Rising Demand for More Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Labels

Every year, the world produces 1.3 billion tons of waste. That’s a staggering amount, especially when you consider that from 2017-2018, the world produced 745.8 million tons of wheat and 479.8 million tons of rice. As a planet, we produce more garbage than we do wheat and rice combined. Holy landfill! By the year 2100, projections indicate yearly waste generation could reach 4 billion tons. That’s enough garbage to fill Busch Stadium from top to bottom four times a day. It makes one wonder if we won’t be living in space by then to escape all the garbage!

To put things bluntly, we have a garbage crisis on our hands here on the blue and green planet. And every small piece of refuse adds to the landfill plight. Recycling and reduction in waste have become paramount. Sustainability of the planet depends upon coming up with innovative ways to reduce the amount of garbage being sent to landfills. Labels are no exception to this endeavor. Consider the vast number of labels on bottles, cans, boxes, and other disposable products. Label backers contribute to the landfill problem, as does material waste from the creation of label stock. Are we destined to become one large landfill divided by ocean water?

Luckily, there are a growing number of green options today for labels and packaging. All of these options help reduce the impact on our planet, while helping boost sustainability. The job of protecting our planet doesn’t fall squarely on the shoulders of environmentalists. Consumers are looking for options that are eco-friendly and promote sustainability. Curious about label options for eco-conscious companies? Read on.

First, it’s important to consider where the packaging and labels will ultimately end up. Landfills? Compost bins? Recycled? Different stocks and/or adhesives can be chosen depending on the ultimate destination of the packaging and label. For biodegradable packaging, it only makes sense to select a biodegradable label as well. Compostable adhesive labels work well on packaging that is certified compostable. One toss into the compost bin – label and all! These types of labels are becoming more prevalent as the interest in composting rises and the tide slowly turns from single-use plastics.

Earth-minded companies that are committed to using packaging that is recycled are often interested in labels that are the same. Recyclable adhesive labels can be recycled right along with the packaging, and do not have to be removed. This cuts cost, work, and helps drive home branding messages that speak of commitment to recycling.

Newer practices in production allow labels to be created using a reduced amount of materials. Again this help cut waste, which reduces the manufacturing impact on the environment.

At Label Works, we’re committed to broadening our eco-friendly and sustainable label and adhesive options. This includes choosing stocks that come from well-managed forests. This provides environmental, social, and economic benefits. And this doesn’t mean just one or two options. These stocks are all FSC® certified stocks that are smartly sourced with our planet in mind:

  • White Gloss
  • White EDP
  • White Matte Removable
  • White Laser
  • White Laser Removable
  • Direct Thermal
  • White Semi-Gloss
  • 100% Recycled – Produced with 100% Post-Consumer Waste
  • 30% Recycled Semi-Gloss – Produced with 30% Post-Consumer Waste

We also have recycling-compatible adhesives on stocks:

  • 100% Recycled – Meets the TLMI testing protocol RCA LRP 2v5 for recycling compatibility

Offering sustainable label options isn’t where we stop, however. At Label Works, we recycle all cardboard, paper, plastics, and liner waste facility-wide. Our liner waste is shipped to a recycling facility where it is shredded and then burned as fuel at a local facility rather than taking up permanent residence in a landfill.

Want to learn more about ways in which labels have evolved to become more earth-friendly? Contact Label Works to discuss label options that are eco-conscious, while being as impactful as ever.

SOURCES:

Production of Wheat

Production of Husked Rice

5 Print Products Perfect for Retail Locations

It can be easy to think of a storefront in terms of larger print pieces like signage, but signage is really only the beginning of the print possibilities! If your customer works in the retail sphere, they might be missing opportunities to reinforce their brand in smaller ways. Here are five of our favorite print products that are perfect for retail locations.

1. Pens and Pencils
From signing receipts to taking notes, writing utensils will be used a lot at your customer’s retail location, and having a personalized pen or pencil on hand is a great chance to add another touch of brand recognition to customer interactions. Not only are pens and pencils a good addition to the checkout process, they double as great giveaway items when your customer wants to promote their business.

2. Name Badges
Is your customer looking for a way to bring their branding to every customer interaction? Name badges are a good addition to their print order. Not only can name badges be created to match their branding, signage, and more, but they are a good way to bring branding to the table when employees don’t wear uniforms.

