PrintRoundTable

Finding the Right Mailer that Will Grab Attention and Bring in Customers

Filed under Mailers

Businesses struggle every day trying to find the right marketing strategy to bring customers in the door and not cost a fortune.  Mailings have been a tried and true method; however, with the online marketing and email coming into play, several businesses have gone online as opposed to using traditional methods, such as mailings to increase business.  Now that this shift has occurred, most consumers need something that will really grab attention in order to look twice at a mail piece.  One product that gets seriously overlooked is Pressure Seal and U-Seal™. Pressure Seal  mailings are traditionally used for more official functions such as pin numbers, grade card reports, bill statements or confidential results.  U-Seal™ is used the same way as Pressure Seal only they are primarily for items that do not require strict confidentiality; such as utility bills. This is why using pressure seal/u-seal for marketing is a stroke of marketing genius.  The less you put on the front of the sealed piece, the more inclined a consumer is to open just because they do not want to miss an important piece of mail. Right from the start you have their attention.  Although Z-Fold is the most common choice of fold, many businesses are using a C-Fold version of these forms because you can design the form in such a way that when the customer perfs off the edges, it will actually leave a coupon that slips out.  The other nice thing about Pressure Seal or U-Seal™ is you can run them through your laser printer, so printing is very easy and affordable.  U-Seal™ only needs 10 lbs of pressure to seal.  That means all you need to do is hand-seal the form.  This is cheaper than going the pressure seal route.  Press Seal does require a machine to fold and seal the mailer before you can send them out.  This makes Pressure Seal a much more secure document and can withstand the beating it may get in the mail system. Unless you are already using pressure seal, or plan on moving other forms over to pressure seal, a U-Seal™ mailing is the one to choose. Regardless which form you choose, when marketing with mailers, any way to get customers to look twice and not throw the piece in the trash is a good thing.  The more interactive a piece, the more attention it gets.  It is worth a try if you have never marketed this way before, and you may be surprised on the ROI of this unique mailer.

Using Integrated Labels to Improve Your Shipping Process

Filed under Custom Labels , Distribution Label Solutions , General

More companies are discovering the secret to simplifying their shipping process with integrated labels. Integrated labels have been around for a while and businesses large and small are utilizing their great ability to save cost, time and costly quality assurance issues. To determine if it is worth switching to an integrated labeling solution, a business needs to evaluate how much it costs to ship out a package with their current method.  Calculating the time it takes to apply the label and packing slip is very important as well.  Paying an employee to handle the shipping label and packing list is a time involved process.  Even if you save 15-20 seconds per carton, you have just improved productivity getting more cartons out the door.  This alone will save you money over time. Quality assurance is an area that deserves attention.  When a line worker has to match a packing slip with a box with a shipping label, it is easy to see how errors can occur.  And unfortunately, these errors cost both time and money.  The sheer number of staff to figure out an error, after it occurs, can stretch over several shipments. This means unhappy employees and, more importantly, unhappy customers. The integrated label is great as the shipping label and packing list can be on one form, reducing errors and reducing the time it takes just to match everything up.  Many businesses have decided to stop adding the packing list to the outside of the carton, and put it inside instead.  This makes an integrated label that much better!  Just peel off the shipping label, drop the packing list in the box, and then apply the shipping label.  That easy! There are many different styles of integrated shipping forms that are available right off the shelf, giving you the ability to customize your form from start to finish.  This is perfect for the companies who change things up often on their packing slips.  For some businesses, the cost of toner alone is enough to go with pre-printed forms. Basic information such as company logo, and fields that show on all forms, are printed right on the form and then ran through their printer saving on overall toner costs.  And even with all of the options out there, maybe a company has a special application and the label structure does not work for them.  This is another instance where going with a custom printed integrated label may be worth the cost. However, regardless of stock or custom, integrated labels can be a great addition to your shipping process. It is definitely worth the time to see if they fit into your business model.

