Direct Mail Archives - Cascade Print Media

What Is a Press Check

Direct Mail, Eco-Friendly, FAQ, Marketing, New, Print Marketing, Tips and Tricks

A press check is a service offered by print companies allowing you to come to a review your print project once it is on press. The pressman will get everything setup and print a few sheets for you to review before hitting the go button on the entire project. This step is important for various reasons to ensure your print project comes out exactly how you want it. Below are a few important things to look for during your press check.

1 – Low Resolution Images

Images used for marketing are often pulled from online sources or images taken with a phone, these images can and most likely will print at a low resolution, meaning that once printed on a substrate, they can become pixelated or blurry. The standard print resolution for a print file is 300 dpi, many images online or from your phone can be only half of that or less, making them impossible to print at a larger scale than what shows on your phone or computer screen. When reviewing your project at a press check, this will give you a proper representation of the print quality for those images.

Image of low vs high resolution image. One pixelated, the other more clear

2 – Ink Registration

Most offset printing is done in CMYK, a process of 4 colors printed in layers to create a specific color image or text. If these colors are not in registration, you will be left with a blurry and hard to read piece. It is important to make sure there is perfect registration. Pressman will have a tool called a loop at their press; this tool allows you to magnify the print allowing you to see the registration. If these colors are off the pressman can adjust to get them realigned.

Image of good registration vs bad registration on page

3 – Color consistency

This is the process to which the colors are consistent across the entire sheet. Color management profiles are used to ensure color consistency throughout the printing process. Review your press sheet thoroughly and make sure the entire sheet is equally vibrant without any dull areas. If there are any issues with consistency, your pressman and prepress department can review and adjust the print management system.

Image of Press sheet being checked for consistency and registration

4 – FPO

FPO means FOR POSITION ONLY, when creating your digital print file, you may use an FPO for things such as die lines, foil stamps, scoring, punching or folds. These are important during the prepress process so we know how your art should be laid out to avoid any of the processes listed above from impeding into your final print piece (nothing is worse than trying to read text that is on a fold.) Most of the time these FPO are created in a bright pink, but not always. It is important to make sure your FPO has been removed from the press ready files, so your FPO is not printed in your final piece. FPO should be created as a separate layer in your file so it can be turned off when plates are made for printing.

Image of large sheet showing where cuts and folds will be on finished product

5 – Check Your Mailing Panel

Mailing panels are tricky, USPS has a lot of rules for mailing panels, such as size, position and the ability to inkjet. If your print piece has a coating such as Aqueous, UV, Soft Touch or any other coating, be sure the pressman has created what is called a knockout, this is a process where they keep the coating from being applied in the mailing panel area. If that area is coated, USPS will most likely reject your pieces causing you to reprint.

6 – Pagination

If you are printing a booklet, with multiple pages on a press sheet, it is important to fold that press sheet to make sure your pages line up properly when folded and stitched. The prepress department has programs that will assist with correct pagination, but it’s always at idea to manually check this for accuracy. Also keep an eye out for alignment, making sure your page numbers land in the same place when the sheet is folded on the crop marks, and there is no art in or around the spine. One last thing to look for, make sure the creep has been accounted for. When you have a large book that has multiple sigs, when those sigs are folded and nested together the outer most sigs will need to be adjusted so the art has more room on the spine, or the inner most pages are not pushed out too far that they get cut off when the final trim is made.

6 – Pagination

Example of book pages creeping out of book due to folds

Interested in starting your next project but don’t know where to start? We can help! Get in touch today and we can walk you through the process, step by step.

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Print In Your Marketing Plan

Direct Mail, Eco-Friendly, FAQ, Marketing, Print Marketing, Promotional Products, Signs

Creative Ways to Use Print in Your Marketing Plan

In today’s digital-first world, incorporating print into your marketing strategy is a powerful way to stand out. Tangible, eye-catching, and versatile, printed materials can leave a lasting impression on your audience. Here are some creative ideas to effectively use print in your marketing plan.

Stickers for Brand Awareness

Stickers are small but mighty tools for spreading brand recognition. They’re affordable, versatile, and loved by customers. Include your logo, a catchy slogan, or fun designs that align with your brand. Use them as giveaways, packaging seals, or incentives for social media shares.

Pro Tip: Create limited-edition sticker sets to drive excitement and engagement.

