Marketing is the key to your company’s success. Whether you’re running a small business or a large company, you need to invest in promotional material. In addition to business card printing, you will also need brochures. And in order to get the highest quality brochures, you need to have a unique design.

To help you get started, here are nine design ideas for business brochures.

1. Message

What is it that you want to convey? You need to use your words sparingly. Nobody is going to read a bunch of small print paragraphs. A huge part of the message should include images and graphics. This is where your designer will help you. As for the words, you must figure out what you want to say and how to say it concisely.

2. Decide On A Marketing Strategy

Define your target audience. If you’re running a travel business, then you need to add photos of exotic beaches, city skyscrapers and amusement parks. Your target audience will be people who are interested in going to such places.

3. Choose The Right Words

First of all, avoid clichés. Clichés are unnecessary and cheesy. Use positive words, as they are more powerful than negative ones. It’s okay to include a brief overview of your company, which includes contact information and a few testimonials. Just don’t list any product prices unless the whole purpose of the brochure is to promote sales packages.

4. Choose The Right Graphics

Once again, this is something that a professional designer can help you with. Use something original. Some graphics choices include cartoons, graphs, or a simple logo. The idea is to create a brochure that catches the eye of your targeted demographic.

5. Decide On The Colour

Do you want black and white brochures or colour brochures? If you want colour, which tones would be appropriate for your line of business? Colour printing costs more than black, but bright, colourful brochures will stand out.

6. Choose A Size

There are many brochure types and sizes to choose from. If you choose something standard, you should be able to save some money. Some standard brochure types include Z-fold, Tri-fold, Half-fold, and Right Angle-fold.

7. Have A Professional Designer Help You

Don’t try to do everything on your own, especially if you’re new to brochure printing. Hiring an expert designer is the most important investment you will make. This individual will help to ensure that your message gets out the way you want it to.

8. Use The Right Type Of Paper

It doesn’t matter how beautiful your design is; if it’s printed on low quality paper, the brochure will look and feel cheap. Be sure to work with a quality printing company so that your brochures will be produced on the right type of paper.

9. Make Sure Everything Lines Up

The logo, design, headlines and text should all be in perfect alignment. Keep the alignment simple. If some things are centred and some are flushed left, the information will be difficult to follow. The message should be conveyed in an orderly fashion, not a haphazard one.

These nine tips will help you create the perfect business brochures! Good luck!

9 Design Tips for Printing Business Brochures is a post from: Dark Horse Articles

If you have a printing job coming up, you may be tempted to create your own design and produce your own stationery using your new laser printer. While it is certainly possible to print in house there are many reasons this could go horribly wrong. The following tips are the best 6 reasons you would be better off using a printing service instead for producing letterheads to color flyer printing.

1. Cost

The costs of using printing services may well be a lot cheaper than you think. There are many printing companies to choose from so their aim is to give you the best deal, a quality product that costs less than other printers just to stay ahead of their competition. Using on line printers can have additional savings for bulk prints and some offer free delivery to metropolitan areas so make sure you research well for the best deals available.

Not only should you factor into the costs the materials needed to produce the final product, such as paper or card, ink and electricity remember there is also the time spent in getting the design and layout right as well as the actual printing time.

2. Time

If someone in the office is going to spend valuable time with designs and layout they are being taken away from their normal tasks. In the long run this will cost the company money. Even though there may need to be some discussions with the printers the time spent in house will be a lot less. To commission work from a printer is straight forward and they will take care of the finer details you may not have thought about.

3. Ideas

Printing services have graphic designers on hand that can assist with the entire project. They can take your initial ideas and turn them in to a work of art or you can leave the entire job to them for something that is original and unique. The designers can even match your existing logo or themes and incorporate them into the new look.

4. Colour

While non-commercial laser printers have come a long way in recent years and can produce a professional finish, if you want your printed material in colour the bubble jet colour ink printer will be a poor second best as far as the end result goes. Using your in house printers for basic letter and word processing functions is fine but can prove to be costly for bulk printing. Use a reputable brochure printing service to produce a finer end result.

5. Binding

Printing services will ensure any brochures or booklets can be professionally bound giving an ordinary looking leaflet set a professional finish. This is something not easily done in your own office unless you have the latest binding machines at your fingertips.

6. Variable Data Printing

Variable data printing can be accessed through most larger printing companies giving another dimension for your printing requirements. Letters can be personalised to include names and addresses and brochures can have not only text but images and graphics changed from one print to the next to include all of your targeted audiences.

