…

Option #3: Have your magnetic business cards printed by a professional commercial printer

While you may spend more money in the short term, ordering business card magnets online will save you time and earn much more business in the long run. Your cards will be printed on glossy, full sheet, magnetized card stock paper specially formulated for high-resolution press printing. The magnets will look and feel professional to your customers, and will have a better chance of getting placed in a prominent spot on the fridge or file cabinet.

With recent breakthroughs in online printing technology, you can design or upload your full color magnetic business cards online and have them printed for less than it would cost you to print on your inkjet.

Put the marketing power of magnetic business cards to work for you and start seeing long term results today.

©2004-2005 GreatFX Business Cards. All rights reserved.

Check any Yellow Pages directory heading from one year to the next and see how many ads disappear, or reduced in size.

Here are some little secrets that your Yellow Pages rep will never tell you but may save you a small fortune.

1. A colored ad will double the amount of calls that you will receive over a black and yellow ad. The truth: There is no study by any independent research firm that verifies any increase in calls. Many large advertisers will use color in their ads when it is free and drop the color when they have to pay for it. These advertisers track their calls and see no difference in colored or black and yellow ads.

2. The largest ad in a heading will receive the most calls. The truth: In fact the smallest ad will sometimes receive the most calls.

3. The Yellow Pages publisher will design a wonderfully effective ad for you for free. The truth: Letting the publisher design your ad could make it the most expensive ad design you will ever pay for. Paying for a professionally designed Yellow Pages ad is better than spending money on color or size.

4. A display ad is always better than an incolumn ad. The truth: I have many clients who have increased their calls from their Yellow Pages advertising by going incolumn instead of the display ad that they had before. They were able to reduce what they were spending by 75%.

5. You’re better off spending money on your Yellow Pages advertising than on the Internet. The truth: This year more people have used the Internet for local business search then used the published Yellow Pages.

6. If you buy a Yellow Pages ad your phone will ring off the hook. The truth: More businesses than I can count have been put out of business by paying for ads in the Yellow Pages that they couldn’t afford. A new advertiser should be very conservative in the size of the ad they purchase. No matter what your sales rep says there is no guarantee that you will receive one call, yet you still have to pay the bill every month for the next year.

7. Put your name in big print at the top of the ad. The truth: Yellow page publishers suggest this all the time, not to make your phone ring but to appeal to your ego. What you do that separates you from your competition should be your ads headline. Example:” One Hour Service, Guaranteed” Your name and your phone number should be at the bottom of the ad.

8. The big phone companies Yellow Pages directories are used the most and is where you should advertise. The truth: All directories that are distributed to businesses and residents are used. Almost always the phone companies directories are used the most, but you may get a much better deal from some of the secondary publishers. There also will be far less competition in your headings.

To West Coast Yellow Pages advertisers I have been known as the good Doctor Yellow Page. I have consulted with over a thousand businesses and professionals the last 20 years, helping them cut their Yellow Pages advertising cost and increase their customer calls. I have trained over a hundred Yellow Pages consultants across the United States. I can be seen and contacted a http://www.doctoryellowpage.com.

Sorry, I Don’t Seem to Have a Business Card With Me…

Those could be the "famous last words" of the forgetful entrepreneur.

If you habitually find yourself without a business card, you’re habitually losing money; or at least the chance of making money. Your business card, more than any other marketing weapon in your arsenal, is what prospects and colleagues rely upon to remind them why they should do business with you.

Forgetting a business card is a marketing mistake of significant proportions. We’re so inundated with advertising messages that most of us learn to tune them out. Yet every time you’re asked for a business card, and sheepishly reply that you don’t have one with you, you’re missing an honest-to-goodness invitation to market to someone.

Worse, leaving your business card behind when you may need it is a social faux pas as well.

Being asked for a business card is a compliment. Not having one with you at that critical moment is subtly offensive. It puts both you and the person requesting the card in an embarrassing situation. And it nonverbally tells your prospect that you’re not quite the business person they thought. You’re not really serious about your business, or too careless and forgetful to be entrusted with theirs.

If you’re determined not to be caught "cardless" at a critical meeting again, here are some tips to help you remember:

Develop a strategy for using business cards to actively promote your business

It may be as simple as deciding to give 5 or 10 cards away every day. It may mean printing labels describing your current promotion, sticking them to the back of your cards, and pinning them to bulletin boards. Whatever! The point is that if you consciously figure out a way to use your business cards to bring in business, you’re much less likely to forget them.

Invest in new cards

If you haven’t ordered business cards within the past two years, there’s a good chance that the information or photo is out of date by now. And if your last order was for 1000 cards and there are still 990 cards left, ask yourself why you haven’t been passing them out. If it’s because you dislike the cards, pitch them and get business cards you’re proud of!

Draft and practice a business card presentation

Unless you’re comfortable and confident when handing out your card, you won’t do it. Besides, the words and actions that accompany your business card when you give it to someone can really cement a positive first impression.

Invest in a quality business card case, one that you’re proud to show off and to use

Business card cases can be conversation starters in and of themselves, since there are so many unusual, classic and artistic choices available. I suggest investing in a few cases; a more professional, elegant case for formal business occasions and a flashy or fun holder for social situations.

Tuck a few business cards everywhere

Your car’s glove compartment. Your briefcase. Your gym bag. Your wife’s purse. Next to the front door on the table where you keep your keys. Your desk drawer. Your secretary’s desk. The pocket of your coat. Your suitcase. Never leave home without them!

