The best place to start branding your office space would be to come up with a budget. “Find out how much you can spend on branding. Once you have that, you can determine what materials to go with,” Kristyn says. It is also a good idea to really look at your space to determine your best branding solution. The Printing Solutions team is always happy to assist a customer with suggestions, or even make a trip out to take a look at the space in person.

On the Windows

They eyes many be the window to the soul, but your office’s windows are the eyes to your business. Window clings are the perfect way to dress them up and show off your brand before anyone even comes in.

“I have seen plenty of clients do outdoor window clings to identity their brand, taglines, or even inspirational quotes,” Kristyn says.

But outside isn’t your only option when it comes to window clings. If the inside of your office space doesn’t offer the seclusion you need, window clings can be a great solution.

“We have a great frosted vinyl graphic we used to give our conference room a sense of privacy,” Kristyn says. “Many people think it is the glass itself, but you can really give that effective with the vinyl.”

And if that’s not reason enough, window clings come without the hassle of strings and cords, like traditional drapes or blinds:

On the Walls

The walls of your office are one of the most ignored spaces when it comes to branding, but these vertical spaces hold a ton of potential.

“We really love the large wall graphic that is in the hallway of our office,” Kristyn says. “It says ‘Long Live Print’ and really rings true to our industry. We love it not only for the visual representation, but because it is what we live by in this business.”

Copy a page from Printing Solutions’ book and opt for a wall cling of your business’s tagline, or if you want something a little less permanent, a custom canvas print is another great solution. Use these to display your company’s core values, a photo of your team, or each step of your business’s customer journey. Your company’s walls hold more combined space than anywhere else in your office, so don’t forget to include them when branding.

On the Surface

Decorating your office walls and windows are a good start, but it’s all in the details when it comes to branding your space thoroughly. Even the items on your employees’ desks play a role in the image your office projects, so it’s a great idea to invest in branded promotional items and office supplies that they can use in meetings and consultations.

“We have the ability to print several promotional product item,” Kristyn says. “We print solutions for our customer so anything you are looking for when it comes to branding, just let us know.”

Our table throws are also popular choices for offices that want items to serve double duty. Table throws are just as perfectly suited for your trade show booth as they are for your front reception desk or in place of a wall graphic, and they’re great way to make a strong, high-quality statement about your brand.

Want to use print to brand your office space? The Printing Solutions team would love to help. Give us a call at 480-596-6300 to request a quote.

The post How to Use Print to Brand Your Office Space 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.

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

To help you be better prepared for your next trade show, here is a list of the trade show basics – the essentials you should bring every time:

Basic Tool Kit

This might include a screwdriver, hammer, pliers and a box cutter. You’ll never know when these basic tools can come in handy. Even in the most professional setting you might find that there is a small adjustment or fix that needs to be made. Rather than relying on an already swamped maintenance team or your neighbor, be prepared by having your own tool kit.

Electrical Gear

It’s sometimes easy to assume that the venue will have some of the following items ready for you. Better to be prepared than be caught without. Extension cords, adapters, monitors, tablets, music players and anything else electronic you need to make your booth look and sound great are considered essential when it comes to trade shows. Don’t forget a roll or two of black electrical tape just in case.

Office Supplies

Some of these are so basic that you might wonder why we would bother listing them here. But doesn’t it always seem like we forget the most obvious stuff? Don’t forget your pens, paper, business cards, paper clips, rubber bands and safety pins. Throw in some Velcro strips and duct tape too. You might use some of these supplies as you interact with potential clients while others will remain behind the scene holding your booth together.

First Aid

Hopefully your experience at the trade show will be safe and injury free. Be prepared for the small things though. A small first aid kit could be helpful when you find yourself dealing with a paper cut or fighting a headache. Eye drops, cough drops and breath mints can also be beneficial to have on hand.

Plenty of Marketing

Above all, do not forget nor underestimate your marketing items such as brochures, flyers, business cards and other swag. These are the most essential as they convey the message of your business. Sure, you can fight through a cough or a broken table. You can borrow a pen or even go without music. But you can’t get back that moment when you have a potential buyer at your booth with nothing to give them as they walk away.

For help with your trade show display and marketing materials, call Printing Solutions at 480-596-6300.

The post The Trade Show Basics – What Essentials You Should Bring appeared first on Printing Solutions.

