Blog

The world of retail sales is extremely competitive, and getting the attention of your potential clients and customers can be somewhat tricky. Creating visually appealing marketing materials can be a great way to engage to not only attract the right customers, but also in retaining those clients. Custom printed posters is an easy and affordable way to make sure you’re getting the right people’s attention. Large format printing in Denver is a well-known way to get the right message across, and be memorable while you’re doing it. 

Having these printed materials is one thing, but putting these dynamic visuals around your retail space can transform your branding identity, reinforce your messaging, and boost your overall sales. There are a lot of benefits to using large format printing, and there are tactics to employ to ensure that they deliver maximum impact for your business. 

Benefits of Custom Printed Posters

In today’s digital age, there are a million ways for businesses to advertise and get their message out to the masses. Compared to most of these other advertising mediums, posters are a highly affordable option that still can deliver a big impact. They’re easy to produce in bulk and can easily be updated frequently. That keeps your messaging fresh and stays ahead of current trends. Unlike complex digital signage, posters don’t require any complex or technical setup. Print the poster, frame it, and then display it where it’s needed without any extra fuss. 

This versatility also makes posters a great option for a variety of purposes. You can use these large format printed materials to showcase promotions you may be putting on, highlight seasonal products, or even simply reiterate your messaging by using the posters to decorate your retail space. Custom posters also provide a great canvas to display your brand’s colors, fonts, and imagery. This helps you create a cohesive and memorable visual identity that will stay with your clients. 

Proper Placement Increases Impact

The imagery and message of your poster is obviously important, but that is all for nothing if they are put in the right places. Proper placement of your custom printed posters plays a critical role in their effectiveness. If you have windows in your storefront, use these posters to entice those passing by with eye-catching visuals and other compelling offers. A well-placed poster can turn window shoppers into loyal customers that keep coming back. Greet customers with posters in your entrance areas to set the tone for their shopping experience. This is a great chance to highlight the personality of your brand. 

Position posters near the checkout counters to encourage shoppers to make impulse purchases. The posters don’t just have to be about products, however. You can also use them to remind them of loyalty programs or to advertise any special promotions. Posters can also provide additional context to your merchandise in the form of tips on how to use the products more effectively, benefits of a particular product, or to list products in your line that complement each other. Another key tactic is to identify high traffic areas or spots where customers tend to linger – like fitting rooms or other waiting areas. Put posters in these areas to get more engagement. 

Design Effective Posters

Careful attention to design is a critical part of creating a custom printed poster that will resonate with your audience. Paying attention to the overall look is one thing, but clarity in your messaging is just as important. Use concise messaging to deliver your message. Pairing that with bold visuals is a great way to make sure that your posters will be easily understood with a simple glance. Be sure to stick to your branding. Make sure those visuals have your brand’s colors, fonts and logo to maintain consistency across all of your marketing materials. 

Make sure you don’t have grainy or pixelated images – particularly if the poster is of larger size. Images that look out of focus or not rendered properly give off a vibe of unprofessionalism. It’s crucial to invest in high-resolution visuals to make sure your message (and overall look) is crystal clear. Your poster should also have a defined structure and hierarchy. Place the most important information at the top of the poster or have larger font sizes for the critical information. It’s also important to encourage customers to take the next step – whether it’s visiting a particular part of your store, scanning a QR code, or even engaging with you on social media. 

Incorporating Technology

Everybody carries around a phone, meaning they’re taking their technology with them where ever they go. Take advantage of that. Custom printed posters can go far beyond the static visuals on the paper by incorporating a variety of interactive elements. QR codes are one of the best examples of this. Adding codes to be scanned can link your customers to online stores and product videos, or they can get them access to exclusive promotions. This is a simple way to get engagement with your clients while encouraging them to interact with your custom poster. 

Posters are a great way to get the word out about your social media platforms, as well. Most businesses have a presence on social media. Whether it’s posting reels on Instagram or simply updating through FaceBook – this is a fantastic way to reach more and more people. You can use your large format prints to encourage your customers to share their experiences or testimonials by using your store’s specific hashtag, or by tagging your social media handles. Having these easily read on posters can create even more engagement. 

Measure the Overall Impact

Some of these technological advancements can also go a long way in helping you uncover if the marketing message on the posters are driving the desired results. This is an important part of the overall process because it ensures that you’re marketing to the correct audience. You can use a number of methods to track these results. If you’re implementing your social media accounts or using QR codes, monitor how many clicks or views you’re getting from the respective places. 

You can also use more traditional means of tracking how well the posters are working. Ask all of your customers how they learned about the information on the posters – particularly if it’s regarding a specific promotion, sale, or product. This will tell you the most impactful areas of your marketing so you can tailor the rest to it. Analyze the sales data before and after displaying the new poster can really help gauge its effectiveness. Try to observe any changes in your customer behavior – such as increase visits to the areas of the store you promoted with your posters. 

Shift Seasonal & Thematic Posters

One of the most effective ways to keep your retail space fresh, updated, and engaging is to rotate the message on your posters. You can do this for different holidays, the changing of the seasons, or if there is a specific theme you want to market your products through. Seasonal changes are amongst the most popular ways to change your outlook. Highlight products on your posters that align with the current season, such as summer apparel or winter outdoors activities. You can also celebrate any holiday with posters that reflect the festive spirit. This can be a great way to promote relevant products or deals – particularly if you have common deals like Black Friday specials, promotions around Halloween, or any other festive time of year. 

Most businesses want to leave a lasting impression on those that live in the same community, so be sure to keep your finger on the pulse of what’s going on locally. If your store participates in community events, create posters that tie into local themes to build rapport with your audience. Be sure to use bold designs to advertise these types of sales, as this can make sure that your customers won’t miss out on any special offers. 

Focus on Sustainability

As consumers become more and more eco-conscious, it’s important that businesses follow suit. Incorporating sustainable practices into your retail space is vital – particularly if you’re going to be changing and updating your posters to stay current. There are a few ways to make sure that you’re being eco-friendly in the process, starting with using recycled paper and biodegradable printing materials – if possible. 

One of the easiest ways to be more sustainable is to be mindful of the posters you’re creating. Design posters that can be reused for multiple events. If you have the same sale on the same weekend every year, create a poster that has evergreen language so it can be used for years to come. The easiest way to get customers’ attention is by sticking to your message, and making sure they understand that message is meant for them. Large format printing like posters is a great way to get there. For more information on how custom posters could help your business, reach out to the experts at Cottrell Printing today.

While many people are primarily concerned with the images and graphics on their printed materials, having the right font can make or break the impression they are trying to make. Whether you’re creating brochures, business cards, posters, or even magazines, the fonts you select to get your message across can significantly impact how your audience digests those materials. Using the right font can have a huge impact on the aesthetics of the piece, its readability, and how you convey your message to your desired audience. 

Selecting the right font for your print projects can help balance the visual appeal with the piece’s functionality. This helps make sure that your printed materials effectively communicate their purpose and engage the right audience, in the right way. An experienced Denver printing company can shed a lot of light on how different fonts can impact your printed materials, as there are key considerations and other best practices for selecting the right style. 

Understand Your Audience & Purpose

Before selecting any fonts, you’ll need to clarify the message and the purpose of your print materials in regards to your target audience. Different fonts can deliver different messages, so you’ll need to take different things into consideration depending on the project. For example, a children’s book likely will be aimed at a different office than a brochure about data from a large tech company. Each project is going to have unique requirements that will point in the right direction for the tone and style of fonts you should use. 

Corporate materials typically call for clean and professional fonts that are “sans-serif” or those without the extensions on certain letters – like curved tails on lowercase ‘Y’ or the platforms at the bottom of an uppercase ‘A’. For example, Helvetica is a common and popular sans-serif font, while Times New roman is a popular font with serifs. Looking at the differences between these two makes the distinction obvious. Things like event invitations typically use the more elegant and decorative fonts that are serif fonts with varying degrees of flair on the serifs. Understanding your audience will help narrow down the font choices to those that resonate with their expectations and emotions.  

