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.

If you have an event coming up, here are some guidelines to help you promote it in the best way.

BONUS: Train Your Staff to Get the Most From Your Trade Show Booth

1. What’s your budget?

It’s important to allot a large enough budget to promote upcoming event effectively. It’s always good to have a few different branded visual references at your table. Use these basics as a guideline:

• A table throw: about $179
• A retractable banner: about $249
• At least 1 handout (brochures, postcards): $79
• A Business card: $39

Total: $546

When planning your budget, remember that these promotional materials aren’t a one-time investment. Most of Printing Solutions’ customers reprint their signs and banners only once a year at most. So you can invest a few bucks into something big and high-quality that other marketing material just cannot do.

2. What functionality do you need?

Consider your purpose for attending the event when you plan your promotional materials. Do you want to connect with potential clients, or are you there to look for new companies to partner with? Tailor your materials toward your end goal.

Certain materials are essential regardless of your end goal — you’ll always need a large sign or banner to attract the most attention possible. But if your booth doesn’t include a table front and center, you might want to skip the table throw and put your budget toward more interesting freebies to hand out at the event.

Keep in mind that just because you purchase these materials for a specific event doesn’t mean that they’re useless between trade shows. A lot of wide format printing is very versatile in that you can use it for many different occasions. Once your event is over, displaying your signs or banners in your office or conference room just adds additional branding to your workspace.

3. What products do you already have?

It’s always a good idea to go through your existing supplies before an event and take inventory of what you already have. If you’ve attended trade shows or tabled other events before, chances are you can repurpose some of your existing materials, like table throws, business cards, and banners. But if the materials show signs of wear or are of a low quality, you might want to consider reprinting.

“We take print and see how we can design something specifically for it. The two go together,” says Kristyn Dingman, Printing Solutions’ Director of Marketing. “You can have a high-end retractable banner that has an unattractive graphic on it, or you can have a really solid design of your logo that is printed on a cheap material. The two are essential to one another. Printing on a high-quality material with a high-quality visual is the best route to take.”

If you’re planning your first event and need to start from scratch with promotional materials, our On-The-Go Package was created just for your. It includes over 6 different print marketing options for one price and is a customizable and comprehensive solution to that helps to promote upcoming event.

BONUS: Large Format Printing and What You Are Doing Wrong

For us, the best part of planning any event is seeing the customer’s face light up when we have the display set up in our office for them to pick up. Seeing that end result and the reactions we get are priceless.

Need Help To Promote Upcoming Event?

If you need help planning and to promote upcoming event or trade show, let Printing Solutions help. Give us a call at 480-596-6300 to get started.

The post How Should I Promote My Upcoming Event? appeared first on Printing Solutions.

At Printing Solutions we’ve seen how a great card can take our customer’s businesses to the next level. If you’re wondering why you should invest in printing a quality business card, let us give you a few reasons why you should never be without one.

BONUS: 18 Things That Will Help You Get Inspired

It Says A Lot About You

A business card says a lot about your business, in more ways than one. A good card succinctly conveys what your business is all about. It tells someone what you do AND how they can get in touch with you. It shows off all your branding essentials: The name of your business, your logo, and your tagline.

A good business card tells people something about you that isn’t written on the card: It speaks to your level of professionalism and preparedness. It can also show off your taste: A well-designed, eye-catching business card will make you look creative, innovative, and thoughtful. It’s a simple and effective way of standing out from the pack.

It Offers A Personal Touch

Business cards are physical objects. They have a weight and presence that digital marketing just can’t compete with. You could send someone an email with all your contact info in it, but that’s going to feel more impersonal than handing someone a card. Emails are also easy to forget about: They can quickly get buried underneath an avalanche of incoming messages. A business card, on the other hand, sticks around. People will put them in their wallets, stick them in desk drawers, or even use them as bookmarks. This increases the chances that they will stumble onto your business card again. So even if someone doesn’t want to do business with you right now, if they hold onto your card there’s a good chance they’ll see it again and it will remind them about your business. Emails and other forms of digital communication don’t have that benefit.

