Postcards are an effective marketing tool for businesses on a budget. These direct mail pieces can announce new products or services, advertise discounts, or thank customers.
When creating your postcard, focus on reaching RELEVANT goals. It’s important to set measurable goals that are achievable and will have an impact on your business.
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Choosing a Design
Postcards offer an affordable way to reach a targeted audience with a unique marketing message. They can be designed with single or multiple images, with or without text. They can also be printed with foil or other specialty finishes to add a touch of elegance or a pop of color.
Choosing a design matching your target audience is critical to ensuring your postcard gets noticed and read. A short, engaging headline delivering your message and a detailed graphic that supports it is the best way to grab attention and motivate potential customers to take action.
Remember to leave space for the mailing address and postage indicia when designing your postcard at any cheap postcard printing. Avoid using colors that clash with these areas of the card, and ensure that your text is easily readable. You should also be aware of the rules regarding postcard sizes and how they affect postage costs. You should consult the USPS guidelines for more information if you need more clarification.
Choosing a Printer
Direct mail is a powerful way to reach new customers and reconnects with existing ones, but choosing the right printer for your postcard printing needs is essential. Not all companies are created equal, and looking at the final per-postcard cost alone can be misleading.
It’s also important to consider what type of paper stock you’ll want your postcards printed on—14 pt. Cardstock is the standard for direct mail postcards, but you can also find thicker options. The thickness of the cardstock will affect how it handles the postage stamp you need to affix to the card and can also impact the overall feel of the piece.
Look for a company that offers both digital and offset printing options. Digital printing uses toner and varying degrees of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black to create the image on your postcards. However, it’s best to use a printer that offers offset printing for large runs of postcards since this method is more cost-effective and provides more accurate colors than digital printing. Additionally, an offset printer will likely offer higher quality cardstock and a more comprehensive array of personalization options that digital printers will not.
Choosing a Layout
Postcards are a great way to spread your message, whether a special offer or a new product announcement. They can also be used for various personal occasions, including graduation and wedding invitations, best wishes, holiday greetings, and save-the-date reminders. Choosing the right postcard design and layout is essential to help ensure your message is read and understood.
Choose images that are eye-catching and align with your brand image. Use contrasting colors to emphasize and draw attention to specific postcard areas. Consider adding a custom cut-out shape to your postcard to give it a unique and memorable design.
When designing your postcard, remember that the USPS requires enough clear space on the piece for barcoding and addressing. Be sure to keep this in mind as you design your postcard and avoid using any elements that would interfere with these requirements. It’s also a good idea to include a trackable URL or slug in your postcard design so that you can collect and analyze the data from your customers and prospects who visit your landing page. This can be especially beneficial for businesses with an e-commerce platform, as you can measure their conversions and optimize your campaigns accordingly.
Choosing a Color
Postcards are an excellent way to deliver your marketing message directly to the consumer. They are great for generating leads, closing sales, cultivating return business, and more.
Regarding postcard printing, choosing the right color is as important as your design and layout. Bold colors are eye-catching and can make a powerful impact on your recipients. Try using contrasting colors to make your message pop and to draw attention to specific areas of your design. For example, reds and greens are a classic combination for creating visual impact.
Lastly, be sure to choose an easily readable font. Avoid ornate fonts, as this can distract viewers and turn them off. Also, limit the fonts used on a single postcard to avoid overcrowding your message.
Before going to print, requesting an e-proof of your postcard is a good idea to ensure all the elements are aligned correctly and look just how you intended. Nothing is worse than putting out thousands of postcards only to find that the final product isn’t what you hoped for.
Choosing a Finish
Postcards are a low-cost way to promote your business. They can generate website traffic and sales leads when used effectively. They are particularly well suited to service-based businesses like restaurants and salons, as they allow you to communicate essential information about a specific product or service. Postcards can also be used to announce upcoming events or sales.
When choosing your postcard printing, it’s essential to consider the type of finish that’s right for your needs. Gloss offers the highest level of shine, ideal for photos and designs with bright colors that need to stand out. Matte has a more subtle sheen that’s best for designs with a lot of text or for those who prefer more classic, timeless looks.
Other finishing options include embossing, which adds texture and engages the sense of touch. Debossing can also create raised text and images that contrast with the rest of the design.
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