The introduction of QR codes has helped increase the interaction between printed materials and digital media. As the sales of smartphones are on the rise, mobile marketing methods are becoming increasingly popular and so printed media materials are benefiting from this.

Companies are using QR codes in creative ways to entice customers to find out more information about their brand.

How can QR codes be used in printed media?

• On gig/concert posters to provide people with a link to ticket websites or ticket information

• On business cards to link to contact information or a portfolio

• On a promotional mug at an event

• On a magazine to provide a sample of contents or to give details of a promotion

• In a window display to offer customers a discount on products in store

• On food products to display nutritional information

• Museums and art galleries can use QR codes to give extra information on exhibits

• On a takeaway menu next to each item making it easier for customers to order

We are always searching for ways to help improve our clients’ businesses through print and design, and loyalty cards are a sure-fire way to retain customers and build your brand. We understand smaller companies can’t to fork out on expensive marketing methods so we have created affordable print and design packages to suit independent businesses.

The loyalty card concept is simple and fool-proof, your customers make a purchase and are rewarded with a stamp on their loyalty card every time they do so. After collecting so many stamps your customers are treated to a free something – a coffee, for example.

Our prices are perfect for smaller companies looking to raise brand awareness and implement marketing techniques at an affordable cost.

Send your invite in a can so it can be tied to the back of your wedding car and you can rattle away in style. This novel invite includes instructions on what to do with your can on the wedding day.

This record design comes from ‘Ello there’s Etsy page.

This invite by Minted is simple and cost-effective but a little bit of original copy and typography make it eye-catching.

This beautiful save the date card from photography couple Mi Belle and shows using photography is a brilliant idea for an invite. Maybe you could a try Hollywood-themed invite?

This striking wedding invite shows that you don’t need fancy materials to make an impression. An excellent use of typography can make a brilliant invite, even if it’s on plain piece of card.

This art deco birthday invitation has been created using a letterpress – this method is an original way to create an invite with a creative flair.

Business cards come in all shapes and sizes but the standard is 85 x 55mm; this size fits easily into card holders, wallets and purses – making it a sensible choice. If you are going for an unconventional size bear in mind they can be difficult to keep hold of (and may be binned). Conversely, a different sized business card can look original and quirky and it may suit your brand. You can make your business card more durable by adding a water-resistant coating; ensuring it stays pristine after everyday wear and tear.

Make sure your business card is designed to the same graphics standards as those your company uses. Use the same fonts and logo so your brand is instantly recognisable by its business card.

Remember to include the easiest way to contact you; a postal address isn’t always necessary if you have a website address that will lead to extra information. Your email address, website, Twitter and LinkedIn usernames are useful details to include. A contact number is always useful – fax numbers not so much.  Just make sure your contact details are simple and easy on the eye; a hundred ways to contact you will make your business card look cluttered and messy.

If you decide to include an image on your business card, stay away from the Clipart! Standard, generic images that are plastered over the internet will make your card look unoriginal and uninspiring. Edge Print will create original images and artwork for your cheap business cards to make them stand out.

]]> http://blog.edgeprint.co.uk/2011/03/how-to-design-a-business-card/feed/ 0 http://blog.edgeprint.co.uk/2011/02/designing-an-effective-leaflet/ http://blog.edgeprint.co.uk/2011/02/designing-an-effective-leaflet/#comments Wed, 16 Feb 2011 14:13:10 +0000 admin http://blog.edgeprint.co.uk/?p=111 When designing your leaflet, you need to separate your business from the mounds of junk mail already circulating in the post. When you receive a shifty looking leaflet or brochure in the post, where does it go? Straight in the bin, probably. These leaflets tend to use the boring universal images and clip art that are available to anyone and everyone, and nasty fonts which are a telltale sign of junk landing in your hallway.

Courtesy of Fluid Creativity

Your professional leaflet has one aim and that is to promote your business. The best way to promote your product or services is to keep design simple. Edge Print will create a clean and simple design so everything is original and refreshing to look at, distinguishing your leaflet from the junk mail.

When writing your leaflet, choose your words selectively – no wants to read drivel or jargon. The only reason someone will be reading your leaflet is because they want something from it. It’s your aim to make sure your audience can see the benefits of your service without being too pushy. ‘Salesy’ talk and jargon turns people away, you need to give your audience a reason for wanting your product. Keep your sentences short and sharp, this will hold the reader’s attention.