Another benefit that comes from business cards being tangible objects: They’re easy to pass around! It’ll be much easier for satisfied customers to spread the word to their friends if they can press one of your cards into their hands.

It’s Cost Effective

Printing business cards is one of the most cost-effective forms of marketing out there. It’s easy to do and affordable. So long as you have an appealing design and a reliable printer (like Printing Solutions), you can produce a run of business cards that will help spread the word about your business in no time.

It Gives You A Competitive Edge

“Don’t judge a book by its cover” is a great idea in theory, but the truth is that we as a society do the opposite all the time. Your business card can make or break your business. It’s as essential to establishing a good first impression as the clothes you wear to a meeting or the way you shake someone’s hand. If you’re in a creative industry, few things will turn off potential customers more than having a dull business card.

We’ve seen it firsthand. LOTS of companies out there don’t put a lot of thought or effort into their business cards. They produce cards that are standard and utilitarian: They give you all the information you need, but display nothing in the way of style or creativity. Having a unique looking card is a great way to get one up on your competition. A great business card may take a little extra time and money to produce, but the added effort will be worth it.

BONUS: The Ultimate Guide To The Best Team-Building Activities

Need help designing the perfect business card? We can help. Give Printing Solutions a call at 480-596-6300 and we’ll help you put together a business card that will be the perfect ace up your sleeve.

The post What Is The Purpose Of A Business Card? 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.

We sat down with Printing Solutions’ Creative Director Justin Ketchum and Graphic Designer Chris Danner to get the lowdown on the top cards of the year.

BONUS: 5 Reasons You Need a Business Card

1. The Love Designed Life

The Client: The Love Designed Life
The Design: Client’s own

Printing Solutions: What was the biggest challenge about this project?
Chris Danner: For us, we were really trying to make sure the client was getting her visual needs met, but we also wanted to make sure we were getting the perfect stock she was looking for. The finish of a business card can say a lot about your business. After a couple meetings, we were finally able to choose a stock that was perfect.

PS: Which stocks, finishes, and extra features does this card include? I think I see a bit of embossing there.
CD: This specific card was a cotton card. It has an uncoated finish that is lightweight, luxurious, and absolutely different from anything out there. Cotton cards also come at a very heavy thickness. It was a 45pt card. She also upgraded to having a debossed logo, foil stamping, and metallic colored edges. It really is a one of a kind card. We know she is more than proud to have her name on a piece like that.

PS: What was your favorite part of this project?
CD: I think the best part about working with Paige was knowing that she had a vision and that we were a part of making that vision come to life. After going over different options here and there, the end result was a memorable one. We use her business card as a sample piece in our office now for other clients.

PS: What was the client like to work with?
CD: Very easy going. Because her vision was clear and on point, so was the print job. She also had a really fun and creative mind that is always admired.

PS: Why does this card beat all the others as one of Printing Solutions’ favorite business cards of the year?
CD: This specific card was not only designed well, but it was printed onto one of the most unique materials out there. Her card is going to stick out above all other cards. Because she was in a creative environment, she was free to present creative ideas, and that is what makes this all worth it.

2. Launch Financial

The Client: Launch Financial
The Design: Client’s own

Printing Solutions:  What was the biggest challenge about this project?
Justin Ketchum: I think the biggest challenge was making sure we could get all the content to fit on a smaller business card. Sometimes we need to rearrange the layout or take out verbiage for someone’s card based on the size.

PS: What was your favorite part of this project?
JK: Being able to see the end project is always a win for designers. Taking something from a computer monitor and being able to hold it and feel it makes it all worth it.

