Talk Print

The other day Gary Maxwell walked into PrintingCenterUSA looking to print business cards for his new adventure. His own business, Maxiee’s Handy Man Service! He created this card using our online designer. Now, if you could meet Gary this business card describes him to a tee. He’s super energetic and excited to start his own business.

Click here to design your business card

I can remember the excitement in his voice “I’m tired of working for people who make all the money”. He couldn’t wait for us to print his card, so he could start advertising his new service.

After we printed his business card I asked Gary if he wouldn’t mind telling what he thought of our online designer. He said this. “It was super easy to use and it was fun designing his own card because it described his own personality”.  The white hard hat showed people that safety comes first and that is very important in the construction industry. It only took about 2 hours and it saved him at least $100 dollars in design fees. He was super pleased with the quality and how professional the card made him look. Now, all he had to do is hand them out.   Good luck Gary, and we have brochure templates on the online designer too!

The other day I received this Tweet from @sandyhubbard “Hi Aaron, what do you predict for 2012? Shoot me a link if you bloged/vlogged about what’s in your crystal ball…”

After spending a couple of hours with this question turning in my head and of course checking my crystal ball, I’m predicting 2012 is the year print takes off with mobile and social media. This is the year when more customers start ordering print from their mobile phones, uploading pictures to apps and integrating social media.  I know here at PrintingCenterUSA we’re experimenting with our mobile website. We don’t have an app yet, but it’s on the agenda. Now, I know Sandy didn’t want me to write a blog about what we are planning on doing, but what I personally see happening.

The printing industry needs to adapt to change because their customers and prospect are. Whether you’re a local print shop or a large commercial printer you need to embrace mobile and social media because they aren’t going anywhere any time soon.  And you have an opportunity to interact with customers and build referrals. As I write this post there are countless companies taking advantage of the opportunities.

Think of Google about ten years ago and what we call “Web to Print”. It’s changed the way printers like us do business. It changed the entire business model for many printing companies.  All that people had to do was go online and order printing right from their computer. This concept is commonplace and oversaturated and difficult for many companies to compete this way, it is pretty dried up.

Don’t get me wrong there is plenty of money still out there otherwise we wouldn’t be in business, it all depends on your business model. I’m just telling you what I see in my Crystal Ball. Mobile technology and Social Media is that next wave for the printing industry.

The other day while driving back from Whitefish, Montana I took this picture of salmon lake because I wanted to incorporate into a blog post. And here is what I came up with. Not all printing is grey and gloomy. You see the bright skies ahead; it looks far away and it is. The road around salmon lake is very winding with no straight road. So, it can take awhile to get to the sunny skies on the other side. Kind of like marketing with print; figuring out what works for your company or small business isn’t always a straight road either. That is why, here at PrintingCenterUSA we put together our Printing Marketing pages to help you make better printing decision.

Checkout our Marketing Articles and How To’s? We developed and posted marketing articles for industries, services and products to help you navigate through a winding turn. Together, these resources serve to help you generate ideas and see how others are marketing.  To help you see that it isn’t all gloomy but sunny skies are ahead.

Generate new print ideas for your marketing, advertising and fundraising campaigns by reading successful printing case studies from business’s and organization’s who are now driving on a straight road to success. Case studies feature Print Marketing, Direct Mail, Multi-channel Marketing, Purls and more.

Look at thousands of examples from over 24 industries for design, layout and different ways to use print material to deliver your message and reach the other side of Salmon Lake. Learn how to engage customers, generate awareness, spread your message, increase sales and promote an event.

With our help you’ll realize marketing with print isn’t grey and gloomy. You’ll learn how to navigate your way through the winding roads and along the way take in the scenery that comes with successful print marketing. I’ll see you on the other side.

Sorry Matthew! if it helps. #lovingtheblogpost. RT @matthewliberty: Miscarriages Suck (just stating the obvious) http://goo.gl/mbfpc via my blog #Life #Motivation

http://iflymobiapp.com/sample-printing-309-1323883883 Learn about Printing Center USA’s new Mobile Website. It’s now easier to order printing online with your cell phone. Scan the QR Code in the video to save PCUSA’s URL in your mobile browser.

So, why do I? First off It’s super cool to tell someone, here is a link to my personal mobile website, or scan this QR Code that directs you to it. But, here is a couple of more reason why I decided to spend the $6.99 a month with Iflymobi.

My Mobile Website

First and foremost, Mobile interaction is growing. More people are using their mobile phones to access social networks and engage with customers and prospects. So, I thought it was time to start directing my clients and prospects to a Mobile Friendly site where they can send me an email about their print job, join my social networks or read my blog; right from their phone. They can also, share my info to a friend or someone who might be in the need of printing.

Here is how I’ve been marketing my site. Every email I send to a customer I let them know the best way to contact me is here http://iflymobiapp.com/mobile/cards/694

I also Attach a QR Code that says scan here to visit my site. Also not to mention word of mouth, I’m on the phone all day talking with people about print. Like any good sales men I let them know about my mobile site. I’ve received nothing but positive feedback from customers.

Website Tracking

I’ve been able to track how many people are scanning the QR Code and when. I can see firsthand that people are engaging with my email. I’ve increased my followers on Twitter and Facebook. Also, I’ve received referrals that have been contacting me via email.

I highly recommend you start using Mobile Phones to network with customers and prospects. The only problem I have now is that I can’t escape. My phone is always blowing up!!!

Sacn to visit my site!