Readability is Crucial

Regardless of audience, printed materials of any kind need to be easy for their audience to read – especially if those materials contain a lot of text. A font may look absolutely beautiful, but none of that matters if it’s too eccentric and makes your audience struggle to read and understand what’s in the text. Be sure to consider the font and how it relates to how easy it will be to comprehend within your printed material. Flowing and elaborate cursive fonts may look elegant and sophisticated, but they have to be subtle enough not to muddle your message. 

Readability has to do with more than just the style of the font. Make sure that you have the right font size for the size of your printed material. For things like brochures, a font that is too large can overwhelm the layout, while a font that is too small can make things difficult to read. Make sure the sizes of the fonts clearly distinguish your headings form the body text, as well. Proper line spacing also enhances readability, and make sure to choose fonts that stand out against the background of your printed material. Black or dark text on light backgrounds is typically the standard. Light text on dark backgrounds can work very well for effective, dramatic designs. Don’t use text of lighter colors like yellow or pink on light backgrounds, as it will not get your message across and leave the printed material looking like something was lost or forgotten.

Match the Styles to Your Content

Different emotions are evoked from different fonts, and those different styles can set the tone for your print materials. Serif fonts – like Times New Roman or Garamond – have small lines or “feet” at the ends of letters. These are considered to be more traditional, elegant, and formal – which makes them ideal for books and professional documents. Sans serif fonts – like Helvetica or Calilbri – lack those decorative materials which makes them more clean and modern. These differences were previously mentioned before in regards to readability and formality, but it’s important to note that the minimalist designs for sans serif founts are used to be more straightforward. 

Script fonts mimic the stylings of cursive handwriting and are frequently used with greeting cards, invitations, and other places that need to convey elegance or creativity. Fonts like Brush Script implement these designs, but it’s important to know that these types of fonts aren’t used that often. They are used sparingly because of their readability, but they are great for items that have a limited amount of content. They can become difficult to read or hard to comprehend the overall message when used in larger blocks of text. Display fonts like Lobster or Impact can be great options for decorative pieces or elements that you want to grab people’s attention. Use these sparingly, however, to avoid the font completely taking over the design. 

Limit Your Number of Fonts

One of the most common mistakes used in design is implementing too many different fonts. Stick to two or three fonts in your design to keep things cohesive and looking professional. One of the standard approaches to this is to use three fonts – one for your primary font or body text, a secondary font for headlines and other headers, and an accent font for decorative elements or other minimal highlights. That third font is optional, as not every printed piece is going to need that accent font. Getting a good contrast between these fonts is important, but not too different to take away from your message.

When using multiple fonts, make sure they complement each other. Good font pairing involves balancing their contrast and harmony. One thing to consider is a contrast in styles. Pairing serif fonts with sans serif fonts can create a striking and balanced look. Avoid pairing overly formal fonts with casual ones. The fonts should share a similar tone that aligns with the overall message of your print materials. Different fonts for headings, sub-headings, and body text should clearly establish a hierarchy in the piece. Larger, bolder fonts will draw attention to your headlines, while simpler fonts will make the body text easier to read. An experienced printer will be able to help you understand which fonts work together the best. 

Check for Compatibility

Depending on the size and the resolution of your printed materials, you might need to look for fonts that will be sharp and legible for your needs. A font that looks great on a computer screen might not translate well to something that’s printer much larger – or smaller. Fonts should remain crisp at a resolution of 300 dots per inch (DPI), which is a standard for print materials. When sending files to a printer, make sure to embed your fonts so that they will appear as you intended. 

Always print a test copy before you make your final run to get a good evaluation of how your fonts look on the actual printed material you’ll be using for the final product. Some fonts may appear thick or thinner than expected, which may require some adjustments. Typography is both an art and a science, and sometimes things need to be tweaked before the final product is created. Don’t be afraid to experiment with a number of different combinations to make sure you get what works best for your product, conveys your message, and is easily readable on your finished printed materials. 

Balance Trends with Branding

There are always trendy fonts, and those can be tempting to look like you’re current with the times. However, it’s important to consider the longevity of your printed materials when making these choices. There are plenty of fonts that have stood the test of time and work well within most designs. If your materials have a shorter shelf lie, experimenting with funkier or trendier fonts might be an acceptable option. When doing that, however, it’s also important to consider how well that aligns with your current branding. 

If your print materials are for your business or organization, make sure that your font choices align with your branding guidelines. Consistency is key throughout all of your marketing materials, and you want to reinforce that specific brand identity and professionalism across all of your printed items. Use the same fonts as your logo, website, or other digital assets to create a unified appearance. Even if you’re using different fonts for something like a one-off project or something limited, make sure that your usual fonts are implement along with the new ideas to keep aligned with your style. 

Choosing the best fonts for your print materials is a thoughtful process that needs to take design principles, your audience, your branding, and other practical considerations into account. By focusing on the right details, an experienced Denver printing company will help you align your vision with your particular style for appealing and effective print designs. Reach out to the experts at Cottrell Printing for more information today.

The world of printing has two primary methods that are the most popular in the industry – offset printing and digital printing. Both are wonderful for creating high-quality printed materials, but they are both very different in a variety of different areas. Understanding the differences between these two types of printing can help direct you toward the best choice for your printing needs. Both have positives and drawbacks, depending on the particular project, and they have a lot of differences from cost to quality to customization. 

The decision between these two options for your large format printing in Denver comes down to a specific project, and the professional printer you trust with the project will be able to shed some light on which option might be best suited for your needs. By understanding the different factors that go into the printing process, and detailing those specific needs, this guide will be able to help you make a more informed decision when it comes to your large format printing. 

What is Offset Printing?

Offset printing is a traditional printing technique that has been around for a very long time. Also known as lithography, this process involves transferring ink from a metal plate to a rubber blanket and then onto paper or other materials. The term “offset” refers to how the ink isn’t transferred directly from the plates to the paper. Instead, the ink is offset onto the rubber first, and then applied to the paper. This type of printing is often used for larger runs because of the setup process. Each project requires custom plates for each individual project. Once those plates are a created, the actual printing process is fast and consistent, making it a great option for jobs with high volume. 

The process of offset printing is encompassed by four steps. First, the design gets created. This is usually done digitally and then is etched onto a metal plate. From there, each color that will be used in the design requires a separate plate to be made. For example, there would be four plates when working with the CMYK color system, and one for each color when using the Pantone color system. The ink is then applied to the plate and transferred to the rubber blanket, which presses the ink onto the paper or other material. Once the ink is transferred, the printed materials are typically dried to make sure there will be no smudging. 

What is Digital Printing?

Digital printing is the modern printing technique that involves sending a digital file directly to a printer, which bypasses the need for the plates. This makes digital printing a much more efficient option when dealing with smaller print runs or projects that need to be turned around quickly. Unlike offset printing, where the ink is physically applied to paper or other substrate, digital printers use toner or liquid ink to recreate the image directly onto the material. This type of printing is known for its ability to handle customization, making it a very good choice when printing personalized materials. 

The process for creating digital prints is much more streamlined than the process for offset printing. In digital printing, the design is created digitally and set directly to the printer from the computer or laptop. From there, the printer replicates the image by applying the appropriate toner or ink directly on to the paper or other material. Since digital printing requires no plates or drying time, the printed materials typically come out dry and ready to use immediately after printing. 

Main Differences Between Offset & Digital Printing

One of the main concerns for any printing project is cost, and both of these can be cost effective for the right projects. Offset printing is more cost effective for larger print runs. The creation of plates is expensive, but once they’re crated, the cost per unit decreases as the volume increases. Digital printing has a much lower setup cost, making it ideal for smaller runs or one-off projects because the cost per unit stays consistent regardless of how many items are printed. Because of the setup process, there is a longer turnaround time for offset printing. For quick runs with little or no complexity, digital printing is ideal because it can be sent off to the printer almost immediately. 