7. End Result

If you have chosen the right printer the end result gained by using printing services will be crisp and clean. Ideally the final print will appear polished and professional.

At the end of the day if you are producing a printed product to attract potential sales it makes sense to have a professional finish that only printing services can provide.

Best 6 Reasons to use Printing Services is a post from: Dark Horse Articles

Brochures play a large part in advertising for your business. Apart from being used as an information tool they are also a form of exposure for your company and products. The difference between a successful brochure and a failure may be as simple as outsourcing the design. Choosing the right brochure printing services for the job will certainly always help to achieve the desired outcome.

Consider these ideas to make sure your next promotional campaign using a brochure, works in your favour to increase sales and attract potential customers.

1. Preparation

As with all projects that succeed, preparation is the key. The first steps in getting a brochure printed are:

Identifying your audience
Reasons for the brochure
Desired Outcomes

Before you think about taking your ideas to the printers make sure you have answered these initial questions. For instance, if you are marketing a product for children the audience is actually the parents. The reason for the brochure might be to let people know about events in the following year so this would provide the catalyst for producing a brochure that will last whereas a brochure to advertise a sale need not be of such a high standard.

2. Design

A good design will set the scene for all the steps that follow in the brochure printing process. Most printing companies have experienced designers on site or access to freelancers. Work closely with the appointed graphic designer and give them the necessary templates to all your existing logos or motifs so they can come up with a theme to match your company’s profile and strategies.

Aim for an original or unique style that is different to your competitors.

3. Colour

The budget will play a determining factor in the use of colours for your brochure. Black and white need not be boring if the design is well thought through and can be rather striking in certain formats. Introduction of colours will be best left to the designer who will aim to bring in contrasts that coordinate with your logos.

4. Layout

The layout for a brochure will be slightly more complex than flyers printing when having to take in to account the different folds available and the way the brochure will be bound. Take advice from the designer and the printing company as they have the experience in what layout will work best with the message you are trying to get across.

5. Quality

Having a brochure produced that is of an appropriate quality for your needs could prove to be an expensive item unless you research the printing options available. Using a local printer could save you money in delivery while sourcing a printer on line could mean further options for discounts. Always choose a printer that offers savings on bulk purchases and use of templates for a second print run.

Whether you are using a brochure as part of a sales campaign or an informative newsletter, prepare in advance and work in with the printing company of your choice. Make sure the arrangements with the printer include proofing the work before committing to the final copy.

5 Ideas to make a Brochure that Works is a post from: Dark Horse Articles

If you’ve taken the time and trouble to produce the written material for a brochure, be sure to follow through with a quality printed product. A sub standard brochure could reflect poorly on your business so using a professional brochure printing service will go a long way in contributing to your image.

Brochures are a fantastic marketing tool for promoting your business or advertising a coming sale. They can also be used by neighbourhood groups and non profit organisations by advising what is happening in the community.

1. Identify Your Target Audience

A brochure is a simple method of marketing your products but the concept will not go far if you are targeting the wrong audience. Spend some time compiling a list of existing and prospective clients and what you hope to achieve with the brochure idea.

If the brochure is to be used to promote a particular product or items available at discount prices

Keep in mind specials are designed as a sweetener to entice customers to shop in your store. By taking photos of these items and making them appear attractive in your brochure you are bound to invite new clientele.

2. Detail Your Products or Services

Be specific about technical details so customers can compare your items with other stores. Being consistent with descriptions can help buyers decide if the products you have on offer are as good as those supplied by your competitors.

Capture the customers’ attention by highlighting any new product features. Offer special discounts and early bird rates as an added incentive.

3. Design and Style

Stand out from the crowd with the use of special designs and unique styles. Colour printing is always pleasing to the eye and can inject a feeling of reality for the products you are advertising.

4. Call in the Professionals

By calling in the professionals you are saying to anyone that may read the brochure that you are professional. Printers that use a magazine printing style on glossy paper may be too expensive so if cost is an issue go with a lighter weighted paper. Colour printing will always be more costly and the basic mono black print on white copy paper can be stunning if the design and layout is carefully thought out.

Of course, at the end of the day the most important part of your brochure will be the content. Make sure it is well written and if you don’t have the appropriate skills use a graphic designer to ensure a great looking layout. Most online printers have access to other professionals with expertise in the chosen fields so why not take that advantage and get the most from your finished brochure.

Remember to always shop around for the best value for money deals you can find before you commit to a printing company.

4 Tips for Better Brochure Printing is a post from: Dark Horse Articles

What is variable data printing?