Use a striking headline to grab attention; make it punchy – perhaps use a provoking question? Or use ellipsis to create a sense of intrigue…

Do not forget to include a call to action in your leaflet; your telephone number, email address, website – this is to ensure your audience can reach you if they want to enquire about your business. Although listing contact details is important, there are better ways you can use a call to action. One example would be using a special offer to motivate action, “Book now for 10% off” or “Order before 30th and receive a special gift.” If you are not including any special offers in your call to action, try using the persuasive, “Don’t miss out, call now” instead of using the more passive approach, “For more information, call us.” Little persuasive bits of text can make a world of difference when it comes to people making decisions.

It’s important to remember that people are naturally lazy or too busy and it’s your job to get them to do something. Make your leaflet easy on the eye and easy to navigate – people will usually look at pictures and then larger pieces of text. Make sure you emphasise the strong points of your business in different stylistic ways to ensure the reader will be attracted to your call to action.

If you’re stuck for ideas, or lacking inspiration, we’ve searched the internet to help you feel inspired:

Wedding Invitations

Wedding invitations are essential, it’s customary to send them to the people you’d like to attend, and generates a bit of excitement for the big day. Usually there are two types of invite; your ceremony and your evening invitations.

Courtesy of: xoxo-wedding

Courtesy of: mika78.com

Save the Date Cards

Save the Date cards are a new addition to the wedding stationery market. These are meant to be sent out as soon as you know the date so potential guests can keep the date free – this helps maximise turnout for your wedding. The finer details are left for the wedding invite, Save the Date cards will only contain the basics.

Courtesy of: dauphinepress.com

Save the Date Magnets

Save the Date magnets are a lovely personal touch, and quite practical too, ensuring no one forgets the date of your wedding. Your magnet will greet the people you want to attend every time they open the fridge.

Courtesy of: weddingpaperdivas.com

Wedding Menus

Wedding menus are not an essential and nine times of out ten, are provided by the reception venue. If you aren’t happy with the menus provided, you can always splash a little cash on getting your own designed and printed. A benefit of supplying your own menus is that you can personalise them and include more detail.

Courtesy of: weddingpaperdivas.com

Other Wedding Stationery

The list of stationery bits you could buy for your wedding is endless, it all depends on your budget and your personal taste. Along with the wedding invitations, which are quite important, there are thank you cards and directions cards. And then you have your menus, place name cards and table plans. If you want to be extravagant (and have the money to be) you can purchase printed napkins, mint tins, photo albums, coasters and…

I think you get the idea.

Looking for further inspiration we had a quick look around the internet and came up with these five as some of the most creative, most amazing we’ve seen.

Mosquito

Kiskoleves

You / We / Us

Misconception of Nature

E3 Promotions

Pretty nice flyers, eh, and certain to catch the eye on the street. For all your cheap flyer printing needs, contact us today.

Here are 10 of the most creative, most beautiful business cards we’ve spotted from around the web.

How good are they! Edgeprint can assist you in designing a great business card, as well as printing them for you at very affordable prices.

Get in touch with us today.

Edge Print specialise in Online Stationery Printing, and can cover all your business stationery needs, providing business cards, letterheads, compliment slips and stationery printing bundles.

• Business Cards – 250 from £42.90 + vat
• Letterheads – 500 from £113.10 + vat
• Compliment Slips – 500 from £102.70 + vat
• Stationery Bundles (letterheads & compliment slips) – 500 from £189.90 + vat

As well as online stationery printing, Edge Print also offer online leaflet printing, and can provide a wide range of products including leaflets, paper and laminated menus and folded booklets.

• Leaflets and Paper Menus - 1000 A5 Single Sided from £136.50 + vat
• Menus – 500 a4 from £222.30 + vat

Nothing beats a well designed (and well printed!) flyer. Whether you need a quick, easy and economical way to advertise your products or services, or a smart, dynamic, uber-cool flyer to promote a bar or nightclub, then look no further.

• Greeting Cards – 50 99mm square from £40.30 + vat
• Flyers (litho) – 1000 Credit Card from £62.40 + vat
• Flyers (digital) – 250 A6 from £28.60 + vat
• Posters (litho) – 250 from £157.30 + vat
• Posters (digital) – 1 a4 from 72p + vat

Good design is the key to effective printing and marketing. We offer a full design service from websites, corporate identity, stationery, and brochures to CD-ROMs and animation. Our designers will work with you to develop creative, effective solutions with the impact and effect you need.