Design Tips

Drink Advertising and How Printable Media Makes It Happen

Great advertising happens in the most subtle ways. It’s not the giant billboard ordering us to buy a product that has the biggest impact on our purchasing decisions, it’s the quiet tactics that seamlessly integrate into our daily routines.

Take a drink bottle for example. How many times in the past few hours have you taken a swig from your bottle or seen people around you do the same? Whether staying hydrated with water, waking up with a coffee, or enjoying something a little stronger, we all love our liquids. As a marketing vessel then, drinks are perfect—not only do we interact with them on a regular basis, but they’re also readily on display for the rest of the world to see.

Our experts explain how to best leverage drink advertising, how printable media makes it possible, and how it leads to bottomless brand opportunities.

Wait, I Can Advertise on Bottles?

It’s true! You can advertise on bottles, and it’s a pretty savvy marketing move to do so. A bottle is essentially a blank canvas for you to customize and ensure that your brand personality is as refreshing as the drink itself. You can opt to design and print specialized labels yourself to stick on bottles or you could partner with a drink company to be included on the labels they create. The latter option could be your logo, a joint competition, or a QR code directed to your website.

Literally, billions of drink bottles are produced and sold every year, meaning the scope for exposure with drink advertising is huge. And, considering that a print label is relatively inexpensive, you can see significant returns with only a small investment.

Ways to Do Drink Advertising

There are a number of routes you can take on your drink advertising journey. For example, you could choose to create a square label to print and stick on the bottle, you could make tags that sit on the bottleneck, or you could decide on a koozie, can, or bottle cover, that keeps the drink warm/chilled.

Whatever accessory you land on, be sure to stay consistent with your branding elsewhere by using the color, fonts, and messaging that is immediately associated with your brand. Don’t be afraid to be creative and playful – you could reference the fact that you’re advertising on a drink and tie your copy into the experience. For instance, your copy could mention that people might be starting their day with a caffeine boost, rehydrating at halftime during a sports game, or unwinding with a friend and a glass of wine.

That’s what makes drink advertising so powerful: it naturally slots into everyday activities.

Who Should Use Drink Advertising for Their Products?

Brooke Odell, our National Account Executive, says that drink advertising can be successful for any company. Melanie Handl, our Custom Solutions Team Lead, agrees, saying that drink advertising materials can be used by a lot of different industries.

“Hang tags and bottle neckers can be used for virtually anything in the food and beverage space, cleaning products, beauty products, and stand-alone items like toys and candles.”

Nathan Gardner, another National Account Executive, adds that co-branding with drink advertising is beneficial because you can leverage other brands’ audiences and reach. “If someone is loyal to their favorite drink, you can take advantage and present your brand on that bottle, which leads the consumer to associate your brand with their existing trusted choices, and increase the likelihood of them becoming loyal to you too.”

Making the Most of Your Drink Ads

Like any form of advertising, drink advertising is an excuse to get innovative and explore what best aligns with your brand DNA. Brooke recommends experimenting with bottle hangers that unfold and allow for more real estate to add information and artwork. She also suggests including a QR code to connect the offline and online experience and to maintain a clean label.

Speaking of clean, Custom Solutions Team Lead, Melanie Hall, believes that it’s important to keep things simple. “Make it easy to read or tell your product story through a great photo. Color can also help draw the eye when people are walking down an aisle in a supermarket.”

Elsewhere, Katie Shelton, our Ecommerce Sales Manager, says it’s worth spending a little more money on your label to get a custom die shape or a special finishing option. Remember, the more you can make your bottle stand out, the more of a lasting impression you’ll make with the person drinking (and the people around them).

Other ideas include branding the outer packaging of the bottle, such as the box or case packs, or to design label wraps, shelf talkers with coupons, and removable adhesive stickers. With these physical advertising bases, you could then introduce strategies like BOGOF (buy one get one free) offers, coupons for where the product is displayed, and peel-off promotions—all of which drive more, and deeper, brand engagement.

So, if you’re ready to quench your customer acquisition thirst, look to drink advertising. Not only is it a lesser-known way to speak to customers, but it also comes with big exposure and big traction. Get started with our custom sticker and label printing services to ensure that your drink advertising makes a real splash.

Cheers!

Why Business Cards Are Still Important in the Digital Age

After lockdowns and social distancing, the past years have reminded us of the importance of in-person interactions. Typing messages and chatting on conference calls is a great way to stay in touch, but it can’t replace the emotion and impact of being face-to-face, and it certainly doesn’t leave an impression in the same way.

Take the humble business card. Did you know that 27 million are printed every single day? Despite being in the digital age, the business card remains a time-trusted tool for people to introduce themselves and their work—and most importantly, to be remembered.

Business cards are so effective because they serve as a way for recipients to take a bit of a conversation away with them. It’s like a memento that encompasses not only the content but the context—the setting, the body language, and of course, an idea of what the business is.

Below, our experts explain why business cards are still important, and why they’re set to keep their significance even as technology takes over.