PS: Which stocks, finishes, and extra features does this card include?
JK: This business card was a silk laminated finish on a 48pt card stock. We also added an embossment and Spot UV on both sides to give it that extra flare. This card also was not your traditional size. Most business cards a 2.5X3 size. The client in this case wanted a perfectly square card that was 2.5X2.5.

PS: What challenges come with a square card that don’t exist in a standard size card?
JK: Very limited with space obviously. The solution? You use a minimum amount of contact information. In this case, web address, email, and phone number.

Bonus: What Information to Include on Your Business Cards

PS: What was the client like to work with?
JK: Eazy peazy. The client knew what they wanted and we knew how to give it to them.

PS: Why does this card beat all the others as one of Printing Solutions’ favorite business cards of the year?
JK: This card is unique in the sense that it is not traditional is shape, there were upgraded features, and the design itself really worked will with the upgrades that were added. It is a bombshell of a business card. You are going to want to keep this card as a reference for your next business card.

3. City Looks Barber Shop

The Client: City Looks Barber Shop
The Design: Printing Solutions

Printing Solutions: What was the biggest challenge about this project?
Chris Danner: This particular project had a lot of moving parts. It is one of the thicker card stock options, so we needed to make sure everything was flowing and made sense. Not everything needs to be over the top when it comes to design. A lot of times, simpler is better. With a company like City Looks Barber, we needed to make sure the design was not getting lost in noise.

PS: What was your favorite part of this project?
CD: Seeing the end result of a product is always the most exciting part. When all was said and done, it was really great to see the card come to life. That first time the clients sees the finished product is always such a proud moment for a designer, especially when the client is ecstatic about the result.

PS: Which stocks, finishes, and extra features does this card include?
CD: This card was a silk laminated finish with a 48pt card stock. One side has a silver foil stamp while the other has a debossed cutout of their logo with a white background in the second layer. It’s a very intricate card.

PS: What was the client like to work with?
CD: Simple, direct, and knew what he wanted. It was nice to have a firm hand in the process. We had room to be creative without being limited, but we were given some direction, which is always helpful.

PS: Why does this card beat all the others as one of Printing Solutions’ favorite business cards of the year?
CD: This card was such a intricate card that we had to make it a top choice for the year. This card in particular has so many fun and interesting features to it. It’s a card that will surely stick out and be remembered.

Bonus: 3 Signs That it’s Time to Update Your Business Cards

Have a business card you’d like updated? Our talented team can help take your card to the next level. Give us a call today at 480-596-6300 to start the journey.

The post Our 3 Favorite Business Cards from 2015 appeared first on Printing Solutions.

Studies show that having a business card is important. Sales increase 2.5 percent for every 2,000 business cards passed out, according to a recent survey, but that’s far from the only reason to have one.

If you’re considering purchasing business cards — a bestseller in our rebranding department since our company began — then these five reasons you need a business card are just for you.

1. Branding

For the biggest reason to have a business card, look no further than recognition. Your business card is often one of the first points of contact that people will have with you, and from that first introduction, it subtly says something about you.

“It’s the one thing that you can hand out that’s not expensive and is branding yourself and showing who you are,” says Kristyn Lechwar, Director of Marketing at Printing Solutions. “I can’t imagine not having even something simple.”

A plain, black-and-white version with just the basics — company name and logo, your name and title, and your contact information — will do the trick. But to really wow new contacts, you’ll want to opt for something a little more rare. The stock of paper, the finish quality, and even the colors you choose to print in all play a role in how your business card is received.

“You only get one first impression. You don’t get a second one,” Kristyn says. “If it’s all about getting your name out there in the community, you better make sure it’s top-notch, because you’re only going to get to do that once.”

BONUS: 3 Reasons Why Your Business Cards Aren’t Working

2. Credibility

Business cards lend credibility to your work and show that you’re serious about what you do.

The thickness of a card plays a large role here. Thinner cardstocks tend to feel cheaper, which simply doesn’t convey the authority and austerity of a thick, luxurious card. If the latter is the impression you’re looking to make on new clients and contacts, our cotton card may be the one for you.

