GCC Printing and Graphics

Developing a comprehensive style guide for your print projects can be a game-changer, saving you precious time and avoiding unnecessary stress in the long haul.  Applying consistency and professionalism across all designs streamlines the process for you and your team, effortlessly facilitating the creation of top-notch materials. Create an Effective Style Guide for Your Print Projects with Our 11 Tips for Success! Creating a style guide can feel overwhelming, particularly when unsure where to begin.  Thankfully, with a few simple tips, you can craft an effective and efficient style guide to elevate your print projects to the next level. 1. Start with Your Brand Guidelines Your brand guidelines are the foundation of your style guide. They define your brand identity, including logos, colors, fonts, and messaging. Refer to your brand guidelines when creating your print project style guide. 2. Choose a Primary Font Your primary font is the font that will be used...

Print marketing is a popular choice for businesses of all shapes and sizes, mainly because it's more effective than ever. An estimated 92% of people between the ages of 18-23 say that they find it easier to read print content versus its digital alternative . This is even though smartphones, tablets, and other digital devices are ever-present.  But, of course, simply leveraging print marketing alone isn't necessarily enough to get the job done. If you genuinely want to take the format's natural benefits and elevate them to the next level, you'll want to lean into the power that personalization in print marketing brings with it. The Major Benefits of Personalization Keep in mind that personalization is about so much more than just using someone's name as opposed to "Dear Sir or Madame" in a greeting. It's about tailoring every element of your content - from your language to the overall design - towards a specific audience segment. In a larger...

A striking, professional image flows from your primary point of contact – that classic, irresistible, one-of-a-kind business card. Like a handshake or a personal introduction, your business card leaves a lasting first impression. It's more than contact information; it reflects your brand's personality. Your brand is unique, and your business card should be too. Perhaps it's time to go big and bold – or simple and sharp – as you refresh your business card. Four Fresh Business Card Examples Check out these four innovative business card concepts that break free from convention, leaving a lasting impact on those who receive them. 1. Unexpected Contrasts While many traditional cards are flat and formal, modern cards keep bending the rules. Like a dry joke with a witty punchline, some business cards use stark contrast to surprise and entice: Examples: Handwritten script alongside bold fonts Playful quotes next to minimalist contact details Lively n...

In the world of marketing, it's essential to capture your audience's attention and convey your message effectively. These books serve as valuable resources, helping to craft compelling narratives, integrate powerful strategies, and create remarkable content that resonates with your customers. Essential Marketing Books for Small Business Owners Want to recharge creativity or get an inexpensive education from some of the best marketers around? Here are three resources to consider. "Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message so Customers Will Listen" by Donald Miller Everyone loves a story . . . but what is a Storybrand? The framework in "Building a StoryBrand" applies the universal elements of storytelling to brand messaging. While prospective buyers think primarily about themselves, marketers often start by blasting people with unhelpful or (seemingly) irrelevant information. Here's one example from Miller's book: “Imagine your custome...

Along with the cooler weather and changing leaves of Autumn comes the beginning of the holiday season. In the business world, Thanksgiving also means the arrival of Black Friday.  According to Capital One Shopping research, the average shopper spends $430 on Black Friday. This is a massive opportunity for companies within any industry to make sales!  Although often, large, well-known corporations are the first to come to mind for Black Friday sales events, in reality, Black Friday can be an extremely lucrative time for your small business, too. Planning your marketing right will become the perfect time to spread the word about your company. 3 Creative Ideas for Small Business Marketing on Black Friday 1. Create a Holiday Gift Guide 50% of surveyed consumers responded that they would spend the most significant amount of money while Black Friday shopping on gifts for others .  Since Black Friday falls right at the beginning of the holiday season, most cust...

