GCC Printing and Graphics

When it comes to marketing for your company, direct mail can be a powerful tool. It helps you to increase brand awareness, connect with potential customers, advertise new products or special promotions, and stay in touch with existing customers. 73% of American consumers say they prefer brands to contact them via direct mail rather than online advertisements. Clearly, direct mail can be a useful channel, and it’s important that you learn more about how to make the most of your direct mail campaigns. Incorporating various finishing techniques can be pivotal to ensure your mail grabs attention. Among the most common are glossy and matte finishes, each possessing distinct attributes that warrant consideration before determining the ideal choice for your next endeavor. The Basics of Glossy vs. Matte Finishing Glossy Finish A glossy finish is your best option if your vision for the piece is vivid colors and sharply defined images. The smooth, shiny finish will give the pro...

Print marketing plays a crucial role in effectively communicating with your current and potential customers. Author and motivational speaker Jim Rohn once said, "If you just communicate, you can get by. But if you communicate skillfully, you can work miracles," highlighting the importance of connecting well with your customers. Every business aims to enhance customer service and engagement, but where do you start? What's the secret to success? Print marketing is a critical factor in improving customer service and engagement. From door hangers, brochures, and catalogs to business cards, direct mail, and postcards, print marketing offers a versatile and effective way to communicate with your customers, fostering a personal connection and building trust.   Print Marketing: A Trusted Choice Printed materials are increasingly seen as trustworthy and reliable in an era of digital overload. 82% of consumers trust print advertisements the most when making purchase d...

People love to receive physical mail. In fact, 70% of people said mail, rather than email, gave them a better impression of the company that sent it . Monthly mailings are an engaging, unique, and thoughtful way to reach new and loyal customers. From stories about your company and special offers to gifts, let the customer get to know and appreciate your business to build trust and loyalty. Three Monthly Mailing Ideas to Connect with Your Audience Direct mailings don't have to be boring or mundane. Get creative and thoughtful with our experienced print marketing experts to craft one of these monthly mailings. 1. Newsletter Newsletters are an excellent method to inform your customers of what is new in your business. Customers love to stay informed and in the know of the companies they are loyal to. Share exciting updates, expansions, new products, new management or team members, and other updates like the following:  History. People connect best with stories, so what be...

Many may overlook the power of printed sales collateral in today's digital world. However, print materials remain crucial in closing deals and converting leads into customers.  In fact, according to  a study by MarketingSherpa , 82% of consumers trust print collateral more than digital advertisements when purchasing. So, how can you create effective sales collateral to help close deals? Here are some tips to keep in mind. Understanding Your Audience To create effective marketing materials, it's crucial to understand your target audience so that you can customize your messaging and design to better connect with them. Identify Your Audience The first step in creating any marketing material is understanding your target audience.  Who are you trying to reach with your print materials? What are their pain points, needs, and preferences?  By understanding your audience, you can tailor your messaging and design to resonate with them and increase th...

Print marketing offers a tangible experience that digital advertising can't replicate. By combining eye-catching design and compelling copy, print ads can create a lasting impression on potential customers. But how do you ensure that your print ad stands out amongst the noise of other ads? The answer lies in effective copywriting techniques. Know Your Audience As with any form of marketing, understanding your audience is crucial for effective copywriting for print. Before you start crafting your message, take some time to research and define your target audience. Consider their demographics, interests, pain points, and values. This information will guide the tone, language, and messaging of your print marketing materials. By tailoring your copy to resonate with your audience, you'll be more likely to capture their attention and encourage them to take action. Highlight Benefits, Not Features When selling a product or service, many marketers make the mistake of f...

Even with the rise of digital media, brochures still hold immense value in marketing and advertising. They offer a tangible and easily shareable platform to showcase your brand or product, creating a lasting impression on potential customers.  With fierce competition in the market, it's crucial to make your print designs stand out and captivate attention.  One surefire way to achieve this is by incorporating innovative fold styles in your brochures.  Stand Out with Innovative Folds Ready to take your brochures to the next level? Explore Our Top 9 Fold Styles that are Guaranteed to Make Your Brochures Stand Out  1. Accordion Fold Experience the timeless elegance of the accordion fold, adding a unique touch to your brochure. With its captivating zig-zag pattern, this fold creates multiple panels for seamless content placement. Ideally suited for instructional brochures, it beautifully showcases different sections or steps of a process, captivat...

Birds chirp louder, the sun lingers longer, and colors shine brighter. Ahhhh . . . spring. There’s nothing like spring to bring pep in the step and joy to the heart. Capitalize on this natural momentum with fun and energetic designs! Use these ideas to put some color in your next print marketing campaign! 1. St. Patrick’s Day: March 17 If you ever needed an excuse to be silly, St. Patrick’s Day is it. Make your customers smile by using phrases like these in your sales promos, posters, and more: “Save some GREEN at our 20% off sale!” “There’s gold at the end of this rainbow. Subscribe by March 17 to receive a free month of _____.” “Today is your LUCKY DAY to book!” “Feeling lucky? Check out our Sham-ROCKIN rewards.” 2. Tax Day or Earth Day: April 15 & 22 Everyone can get on board with saving cash or saving the planet! Have fun with these holidays by building promotions that help people con...

