Of course not. There is a lot of nonsense proliferated on the web these days, about print media being dead. Think about it though, huge corporate businesses continue to utilise print media in all their marketing, and within their offices as does every other businesses large and small. They all use posters, banners, business stationary, packaging design, the list goes on and on, of course print is not dead, it may have taken a back seat in some quarters, but generally, it remains as popular as ever. Indeed, we cant actually live without it in many cases. We now live in a progressively digital world. The email systems that we employ to communicate over the web, and the digital marketing strategies that virtually all business use these days, are not the only way to market your wares. Writing a traditional letter is often a sign of quality, and personalisation often not afforded to mass digital emailing. Letter heads and compliment slips continue to be an office staple. Business cards and logos, Office signage, retail signage, hospital signage, advertising etc etc, print is everywhere!
Flyer and leaflet Design
Flyers and leaflets are the staple of any business, for promotion of products and services, they are a versatile and a cost effective promotional asset, that cant be underestimated to deliver fantastic gains in engagement and conversion. For example, a venue may use them as a draw to services with a stack of them to take away front of house. Particularly good if you have a discount, promotion or special offer, you could be pro active and hand them out at events. You can achieve strategic targeted marketing by posting through doors. There are many distribution organisations that at a cost will post on mass for you too. There are particular licences for flyer marketing, some are necessary for football games and music events for example. The design of a flyer should aim to be clear and clean with a short word count to be most effective. a Prominent colour scheme is also beneficial. The paper stock used should be of a good quality, to project a professional image of your business. A7 format is used extensively, and A6 is a popular flyer size, although an A5 card can be extra effective in some circumstances. There is also an A4 Z -fold or gate-leg, flyer available which is with six panels to work with. A more sturdy, thicker stock is recommend, avoiding the take away menu flimsy ness.There are many size differentials too, you can deviate form the standard sizes, unique formats and shapes achieved with Die-cutting, or folding, can afford a unique standpoint for greater stand out for your products and services.
Brochures
Brochures are excellent marketing material for every size of business. Luxury branded brochures for corporate business, luxury products, and events can utilise brochures to create a a powerful extension to their marketing and PR strategies. A large amount of information can be included, outlining a companies services, policies, and protocols. Brochures are excellent for asserting company quality and professionalism. Brochures are on average, are an A4 size booklet, although larger sizes can make a statement.Various quality printing methods include bespoke shapes, innovative concertina, and gatefold shapes. Again quality papers are recommended. Digital printing has revolutionised the cost effectiveness of all print media, prior printing methods could be prohibitively expensive. The returns in customer engagement, procurement of services and product acquisition are unequaled with the advent of an exquisitely designed brochure. Digital versions of brochures are also an extremely effective marketing method.A company may wish to have a downloadable brochure available on their website for example, or use it to market their business through direct mail, and/or part of a digital marketing venture. It is advisable for any business to market their services and products in both the print and digital spheres simultaneously for the most effective marketing strategy. A business may require copywriting services. Crum can assist in formatting and condensing a lot of text within a small space is often difficult to achieve especially if you also have a lot of images to include, the page count can grow fast if a brochure is not designed effectively.
Posters
Posters are usually designed between A4 and AO size. A3 is the average size format, and the most popular. larger format sizes for window displays, A-Board, and display cases can create a stunning visual for your prospective customers to engage with. Alternatively, interior or exterior poster signage, for retail, or any other business that requires effective information dispersal, like sale signs for example can be designed. A well designed poster is simple and effective, uncluttered, and concise. It is especially effective when powerful colour combinations are used, to create a powerful statement. Branded posters offer a great opportunity for business to promote services and products. Can you imagine a theatre or music venue without a creatively dynamic poster! A-board signs that have to sit outside a premises can be printed on laminate to protect against the elements. Advertising through posters and signage like Billboards and exterior signage units at bus and train stops are fundamental to every business who requires pertinent information to be disseminated to a large audience. Billboard and signage advertising has become digital in recent years, although the new media is a new fantastic way to advertise, it remains cost prohibitive for many smaller businesses. Print media posters can make a huge impact on the high street. They are usually printed with UV printing inks on plastic backed papers, and laminated.
Packaging Design
Packaging design has its own set of nuances. Think about all the possible variations of packaging. Size, style, colour, form, material, golly gosh, there are as many possible style scenarios as there are materials to put inside them. From the food we eat, to toiletries and cosmetics, fashion, pet food, every beverage…etc ..etc, there are hundreds of brands that are in existence that some one somewhere has designed. So what about the design in principle why is it in some respects different from other print material.? well, part of the answer is self explanatory, different formats, boxes, tubes, generally anything on a 3dimensional plane, design and text wraps around the package. It begins as a flat piece of design of course, but then takes on the 3d element when the design is manipulated around and across. Any way I am stating the obvious. There are specific principles and guidelines a designer has to administer to. A die line is the flat base line illustration that defines the dimension perimeters, of where the design should be placed. The printer requires a vector file, that may be layered and include cut lines. Protecting the integrity of the package is paramount, the package should be robust enough to withstand the ravages of storage, transport, shelf life and consumer use.The designer also has to think about customer accessibility and product functionality. A customer may buy an alternative product if the design package is over packaged and difficult to read. A carton of milk sploshes everywhere when opened, because the carton designs functionality, is not as successful as it should be. Environmental considerations are far more prevalent today. Sustainability and conscientious recycling are the order of the day. A company that produces environmentally conscious products may illicit greater public favour, who are more likely to purchase.
Design for print continues to play a major role in the functioning of society as a whole. Digital processes, the convenience of the internet, and social media, have streamlined, and often replaced traditional print applications. However, there remains a huge contingent of advertising, marketing and information providing, print material available for your business. If the fullest extent of the printed material facility is not taken advantage of, then business will not be truly competitive and business may suffer as a consequence.