When it comes to catching customers' attention and keeping them loyal to your brand, the look of your product can be powerful! 72% of Americans say a product's packaging often influences purchases.  Creating brand-consistent packaging for your products is a simple way to increase brand recall, develop a recognizable aesthetic for your company, and increase customer loyalty. 5 Strategies for Engaging Customer Packaging Read on to learn different ways to bring fresh creativity to your packaging and use it as a tool for customer engagement!  1. Keep Packaging Consistent  Maintaining a uniform brand presentation can lead to a revenue increase of up to 33% . So, when designing your product packaging and labels, stay consistent with your branding. Use the same font style on all your print materials and packaging, lean into your signature brand colors, and include your company logo. The more often consumers see that color, font, and logo, the more recognition they...

“Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions.” - Pablo Picasso Using color is as important as the words in your print marketing, if not more important. Color can not only attract customers to read and engage with your marketing, but it can also enhance or connect a certain mood or emotion to your business. There have been many studies throughout the years about the power of color choice and the psychology behind it all. Stand out with your printed marketing and make a splash with thoughtful color choices that promote your business in its best light.  The Psychology of Colors Choosing the right color for the emotion or mood you want to convey is essential to every business. Consider the following colors and moods or emotions they enhance and whether or not they would compliment your business or detract from its core. Red: Excitement, Passion, Anger Did you know that hunger is enhanced at the sight of red?   Many popul...

Reaching your ideal audience while remaining mindful of the bottom line seems like the dream in marketing. By fusing print and digital marketing to promote your offers, customers will benefit from better communication and accessibility to your business. Working together with online platforms can be instrumental in publicizing your content in a relatable and current way. Today’s marketplace is increasingly online, which means businesses need to think outside the box when it comes to marketing and promoting their business to potential customers. 3 Creative Ways to Showcase Your Business Utilizing Print and Digital Branding your company to a broader audience on multiple platforms can be intimidating, but with a few simple and energizing ideas, you will surely gain traction with today’s customers. 1) Use a QR code on your posters and flyers A QR code is a type of barcode that smartphone cameras can read easily. Once scanned, the camera will open up the designated w...

As the retail landscape evolves, a well-conceived offline marketing strategy remains critical for attracting and retaining customers in brick-and-mortar stores. To achieve this goal, a well-crafted offline marketing strategy is essential.  Harness the Power of Offline Marketing to Improve Foot Traffic to Your Business Here are ten strategies to help you drive foot traffic into your store. Have a Clear Brand Voice Your brand voice sets you apart from other businesses. Establishing and maintaining a consistent tone of voice will help customers recognize your store. Host Events Promote events within your store to get people in the door. Try hosting workshops, classes, or community-oriented activities like movie nights or local artists' exhibitions. Join Local Organizations Get involved in your local community by joining organizations and networking with other businesses. This will help you drive foot traffic to your store and increase your visibility within th...

Fonts are an essential part of any brand's identity. Effective brand messaging relies on establishing an appropriate tone, whether fun, whimsical, serious, or authoritative. Since each typeface has its unique personality , selecting the right font that matches your brand's tone of voice is essential.  Find the Right Font to Perfectly Represent Your Brand  Do you need a typeface that is professional and authoritative?  Or one that is more approachable and fun-loving?  Whatever the tone, selecting the right font will help your brand convey the message you want to send.  Consider these factors when choosing your typeface:  Readability: Is it legible on both digital and print mediums?  Brand Personality: Does the font feel like an extension of your brand's spirit?  Relevance: Consider how contemporary the typeface is and if it will appear up-to-date in a few years.  Top Tips for Choosing the Ideal Font for Your Brand ...

Print media continues to be an effective tool for lead generation.  Its tangible nature allows you to connect with a broad audience, making it a valuable addition to your marketing strategy.  Best of all, print media can be a cost-efficient option, especially when compared to digital advertising. Consider These 9 Effective Print Strategies for Generating Leads!  Incorporating these tips into your print media initiatives can enhance your lead-generation efforts and achieve better results.  1. Coupons Send postcards or hand out flyers with special coupons for services and products. Encourage customers to sign up for the coupon by providing a unique code that can be used online or in-store. This is one metric you can use to track the campaign's success. 2. Print Ads Place print ads in high-traffic areas like waiting rooms, lobbies, or train stations. Make sure your ad stands out with attention-grabbing design and copy. 3. Posters Hang posters in ...