Humans process unfathomable quantities of information through sight alone. Consider this crazy statistic: The human brain processes images in just 13 milliseconds , with the eyes shifting gaze three times per second. People can recognize and comprehend dozens of pictures in a fraction of a second! This pace is something verbal communication could never match. That’s one reason design is sometimes called the “visual language” that shapes our world. 3 Design Principles to Strengthen Your Marketing Materials If you want to grab attention, evoke emotions, and make complex ideas simple, design is king. Here are three tips for communicating strong ideas in seconds. 1. Differentiate Your Brand Is your brand chic, silly, sophisticated, classic, or dependable? A clear identity distinguishes your company and builds confidence in your target customers. Are your marketing pieces connected through cohesive brand elements? If you removed the business name from your des...

Did you know that as of early 2023, the share of companies' revenue spent on marketing in the US reached 10.9 percent – a result significantly above the global figure? Why do companies choose to invest so much of their budget and resources into marketing? Because a strong marketing strategy is essential for a successful business! Help your business thrive by looking at five areas of marketing strategy that are key to business success. Pay Attention to These 5 Factors in Your Marketing Strategy 1. Lead Generation One of the most pertinent roles of marketing within a business is to find leads and work towards hooking them in as new customers. Collecting qualified leads takes effort, so it's essential to approach it strategically. Research your competitors and other trends within your field to keep your marketing tactics fresh and exciting for customers. Additionally, use tools to measure the response rate of different marketing products on your customers to determi...

It’s no secret that despite how digitized our world is, direct mail is still a powerful tool that can garner a significant return on investment. Direct mail has a higher response rate than email. Yet, households in the United States only received, on average, 368 pieces of regular marketing direct mail in 2022 . So, how can you ensure that your company’s direct mail stands out? One way to distinguish your mail and add extra polish is through lamination and coating. Read on to learn more about the different types of coating that you can use for your mail pieces! 3 Essentials When It Comes to Lamination and Coating 1. Protective Properties Lamination on direct mail pieces will protect them and increase their durability as they travel through the mail system. Customers will be less impressed with a mail piece that arrives damaged, scratched, or scuffed. Using lamination is an excellent choice to help protect the mail piece from water damage, sun fading, and w...

The adage “A picture is worth a thousand words” still rings true today. Images, or pictures, are crucial for your flyers and brochures. Whether you are looking to wow, spark interest, create empathy, or make someone chuckle, images are a powerful tool to harness in your marketing venture. Start today by collaborating with our print marketing specialists to strategize your next golden idea. Local, professional, and personable, our visual marketing expert team will impress and complement your business’s desire to be seen and grow. Tips for Attention-Grabbing Flyer and Brochure Images Keep It Simple There is no need to completely fill your next flyer or brochure with images and text. Keep things clean and simple so that the most important things stand out. Stay Relevant Stick to the main message. If you are going for one specific theme, stay with it. Do not try to do too much on one flyer or brochure. Relevance with your theme will ensure your message is...

When you try to market to everyone, you target no one. Make your marketing budget work smarter, not harder, with specific marketing techniques and insights into specific audience segments that will produce more substantial returns on investments.  What is Audience Segmentation? Audience segmentation is a blueprint for focused marketing. It targets subgroups within your ideal audience so that you can deliver more customized messaging and build stronger connections. Audience segmentation breaks up your target audience into smaller, more focused groups for more efficient marketing. Types of Audience Segments Below are 2 Types of Audience Segments with broken down components.  1. Demographic This is the most common, easy, and frequently utilized form of audience segmentation, and for a good reason: it works. Frequently used demographics include age, gender, and job type. Age Meet people where they are with your marketing. For example, suppose you have...

Table tents are a great way to grab your customers' attention and promote your products or services without being too pushy. They can be used in various settings, such as restaurants, cafes, trade shows, and events. But simply having a table tent on display is not enough. To make an impact and stand out from the competition, you must carefully plan and design your table tent. Tips for Designing and Printing Table Tents with Maximum Impact Here are 15 design and printing tips for creating table tents with maximum impact. 1. Know Your Audience Before designing your table tent, it's essential to understand your target audience. Knowing who your table tents are targeted at will help you determine their tone, style, and messaging. For example, if your target audience is families with children, use bright colors and playful fonts. 2. Keep it Simple Table tents have limited space, so keeping your design simple and clutter-free is essential. Avoid using too many im...

Emotions play a significant role in our decision-making process, especially when it comes to purchasing products or services. As a business owner, it's crucial to understand the power of emotional connection and how you can use it to inspire potential customers to take action. Print is the perfect way to combine the elements driving  emotive buying processes . Connect and Inspire Customers to Action with These 11 Tips! Color, feel, and compelling copy are all powerful tools that can help you motivate prospects by engaging their emotions where they are in the sales cycle. Tell a compelling story. Print media, such as brochures, posters, and flyers, provides an excellent opportunity to tell a story that resonates with your potential customers. Connecting emotionally through storytelling can create a strong bond between your brand and the audience. Use captivating visuals.  Images have the power to evoke emotions in people. When designing print media, make su...

