New Ways to Use Postcards

New Ways to Use Postcards

Postcards have come a long way from just a way to mail greetings from a road trip. These compact, versatile cards are a great way to share your creativity and company’s voice. With their blend of functionality, charm, and cost-effective price point, they can do everything from adding personal touches to helping boost your business.

Affordable and impactful, postcards are a great way to stand out without breaking the bank. Let’s take a look at several creative ways you can make the most of postcards to help share your message or promote your business:

Upscale Invitations

With no envelopes to open, your design can instantly grab your client’s attention and can wow them from the start. Whether it’s a corporate event, birthday or a wedding invitation, postcards can help your creativity shine. They could be a bold, modern, sleek design for a product launch or a luxurious, vintage-inspired wedding postcard letting them know about the big event.

Smart Marketing Opportunities

Affordable and effective postcards are a great option for marketers. Unlike emails that can get buried in inboxes, postcards land directly into their hands. No spam folder, no envelopes to hide the information you want to pass on.

a postcard advertising a new menu

Make sure to use high-quality photos to show off your products, share limited-time sales, or display QR codes that link directly to your storefront. Whether you’re a retailer launching a seasonal collection, a restaurant showing off your mouth-watering foods, or a new company letting the locals know you’re open for business--  postcards can help deliver the message.

Save the Date Cards

Save the date cards are a perfect way to make sure they don’t get lost in the mix. Their straightforward layout helps keep the message clear while still making an impact. Make sure to use photos or designs that help tell a story. While often used for weddings, they can be used for a variety of events you might want to promote. They could provide a sneak peak of your new venue or a date of a new product launch.

postcard art on a tan background. the postcard is a wedding invitation, with gold leaves and green striping around the edges.

Creative Holiday Cards

Holiday cards don’t have to be boring. Postcards give you the chance to break the mold and try something new. Instead of a generic card with stock photos you can use your favorite winter scene or a company milestone.

 

The postcard format encourages creativity and bold photography to help share your message with customers. Let Cascade Print Media help you take your postcard game to the next level.

Shapes in Sign Design

Shapes in Sign Design

Signs above all else are visual communication tools. This means that a sign can convey a multitude of messages, simply from the way that it is designed and created. Aspects of sign design that convey messages include color, size, font style, complexity, and overall shape. These aspects of signage convey more than just a practical message, and allow signs to become a canvas for expression and representation. Specifically, because humans are exposed to shapes throughout our entire lives, shapes can embody deep psychological meaning or connections.

 

Circle

Because of their symmetry in all directions, circles carry with them an inherent symbolism of unity, community, and interconnectedness. Because circle and oval shapes lack hard edges or sharp corners, signage created in these shapes offer the viewer a feeling of an open embrace. Creating signage in circular shapes offers companies and organizations the ability to connect with their intended audience and convey that they are open and welcoming to all.

 

Square

Squares have four equal sides, which creates a feeling of stability and balance for the viewer. Psychologically, this shape conveys a sense of trustworthiness, strength, and reliability. Square-shaped signage and logos can create a balance between a logo, brand name, and tagline, by allotting each of these elements a similar spacing and weight within the sign design. For companies intending to communicate dependability and expertise, square shaped signage is a great choice.

 

Triangle

Triangles give a sign a sense of dynamic direction. This shape can symbolize to the viewer a sense of progression, purpose, and upward movement. Companies looking to convey to their audience that they are innovative, purposeful, and engaged can rely on triangle-shaped signage to embody these properties.

 

Looking for custom-shaped signage to convey messages about your company to your audience? Reach out to us to share more about your project and allow Cascade Print Media to bring your branding and design ideas to life!

Source: https://houseofsignsco.com/2024/01/03/the-psychology-of-shapes-in-sign-design/

Image Source: https://images.rawpixel.com/image_800/cHJpdmF0ZS9sci9pbWFnZXMvd2Vic2l0ZS8yMDIzLTAxL3JtNDI0LXBmLXVrMS1iYjAxLW1vY2t1cC5qcGc.jpg

Direct Mail vs. Online Marketing: 10 Fun Facts You Should Know

Direct Mail vs. Online Marketing: 10 Fun Facts You Should Know

 

1. Higher Engagement:

Direct mail boasts significantly higher engagement rates, averaging 95%, compared to email's 20-30% open rate.

2. Memorable Experience:

Physical mail creates a tangible and memorable experience, with individuals spending 108% more time with direct mail compared to digital marketing materials, leading to better brand recall.

3. Personalization Power:

70% of consumers consider direct mail to be more personal than online interactions, and adding personalization can boost response rates significantly, according to UPrinting.

4. Combating Digital Fatigue:

In a world saturated with digital ads, consumers are experiencing digital fatigue, making them more receptive to direct mail as a less intrusive and more trusted channel.

5. Enhanced Targeting:

Direct mail enables highly specific geographic and demographic targeting, ensuring messages reach the most receptive audience, thereby improving campaign effectiveness.

6. Stronger ROI Potential:

Studies indicate that campaigns combining direct mail and digital marketing can achieve a 29% higher ROI than standalone campaigns, leveraging the strengths of both channels.

7. Cross-Generational Appeal:

Despite assumptions about digital preferences among younger audiences, Gen Z and Millennials also engage with and appreciate direct mail, with Gen Z even showing increasing excitement for it.

8. Measurable Results:

Modern direct mail strategies allow for accurate tracking of campaign performance using unique codes, QR codes, and PURLs, offering valuable data for optimization.