Goals

To begin with, it is crucial that your team is very aware and focused on your objectives for being at the trade show. Be sure they understand not only the goals for your business, but also any show-specific goals you might have as well. These may need to be broken down to individual goals to ensure everyone stays on track. Don’t hesitate to be very specific so they know exactly what you are expecting. Unless there are clear expectations, your staff may not be able to achieve your objective.

How to Engage

Of most importance is training your staff on how to first engage with a potential client as they pass by your booth. This is a very important moment, one that can make all of the difference. Practice good opening lines that are both confident and clever. Teach your staff how to greet professionally and with a smile. Remind them how important first impressions are.

BONUS: How to Efficiently Network at a Trade Show

Use the Booth

Effective trade show booths are not just pleasing to the eye. They should also be able to convey basic information that they can expound upon by your team. Make sure your staff knows the layout of the booth well. Also make sure they are able to direct your potential buyers to the right place at the right time. If you segment your booth by products or services, train employees on how to use it effectively to get the appropriate information across. Everyone should know where you keep additional promotional items and brochures when supplies run low.

Keep The Customer In Mind

One way to keep your potential customers at your booth longer is to be knowledgeable and helpful with other questions that might come up regarding the location. If your staff is able to help those who stop by with directions to the airport or the basic layout of the center, they will have an advantage in engaging in other topics of conversation.

Remember to keep a full stock of marketing materials such as business cards, brochures, postcards, and other promotional giveaway materials. Contact Printing Solutions for quotes and rates to print materials or for help with design of your booth. We have been in the business of helping companies present themselves professionally at trade shows for many years now. And we are happy to share our insight and expertise with you.

The post Train Your Staff to Get the Most From Your Trade Show Booth appeared first on Printing Solutions.

Both trade shows and business expos have proven in the past to be an excellent way to introduce your business to others while collecting leads and contacts to follow up with. In many ways, how you present your business at an expo is microcosm of your entire company. Your presence, your message, your look and even your ability to work with others are all highlighted in one way or another when you participate in an expo.

Do You Fit In?

In the sea of booths and displays that makes up a business expo or trade show, it would seem counterintuitive to want to “fit in.” However, you do want to be sure that you are participating in the right type of expo. Make sure that you choose expos that will provide contact with the right type of people. Some businesses have found that, instead of buying space at every expo, they hold off and only participate in expos that will give them the best ROI.

You also want to be sure that you look the part. Having correct signage, displays and marketing collateral is essential at any trade show or expo. You want to walk into your next expo feeling confident that you can hang with other participating businesses because you have the right materials.

Do You Stand Out?

Once you have the basics covered for your next expo, it’s time to start thinking about how you can set yourself apart from the many other businesses that will be represented there. Most importantly, you want to know that you are clearly different from any other competitors that may be at the same expo.

Standing out really comes down to leaving an impression. You can make a strong impression by paying close attention to the details of your message and your display. For one thing, it is absolutely imperative that you present a uniform and deliberate look and feel to your business. Having banners, signs, table displays, swag and other collateral that match and work together can help to leave that powerful impression.

Make sure that any employees participating match too with coordinated shirts, business cards, and a concise message that reinforces what your signs and banners are saying. If the average person at an expo is only spending a few precious minutes at your booth or display, then you want those few minutes to convey the most powerful message possible, one that will stick with them long after the expo is over.

BONUS: How to Efficiently Network at a Trade Show

Not sure exactly how to go about designing effective signs and banners for your expo? Not to worry! Call Printing Solutions at 480-596-6300 and let us work with you on developing an effective presence for your next expo.

The post What to Bring to an Expo to Fit In and to Stand Out appeared first on Printing Solutions.

The goal for any booth at an expo should be to bring in as many potential customers as possible, providing those working the booth a chance to sell the product or service while collecting names, numbers and email addresses for follow up. There are some specific strategies you can follow to ensure you have an optimal size crowd throughout the duration of the expo.

1. Use Social Media

Use social media to promote your participation at the expo before it gets under way. Create a buzz leading up to the event that will pique interest and arouse curiosity.

During the event, use tweets, posts, likes and shares as entries for giveaways and other contests instead of business cards in fish bowls. Post real time pictures of the event on social media channels, including pictures of those manning your booth so that people see familiar faces when they show up.