3. Plastic Bags
If your customer is looking for a way to add polish to their retail location, there’s nothing better than a personalized printed bag. These bags are a great way to bring your customer’s brand to every purchase. And with full color plastic bags back in our product offering, your customer has even more versatile print options for their personalized bags.

4. Reusable Bags
If your customer wants to encourage their clients to be more ecofriendly, reusable bags are an increasingly popular option that they might want to consider. With a wide variety of tote sizes available, your customer can choose the size that best matches their product selection. Then they can give these bags to top customers or use them to promote their business in the community.

5. Business Cards
Your customer might not immediately think of business cards when they are ordering print for their retail location, but with a little bit of creativity they will find that business cards are a very versatile print piece. They can, of course, leave business cards near their checkout to encourage repeat purchases or tuck a business card into the bag with purchases.

With creativity, your customers could create even more for their business. They could also use business cards to create a punchcard for a simple rewards program—simply choose a lightweight stock for the card and stamp or punch it at the point of purchase. For boutique settings, business cards could be an ideal product tag. For customers who want to make a big splash with big clients, business cards could be a great canvas for a colorful, high quality coupon or referral card. And if your customer works in a store that offers clothing fittings, business cards could be a good way to mark future fitting appointments.

What print products do your customers in retail love? We’d love to see your suggestions in the comments below.

Winning Marketing Strategies for When You’re Snowed In

winter marketing strategies for personalized print like folders stamps pens letterhead envelopes labels or post it notesWhether it’s icy roads or a sudden snowfall keeping people indoors, doing business with customers in the winter can be a real challenge. And, when you’re faced with inclement weather, it can be a challenge to market to your customers as well. Here are just a few marketing strategies that you can employ even if your customers—or you—can’t make it to your storefront in person.

 

“Start Early!”
If your customers order print for a business that has seasonal services, this is the time to remind them that their marketing should start early. For example, if you work with customers in the lawn care industry, they should be laying the groundwork for new customer relationships before the first blades of grass peek through the snow. Talking to these customers about the necessity of starting early is a good way to boost your business and theirs.

Step Up Your Social Media Game
We talked a lot about your social media strategy last month, and there’s a reason for that. Social media is a great way to reach out to more customers—and it works especially well when inclement weather limits your marketing options. Check out our posts on social media strategy and social media don’ts for more information.

Give Your Customers a Call
Your telephone is a great tool, too! If things have slowed down at your business due to the cold weather, consider giving a call to your top customers or to customers you haven’t heard from in some time.

Make Sure Your Emails are Polished
When your customers are snowed in, email might be the primary way that they reach out to you. Polishing up your email format will help ensure that your communications are a professional alternative to seeing your customers face to face. Consider updating your email signature to include your photo or company logo and using fonts that work well with your branding to add style to your everyday emails. You should also work to ensure that any promotional emails like newsletters look good, too—use photographs and be sure to show the best of what your business has to offer.

And speaking of digital promotions…

Online Options
One of the best ways to market to your customers is to give them a way to browse your product offering without having to brave the snow. One in-depth way to do this is to create a website that allows your customer to order online, but there are small ways to give them online options, too. PDFs of product flyers or customized digital catalogs can both be sent through email and ensure that information about your product offering is only a click away.

Want to get started on these simple online options? You’re in luck—Navitor offers free online flyers and digital catalogs. Visit Zoomcatalog to get started on personalizing your copy of the Navitor catalog or check out our free digital flyers for more information.

How do you promote your business when you’re snowed in? We’d love to see your winning winter marketing strategies in the comments below.

How to Design a More Effective Brochure

Whether you design print pieces often or simply advise your customer as they create designs for their print pieces, making that design more effective is an essential part of ensuring that their print order shines. How can you help them design a more effective brochure? Here are our tips.

1. Know Your Folds
Trifold brochures are a classic for a reason, but there are a wide variety of other options that your customer should consider! They might prefer the simplicity of a half fold brochure, the unique look of an engineer fold, or the engaging look of a closed gatefold, or something else entirely. Each fold brings something different to your customer’s brochure, and the way that the piece is folded should be the foundation of any good brochure design.

2. Use Photos for Full Color Flair
From manufacturers looking to highlight the quality of their work to nonprofits looking to show the good that they do in communities, full color photographs are an ideal addition to brochures. Photographs help reinforce the text on the brochure and can be exciting, inspiring, and engaging all on their own.

