Your Guide To Print Marketing

In today’s digital world, businesses are eager to switch all their marketing efforts into digital, and print media is often overlooked. However, several studies have shown that print marketing, when executed correctly, helps build brand identity and creates a positive impact on clients and prospective customers. Compared to the digital landscape, traditional print provides a far richer sensory experience, retains people’s attention for longer, and allows them to form a tactile connection with your company.

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In our previous article, we listed the importance of print media in today’s digital age and emphasized that in order to truly succeed with a print marketing campaign, it has to work in alignment with and complement your efforts with Kuwait digital marketing services. Here, we will help you take the next step by introducing the various print materials and techniques that you can choose from, and help you determine the best fit for your business.

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In order to have your print materials stand out, you need to look for high-quality print techniques and innovative print materials. When developing a sales-oriented piece, it’s wise to consult with your sales team. They will be able to accurately guide you in the types of features that are most important to customers and the questions that they frequently ask.

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First, let’s look at some of the ad-based print materials:

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●????Newspaper ads - Newspaper ads usually feature texts and images that promote your company/announcement. You can choose your ad size as well as the section of the paper you want your ad to be featured in (lifestyle, sports, finance, etc.) They are a relatively inexpensive option, although that’s because they do not have much circulation anymore. Still, a newspaper can work for your company if its readership matches your targeted demographic. Interestingly, different types of newspapers target different audiences, so you may want to assess its readership before making assumptions.

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●????Magazine ads - Magazine ads can either be quarter-, half-, or full-page, depending on your ad structure and budget. Magazines feature aesthetic images, aspirational stories, high-quality editorial, and a glossy finish. They are a great way to reach a lifestyle-focused audience that follows niche publications.

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●????Billboard ads - Despite how big they are, billboards still fall under print marketing since they also rely on text and images. Traditional billboards are cheaper but cannot be changed easily, whereas digital billboards, though costly, can be changed on a daily or hourly basis to better target your audience. They can prove to be very effective when placed in high-traffic areas and work best for companies that meet widespread needs (e.g: grocery stores, car dealerships, healthcare providers). They’re also a great way to immediately attract customers and snag a sale if your business is right around the corner from where the billboards are placed.

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Now, let’s look at some of the most popular print materials that you can customize through graphic design and printing services in Kuwait:

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●????Brochures - Also known as pamphlets, brochures are short-form pieces that present a company’s products/services in an easy-to-digest format. They consist of two to three-fold glossy pages that also feature fine imagery and contact information. They are generally used as handouts or leave-behinds to keep the brand in the mind of the consumers. They can be distributed at events, expos, and in stores.

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●????Catalogs - Generally containing more information than a brochure or flier, they are kind of the physical printed version of your website. They can be made freely available at conferences or in stores.

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●????Business cards - These are small cards featuring the company logo, tagline, and website, as well as your name, position, and contact details. Since they are small and durable enough to be carried in pockets/wallets, they allow for easy access and can be handed out at trade shows, conferences, or spontaneous encounters with people. They can also be modified as magnets, appointment cards, gift cards, loyalty cards, etc. To prevent your business card from being forgettable, experiment to make them unique. Rounding the edges, changing its shape, using different finishing or raised fonts, can all help it stand out.

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●????Door hangers - These printed signs with door handle cutouts are usually placed on residential doors. Their aim is to promote a new product/service, kickstart a new campaign or announce a promotion. They are designed to be highly visible and can be used to place a clear call to action.

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●????Letterheads/Envelopes - When customized, letterheads and envelopes can help you promote your brand in all types of written communication. They comprise your company’s colored professional logo design and business details. A unique and well-designed envelope will help attract a prospective client even before they open it.

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●????Promotional items - These marketing materials consist of give-aways like t-shirts, pens, water bottles, pins, magnets, and numerous other items that include your company name and logo, and maybe contact information.. Employees/customers can wear or use them during daily activities, which can help expose your brand to a larger audience. Every time a potential customer accesses or uses your item, they will be reminded of your company.

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●????Thank you cards - A small personal note printed on a thank you card given along with your business card can leave a memorable mark on your clients. It makes them feel appreciated and creates a positive impression of your brand. They can be used to thank them for their business, for a referral, to ask for feedback, or to simply remind them of their upcoming appointment.

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While knowing and choosing the right types of print marketing materials for your business goes a long way, there are certain things you can do to land your print marketing strategy more effectively:

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●????Don’t be afraid to personalize and stand out from the crowd by using catchy slogans and unusual fonts. The entire point is to grab people’s attention.

