Should Your Customer’s Stock be Sturdier? The Benefits of Bringing in a Heavyweight

Posted on August 22, 2019 Written by

Your customer has a lot of stock options to choose from when creating their print piece. Do they want something lightweight and budget–friendly, or do they want to invest in something heavier? With so many options to choose from, it’s important for them to know the benefits of investing in a heavier stock—that’s why we’re breaking down the benefits of using a thick or sturdy stock for business cards, postcards, announcements, and more.

Benefits By the Numbers
What do statistics say about the importance of heavyweight papers? According to WestRock, they had had a lot to say. Their research indicates that, when it comes to direct mail pieces, thicker and sturdier stock definitely wins out.

  • 18% of consumers said that their intent to purchase would be impacted by receiving a sturdier piece of direct mail
  • National retailers with sturdier paper saw a 38% response rate

Getting Noticed
Thicker stocks aren’t just great for postcards—they’re a surefire way to get a wide variety of print pieces noticed! One of the reasons for this is that thicker stock makes your customer’s print piece sturdier and more durable than thinner pieces.  When they choose a durable stock, their print pieces will last longer and stick around in consumers’ wallets or mailboxes.

The Unexpected Touch
Unexpected details are always the thing that makes a print piece memorable, and stock could be the unexpected detail your customer is looking for. Imagine pulling out a stack of business cards from a trade show, for example—a pop of color from a color core stock will be immediately noticeable. Even if it’s not a color core stock, the thickest and most substantial business card will be among the first that gets noticed among the stack.

These unexpected touches don’t just get business cards noticed. We mentioned earlier that direct mail is more effective when printed on a sturdy stock, and announcements will have a memorable, luxurious feel when printed on a heavier stock.

Know Your Options
Are your customers ready to bring in a heavyweight? It’s time to introduce them to their options. Many of our cover stocks have a substantial feel, and you can check out color core and extra thick stocks for a thickness that truly stands out from the crowd. The best way for your customers to feel the difference is to see them in person, so be sure to show them samples or pull out a swatch book. If you don’t have one yet you can give our customer care team a call to request yours.

Do your customers love heavyweight stocks? Which ones are their favorites? We’d love to see you join the conversation in the comments below.

Filed Under: Business Cards, Design, Marketing, News, Print Products, Resources, Stationery

Matte Finishes are Anything But Dull!

Posted on August 15, 2019 Written by

matte gold foil on a legal business cardMatte finishes are back on trend, and your customers should consider them for their next print piece! Whether they love the look of an uncoated stock or are looking for a subtle touch of metal without a high gloss shine, matte finishes, here are just a few of the reasons your customers should use matte finishes for their next print piece.

Uncoated Stocks Let Texture Shine Through
If your customer is looking for a classic, elegant look, uncoated stocks bring their texture to the forefront! The texture of an uncoated stock gives it a handmade, tactile appeal that feels high end.

Uncoated stocks give your customers a variety of other benefits, too! They are easier to write on, so if your customer is hoping to include a handwritten note on their business card or to sign their announcements by hand they might want to stick to uncoated stocks. Your customer can also be sure that their print piece will look cleaner because fingerprints and smudges won’t show up after their print piece has been touched.

Uncoated Stocks and Color
In matte prints, colors are slightly more muted, giving colors and images a more natural feel. While vibrant hues are a great option for some customers, these subtler colors are a good fit for print pieces with a more muted color palette. This also gives a print piece a more classic feel instead of the sleek look of a coated stock.

Matte Foils are Subtle and Elegant
When your customers think of foil, they probably think of a shiny finish first and foremost. However, they can also choose foils that give them the look of classic gold or silver in a matte or dull finish. Our graphic designers recommend dull foils especially for markets that value a subtle and classic look with high end flair: law firms, financial institutions, and other well-established businesses.

Matte foils also add another benefit: readability. Because there is no glare on a dull foil, they are easier to read and keep your customer’s message and branding in the forefront.

Dull Foil for Designer’s Choice!
Like we mentioned before, when we talked to our team’s graphic designers they had a lot to say about the love of matte finishes. They said that they prefer dull foil because they find it more attractive and more subtle. They also said that dull foil stands out because many printers don’t offer it as an option and as a result it’s a less common finishing touch for business cards, announcements, and other print pieces.

Do your customers like matte finishes? Or do they prefer something shinier? We’d love to see you join the conversation in the comments below.

Filed Under: Business Cards, Design, News, Print Products, Resources, Stationery

Postcards Vs. Letters: Which is Better for Your Customer’s Direct Mail?

