Super Cheap Signs

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Cheap Signs content that should be reviewed.

  • How the Use of Business Cards Have Changed in the Last Decade

    While there was a time when it seemed like every person couldn’t hand out their business cards fast enough and everyone had a collection of various cards gathering dust in their wallets, it seems that the popularity of business cards is finally starting to wane. While the explosion of business cards a decade ago was at times overwhelming and oversaturated, by no means are business cards dead today. In fact, there are many situations, settings, and cultures where business cards are still relevant. The way society uses business cards now, however, has slightly evolved in the past ten years.

    Businesses are choosing quality over quantity of transactions. 

    A decade ago, entrepreneurs may have handed out their business cards to every person they met in hopes that a few of them would convert. After years of trying this method, it’s apparent that a one-dimensional card isn’t the only factor that potential clients or network partners use to determine whether or not they will work with you. Today, a personal connection is often made before a business card is ever passed off. People who have experienced a positive interaction with someone are more likely to keep the card than those who haven’t. 

     

    Creative designs are helping businesses stand out.

    Business cards used to be quite basic. After collecting a myriad of similar looking white cards, they all start to blend together to a potential client. To stand out, businesses are now getting creative with the design and look of their business cards. Not only is color a big deal now, but different shapes, interactive cards, and even see-through cards are more popular now than ever before. Unexpected and creative touches to a business card help clients remember the giver and can help promote a brand even further. Especially unique cards may even get shared dozens of times on social media, furthering brand promotion.

     

    Information shared is evolving.

    Most business cards contain basic contact information such as phone number and email, along with the name of the person, the name of the business, and the website. However, with the rise of social networking, professional social media accounts are a must-list for modern business cards. People are more likely to find a company on a social media channel than keep a business card anyway, so many businesses are using their cards to bridge this gap instead. Professional headshots and calls to action are also commonly included on business cards today, as they are still widely used in a business’ marketing plan. 

     

    Touched on above, handing out business cards to everyone and anyone is no longer considered an effective strategy. Businesses are now focusing on creating personal connections before passing off their contact information to a potential client or network partner. Instead of having a business card be the beginning, middle, and end of an interaction with someone, they are saved for the good-byes after a conversation has been had if the person wants to keep in touch. A decade ago, business cards held little value because everyone got one. Now, business cards are mainly given to people most likely to keep them and use them. 

     

    Business cards are still viewed as the most professional hand-off of contact information, and it can be embarrassing to a business owner when they are caught without one when asked. Even with digital sharing of information, business cards are still the quickest and easiest way to exchange information, especially with certain audiences and in certain settings.

     

    Business cards are used within rather than outside of a company. 

    In large companies, employees are often given their own set of business cards. This can be helpful for promoting the business when they are off the clock. However, they are also helpful for a quick exchange of information with co-workers in other departments. Increasingly, it is becoming common for employees to utilize their business cards this way, especially if they are somewhere away from their computer or phone.

     

    The way business cards were used in the past is certainly dead, and we are probably better off because of it. However, today’s adaptive business cards are still very much useful, especially when a unique element is incorporated into the design or they are given to the right people. If business cards aren’t working for a business, it may be time to update them!

  • Four Unique Ways to Integrate Business Cards into Your Marketing Strategy

    You just bought a box of 10,000 business cards (because that’s what all business owners do, right?), but now what are you supposed to do with them? Some entrepreneurs feel awkward handing out their business card at networking events, while others are naturals at it. Are you supposed to give your business card out to everyone you meet, or should you target certain audiences? If you aren’t sure how business cards can be implemented into your marketing strategy, take a look at four unique ideas below to help you get started.

     

    Partner with Related Services

    The easiest marketing is when someone else does it for you, right? If you have worked with partner companies in the past, and they aren’t direct competition, it may be worth contacting them about displaying your cards for customers in need. For instance, a web design company can display cards for an online marketing company, and vice versa. If you’ve already built a trusted relationship with the company, they will naturally promote your business anyway. Give them a stack of cards to make it easier!

