No one likes to be thought of as being plain and ordinary. So why settle for plain and ordinary in your marketing materials? Here are some ways you can enhance your next promotional piece:
Interesting Paper Choice
Printers typically keep a limited number of paper choices in stock and those choices will be the most cost-effective. But if you have some room in the budget to splurge a bit, ask to see paper swatch books! There are many wonderful paper-stocks available; no printer can keep them all on-hand. It might be a matter of a color variation or a coating or texture or a combination of features but an interesting paper choice can help your printed piece stand out.
Non-Standard Dimensions
While certain items like postcards have dimensional constraints set by the post office, other items like brochures can be printed (and folded) in non-traditional sizes. The only requirement is a little creativity and thinking outside of the box to create a piece that defies the norm.
Rounded Corners and Die-Cutting
The vast majority of printed items are rectilinear in nature, meaning they are some form of rectangle with straight edges and corners at 90 degrees. Giving your piece rounded corners transports it from the mundane to the unique. In addition, rounded corners have the added benefit of greatly reducing the possibility of incurring paper cuts. Rounded corners are made via die-cutting, but die-cutting can also be used to transform straight edges into curves and other shapes. Stepping away from the ordinary rectilinear shape is a great way to make your printed piece stand out from the competition.
Spot UV Coating
Whether in a matter or high gloss finish, applying UV coating to a specific area of a printed piece (i.e., in a “spot” rather than all-over) can create a unique, attention-grabbing effect. In addition to application over printed text, UV coating can be applied in a pattern or design directly to the paper substrate itself.
Foil-Stamping or Embossing
Foil-stamping and embossing can be applied separately or combined to create unique, standout features or enhancements to a printed piece. Metallic foils are available in a variety of colors with gold, silver, and copper being the most popular choices. Embossing can encompass standalone designs or graphics, company/organization names or logos, or large words of text. Printed areas can be embossed or, in blind embossing, just the paper substrate itself receives an impression.
Lamination
While also providing protection and creating durability, laminate films come in a variety of finishes ranging from matte to high gloss and can particularly enhance the colored inks over which they’re applied. “Soft touch” laminates add a pleasant, tactile sensation to a printed piece making it stand out from ordinary finishes.
If you have any questions about Ways to Enhance Printing, give us a call at 330-597-8560. We’re happy to help you get the most out of your printing project.