The Value of Traditional Business Cards

In an online world, offline marketing adds a level of validation. It acts as proof that companies really are what they claim to be—and for that reason, offline marketing will always play a role in business. It’s why the business card has been around since the 15th century.

In fact, 72% of people judge a company or person based on their business card, partly because people expect that plenty of time and effort goes into a business card. But there’s also a sense of safety that business cards offer—they hold people’s direct contact information, which makes recipients feel like they’re getting an exclusive, personable service.

Sure, a “Contact Us” page on a website can show the same information, but it typically has a more sterile format and doesn’t have the same intimacy. It doesn’t make the person feel special or attended to. Not to mention, we may be in the digital age but that doesn’t mean that the internet is always accessible. There are inevitable moments when we can’t get online, and when the chance to connect with someone can be lost. Handing over a business card, however, requires no device or signal.

The Impact of Digital Services on Business Cards

The remote revolution has certainly forced brands to step up their creative game. With so many businesses competing for audiences’ attention, it’s getting harder to cut through the noise. But as some companies opt for expensive solutions to help them stand out, the mighty business card can be far more successful.

Ambre Zachmann, our Ecommerce Marketing Specialist, says “the push to online has made print material more enticing and valuable since it’s less common.” She goes on to note that curating an experience around a business card will get people’s attention much quicker than the usual digital ploys. “You could place your card in a larger mailer with instant coffee attached and a message saying ‘let’s catch up over coffee.’” Cool, right?

The crucial element of business cards in the digital age is that they have to be well designed and bring your brand to life. If you’re introducing yourself to someone face-to-face, seize that moment and use your business card to animate your company’s story and DNA. According to Melanie Handl, our Custom Solutions Team Lead, “if you have a dog-walking business, try a fire hydrant die-cut or a foil-stamped leash. If you’re an artist or photographer, a spot UV or embossed paintbrush is powerful.” The possibilities to communicate your personality and brand are endless.

How Has Hybrid Work Further Impacted Business Cards?

The business world has gone through a lot of big shifts lately. With hybrid work now the norm, in-person meetings and sales pitches aren’t taking place in the same way. But that doesn’t mean that more traditional tactics like business cards have lost their shine. The opposite in fact. Business cards are evolving with the times.

Hybrid work demands hybrid branding. Ambre explains that “we have to tie our digital efforts with physical experiences to help prospects and leads trust your brand and repeat your messaging.” For example, if you’ve just held a webinar, send leads your business card in the mail afterward to create a fun, unprompted moment of unboxing.

Business cards can also be included in a “thank you” package for people who have had initial touchpoints with your brand. Additionally, a great idea is to add QR codes to your business cards that link to interactive content, suggests National Account Executive Nathan Gardner. “Doing so will link your card to your digital strategy and show recipients that you’re modern with a classic twist.”

What Business Cards Do That Digital Intros Don’t?

With businesses increasingly operating 100% online, there’s been a lot of focus on digital introductions—sending emails, referring people, and selling yourself using a range of tools. But the reality is, we’re getting saturated with all these inputs and that means we’re becoming desensitized to introductions that could really benefit us. It’s a case of “oh, another cold message from someone I don’t know. Move to trash.”

The physicality of business cards gives people a visceral takeaway that is harder to ignore and forget. As Melanie says, “have you ever run your hand across some rough wood? What about a nicely polished piece of marble or granite? Maybe you have a favorite set of sheets or a favorite t-shirt that just feels good when you put it on.” These experiences sit with us because they generate a feeling. A business card is no different, “it’s a virtual handshake” Melanie adds.

Business cards are also a way to distinguish yourself from the digital space. Ecommerce Sales Manager Katie Younge believes that business cards are a more unique form of identity. “Everyone’s LinkedIn has the same layout but business cards can be customized, and are more cost-effective than creating a website and buying digital marketing tools.”

Think of how many people you look up online. How many of those names and positions do you remember? The likelihood is not many. Not only are business cards cheaper and more personalized, but they also spark a deeper connection between parties, and that value is worth far more than any volume of digital introductions.

Big things come in small packages. And even bigger opportunities come from business cards. Tap into your paper potential today and check out our impressive selection of business card printing features.

10 Daring Designs for Dazzling Table Tents

At Printing For Less, we know table tents design like the backs of our hands. After all we see them all the time. As it happens, so do you! But maybe you haven’t noticed them. Table tents can be found everywhere, but are especially common in establishments such as restaurants or cafes. Like most people, you probably gave it a cursory glance before depositing it out of the way of your conversation or your in-coming drink order.

If you are into marketing (since you’re reading this, you must be) then you may have given that piece of cardstock a longer than average look. You might have assessed the table tent’s design, the color scheme, font choices, maybe even the stock images that were selected. But let’s face it: most table tents rarely inspire more than a quick look at the monthly specials. It doesn’t have to be that way! These little gems are a fantastic under-appreciated resource: inexpensive, designed to meet any need, and so easy to set up that even a rampaging horde of unsupervised temps could still get them right.

Here are 10 unique table tent designs that are elevating the lowly table tent from clutter to eye-catching.