Quality is another main concern, and offset printing has typically offered superior quality in terms of color accuracy and consistency – especially in those large print runs. The ability to used custom inks (including Pantone colors), allows for precise color matching. Finer details and textures are also better represented in offset printing, which makes it ideal for high-end projects. Digital printing technology has closed the quality gap between digital and offset printing. Digital still provides fantastic quality for most everyday projects, but offset printing is still the standard for projects that need exact color matching or attention to fine details. 

Customization is also a major difference between the two, as digital printing is much more flexible than offset printing. The plates used in offset printing are used for a specific design, which means changing them out in the middle of printing would require new plates – adding cost and time. Because digital printing can be changed on the fly, it’s much easier to personalize materials, such as invitations with individual names or marketing materials tailored to specific clients. This makes digital printing the best choice for any project that requires personalization. 

When to Choose Offset Printing

Understanding the differences between the two is one thing, but it still might be a bit murky when to decide between the two choices. Offset printing is the best option for projects that require large runs, since the cost per unit is very low after the plates are set. Offset also delivers the best quality, making it the proper choice if your project requires perfect color matching or needs precision with intricate details. If your print job needs specialty materials, offset printing is probably the way to go because it can utilize things like metallic inks and more textured papers. If you have a large product with a deadline that’s a good time away, the longer setup times of offset printing may not be an issue. 

Offset printing is best suited for things like catalogs, magazines, and books because of the extensive amount of copies that need to be created. The high-end quality also makes it a great option for things like packaging for luxury products, or brochures that need a look of sophistication and elegance. If your marketing materials aren’t personalized for individual clients, offset printing can also make those look sharp and professional. It’s also the perfect medium for reproducing art prints and other posters with fine details, due to the reproduction of colors and details through the overall high quality of the process. 

When to Choose Digital Printing

Unlike offset printing, digital printing is the go-to process when you need short print runs of fewer copies. This will be a much more affordable solution for those runs that only need a small amount of copies, and you’ll be able to get it quicker because of the quick turnaround time. No setup time makes it ideal for last-minute projects as well. This is also the premier option when you need multiple items personalized. Digital printing is great for what is called variable data printing, because you can potentially customize each individual printed piece. Digital printing is also great for those with smaller projects on a tight budget. Because there is virtually no setup cost, digital printing will often be the more cost-effective option. 

The flexibility of this process makes it a great option for projects like personalized direct mail campaigns. This allows not only for the address to be updated for each recipient, but it also opens the door for a personalized message on each piece of mail. Along these same lines, digital printing is also great for invitations and greeting cards that need individualized text. This can not only help make your items more personal, but it can also make them look more elegant and luxurious. One of the most common ways to use digital printing is for small-run marketing campaigns for business, but it’s also a cost effective way to produce business cards, flyers, and posters for promoting local events. 

Both offset and digital printing are viable options that will produce high-quality, good-looking results. However, both have their advantages and disadvantages, and both are suited towards different types of products. The choice comes down to what you need for your specific project, what your budget is, and how individualized you need each item. Be sure to go over all of the considerations before committing to one type of printing process. When trying to figure out what process to use for large format printing in Denver, be sure to speak to a professional printer to get insight into the right process for your project. For more information, reach out to the experts at Cottrell Printing today.

It might be the digital age, but print media can still be an effective tool for marketing your brand. There are a lot of different ways to get your message and branding out there, and print media should be part of that mix for any business that wants to widen the scope of the people it reaches. Just like with digital marketing, using print media doesn’t have be made completely on your own. Using a quality Denver commercial printer can help you get the right materials to reach the right demographic.

Taking the time to understand the process can also help guide you to create more impactful print media. From the design to the message, print marketing has to make a quick impression in today’s fast moving world. You not only want your printed materials to grab your audience’s attention, but you also need them to be impactful enough to get that audience to look up from their phones. That can be a tall order with a society immersed in their devices, but here are some tips to get your target audience to look at you in a different light. 

Different Types of Print Media

There is a wide variety of print media that can be used to get your message across. While some people will immediately think of newspapers and magazines as print media, don’t forget about things like flyers, brochures, pamphlets, or even posters and billboards. Each of them can be used to target different types of audiences, but all of them can be effective if crafted properly. Understanding your target demographic is imperative, and your printer can help you come up with some design ideas to go along with the proper medium. 

Thanks to the internet, newspapers might not have the reach that they used to, but they can be good for reaching a broad audience. Magazines are typically ideal for reaching niche markets with targeted content. However, both of those may have in-house advertising teams that could impact your final advertisement. You’ll have more control over the design of things like brochures and posters – which are both very effective for delivering detailed information to a local market. Posters and billboards have high visibility, and brochures can quickly reach a large number of people, as well. 

Compelling Content & Design

If a piece of print media isn’t engaging, it might not be worth the paper it’s printed on. This comes down to crafting solid, relevant content and combining it with impactful design. From the content side, headlines have to be catchy to grab attention, while the rest of the content must have clear messaging that’s consistent with your brand’s values and identity. Adding high-quality visuals will enhance the visual appeal of the piece while also bolstering the message. These should all lead to a clear call to action that encourages immediate response or engagement. 

When creating the overall design, make sure to be consistent. Your branding should have its own colors, fonts, and logos, and those items should be used consistently throughout all of your marketing and advertising. Brand consistency is one of the most important things across all marketing, but the look also has to be pristine. Clean and professional layout will ensure readability and help with visual appeal. Be sure to use high-quality paper and printing services. When making an impression with print materials, it’s really easy for your target audience to recognize cheap materials. They won’t hold up as well, either, so taking the extra step to get high-quality materials is an important step. 

Create a Clear Call to Action

There is a specific purpose behind every advertising campaign, and your print media and marketing need to shout this goal from the rooftops. You want your message to be delivered without confusion, so that your audience will be able to process the message quickly and efficiently. It can take some time to craft these properly, so be sure to use the resources at your disposal. An experienced Denver commercial printer should be able to help you align your message with the medium. This is arguably the most crucial aspect of reaching your audience and getting the marketing to be successful. 

Not all of these goals are going to be directly dealing with you making sales. Maybe your company is overhauling its brand, or opening a new location. These things also need to be apparent, delivering a clear call to action for those you’re trying to reach. Whatever your main directive is, the print media has to be created accordingly. Getting the right design will help frame this call to action so that there isn’t any confusion as to the message you’re trying to get across. 

Memorable Brand Awareness

There have been multiple studies done that show that advertisements and marketing done on print media outperform their digital counterparts. It’s easier for your brain to absorb the content on print advertising, as the tangible, physical interaction with the medium sticks with us longer. Think about it: When most people see an ad pop up from a website or on social media, the first thing they look for is the button to click out of it. Print media doesn’t have that luxury, allowing for the marketing and advertising to stay with the audience longer. 

Digital ads may reach a larger audience, but print media allows you to target a direct demographic within your audience. If you customize items like pamphlets, brochures, and posters – and put them in the right traffic areas – you can get a greater response from your target audience. You can also collaborate with other businesses or media outlets to create co-branded campaigns for a wider reach. Print media is also much more effective than digital when distributing materials at relevant events like trade shows and other events. This can maximize exposure to the right audience, instead of trying to splash a digital campaign that may or may not land in front of the eyes of the right people.

Track Effectiveness of Print Campaigns

It’s much easier to track the impact of digital marketing campaigns, as there are multiple software programs built to do exactly that. However, it’s not impossible to get the same information from your print media marketing campaigns. You can use unique QR codes, web addresses, or even coupons to track and measure your return on investment. These special codes or URLs are typically lead to unique landing pages that can easily be tracked through Google analytics. Vouchers or coupons for discounts are perfect for tracking this, as you’ll know how many marketing items were sent out, and how many were used. 

You can also gather important feedback from customers and clients that ask about the effectiveness of the campaign. This can give you valuable insight from the exact audience you’re trying to reach, which can help improve the impact of future campaigns. It’s also important to understand how the print marketing is doing alongside your digital marketing campaigns. Analyze your sales data to correlate how these campaigns are working together to get a better idea of how to improve each. 

