We go to TED talks for inspiration, education, and as an entertainment resource. Every so often, someone on the team will find a useful TED talk and share it with the entire team.

TED’s mission is to spread ideas through people who “seek a deeper understanding of the world” and “believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives, and ultimately, the world.” And that’s something that — as a company that helps business influence, market, and attract audiences for our clients — we can really get behind.

So in the interest of spreading ideas and changing the world, we wanted to take a moment to share our team’s 3 favorite TED Talks with you. Which is your favorite?

1. Sasha Strauss: From Branding With Love

This TED Talk is a favorite of our marketing director Kristyn Dingman, who is a big fan of Sasha’s business model. But in this talk, his ability to inspire his audience with clever metaphors and funny sense of humor really shines through. It’s also a great look at the potential that marketing and branding hold. If you’re struggling to find your company’s voice, this TED Talk is a must-watch.

2. Avi Reichental: What’s Next in 3D Printing

This particular TED Talk is a favorite with the entire team here at Printing Solutions. It’s a really cool sneak-peek at new methods of 3D printing, and is a great look into the future of the print industry. Watching this makes us excited for just how amazing 3D printing is … and what it will become.

3. Simon Sinek: How Great Leaders Inspire Action

Our project managers are big fans of this TED Talk from Simon Sinek. It really hits hard on the idea of inspiration, as well as what it takes to lead others at work or at home. If you are in a leadership role or even just looking for the skills to inspire those around you, this is a perfect watch.

Ready to change the world with your ideas? Our team at Printing Solutions would love to join you. Give us a call at 480-596-6300 to let us know where we can help.

The post Our 3 Favorite TED Talks You Must See appeared first on Printing Solutions.

1. The human eye can see 65,536 different colors of blue.

Need to choose a specific one? The best way is to consult a palette book, which printers and graphic designers rely on for accuracy.

2. Each one has 52 shades.

Different shades are created by mixing different amounts of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (CYMK) inks. The color above is C100 M30 Y0 K0.

3. Blue is the most popular favorite color in the world.

In a recent survey, 49% of men and 29% of women said their favorite color was blue.  

4. In color psychology, blue symbolizes trustworthiness and inspires confidence.

This is why so many medical professionals wear scrubs in this color.

5. Studies show that the color blue serves as an appetite suppressant.

Red does the opposite — just think of every fast food chain ever!

6. Printing Solutions’ brand colors weren’t always blue.

They were originally yellow, but were changed to blue because it has a more soft and playful feel.

7. Chemists recently discovered a new color of blue … by accident.

Oregon State University discovered the pigment “YInMn blue” by heating a mixture of manganese oxide and other chemicals to over 2,000° F.

8. Only 8% of the world’s population has blue eyes.

Light-colored eyes are produced by recessive genes that cause an absence of pigments in the iris.

9. In ancient times, blue pigments were so rare that they reserved for royalty.

This is where the term “royal blue” came from.

10. Blue is a popular color for branding and marketing.

Thanks to the significance it carries, this is the most popular color for direct mail marketing and branding.

Looking for the perfect colors to use in your branding and marketing? Printing Solutions would love to help you find your new color identity. Give us a call at 480-595-6300 to get started.

The post 10 Things You Never Knew About the Color BLUE appeared first on Printing Solutions.

A banding package can be a major undertaking and last for a few weeks, but in the end, our clients invariably decide it was all worth it. Here’s the life cycle of a branding package.

Each project is unique, and its timeline depends on the client and what you are looking for. We offer a good, better, best model for design when it comes to projects like this:

• Starter Package offers the basics to a strong brand identity
• Essentials Package comes with a more detailed timeline and expanded print options
• Pro Package includes digital services like email signatures and social media page creations

Strategy Session

All of our branding projects begin with a strategy session, where we sit down with you to learn the ins and outs of what you like about your current brand and what you want to improve on. During these meetings we make sure we get as much input as we can from the team. Our Creative Director, Justin Ketchum, is involved in every branding project that comes through our doors. We also have Chris Danner, our graphic designer as a second hand in these projects. And lastly, a project manager facilitates pricing and is the main contact for you.