2. Create a Sharp Image

Make sure that everything related to the expo booths is sharp and clear, both in look and message. Signs, banners and any other marketing material should look clean and crisp with a concise message that gets to your potential client or customer. Do not make the mistake of using outdated, mismatched materials that fail to deliver with strength and confidence. It’s not always about quantity, but more about quality.

3. Prepare Strong Staff

The look and design of your booth should serve to support those who will be presenting at the booth. Make sure the employees at your booth are your best. A strong personal connection will go a long way with those who visit your booth. Because interactions at booths can be brief, prepare your staff to be able to interact with people quickly and powerfully so they make the most of every second.

4. No Empty Hands

Every person who stops at your booth should leave with something. Have a variety of swag and collateral to match each visitor’s level of interest. For some, it may just be a business card. Others will want a brochure or info packet to take back to the home office. Be sure to have the fun stuff too!

5. WiFi and Charging Stations

Get strategic about keeping a steady stream of visitors to your booth by offering free WiFi and charging stations at your booth. These are both hot commodities at any expo or trade show. Consider the extra seconds and minutes you will get with visitors by simply giving them a spot to charge their phone or laptop.

BONUS: Planning for Trade Shows in 2015

For more tips and ideas on how to make your booth inviting, including banners, signs, and other marketing material, be sure to call Printing Solutions today at 480-596-6300.

The post Expo Booths that Draw a Crowd appeared first on Printing Solutions.

Businesses often approach tradeshow strategies with the same common goals and strategies. They want to “wow” their prospects with not only their product or service, but also the presentation of that product or service. They also want to make sure they are memorable, especially when there is a very good chance that prospects will most likely see their competitors display at the same venue.

This is why it is important to know where to splurge and where to save when it comes to preparing with trade show supplies. Here are some ideas on both:

Save Tip #1

Bigger is not always better. Some businesses end up spending money they could save by paying for more floor space at the tradeshow. Bigger areas do not automatically mean more success. The venue hosting the event will always try to push you to a bigger space, but you may not need it.

Splurge Tip #1

Have a coordinated look. A smaller booth or space at a tradeshow can blow your prospects away when it looks sharp and coordinated. Spend the extra money to make sure everything in your booth looks uniform and tight. Don’t try to get away with using flyers or brochures from previous tradeshows that don’t match the colors of your banners.

Save Tip #2

Waiting means paying. If you think you can wait until the last minute to get your marketing supplies together without having to pay for it in one way or another, you’re wrong! Rush print jobs typically cost more and even if you’re not paying more for preparation, you’ll be spending valuable last minutes before the tradeshow trying to get things together. Remember, time is money!

Splurge Tip #2

Plan well in advance. This may be more of a splurge of time than money, but it will be worth it in the end. Having everything ready to go and looking great before the trade show begins will help you appear more confident.

Save Tip #3

Don’t underestimate your presence. This is more than just someone with a company polo sitting at the booth. Your presence is the colors, designs, logos, slogans, marketing material…and that polo too! Do not make the mistake that you can simply go with leftovers from last year and get away with it.

Splurge Tip

It’s your time to shine! Market research has shown that 85% of decision makers say that attending trade shows saves their companies time and money and 91% say trade shows impact their buying decisions. If there is a time to spend some dough to make sure you stand out, now is the time!

Related: How to Efficiently Network at a Trade Show

Many businesses who frequently have booths at trade shows will say that it pays off to have a designated trade show marketing package that includes items such as brochures, table top signs, info cards, banners, table throws, memorable branding and high quality, durable materials. That’s why so many Printing Solutions customers love our “Trade Show To Go” package. Having an effective way to communicate your passion to the market you are trying to reach can make an enormous difference.

Have Questions About Trade Show Supplies?

Call us at 480-596-6300 to learn more about trade show supplies and the trade show packages we offer.

The post Where Should You Splurge and Save on Trade Show Supplies? appeared first on Printing Solutions.

Before you head out to your next trade show, make sure you are prepared to bring your networking A-game by following some of the suggestions we share here:

Set Networking Goals

Take some time to write down some of your goals when it comes to networking with new potential clients at your upcoming trade shows. It could be that you set a goal to talk to a certain amount of people or end each day of the show with a certain number of business cards. What setting goals will force you to do is to consider who will be at the event and who you should focus on. Setting goals will also help you hold yourself and your team accountable.