Integrate With Digital Marketing

If you’re using QR codes or are redirecting to unique websites, be sure to include those in your digital marketing, as well. This cross-promotion can create a very good balance between both worlds, and can bolster the impact of both digital and print marketing campaigns. Advertising and marketing is about providing value to your clients and customers, and being present on a variety of different platforms will help keep you relevant and at the top of mind. Every time you’re advertising a service, it’s delivering the potential to help your target audience. 

Working both sides of the coin when it comes to digital and print can have an overwhelming impact. If done correctly, it can get you in front of the right customers – whether they spend all day on their smartphone or not. This gives insight into a larger customer base, and can help you learn more from the data. Use the insights from both tracking and feedback – from both print and digital – to help you refine your strategy. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different designs on both platforms, to see what part of your branding reaches the most people. Be sure to stay current. Keeping up with industry trends will also help you adapt your marketing strategy on both sides so you can reach the optimal number of potential clients. 

Marketing is tricky, but it’s mainly about grabbing the most attention. While many people can’t live without their smartphone in their hands, there’s still a huge demographic out there that can be impacted by print marketing. Print media has been a successful way to market items for centuries, and it is still effective now. It just has to be done properly. For more information on how print media can help boost your brand awareness, reach out to the experts at Cottrell Printing today.

Large format prints are a great way to make a bold statement that’s aimed at a larger group of people. These can take the form of anything as small as posters to much larger banners and murals. Done right by a trusted Denver printing company, and they can deliver striking detail with crisp colors and high-resolution imagery to get your message across. They’re great for marketing, and can be printed on a wide array of materials like paper, fabric, vinyl, and canvas – to name a few. 

While these prints are known for their remarkable ability to get your message and imagery across, they’re commonly used outdoors. Thanks to their larger size, large format prints will be placed on buildings, over walking paths, or anywhere else they might reach that boasts a lot of foot traffic. They can be very durable, depending on the materials and printing techniques used. 

Choose the Right Materials

The lifespan of your printed materials is important, because you want your message to last as long as possible in most cases. If you simply need the large format prints for a one-off project that might only be up for a short period of time, less durable material like paper might be good enough for you. However, if you want a banner or signage that needs to be put up and last a long time, there are other options that are likely better. Materials like vinyl, mesh, or polyester will be more durable in the long run, and are designed to hold up under some heartier conditions. 

Vinyl is a very popular choice for outdoor signage and banners because of its durability and weather resistance. They’re typically waterproof and tear-resistant, and many are also resistant to the sun’s harmful UV rays. Mesh is designed specifically for outdoor banners where wind resistance is a serious concern. The perforated structure allows air to pass through, keeping the wind from damaging the material. Polyester is generally used in fabric banners, flags, or other displays thanks to its light weight and versatility. They may not be as durable as vinyl or mesh outdoors, but can be treated to enhance durability. 

Ink Makes Difference

Printers can use a variety of different inks and toners for large format projects. When there are a concerns about how a particular print might hold up under certain conditions, the ink can play a big role. There are some inks that are UV-resistant or solvent-based, and those are commonly used to prevent outdoor prints from fading due to exposure to the sun and water damage. These inks adhere well to the common materials used in large format prints, giving a level of protection for longevity to the project. 

Solvent-based inks contain pigments that are dissolved in a solvent, which evaporates during the printing process. This leaves a pigment behind on the material, making it very resistant to fading, water, and abrasion. UV-curable inks are cured using ultraviolet light immediately after print, allowing for fast drying and increased durability. They for a tough, scratch-resistant layer on the material that resists fading and weathering. There are plenty of other inks available, and different products will use different inks based on the material being printed on and environmental considerations. Be sure to discuss all options with a professional printer to make sure you’re getting the right ink with the right durability. 

Consider Environmental Conditions

It’s important to take all of the environmental conditions of the place where the large format print will be displayed. Extreme heat, cold, humidity, or exposure to saltwater can have a serious impact on prints posted outdoors. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause colors to fade and materials to degrade over time. Prints exposed to rain, snow, or high humidity can cause some materials to warp, and wind can put a strain on the material – causing tearing, fraying, or detachment from where they’re mounted. 

While Mother Nature can be unkind to the durability to outdoor prints, there are plenty of man-made environmental concerns to worry about, too. Airborne pollutants – like chemicals, dirt, and dust – can accumulate on outdoor prints. This can cause discoloration and staining, or it could deteriorate the material of the print. They may also be subject to physical wear and tear from contact with abrasive surfaces or vandalism, so be aware of where they’re hung or posted to avoid some of these issues. 

Protect with Lamination

Applying a protective laminate can significantly increase the durability of large format prints, but it will generally come with an added cost. However, this cost is a sound investment for those who want their large format prints to be outdoors for a long period of time, or if they’re going to be in a place where there are heavy environmental concerns. This additional protective layer not only gives a bit more protection, but it can enhance the image quality, color saturation, contrast, and sharpness. This process can be done with a glossy or matte finish, which can also add depth and vibrancy to the image. 

Lamination creates a waterproof barrier that prevents moisture from seeping into the printer. This is crucial for outdoor prints that might be exposed to rain or other precipitation. Laminating your large format print will also make it more resistant to chemical damage from pollutants and other contaminants in the environment. Many of the films used for laminate are designed with UV inhibitors to block the sun’s damaging rays, giving long-term preservation. 

Proper Installation

Getting your large format print installed properly can play a large role not only in its impact on potential viewers, but also how it holds up over time. Making sure the print is securely adhered to its mounting surface is essential, as this will prevent the print from peeling or lifting – which can happen due to wind and other issues with weather. If you’re hanging materials like banner, be sure they’re pulled to their proper tension during installation. This will help keep the print taut and flat, minimizing the risk of sagging or flapping. This will also help to maintain the item’s visual appearance. 

It’s also important to make sure that the large format print is properly aligned. This doesn’t simply mean it’s lined up visually, but also that it’s positioned correctly and uniformly on the surface. Misalignment on the surface can create weak points that make the print more susceptible to damage or deterioration. The large format print should also be installed in a way that allows for easy access for maintenance and repairs. This will make it easier for periodic cleaning and inspection, and will also make it easier to perform any necessary adjustments to the sign in the future.

Keep Up with Maintenance

Regular maintenance, such as cleaning and inspections for damage, will help prolong the lifespan of outdoor prints. No matter where your large format print is posted outdoors, it’s going to come into contact with environmental factors – especially if it’s intended to stay there for a long time. Cleaning off dirt, debris, and other pollutants can prevent damage to the material and the print’s overall appearance. Accumulation of dirt, dust, and grime can degrade the quality of the image, making colors fade or looking dull. 

Exposure to the elements like sunlight, rain, and wind can also lead to some damage and/or fading. Some materials might be more resistant to fading or physical damage than others, and applying protective coatings can also extend their lifespan. While it’s important to put the large format prints in a place that can minimize this exposure to the elements, sometimes that’s not possible. Your experienced Denver printing company may also be able to give maintenance guidelines based off the material it’s printed on. 

Get the Right Advice

Working with the right printer can make all of the difference in the world in getting the most durable signage for your needs. When it comes to large format printing, the printing company should have plenty of experience with different materials, inks, and how it will hold up overall in various weather conditions. Customer service is paramount in these situations, as these large format prints typically have to be created within a budget. You may have some questions about durability for the printer, but hey should also be asking you questions about where the large format prints will be posted, duration expected, and other things. 

There is a lot that goes into creating a visually striking large format print, and the print company wants it to remain long-lasting just as much as you do. Open communication during the creation process of the prints is also imperative, so that there will be no surprises when the final product gets delivered. While it’s important to work with a printer that can give top-notch quality, but will also go the extra mile to make sure the durability is there, too. For more information on the durability of large format prints, and how to get them to work for you, reach out to the experts at Cottrell Printing today.