9. Complementary Channels:

Rather than competing, direct mail and online marketing work best when integrated into a cohesive strategy, with direct mail driving online engagement and vice versa.

10. Sustainable Options:

Direct mail companies are increasingly adopting sustainable practices like using recycled materials and reducing unnecessary mailings, aligning with eco-conscious consumer values.

Contact us today to plan your next Direct Mail campaign!

Apparel Sites for your Company

Apparel Sites for your Company

Are you interested in keeping your employees looking sharp and representing your company at the same time? 

Cascade Print Media offers apparel decoration, whether it be silkscreen, direct to garment, or embroidery. We also offer online personalized sites with individual login for each employee. Our sites allow you to select approved apparel and accessories that your employees can select to be branded with your company name and logo.

With thousands of options available and some of the most popular name brands including Nike, The North Face, Eddie Bauer and Carhartt, you can choose from T-shirts to button-up shirts, sweaters, jackets, even hats or bags. Our sites are managed and updated with the newest arrivals to keep your options open to the hottest trends. 

If you wish to provide your employees with a yearly allowance, we can allocate a specific dollar amount to each account providing funds for your employees to order with. Employees can pay out of pocket if they wish to order beyond their budgets. Our sites are managed by our in-house employees allowing updates, changes and account profile creation in real time.  Part of our services provide monthly billing and spreadsheets so you can keep track of your site.

If you are interested in an apparel site for your company, please reach out to info@cascadeprintmedia.com today!

Signage Audit Checklist

Signage Audit Checklist

The new year is almost upon us. But is your signage still stuck in last season?

Before the new year hits, it’s time for a visual checkup. Whether you run a retail store, office building, clinic, or school, your signage says a lot—even when you’re not around.

Here’s how to give your space a quick (but powerful) fall refresh:

 

Step 1: Do a Visual Walkthrough

Take a literal walk around your space—outside and inside. Check for:

  • Faded or peeling vinyl
  • Crooked or sagging signs
  • Outdated messaging or branding
  • Old hours, phone numbers, or logos
  • Seasonal graphics that are... not in season

 

Step 2: Clean It Up

You’d be amazed what a power wash or simple clean can do for a sign. We can also help with adjusting elements that have faded or scratched over time.

 

Step 3: Rebrand or Refresh

Has your branding evolved? Are you introducing new promotions, a new service, or even just a new logo? This is your chance to update:

  • Storefront graphics
  • Interior wayfinding
  • Wall murals
  • Window decals
  • Event signage

 

Step 4: Rehang or Replace

Some signs just need better positioning—or stronger hardware. Others? Time to retire and replace. Either way, our team can help you make the swap, no ladder needed.

 

Let’s Get Your Space Fall-Ready

We’ll help you audit, clean, update, and install signage that’s as sharp as your fall marketing plan.

Want a quick signage audit? Reach out today

Making a Custom Calendar

Making a Custom Calendar

Creating a custom calendar is a fantastic way to promote your business services, employees, or just your favorites memories. This guide will help provide you with a better understanding of the many options available to you.

Decide on the Style of Calendar

The first step is choosing a style that best fits your needs. The specific style will influence the design, budget, and overall goal of the project.

Wall Calendars: A classic choice that is great for displaying large images. Perfect for color photos, showcasing artwork, or corporate branding. They offer a large amount of real estate for your design ideas and are easy to hang and use. You can choose various stock choices or layouts, such as one or two-sided.

Desk Calendars: They can be large or small depending on your needs. Larger calendars are popular for those with desks providing more space for writing notes, but smaller ones have their place as well. The smaller footprint can make them more practical for a user to keep on their desk and are a constant reminder of your brand or message.

Other Options: Of course you aren’t limited to just those two. Cascade Print Media can do self-standing flip calendars, tear off daily calendars, or even large entire year at a glance poster options.

Here’s a more detailed overview of some of the above options

Desk Calendars

These are a classic choice for a reason. They’re a must-have to help keep you organized and your schedule in check. Whether you’re working from home or an office, it’s a practical, accessible, and efficient way to help organize your workspace while also showing off your company’s branding needs.

a flat desk calendar on a blue background, with markers, a glass, glasses, and lilac camera

They can also be produced with a standing foot or even as a daily tear off piece if desired.

Hanging Calendars

Familiar to everyone, these double-sided wall calendars let you display a full-page image above the monthly grid below. This offers plenty of room to jot down appointments, notes or just reminders. The full header page is a great way to highlight your companies’ services, mission statements, local attractions, or anything else you want to design and add.

a february hanging calendar on a geometric pink, orange, and purple background

Usually bound with staples, they can also be assembled with coil that provides a more luxe look. If you prefer a more streamlined choice, you can make the date pages one-sided and tear off. Either choice allows for the personalized options you want.

Oversized Calendars

If the desk calendars just aren’t big enough, Cascade Print Media can turn them into large wall posters. Why view just one month if you need to be able to see the entire year at a glance?

a bulletin board with a 2022 year at a glance calendar pinned to it, a palm plant is on the desk to the right

Often seen in use by freight or logistic companies, they allow you to easily highlight or block out events or dates that are important to your company so the entire team can quickly see what upcoming events need to be kept in mind.

Finishes and Content

Cascade can work with you to make sure the paper choices and finishing options best highlight your specific needs and budget. We will verify the art and templates supplied to us are built correctly. Confirming high-resolution image use, fonts, bleeds, and layout suitability to best showcase your vision and produce a quality product you can be proud to use. Contact us today and let us make your calendar dreams become a reality.