How to Design a More Effective Brochure

Posted on February 6, 2019 Written by

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.

Filed Under: Design, News, Print Products, Stationery

Product Highlight: Full Color Plastic Bags are Back!

Posted on February 1, 2019 Written by

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.

Filed Under: Education, News, Print Products, Promotional Products

4 Creative Uses for Trading Cards

Posted on January 25, 2019 Written by

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.

Filed Under: Design, News, Print Products, Promotional Products

Get to Know Stock Texture

Posted on January 23, 2019 Written by

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.

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

5 Reasons Your Customer Should Consider Ordering Forms

Posted on January 18, 2019 Written by

If you’re anything like me, you probably seen forms fairly regularly. However, many customers might not have thought about the benefits that forms offer their business. Whether they want to create quick invoices, entry forms for events, or something completely unique, forms are a great way to organize the information they use every day. Here are just five of the reasons that they should consider ordering forms.

1. Stock Forms Make Design Easier
One of the easiest ways to create a form is to use a stock style. Register books, receipts, service forms, and more are all available through our formatted forms and books. These forms are designed to answer the most common needs.

2. Custom Forms Are Perfectly Tailored to Their Needs
Does your customer want a form that is as unique as their business? They can create that, too! When stock forms don’t include the information that they need, custom forms are the best way to ensure that your customers’ unique needs are served in every form they print. Custom forms allow your customer to create forms that include even highly specific pieces of information, making it easier for them to get the exact information that they need.

Your customers will also have control over is the information that they don’t include on the form. This means that they can avoid any wasted space or information that your customer doesn’t use. This allows them more space on their form for the information that matters or for highlighting their contact information and brand. And speaking of highlighting their brand…

3. Forms Can Be A Marketing Opportunity!
Your customers might not think of forms as a marketing opportunity, but when they create a custom form they can also highlight their business. Including a full color image of their logo will increase brand recognition, and a full color photo can help emphasize the quality of your customer’s products or highlight new products. And, because most forms are created for the consumer interactions in your customer’s everyday work, they offer a daily reminder of your customer’s brand and business.

4. A Wide Variety of Options
Another way that your customers can tailor their forms to their needs is by picking a style. What kind of forms does Navitor offer? We offer form options as varied as your customers.

  • Two-, three-, and four-part preformatted and custom NCR forms are all available, so it’s easy for your customer to keep a copy of any form and to give another copy of it to their client.
  • Glued edge forms can be separated easily thanks to the adhesive that binds their sheets together, while snap set forms have a perforated edge.
  • Booked form options are available. Because they are bound together, these forms are easy to keep organized and easy to carry.

And speaking of options…

5. Catalog or Online
In addition to the options you can offer your customers, we want to ensure that you have the options that you need in your business. That’s why our complete selection of forms is available through our catalog, and our most popular options can be ordered quickly and easily online.

Why do your customers love forms? Which forms are their favorites? We’d love to see you join the conversation in the comments below.

Filed Under: Design, News, Print Products, Promotional Products

Creative Uses for Letterhead

Posted on January 17, 2019 Written by

When your customer thinks about letterhead, they probably think first about the box of personalized paper sitting next to their printer for their official letters, but letterhead is also a great canvas for a wide variety of different projects! With the wide variety of stock and print options available, your customer can create almost anything with letterhead—here are just a few of our favorite creative options.

1. Pre-Printed Letters
Let’s start with something just a little off the beaten path: pre-printed letters! If your customer is working on a large mailing campaign, a pre-printed letter could be a good way to streamline the process of creating that mailing. Simply start with their usual letterhead design, add the text of their letter, and be sure to include a quality image of the sender’s signature to give it a more personal touch. Not only will this ensure that your customer’s letter is on the correct stock, but it will save them time on printing those letters themselves.

2. Menus
Whether your customer is looking for an elegant menu to highlight seasonal specials or drinks or wants to bring the subtle elegance of textured stock to their everyday menu, letterhead could be the ideal canvas for their menu. Not only does letterhead allow them to choose the simple elegance of spot color print for a high end feel or full color print to highlight photographs, it also allows them to choose from a wide variety of different stocks to suit their restaurant.

And if your customer changes up their menu often, letterhead could be a flexible option, too. Simply print their menu template on letterhead, and they can add menu information on their own printer for a more flexible menu option. This is a great way to add elegance to chef’s choice options or nightly specials.

3. Inserts for Folders and Mailings
If your customer is looking for a way to convey more information to their customers while adding a touch of elegance, letterhead could be a great canvas for an informational insert. Whether your customer wants to create a mailer that has an added touch of professionalism, wants a quality marketing insert to get more out of a folder of paperwork, or simply prefers the look of a textured stock, letterhead is a great alternative to a traditional sales sheet.