“It’s actual cotton that’s compressed, and it’s a super thick card,” Kristyn says.

If cotton cards sound like a bit much for you, there are other ways to establish credibility with your business cards. Extra touches like embossing, glossy finishes, and high-resolution colored graphics all point to extra care taken in the impression you’re making.

3. Personality

Showing that you mean business is all well and good, but serious doesn’t always fit a company’s culture. That’s where design comes into play to create a business card that expresses your personality.

“It’s an insane number of different types of business cards that we can do,” Kristyn says. “I know we can do over 30 different types of business cards for sure. Anything that you’ve ever Googled about cool business cards, we can do it.”

Depending on the message you want to convey, you may want a business card that makes strategic use of finishes, paper thickness, or holographic details. You may want to consider embossing, foil accents, or rounded corners.

Or if you’re like one of our clients, you may steer clear of paper entirely.

“The client actually bought a plastic fake cassette that had a USB that popped back inside of it,” Kristyn says. “It looked like a cool USB that you would just have in your backpack but it was printed with their company’s business card on it.”

Whatever your own taste and personality may be, a business card is the perfect way to express yourself from the moment you make a new acquaintance.

BONUS: Make a Lasting Impression with Unique Business Cards

4. Reference

A business card isn’t just a statement piece — it’s also a handy reference tool for the person who receives it.

Nearly every business card printed includes at least one form of contact information for the person handing it out, and usually lists several ways to get in touch. For a business with a heavy social media presence, it may be wise to include the company’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts along with the traditional email and phone number.

If you frequently meet with clients or patients, you may also want to include a space for notes or appointment information on the back of your card. This gives your clients a bit more context as to why they have your card, and it encourages them to engage with it. It also makes them less likely to throw it away, ensuring that your name and business will stick around in their homes for longer.

5. Longevity

As simple as it is to email or text someone your contact information, sometimes it’s nice to hold a piece of paper now and then.

This is where business cards come in handy. The nicer the stock and finish of your card, the longer it tends to stick around on someone’s desk. And the more your new contacts see your card, the more likely they are to act on the prompts it carries.

This is especially true if you’ve incorporated color into your business card design. A recent study shows that while 88 percent of business cards will be thrown out in a week, prospective clients hold onto a color card 10 times longer than a plain black-and-white card.

BONUS: 3 Signs That It’s Time to Update Your Business Cards

Need A Business Card Designed?

To learn more about our many options for business cards, or for help designing your own, give Printing Solutions a call at 480-596-6300.

The post 5 Reasons You Need a Business Card appeared first on Printing Solutions.

Fortunately, we know a thing or two about decor here at Printing Solutions. Many of our customers have come to us specifically for help to give their office walls some new life, and we can’t wait to share our best tips with you. Here are five ways to pump up your office with print decor.

BONUS: Custom Vinyl Decals Make Your Walls Talk

1. Window Clings

They say the eyes are windows to the soul, but if you own a business, your windows let eyes see straight into your office.

“Most offices are rented so you can’t throw whatever you want up on the walls, so window clings are a good option,’ says Kristyn Lechwar, Director of Marketing at Printing Solutions. “They are so versatile and you can do so much with them.”

That versatility extends beyond the standard window decals. For a more custom look, Printing Solutions offers several different vinyl options that look great over the entire window. For example, a frosted vinyl with your business’s name cut out of it gives the same feel as a modern frosted glass. But the real frosting on the cake is the fact that achieving the look with vinyl is much more cost effective than purchasing a new pane of glass with etched lettering.

2. Big Banners

Another crowd-pleaser is the heavy, durable kind of banner typically seen at trade shows and job fairs.

“It’s super inexpensive and the print quality comes out really good, so we always suggest that because it’s cost-effective,” Kristyn says.