Posted on August 14, 2019 Written by

Your customer has a lot of different options for their next direct mail project. Should they print their message on letterhead and send it as a letter? Should they send out a postcard with full color flair? Which mailing will speak to their customers and make the sale? We’re breaking down the big differences between letters and postcards for your customer’s direct mail efforts—here’s what you need to know.

Considering the Cost? Postcards Come Out on Top
When your customers are looking for a budget friendly option for their direct mail efforts, postcards definitely come out on top. Because they are lightweight, traditionally sized postcards are less expensive to mail than any other form of direct mail.

Who are They Marketing To?
When your customer is sending mail to consumers, they need to create a piece that speaks directly to that audience. When they’re sending their mail to the public, they want to pick the print piece that catches attention in the mailbox and immediately captures that attention.

If your customer is targeting businesses, however, a postcard isn’t necessarily the right play. A letter will feel more polished, more professional, and—most importantly—important! Because a letter feels more direct, it is an ideal fit for business-to-business marketing because your customer’s audience will feel like they are being spoken to directly rather than simply marketed to.

Letters are also more effective for consumers who are already familiar with your customer’s business. They will recognize your customer’s branding and are more likely to open the letter when it arrives.

Does their Sales Pitch Rely on Great Images?
If your customer’s business creates visually striking products or provides a stylish service, they might want to focus on inspiring photographs for their direct mail piece and postcards are a good way to do that. Not only do they feature full color print, they put those full color images in front of consumers without even an envelope standing in the way.

They can, of course, include full color images in their direct mail letters, too. They can create sales sheets or brochures to accompany the more formal letter to highlight images of their products.

The Right Print for the Job
At Navitor, we’re pleased to offer you the right print for the job. Whether your customer wants high quality letterhead for their mailing or wants to create a striking postcard, we’ve got product options that are sure to impress!

And if you want to know more about the numbers behind direct mail marketing, take a look at this post on direct mail statistics.

Which print pieces do your customers love most for their direct mail efforts? We’d love to see you join the conversation in the comments below.

Filed Under: Marketing, News, Print Products, Stationery

Labels for Nonprofits

Posted on August 8, 2019 Written by

In a world that’s constantly on the go, why settle for advertising that stays put? Get your message out and about! Cost effective and multi-functional, labels can play a supporting role in engaging donors and increasing the awareness of your cause or organization.

A non-profit organization was looking to create a sticker that would help show support at an upcoming marathon fundraiser. The labels needed to stick firmly to runners’ outfits from the starting line to the finish line and arrive quickly to have in time for the race.

The non-profit was pleased to find that they could create a colorful, custom-shaped label using freeform™ laser cutting and digital printing. Not only was the process budget-friendly and useful in creating a unique label shape and image, it also allowed the label to arrive more quickly. This meant that they had a sticker that was instantly recognizable on every runner, stayed on their clothes throughout the race and had it in time for the race.

The stickers also featured printed label liners to talk about why the labels were created and helped explain the group’s cause to race attendees. This meant that it was easy to distribute not just the labels, but also a message about the importance of showing support.

Of course, not everything about this quick turnaround was down to the label. Sometimes, the choice of supplier is just as important as the choice of which label to print. The non-profit found that, with a little extra help from their supplier to make sure their labels arrived in a timely fashion, the label they chose brought with it some great benefits:

  • Runners were able to show their support and the custom label shape was easily recognized on their shirts
  • Labels stayed adhered to runners’ clothing during the entire marathon
  • With freeform™ laser cutting, there was no additional cost for a die to create the custom shape
  • Printed label liners allowed race organizers to easily explain their cause and why the labels were created

Labels can also assist with fundraising efforts and to secure sponsorships. They can help with drumming up interest, announce a person’s participation in an event or charity drive, thank contributors, and decorate event paraphernalia, just to name a few.

So what types of labels can non-profits utilize? The list is long, but some of the big ones include:

  • Tech Decals & Stickers Sheets
  • Bumper Stickers
  • Mailing Labels
  • Window Decals
  • Promotional Stickers
  • Water Bottle Labels

Whether people choose to run a marathon to help raise funds, wear a fun-and-flirty red dress to stand in solidarity, or simply pin a ribbon to a lapel to show support, there’s a super easy and very visual way to help spread the word about non-profit organizations and fundraisers. Labels Works products! The possibilities for advertising with labels are truly endless and the more the public sees a logo or symbol, the more familiar they become with the cause it represents.

Looking for label inspiration? Check out our selling resources for an online catalog, sales tools and so much more. As always, if you need label or pricing help, please contact Label Works at 800.522.3558 or customercare@labelworks.com. We’re here to answer any of your label questions!