4. Programs
Does your customer want to create a program with classic appeal? Letterhead is a great option. Whether they are hosting an event for which attendees will need a schedule or are preparing for a concert, letterhead can be printed with all the information they need for their audience throughout the event.

Do your customers get creative with letterhead? What’s their favorite use for letterhead? We’d love to see your suggestions in the comments below.

Filed Under: Design, News, Print Products, Stationery

Added Professional Print Touches for the New Year

Posted on January 10, 2019 Written by

Whether your customer is updating their existing print order or creating something entirely new, the New Year is a good time for them to add a bit of extra polish and professionalism to their suite of stationery products. How can they do that? Here are our four tips.

1. Coordinate
Nothing says “You are in good hands” quite like a well-put-together appearance. From employee dress to consistent signage, your customer has probably considered this already, but they might not have considered the importance of coordinating their image across their print pieces, too.

That doesn’t mean that everything has to match exactly, though. The design they print on white letterhead for everyday use, for example, could feel more stately on an ivory stock. And speaking of ways to make designs feel consistent without making them match exactly…

2. Let Brand Colors Take Center Stage
Whether or not your customer wants to put their logo on a given print piece, using their brand colors for every piece is a good way to make every print piece they use feel like a cohesive whole. For some pieces your customer could highlight their logo, but others could simply feature that logo’s colors to create a different look that still connects back to their brand.

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Get Creative
Sometimes changing things up is a great way to pull together a more creative set of print pieces. Does your customer have an abstract or geometric logo? Consider printing it very light across their letterhead for the look of a watermark or letting it extend beyond the cut edge of their business card for a creative accent. Does your customer usually use their logo as the central design in their print—except in one photo-heavy brochure? Consider using that logo as an accent or highlighting it on the back of the brochure alongside your customer’s contact information.

This creativity doesn’t just add visual interest—it allows your customer to be more flexible with their print pieces. After all, with a little bit of flexibility in their brand look, they can create a wider variety of designs for their print.

4. Consider Texture
One way to bring together your customer’s print pieces with style is to use only one or two stock textures throughout their print order. Using the same stock to unify your customer’s business cards, letterhead, and stationery envelopes is a great way to give everything a consistent feel.

And, for additional polish, Navitor offers CLASSIC® Linen and Laid Papers. Not only do these stocks provide a subtle texture that will add a touch of elegant appeal, but the CLASSIC® brand is one that your customers can rely on. Choose linen papers for a cloth-like texture and laid for a handcrafted feel. To learn more about these stock textures, check out the Neenah website for more information on CLASSIC® Linen and CLASSIC® Laid.

How do you help your customers create a polished print order? Do you help them coordinate their print pieces? We’d love to see your tips in the comments below.

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

Check Out Label Sales Tools in 2019

Posted on January 9, 2019 Written by

Happy New Year! Now is the time we all say ‘Hello 2019’ and ‘Hello’ to creating this year’s plan to target new label, decal and sticker sales growth. Go ahead and mark it off your ‘to do’ list because Label Works already has the plan taken care of.  Check out our FREE, ready to use sales tools below to see how growing business is really as simple as 1-2-3.

First off, we all know clients love seeing materials that speak directly to their market, day-to-day needs and goals. So why not use a sales presentation that does exactly that? Just use and repeat the steps below for any vertical you’re targeting this year and ta-dah your presentation is ready!

  • Zoom Catalog – Use this resource to re-brand our free marketing pieces with your own company name and logo. Your individual sales reps can also customize these with their contact info. Start with our e-catalog then move to one of our many Sales Flyers. These flyers highlight types of labels, their uses and available options for each market. Simply find the customer type that you’re speaking to, create a PDF of the flyer or print it out and share!
  • Physical Sample Kit – Gone are the days of having to show your customer samples that do not pertain to them and trying to get them to use their imagination to fit them into their world. Our sample kits are designed to include stickers that speak to specific markets. As you open the kit, you can share how every label within it speaks to your customer specifically. Ideas will start flowing! How cool is that?! These kits make a wonderful tool to mail out directly to customers as well.
  • Vertical Market Deck – We all love happy endings! Our vertical market deck, made up of 18 different 5 x 7” post cards, provides you with a success story to share with your customer that is relevant to their industry. Not only that, it is also an end customer facing piece that shares various label ideas and benefits that will help spark additional conversation. How do you use this tool you ask? It’s easy! Simply pick out the card that matches the industry you’re meeting with, pair it with the branded sales flyer and physical sample kit and you have the perfect presentation combination! Keep this tool at your office, in your vehicle or even utilize the e-version that is available to share via email!

