Give your business a boost with print marketing strategies, tips and tricks. Dive into industries big and small and see how insiders and field experts use online printing to succeed – and how you can, too.
Stay current on the latest Smartpress brand and company news. Learn all the details about new online printing services, website features and improvements as soon as they’re introduced.
At Smartpress, we’re always keeping an eye out for creative print design. And 2022 did not disappoint! Whether our customers were small business owners in need of engaging print marketing or creating personal projects for themselves, their ideas were truly innovative. In this Part 1, we show off some of our favorite ways they broke the rules and designed refreshingly unique products on their own terms.
For clothing retailers, print marketing has to do more than just strike a pose. It has to inspire, inform and influence. Create a catwalk of campaigns with custom print from Smartpress. From stunning lookbooks and catalogs to promotional brochures and signage that sends a message, fashion marketing has never looked better.
You’ve heard of a bucket list for life, but what about a bucket list for print? (As print nerds, this comes with the territory for us.) We’re counting down our top 10 print marketing ideas and getting insider design and user tips from our very own experts. From convenient products to essential features and services, these are the must-haves that will elevate your business printing and personal projects like no other.
We say it all the time: You’ve got questions and we’ve got answers. At Smartpress, we get more than 1,000 calls, emails and online chats every week from our small-business-owning, entrepreneuring, gotta-have-this-printed-now customers. We’re happy to help whenever and with whatever, so we put together the top 10 printing FAQ we get from you, plus tips and tricks to navigate the world of online printing. (Hint: If you still need to call or online chat, that’s cool, too.)
The right color attracts the right customer. You know the one - the target customer, the repeat customer, the high-value customer. That’s why color psychology is crucial in print marketing. See how certain tints pair with certain tactics to create the reactions and results you want, plus get insider tips on how to use color effectively from Smartpress’ own creative director.
With the temps rising, now’s the time to turn up the heat with the six print marketing trends we’re seeing for summer. Put your standard go-to tactics on ice and watch as these timely print marketing tips ensure your summer’s a successful one. (You’ll see these trends across all industries - and we guarantee no one else will print them at the same level of quality, service and sustainability as Smartpress!)
It’s no secret we pride ourselves on being an eco-friendly online printer. But for Smartpress and our parent company, The Bernard Group, that’s the baseline. We go beyond recycled paper and green alternatives to corporate responsibility as a whole. Need proof? Our EcoVadis sustainability rating just went from Gold to Platinum. How’s that for proof? Our Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, Liesl Beck, details how we did it (and what’s next).
Earth Day is a pretty big deal around here. So much so that it’s basically Earth Day every day at Smartpress. How? With our ever-greening sustainable printing process. We go way beyond recycled paper stocks, as we work to protect the environment every step of the way. Smartpress is truly an eco-friendly online printer, leading the industry with sustainable solutions. Here’s the proof.
Choosing the right printer can be like choosing the right partner. You can swipe right and hope for the best, play the field and weigh your options or take yourself out of the game altogether and never get anything printed. To help you narrow down the search, we’ve put together 11 questions you should always ask a prospective printer. (We’ve answered them ourselves, too. Hey, we’re not above some healthy competition!)
Printing your business and personal projects with Smartpress is already awesome. But we’re making it even better with the launch of our NEW Print Points Loyalty & Referral Program. With this rewards program, you earn points on every single Smartpress purchase. And when you refer a friend, you get even more points. Then, simply cash in those points for dollars off your orders! Let’s dig into the details.
In honor of National Opposite Day (yes, it’s a pseudo-holiday that can indeed be celebrated), we’re going from one end of the spectrum to the other to present our very own print opposites. From products to techniques, let our creative contrasts bring your online printing projects together. Oh, and we’ve included some fun facts, too!
Distinct, polished, stunning. Three words jewelry insiders love to hear about their custom pieces. Do your online printing with Smartpress and you’ll hear them about your jewelry marketing, too. From presentation to promotion to package inserts, see how our three Ps of print marketing advertise more than just accessories. (Oh, and these tips easily translate to any retail industry, regardless of bling or business.)
New year, new print marketing strategy? We think so! In Part 1, we showcased some of our favorite extraordinary print projects from customers, and in this Part 2, we’re going even further. Check out how customers made the regular remarkable and turned the usual into the unexpected with these custom print ideas - and then add them to your own repertoire.
We’re celebrating our customers with a look back at some of our favorite and most creative print projects from the past year. They took marketing must-haves and stationery staples and gave them unique and refreshing twists you’ve just got to try. As you look ahead to a new year, let these custom print ideas become part of your new business strategy.
For small businesses, corporations, nonprofits and brands of all kinds, the importance of ratings and reviews can’t be overstated. Whether they’re reviews of service or ratings of products, they all matter. And we here at Smartpress take our customers’ feedback very seriously.