     

    Include Special Offers or Discounts

    When designing your business cards, think about who you will primarily be handing them to. Will they be new prospects, repeat customers, potential network partners, or perhaps all three? You may consider including a promotion or special discount on a percentage of the cards for potential customers so they are more likely to keep your card for future reference. People love saving money and finding a deal. Give them a reason to hang on to your card rather than toss it in the trash. 

     

    If you want your discount to be flexible based on seasons or holidays, you can include a basic discount code (such as the name of your business) that customers can enter and you can change depending on what you want the discount to reflect. If the discount always stays the same, such as 10% off for every new customer, then the clarity can help customers remember exactly what they are keeping the card for. Punch cards or referral discounts can also be applied to the back of a business card, and be all the more reason for a customer to hang on to the card.

     

    Include Landing Page Link

    As part of your marketing strategy, you may have already created a landing page that is designed specifically to draw new customers into your brand and lead them to conversion pages. Instead of listing the basic home page of your website on your business cards, why not perform double-duty and list the landing page instead? As long as the landing page has a readable URL and easy for customers to type in (especially think about mobile users!), then this can be a great way to integrate in-person and online marketing strategies.

     

    Get Creative with Placements

    Not every business owner has time to attend a dozen networking events, conferences, or trade shows every year. Instead, they may have to find other creative ways to get their business cards in the hands of target prospects. Luckily, there are plenty of opportunities in every day life to strategically place a business card. 

     

    Community boards at coffee shops and grocery stores are easy and free ways to market a business. You can also head to a local bookstore or library and stick your business card in a few industry-related books (as long as the people in charge are cool with it). Or, you can hide a few of your business cards around town and make a scavenger-hunt type game out of it where the customer gets a discount if they find all of them. 

     

    There are tons of creative ways to get your business card out there rather than spending hours talking to strangers at an event. The four ideas listed above are a few of the more unique ones to get the creative juices flowing. Business owners can also utilize friends and family, friends, neighbors, past clients, and co-workers to pass out cards, or include their cards in a mail marketing campaign. While in-person connections are always the most effective when it comes to a business card exchange strategy, it doesn’t mean you can’t get your information out there even when you can’t be physically present!

  • Seven Business Card Designs of the Future

    Nearly every modern business utilizes business cards to promote themselves, yet they are often tossed in the trash by their recipients by the end of the week. While business cards continue as a staple in the business world (and it’s nice to have one available when a client asks), businesses need to adapt their cards to fit ever-shifting trends and stand out amongst the competition. Otherwise, the expense and hassle of creating a business card is a total waste. 

     

    What inspires a client to keep your card in their wallet rather than toss it when they get home? For one, your business card must be eye-catching. You can achieve this through fonts, brand-colors, phrases, imagery, or even the shape of the card itself. Of course, the most important goal of a business card is to convey useful information to the client, such as name, email, website, and professional social media pages. If you aren’t sure where to begin in your business card design brainstorming session, take a look at the top seven on-trend business card designs of the future below to spark an idea or two.

     

    Minimalistic

    A business should convey some information on their business card, but overstuffing and overwhelming a card can be overkill. A customer doesn’t need to know details about specific products or services on a business card. They do need to know your website to find that information, however. Keep it short, sweet, and simple when it comes to how many lines of text you decide to include on your cards.

     

    Along with the amount of words on the card, minimalistic amounts of color, fonts, and images are also on-trend right now. A single-color background with just the business name or logo on the front can help a card look clean, fresh, and professional. You can play around with foiled lettering or different textures to make it unique and un-boring. The important business information can be listed on the back without cluttering up the simple and bold advertisement on the front.

     

    Transparent

    Another interesting design idea that has been recently floating around is that of transparent business cards. A specific brand color or pattern can be applied to the transparent paper, but the uniqueness of the see-through design can help it stand out amongst competitors. Of course, transparent cards don’t work with every type of business, especially since transparency conveys a certain message. For instance, a data privacy company may not want see-through associated with its name. However, it may fit the theme of a window company. The takeaway is that businesses are no longer limited to traditional cardstock for business card backgrounds, and they can experiment with different types of material.