These banners are made of a material called 13-ounce scrim, and come with metal grommets to reinforce the corners when you hang them up. Another versatile decor choice, these banners are great for hanging on a blank wall in the office, but can also be used at any events you attend as a business.

This sort of versatility also makes it an ideal option for businesses that may be moving offices in the near future. Unlike more permanent lettering options, you can take scrim banners with you when you leave.

3. Canvas

Custom-printed canvas signs are a bold way to liven up your office space and make it more inviting. Canvas gives the same feel as collector art, but is brands and prints to meet your company’s needs.

Canvas prints crisply and has a high-quality finish. And because it’s a three-dimensional product rather than a flat banner, custom-printed canvases really pop on most office walls.

Like banners, canvas pieces are not permanent, which is great for offices whose lease is expiring soon.

“You can move them anywhere in the space, you can put them in the windows, you can put them up front, wherever. If you move, you can take it with you,” Kristyn says.

4. Retractable banners

For offices looking to make a big statement from the moment a customer walks in the door, retractable banners are the way to go, especially during the holiday season.

“You can put that in the front for when people walk in and have it say ‘Happy Holidays’ or something like that,” Kristyn says. Then you can put it away when the season’s over, because you’re only going to have it out for a month.”

Retractable banners are also easy to store when not in use. They fold up really small — about two or three feet by six inches — and each comes with a little bag so you can keep it nice and clean.

You can also switch out those banners throughout the year. Once the winter holidays are over, you can easily change the message to match other seasons.

5. Brochures and Cards for Customers

Another way to make a great first impression is when clients walk in the door is to be sure to have plenty of brochures and business cards ready for them. Pamphlets describing your company’s services, locations, past projects, and more make a nice display in the lobby.

If brochures aren’t your style, you can take a page out of Printing Solutions’ book.

“We have a card that’s specifically for the customer,” Kristyn says. “When you walk in it says ‘Get a Starbucks gift card from us,’ and if you leave us a Google+ review, you get a Starbucks gift card.”

For such a great incentive, it’s a really simple idea. It’s a clean, to-the-point business card just like Printing Solutions does for many of its customers. It simply shares a different message than the traditional business card.

BONUS: Decorate Your Office to Promote and Foster Culture

These are just a few of the ways you can use materials you print to really pump up the decor in your office. For more ideas, or to learn more about our custom and commercial printing services, give Printing Solutions a call at 480-596-6300.

The post 5 Ways to Pump Up Your Office with Print Decor appeared first on Printing Solutions.

At Printing Solutions, we work with businesses every day to help them choose the perfect materials for company. Over the years we’ve noticed a few that are consistently at the top of the “need to have” lists, so we’ve listed them for you below.

BONUS: How to Decide What Print Material is the Best for My Business

1. Business Cards

First impressions matter, especially when it comes to business relationships. Make yours memorable in the good way by having quality, well designed business cards on hand at all times. You can even spice them with a plastic coating or 3D effect to make them really stand out from the crowd.

2. Envelopes and Letterhead

It has become quite common for people to throw mail away without even opening it if they can’t tell where it’s from. There’ll be none of that when you use custom envelopes and letterhead for your business mailings. They make your correspondence automatically more professional and official, and are a must-have for any business in any industry.

3. Notepads

Want to really wow visiting clients? Give them a branded notepad to jot down thoughts from your meeting. You’ll immediately put them at ease by providing a way to take notes, which they may not have thought to bring, and they’ll always know which meeting the notes are from, thanks to your prominently displayed logo and company name.

4. Signs

Signs are essential to any business, and not just for the building’s exterior. Mark your spot with a professionally printed sign for your business’s interior wall. Choose from banners, foam core, canvas, and more to display your products, services, pricing, and more.

5. Postcards

Send appointment reminders and event announcements in style with one of our eye-popping postcards. Available in black and white or full color on two different paper weights and a variety of finishes, postcards are the perfect way to send a message in an easily digestible format. To make sure they’re really noticed, you can even add a special 3D effect.

