Incorporating Color and Shape

Color and shape play an integral part of a logo’s design and choosing the design elements are drawn from inspiration. In order to simplify the process review design books, websites or even local surroundings to stimulate design creativity. Examine the shapes of products and if applicable watch sports video’s. A theme may arise that could trigger some form of inspiration.

Sketch the design first before beginning the electronic design process. Sketching is a free flowing process that allows the designer to put all design ideas on paper. These ideas can then be improved and possibly combined.

Once the building blocks of the design are set  it is then time to begin the computer aided design process. Focus on the mark itself and avoid color during the initial design process. Design in black and white. Color can be added later in the process.

Work with the client and present several design options as well as request feedback. Working with the client throughout the logo design process not only gains their trust it also helps the development of a successful logo design.

Once the client has selected their favorite designs it is then time to begin adding color. At this stage of the game the client may also offer additional design suggestions that may be help improve the logo’s design.

When the design is more than 75% complete, font variation and color combination options may be improved upon. Once complete, choose at least 3 logo design options and present them to the client, along with several color and font options for each design.

After the logo is finalized, the revision process begins. Make any changes necessary that will enhance the overall design. When these changes are made, present the final version to the client for further approval. Mock up materials of letterhead that incorporate the new logo design are also helpful. This visual illustrates how the new logo will enhance their marketing campaign.

The design professionals of Print Lion can design a company logo that is sure to be memorable. Visit us today for your next logo design and all your online printing needs.

Making Color Choices

Colors play an important role in advertising. They evoke emotion, convey a corporate or brand image, identify themes and highlight areas of importance that can be used to demonstrate differences. Colors are not only different visually, they also provide various emotional responses.

Let’s review the color green. Green is typically used in the financial industry.  A soothing color, green represents profit.

The color green as an indicator of infection to health care professionals. Therefor the color green, when used in a health care brochure, may result in lower sales and lower the interest of a company’s products or services.

Before designing do a little color psychology research. Understanding the industry, target audience, products and services as well as color psychology, the next advertising campaign is sure to be a success!

The talented design team at Print Lion is available to help design a colorful marketing piece that is sure to grab attention. Contact us today.

6 Tips to Help Determine the Right Commercial Printing Services

• Budget – Determining a budget helps determine which printing product(s) and options are best suited for your marketing project.  A full color catalog is often the ultimate marketing tool, however sometimes the budget doesn’t fit the cost a full color catalog generates.  There are several options to catalog printing. Booklet, brochure or even flyer printing may be the solution to budgetary constraints.  These products may be small in size, however that doesn’t mean they won’t provide the same return on investment expected from a catalog printing.

A quality printing company, like Print Lion, will work with you to find the solution that meets your budgetary needs.  Design, marketing and mailing services are also available.

• Printing Options – A commercial printer has the ability to guide you through the products, paper weights, color and bindery options that will produce a high quality printed piece suitable to your needs.

• Design – When designing, it is important to note that high image resolution graphics work best for commercial printing.  Choosing to print with 4 over 4 color printing is the best option as it has been shown to provide the best return on investment.

• Copy – Writing copy is easy and effective by keeping it short and to the point.  Provide customers with benefits, as they want to understand how your product or service will benefit them the most.

• Contact Information – Including contact information throughout the marketing piece is extremely important.  Address, phone number, email address and social media information should be displayed throughout the printed piece.  The inside front and back covers should provide a complete list of all contact and social media information.

• Edit, Edit,Edit – Before moving onto the printing process, it is important to edit, edit and edit again. Review for; image and content placement and labeling, pricing, spelling, grammar errors. It is also important to review the printed proof to ensure the trim, bleed and safety requirements are met.

Commercial printing services are designed to help businesses reach their customer base professionally and in a timely manner.  In order to ensure a stress free printing project, it is important to review the printers print ready check list before beginning the design process.

Print Lion offers the commercial printing services your business needs to succeed. Contact us or call 1-800-257-8830 today and learn about all our design, marketing, printing and mailing services.

Repetition is paramount and ads that grab attention, create brand awareness and produce sales are ads that charm the consumer, resulting in a desire to see or hear the ads over and over again.  Inevitably those that grab attention, but have no real purpose, appear to be irrelevant or create a negative response by consumers will not produce desired sales.

This article features a few examples of what NOT to do when creating an ad.  Note that the first commercial example was influenced by a viral  YouTube video.  Regrettably the ad did not generate the same effect.

Marketing your business through catalog and brochures is very similar to ad creation. Print Lion can help create a successful marketing brochure, booklet or catalog visit Print Lion or call us today at 1-800-257-8830 and learn how our professional marketing team can help with your next printing project.

In order to determine the printing options that meet your budget, compare online printing prices of several online printing companies. Review printing options, price and quality. Request samples from online vendors in order to review quality. Samples give you the ability to make an informed decision as to which vendor meets your specific printing needs. Online printers sometimes offer design services as well.  For those who are not comfortable designing, call and find out more about their design services.

Reduce costs by allocating the time necessary for design and printing. If you wait until the last minute and need your marketing materials printed expeditiously, both the printing and shipping costs will increase significantly.

When beginning the design process, pay special attention to the audience being designed for. How effective is a visually appealing piece if it misses the mark? Use colors that are industry specific, refrain from using copy that is long winded. Point out the benefits. Customers want to know how products or services benefit them and why they should choose your products or services over that of the competition.