1. Table Flyer

These are a fabulous way to generate interest in a restaurant, cafe, or fundraising event. Although they are technically table tents, these almost defy the term with their unusual design. A colorful array of tantalizing dishes draws your audience in to peruse the interior. Keep up their interest peaked with a few fantastic fonts in varying sizes to make the contents as dynamic as the exterior.

What exactly does fine wine have to do with finance? We have no idea. But pyramids have been elevating the concept of wealth to new heights for thousands of years. These table tents are positively decadent in luscious hues of cabernet and rose. Try adding gold foil highlights to compliment the rich undertones and add some lux to your royal design.

2. Pyramid

3. Gatorade

Gatorade has built an empire upon athletic prowess and this table tent makes the most of that association. Relying upon the brand recognition of their classic shade of orange, this topper goes the extra mile by identifying with the viewer through an act as simple as running. Throw in a couple of one-liners and a quick pitch on the back and they are off to a great start.

4. Energy and Power

Table tents are so frequently about food but these ones really take the cake. Vibrant colors and great illustrations create a tactile experience that makes your audience hungry for more. Use a complimentary banner or artistic fonts to keep the interest peaked. Whether you’re selling baguettes, bathmats, or BitCoin, effective imagery grows your audience and builds anticipation.

5. Tiger

A yawning maw to make even the most daring marketing exec pause! But look! This one has been transformed into a catchy little game. Whether your clientele chooses to blow their sleeve intact from the straw or ball it up and launch it by hand, they are already engaged with your brand and having fun. Who knew that a table tent could do so much?

6. Myths and Legends

Mainstream doesn’t have to mean boring. Podcasts are everywhere and that means that it can be easy to get lost in the deluge of new ones popping up on the daily. Enter the Dragon! Messy, fat brush strokes and charred colors instill a sense of chaos and dynamism. You can almost smell the sulfur and smoke. This will certainly get people warmed up to this brand!

7. Steele

As far as table tents go, this one pretty much speaks for itself. When making an impact, it pays to rely on simple ideas. Like an ad straight out of Vogue; from the glasses to the font everything about this piece is outspoken and larger than life. It refuses to settle for average. With it’s ‘Follow me’ attitude, it successfully creates a sense of mystique and gives the target audience something to talk about.

8. Geo-metric

A great play on an idea, this design kicks things up a notch and takes table tents to a whole new level. When a customer wanted to talk about the geothermal heat used in their kitchens, this designer gave it shape. Geometric shape, that is! We love the play-on-ideas of the several ways ‘geo’ features in this design. Playful and in primary colors, it begs to be handled, picked up, rolled, and of course, read. The fonts are wonderfully organic and make the information accessible all at once.

9. Everyday Magic

For office workers across the world, the restorative powers of caffeine can certainly seem like magic. But sharing the experience of your favorite hot beverage with friends (whether in the office or out) can make that everyday event something special. That was obviously the idea in mind for this promotional material. With the magic of a die-cut, you too can share that experience with your friends and clients. That kind of everyday magic isn’t a complicated idea and neither is this design. Au natural cardstock, a sweet but simple illustration, and a great idea. Throw in some kitschy fonts and light use of color and we have ourselves a winner! With a small modification, this design would even make a superb gift card holder for your next promotional event (hint hint!)

10. What is It?

Although this design was developed as a mock-up for an imaginary product, it is simply spectacular. The fact that it also doubles as a centerpiece or gift bag is just another reason to love this inspirational work. Anyone can try their hand at a black and white design, but it takes skill to make an intriguing product. Graceful fonts worked in gold make a beautiful accent in this presentation. Instead of distracting from the overall effect, they elevate the design and leave us wondering, what is this product and where can I get one?

With so many gorgeous options to choose from, you will be hard-pressed to pick just one table tent for your next promotion. But with your ideas and the know-how of our expert designers at Printing For Less, together we can build the marketing campaign of your dreams.

Want to find out more? To get started, call 800-930-6040 and take advantage of table tent printing today!

How to Fix White Lines in a PDF File

Have you ever seen fine white lines appear when you print out a PDF proof of a page, and are afraid that they will appear in your final product when your commercial printer prints it? In the example below, notice the fine white lines on the right side of the man on the purple background.

What Causes White Lines in a PDF File?

These are screen artifacts that are called stitching. Even though you can see them on your computer monitor, they should not be a problem when printed at high resolution on a printing press. They are caused when your artwork contains transparency. In the picture above you see that an outer glow has been applied to the image, which is a form of transparency. If you choose a method of creating a PDF file which requires transparency to be flattened these artifacts will appear because the flattening process breaks artwork into sections. This could happen if you created a PostScript file and then used Adobe Acrobat Distiller to create the PDF, or if you had chosen Acrobat 4 compatibility when you export to PDF. Both of these methods require transparency to be flattened.

How to Fix Them

You can avoid flattening transparency and artifacts if you export a PDF directly from your application and if you choose Acrobat 5 compatibility or higher in your export settings. Check with your commercial printer about the proper PDF presets to use for their production process. But, in any case, even though you see the artifacts, they should not print.

Need help with preparing your files for printing? Talk to a live print expert today: 800-930-7978.