And speaking of text…

3. Avoid Using Too Much Text
It can be easy to get too wordy on a brochure, but that might not be the most effective way to use text on a brochure. If your customer is creating a step-by-step guide with their brochure, they might want more in-depth text. However, if they are ordering a brochure to introduce new products or to give a preliminary guide to their business, keeping the text simple and short will work better.

Why is keeping it short a good idea? One of the biggest reasons is because it allows consumers to get the information they need at a glance. This will make it easier for your customer’s message to get across. It also makes it easier to keep the message clear—after all, when your customer has to focus in on just the most important information, there is less risk that their message will become muddled.

4. Use Headers
Whether you’re trying to create a compelling cover or guiding readers through the brochure itself, using a good title and headers for different sections can make a big impact. Not only do headers for sections of the brochure make it easy for readers to browse, they also help highlight your customer’s biggest points.

5. Include a Call to Action
What’s the next step? Does the person reading the brochure need to give your customer a call? Is your customer asking for a donation? Including a clear call to action to close out the brochure makes it easy to take that next step.

For more information about the brochure options that Navitor offers, check out our catalog or website.

What makes an effective brochure? Do you have any tips? We’d love to see you join the conversation in the comments below.

Product Highlight: Full Color Plastic Bags are Back!

custom printed full color plastic bagsIf you haven’t sat down with your 2019 Navitor Catalog, you might not have noticed that one of your favorite products is back in our product offering. That’s right—full color plastic bags are back!

What You Need to Know
Full color plastic bags are available now through our catalog. Every bag features full color print on one side and a die cut handle. Your customer can choose from three different sizes of bag to create one that perfectly suits their need.

The Possibilities of Full Color
One of the best reasons to utilize full color is that it’s such a flexible print process. Does your customer want to highlight a product? Full color lets them personalize their bags with a photograph. Do they want to include a colorful logo? Full color print delivers. Are they looking for a way to match their event décor or create something eyecatching to celebrate a sale? Full color is versatile enough to do all that and more.

How Can Your Customers Use Full Color Bags?
Printed plastic bags are a great option if your customer is looking for a product designed for limited use, and this makes them a great way to highlight your customer’s brand as bags for purchases at their storefront. They are also great promotional pieces if your customer wants to connect to a wide audience at their next event—not only are they lightweight, but they are also a practical piece that will be carried throughout an exhibitor hall. That’s not all, though. Full color bags are a creative way to package raffle prizes at a charity event, informational packets for new homeowners, library reading program rewards, and much more.

Want to know more about full color plastic bags? You can check out our catalog for more information.

Are you excited about the return of full color plastic bags? We’d love to see you join the conversation in the comments below.

Three Challenging Customers and How to Speak to Their Needs

Every customer that comes to you with a question or concern is unique, but many customers have similar challenges. Whether your customer is angry, is asking a question you don’t have the answer to, or is competing with another customer for your time, sometimes speaking to the current situation is as important as their customer service concern. Here are three challenging customers and how to speak to their needs.

1. The Angry Customer
Anger can be a very challenging emotion to handle when you’re working with a customer, and it’s one you’re bound to find at some point. Some customers are angry because their order isn’t coming together the way they wanted it. Some are frustrated because they are confused by the ordering process. Still others are simply having a bad day.

So how can you turn their anger into a more positive experience? Start by using listening and empathy to get them to a calmer place. Listen to how they’re feeling and acknowledge their frustration, and try to keep yourself from getting defensive. This might help calm them down and it will give you a chance to consider why they are contacting you. Then, once you’ve listened, talk things through to ensure that you’ve heard correctly.

2. The Competing Customers
Trying to help two customers at once can be quite a challenge, and when two customers compete for your attention you might find yourself feeling scattered or stretched too thin. It can also leave your customers feeling frustrated.

One of the most important ways to take care of competing customers is making sure that every customer feels that their question or order is important. If possible, set aside some time to focus on each customer, handling one request first and then the other. Apologize to the customer who is delayed and make sure that they have your undivided attention once you are able to address their needs.

And if your customers are competing for your attention because they both have important orders that need to be printed at the same time, consider making yourself a checklist for each order so you can ensure that you don’t miss anything for either order. Not only will this help you stay organized, it will allow you to keep the two tasks from getting tangled.

3. The Customer Who Wants an Answer You Don’t Have
Sometimes you simply don’t have the answers, and that can be frustrating for both you and the customer. However, the important thing is that you try. For example, if your customer wants to know something about the products you offer that you don’t know immediately, tell them that you will seek out the answer and then follow up in the next few days. They will appreciate your efforts and it gives you a chance to find out the information for yourself.

