How to Save Time During the Print Process

How to Save Time During the Print Process

Looking to speed up the print process? We can help!

While each project takes a different amount of time, depending on the project, there are some things that you can do to help speed up the print process. We go through each project as meticulously as possible to make sure that everything is in order before going to print. We also send a PDF proof with every job, no matter what! That said, there are some things that can help save us (and you!) some time and money on needing to fix files before printing.

 

  • Convert all images from RGB color to CMYK – don’t know the difference? Check out our article here
  • Make sure the final image(s) has a high enough resolution (must be 300dpi or higher)
  • Make sure you have enough bleed (1/8”) if your printing requires it
  • Make sure all fonts are included
  • If images or graphics are being printed, make sure to send us links, as necessary
  • Make sure the file is in a proper format (Ai, High-Res JPG, PDF, TIF). If the file is too big to send, be sure to ask for our drop box or TFP access folders to drop your files.
  • Does not require any additional modifications before going to press
  • Got questions – just ask! We are happy to help!

Education Marketing Essentials

Education Marketing Essentials

Education marketing is critical, now more than ever, to get attention and focus on your brand or product. Did you know that most people absorb more information when reading it on paper than on a screen? What better way to get your point across about your brand than through print? Below are some education marketing essentials to help spread the word and educate the audience about your products and services. It’s a win-win!

Booklets: Need to showcase a lot of material to your students, alumni or prospective students? Creating a booklet of classes, updates, pictures and other informational content is a great way to pack a punch in a small and budget friendly way.

Direct Mail: Sending direct mail is a great way to reach current and potential customers near and far. You can showcase a new class, updated curriculum or new campus activities with a quick postcard or a more in-depth information packet.

Brochures: Showcase your school or tutoring company with a brochure! Give detailed information about classes, location, curriculum and more for students.

Magnets: Similar to business cards, magnets are a great way to convey vital information in a small package. It helps keep information top of mind, while also being useful to the end user.

Newsletters: Newsletters are a great way to get out updates about campus projects, new classes and upcoming events to a lot of people. They can be sent to alumni, current students and prospective students to keep them in the know and encourage them to participate in community events.

Postcards: Need to send a quick update, important facts, or a friendly reminder? Postcards are great to help students and parents understand important information, and something they can easily keep on their fridge without a lot of clutter!

Stickers/Labels: Sticker and labels seem to make their way to almost any surface. Road signs, cross walk poles, car bumpers and more. Get your school or business name out there – who knows where it will end up!

Bookmarks: Bookmarks are a great way for students to place where they left off, and helps keep your class or company top of mind.

Banners: What better way to congratulate or celebrate a big win than with banners! Have a big hiring fair? Want to celebrate a big game or event coming up? Banners are a great way to get the word out and let people know.

Apparel: Have you ever walked down the street and seen someone wearing a sweatshirt with an educational organization’s name on it? Spread school spirit through your current students and customers. It’s the best form of referral marketing there is!

Promotional Products: Did you know that almost 90% of people remember a promotional item given to them, even after two years has passed? Something as small as a pen or notebook can make a huge impact on your audience.

 

We would love to help you showcase your school or educational organization with its best foot forward. We have been in business for over 55 years and are the leading print provider in the Pacific Northwest. We would be happy to help offer some suggestions and help you create the perfect medium to convey your brand!

 

 

When to Use Promotional Products

When to Use Promotional Products

Are you looking for a way to show off your new product line or announce your new company? Promotional products are a great way, at an affordable cost! Over 18 billion dollars are spent each year on various promotional products, at that number grows year by year. People recognize brands and love receiving promotional products, especially when they are everyday items. Promotional products offer a big bang for your buck in that they create a loyal fan-base. Below are some great ways to use promotional items to expose your brand and products to almost anyone.

 

Holidays: giving a corporate gift to your best clients or team members? Add your logo to almost anything to help enforce your brand

Vendor Acknowledgement: Want to show your vendors how much you appreciate them? Give them custom products that fit with your brand voice as well as their need.

Trade Shows: Meeting lots of new and prospective clients? Remind them of your brand and who you are with a small gift they can take home and remember, well after the trade show ends

Employee Engagement/Recognition: Help promote employee engagement and recognition with branded products like water bottles, bags and more!

New Product Launch: Help get the word out about new products with branded promotional products. T-shirts, pens, notebooks and more help spread the word fast.

Website: want to showcase your website? Hand out promotional products that feature the web address to draw people to more information that showcases your business and brand.

Customer Appreciation: Show your clients how much you appreciate them with branded goodie bags, electronics, health and wellness products and many other options

 

Promotional products are low-cost, effective marketing tools to let the general public know about your brand and services. Even something as small as a pen or pencil can circulate into the hands of many! Promotional products are said to create instant brand recognition, great brand exposure and fantastic customer loyalty. Did you know that almost 90% of consumers can recognize a brand even two years after receiving a promotional product?