Marketing is all about the message. But how do you create one that connects with target audiences and turns browsing into buying? Personalize it! Variable Data Printing lets you tailor specific text and imagery to individual recipients not only on your marketing assets, but also personal invitations, RSVPs and more. With VDP, ensuring engagement is easy.
With authentic beer, savory wurst, traditional games and live music, Oktoberfest sells itself, right? Nein. While the lure of lederhosen may be strong, your Oktoberfest marketing must be stronger to build awareness for your events and get people in the door. Before you plan for pretzels and polka, promote with our top five print marketing ideas. (Hint: You’ll want them for harvest and fall festivals, too!)
At Smartpress, your printing experience is our priority - and we just made it even better. We’ve partnered with Canva to bring you the most intuitive, easy to use and simple graphic design platform out there. With online printing templates, images and graphics, it’s a game-changer for professional designers and novices alike.
Whether you’re sending packages to existing customers, new clients or potential ones, Insert Cards can make a strong impression. As such, it’s an important marketing strategy you’ll want to consider as you grow your business and brand.
Printing can get a bad rap. Naysayers argue it’s not sustainable and it’s cutting down all our trees. Those things may have been true at one time, but fortunately, times (and processes) have changed. Majorly. With an eco-friendly online printer like Smartpress, you get to partner with the planet to print projects on sustainable stocks like hemp or paper that’s been sourced responsibly from thriving forests.
For professional artists and hobbyists alike, making high calibur prints of your creations is essential to keeping your business or side hustle booming. Smartpress helps bring this vision to life with the highest quality substrates and color matching that can’t be beat, whether you sell art online, showcase framed pieces at fairs or market custom prints at expos. Check out our design tips for paper, canvas and metal mediums and use Smartpress as your secret weapon for artistic success.
Ah, the age-old question. As digital marketing expands its reach, business owners want to know if print marketing is worth their time and money. Let us be the ones to put this never-ending duel to rest: No, print is not dead. Yes, it’s most definitely worth your investment.
For over a year, we’ve all been challenged with a life turned upside down. And for retirement communities, it’s more than a relief to begin reclaiming what’s familiar. From short-term stays to long-term care, your essential services need essential print marketing. Get back on track with assisted living advertising that welcomes new residents, shares your services and tells your story.
Holidays often mean two things for your business: a busy few weeks and a boost in sales. And the key to a successful campaign? The right design at the right time. For the Fourth of July, we’re talking patriotic and Americana printing that celebrates the season and engages the community. From subtle stars and stripes to bold red, white and blue, check out these easy and effective ideas for adding strategic spirit to your Fourth of July signage and print marketing.
Ready and set for summer? As the season changes, it’s essential your business tactics do, too. For everything from outdoor events and summer camps, to pool installation and summer wear, active advertising will have your brand soaking up the sun and the sales. As temperatures rise, keep your cool with these summertime marketing strategies.
Graduations are about so much more than the cap and gown. From preschool to college and everything in between, planning the celebration of those academic achievements is an event in its own right. With announcements, custom invites, personalized yard signs and more, parents and educators alike can earn a degree in graduation printing from Smartpress.
As your eco-friendly online printer, Smartpress is always looking for ways to further assert ourselves as the industry leader in sustainable printing and corporate social responsibility. So in an effort to go carbon neutral and continue to reduce our business’ environmental impact, we’ve partnered with 3Degrees to purchase Renewable Energy Certificates and Carbon Offsets.
Whether you’re a landscape architect designing vast outdoor spaces or a local lawn care company taking care of seasonal essentials, you need to plant the seeds of your services to watch your business grow. How? Hedge your bets with print marketing materials at the focal point of your strategy. (And if you’re not in the landscaping biz, these ideas will work for your small business, too!)
For realtors, developers and property managers alike, designing effective real estate marketing materials is essential to closing on any sale. From first-time homebuyer guides and property information inserts to Open House banners and Just Listed postcards, let us hand you the keys to successful print marketing. Leverage Smartpress’ online printing services to make your strategy structurally sound. With the right advertising, it can always be your kind of market.
Marketing your sports programs comes down to one thing: You want to score. From school teams and intramurals to summer rec camps and community center activities, print has to be part of your game plan to celebrate the players and build the program. With custom banners, posters, lawn signs and more, Smartpress’ printing services ensure your road to recognition lasts throughout the season.
A one-stop shop for wedding planners, vendors and agencies, Smartpress is where the designers go. From custom invitations to RSVPs and thank you cards, we streamline the print process and make it possible to propose during a pandemic with a full wedding suite that caters to your clients’ needs. We’ve compiled some tips and tricks from design professionals in the industry, so marry our online printing services with your design ideas, and give your clients wedding stationery they’ll love to have and to hold.