When putting valuable resources into a commercial printing project, it’s important that the job gets done right – and at the quality you expect for materials carrying your brand. By making sure these quality issues are addressed early in the process, it can go a long way in securing the best quality for all of your large format printing in Denver. 

Lower quality prints can cause a multitude of issues. From improper colors to the wrong paper and ink selection, there are a number of things that can go wrong. By working with a trusted Denver printing company, you can mitigate some of these potential issues. The most important thing is to work with a professional printer that will communicate with you throughout the process, and here are some things to do to ensure you’re getting the quality from your commercial prints that you deserve. 

Be Clear From the Start

One of the most crucial steps to getting the best quality from your commercial printing projects is to outline clear objectives and requirements for the project up front. Give clear specifications about the size and colors needed in the project, as well as any direction toward the paper type and finish. The more detailed the instructions, the better. This will help give a clear and concise directive for printer as far as tools, paper, and inks that can be used in the project. It will also give you an indication as to how receptive the printer is to open lines of communication. 

It’s also important to know what the purpose of the large-format print project will be, and what type of audience you’re trying to reach. Knowing your audience and purpose can help guide your design choices and give the printer better insight into material selection. Having a defined purpose for your project will also help streamline the process. It will give the printer a clear understanding from the start, and establish meaningful lines of communication that will remain open through the rest of the project. Nobody knows your vision better than you do, but the professional printer may be able to offer insight into how to achieve that vision. 

Get the Right Printing Method

There are a number of different printing methods that can be used, and all of them are beneficial for specific situations. For example, screen printing is a great option when printing large surfaces (like posters) or textiles (like large banners). This can be a great option for creating stunning large-format prints that keep their clarity and help your colors to remain vibrant. Screen printing is also cost-effective for high-volume runs. It’s important to note that this is best suited for designs with limited colors, and is not ideal for photographic or highly-detailed images.

Wide-Format Inkjet printing is also great for high resolution and color accuracy, and the printing can be done on a number of different materials. It’s well suited for short to medium runs because of the quick turnaround times. These are just a couple of the more common types of printing, but there is a wide array of options – depending on your specifications. Your professional printer will know the best option for your project, and will likely give you a couple of options, depending on your budget. Be sure to talk to them about all of the advantages and disadvantages of any printing method to set your project up for the best results. 

Prep with High-Quality Design Files

Preparing high-quality design files can help make sure the final project meets your expectations. The higher the quality, the easier it will be for your professional printing partner to replicate your ideas in the final printing. Make sure images and other graphics are high resolution (at least 300 dpi) at the final print size. This will help make them clearer and easier to see, sharpening the overall image of the print. It’s also crucial to avoid scaling up images beyond their resolution capabilities. If they get stretched too far, those images can appear pixelated. 

Convert your design to CMYK color mod, as this is the color space used by commercial printers. RGB is typically for digital screens, and can result in some discrepancies in your color when printed. For fonts, make sure to embed all fonts into the PDF file, or convert the text to outlies to prevent font substitution issues. Make sure the text is easy to read and keep it away from the edges or folds, if possible. Your professional printer might have other specifications or instructions, so make sure to check with them to ensure they’re getting the right design files to properly create your print project. 

Proofing & Review

Always request a proof (either digital or physical) before the final, full print run is started. This will help you check for accuracy with colors, alignment, and overall quality of the project. If there is any text on the printing project, be sure to carefully review for any errors with grammar, spelling, or otherwise. It’s imperative not to rush this step. Nothing damages credibility like a misspelled word in a large poster or banner, and 100 percent of those mistakes can be fixed by simply taking your time when reviewing before the final run is printed. 

You may also want to consider some finishing options, depending on the project. Your commercial printing partner should recommend some that are appropriate. These can range from laminating or embossing the final project to protect it – or applying a UV coating for projects that will be outdoors for a long period of time. If it’s a banner that could be impacted by windy conditions, wind holes or slits may be added to reduce the impact. Talk to your professional printer about any post-printing options they may offer, as it can extend the life of your commercial print, or make it more effective.

Communication is Key

Throughout the project, be sure to maintain clear and open communication with the printing company. From the initial meeting, you should have an understanding as to communication lines. Be sure to give the printer detailed instructions on your vision for your commercial printing project, and don’t be afraid to ask for clarifications with any part of the process. Customer service is a cornerstone of any good commercial printer, as they want your project to come out exactly the way you want it – just like you.

One of the most important parts of proper communication is establishing clear timelines. Every project has a certain deadline, and your printing partner should be proactive in reaching out and telling you where things are at. By keeping in close contact during every part of the process, you’ll also be able to instruct the printer if there are any potential changes. They’ll also be able to tell you if anything comes up, or if there are better options for your project as those issues arise.  Most importantly, this will keep you from any surprises from the printer, and ensure that both of you are on the same page. 

Choose a Reputable Printing Partner

Experience and reputation go a long way when creating professional prints, as all that experience will give them the best insight into every aspect of the project. Finding customer reviews is easy now, and most reputable printers will readily have samples of their work to show you. Those samples should show the range of their capabilities, and help you assess the quality of their work. While it’s important to look at samples of projects that are similar to yours, don’t hesitate to ask to view some other projects, as well. This will give you a good overall idea of the versatility of the printer, as well as the clarity of their work over multiple projects. Look for a printer with a solid track record to take some of the stress out of the process. 

Technology is also important. Make sure they have modern equipment and the technology that can handle your specific requirements. Every project is different, and has different timelines and expectations. By working with a professional printer that is up-to-date with all of their equipment shows you they are keeping up with trends and making sure they have every advantage available to their clients. Staying on top of the changing technology in the industry will also lead to a higher quality finished product. 

There’s a lot that goes into your printing project, and working with the right commercial printer can go a long way in creating that ideal project. Having a professional printer that is invested and communicates from the start of the project to the final printing will help take some of the stress out of the process, and reinforce that you’re going to be happy with the final product. For more information, reach out to the printing experts at Cottrell Printing today.

Online marketing might often take center stage in today’s digital age, but direct mail is still a very powerful and effective tool for reaching a wide variety of customers. Unlike emails that can be easily deleted, overlooked, or sent into a spam folder, a well-crafted piece of direct mail can grab attention, build awareness for your brand, and drive customers to take action. However, the success of these campaign usually hinges on how thought the design is and how carefully that design has been executed. 

Working with an accomplished and experienced Denver printing company can get you started on the right foot to make sure your direct mail campaign has the best chance for success. Because of their experience in this realm, the printing company can point you in the right direction as far as branding, colors, printing techniques, and the best ways to help grab the attention of your potential clients. Their creativity and attention to detail is paramount, but it’s only a small part of the overall picture needed to create a successful campaign. 

Understand Your Audience First

Before you even start to design the physical piece of direct mail, it’s critical to have a clear understanding of your target audience. This is more than just simply figuring out who you want to reach. What are their interests? What are their pain points? What do they need? Demographic information – like age, gender, location, and income level, to name a few – can really help tailor your message to resonate with the right group of potential clients. 

For example, a direct mail campaign that you want to target young professionals might focus on convenience and time-saving offers. If you want your campaign to take aim at retirees, you may want to emphasize comfort and security. It’s all about understanding the group you’re trying to reach. If you have any data on the demographics of your customers, or if you have a very good understanding of the clientele you’re trying to reach, create buyer personas to represent those ideal customers. This will guide your design choices, messaging, and overall strategy for your campaign.

Set Clear Objectives

Once you know who you’re targeting, it’s time to set some guidelines for your campaign. This means figuring out what you want to achieve with through the use of direct mail. It can be any number of things from simply trying to generate leads or promote a new product, or you might want to drive traffic to your website or encourage repeat business. No matter what your objectives are, making sure they’re clear and concise can help shape your entire campaign. Don’t be afraid to be specific with your goals. Set metrics that you’ll be able to easily measure so you have hard data on the success of the campaign. 