Foundation, Development & Refinement

“One team member will take the lead and serve as the liaison between the team and the client, but a typical brand can have as many as five to seven people working on their project at any given time,” Justin says.

After the strategy session, we jump into the three main steps to a branding package: Foundation, Development, and Refinement. Most of the work is done during the foundation phase, which allows for a fun and easy transition through the development and refinement stages.

The revisions depend entirely on the client. As long as you are OK with the time being spent, revisions can happen as often as you would like — our job is to provide the best possible solutions for our clients, so we want you to be involved in this process as much as possible.

“Typically, a company will have their new logo in use within the month,” Justin says.

Once a project is completed, we still have follow-up calls and meetings with you. We learn something new with every project, and we use these learning experiences as tools to better improve our system, as well as the experience for the next project.

If your brand is in need of a reboot, we would love to help. Give us a call at 480-596-6300 to get started.

The post Before and After the Creative Process: See the Life Cycle of a Branding Project appeared first on Printing Solutions.

1. Cotton Cards

One way to give your business cards some extra oomph is as simple as changing the paper they’re printed on. One of our current favorites is a cotton card. Cotton cards have a very natural and sturdy feel to them. They make a big impression — they’re a very thick 45pt paper with actual cotton fiber pressed in — and they have such a soft and elegant feel.

“This is something really unique and can give your business a high-end presentation just based on the stock,” says Kristyn Dingman, Printing Solutions’ Director of Marketing.

2. Foil Elements

If your business card could use a little pizzazz, then foil might be your answer. Adding a stamp of foil to your cards can not only make a lasting impression, but it can make certain aspects of your card really stand out for that high-end look.

Most people think of the traditional gold and silver when they think of foil, but it is actually very versatile in its array of color, size and overall visual appeal.

“It’s a nice, inexpensive solution for someone who is looking to take that next step in design,” Kristyn says.

3. Embossing or Debossing

Embossing (or debossing) is a newer trend in print that is a great way to add both visual and tactile interest to your business cards. This technique indents certain areas of the paper so that as you go over the surface of the card with your fingertips, you can feel the imprint of your company’s logo (or other area that is embossed).

Many companies have a Spot UV or specific feel to their cards, but want a new, modern upgrade that will really make their business something to remember. Having a certain part of the card physically pop out or sink in can make a big impact.

“Many clients use this on their logo or another aspect of the card that is important,” Kristyn says. “It’s a great upgrade for someone looking to rise above their competition.”

4. Colored Edges

For a simple and affordable way to make your cards stand out, you might want to consider adding color the edges. Not only does this technique make your entire card look more cohesive and pulled together, it also gives some love to an often-forgotten area of the card.

“We love seeing clients take their main logo colors and add that sleek edge to their cards,” Kristyn says. “This works best with thicker cards.”

5. Unusual Sizes & Shapes

Not only do you want your business cards stand out, but it’s important to do it in a smart way. A new trend is changing the size from your standard 3×2.5 business card and making it into a circle or square card.

“It looks unique and is a great solution for someone looking to change a small part of their card without changing the entire feel or brand,” Kristyn says.

We can also make custom die-cut business cards for your business. If you want your business card to be a unique shape — like the gift box shape above — then we can do that too.

If you’re considering an upgrade to your business cards, there are a few things to consider first.

1. Do you have the right budget?

While the options above are each great for different businesses, they may not all be the best solution for your budget. Some business card upgrades are only a few dollars, while others may be double or triple that price. Many of the upgrades range anywhere from $30.00 – $200.00, but your final cost depends on which upgrade you want to go with. There are so many different combinations you can do that will fluctuate the price.

2. What’s your deadline?

We love creating new and improved cards for an event or conference a client plans to attend, but things get difficult when they need the upgraded cards in only a couple of days. Many of the business card upgrades above require extensive time for cutting, gluing, drying, and quality assurance checkpoints. For your new cards to look flawless, most of our upgrades simply can’t be rushed.

Here at Printing Solutions, many people want to know how we can improve their cards. We can suggest certain business card upgrades based on a client’s budget and deadline, but to really provide the best solution for your business, it’s best to meet with the Printing Solutions team. Come by our offices, or give us a call at 480-596-6300 to set up a meeting.