Once the design process is complete and you are ready to order printing, review the samples and printing prices of online printers again as prices may have changed. After choosing the printer of choice, review the print ready check list. This will ensure that your online printing experience is a positive one.

Print Lion would like to help with your next printing project. For quality design, print, marketing and mailing services, visit www.printlion.com today or call us at 1-800-257-8830 to learn more.

Businesses are turning to online printing companies for fast and easy brochure printing.  Online printers provide the printing services businesses need to make brochure printing easy.  No matter what type of product being printed the quality and attention to detail will always be  a priority for printing companies that offer professional online services.

The Benefits to Printing Brochures Online

Cost – Businesses have the ability to compare printing costs among several online printing vendors within minutes.  Budgeting their next brochure printing is easy. Online brochure printing company’s make reviewing the costs of  quantity breakdowns and printing options effortless.

Easy Ordering – Ordering brochure printing online is fast, easy and convenient.  Placing a brochure printing order can be processed at any time of the day.  Simply choose the printing options, upload the design, review the free PDF proof and select the printing method.  Three options are available to finalize the order.  Send to press, review the free PDF proof or request a hard copy proof.  For brochures that are color critical, a hard copy proofing is recommend.

Other Services – Design assistance is often offered to those in need of professional brochure design assistance. Some online printers also provide marketing and mailing services.

Ordering brochure printing is not only fast and easy online, it also saves time and money.  Contact Print Lion today at 1-800-257-8830 and learn how we can save you time and money on your next brochure printing project.  If you are ready to start printing your brochures, then click here to get started.

Why Booklets Promote So Well?

Versatility – Booklets are chosen by most businesses due to their versatility. There are a wide variety of page and design options to choose from which allows them to meet almost any budget.

Visibility – Booklets provide a platform for business to shine. Due to the size and page options available, companies have the ability to provide not only high quality images of their products, they can also aid the viewer by including descriptive copy that helps improve the sales process.

Distribution – Booklets can be distributed by mail or during face to face interaction. Hand booklets out at business meetings, trade shows and events. They are also effective when placed on display racks at business locations.

Cost Effective – Booklets are cost effective due to their ability to meet most any budget. Not only do the printing options save money, but so do distribution methods.

If you are interested in printing booklets to promote your business, please contact us today and learn how we can help your business improve its overall return on investment.

Popular Locations for Rack Cards

• Tourist Centers – The objective of the tourist center is to provide visitors with local area attractions, enhancing their visiting experience. Tourist rack cards can be found prominently in rack card display racks.
• Rest Stops – A majority of highway rest stops also include visitor centers. This is a great place to display rack cards, as the number of potential contacts is often too numerous to count.
• Camp Grounds – Check in to almost any camp ground and you’ll notice a rack filled with rack cards. Camp ground managers want to ensure that your stay is as enjoyable as possible.
• State Parks – Families enjoy spending time together hiking, enjoying nature and the beauty it has to offer. They often spend nights or weekends camping in State Parks. To ensure that visitors enjoy their stay, parks are providing rack cards that are used as handy guides and information pieces. These cards are easy to carry and quick to review.
• Museums – Museums are finding that rack cards are great, low-cost, promotional pieces. A well designed card are used to promote upcoming exhibits. They are larger than a postcard and feature images more prominently.

No matter where you go, the chances of being exposed to rack cards are more likely than not. The professionals at Print Lion can help design, market and print high quality, full color rack cards for your business. Call 1-800-257-8830 today and learn more.

Greeting Cards

Designing Greeting Cards

When starting to design a greeting card, develop a theme first. Once the theme is developed, write a message that is related to that theme. There are several ways in which a theme can be written; whimsical, simple or religious in nature. Write a theme that is pertinent to the greeting card audience.

The standard greeting card size is 10×7 folded to 5×7 and several color options are available to choose from. A 4/0 color option is used for greeting cards that are designed without an inside message. The 4/BLK is used for cards with black text messaging and the 4/4 color option is used for cards that incorporate color into the cover and interior message.

There are two cover coating options that are available to greeting card printing. The standard option is a Gloss coating. This option is suitable for all cards and permits special messages to be written on the cards front cover. The UV coating provides a more professional appearance, yet does not allow the user to write on the greeting cards front and back covers.

Printing Greeting Cards

When the greeting cards design is completed, the online printing order can be placed. When choosing an online printing company, compare price, quality and printing specifications between online printers. Not all printers are the same, so be sure to choose the printer that meets your specific printing requirements. Printing and mailing times vary. It is important to pay special attention to these specific options in order to receive the order in ample time.

Print greeting cards online at Print Lion.  Printing can be completed in as little as one business day. Contact us today or call 1-800-257-8830 to speak with a printing professional about your next greeting card design or print project.

Designing Postcards

Postcards are designed to attract attention and therefore they must evoke emotion. A large image, combined with a well thought out call to action, are sure to result in conversion. Informative information such as why customers should take action, where and when the sale or event is taking place, if applicable, the expiration date of a special offer and contact information. Include all social media icons to which the business is a participant.

Promoting a business, event or special offer is quickly accomplished with postcards. Print Lion has the experience and expertise required for businesses to successfully promote with postcard printing.

Learn more about Print Lion’s online postcard design, marketing, printing and mailing services by calling 1-800-257-8830 or complete the contact us form today.