These objectives will help dictate the type of mailer you use, the calls to action you implement within the direct mail campaign, and how you’ll measure the success of it once the campaign is completed. Having these objectives in place early will give you a clear view of whether or not it was successful, enabling you to alter and tweak things for future campaigns. Knowing the goals of the campaign at the forefront will eliminate a lot of questions throughout the process, as it will give you a clear direction to move forward. 

Choose the Right Format

There are a number of different formats that direct mail can come in, and each have their own distinct set of advantages. When selecting the format, it should align with your campaign objectives as well as your budget. A lot of this will depend on the message you’re trying to send. Use some of the larger options if there is a lot of information you need to get out, but consider the smaller items if you’re simply looking to create awareness about a promotion. 

Postcards are a very popular option for a variety of different campaigns. They’re cost-effective and simple, making them ideal for short messages and the aforementioned promotions. Self-mailers are folded mailers that don’t require an envelope, offering more space than a postcard but lower cost than some of the larger items. Letters are great for detailed offers or messages, and they can be viewed as a more formal option. They are also a great option if you want to include personalized content. Brochures offer more space to showcase multiple products or services, while catalogs are perfect for businesses that are trying to promote a wide range of products. Talk to those at your Denver printing company to find out which might be best for your campaign. 

Develop a Compelling Message

Right at the heart of any direct mail campaign is the message you’re trying to get across. It needs to be clear, concise, and compelling enough to motivate the recipient to take action. Grabbing and holding their attention is key, since many people’s attention span can be fleeting when it comes to pieces of mail. Without the right message, any direct mail campaign can fall flat – meaning lost resources and potentially distancing yourself from potential clients or customers. 

One of the main elements is the headline. This is typically an attention-grabbing large bit of text that will be the first thing the recipient sees. It needs to be attention-grabbing, which means it has to be bold, benefit-driven, and relevant to the audience. Once you have your attention, you need concise body copy that is focused on the benefits you’re trying to impart on the recipient. Keep it simple. They don’t need to know a bunch of inside tech talk or jargon. Follow this with a call to action that should be clear and easy to follow – whether it’s clicking a QR code, going to a website, or simply redeeming a coupon. Don’t forget to tailor your message to the recipient. Use their name and build it to their specific interests or needs. Personalization increases engagement and response rates. 

Create an Impactful Design

Good design can significantly bolster the overall effectiveness of your direct mail campaign. Along with being visually appealing, it should also be easy to read and aligned with your brand’s identity. Be sure to consider a number of design principles when creating your campaign. Colors are probably the most important aspect of your design, so it’s important to choose colors that align with your brand. Use the colors in your logo or other branding to create a uniform and consistent look. 

It’s also important to choose fonts that coincide with your overall branding. Make sure those fonts are easy to read, and be sure to show a clear hierarchy between your major headlines, subheadings and body text so that your content is easy to take in. Choose high-quality images to balance the overall look and make your mailer more engaging. By selecting images that are relevant to your message, it will resonate more with your audience. While all of the text and images are important, be sure not to overcrowd the overall look of your mailer. There’s power in that white space, too, as it helps to create a clean organized look and can be used to the reader’s focus to the other key elements. 

Ensure High-Quality Printing

The quality of your printed materials has a huge impact because it reflects your brand’s image. Poor-quality printing can make even the best designed direct mailer look unprofessional. That focus on quality starts from the paper. Make sure you choose a paper stock that feels substantial and not flimsy, but also aligns with your brand’s image. For example, a luxury brand may opt for a thicker, glossy paper, while an eco-friendly brand might choose recycled paper if it aligns with their message. You also want to choose something you know will stand up to the rigors of the delivery system. 

You’ll be able to coordinate these things with your Denver printing company, but also consider using particular printing techniques to make your mailer stand out from the crowd. Things like embossing or foil stamping can really make your mailer send a unique message that grabs their attention the moment they see it. The most important factor in getting high-quality printing is working with a trusted expert. They’ll be able to make great suggestions specific to your project, and they’ll also be able to show you a proof of the item before it hits the first mailbox. Always proof your design before printing in order to catch any errors or inconsistencies. This will avoid costly mistakes and make sure you’re delivering the right message. 

Designing and printing an effective direct mail campaign requires careful planning, creativity, and attention to detail. Take a serious approach to your direct mailer. By focusing on the right design and using the right print company, you’ll be able to use direct mail as a powerful marketing tool to add to your arsenal. For more information on how direct mail can work for you, reach out to the experts at Cottrell Printing today.

Printed materials are one of the most effective ways to boost your brand’s visibility and promote seasonal offerings throughout the year. By using a mix of signs, banners, window graphics, and promotional items, you can align your marketing with seasonal trends to maximize engagement and attract customers. 

Cottrell Printing, a trusted Denver printing company, offers a variety of solutions to help you keep your marketing fresh and impactful with printed materials that resonate year-round.

Why Seasonal Marketing Matters

Seasonal marketing is an opportunity to appeal to your audience by tapping into themes and activities that resonate with them at specific times of the year. 

Whether it’s promoting new products, celebrating a holiday, or hosting seasonal events, incorporating printed materials as part of your strategy can create an immersive brand experience. Plus, printed materials have a tangible presence, making your brand memorable and providing a real touchpoint that digital marketing alone can’t achieve.

Seasonal Marketing Ideas Using Printed Materials

Let’s explore how to make the most of each season by incorporating Cottrell Printing’s range of services, from yard signs and banners to floor decals and foam board posters.

1. Winter Promotions and Holiday Cheer

The winter season offers plenty of opportunities to boost sales with holiday promotions and end-of-year specials. Printed materials can highlight these offers and create a festive atmosphere.

• Banners and Window Graphics: Use these to decorate your storefront with seasonal graphics and messages. A “Happy Holidays” or “Winter Sale” banner outside can attract foot traffic and give your business a welcoming look.
• Floor Decals: Winter is also prime time for floor decals with directional graphics, sale markers, or holiday-themed messages, which can guide customers to seasonal sections or product displays.
• Promotional Items: Consider branded gifts like mugs, beanies, or tote bags for loyal customers. These items, printed with your logo or holiday message, make for memorable gifts that promote your brand long after the season ends.

2. New Year, New Branding

As customers set new goals and resolutions in January, capitalize on the “new year, new you” trend with materials that promote your products or services as solutions for their goals.

• Foam Board Posters and Pop-Up Banner Stands: Use large foam board posters or pop-up banner stands to showcase fresh ideas, events, or promotions. For example, gyms and fitness centers can highlight special memberships, while financial services might offer goal-setting workshops.
• Business Cards and Leaflets: The new year is also a good time to refresh printed collateral. Updated business cards, leaflets, and other handouts can show clients your commitment to staying current and relevant.

3. Spring: A Time for Refresh and Renewal

Spring is synonymous with fresh starts and vibrant energy, making it the perfect time to introduce new products or spring-themed promotions.

• Yard Signs and Outdoor Banners: As the weather warms up, yard signs and banners outside your location can promote spring sales, outdoor events, or new arrivals. These work especially well for garden centers, home improvement stores, and any business offering seasonal products.
• Die-Cut Decals and Window Graphics: Add spring colors and motifs like flowers or greenery to windows and doors. This small touch can give your business a fresh, welcoming look.
• Promotional Items for Spring Events: Branded items like water bottles, reusable bags, and caps are perfect for spring promotions and events. Give them away at community gatherings or use them as incentives for in-store purchases.

4. Summer Events and Outdoor Advertising

With warmer weather, summer is peak season for outdoor events, festivals, and community gatherings. It’s an ideal time to use large-format printed materials that draw attention and create brand presence.

• Outdoor Banners and Foam Board Posters: Banners and foam boards work well for promoting summer events, sidewalk sales, and festivals. Durable materials ensure they can withstand the weather and stay vibrant.
• Pop-Up Banner Stands: Ideal for fairs, farmer’s markets, and festivals, these banner stands are easy to transport and set up, making them perfect for seasonal event marketing.
• Seasonal Promotional Items: Sunglasses, frisbees, or beach towels branded with your logo are crowd-pleasers at summer events. These items keep your brand visible and associated with summer fun.