Have you met these challenging customers? How do you turn these customer service challenges into successes? We’d love to see you join the conversation in the comments below.

What Screwdrivers Can Teach Us About Our Sales Tools

This year, I’ve been trying to get some quick home repairs done. While it might not seem like updating cupboard hardware and tightening hinges have a lot to do with print sales, you’d be surprised how much your tools could teach you! Here are just three of the lessons that the humble screwdriver can teach you about your print sales tools.

1. You Need The Right Tool For The Job
Have you ever needed a screwdriver for a project but could only find a wrench? When the tool you need isn’t the perfect fit, it can be hard to finish your project. And the same goes for sales tools! It’s important that the sales tools that you have are the right fit for the sales tasks in front of you.

One example of the right tool for the job is a sample; samples are great for inspiring your customer to create individual print pieces and showing them how that finished print can be paired with other print pieces to support their business. If they want a more complete look at their stock options, on the other hand, then a swatch book is going to give them a more complete picture of their options and allow them to easily compare colors.

This also goes for digital tools. When you want to highlight a single product, a digital flyer like the ones we make for you is a great option. If you want to give your customer a chance to peruse your entire product offering, though, sending them a digital catalog like a personalized ZOOMcatalog is the way to go.

2. Know How to Use Your Tools On The Move
Sometimes, you and your tools need to travel to where you are needed, and your print sales tools are no exception! Knowing how you will bring your tools from one place to another is an essential part of getting the most out of your sales tools, especially because it’s rare for your print sales tools to come packaged in a handled toolbox.

One way to use your print sales tools on the move is to have a briefcase or bag that you always use to bring your sales tools from one place to another. You can keep your sales tools in this bag if you use them most often when meeting with customers outside your office, or you can keep it on hand for occasional meetings.

3.The Right Tool Really Does Help Get the Job Done
It can be tempting to go in without tools sometimes, but while you could try to remove a screw without pulling out your tool kit you are more likely to be successful with tools at your side. The same goes for print sales! No matter how successful a salesperson you are, print sales tools can help make the process smoother and might even result in higher sales.

Want to add some of Navitor’s free sales tools to your toolbox? We’re happy to help! Whether you’re downloading a flyer or requesting a catalog, we’re happy to provide you with the tools you need to reach out to your customers. If you want to keep up with these sales tools and receive new digital flyers in your inbox every month, please take a moment to sign up for Navitor emails.

Which of our sales tools are your favorites? Tell us about how you use them in the comments below.

4 Creative Uses for Trading Cards

When you think of trading cards, the first thing that you think of is probably sports teams, but that’s only the beginning. With a little creativity, a trading card can be a great canvas for a wide variety of different small-scale print pieces. And, thanks to full color print, the design possibilities are nearly endless. Here are four of our favorite creative uses for trading cards.

1. Employee Profiles
When your customer relies on their employees relationships with their clients, printing employee profiles is a creative way to build a personal connection. This could be a good, informal way to introduce police officers to kids in the neighborhood, real estate agents to future homeowners, or individual salespeople to potential customers. Because a trading card features full color print, it can include a photograph as well as important contact information.

2. Celebrating Educational Milestones
Whether in a classroom or in an afterschool group, celebrating milestones is a good way to motivate students. Trading cards could be a creative way to motivate and mark their progress! One example would be to create a series of trading cards that will be given after a student passes tests on their multiplication tables in math class. Another example would be creating one for each monthly meeting for a new organization.

Trading cards are an especially good choice for this because they are lightweight but pack a big, colorful punch. Full color print can make them kid-friendly and colorful, and they can also serve as a reminder of previous lessons so that students can keep up their learning momentum.

3. Miniature Informational Pieces
They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, and a well-chosen picture on a trading card could speak volumes about new products or services! With a photograph and a product description, they are a good fit for a preview of new products or a high-level summary of what a new product can do.

If your customer has a short season for their sports team, a trading card could also make an excellent pocket-sized game schedules. Simply use a team photo or mascot image for the front of the card and personalize the back with a miniature version of the season’s schedule.

4. Something Different for Tickets
Does your customer want to create a ticket for their next event that will double as a keepsake long after the doors have closed? One eye-catching option is a trading card. Printed with artwork from event posters or performers’ photos, trading cards could be a fun, creative ticket option for plays, concerts, sports events, fundraisers, and more.