Every year around this time people come up a New Years Resolutions. Often times it’s to lose weight, stop smoking, changing eating habits and etc. Here’s mine; it’s the same every year. I try to be a better listener and not talk as much, but the honest truth is every year nothing changes. My resolution usually lasts a couple of hours and I think that is pushing it. Maybe this year, I’ll learn to shut my mouth. I doubt it, that is why I’m going to change my resolution to something that I can accomplish and I think you should too.

Click here to visit my Mobil Website

Here’s a couple easy resolutions, I think you could easily accomplish.

Try changing the way you print your advertising.

1: Mobil Interaction Using QR Codes

Your shortcut from print to online. Now your customer no longer has to type in a URL, phone number or email address they just scan the code with a smart phone and they’re automatically directed to wherever you want to take them.

• Watch a Video
• Have your address instantly mapped on their phone
• Take to a webpage for more details or to sign up.
• Instantly become a contact in their phone with all your business card details
• Save the date or event in their calendar with a reminder
• Give a coupon or discount

2: Variable Data Printing (Personalized Printing Marketing)

Specifically tailor your copy, images and colors to appeal to customers and better engage readers. With VDP you have the ability to use what your know about your customers or prospects to craft a message that is personalized and unique. This will increase ROI and response rates.

• Insert name
• Personalizes copy
• Each piece is different, based on variables: characteristics, past purchase, gender, & income
• Insert photos, directions, & contact information

3: Incorporate Social Media

Let your customers and prospects know that you or your company is using social media. Via, Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, YouTube and Google +.   And interact with them more frequently and easily.

• Add Social Media Widgets to your printed pieces.
• Entice customers and prospects to join by offering them discount.
• Use QR Codes that links to a YouTube video.
• Ask a question, along with a promo code for answering

Now, whenever someone is trying to change a habit or accomplish a new years resolution, you need a great coach. And like I said before, I can’t ever keep my mouth shut so If you want to accomplish any of the above 3 for your resolution, lets talk. And my New year’s resolution to help PrintingCenterUSA’s Customers try new ways to make more money with print.

In many businesses today it’s more cost-efficient to have some jobs sent out rather than to have certain printers on hand; this may be oversized or specialty jobs or those that are done only sporadically.  While it’s good to think about how cheap printing services can save your company money in the long run, it’s also good to ensure that you get quality service every time.  As they say, you often get what you pay for and price alone should not be the deciding factor when it comes to your choice of cheap printing services.

Cheap Printing

How can you choose cheap printing services that will offer you quality and value at a great price?  This can be difficult to decide when you’re shopping online since you can’t see in person the work that they do.  You also can’t just go by what their website promises because of course they will all promise quality and value and the clearest, crispest prints you’ve ever seen.  It’s also shortsighted to go by price alone since often a few extra dollars spent on your cheap printing will mean more value for those items.

To find the best cheap printing service for your company, consider just a few quick tips.

Know the Equipment

It’s good to understand the equipment used by cheap printing service companies and to understand their processes.  You may be thinking that because you are sending out this work, you shouldn’t need to know these things, but often just a cursory knowledge of how things work will help you to make the best decision.

One thing to remember is that a cheap printing service should still use laser printing in most cases; a laser adheres ink to the page, as opposed to an inkjet printer that simply sprays it on the paper.  With an inkjet printer, you typically get more smudges and smears especially when working with smoother paper.  If you are handling photographs or lithographs or anything that is printed on any type of shiny paper, it’s good to know the equipment and processes used by cheap printing services.

Shopping Online

You may have a cheap printing services company you work with regularly and that is located close to your business, and this may make it uncomfortable for you to shop online.  How can you be sure of the quality of work if you cannot see what the company does?  In truth you can often get cheap printing services from online companies that are just as good as anything you get from the company around the block, since they typically use the same equipment and processes.

When you shop online note the delivery schedules and extra charges for delivery.  Take note of the equipment they use as well, and don’t purchase from a website because their cheap printing services are just less money.  Check on their guarantee and return policy and all other details, and if you do, then you know you can use their cheap printing with confidence.

When it comes to printing, there are generally two options: offset and digital presses. Both solutions have their benefits, but for printing jobs that need the absolute best quality, offset printing is the best way to go.

While digital printers are becoming more advanced all the time, offset printing is the most effective strategy for getting print materials produced with the highest quality in mind. Offset printing produces images that are sharper and cleaner than letterpress because it conforms to the printing surface, creating accurate pictures. If business owners are looking to print on non-paper surfaces, offset printing is even more precise.

In addition to higher quality products, offset printing has several other benefits. On large orders, offset printing can help keep costs down – the more copies that are made, the lower the price per piece will be.

Printing Center USA has both offset and digital presses, enabling business owners to make the most cost-efficient decisions for their printing jobs without sacrificing quality. Our offset presses can create marketing materials that are both tremendously accurate and vibrant.

Parents and community members like to be involved in their region’s educational programs. One way that school administrators can keep these people in the know is through annual printed calendars.

Holiday Printing Now!

These calendars could be either given away for free or sold for a small price to relevant individuals. Printed calendars should be sure to include the dates of major meetings, such as PTA sessions; sports and group events, including games and performances; and school holidays.

Promotional calendars have two benefits. First, they ensure that parents and community members know what is happening with their local schools, thereby boosting trust in their institutions. Second, these calendars can also boost event attendance, enabling institutions to sell more promotional merchandise and better support their extracurricular activities.

At Printing Center USA, we know schools often have tight budgets. That’s why all of our calendar printing services are available at affordable prices – we want to ensure every educational institution can produce appealing promotional calendars that suit their needs.