The post 5 Fun Upgrades to Your Business Cards appeared first on Printing Solutions.

But unless you’ve worked in the industry, you probably don’t know what it takes to be a designer like Chris or Justin. So today we’re going inside a typical day at Printing Solutions to show you exactly what it’s like to be a designer.

Our typical day starts with a production meeting with the Printing Solutions team. Our designers Chris Danner and Justin Ketchum discuss their tasks for the day and decide how much time needs to be given to each one. They also make sure to space projects far enough out that designers can give each one the time and attention it deserves — too many deadlines too close together means that projects come out less than perfect. Morning production meetings help prevent that from ever happening. Once we wrap up our meeting we get to work! From simple text changes to logo creation and brand development for our clients, our designers get to work on a bit of everything each day. They primarily use tools from the Adobe Create Suite, including Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop.

“Many people consider creativity as being a weekend hobby or something you do when remodeling a kitchen. I get to challenge myself creatively every day!” says Justin Ketchum, Printing Solutions’ Creative Director.

Throughout the day there will also be client meetings that a designer may participate in. Often Chris and Justin will sit in on new and current client meetings, but sometimes, the visits are unscheduled.

“The great part about having in-house graphic designers is that our clients know they can call or walk in and chat with them, no problem,” says Kristyn Dingman, Printing Solutions’ Director of Marketing.

But it takes a good deal of creativity from our designers to be able to produce such amazing work for all of our clients. To help Chris and Justin out, we’ve made the Printing Solutions office as creative an environment as possible. The team plays music, basketball, ping-pong, or just lounges on our giant bean bags as needed.

“We have daily tasks that need to be completed in time to be able to hit certain deadlines,” Justin says. “This creates a challenge for us at times because you cannot force creativity. That’s why we make sure our work environment allows for 100% creative freedom.”

“What’s so nice about our creative team is that we all share different types of creativity and skills,” Kristyn says. “We have someone who can come up with a solution to any problem because we have an abundance of creative ideas all in one location.”

And at the end of the project, the entire team’s creativity shows as yet another customer leaves our office thrilled with their new print products.

Need to have your print marketing redesigned? Our team at Printing Solutions would love to help. Give us a call today at 480-596-6300 to get started.

The post In the Shoes of a Graphic Designer appeared first on Printing Solutions.

If this sounds familiar, a branding package from Printing Solutions could be a great step in creating your business’s identity. We sat down with our Director of Marketing Kristyn Dingman to learn how it works.

What is a Branding Package Anyway?

Our branding packages are an easy, effective, and detailed solution for businesses looking to start from scratch or to rebrand their current identity. This is a great step for someone who is looking for a brand new start with a whole new identity — and it all starts with your logo.

We have developed a “Good, Better, Best” model for how these packages are offered. Our “Good” option is our Starter Package, which offers the basics to a strong brand identity along with special print marketing offers to show off your new brand.

The “Better” option is our Essentials Package, which says it perfectly. It’s a better version of the “Good” option, but with a more detailed timeline and expanded print options. You’ll also get an in-depth brand identity guide to help you implement your brand anywhere.

Lastly, our “Best” option comes in the form of our Pro Package. The perks with this bundle skyrocket, and include digital services like email signatures and social media page creations for your brand identity.

Each package begins with a strategy session, where we’ll sit down with you to learn the ins and outs of what you like about your current brand and what you want to improve on.

“No one knows their company better than the people who make it tick, so it is important that you are closely involved in your brand’s development,” Creative Director Justin Ketchum says.

How Do I Know if I Need a Branding Package?

A company brand is the foundation in which it grows upon — your business’s true North. If you’ve ever wondered whether your brand is pointing you in the right direction, a consultation may be great for you!

It’s also a great option for new companies looking for a way to distinguish themselves from their competition.

“The number of logo designs in the world to date is staggering,” Justin  says. “To be original and stand out from the crowd is becoming more and more difficult, but that is the precise reason why it is so imperative to build that successful brand.”

BONUS: Why Graphic Design is Vital for Your Business

How Does it Work?

Building or even re-building a brand is a very labor intensive process. Our team at Printing Solutions can typically develop about two brands per month. One team member will take the lead and serve as the liaison between the team and the client, but a typical brand can have as many as five to seven people working on their project at any given time.