5. Fall and Back-to-School Promotions

Fall brings back-to-school promotions and an increase in foot traffic as people return from vacations. This is a great time to highlight back-to-school sales or new product launches.

• Yard Signs and Floor Decals: Use yard signs to catch the attention of people passing by with messages like “Back-to-School Savings” or “Fall Specials.” Floor decals in-store can guide customers to relevant sections or create a fun back-to-school pathway.
• Window Graphics: Autumn-themed window graphics add warmth to your storefront, and harvest colors like orange, yellow, and brown can give your display a seasonal touch.
• Branded School Supplies: Offer branded school supplies like notebooks, pens, and backpacks. These are functional promotional items that keep your brand in front of customers daily.

6. Holiday Season Sales and Year-End Events

The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year, and it’s crucial for retail and service-based businesses alike to stand out.

• Window Displays with Vinyl Decals and Die-Cut Graphics: Holiday decals in the form of snowflakes, gift boxes, or stars create a festive window display that attracts shoppers. For Denver-based retailers, working with a Denver printing company like Cottrell Printing ensures quick service and access to custom designs.
• Gift-Ready Promotional Items: High-quality promotional items, like branded ornaments, reusable shopping bags, or custom gift wrap, provide added value for holiday shoppers. These items encourage customer loyalty and make your business memorable during the season.
• Year-End Sale Banners and Posters: Make use of large banners and posters to advertise year-end sales and clearance events, ensuring maximum visibility in the final shopping days of the year.

Year-Round Tips for Maximizing Your Printed Marketing Materials

Having an adaptable approach to printed marketing materials ensures that you’re always ready to engage customers and build brand loyalty.

1. Rotate Seasonal Content

Updating materials seasonally keeps your displays fresh and relevant. This might mean rotating window graphics or switching out banners and floor decals to reflect the current season or a new promotion.

2. Plan Your Seasonal Campaigns Early

Advance planning allows you to design and produce printed materials that are not only timely but also customized to each season’s marketing goals. Working with a reliable Denver printing company like Cottrell Printing allows you to order in bulk or batch seasonal items, ensuring you’re prepared well in advance.

3. Take Advantage of Large-Format Printing for Brand Awareness

Whether it’s a large outdoor banner or a die-cut decal, large-format printing grabs attention. The Cottrell Printing team can produce any size item you need, making it possible to add large-scale branding to events, store openings, or community outreach initiatives.

4. Use Promotional Items as Year-Round Brand Ambassadors

Branded promotional items can be distributed at events, given as gifts, or used as part of loyalty programs throughout the year. From drinkware and apparel to tech accessories, promotional items provide a constant reminder of your brand’s value.

5. Engage the Community with Custom Prints

Using custom-printed materials for local events shows community engagement and brings more visibility to your brand. Consider yard signs or banners for charity runs, school events, or local festivals, where your brand will be noticed by a diverse audience.

Partnering with Cottrell Printing for Year-Round Success

With Cottrell Printing’s large-format printing capabilities, promotional item printing, and all other business printing solutions, your business can achieve a cohesive and effective seasonal marketing strategy. As a reputable Denver printing company, Cottrell Printing provides high-quality materials, from banners and decals to business cards and foam board posters. Whether you’re gearing up for a holiday rush, launching a spring sale, or attending a summer event, Cottrell Printing has the expertise to bring your seasonal ideas to life.

Make every season a new opportunity to connect with your audience and grow your business. Contact Cottrell Printing to discuss how we can support your year-round marketing needs with custom, eye-catching printed materials that keep your brand in the spotlight.

There is almost an endless amount of ways to try and get your business’ message across to the masses. In today’s digital age, advertising can take on a number of different forms, but some of the most impactful methods are those that are more traditional. Tried and true methods like large format printing can still be very advantageous, getting your message out there to be seen by countless numbers of eyes and potential clients. Reach the people you want to reach by getting your message in front of the right people. 

Advertising on smart phones or other digital devices can often produce more misses than hits. People scramble to get rid of ads as fast as they can, and will generally pay up to run the bulk of their apps without advertisements. Getting in front of them more organically with things like large format posters or banners can get your message across without seeming as intrusive as digital advertising. There are plenty of benefits to working in the realm of large format printing in Denver. 

Boost Your Visibility

Large format prints are difficult to ignore, especially when placed strategically in high-traffic areas. Using your logos and colors of your branding can effectively grab the attention of multiple passersby at any given time of day, potentially getting the attention of more customers. High visibility is paramount for any type of advertising, and placement of these large format prints can be as crucial as the information contained on them. 

Working with a large-format printer can help get you the right pieces in place to grab the attention of those potential customers, elevating your brand’s presence along the way. There are a number of places that can use these large-format prints, and getting them in front of your target audience is easier than you think. From locations on public transit to rest rooms in breweries and restaurants, there is a place to get those large format posters or in front of the people that need your services. 

Customizable Options

Large format printing allows you to customize and tailor your advertising materials to suit a wide array of advertising areas. You can build these advertisements to fit in specific locations, or customize them for every specific event you want to get your message across. You can also change up your large format advertising with different promotions or other special things going on within your business at any given time. Outside of creating new large format prints for inside your storefront, you can change up the size of your prints depending on where they’ll get the most visibility.

This doesn’t have to be limited to any one type of format, either. This flexibility stretches from posters and banners to even larger signs or vehicle wraps. Your large format printer will also be able to deliver flexibility in size, shape, and the material that suits your specific needs. There are options for large format print advertising whether they need to be displayed indoors or outdoors, making sure you are reaching the right audience no matter where they might be. 

Creative Freedom

Because of the customizable nature of large format printing, there are practically no limits to what you can do with your advertising and design. The colors and logos of your branding are important, and getting those messages across creatively will make your projects draw even more attention. From detailed graphics to bold fonts and colors, you want consistency across all of your large format prints. If you’re looking to make a big splash with multiple large format prints (like multiple posters and banners), you want those colors to appear uniform across all of them. 

The only real limitation comes in the experience and expertise of the printer you work with. Communication will be key in any project, but it’s of vital importance if you’re creating something that’s a little bit out of the norm. Talking through your vision with the printer will allow them insight to tap into their creativity to develop those bold and vibrant eye-catching advertisements. You want your project to reflect your brand identity and messaging, and using a printer built on communication with their clients will allow that vision to become even more dialed in. 

Versatility in Your Message

Large format prints can be used in a number of different settings. It doesn’t matter if you need them for window displays in storefronts, or if you need them for trade show events, the right printer can create these projects to effectively get your message across in a number of situations. Pieces like stand-up banners can be used in a variety of locations, and multiple banners can be created to make sure your message gets across even if your message may change throughout the year. 

Outdoor projects are also no problem, as the aforementioned access to many materials allows for these projects to stand the test of time. Most large format prints can be created to be portable. That allows them to be more easily transported and reused as needed. Get all of your messaging in large format prints for events like trade shows and other conventions, and they can last for years while still maintaining their impact. 

Cost-Efficient Advertising

You want your advertising budget to go as far as it possibly can, and large format printing for advertising can get you more bang for your buck. Initially, it can be more expensive than a few other traditional advertising methods, but it will get you more value for your money in the long run. Because of the durability and versatility of the messaging, you’ll be able to use the large format prints for a long period of time. If you’re creating large format prints to be displayed outdoors, they can be made to withstand numerous outdoor conditions. Weather-resistant vinyl or durable mesh materials can put up with more challenging environments, stretching your budget farther. 

A well-designed and durable large format print may attract attention for weeks or months, delivering ongoing exposure to your brand. That longevity can save you money in the long run, allowing you to use that money in other areas of your business, or allocate that money in other places of your advertising budget. Every business owner is looking at new and better ways to advertise, and every business owner is also looking to save money. Large format printing might be an avenue to check both of those boxes. 