     

    Out-of-the-Rectangle

    Businesses are no longer limited to the traditional rectangle shape for business cards either. To stand out, some businesses are experimenting with different shapes and sizes for their business cards. Of course, business cards should still serve the practical purpose of storing until future need and easily fit inside a wallet or card carrier. 

     

    Interactive

    Depending on the type of business, interactive cards can be a fun way to hold the attention of a client or future client. Cards that fold into different objects or have hidden pull-and-slide messages are unique and fun for clients to fidget with when they are familiarizing themselves with your contact information. If anything, these types of cards will definitely be remembered for their distinctive designs.

     

    Social

    Just like other types of marketing, business cards should display professional social media accounts as a way for customers to connect with a business. Even if they don’t use the services or products right away, they may want to connect digitally before tossing a card. If a business spends a lot of time marketing and/or selling on social media, this is essential information to include.

     

    Humorous

    Humor is a universal language, and it can stand out and intrigue just as much as a color scheme, font, or design. Humor, puns, and sarcasm especially resonate with younger target audiences. Whether it’s through clever imagery or a play on words, many businesses are now incorporating humor into their business card designs to help make a lasting impression with their clients.

     

    Multi-Purpose

    A business card can serve two or more functions if you get creative. Instead of handing out multiple cards for different purposes to potential clients, why not just hand them one? If you offer 10% off to new clients, you can include this deal on the card. Or, if there’s a page on your website specifically created for potential clients, you can put this URL on the card in place of the standard homepage. You can even turn a business card into a “frequent customer” card and offer a free product or service for every 10 punches on the back. Businesses are consolidating some of this information onto one card that increases the chances that a customer will keep it longer than a day or a week.

  • Five Unique Real Estate Open House Signs

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    When it comes to real estate, signs are everything! Well, nearly everything. A real estate sign like bandit signs can attract passersby to stop and check out the new listing or they can help potential buyers find the right property when arriving for a viewing. Real estate signs are often the first detail buyers notice when looking for homes. Because of this, real estate and open house signs need to convey a clear, clean, and informative message. A tattered or cheap looking sign may warn buyers to stay away, while an elegant and clean sign can be inviting to a potential buyer. 

    Open house signs are different than traditional “For Sale” signs in how they market the home and attract potential buyers. However, they can also pair well with “For Sale” and other signs for maximum impact. If you need an open house sign that stands out in the neighborhood, take a look at the top six unique sign ideas below.

    1.Use Separate Signs.

    For the most part, the “For Sale” yard signs stays near the front door or in the front yard of a home for sale from the time it is listed to when the buyer takes ownership. An “Open House” sign may only go up the morning of the open house and taken down that afternoon. Since open house signs are not permanent fixtures, there is more flexibility in how and where they are displayed. It can be as small as a sign rider that is attached to the for sale sign, or as large as a big campaign sign visible from a block away. Whatever type of marketing is used for the open house, the sign should be separate or stand out from the permanent for sale sign.

    2.Consider the Color Scheme

    When using separate signs, it can be a good idea to create cohesion with the same color scheme. Usually, the color scheme on real estate signs matches the color of the real estate company. However, one color could be highlighted over another depending on the area or neighborhood. Understated signs may be best for high-end neighborhoods, while bold signs will help a sign stand out in more affordable neighborhoods, especially if the market is saturated in that area. A unique color scheme is also more easily spotted over traditional real estate color schemes.

    3.One Size Does Not Fit All

    Potential buyers are so accustomed to seeing real estate signs.  One sign begins to look like every other sign until they can’t tell the difference.  Make sure your sign stands out by altering the size of the signs that are placed on multiple properties.  Real Estate signs come in a variety of sizes, from 9×12, 18×24 (standard size), to 24×32. Catch a buyers attention by diversifying your sign size. 