Variable data printing, or VDP, is a digital printing method that allows for customizing printed materials with unique information. This technology has revolutionized the print world by enabling businesses to create personalized marketing materials, such as brochures, postcards, and flyers, that can target specific audiences. How Does Variable Data Printing Work? Variable data printing utilizes digital printing technology to customize the content of each printed piece. The process involves linking a database of personalized information with a print job, allowing for unique elements such as names, addresses, images, or barcodes to be incorporated into the design. This can all be done in a single print run, making the process quick and efficient. Why Use Variable Data Printing? Variable data printing offers many benefits for businesses creating targeted marketing materials. Here are some of the main advantages: Personalization : With VDP, each printed piece can be custo...

In the iconic book, “7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” Stephen Covey says successful people “begin with the end in mind.” Why? Because all things are created twice – once through imagination and later in reality. To succeed in business, you must clarify what you’re trying to accomplish and then optimally position your offering before a target market. Covey states this reality in blunt terms : “[In business,] the extent to which you begin with the end in mind often determines whether or not you are able to create a successful enterprise. Most business failures begin in the first creation, with problems such as undercapitalization, misunderstanding of the market, or lack of a business plan.” Building brand awareness is essential if your desired “end” is to grow your sales! Boost Visibility for Your Business Just as it takes a blueprint and nails to build a house, it requires strategic marketing to build your brand. ...

When you think of door hangers, does cash flow come to mind? Perhaps not. However, many businesses find these tangible tools bring a remarkable return on investment. Take this example from a neighborhood tree service. After a violent summer storm in an established neighborhood, many yards were littered with large branches from mature trees. One proactive landscaper was ready with 500 pre-printed custom door hangers, photos, contact information, and an irresistible combo deal pairing yard cleanup with discounts on large-scale trimming packages. Upon distribution, it was common for his business to receive inquiries on projects ranging between $1,000 to $1,500 per job. If 500 door hangers were printed for $100 -- and landed just one job at $1,500 -- the earnings ($1500) minus the investment ($100) would net a remarkable 1400% ROI. Now, THAT is some killer marketing! The Power of Door Hangers in Local Marketing Campaigns Door hangers require some creativity and elbow grease, but ...

Did you know that the average American household receives 454 pieces of marketing mail per year? If you want to make your company’s mailings stand out among all the others, an attractive offer is the key! 92% of Millennials have been influenced to purchase by direct mail. By crafting the perfect offer, you can utilize that impact and guide recipients toward purchasing with your company. 3 Essentials for the Perfect Direct Mail Offer Read on to learn the three key tips to remember when creating an offer for your next direct mail campaign. 1. Build the Offer around the Audience Your offer will be much more effective and generate significantly higher revenue if it’s thoughtfully personalized to target a specific audience. First, brainstorm which target audience you’d like to focus on for this direct mail campaign. Then, consider which offers would be most valuable and tempting to those in that demographic. For instance, a restaurant with a target audience ...

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)...

When was the last time your print marketing products exuded a sense of classic luxury and left a lasting memory? Print projects do not have to be dull and two-dimensional. Texture is a vital element in creating visually striking printed materials. It has the power to influence emotions, trigger psychological associations, draw attention to the medium used, or focus our attention on the materials themselves . Welcome to the World of Embossing!   To begin, let us find some common ground on what embossing means. Embossing involves creating a raised design or text on the surface of print materials . Companies today often utilize embossing for their logo, initials, or a specific pattern. While embossing has been around since the 15th century, the process has been refined to provide cost-effective, efficient, and high-quality embossing.  Embossing utilizes a die, a custom metal plate that carries the desired design, and the chosen material, typically paper. The die...

Signage is not just to look pretty. It is essential for your business and its success, especially at events. Standout signage will benefit your event by impressing attendees with welcome displays, informing customers where they should go, keeping a schedule of events visible, thanking sponsors, and more. Team up with our printing professionals to help create the event of the year with innovative and unforgettable signage and displays. Printing for Events: Tips for Standout Signage and Displays Looking for some ideas to begin your journey? Consider the following four ideas. Welcoming First impressions are of the utmost importance for your next event. Ensure your attendees know where they are, why they’re there, where to find specific locations, and most importantly, that they are welcome.  Examples of Welcoming Signage: Feather/Banner Flags: Allow nature to let these flow in the wind to attract views Welcome Banner: The first signage a guest sees upon arri...

With so much emphasis on online advertising and social media, it's easy to overlook the impact of well-executed print materials on your target audience. But how do you measure the success of your print marketing campaigns? While tracking the effectiveness of physical marketing materials may seem complicated, a few key metrics can help you evaluate your efforts. Consider These 11 Metrics for Evaluating the Success of Your Print Campaigns Response Rate The response rate is perhaps one of the most critical metrics for measuring the success of any marketing campaign, including print. This metric assesses the percentage of people who responded to your call-to-action (CTA) after receiving your print materials. This could include visiting your website, purchasing, or completing a form. Conversion Rate Similar to the response rate, the conversion rate measures the percentage of people who not only respond to your CTA but also complete the desired action. For example, if ...