Have Open-Ended Questions Prepared

You moment to network with a prospect can come and go in an instant. Do not waste your precious time stammering for questions that are not going to get you answers you need. Come up with key questions that you can ask instantly without having to think too hard. Make sure these questions are effective in getting you the answers that will do you the most good.

Build Relationships

All business and no play could make for a very dull trade show. Make sure you know how to ask questions along the way that help you form a bond with your new contact. This could include staying sharp for details that slip out in conversation or even sharing something personal about yourself at the appropriate time. One way to instantly form a bond is to find a way to introduce your new contact to someone else. It shows that you are paying attention to detail and value your new friendship.

Leave Something Behind

This is most important! If you do not have a business card, flyer or brochure to trade with others you come in contact with at a trade show, you might question why you went in the first place. It is imperative that you leave your contact with something that will leave an impression and remind them how they met you. Do not leave for your next trade show until you have your marketing material strategy in place!

Related: Planning for Trade Shows in 2015

Should you need marketing material now, be sure to call Printing Solutions at 480-596-6300. Let’s talk about your options and set you up to be a pro networker!

The post How to Efficiently Network at a Trade Show appeared first on Printing Solutions.

Your Booth

You’ll be competing with everyone else at the trade show for visitors’ attention. You’ve got to have an eye-catching display to command attention. We can create for you something as small as a stand-up banner or as big as a whole trade show display that can house your technology and marketing materials. (Call for details)

Marketing Materials

We can help you design the perfect marketing materials that are sure to leave the expo with your visitors. You don’t want something that goes in the trash! Give them something they will hold onto like a plastic business card or an origami postcard!

Related: Why You Should Have Plastic Business Cards

Who Will Be Speaking?

Undoubtedly you’ll have to designate someone to speak at the trade show. As people pass your booth, they’ll be expecting a presentation. Who would make the best face of your company? Who is best at public speaking? Have them practice their spiel and they’ll be sure to knock it out of the park!

Related: Get Yourself Prepared to Speak at the Trade Show

Once you’ve taken the first step in deciding to showcase your company at a trade show or expo, your next step should be to call us here at Printing Solutions. As the leading print company in Scottsdale, we’re the go-to place for all things trade show. Our talented graphic designers can help you have the perfect materials and we can cover everything from banners to plastic business cards.

If you have any questions about our printed products, give us a call at 480-596-6300 or stop by our Scottsdale printing company. We’ll make sure you have the best booth at the event!

The post 5 Tips to Make a Successful Trade Show appeared first on Printing Solutions.

Make sure you have someone professional and outgoing manning your booth

The person responsible for representing your company should send the right message. You won’t create a unique experience at trade shows with a shy representative. Timid personalities will get lost in the crowd at trade shows. You’ve got to command attention not only with your booth, but with your physical presentation. Have your representative work on their spiel that they’ll be giving to visitors. It should be rehearsed, but also very easy-going and should flow in a natural way.

Related: Step-up Your Public Speaking Game

Bring the right materials

It’s imperative that you have the right materials for the show. People will have their hands full of swag and marketing materials so you want something they’ll actually hold onto. This can be as simple as a well designed postcard that they’ll want to hold onto, maybe a notepad that you know they’ll hold onto or something unique like a plastic business card that will stand out above the rest.

Related: Have a Killer Trade Show Display

Give them incentive to visit your website

Consider offering a discount for anyone who signs up on your website or gives you their email while visiting your booth. They’re going to be overloaded with information about businesses so why should they take the time to look you up? Give them a reason to!

Encourage participation

There’s many ways you can make sure that people remember your booth and actually interact with your company. The more they interact with you, the more likely they are to remember you the next day, the next week or the next month. Raffles are a great way to keep their attention. Hand each visitor a ticket and give them a time to come back to participate in the raffle. Ask them to post pictures to your social media and offer a prize for the best picture. Make sure to include a hashtag relevant to your company!

If you can manage to capture the attention of trade show visitors long enough for them to remember you later, you’ve broken through the trade show barrier. Being unique can go a long way when you’re room of hundreds of people and exhibitors.

If you need printed materials to take to your next trade show, stop by our Scottsdale printing office or call 480-596-6300. We can help you design and print everything you need for a trade show. We also have designers on staff to help with the initial design process. From logos to business cards, we do it all.

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