    4.Pair the Post with the Place

    Signs would be relatively useless without a way to display them. However, not all sign posts are created equal. Standard wire stakes may work for most open house signs in most places. Although, a steel sign frame can add a touch of class, while a promotional a-frame sign is free to place on the sidewalk or the street. The layout of the street and the set-up of the entryway may dictate what type of sign display method is best. The type of sign post used can also influence what information and how much is used on an open house signs. The more room you have to work with, the more creative you can get!

    5.When in Doubt, Add More Signs

    A single open house sign may be missed, ignored, or completely hidden from a majority of the traffic in the area depending on the location of the home. To overcome this hurdle, a unique solution some real estate agents are using is simply adding more signs around the neighborhood. Directional signs at the main entrance of the neighborhood not only help potential buyers find the home they saw online, but it can attract extra traffic passing by on the main road. More signs in the front yard can also signal that an open house should not be missed. You can always add a bit of distinctive charm by including balloons or other eye-catching items so that the home buyers won’t quickly forget.

  • Digital Printing Services Made Easy

    Digital Printing Services Made Easy

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    Digital printing is an increasingly popular production method that involves making prints from electronic files. Essentially, it takes artwork from a computer (i.e., from a fundamentally digital format) and prints it onto a range of available materials. In contrast to traditional analog printing—which includes gravure and flexography—digital printing has some distinct advantages in today’s modern technological landscape.

    In a nutshell, digital printing eliminates a significant portion of the manual steps that are inherent to analog printing, including manual stripping, the construction of color and film proofs, along with making a stencil or plates as well. So if you are thinking about going the digital route for your next promotional printing endeavor, here are some things you should know.

    How Digital Printing Works

    Here’s how digital printing works. First, a formatted image is sent to a printer. These files are typically in EPS or AI formats. Keep in mind that digital printing works best with highly detailed images. In contrast to analog printing, digital printing instantly transfers the digital image to a printed one, there is usually no formatting required whatsoever. Additionally, you can forget about using things like photo chemicals or film plates. Yes, it really is that easy.

    Digital production typically follows these key phases:

    • First, the person overseeing the process must make sure the file meets the resolution and size requirements to ensure it comes out looking as sharp and crisp as possible.
    • Next, any bleed is trimmed and crop marks are added wherever is necessary, if at all. Crop marks are the lines occupying the corner of the print. Their purpose is to ensure that unprinted edges are not present in the final print.
    • Once crop marks and bleed are added, it is time to ensure that the image occupies as much of the material as possible. Known as an imposition, this stage ensures that the job is completed as efficiently as possible with little waste.
    • The final stage is conversion. This is where you will need to make sure the image or text is converted into an appropriate file format—such as AI or EPS. You could also print a PDF file, though this is entirely dependent on the software you use.

    Digital Printing Is the New Baseline

    Digital printing is a relatively modern development. As such, it is equipped with many conveniences that are not available with analog printing. Now more than ever, clients expect their prints to be as accurate as possible. As such, the printers used need to be able to accomplish high-quality printing in an expedient time frame. Unfortunately, it can be somewhat difficult to zero in on what process is best for the specific job you are working on. So before you finalize your design decisions, there are a few considerations that will make your life easier.

    The Up Sides of Digital Printing

    The most noticeable aspect of digital printing is quality. If digital prints signify anything in and of themselves, it is quality and consistency. This means that colors print perfectly and there are no splotches or obtrusive lines. The entire process is so cohesive that the very last print should bear the same impeccable quality as the first.

    Another convenience afforded by digital printing is timeliness. As a whole, the process entails far fewer steps than traditional analog printing, which means turnaround times are much quicker. Additionally, digital printing does not require printing plates, which makes setting up jobs much quicker and more cost effective.

    If your project involves short to medium print runs, digital printing is most definitely the way to go. In addition to being more reliable than analog printing, it is also one of the more affordable printing solutions.

    Additional Advantages: Variable Printing

    In addition to expedient turnaround times and exemplary quality, digital printing also allows for complete customization. So if you need to reach a diverse audience, digital printing is definitely something you should consider. It will enable you to tailor each piece to a specific customer, which is simply not possible with analog printing.