Filed Under: Labels, Marketing, Misc, News, Print Products

Personalized Stamps Help Teachers Make Their Mark

Posted on August 7, 2019 Written by

Imagine writing the same check mark or star twenty times on a page, then turning that page and needing to do it again. If you know any teachers, you know that this isn’t pure imagination—it’s a reality for many educators while they grade assignments. Then multiply the experience by the number of students in the class and by the number of classes that a teacher has to teach throughout the day.

With so many stars or check marks to draw, it’s easy to see why a stamp could be an ideal gift for many teachers.

Whether your customer is a school official looking to thank teachers for their hard work, a nonprofit looking for a way to liven up classrooms, or someone hoping to create a striking teacher gift, stamps are a great choice.

1. Saves Time for Busy Teachers
This is the biggest reason why teachers might want to have some stamps on hand in their classroom. Just like signature stamps, a classroom stamp can help them save time marking assignments and give them back more time in their day. And, as we mentioned before, teachers can grade many assignments every day, so that time savings can really add up throughout the year.

2. Personalization Potential
Every classroom is different, and a stamp is a fun way to personalize the grading process. Rather than using just a smiley face, a message of “Great Job!” or “100%”, your customer can choose to add the teacher’s name to the message for an extra, personal touch. Think of it like a signature stamp with a grading twist!

The design isn’t the only option for personalizing a stamp, however. The type of stamp can also be a great chance for personalization. If the recipient likes color, consider a traditional rubber stamp that can be used with a wide variety of different colored stamp pads. If they value neatness, a pre-inked or self-inking stamp can help them keep their desk neat while still enjoying the benefits of a stamp.

3. Have Fun!
One of the biggest reasons that teachers use stamps in the classroom is that they can be just plain fun! Charming designs, a bit of color, and a little creativity make stamps an enjoyable desktop addition that teachers won’t just use because they are practical—they’ll use because they make them smile.

Do your customers order stamps for gifts? Which stamps are their favorites? We’d love to see you join the conversation in the comments below.

Filed Under: Education, Marketing, News, Print Products

Coming Soon to Navitor.com: Glitter Stock!

Posted on August 1, 2019 Written by

Are your customers ready to try something new? Have they been looking for an eyecatching stock that will get them noticed? Do they want to add a touch of luxury to their print order?

Have we got news for you!

Coming soon to Navitor.com is Crystal White Glitter Color Core stock. This new addition pairs the heavyweight thickness and unexpected pop of color that comes from color core stock with the sparkle of a glittered surface! Here’s what you need to know about this new option for announcements, business cards, and postcards.

Get to Know the Sparkle: Crystal White Glitter
The crystal white finish of our glitter stock is more than just sparkly. It has a subtle, iridescent look that adds depth and visual interest to the glitter finish. And we are pleased to note that the glitter stays put on the stock’s surface—this means that it won’t lose its sparkle before it’s been handed to the customer.

The glitter also adds a textured surface to any business card, announcement, or postcard that uses glitter stock, adding an extra touch of tactile appeal. This means that when a design features heavy ink coverage and the glitter itself is covered by that ink, there is an appealing textured surface on those areas.

We are debuting Crystal White Glitter as a color core stock, so not only will your customer’s print order include a striking touch of sparkle but it will also feature their choice of five colored cores. And because of the colored core, Crystal White Glitter Color Core stock will weigh in at an impressive 45pt. thickness that is sure to stand out from the crowd.

Truly New!
We understand that your customers want to stand out, and that’s why we’ve brought glitter stock into our offering! It’s truly new to the personalized print market and will make your customer’s business card, announcement, or postcard stand out even more because of that.

Want to know more? Before this new stock goes live on Navitor.com, you can click here to download a free PDF flyer for more information. Be sure to update your email subscriptions, too, so that you won’t miss out on the email when this new stock is available for purchase.

Are you excited about our new Crystal White Glitter Color Core stock? Do you have customers who have been looking for that bit of extra sparkle? We’d love to see you join the conversation in the comments below.

Filed Under: Business Cards, Education, News, Print Products, Resources, Stationery

Doing More With Less: Creating Great Minimalist Design

Posted on July 26, 2019 Written by

do more with less minimalism for personalized print typographyMinimalism has been on trend for some time, and if your customers come to you to ask for your design advice you want to create something eye catching. If what they’re looking for is minimalism, you need to ensure that your design does more with less. Here are our tips for achieving great minimalist design.

Highlight What’s Most Important
Minimalist design relies on choosing only the most important details and leaving the rest behind. If you’re creating a design for your customers, be sure that they pick the information that’s essential. For event invitations, that’s the information necessary for RSVPing and attending. For a business card, that’s your customer’s essential contact information. Use those details as the foundation of the design.