Logos- they're instantly recognizable, eye-catching, and memorable. In other words, the perfect way to distinguish your business from the competition and build a brand identity! A great logo gives customers a simple, creative image to associate with your company.  In recent years, businesses have been more eager than ever to refresh their logo designs or create a new polished logo for their company. This year alone, we have seen refreshed logos from big-name brands such as Jell-O and Pepsi . 3 Tips for Designing a Logo That Works Designing an effective logo can be tricky. Let's look at which styles can make your logo stand out!  1. Are You Seeing a Sea of Blue? One essential thing to consider when designing your logo is color. According to research cited by Zippia , 40% of Fortune 500 companies use the color blue in their logo. Something in this hue is tied to success!  The color blue is known to evoke feelings of calm, trust , loyalty, dependability, logi...

While you may still be enjoying the summer sunshine, fall is just around the corner. As the leaves start changing colors and the air becomes more crisp, it is the perfect time to breathe new life into your marketing strategies. With the right approach, you can tap into seasonal enthusiasm to catch your customers' attention and turn it into increased sales for your business. 3 Seasonal, Fall-Themed Marketing Ideas Check out these three creative fall marketing ideas that will engage your customers and boost your sales. 1. Show Thankfulness with a Postcard Autumn is the season for thankfulness, so it's a great time to express the generosity of your company and your appreciation for your customers. One seasonal idea for an autumnal marketing piece would be to create a thank-you postcard. Use the lettering on the print piece to share your thankfulness for the local community and your loyal customers, and consider making a border of leaves, acorns, or pumpkin shapes to br...

Print marketing is an influential tool business owners use to boost their brand's awareness, drive sales, and increase customer retention. While many businesses use digital marketing as their sole method to get their message to consumers, the need for print marketing is still in high demand. Using print marketing materials to spread your information increases the chance your brand's image will get in front of consumers without the risk of being blocked or instantly deleted. Additionally, print ads are more trusted than other marketing strategies, and according to Marketing Sherpa, many online ad options are among the least trusted advertising methods . Breaking Through the Digital Clutter: Tips for Print Marketing with Maximum Impact As many businesses are turning to digital marketing strategies, your business can benefit from printed materials. Check out these tips for breaking through the digital clutter. Know Your Audience One of the key factors helping print mar...

It's no secret that you need to get noticed if you want your business to succeed.   But with so much competition, how do you stand out and ensure your sales funnel is overflowing?   Here's what the experts have to say! Question: What are the most compelling printed products to help my business get noticed? Answer: The tried-and-true method of printed materials remains one of the most effective ways to get your business noticed .   Business cards, flyers, and brochures are great for getting people interested in your company and its services.   But don't forget the power of mailers – a well-crafted direct mail campaign can generate leads and drive sales. Question: How can I use print materials to attract potential customers? Answer: Make sure your print materials are eye-catching and attractive. Research the colors, fonts, and images that best convey your message.   Be sure to include all the critical information, like your business name, logo, website URL...

A well-crafted coupon marketing strategy has the potential to not only drive sales but also enhance brand awareness and loyalty. Coupons can entice potential customers and encourage repeat purchases by offering attractive discounts, exclusive deals, and personalized incentives. Additionally, leveraging data analytics and customer insights can provide valuable information to fine-tune your strategy and maximize its effectiveness. With a strategic approach and thorough research, you can develop the right plan to help you achieve your goals and establish a strong connection with your target audience. Achieve Your Marketing Outcomes with These 9 Effective Coupon Strategies! Check out these nine key strategies to make the most of your coupon marketing campaigns. 1. Have a Goal Whether you want to drive traffic or increase sales volume, determine specific goals and objectives for your coupon strategy. This will help you measure the effectiveness of your efforts and ens...