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●????Add time-sensitive promotional offers to your printed materials. These can be in the form of a QR code or a website link. They can make the print material feel more exclusive and can encourage follow-ups.

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●????Develop a response system to find out which of your campaigns are producing the best results. You may include a “how did you hear about us?” line on the contact form of your website to understand which initiatives are working great.

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●????To get the best quality graphic displays, have them designed professionally. Taking the help of top graphic design firms or a professional graphic designer will help your materials look professional.

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●????Because it’s harder to change printed materials frequently, make sure you research your target audience in advance and tailor your print materials accordingly.

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●????Use contrasting colors and color psychology to evoke different emotions from your audience. (Check out our blog on color psychology to learn more!)

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●????The logos and colors used on your website shouldn’t differ from the imagery, font, and color palettes used on your print materials. Consistent branding helps foster brand recognition.

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●????Low-quality printed materials may end up in the trash, which is why it’s best to go to printing professionals who can provide quality stock and finishes. Remember, details matter.

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○????Paper weight i.e. the thickness of your paper should change depending on whether you’re printing covers for brochures and booklets or single-use pieces like event programs.

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○????The paper quality and texture should reflect your brand. If you’re an outdoor company, you’ll want something more rougher and natural. On the other hand, if you’re organizing a high-end event, you might go for the silky look.

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○????Your printing company might ask you the kind of paper stock you want. A glossy stock offers shine and durability to covers as well as to single-page papers. A matte stock has low reflectivity. And an uncoated stock has no reflectivity, making it great for materials that feature a lot of text or reading.

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○????The paper finish of your print materials can come in the form of soft touch (for a velvety soft texture), varnish (to add shine and vibrancy), and aqueous (to protect the printed piece).

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○????For multi-page print pieces, you will also want to consider the kind of binding you want. Saddle stitches, stapling, and spiral binding, all come at different prices and depend on the amount of pages.

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○????If you’re looking to add extra shine and attention to specific areas of your print material that you wish to highlight, spot UV may be the right option for you. It creates an attractive contrast that is pleasing to the eye. A lot of companies use spot UV on their logos to make them shine.

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○????If you want your print piece to last, you may choose to laminate it. Apart from helping preserve your content, it also sharpens images and texts and makes the colors pop. Laminates also have variations ranging from matte through high gloss depending on what you’re looking for.

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○????You may even go the foiling route by adding a metallic finish to your text and logos. Business cards, brochures, labels, postcards, etc., can all be enhanced with a bit of foiling.

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●????Know where to distribute -

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○????If you’re at a trade show, you’ll be competing with a number of businesses. Here, it’s best to have brochures, business, cards, order/lead forms, and brand awareness print materials available and at hand.

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○????If you’re sponsoring an event or trades how, you could give away goodie bags filled with freebies like notepads, water bottles, USB chargers, or even snacks. And of course, slip in a copy of your brochure.

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○????If your company sells products and delivers orders, you can put in postcards and upcoming product launches into the packages to entice customers for a second buy. A popular method is to give an exclusive offer to them on their next purchase as a thank you for ordering from you.

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○????If you have a physical premise where customers can come visit, you can display Z-fold cards in matching display boxes on your reception desk.

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●????Finally, make some room for creativity! If you really wish to take your advertising efforts to the next level, incorporate creative design ideas when collaborating with designers.

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As you can see, print marketing can be used in several different ways, so it’s important to analyze your business’s needs in order to determine the best options for you. Design Master, one of the top graphic design firms in Kuwait, can help you find the right print marketing strategy for your company. We are renowned for our graphic design and printing services and have the experience to conceptualize original print designs for your campaigns. We can help you explore choices in paper texture, type treatments, die cuts, and inks, to find the most compelling ways of captivating your audience and converting them to buyers. Our branding services include artwork and proofing as well as print buying and management for different types of print materials including:

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●????Letterheads, business cards, and other stationary

●????Brochure designs and price lists

●????Leaflets and promotional materials

●????Display and exhibition graphics

●????Promotional items such as mouse mats, pens, caps, t-shirts, etc.

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Whether you need to start from scratch, or if you need to breathe life into your visual concept, our experts know what it takes to create a successful print campaign, reach your intended audiences, and gain new customers.

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Contact us today to start printing some unforgettable pieces!