There are three main steps to a branding package: Foundation, Development, and Refinement. Most of the work is done during the foundation phase, which allows for a fun and easy transition through the development and refinement stages.

“This process has allowed us to significantly cut down on over 60% of the work, not only creating a better product but saving time and money,” Justin says. “I know this sounds too good to be true but the results will tell you that it works!”

Typically, a company will have their new logo in use within the month. However, there are many factors that go into building a brand, so that will depend entirely on the depth and size of the company.

BONUS: What Goes Into a Brand?

Wondering how Printing Solutions can help your business find some branding clarity? Complete a brand questionnaire today, or give us a call at 480-596-6300 to get started.

The post How Can a Branding Package Help My Business? appeared first on Printing Solutions.

Over the past months we’ve observed a few changes in styles among our own clients and colleagues, and we’ve compiled them for you below. Here’s what’s trending in the print world.

Social Events

Lately there are more and more social events that businesses are looking to attend, whether it’s a trade show, conference, or other tabling event. Making sure you are visually prepared and well represented at those events is key.

Large format print marketing materials like signs and retractable banners are a must for setting up a great booth. But to really stick with visitors, you’ll also want to invest in flyers, brochures, and business cards to hand out. Additional freebies like postcards, notepads, or stickers can also make a strong impact with anyone who stops at your booth.

When preparing for a trade show or other social event, it pays to plan ahead.

A full trade show package from Printing Solutions includes seven different products, all of which take time to design, print, and deliver.

BONUS: The Trade Show Basics – What Essentials you Should Bring

Direct Mail

We’re loving the trend of businesses developing effective direct mail campaigns. With direct mail you’re literally placing your company’s brand directly into customers’ mailboxes and homes. It’s a valuable “in” with your customers that your competitors likely don’t have.

If you’re jumping on the direct mail bandwagon, keep in mind that design is everything. You only get one chance to make a first impression, especially when the medium you’re using is something that most consumers consider “junk mail.” So having something designed so well that it entices customers to open it is important.

At Printing Solutions, we’re here to help through every step of the Direct Mail process, from design and printing to creating a mailing list to sending your mailers out.

BONUS: 5 Common Direct Mail Mistakes Most Businesses Make

Unique Business Cards

Making sure you are visually better than your competition is especially important in the beginning of the year when you can go all out with guns blazing. With a brand-new budget, you can create a lasting impression with your business cards. Many of our clients are using foil stamping and colored-edge business cards as a way to stand out from the crowd.

We have also noticed our clients giving extra attention to the thickness of a business card. Most business cards are printed on a 16pt matte-finish card stock. Lately, however, we have been seeing clients going for a super thick card with a silk laminate finish.

BONUS: Our 3 Favorite business Cards from 2015

These changes in trending print will not only bring a more effective visual representation of your business, but it will give your company the upper hand and attract the right customers for your business.

Looking to give your company’s printing a boost? Give Printing Solutions a call at 480-596-6300 to get started.

The post What’s Trending in the Print World? appeared first on Printing Solutions.

But if you’re not investing in print marketing, you’re missing a crucial step.

“Customers need print marketing materials, but the reason as to what it is being used for varies,” says Printing Solutions’ Director of Marketing Kristyn Lechwar. “Not every company does well online, and email campaigns will only get you so far. That’s where print marketing comes in.”

We’ve put together a list of why use successful print marketing strategies to grow their business, and why you should consider it too.

1. It’s Tactical.

One of the great things about print marketing is that you can be very strategic with it. The products you use and even how you use them can all influence your marketing results. Hosting an event with large graphic banners, signs, and informative pieces is a great tool for branding and promotions, while sending out direct mail postcards or flyers is better suited to advertising specific offers and products.

“We always get super excited when we get to design an entire trade show display, meaning the large format graphics, signs, banners, marketing material to hand out, and of course, the business cards,” Kristyn says. “These projects allow us to really go all out and produce some really impressive work.”

Print marketing gives our clients a great presentation of their company. At the end of the day, the entire goal of marketing is to present your company well so that you can get more customers. Having a great business card to hand out can make all the difference for closing a new lead.