In a world where everyone is glued to the screens of their smartphones and tablets all day long, it can be easy to underestimate the power of something like direct mail marketing. It would also be a mistake! Direct mail isn't just as effective as ever; it's arguably more popular, despite what certain myths would have you believe. People Pay Attention to Direct Mail One idea that has cropped up about direct mail over the years is that it is easily ignorable. Thankfully, this is false. According to one recent study, about 42.2% of the people who receive direct mail regularly say that they read it entirely or at least scan it to get the gist.  Now, think about that in the context of an email. Emails can wind up in a "spam" folder or be ignored entirely. If you catch someone at the wrong time of day, they may even hit "delete" and never think of it again without even considering what the message may have contained. People Prefer Direct Mail Ano...

Your company's success depends on many different factors, each playing a vital role. While there are many things to consider when budgeting and creating marketing, it's important not to put too much emphasis on digital campaigns and overlook the power of print materials.  According to a national survey, 82% of Americans find printed advertisements more credible than online ads ! Print marketing can be incredibly beneficial for your company to increase brand awareness, engage existing customers, and boost sales.  Here are some tips on using print marketing to give your company a competitive edge in your field!  3 Ideas for Creative Print Marketing 1. Get Original with Shapes Many companies will get creative with the graphic design and typography components of their print marketing, but one aspect that could help you rise above the competition is unique shapes and sizes!  Consider putting a unique twist on the shapes and sizes expected for certain print mat...

Regardless of your business type, customer feedback is one of your most valuable resources. Make no mistake: your customers have opinions. There are aspects of your operations that they love and want more of. There are aspects that they could be more enthused about. Disregarding this actionable insight would mean missing out on an opportunity to enhance future interactions. Thankfully, that doesn't have to be the case.  Soliciting customer feedback  not only provides a roadmap for continuous improvement but also demonstrates a genuine concern for their input, thus increasing customer loyalty at the same time.  Here are three practical approaches for collecting customer feedback and helping them feel comfortable sharing their opinions with you. 3 Ways to Ask Customers for Feedback  1. Email Surveys  One easy way to ask customers questions and get legitimate answers involves sending out surveys. Make the survey brief enough, or you risk overwhelming ...

Copywriting for postcard marketing is an essential part of any successful campaign. The right copy can capture a reader's attention, engage their interest in your message, and compel them to take action. Compelling postcard copy that resonates with your target audience requires creativity, thoughtful planning, and a clear understanding of your business objectives. Here are seven ideas to help you create compelling copy for postcard marketing that will inspire your customers and drive results. 7 Hot Tips for Effective Postcard Marketing Copy 1. Focus on the customer Your postcard should focus on what's in it for the customer – not just your business. Consider their needs, wants, and interests, and use language that speaks directly to them. 2. Keep it concise Postcards are small, so limit your copy to the essentials. Use short, punchy sentences that get to the point quickly and avoid unnecessary words. 3. Include a call to action Make sure your postcard inc...

When it comes to increasing success and customer recognition for your business, it pays off to focus on the details. Don't underestimate the strength of the little things in your company- like business cards!  From boosting customer loyalty to adding a personal touch to packaging, read on to discover five creative ways to use business cards to enhance your company today. 5 Fresh Ideas for Business Cards 1. Loyalty Cards Rewarding your loyal customers is an essential way to ensure your company's success! Why not incorporate a loyalty-reward aspect into your business cards? Simply print your company's logo and contact information on one side of the card, leaving space on the other for stamps or punch-out holes. Incentivize the shopping experience for your customers by showing them that a freebie or discount is waiting for them after a certain number of visits or purchases.  2. Appointment Reminders If your company offers scheduled services or consultations, ...