Stand Out at Trade Shows & Conventions

One of the most impactful – and important – ways large format printing can help is when you’re trying to catch the attention of all those people wandering past your booth at trade shows or other conventions. The versatility and mobility of these types of ads has already been discussed, but the flexibility of large format printing can also make you stand out in that crowd. There are a lot of ways to make banners or other prints, but having them blast the audience with bold colors and sharp designs will make those convention goers take notice. 

Whether it’s the common banners and stand-up banners you see regularly, or something completely different, large format prints can put you above the crowd. Your advertising is intended to get your targeted audience to notice you. Nothing can do this more quickly at a trade show or convention than coming up with a design that sets you apart. The wide array of options that come through large format printing is a great way to accomplish that. 

Targeted Messaging

The versatility and mobility of large format printing also makes it a great option to target specific audiences. Large format prints can be strategically placed in specific locations, maximizing the advertising efforts and increasing the likelihood of engagement. By getting these in front of the audience most likely to use your product or service, you’re not wasting those precious marketing dollars getting in front of uninterested parties. 

This is also an effective method of advertising for special events or things like seasonal sales that might be going on for a limited time. This can drive more business your way if the large format prints are put in the right place to reach the people that are going to need that product or service before time runs out on the event, sale, promotion, etc. By getting in front of the right crowd, it makes it easier to tailor your message for your audience, as well. Your target audience will more quickly understand your message, meaning the message will have higher impact, and you’ll get more engagement. 

A lot of these benefits work together, making large format printing a dynamic and versatile option for any industry. These items are a great tool to enhance the visibility of your brand, deliver impactful messages, and reach your target audience – no matter where they may be. For more information on how large format printing can help your business get more traction with its advertising budget, reach out to the experts at Cottrell Printing today.

When putting your brand out into the world with your marketing materials, everybody wants them to grab attention and convey their brand to their audience. Developing effective print marketing materials requires paying close attention to some design principals that will capture attention while conveying a clear message. You want to make a lasting impression on your audience, and there are a number of ways to accomplish this. 

Working with a trusted Denver commercial printer will maximize your efforts, as they will be able to provide insight into the right methods to use to optimize your print marketing materials. They’ll also be able to implement consistency throughout all of your items – keeping your colors and logos uniform across many different types of marketing. From posters and banners to pamphlets and other handouts, consistency in your message along with the following tips will make a big difference in how your marketing materials are received. 

Understand Your Audience

Before implementing any design, it is critical to understand who your target audience is and the exact message you want to convey to them. By tailoring your design choices to resonate with your audience’s preferences and interests, they’ll be able to reach the right demographic. By understanding your target audience, it will go a long way in creating the right materials. One of the best ways to do this is to keep up with industry trends and changes in consumer behavior, because that will allow you to zero in your messaging. 

There are a number of ways to uncover your target audience and changes within that audience. The easiest way is to engage with your clients – whether directly or through things like email marketing or social media. Using analytics can allow you to gather data about who is visiting your website and the preferences of your target audience. Whichever method you use to gather this information will be extremely helpful in understanding what needs to go into designing your print marketing materials. 

Keep Things Simple

Don’t clutter your design by using too much text or too many graphics. White space in your printed materials can allow the most important elements of your design to breathe, and focuses the reader’s attention on your message. You want your message to be easily understandable at a glance, because that will help keep the viewer of the materials invested. When designing things like print marketing materials, less can definitely be more. 

You want your logos and text to be sharp, and those are the things you want people to remember from the marketing materials. Making them too busy distracts from the overall message and can cloud the overall message. Attention spans are getting shorter and shorter, making a compact and easily understandable message imperative. By tightening up your wording, you can make more of an impact as the message is easier to digest. It will also allow for more attention to your logos and images, which will also hold the viewer’s focus. 

High-Quality Graphics & Materials

Investing in high-resolution images and other graphics will deliver sharpness and clarity in your print materials. The last thing you want is a blurred or messy logo – or one that doesn’t portray your colors correctly. Nothing will detract from the overall message and design of your marketing materials quicker than low-quality visuals. You want the attention to be on the message you’re trying to get across instead of how your logo doesn’t look right or a photo that is out of focus. 

It’s also important to choose high-quality paper stock and finishes that align with your overall brand. High-quality materials deliver the impression of professionalism that you want to convey, and can go a long way in making that impression last. It might seem like a small thing, but recipients of those top-notch materials will remember the quality of the item. Budget is always a concern with any project, but using the best materials will have a lasting impact on those that come into contact with them – and it’s a great way to set yourself apart from your competition.

Maintain Brand Consistency

Along the same lines of using high-quality images and other materials, it’s important to choose print materials that best reflect your brand identity. Colors, fonts, and even imagery has to remain consistent throughout the process to convey a look of professionalism and dedication to your brand. There are multiple reasons why business owners choose the colors for their logo and other branding, and consistency with those colors across multiple platforms will reinforce that brand recognition and build credibility.

Most importantly, you want your company’s logo to be sharp with the proper coloration. This is the centerpiece of your branding, so it has to be right. Making sure you are getting consistent color of your logo across multiple forms is crucial to maintaining your brand. When your logo looks the same on a banner as it does on a tri-fold pamphlet, it makes it easier for consumers to remember your message. That is the first step in building a relationship with consumers through your brand, as all consumers want consistency from the vendors they use. 

Create a Focal Point for Your Message

No matter what type of marketing materials you’re using, a great way to capture and hold your audience’s attention is with a focal point that draws the viewer in. This should serve as the main focus of your design. While the importance of logos has already been mentioned, this doesn’t have to be the focal point for every piece of marketing material. There are multiple things that can keep the viewer of the marketing material invested, from a compelling image to a bold headline or something else that’s prominent. 

This is where keeping the overall design uncluttered comes into play, as well. By utilizing a focal point, it will draw in the viewer quickly without distractions. Using that specific focal point to guide the viewer through the rest of the material is a great way to not only capture their attention, but hold it so they can digest the entire message of the piece. Strategic use of this focal point can also make the item more memorable, which is one of the main goals of your marketing materials in the first place. 

Craft Compelling Content

Your marketing materials are likely designed with one primary goal in mind: Generating more business. If the copy on your marketing materials is boring or overflowing with industry terms, you may lose your target audience quickly. Marketing content needs to speak directly your audiences needs and pain points, and how you’ll be able to address those needs. Don’t get bogged down in telling them all of the bells and whistles of a particular service or product, but rather inform your audience on the benefits. 

One of the best things you can do with your marketing content is to simply communicate how your offering solves their problem or fulfills a need. Since the main directive is to drive business, don’t shy away from persuasive language to motivate your audience. Crafting persuasive calls to action will compel the readers to respond more quickly. Keep the information relevant and valuable without getting into too much minutiae about your process. 

Use Fonts that are Easy to Read

Putting together the right content is one thing, but making sure that content is easy to read is just as important. A lot of businesses may use cursive fonts or other fonts with unique looks. These are fine to use in some instances, but not with your marketing materials. You want to use fonts that are easy to read when they’re printed or bumped up to larger sizes for large-format printing projects like posters and banners. If something like a cursive or flowing font is the main font of your branding, it’s certainly usable, but using a secondary font that’s easier to read for vital pieces of content is recommended. 

It’s also important to avoid using too many fonts, because it can clutter your overall image. A lot of different fonts can also create visual confusion, distracting from the focal point and/or other images within the materials. Again, consistency is key, so sticking to two or three complementary fonts will help create consistency and reduce confusion across all of your platforms. You want to get your message across, and the easiest way to accomplish that is by making sure your audience can read that message.

There are a variety of ways to enhance the design of your print marketing materials. Even in the digital age, the tangible aspect of printed materials can still make a heavy impact for your business and your brand. As a business, your first impression is crucial, and these marketing materials wind up being just that for many consumers. For more information – and even more tips – on how to maximize your print marketing materials, reach out to the experts at Cottrell Printing today.