BONUS: How to Blow the Competition Out of the Water Using Direct Mail Marketing

2. It’s Versatile.

Most people hear the words, “print marketing,” and immediately think only of flyers. In reality, print marketing encompasses so much more. Anything from business cards, to brochures, flyers, car wraps, wall graphics, trade show material, and mailing services is considered print marketing.

A true testament to print’s staying power is how it has evolved over time. As our smartphone and tablet technologies continue to grow and develop, so too has the interactivity of print media with the aid of QR codes and social media integration. Though not as prevalent as in previous decades, print is just as necessary as it has always been.

3. It’s Tangible and Personal.

Print marketing brings something extra to the table that digital marketing cannot. Though digital marketing is a valuable and necessary tool in today’s computerized age, it cannot stand alone.

The problem with relying solely on digital marketing is that you need to get extremely creative to stand out from everyone else. A computer screen looks and feels the same as the next screen and the next. No matter the image you have displayed on the screen, it’s going to look essentially the same everywhere.

But when you are able to stand in front of a huge banner or get to feel that postcard in hand, it actually triggers emotions that screens do not. We are meant to send and receive messages to our brain by nonverbal communication and touch.

“It is our job as a print company to trigger high emotions to our clients without the need to speak,” Kristyn says. “We are able to speak to certain senses that digital marketing just cannot do.”

BONUS: 3 Reasons You Need Print in Your Life

From banners to business cards, we specialize in meeting hundreds of business owners’ successful print marketing needs. Give Printing Solutions a call at 480-596-6300 to get started.

The post Why the Most Successful Companies Use Print Marketing appeared first on Printing Solutions.

Having a strong graphic design for your ad or logo can either make or break your business.

But if you are trying to just throw something together quick and cheap, you are going to end up wasting not only your time, but also your valuable marketing dollars. Poor design can lead to an unclear message or brand representation. In the end, it can result in a false image of your business to your designed audience.

If you’re thinking of adjusting your company’s graphic design, here are some things to consider before you jump in.

BONUS: How a Graphic Designer Can Help Keep Your Print Materials Fresh

1. It Makes a Good First Impression.

We all know the importance of a first impression in our personal appearance — it takes approximately one-tenth of a second for an interviewer to form a first impression of a job candidate — but did you know that the same goes for your printed materials?

Handing someone a business card with an outstanding design is the print equivalent of showing up to a job interview in a shirt and shoes that have been ironed and polished. Giving them a card with a design that is lackluster or nonexistent is like forgetting to put on deodorant.

“You only get one first impression — it never comes around twice,” says Kristyn Lechwar, Printing Solutions’ Director of Marketing. “And customers naturally tend to gravitate toward an attractive company, brand, and product.”

So having good graphic design will not only give your audience a clear image of who you are, but it will leave a lasting impression with them. Next time they are ready to buy, they know exactly who they are going to buy from.

2. It Creates Brand Recognition.

What do brands like Apple, Google, and Coca-Cola have in common? They all have a clean, strong design that is instantly recognizable.

Even if you never plan to be the next Google, it is still essential for your business to have strong visual reference. Being able to instantly distinguish a company based on their logo or the way their website may look is a win. Having your audience know who you are without having to think twice about it comes from great graphic design efforts.

Brand recognition starts with your logo. You may choose to use only text, like Google, or you may decide that using a symbol that correlates with your company name, like Apple, is the better choice for you. You’ll want to include colors that convey your brand message, and you’ll need a font that fits your company’s personality.

We strongly suggest hiring a professional to design your logo and marketing materials. Our designers are not only very talented, but they also are experts at identifying exactly what each business needs to succeed.

BONUS: Why You Need a Graphic Designer to Create Your Logo or Marketing Materials

3. It Makes Communication Easier.

Think of the last time you met someone new. Perhaps it was at a conference or networking event, or perhaps it was someone who walked through your company’s door. Likely you talked for a few moments and then decided to exchange contact information.

If you had an attractive business card, you reached for it proudly and handed it over with a little added glow.

If you had a business card with a design that left something to be desired, your glow fizzled out when you handed it over. You may even have pulled out your cell phone and entered the person into your address book like an awkward eighth grader.