    Known as variable data printing (VDP), this convenient form of digital printing allows for certain elements to be altered without stopping the design process. These elements include images, color, names, and the headline. When used in tandem with the right technology, high-quality results can be produced very quickly. This is particularly advantageous for direct mail pieces.

    VDP And Personalization

    VDP is subject to three different levels of personalization. The first and most basic pertains to the recipient’s name and address. Essentially, the name and address can be altered in accordance with the intended recipient of each item, which makes the entire process that much faster and saves the recipient’s time and yours.

    There are a variety of ways to push personalization even further. The most useful involves the personalization of transactional information, which pertains to specific dollar amounts, charts that reflect specific information, and graphics and numbers that can really capture a prospective client’s interest.

    The final and arguably most useful aspect of VDP is image personalization. Any seasoned marketing expert or psychoanalyst can tell you that images help the brain retain information much more efficiently than other mediums. Consequently, personalizing images for each recipient based on psychographics or other gleaned information gives you a much better chance of forming a genuine connection that could lead to increased sales down the line.

    Digital Printing and Accuracy

    One of the most convenient aspects of digital printing is its razor-sharp precision. It is relatively easy to print samples to check the accuracy of various elements, such as color, to ensure your print matches exactly what you are picturing in your mind. To that extent, altering font sizes, image properties, as well as colors and their associated properties is synch. Again, this level of precision and convenience is not possible with analog printing.

    Digital Printing Has Environmental Benefits

    As you could probably guess, digital printing is environmentally friendly. For one, it reduces waste and prevents further pollution. Although it still necessitates the use of paper and related materials, it uses much less than other approaches. This is because digital printers and associated equipment do not need to be set up in the same manner. Further, digital printers place ink using electronic charges, which significantly reduces waste.

    Another convenient and environmentally friendly aspect of digital printing is the ability to send and approve prints electronically. Before digital printing, pressing proofs required significant setup time, including preparing the plates, stringing the paper, printing it, then cutting it. Fortunately, technology has made the entire process much quicker and more efficient. There are a wide array of programs that will give you a good idea of what your image will look like before you print anything. However, there will still be times when you will need to proof your images. For example, spot colors, unique finishes, or different materials should be proofed to ensure they appear exactly how you envisioned.

    Compared to traditional printing, digital printing uses far less toxic chemicals. While it still needs to make use of solvents to remove its oil-based ink, it does not use anywhere near the amount required for analog printers. Overall, this results in a positive environmental impact while giving you cost-effective, high-quality images that are sure to capture the attention of your target audience.

    Digital Printing and Graphic Design

    Digital printing is capable of producing vibrant and detailed images. Therefore, if you are using custom images you will need to ensure that they are appropriately designed and detailed. Do not fret if graphic design is not your forte, there are plenty of efficient designers out there that are likely more than happy to assist with your project. Our experienced designers provide proof changes up to 3x without charging prior to production? They can also re-create certain files like text and vector artwork for as little as $30 or up to $90. *Not applicable to detailed illustrations or photos.

    When searching for a designer, try to find someone who specializes in what you are looking for. Once you zero in on one, be sure to communicate with them as thoroughly as possible so nothing gets convoluted in the process. Unfortunately, this is an area that can end up costing you more money if you are not careful.

    Selecting the Right Colors for Your Digital Prints

    Adding color to your digital prints is absolutely worth it. Materials printed in full color tend to achieve a much higher response rate than their back and white counterparts. This is likely because vibrant colors subtly communicate a sense of professionalism and commitment, which is something that will make customers feel at ease when doing business with you.

    When it comes to digital colors themselves, you should be aware that they are known for their crispness, beauty, and generally engaging qualities. Needless to say, this combination puts them heads and shoulders above other forms of color printing. So if you are in the process of selecting a company to handle your digital printing needs, Super Cheap Signs deserves your attention. In addition to their high-quality printers and vibrant inks, their team of printing experts will assist you every step of the way with any questions or concerns you may have.