The term ‘variable data printing’ is used to define a printing method that personalises information on an individual document. For example you may want to use a brochure printing service to produce a set of brochures. These can be customised with the recipients name on the front cover or any page within the brochure.

There are any number of medium that can be used to take advantage of variable data printing including postcards, newsletters, calendars and posters. Variable data printing uses information from an external data base file seamlessly and without interruption to the printing process. Change text or images making your message relevant to the reader.

How can it help your business?

Customer loyalty can be greatly improved if mail outs are delivered with a personal greeting. Variable data printing can create higher response rates and more orders from your customers.

What can be printed using variable data?

The choice of printed material is only limited to your imagination. Printing companies that offer different sizes and specifications to meet your requirements should be given preference for your printing job.

Postcards

Send customers a postcard letting them know about a future event or sales promotion. They will be thrilled with the personal touch.

Brochures

Personalise brochures with customers’ name and reference to their previous purchases or change images and products to suit the individual client.

Newsletters

Regular newsletters providing industry news and even community events can be a great way to keep in touch with your customers.

Direct Mail Letters

Letters to clients are enhanced with personalised greetings and reference to their name throughout the body of the document. You can refer to a particular product or future promotion to suit the individual customers’ needs. Mail merge has been around for some time but having your stationery professionally printed and personalised gives your message a competent look.

Greeting Cards

What better way to let your customers know you have thought about them than with a greeting card. You can have the cards printed in bulk to save costs then customise each one.

Calendars

Have your customers’ family name printed on a calendar for a great end of year gift and a special way to say thank you for their continuing patronage. If you have different product lines each month can be changed to match the item you are promoting.

Posters

While it is most common for the text to change in variable date printing, images and graphics are also able to be adjusted. This gives greater scope for a series of posters using a main theme with slight variations on each.

Variable data printing is offered by most printing companies and even online printers. Consider using the online option to make the process convenient, quick and efficient. Digital printing has taken marketing to a new level, by combining data base information in one of the many formats available be it a letter or customised postcard, your business is bound to benefit.

What is variable data printing? How can it help your business? is a post from: Dark Horse Articles

Experience is the key to having your stationery professional printed. The difference between using brochure printing services and self printing will show in the end result. If you take pride in your business and products it makes sense to extend the satisfaction to your promotional materials.

Professional printers have a reputation to uphold meaning their work will be of a high quality. With access to qualified designers they can take your printing project for a blank sheet to a premium finish. Here are six reasons why your stationery needs to be professionally printed.

• Value for Money

The costs for printing from you own office may find you spending much more than your budget allows. Not many businesses have access to laser colour printers and using bubble jet printers for big jobs can be quite costly before you even begin to look at the costs of paper and card. If done well stationery that is professionally printed results in a value for money project in the long run.

• Time Saving

Any printing job done from your own office is going to take time when you consider the formatting and layouts required. Unless you are trained in the proper software and have great design ideas this is something better left to the people who have spent years understanding the techniques involved.

• Professional Touch

A professional touch equals a professional look for the finished product. It may be cheaper to print your own stationery for a basic black and white look and by using light weight papers, but having stationery printed to a high quality says a lot about your business.

• Growth for your Business

By using a printing company to produce classy flyers and brochures you are promoting your business to not only existing customers but future markets as well. Brochure printing services can be affordable and a sensible approach to advertising where the costs of using media services are well out of reach to most small businesses.

• Package Deals

Package deals for having all your requirements printed at once can save you money. The printer might have specials on envelope and letterheads or business cards and flyers so make sure you ask what deals they have available. There may even be discounts on offer for bulk printing.

• Guarantee

One of the real benefits of having your stationery professionally printed is the guarantee that the work will be finished to your specifications and more often than not ahead of schedule. There would be nothing worse than spending your own time on design and money on paper and ink only to find the whole lot has to be reprinted.

Whether using your local printer or looking at ordering your stationery online a quality result will give that professional look. This will reflect your attention to detail with your own services and products and leave your customers with a sense of confidence.

6 Reasons Why You Need Stationery Professionally Printed is a post from: Dark Horse Articles

Seminars and workshops are a fantastic way to get together with like minded people. Put some careful thought into your hand outs and you will be remembered long after everyone’s gone home. Use quality brochure printing services to make the hand outs professional and consider some of these ideas to give your participants that little bit more.

1. The old adage is as relevant today as when it was first penned – tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them and tell them what you’ve told them. Use the handouts as a printed reminder of everything they have learned.
2. Timing is everything. Keep in mind that the moment you give the participants the hand out they will be absorbed in reading your material. This is not a good time to launch into your main speaking points as no one will be listening.