Get the Best Envelopes for your Business

Filed under Full Color Envelope Printing , Mailers , Marketing Collaterals

Selecting business envelopes seems like a easy thing to do. Put a logo on an envelopes template and you are ready. Unfortunately, it isn't always that simple. Putting together a good corporate image takes thought, vision and consistency. Your stationary is a direct reflection of your business. It should function as you need it, giving your customers the feeling of security and still be within your budget. Envelope printing seems like a pretty easy thing to understand; however, there are many different features  that a business needs to consider when choosing the perfect envelopes for their business. First variable to consider is the size, or sizes, your company  will need. A #10 envelope is pretty standard for most businesses. However, some would rather have a #10 with a window. And even one step further, many businesses that need payments or correspondence mailed back, need a #9 envelope with or without an envelope. From very large to extremely small, there is a huge variety to choose from. The key it to choose envelope sizes that you actually need with having a stockroom full of extra inventory. Another factor to consider is color. Color can really affect pricing on your envelope printing project. Businesses can go very simple with a one or two color option, or a full color envelope. Full color envelopes can be quite pricey and if it isn't necessary for your corporate image, then it is more cost effective to go simple. However, if you have photo images, or a very complex colored logo, then definitely stay with full color. Trying to change your corporate image on a few marketing pieces to save money will hurt you in the long run, not to mention making your business look disjointed. There are also a large number of materials in the envelope printing world. 24# Linens, Bonds, and Classic Laid materials are just a few. Normally choosing your color helps determine what material to go with. If you choose a full color envelope, the number of materials usually is limited to one or two options. Going with a black only, or one and two spot colors, gives you the most options. Laid materials have a slight handmade finish, whereas Linen has a woven pattern. Bond material is normally smooth. There really is a material to match any look a business is going for. The best way to help determine which envelope options are best for your business is to request envelope samples from your printing company. Testing different colors and materials is the best way to see which one works for your business image. Sometimes it is best to order a small quantity with your logo and information to make sure they are how you envisioned, and then order a larger quantity when you are sure they are exactly what you want. It is better to be out a little money than a lot.  

Choosing Invoice and Payment Mailers that Work for Your Business

Filed under General , Marketing Collaterals , Mailers

 Businesses strive every day to find ways to be more cost effective and increase their profitability. Mailing costs is the one area that seems so simple, but yet can swallow up a large amount of a company’s money.  In order to be profitable, and keep costs low, researching the best options and processes is the key to successfully managing those internal costs.  Whether you company mails invoices, payment vouchers, or just regular correspondence, ensuring you are getting what you pay for, while maintaining your corporate image is very important.    If you are a company who sends out invoices and remittance slips, a product that may help you save money is the Form-N-Envelope.  Available in two standard sizes, the Form-N-Envelope mailer runs through a laser printer, and once printed, you can fold, tab and mail.  This one form can take the place of 3 different pieces on information including #9 and #10 envelope and letterhead or invoice. You can also choose to have them pre-printed with the information of your choosing to cut down on toner expense as well. Another great option, although it does require some upfront cost, is Pressure Seal mailers.  Pressure seal comes in two standard sizes, and the functionality and savings you get long term is substantial.  The one drawback is you need to purchase a folder-sealer in order to use the forms. This machine allows you to put a stack of pressure seal forms in the tray, push the button, and they automatically fold and seal.  There are even some machines that will print the form and then fold and seal, making the process even easier.  So the process is very simple.  Print the form, run through the folder sealer and mail.  No need for extra envelopes.  Once the customer receives the mail piece, they simply tear off the perimeter to open what is inside. There is even a version that comes with an envelope built into the form so your customers can return any payments to you! U-Seal ™ is a great mailer option that is very similar to a pressure seal form. They come in flat sheets, but instead of using a folder-sealer to seal the U-Seal ™ form, you can do it by hand.  In fact, you only need 10 lbs of pressure to seal this form (the equivalent of pressing down with your fingers). They form a great seal; however, if the information needs to be very secure, then you still might want to stick with Pressure Seal.  In fact, you only need 10 lbs of pressure to seal this form (the equivalent of pressing down with your fingers). There are many mailer options to customize for your specific business needs.  It may even be possible to use one specific mailer for many different projects around the office and not just invoices or statements. Some companies have been very successful using the above mentioned mailers as marketing piece to drive business.  No matter which mailer you choose, they are all great in their own way to help your business rein in costs and continue to be profitable.  