One important key to growing sales in this product line is to simply make sure your potential and existing customers are aware that you sell it! Whether you like to call them labels, stickers or decals, we’ve got you covered. Using the above tools, as well as help from your label expert team at Label Works, makes this easy. Happy Selling in 2019! We’re excited to partner with you again this year!

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

2019 is Here—Do Your Customers Have The Stamps They Need to Make Their Mark?

Posted on January 3, 2019 Written by

Now that January is here, are your customers ready for the year? And, just as importantly, are the stamps and daters they use ready too? Don’t let your customers get stuck without time-saving stamps in 2019. Contact them about ordering—or reordering—the stamps they love to get ready for the New Year.

A New Year, A New Dater Stamp
Now that 2019 is here, one of the most important things your customers might want to update is their dater stamp. Most of our dater stamp bands are good for five years, and their band might be running out. Ordering early will help ensure that they can easily date their documents, paperwork, and more throughout the year. Daters are also a product where buying earlier is a good way to ensure your customer gets the most use out of their purchase—after all,the earlier they order, the more time they’ll save in 2019.

Does your customer want something new out of their dater stamp order this year? They’re in luck! We’ve added Comet and Pullman stock band stamps to our catalog in 2019. These heavy-duty stamps bring together an industrial grade body and a long-lasting band, making them a durable option for daily and repeated use.

Signature Stamps Save Time
Does your customer want to save time on the paperwork they fill out regularly? A signature stamp could be the best option, especially for businesses where one employee will be signing a lot of paperwork or signing for frequent package deliveries. They can scan their signature to create a stamp that replicates that writing without the need to sign every time.

Notary Stamps and Embossers
The New Year is also a great time to ask about new notary stamps for your customers who are certified as a notary public. Because their stamps or embossers need to be updated periodically, checking in with these customers is a good way to make sure they are prepared for the year.

Which stamps are your customers ready to refresh? We’d love to see you join the conversation in the comments below.

Filed Under: Marketing, News, Print Products

What’s New at Navitor? New Promotional Products!

Posted on January 2, 2019 Written by
promotional products pens mugs metal color accentHave you taken a look at the 2019 Navitor catalog yet? If you haven’t, you might have missed that we have a wide variety of different promotional products joining our offering! Because so many new promotional products are joining our catalog, we wanted to take a moment to introduce you to all those new options. Take Note with NewPens Writing utensils are one of the most effective promotional products, and we are proud to bring two new pens to our offering. If your customer wants a pen that does double duty as a highlighter, the new Fusion Highlight Twist Pen features a built-in highlighter in their choice of four different colors. And if they want something really eye-catching, the Luminate Prism Stylus Pen features illuminated laser engraving and a stylus on a metallic pen for a high-tech look and feel. Raise a Glass to NewDrinkware If your customer wants to go big with their accent mugs, they have two new,larger-volume mug options that are sure to please. The Digital 15 oz. Accent Mug is printed in full color and features a colored interior and handle that can be chosen to coordinate with your customer’s design. The 16 oz. Black Accent Flare Mug is a stylishly shaped black mug with your customer’s choice of five interior colors and printed with a striking single-color design. Is your customer looking for a good way to keep things cool?We’re delivering that, too. The Digital 16 oz. Acrylic Tumbler with Straw pairs a lidded tumbler style that is perfect for picnics and other outdoor events with full color print! And for health-conscious customers, the 20 oz. Aluminum Sports Bottle and 26 oz. Groove Grip Plastic Water Bottle are new water bottle styles that their employees or clients will love. And we have new drinkware accessories, too! For those water bottles, we now have water bottle bags that make them portable and will keep their contents cool. We’re also adding the Slim Fit Pocket Can Cooler to our selection of can coolers, and it is ready-made for the slimmer cans that have recently become popular. Promote with NewOptions Alongside these popular promotional options, we’re bringing you a selection of brand new options for 2019. The Luminate Flashlight Key Fob is a miniature flashlight personalized with illuminated laser engraving. Business Card Sized Mint Dispensers feature sugar free peppermints in a convenient dispenser shaped like a credit card. Lip balm in a variety of flavors is also joining our offering—and it’s made in the USA.If you want to know more or are looking to place an order, take a look at the Promotional Products section of the 2019 Navitor Catalog. And we’d love to see you join the conversation in the comments below.Which of these new promotional products is your favorite?
Filed Under: Education, News, Promotional Products
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