A better method may be to have the handouts sitting in front of each participant as they arrive, this means when you write the content you’ll need to have this in mind. It will also give you an opportunity to make those final preparations as everyone settles into the room.

3. Give the participants something more in your printed handout that wasn’t included in the seminar topic or power point slide. There is nothing more frustrating than leaving a great event only to find the material to take home is exactly the same as presented. We want more – we want to remember what was said so add this to your take home material.
4. Provide an area for feedback on the leaflet. This is a good way to find out how things were received and even negative feedback will be helpful. If you plan on another event in the future it is good to know where you went wrong so you can learn from your mistakes. If you opt for flyer printing, design the form so all the information on the back is for you to follow up at a later date.
5. Offer a prize that can only be claimed by submitting a form. Everybody loves something for nothing. The offer of a reward for filling out a form sounds way to easy. For you those forms provide a contact base of potential clients so it really is a win, win situation.
6. A blend of just the right amount of information in your hand out and perhaps some lingering unanswered questions will leave people feeling the seminar was well worth the money and their time. If you give all the answers first time round it is unlikely anyone will come for a second session. Make sure you have the balance right.
7. Professional hand outs that match the professional workshop you’ve presented will tell the participants much about who you are and how you operate. Why go to all the time and trouble of presenting something worthwhile then not deliver on the take home materials? Follow through with the presentation and send each person on their way with confidence.

Before the presentation think about the seminars and workshops you have attended. Ask yourself what was lacking or what more could the presenter have provided. These are the challenges you face as you now step into their role. Do your homework, deliver the workshop and leave people with more information than you gave them in the form of the handout. If you’ve done your job well, they’ll be looking ahead for the next event.

7 Ideas for Hand Outs at Seminars and Workshops is a post from: Dark Horse Articles

While brochures are a great way to let people know about your business, the way they are designed and printed can mean the difference between your company and your competition. Consider moving away from the standard way of brochures printing with these seven other options:

1. Different folds

Move away from the conventional and stand out. Folds can be from top to bottom or taking a third of the page each time. In fact there are so many options you will be surprised at the choices available.

Flat page speaks for itself as does a two panel half fold. French folds and accordion folds need a little more explanation. With a French fold the paper is folded crosswise once then again with equal sized panels. While an accordion fold is as the name suggests and also know as a Z-fold.

2. Funny photos

The main reason for using funny photos is to get a laugh and create interest in what you have to offer. Being in business doesn’t mean you have to be serious all the time.

3. Choice of papers

There are many varieties of paper to choose from and can mean the difference between an okay brochure and getting the wow factor. Consider the use of coloured paper and look at the different textures and weights. If you are mailing your brochures a lighter weight may be a better option.


4. Two colour printing

Colour brochure printing is obviously a great choice for making a statement. Look at all the variations to printing in full colour. Two colour printing is a simple choice that can have a bold and striking effect.

It is important for the brochure to be in colours that are easily read though so take care in matching the right contrasting colours and keep this in mind when choosing your background paper colour.

5. Hand drawn illustrations and cartoons

People love to see someone having a go. Even if you are no budding artist, a hand drawn illustration can get better results than anything digital. Face drawings with big noses and ears work well for cartoonists why not give it a try for your brochures?

6. Headline shading and shadowing

Great results can be achieved with the use of special effects such as headline shading and shadowing.

Creating different dimensions gives interest to the print. The shadowing can be in the same colour as the rest of the print or contrasting colours for bigger impact.

7. Variations in font sizes and styles

The use of different font styles and sizes create eye catching interest, instantly. There are so many to choose from, this could well be the real time waster.

There are other factors to consider such as formats, layouts and how the brochure is going to be used. Before deciding on the plain white background with black text and a simple hand out brochure have a look at the other fantastic options available.

7 Unusual Brochure Printing Techniques to Help Your Business Stand Out is a post from: Dark Horse Articles

With modern technology at your fingertips it may be tempting to create your own printed stationery. Business card printing, for instance is not only time consuming but can be expensive. For a pleasant surprise take a look instead at what online printers can do to produce quality merchandise for less.

1. Complete service

Online printers provide more than printing your logo and contact details. By leaving business card, brochures and letterhead printing to the experts your time can be better spent looking after your customers.

Tell them what you’re after, select the product and size and if you need specific artwork requirements. The printing doesn’t have to be limited to business cards so once they have your details on file costs of brochures or letterhead printing can happen down the track for less money.