Duplex Shipping Labels - The Newest Distribution Label Solution

Filed under Custom Labels , Distribution Label Solutions

  Manufacturers and distributors ask themselves the same question over and over ”How can I ship products faster, easier and more cost efficiently?”  The duplex shipping label may be the answer everyone is looking for.  It actually cuts down on the amount of material needed for creating mailing labels and packing lists, and will save money. Here is how it works. A duplex shipping label comes in two sizes 8.5 x 5.5” and 8.5 x 11”. They can run through a duplex laser printer, and more recently, you can now run them through a duplex thermal printer. The shipping label information is printed on the front of the form and the packing list is printed on the back.  No need to print one side first and then the other.  Also, no need to match up a packing list with a shipping label.  Because they are both printed on the same label, all you have to do is remove the outside label matrix and affix to the shipping container.  No need for a plastic pouch to hold the packing slip and no mis-matching mistakes, which saves money. Besides costs, these types of inclusive labels can also save time for a business, which can also add up to actual money being saved. Duplex shipping labels aren't very popular in the current shipping industry because they are not widely known. Most businesses have a distribution label solution already in place. However, once a business learns about the perks of saving time and money (thus improving productivity and employee satisfaction), it may convince the business leaders to switch over to duplex shipping labels in their shipping warehouses. Besides leading to positive effects for employees and managers, a business may find that the customers will also appreciate these types of custom mailing labels. It makes the packing list easier to find and often prevents folding or damage to the list, which is sometimes crucial for customers to keep. Many customers may save packing lists for their own financial records, so having these arrive in good condition is the best way to make sure records are kept neat and in order. Even if a business isn't sure about incorporating them into their regular shipping processes, ordering one carton or box of duplex shipping labels to try out may convince them that this label is worthwhile for continuous use. It may not be for every business if you have an automated system in place; however, for the small to medium size businesses, or those who need to manually affix a shipping label/packing slip, the duplex shipping label will no doubt be an asset.   duplexShippingLabel.jpg (15.74 kb)

Can Direct Mail Marketing Really Expand Your Customer Base and Increase Profits?

Filed under Custom Printing Tips and Guidelines , Full Color Plastic Card Printing , OnlinePrinting - Marketing Tips For Small Business , General

Cut costs and drive up direct mail response rates by using various forms of affordable, biodegradable plastic mailing pieces. [More]

Is Your "Print-Brain" Up To The Line Screen Challenge?

Filed under Print Brain - Quick Full Color Printing Quizes

I'll bet your "print-brain" will struggle with this question. It's coming right up. Just a reminder that you, too, can be a famous "Print-Brain" quiz blogger. Just add your question below. Here's the latest "print-brain" question. Got your full color printing thinking cap on? What line screen would you need to print your full color 2400 images in to utilize the dpi/lpi capabilities of the newest breed of digital full color printing devices? Betcha can't even come close to the right answer! Here's a hint - line screens are measured in lpi (lines per inch). Ready to give it a try . . . Pick the line screen would you need to print your full color-2400 dpi images from the choices below: a) 300 lpi line screen b) 1200 lpi line screen c) 900 lpi line screen The answer? Check out this link for the lpi to dpi conversion tool you need. http://dx.sheridan.com/advisor/line_screen.html. To lazy to click the link? The answer is B. But do you know why? Can you imagine the color output at that dpi? That's about 5 times the typical full color digital output!