Enticing. Daring. Indulgent. These three words may not describe your previous marketing materials, but they certainly will when you add Designer Folds by Foldfactory to your advertising repertoire. Take it from Foldfactory founder, Trish Wtikowski: “Specialty formats are impactful - they provoke a reaction.” Indeed. With custom mailers, brochures and invitations like you’ve never seen, these 30 custom folds flaunt every panel, curve and twist and leave your audience wanting more.
An Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) treats employees as assets because the employees are also owners, investors and shareholders of the company. While there are various legal and tax definitions of an ESOP business, the simplest explanation is that it allows a company to sell itself to its employees. Smartpress and its parent company, The Bernard Group, exist as a 100% employee-owned company.
Managing print for your business, no matter the size, takes a lot of work. From ensuring consistency in branding and marketing across the organization, to tracking orders, payments and print collateral distribution, your workflow needs to be detailed and efficient. What if there were a one-stop shop solution? A print management software and workflow management system together in one place? With Smartpress Storefronts, you get all that and more.
As the new year approaches, now’s the time to give your custom print strategy a refresh. In Part 1, we offered some of our favorite creative marketing ideas for online printing projects, and in this Part 2, we’ve got even more. The past year has taught us to be on our toes when it comes to designing and messaging, so let these unique, not-so-ordinary print ideas inspire you and your business.
If we’ve learned anything this year, it’s that print’s never going out of style. Whether for professional marketing materials or personal endeavors, custom print makes it easy to pivot from the status quo to the new normal and everything in between. Take a look at this refreshing round-up of creative print ideas for meeting strategic goals and strengthening connections. And then get inspired to use print for your own business!
Churches are on a mission to get The Message to the masses. And whether you’re running a megachurch with thousands of faithful members or working to boost attendance at your local congregation, print has to be part of your playbook. From outreach brochures and official letterhead to event signage and service essentials, custom church marketing is a blessing for your brand.
When nonprofits aren’t busy making a difference in their community, they’re busy making progress with print. Whether focused on education, advocacy or charity, organizations big and small are leaning on print to build partnerships, implement initiatives and support the welfare of those they serve. From fundraising and events to marketing and administrative essentials, print is a traditional medium resulting in modern gains.
It happens every year without fail: the first leaf falls and the countdown to the gift-giving season suddenly begins. And as the search for the right gift ensues, your customers’ need for a convenient shopping experience becomes even more clear. Whether you specialize in artisanal crafts or mass-produced wares, catalog printing with Saddle Stitch Booklets or Brochures is the strategic gift that keeps on giving.
Thanks to craft beer culture, enjoying what’s on tap over a board game and good conversation is part of our regular routine. And where’s all this casual congregating taking place? Local breweries, of course. From Oktoberfest and seasonal pours and to trivia nights and live music, breweries have the hops and the happenings, and they’re using print to promote all the ways guests can eat, drink and be merry.
Stretching your marketing dollars is more important than ever. It goes without saying, you need a strategy that repeatedly pays off, not just a one-time wonder. Investing in promotional products is a tactic that advertises your business and boosts awareness practically anywhere. And we’re not talking just the obvious water bottles and keychains for giveaways.
As we widen the scope of education with distance learning, it’s never been more obvious how necessary print is for schools. From teacher and staff supplies to classroom essentials and decorations full of school spirit, print marketing can provide it all.
Running a successful restaurant looks different from owner to owner, chef to chef. But one thing they all have in common? The need for print marketing.
While some winery patrons come solely for the grape, many stay for sunset strolls through the vineyard, tours of the barrel room and perfectly packed picnics. So how are wineries getting customers to wine and dine in the first place? They’re popping the cork on creative print marketing to blend the aroma with awareness and attendance.
In today’s “new normal,” there are indeed printing projects essential for the safety and well-being of our society. But there’s also a heart-felt, more creative side to printing that reminds us we’re all in this together. We’re connecting with customers on a more personal level and finding new ways to reach friends and family from afar.
During this time of uncertainty, Smartpress is proud to be a reliable source of essential print materials... and now personal protective equipment for those who need it most. Along with our parent company, The Bernard Group, we’re converting our production process to help protect those in our community and across the nation from the spread of COVID-19.
On a chilly, grey morning, hundreds of flannel-clad designers flocked to Madden’s Resort on Gull Lake in Brainerd, Minnesota. The venue, befitting the ultimate northern cabin getaway experience, would provide the very Minnesotan backdrop to AIGA’s Design Camp.
We set out on a journey to redefine our brand direction, visual identity, and website. It would be an understatement to say there has been a change at Smartpress.