2. Convenient

Using on line printers are a convenient way to get all your stationery printed. From business cards to brochures and everything in between. Simply connect to the Internet, navigate to the web site and follow the screen instructions. It won’t be long before they have the first draft ready for your input, most printers promise this within two days. Once you’ve agreed on the design and layout the printers do it all for you.

From start to finish everything can be done on line. Sit comfortably at your own computer and deal with the printers at your leisure.

3. Instant on screen previews

Once the design has been decided, the printers will give you an instant preview. Let them know what you want changed or give the thumbs up if you are impressed by what they’ve done.The concept is so much easier than learning a new software program, fiddling, editing and cursing because you can’t get it right.

4. Less Expensive

Believe it or not online printers can be cheaper. Think about the cost of paper, ink, power and your time. Unless you are a graphic designer, software programs you are unfamiliar with can consume your waking moments. Costs comparisons on business cards printing show that printers can produce batches of 1000 for the same cost as 200 you have printed yourself.

5. Quick turnaround and delivery

Another pleasant surprise of contracting your printing is the quick turnaround. Most places offer a 3-5 day turnaround from the initial to design to a complete print and delivery within the metropolitan area.Unless you are proficient with design software and have a bundle of ideas bursting at the seams creating your finished product could take weeks.

6. Fantastic graphics and designs

With top quality graphic designers on staff who know their stuff, online printers can produce fantastic results.

7. New ideas for worn out advertising

These guys are in the business of taking old worn out ideas and breathing life into them. It’s what they do every day so they have the know how and a better understanding of what works.

These are only a few of the benefits of using online printing services. When you take everything into account and this includes your time and resources in self printing it could well be the better option to have the job done professionally.

7 Pleasant Surprises to Expect from Online Printers is a post from: Dark Horse Articles

If you’ve ever received a quote from a graphic design company, and sat looking at the screen, a low whistle escaping you, wondering incredulously how people afford to market their businesses … you have probably also considered just doing your own design! The most common corporate printed material (after business cards) is the company brochure – it’s a necessity for many businesses. Today we are looking at whether it is more cost effective to outsource the design for your brochure printing, or do-it-yourself, and the extra benefits and disadvantages associated with each strategy.

Brochure printing as a corporate identity

Your brochure is the key to your corporate identity. Even more than your business card (which will be used mainly in B2B situations), your printed brochure is often the main physical point of contact for your customers when they are considering your products or services. It is vital that it be professional, attractive, and say everything that you need it to in a compelling way.

Does this mean I should DIY or outsource?

You should outsource if you:

• Are not comfortable with graphic design principles or software
• Are not comfortable with copywriting
• Are competing with companies with professionally printed brochures
• Want to improve a flagging perception of your business

You should DIY if you:

• Have solid graphic design and copywriting experience, or access to someone in the company that does
• Have little competition in your niche
• Need to literally watch every cent and want a tiny (<25) run of brochures printed.

Skills needed for DIY brochure design

Beyond an understanding of what your company does and your corporate philosophy for doing it, there are quite a few skills needed for brochure design. You may be able to cobble these skills together from your circle of friends, employees and family. If not, it makes sense to have your design and brochure printing outsourced. The skills you’ll need to acquire or find include:

• Graphic design principles
• Use of graphic design software
• Flawless English grammar and spelling
• Knowledge of persuasive marketing words
• Skill in structuring copy

Cost comparison – DIY vs outsourcing

Looking at that quote in your inbox, it can be tempting to think that DIY will save you thousands. In reality, the DIY process has its own hidden costs! These include:

• The cost of purchasing graphic design software
• The lost productive hours in learning the software and producing the brochure for printing
• The possibility of needing to review the design as the company grows
• The cost involved in buying a printer that is up to the required standards, as well as decent quality paper
• The cost of ink cartridges/toner in self-brochure printing

It may simply be that you haven’t yet encountered all of the options for professionals to design and print your brochures. Often the staff at printing houses have graphic design experience as well, and these services are much more budget-friendly (with similar quality) to professional graphic design houses. You’ll be able to revise your design as many times as you like, and have the benefit of expert help at DIY prices.

For example, a popular brochure printing house charges $300 for a set of 250 full colour brochures, on heavy, glossy paper. It is only $390 to have the same printing house also do your design! There really is a financial as well as convenience incentive in outsourcing your brochure design and printing.

Should I DIY or Outsource My Brochure Design? is a post from: Dark Horse Articles