BONUS: Leverage Postcards to Build Business Relationships

For more tips on choosing print materials for your business or to schedule an appointment with one of our talented designers, give Printing Solutions a call at 480-596-6300.

The post 5 Print Products Every Business Should Invest In appeared first on Printing Solutions.

Some people get so attached to their marketing material such as logos and business cards that they can’t bear the thought of changing to anything else. Maybe it’s nostalgia or maybe an attempt to avoid additional costs. Either way, there are some situations when a new business card is absolutely necessary to push your business in the right direction.

Here are 3 signs that it’s time to update your business cards:

1. Outdated Logo and Information

This may seem like a “no-brainer” to most people, but it’s surprising to see how many of us are still handing out cards with logos and information that have no resemblance whatsoever to any other marketing material being used by the company, including the website.

More often than not, this is chalked up as way to save on the cost of having to print all new cards. Some people suppose that as long as some of the information is the same and the business name is the same, then they can just continue to use their old cards. Not so. It’s time to get new business cards.

2. You’re Not Getting Any Calls

Business cards, like any other marketing material, need to be tested on a regular basis to determine their effectiveness. It could be that you have too much information on your card or too little. You might not be sending the right message and so people aren’t calling you back. Remember that, more important than how the card looks, you want your business card to convey a crystal clear message about what it is you do and how you can help the person holding the card.

3. You’re Still Using the Same Design You Created Yourself

When you were first starting your business, you did everything you could to cut expenses and save money, including designing your own business card. We understand that there is still quite a bit of sentimental value there. Our suggestion…get a scrapbook and move on! Hire a professional who is familiar with current trends and themes to help you design a fresh and clean business card that will get noticed by others.

Related: 3 Reasons Why Your Business Cards Aren’t Working

Find out how Printing Solutions can help you develop, design and print new business cards that reflect your current marketing endeavors. Call us at 480-596-6300.

The post 3 Signs That It’s Time to Update Your Business Cards appeared first on Printing Solutions.

Here are 4 ways you may be creating inconsistency with your brand right now:

1. Social Media

One of the more common mistakes that we see companies make is jumping into social media when they’re not quite prepared or before they have an idea of how it will tie in with the rest of their business. They either get antsy that they are missing out on something and need to hurry to catch up, or they don’t take social media as seriously as they should. Either way, they may be hurting their brand because they fail to keep their social media channels consistent with the rest of their marketing collateral.

2. Trying to Save A Buck by Using Old Stuff

Once you make a decision to change your branding, even in the slightest way, make sure that the change happens across the board. When you try to use older, outdated marketing materials that don’t reflect the most recent changes you’ve made in your company, you are creating an inconsistency that could lead to the loss of potential business. Is it cheaper to just keep using the old letterhead or brochures until they run out? Maybe. Then again, if you factor in the amount of business you stand to lose from inconsistent branding, maybe not.

3. Leaving Printed Material Out of the Equation

There’s more to be seen than just what’s online. To truly make your brand recognizable, follow up your online marketing with printed material that works to validate and support your online messaging. An email or a website with your branding on it is great, but a mailer with that same branding helps to really establish you as a household name. When your potential clients and customers are only seeing one aspect of your marketing, they may not catch the full vision.

4. Business Cards Without Website and Email Addresses

If your in a business where you are making several person to person contacts a day where business cards are exchanged, be sure that your business card has a link to your website and your email address. First be sure that what they will see on the website is consistent with what they see on the business card. They should be able to instantly tell they are at the right place – not just because of the logo or tagline, but also the communication that should be consistent all around.

If you find that there are elements of your marketing that may be creating inconsistencies in your brand, call Printing Solutions and let us go to work to help you fix the problem. We offer many different services and products that can help you feel confident in your branding. 480-596-6300.

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