When it comes to effective communication, it all starts with a strong foundation of graphic design.

In a nutshell, you are giving a formal presentation to your audience. To grab and hold their attention, you need an attractive, cohesive design. Attractive visuals convey information better, especially when it is something tangible like a business card.

How Do I Start?

At Printing Solutions, we begin the design process by identifying a customer’s pain points. Where are you seeing a gap? Where are you struggling? What’s does your competition look like? Who do you look up to in the industry? Once we can figure out the problems, we find a solution that will work best for your business.

Most companies initially design on their own or purchase a logo template. Creating something simple and cost effective is simply a placeholder and can temporarily work for your company. But again, this should be temporary and not a permanent solution for your company. Graphic design falls into the notion that “you pay for what you get.” We give you thought-out design work.

“We make sure to take our time in producing some of the best work out there,” Kristyn says. “It is all about winning over your competition. We not only give you a strong finish, but we make sure to take the time and understand each of our customers needs and give them what they need to be successful.”

We always enjoy working with customers who need a transformation in their logo and brand. When we meet with a client who is either frustrated or believes an upgrade is in order, we like to step in. We make sure to go through an entire evaluation of the client’s wants and needs before we suggest anything.

“Once we get a feel for the client and their end goal, we can begin to break down the design and rebuild it,” Kristyn says. “It’s a fun and easy process for our clients to go through.”

BONUS: 5 Quick Tips For Saving Money on Design

Looking for an upgrade in your printed materials? Printing Solutions is happy to help. Call 480-596-6300 to meet with one of our experienced designers now.

The post Why Graphic Design is Vital for Your Business appeared first on Printing Solutions.

But how do you build a relationship with someone who comes into your business only once or twice each year? We’ve listed our best three strategies for building lasting customer relationships below.

BONUS: 3 Major Things to Look for When Hiring a New Employee

1. Understand Your Client’s Needs.

Over the years, we’ve found that the best relationships blossom when we take the time to really understand what it is our client is looking for. More often than not, they want more than just a quality print or design job — they want someone they can count on.

Understanding our client’s means asking deeper questions. It is not just about the project at hand, but also more about asking questions that reflect our core values. Are we working within their budget? Are we taking the proper steps to ensure that their creative vision is met? Are we adhering to the timeline agreed upon? Are we carefully listening to our client when they give feedback?

One example of this kind of understanding is a client who we have been working with for multiple years. We have been able to rebrand, and give this client exactly what they have been looking for. Everything from their website to mailing services have brought in new leads they never thought was possible, and it’s all through making sure that we fully understand and meet their needs.

2. Be Honest.

At Printing Solutions we’re firm believers in the idea that “Honesty is the best policy” — it’s even one of our core values. So it’s no wonder that we constantly do all that we can to build trust between our clients and ourselves. This means owning the creative process and following through on project deadlines, even when circumstances may be less than ideal.

This drive to establish a strong credibility does more than just ensure client happiness during the project at hand. It increases the chance of that customer returning to us the next time they need print or design work done, and it boosts our chances of bringing in new referral business.

“The better your relationship with your client, the more likely they are to recommend you to new clients,” Kristyn says. “It is all about building strong and authentic relationships.”

BONUS: 5 Ways to Reinforce Your Company Values

3. Create an Emotional Connection.

At Printing Solutions we not only provide quality work, but we make sure we are fully invested both physically and emotionally into each and every one of our clients. We care deeply about both the people who walk through our door and the product we produce for them. We’ve been known to spend hours and hours reworking a piece to get it just perfect for a client. We wouldn’t be satisfied with anything less.

One of the ways we show this care is by allowing for a strong creative space. We want our clients to feel free to voice their creative vision and our designers to feel free to present new ideas. This collaborative environment is unlike anything our clients have seen before, and it’s one of the things that helps them feel immediately at ease. When we have room to explore and do what we do best, this is when we get the best results for our clients. We aim to help our clients to the best of our abilities, and we do a hell of a job at it.

BONUS: What do Successful Companies and the Avengers Have in Common?

For more business strategies or to learn about our print and design services, give Printing Solutions a call at 480-596-6300.

The post 3 Strategies to Build Lasting Customer Relationships appeared first on Printing Solutions.