Calendars for Year-Round Visibility

Custom calendars ensure your brand stays front and center all year. Include important industry dates, your promotional events, or helpful tips relevant to your audience. Calendars are especially effective as corporate gifts or customer appreciation items.

Pro Tip: Add QR codes linking to your website or digital resources for a modern touch.

Promotional Products with Practicality

Branded notebooks, pens, water bottles, and tote bags are not just giveaways—they’re functional items that keep your brand in sight. Distribute them at trade shows, conferences, or community events.

Pro Tip: Choose high-quality products that reflect the value of your brand to create a positive association.

Branded Apparel for Walking Advertisements

T-shirts, hats, and hoodies with your logo or creative designs turn customers and employees into brand ambassadors. Branded apparel is perfect for giveaways, contests, or employee uniforms. Check out our post here about the power of promotional products

Pro Tip: Use bold designs that make people excited to wear your apparel beyond promotional events.

Banners and Signs for Event Marketing

Large banners and signs are essential for trade shows, community events, or storefront promotions. They grab attention and provide vital information at a glance.

Pro Tip: Use weather-resistant materials for outdoor events and keep your message clear and concise for maximum impact.

Postcards for Direct Marketing

Postcards are a cost-effective way to deliver targeted messages. Use them to announce events, highlight promotions, or share updates. Their compact size makes them easy for recipients to read and keep.

Pro Tip: Add an exclusive discount code or invitation to drive customer action. Ask us about our mailing discounts!

Direct Mail Campaigns for a Personal Touch

Despite the rise of digital marketing, direct mail remains one of the most effective ways to connect with customers. Personalize your mailings to make a stronger impact and ensure your brand stands out in a crowded mailbox.

Pro Tip: Combine direct mail with digital campaigns by including URLs or QR codes to track engagement.

Brochures for Detailed Information

Brochures are excellent for showcasing your products or services in detail. Use them at trade shows, in-store displays, or as inserts in mail campaigns. High-quality design and professional printing ensure they leave a lasting impression.

Pro Tip: Make your brochures interactive by including fold-out sections or augmented reality features.

Posters for High-Impact Messaging

Posters are perfect for promoting events, sales, or new product launches in high-traffic areas. Bold visuals and concise messaging make them an attention-grabbing medium for local or in-store marketing.

Pro Tip: Use double-sided posters to maximize exposure in glass windows or hanging displays.

Custom Packaging to Delight Customers

Turn your packaging into a marketing tool by incorporating custom designs. Branded boxes, tissue paper, and thank-you cards enhance the unboxing experience and foster brand loyalty.

Pro Tip: Include small print items like stickers or postcards in your packaging to surprise and delight customers.

Why Print Works in Marketing

Print materials create a tactile connection that digital marketing can’t replicate. They build trust, reinforce brand identity, and provide long-lasting visibility. By incorporating these ideas into your marketing plan, you can engage your audience in creative and impactful ways.

Ready to amplify your marketing efforts with print? Contact us today to bring these ideas to life!

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Reasons Why Your Direct Mail Campaign Did Not Work

Direct Mail, Marketing, New, Print Marketing, Tips and Tricks

Have you heard that direct mail campaigns are the best return on investment than any other form of direct marketing? You tend to get more readers, more people responding to your call to actions, and the biggest bang for your buck. All that said, have you sent out some postcards or catalogs and not gotten the results you had hoped for? Check out our list below of some things that could be holding you back from some of those great results.

Target Market:

Sending to the correct target market is the key to getting great results. You wouldn’t send a new child dentist announcement to a community of retiree’s, right? Make sure when creating or asking for a list, you have really homed in on the type of people and businesses you want to react to your mail piece. Looking for help on the best list? We can help!

Compelling Offer:

Did you look over your list criteria meticulously and you still didn’t get the reaction you wanted? This could all come down to your offering or lack thereof. You need to make sure that your offer for people to act is compelling enough to actually make them act. Maybe you need to provide a steeper discount, offer a product for free, or give a longer or shorter timeline for someone to act.

Poor Printing:

Although there are certainly ways to save on paper and other printing costs, make sure you are not going to cheapest route possible. Remember that you are representing your brand with your postcards, brochures, catalogs, and other direct mail pieces. The paper, patterns, colors and logos should be consistent across your brand and the image you are trying to portray.

Setting Goals:

How can you track goals if you don’t have any set in the first place? Although it may sound obvious, be sure to have some sort of goal in mind before sending out that first direct mail piece. Don’t know where to start? We can help! Your goals should be tracked so you can see where you started, and where you ended up. Don’t have enough time to track? We can help with that too!