Ready to get creative? Click here to get started with your online trading card order or visit the marketing materials section of our catalog for more information.

Do your customers order trading cards for their business? How do they get creative with these print pieces? We’d love to see your suggestions for creative uses in the comments below.

New Year’s Resolution: Social Media Tactics You Should Ditch in 2019

Last week we talked about having a social media style guide, and this week we want to share the other side of building a social media strategy: what not to do. Whether the tactics are outdated or simply misinformed, you might have a few strategies that are holding you back. Here are the social media tactics you should leave behind in 2019.

1. Following to Gain Followers
This used to be a very common tactic for making new business connections—just follow prospective customers and they might follow you back—but follows that come out of the blue simply don’t work in today’s social media landscape. Not only will it clutter your feed with posts that might not be relevant to your business, but

2. Relying on Studies More Than Experience
There are a lot of studies out there that will tell you when, what, and how much to post, and they can be a great starting point. However, those studies are primarily based on averages, which doesn’t necessarily reflect your audience as well as it could. Once you’ve taken the time to get to know when your audience is most likely to see your posts and how often they like to see you post, you can leave the studies behind and work to speak to your customers more directly.

And speaking of your customers…

3. Posting Only What You Want
Don’t get me wrong—you are the person who choses what you want to post on your social media, and that shouldn’t change. However, it’s important to remember that you aren’t your primary audience. Your customer is. When you’re considering what to put on social media, you want to make sure that you are posting what would be relevant to your customers.

4. Only Relying on Canned Responses
Social media sites are increasingly used for customer service interactions, which makes quick responses essential. However, if you’re relying primarily on pre-written, “canned” responses you aren’t making the most of these customer service opportunities! Pre-written responses are useful when it comes to common customer questions, but it’s important to adjust them to suit each customer’s situation and to make them more personal.

For example, if you need to move a customer service interaction offline, it can be useful to have a prewritten message like “Thank you for your feedback; we would like to give you a call to discuss this issue further.” However, changing this message to include the customer’s name can make the response feel more personal.

5. Posting All The Time
One of the most challenging things about creating a social media for your business is considering how often to post. Some might advise frequent posts to keep your company in the public eye, but posting too much could drive away the people you’re hoping to connect with. You’re better off posting a few times a day rather than posting hourly during business hours, for example, because it makes each post more impactful.

What social media strategies would you recommend leaving behind? We’d love to see you join the conversation in the comments below.

Get to Know Stock Texture

linen laid wove glossy coated paper stock texture for business cards, letterhead, envelopesPrint has a lot of features that can be replicated on a digital screen, but one feature simply must be experienced in person: texture. Texture might be a nearly unphotographable element of your customer’s print order, but whether your customer is looking for a glossy finish or subtle elegance, stock texture is an essential part of their print pieces.

So, how can your customers use texture in their print orders?

Wove
Paper with a wove finish is one that has no specially manufactured texture, which results in a smooth stock good for everyday use. Wove is a low-key texture that lets other elements of your customer’s design take center stage.

Linen
Linen paper has a look and feel reminiscent of fine linen fabric. The texture of linen paper is a crosshatch pattern similar to the feel of woven fabric. This fabric-like texture is a great fit for customers looking to create a classic, elegant look for their print and to show off the quality of their business. Consider this stock for personal stationery, business letterhead, or even menus for restaurants looking to convey a sense of quality.

Laid
Laid is a finish that emulates the look of fine hand-crafted paper. This stock texture is made up of fine ribs known as “chain lines.” These lines are created using a wire cylinder called a “dandy roll” that presses the pattern into the paper during the manufacturing process. Like linen papers, laid papers have a classic appeal that are ideal for letterhead or other print pieces that your customers need to feel important or authoritative like reports, presentations, and official business communication.

Coated
Coated stock creates a smooth, often glossy texture. If your customers aren’t familiar with coated stock by name, they’re probably familiar with it due to its common usage in mailings, magazines, and other glossy print pieces. Not only does coating create a smooth texture, glossy coating also gives the color additional depth and adds a sleek shine that is a good fit for designs featuring photographs and for other marketing pieces.

Want to give your customers an even more up close and personal look at their options for stock textures? Be sure to have your swatch book on hand when they order. Not only will this be a great introduction to stock textures, but it also

How do your customers use different stock textures? We’d love to hear more about their favorites in the comments below.