Have a product in mind that you would like to use? Have no idea where to start? We can help! Contact us for a no-obligation estimate. Our promotional product experts can walk you through various products, suggest some go-to items and help find the best products for your budget.

 

 

 

Marketing Materials to Attract Customers

Marketing Materials to Attract Customers

Wondering what marketing materials are useful in attracting customers to your brand or services? Check out our list below with helpful and proven pieces that attract new and existing customers to your brand.

  1. Posters: Get the word out about products, events and other business pursuits with posters.
  2. Postcards: Send out postcards to the neighborhood and current customers to let them know about special deals, new products and other services you offer.
  3. Brochures: A well put together brochure outlining all your services and offers help further promote your business and are a great resource for cross selling.
  4. Promotional products: Did you know that most people keep promotional products for over a year, sometimes over two? And if they don’t keep it, they pass it on to others? Useful promotional products help promote your brand, well after the meeting or transaction has occurred.
  5. Wall graphics: Help get the word out about your business with wall graphics. They are able to be applied on almost any surface, both indoor and outdoor!
  6. Window clings: Place clings on your car, home, business or almost any window you can find!
  7. Floor graphics: Floor graphics help direct people through an experience, help to promote your services, and can be applied on almost any surface.
  8. Catalogs: Have lots to offer that you want to showcase to your clients? Catalogs pack a big punch and offer all your products at your clients’ fingertips.
  9. Notepads: Need to jot down ideas? A great and budget friendly option to leave with clients to brainstorm and write down notes.
  10. Labels/Decals: Labels on branded products are fantastic and can also act as reminders to get a repeat service done. Often used as a reminder, labels can help remind people of your awesome service as well as when they need to reorder or get a service redone.
  11. Vehicle graphics: Want to promote your brand to as many people as possible with very little investment? Vehicle graphics are the way to go!
  12. Stickers: Stickers can be handed out as promotions, to seal invitations and envelopes, and much more!
  13. Banners: Banners are great to promote your business to the masses, especially when shown in a major thoroughfare or high traffic area.
  14. Magnets: Stay top of mind for customers by creating fridge, locker or car magnets!
  15. Coasters: Remind people of some of your services while they are sipping their favorite beverage! Its always good to be playful and fun while promoting your brand with coasters.
  16. Envelopes: Envelopes are seen not only by the intended recipient, but also everyone that handles the mail!
  17. Folders: Folders help keep your brand information clean, neat and tidy, while also giving a polished look to any presentation.
  18. Cards: Thank you cards, invitation cards, recipe cards… you can promote your services in several ways to get your ideas heard.
  19. Coupon/punch cards: Create loyal guests and clients with coupon cards or punch cards. It helps build up brand awareness, and also offers your loyal guests a nice treat!
  20. Apparel: Staff apparel not only creates a streamlined and more tailored look, but also helps to promote your services.
  21. Calendars: Want to have your customers focus for 365 days a year? What better way to do it that with a yearly calendar?! Promote various products and services all year long and help your audience stay organized and on track.
  22. Bumper stickers: Let others help promote your business! Provide bumper stickers for your staff and clients alike to help promote your business all around town!
  23. Newsletters: Sent directly to your customers and also available at your locations, newsletters are a great tool to educate and market to your select customers with deals, information and other necessary information about your products and company.
  24. Business cards: What better way to promote and attract customers, while also giving away vital information as how to contact you for the best deals at any time.
  25. Letterhead: Writing sales proposals and letters on company letterhead are a great way to drive home your commitment to your brand and show a professional look to your customers and potential clients.
  26. BONUS! Food: who doesn’t look a good logo’d cookie! Put your logo on a cookie, lollipop, mints and more!

 

Did you know that Cascade Print Media can assist with everything on this list, and more? We are the leading print provider in the Pacific Northwest for over 55 years. We would love to partner with you to make your brand shine!

 

 

What Is Bleed In Print?

What Is Bleed In Print?

Working on a print project and confused by some terms. We’re here to help!

No printer or machine is capable of printing all the way to the edge of the paper line. This means that project must be printed on larger sheets and cut down to final desired size. That’s where bleed comes in.

Bleed is print that goes beyond the edge of the page where the sheet will be trimmed.

 

 

Standard bleed size is 1/8” or 0.125” on all sides of your project. This means that you are ordering a standard sized 8.5 x 11” poster, your submitted art should be 8.75 x 11.25”.

This allows for a more professional looking product and ensures that things are not cut off at improper places with your project. This ensures that the image will truly go all the way to the edge of the printed project and leave no white margin.

Most printers should be able to add bleed to your work, if needed, but if possible, try to add it yourself so the project comes out just like you want. A good printer should submit a proof to you for your approval prior to going to print so you can check bleed and other information is correct. Check out our post on how to choose a good printer if you have more questions.

 

Have more questions about lingo or special projects – let us help! We are your partners in print.