Consistent Mailing:

Still waiting to see those results? Don’t worry! If you’ve only sent out one piece, you can’t expect success overnight! You need to make sure you are consistent with your mailing and getting the word out there. Be sure to make sure you stay on a schedule, and track the results accordingly. The more a company or individual sees your brand and offerings, the more likely they are to remember it and look you up when they are ready to buy!

Check out more of our tips and tricks on direct mail marketing and other business printing. Did you know we offer promotional products, apparel and vehicle wraps as well?

How We Can Help You Go Green

Direct Mail, Eco-Friendly, FAQ, Tips and Tricks

Looking for ways to go green, while still getting your message out there? We can help! From direct mail campaigns to environmentally friendly paper and inks, we are here to help every step of the way. Check out some tips below on just a few of the ways we can help you go green!

Mail invitations directly from us:

Did you know we can help with direct mailing? All we need is you list (or we can provide for you) and you’re all set! How does this help go green? One less delivery for us, one less thing on your to do list. Let us take the burden off you of having to go to the post office to mail everything out, ‘cause we are already going there. Plus, we may be able to help save you money on bulk postage rates!

Electronic proofs:

Electronic proofs are standard with all our jobs. We are happy to provide a hard copy proof, but delivery and mailing put stress on the environment with every step of the way. You will be able to see and fix any glaring mistakes, all from the comfort of your office or home. While the colors will not match exactly (colors on screen are different than on paper), they are similar enough that you will be able to spot any big mistakes.

Eco-Friendly Inks & Paper

Paper Facts: Paper is biodegradable and unlike water bottles, cell phones, computers and other electronic devices, it decomposes in a landfill.

Paper is made from cellulose fiber – that can come from pulped wood, rags, cotton, grasses, sugar cane, rice and waste paper. An estimated 4 million trees are planted daily and due to reforestation, forests in the U.S. have actually grown over the past century.

Paper is recyclable – 37% of the U.S. pulp is produced from recovered paper. Most recovered paper is used to make new copy and writing paper, as well as corrugated boxes, fruit cartons, egg cartons and wall insulation.

Ink – we use soy based inks that are compatible with the environment. This means less harsh chemicals in the environment and on your printed materials.

Economy Growth:

The forest products industry accounts for about 6% of the total us manufacturing output and employs more than one million people. It ranks among the top 10 manufacturing employers in 42 states. There are almost 175,000 establishments in this segment that employ over 2.9 million people. For comparison, the auto manufacturing industry only employs about 1.2 million

Efficiency:

Did you know that reading something on paper is 20-30% faster than reading something on a screen? Reading from paper results in deeper understanding of text and most end users prefer it. People are more likely to visit your store and buy something from a direct mail campaign then a simple email. If they can see it, touch it and read it, you have a bigger ROI than a simple email, which according to a survey, 80% of receivers automatically delete before ever opening the email.

Looking for more facts and ways to reach more customers? Check out some of our tips and tricks here and here.

References:

Whattheythink.com

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Direct Mail – The Best Way to Reach Customers

Direct Mail, Eco-Friendly, Marketing, Print Marketing, Promotional Products

2020 has been one for the books, and it isn’t even over yet! Who would have thought that a couple weeks of quarantine, would turn into months of quarantine, work from home, and distance learning for our children? Summer came and went in a flash and much of our regular routines have been stripped away. With the ever-growing use of technology, from zoom to Netflix, digital ads are no longer getting the attention of your customers and clients. How to solve this? Direct Mail! Below are some great tips on how to use direct mail and its benefits

Target: digital marketing often does not go the desired targets, but rather a more general audience. Direct mail can get be nailed down to hit your target specifically to make sure you are getting more bang for your buck. Want to hit only a certain demographic within a certain neighborhood? We can help! Want to only send to certain age groups or employment types? We can help!

Track: did you know that we can monitor who receives direct mail and who is responding or using it? Depending on how your direct mail media is built, we can help track users and responders. This is a fantastic way to measure your return on investment!

Mix: It has been shown that adding direct mail into your marketing mix increases your chances of your target audience remembering your brand and taking action. Direct mail mixed with digital helps to increase brand awareness.

Looking to increase your marketing ROI and attract more customers? Direct mail is the way to go. Contract us today, we’d love to help!

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