And stick to what’s most important in terms of color, too! Focus on your customer’s brand colors or the colors for their event to ensure that their minimalist design contributes to a cohesive overall look.

If you’re looking for some design inspiration, check out this post from 1st Web Designer to look at some eyecatching minimalist business cards.

Embrace the Unexpected Detail
Sometimes, an unexpected detail is what you need to make minimalism really work for your customer’s print order. A touch of spot gloss or raised print can add unexpected texture. A heavyweight stock can catch attention immediately. A pop of bright, branded color in an otherwise muted business card will stand out all the more because of the minimalist design.

Choose Just the Right Stock
Because minimalist design is focused on only the most important details, your customer’s stock choice is even more important. Minimal designs let the space around the text do much of the talking—and that can make an impact that’s anything but minimal! Minimalist designs allow the texture of the stock to take center stage, whether the stock is smooth and sleek or features a subtle texture with handmade appeal.

Stock can also be the source of those unexpected details I mentioned before. A subtle shimmer from a pearlized stock adds a luminous touch. An extra thick stock has a surprising heft when held. And for an additional pop of color, consider color core stock.

Consider The Print Process
Minimalist design is also a chance for your customers to use print processes that add an extra touch of professionalism to their design. Full color print is a great option for many customers, but when your customers are interested in minimalist design they should consider the many other options available to them.

Thermography is a great place to start. Whether paired with full color print or spot color, thermography adds depth and texture to your customer’s design. That texture can add a lot of interest to their print piece.

Speaking of depth, for a truly extraordinary finishing touch, consider enhanced finishes. Spot gloss and raised spot gloss can be used to enhance your customer’s minimalist design or on their own for a subtle, shiny look. Raised foil creates a classic metallic look with style.

Do your customers love the look of minimalism? What details are their favorites? We’d love to see you join the conversation in the comments below.

Filed Under: Business Cards, Design, Education, Folders, Labels, News, Print Products, Promotional Products, Stationery

Print to Add Polish to Nonprofit Fundraisers

Posted on July 24, 2019 Written by

Nonprofits of all sorts will soon be hosting the last outdoor fundraisers of the year, and just as soon they will be preparing for the events they host at the end of the year. When they’re planning their events, they should also be planning the print that adds a great finishing touch to their fundraisers. Here are our choices for the print pieces that will add profit to your customer’s next nonprofit fundraiser.

Posters
Are your customers trying to get the word out to a wider audience? Posters could be the best way to raise interest in their community events! And with a variety of quantities available, posters could also be a colorful addition to event promotion even in smaller communities.

Announcements and Postcards
Some of your customers’ events focus on previous donors or top donors, and announcements and postcards are a great way to add polish to those event invitations. Choose postcards for a more informal feel, or use announcements to make the occasion feel a little extra special.

Brochures, Rack Cards and Sales Sheets
Whether your customer wants to include them with a mailing or wants a piece to show donors what their gifts will be doing, informational pieces are an essential way to get the word out about the good work that they do. Brochures, rack cards, and sales sheets are classic pieces that can include text to show off essential statistics or photographs that highlight the people who benefit from a nonprofit’s work.

Event Tickets
If your customer is hosting a raffle or fundraising event, event tickets are essential! These tickets feature practical details like perforated ends for easy raffle use and numbering to make it easy to keep track of attendees. Even better, when your customer chooses full color print they can help make their nonprofit’s branding more memorable.

Folders
Whether it’s organizing instructions for volunteers, putting together forms and information for donors, or keeping documents organized afterward, branded folders are a good way to keep organized. As a bonus, using branded folders is a good way to add that extra touch of professional polish to every document.

Badges
Speaking of event volunteers, badges are a great way to show which people at your customer’s event are working and which are simply attending. Choose labels as temporary name tags for events with a lot of short-term volunteers, or consider window badges, chalk badges or erasable badges  for flexible badges that can be used at event after event.

Banners, Signs and Other Décor
Once your customers are actually at their event, indoors or out, it’s time to personalize the space. Banners are a great fit for events indoors or out, adding a splash of color in your customer’s choice of a variety of styles. Freestanding a-frame signage can guide attendees through buildings, personalize stages and accent sidewalks outside outdoor event venues.

Do you work with customers in the nonprofit sector? Which print products are their favorites? We’d love to see you join the conversation in the comments below.