About The Author

Recent advances in online technology allow you design business cards online in your web browser. No special downloads, no hidden costs, easy WYSIWYG design. Choose from thousands of photographic quality backgrounds. Browse one of the web’s largest collection of business card networking articles and learn how to make your cards a powerful marketing weapon.

You have seen them everywhere, price stickers, food labels, bumper stickers, product labels, racing decals, warning labels, the list is endless, the self adhesive sticker is an indispensable commercial resource and more importantly a fantastic opportunity to promote and advertise your business image.

One of the most cost effective promotional solutions to raise brand awareness is to put your logo or name on everyday objects and products with stickers, decals or custom printed self adhesive labels which come in all shapes and sizes. There are many choices when it comes to printed labels and stickers, the adhesives and backing liners range from permanent, removable to low tack. When a permanent sticker is applied to a surface, it is usually very difficult to remove it, normally leaving adhesive residue behind while the paper releases in the case of the paper type labels. Removable labels are meant to be temporarily applied to a surface and when required be easily removed without tearing or leaving glue or material behind. Low tack labels are similar to removable labels in purpose but adhere to a flat surface by means of static cling. An important consideration when choosing sticker type is the environment they will be used in, paper labels are not really suitable for exterior conditions, deteriorating rapidly with moisture and UV light exposure, other types of labels are affected by extremes of temperature. Labels usually come in sheets or rolls whereas stickers may also be supplied individually. Just like the possiblities for their use there is an infinite choice of colours and materials to choose from, they can come coated in matt and gloss paper finishes, vinyl for outdoor use, metallic, polycarbonate for heavy duty use and there are even asset management and security labels featuring anti tamper or destructible attributes.

Stickers or labels can be ordered from a colour printing shop, but the more unusual types may have to be ordered from screen printers or specialist digital label printers, in either case you can supply your own artwork to their specification or they can design your label in line with your brand image, it is important to convey however where you wish to use the sticker or label, interior or exterior conditions, inside or outside of glass, permanent or temporary as this will influence the choice of inks, artwork process and materials to be used in your order.

(c) Copyright 2006, Tim McCarthy. All rights reserved. D-Signs, Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland. Signs, Printing and Display

Now that you’ve had colorful new business cards printed, and have been distributing them diligently, what do you do with the cards you collect from other people?

If you’re like most people, you have a stack of rubber-banded cards floating around you desk. Or you have been using them as bookmarks, toothpicks, and used gum wrappers and they are all over your office, car, wallet and purse?

Without a good filing system, the information on those cards is useless. So clean out your desk and develop a system for prioritizing, organizing, and following up with those contacts.

High Tech or Old School?

There are two choices for organizing business cards:

• The traditional way of keeping them in a card file
• The contemporary method of keeping contact info on a computer file

When you return from a networking meeting or trade show, before you do anything else, update your contacts. Rank the cards you’ve collected in order of importance before you put them away. Separate warm leads who are likely to bring you business, people with whom you definitely want to follow up, and whose information you want at your fingertips. This can include prospects, people you will refer to others, or who will send referrals to you.

Don’t be afraid to throw away cards from people you will never contact or refer. You can file cold leads somewhere else or toss them into the trash.

Know Your ABZ’s…

How you alphabetize and file your cards is up to you. Decide how you remember information best — whether it’s by company names, people’s names, or by category. Perhaps you are better able to find information if it is organized by region or department. Then, alphabetize them appropriately.

You might also file by date or by the event where you met the person. Just choose one way and stick to it. For instance, don’t file some by last name and others by business name, or you’ll never find what you’re looking for in a pinch.

Electronic = Portable and Duplicable

Storing contact information on the computer keeps your office neater and is one more step toward the paperless office. For most people searching on computer is more efficient than rummaging through paper cards. In seconds, you can run a sort and locate contacts by company, name, dog’s name, date you met, etc. If you bring work home with you, it’s easy to duplicate your contact list, rather than hauling your entire Rolodex with you.

Storing info electronically is also effective for building mailing lists and printing labels. But remember, backup, backup, backup. I was a high-tech junkie until my hard drive crashed and I didn’t have a backup of my computer database. Good thing I kept those hard copies!

There are numerous programs on the market to organize contact information, such as Act or Outlook. I put all of my information in Microsoft Access.

For a low-tech backup, I use a plastic card file box with alphabetical dividers, filing my cards by last name. I also prefer to use transparent sleeves to store business cards in, since I almost always file business cards instead of handwriting the information on blank cards. The sleeves are a uniform size, keeping the box tidy. But you may be different–any system will work, as long as you are consistent with it.

To Keep or Not to Keep?

Some people say you should keep every business card you have ever received, while others think you should throw away the cards you will never use. With the rapidity of people moving around and switching companies today, I throw away cards of contacts I haven’t been in touch with for three years. By then their contact information has surely changed, so even if I did want to get in touch with them, it’s not likely that I will.

If you insist on holding on to old information, archive those business cards in a separate database or card box. Since I make notes on the backs of cards when I meet people, I always know the date when I first made contact; notes also help refresh my memory of people I haven’t been in close contact with.

Finally, remember to follow up with your contacts! Keep a schedule and goals for making contact by phone calls, emails, or snail mail. Periodically go through your filing system and update or delete old information. The reason you store this information is to keep in touch with people — use your new organizing system to stay efficient and your business will thrive!

Do your business cards work as hard as you do to gain new contacts? If not, you need cards that will grab attention and spur curiousity.

Design or upload full color business cards online and have them delivered to your doorstep in days.

©2004-2005 GreatFX Business Cards. All right reserved.