Business Printing Essentials

When it comes to business printing, the quality of the end product is the most important thing to remember. If your business’ printed materials look sloppy or unprofessional, potential customers will assume that that is the kind of work your company does. Printed material is more permanent than a computer screen, so its impact must be as close to perfect as you can accomplish.

Here are some essential business printing tips that will help make all your printed material reflect positively on your company:

1. Use the best quality paper you can afford. If you have to cut corners somewhere, print fewer materials, but print them on the right paper.
2. Choose a typeset that is easy to read. Some of the most readable typesets are Calibri, Verdana, and Trebuchet MS. Arial is also popular but if can sometimes be hard to read when an r, n, or m are together. These are all san serif type faces, which are easier on the eyes, especially on computer screens. If you prefer a different type, get feedback from several people of different ages.
3. Choose a type that resonates with your target market. San serif types reflect a more youthful image, while serif types, such as New Times Roman are reminiscent of the past. If your target audience is under 30, bold type faces and dramatic use of contrast are more likely to resonate. More subtle effects are more likely to be appreciated by an older group.
4. If you are taking the time to get materials published, take the time to establish a “brand” identity. Print your business name the same way on everything. Develop a logo. Choose a color scheme that appears on every material you print. Help your customers recognize that a mailing has come from you the instant they see it. Carry this same “brand” onto your website if you have one. You want customers to recognize your business identity instantly.
5. Print photographs and images with fine details on glossy paper. Most matte finishes bleed slightly making photographs fuzzy. If photographs form a main part of material that is leaving your company, guarantee superior quality by printing on a glossy surface.
6. Pay close attention to any written material. Is it well written? This is vital. Assume that everyone who picks up your flyer, brochure or postcard is an English teacher. At the same time, try to keep the writing simple enough for an eighth grader to understand it. Good writing does not have to use large words or long sentences. Are there typos? If you can, have someone else proofread. Spell checkers miss words that are misplaced, but spelled correctly. If you are the writer, you can’t trust your brain to see the typos (and even small grammar errors) for at least two or three days. This is an obnoxious problem, but a proven scientific reality. When you are working under a deadline, you may not have backup. Just do your best. A few typos are usually forgiven, but they still hurt your image.
7. Put your expectations in writing. Whether you are working with a local printer or an online printer, make sure you know what you are getting and that the printer knows what you are expecting.
8. Use the Printing Price Search at PrintingChoice.com to find the lowest price on the top online printing companies. This powerful tool will list the options you have for your specific printing job, arranged by price first. This is a great way to get a good deal while not skimping out on quality by selecting a less reputable printer.

Conclusion

If you put these essential business printing tips to use, you are destined to forge a successful portfolio of business documents. Whether you are starting with just the basic business card or expanding into direct marketing, you can choose a path that fosters success.