Filed Under: Business Cards, Folders, Labels, Marketing, News, Print Products, Promotional Products, Resources, Stationery

Good, Better, Best: Forms and Personalization

Posted on July 19, 2019 Written by

A personalized form offers your customers a variety of benefits: brand recognition, tailor-made information, the ideal size, and more. However, your customer’s form choice has a big impact on their opportunity to personalize their forms, and some forms offer more personalization potential than others. If your customer is looking for the opportunity to create something perfect for their business, this is your guide to the options they can explore!

Good: Personalized Formatted Forms
When your customer wants just a bit of personalization, formatted forms are ready-made for a variety of different uses. Register forms, receipts, purchase order forms, and sales order forms are all flexible options that many customers can use. Repair and road service forms are more specialized.

And, while we say this option is good, it might be the best option for your customer—it depends on what precisely they need. Formatted forms allow your customers to include text to personalize their forms with information like their company name, address, and phone number. When your customer wants a simple form that simplifies the design process, these could be the forms for them.

Better: 1-Color Custom Forms
If your customer is looking for more control over the content of their forms, 1-color custom forms are a great option. These forms are printed in black ink and offer your customer the ability to design their form from scratch, so unlike formatted forms your customer can choose which information to include and which information isn’t relevant. They can choose the size of form that works best and the number of parts they want on each form.

Custom forms are also available in a wide variety of quantities. For your smaller customers, quantities as low as 250 are available. For larger customers, quantities of 2500 are available in our standard offering, and you can contact us for quotes on larger orders.

But there’s one type of form that offers even more personalization potential…

Best: Full Color Custom Forms
Custom full color forms offer your customers the peak of personalization potential. Not only do these forms offer them the opportunity to design their form from the ground up, they also allow for a wider variety of colors and imagery. Full color gives your customers the chance to personalize their forms with their brand colors, full color logos, or images of their products. They can use this versatility to boost their brand, highlight new products, and more.

Which forms are your customers favorites? Do they love the ease of a formatted form, or do they prefer custom forms? We’d love to see you join the conversation in the comments below.

Filed Under: Education, News, Print Products, Resources, Stationery

Spectacular Spot Gloss: What You Need to Know About Designing for this Enhanced Finish

Posted on July 18, 2019 Written by

Whether flat or raised, spot gloss is a finish on the rise, and for good reason! This Enhanced Finish is becoming a popular option for a variety of print pieces, and it can be an excellent addition to your customer’s business card, announcement, or postcard. However, the real strength of spot gloss and raised spot gloss are in the design. Here’s what you need to know about creating spectacular spot gloss.

Having Your Formatting Right is the Foundation of Great Design
Great design starts with great execution. That means having your fonts correctly sized, using the right file and color formats—and, for spot gloss and raised spot gloss, taking a look at our instructions for file creation. Having these basic guidelines in mind will help ensure that your design choices are executed perfectly, making your whole design more impressive. Click here to download our design guidelines, or take a look at our youtube video if you’re more of a visual learner.

And don’t forget about the option to bring spot gloss to new heights. Raised spot gloss can be used in a similar way to spot gloss, but with extra depth added to the shiny accent. It’s a slightly different look—and an interesting, tactile texture—that your customer should consider for their print pieces.

Do You Want Your Spot Gloss to Stand Alone or Make Details Stand Out?
Gloss is a particularly versatile finish because of the sheer number of ways that it can be used—emphasis on “sheer”! Because spot gloss and raised spot gloss are transparent, they can be used to create a wide variety of different looks.

Spot gloss can be used on its own or over a flood coat to create a subtle design element. This option will appeal to customers seeking a minimalist look for their business cards, but it can also create stylish patterns, interesting borders, or subtle text.

When paired with a full color design, on the other hand, spot gloss and raised spot gloss can highlight different bits of the design. Be strategic about the design. Spot gloss can be used as a glossy accent on the most important word of a message or to add a luminous quality to elements of an image like the stars in a night sky or the fire in a fireplace.

What Does Your Customer Want to Emphasize?
Whether it’s your customer’s brand colors, their logo, or a particular part of their marketing message, spot gloss can be an unexpected detail that helps emphasize what’s essential. An unexpected touch of spot gloss in the shape of their logo can be a memorable way to change things up. Using spot gloss or raised spot gloss over the most important part of their message on a postcard can ensure that message is noticed.

Would Coated Stock Be a Better Choice?
If your customers are excited about spot gloss, we understand the temptation to use it everywhere, but it really works better as an unexpected accent. If your customer wants a lot of shine for their piece, they might be better off using a glossy coated stock and leaving spot gloss for a special occasion.

Have your customers ordered spot gloss or raised spot gloss? How have they made sure that their design is extraordinary? We’d love to see you join the conversation in the comments below.

Filed Under: Business Cards, Design, Education, News, Print Products, Promotional Products, Resources
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