How do you create effective print materials for events and trade shows?

1 Define your goals

The first step is to define your goals for your print materials. What do you want to achieve with them? Who are you targeting? How do you want them to respond? Your goals will guide your decisions on what type of print materials to use, what content to include, and how to measure their impact. For example, if your goal is to increase brand awareness, you might use flyers, banners, and posters with your logo, slogan, and website. If your goal is to generate leads, you might use brochures, catalogs, and business cards with a call to action and a contact form.

2 Choose your print materials

The second step is to choose your print materials based on your goals, budget, and audience. There are many types of print materials you can use for events and trade shows, such as flyers, brochures, catalogs, banners, posters, business cards, stickers, coupons, and more. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on the size, cost, durability, and visibility. You should choose the print materials that best suit your needs and objectives, and that complement your other marketing channels. For example, you might use flyers to promote a special offer, brochures to showcase your products or services, and business cards to exchange information.

4 Write your copy

The fourth step is to craft your copy for print materials with your goals and audience in mind. The copy should be concise, compelling, and persuasive. To achieve this, consider utilizing basic copywriting principles such as a catchy headline that summarizes the main benefit or offer, a clear and simple language that speaks to your audience, a friendly and conversational tone that builds rapport, benefits-oriented and action-oriented words that highlight the value and urgency of your offer, and a clear and strong call to action that tells your audience what to do next.

5 Print your materials

To ensure you have professional, crisp, and flawless print materials, it’s important to follow some basic printing principles. You should choose a reputable and reliable printing service that can deliver your materials on time and within your budget. Additionally, select the right paper type, size, weight, and finish for your print materials based on the purpose and durability. The right color mode, resolution, and file format should also be chosen depending on the printing method and quality. Carefully proofread your print materials for any errors, typos, or inconsistencies. Finally, request a sample or a proof of your print materials before printing the final batch to make sure they match your expectations and specifications.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?