Use Digital Printing to Go Green This Spring

Now that Minnesotans are finally starting to put the frigid winter temperatures behind them, many eyes are set on the spring green-up. However, trees and lawns should not be the only things turning green. Minneapolis business owners can green up their marketing materials with digital printing.

Many businesses welcome the change of seasons by freshening up their marketing materials or offering a spring promotion. Honor the season by choosing to print these materials in an Earth-friendly way with digital printing. 

Digital Printing is Green Printing

Digital printing is a green, economical option. Unlike offset printing, digital printing works off of an electronic file rather than a physical master copy. This means less printing and less trips to the printer’s to proof master copies.

Because there is no master copy, every copy in a digital printing project is an original. It is as economical to print a short-run project as it is a long-run one. This means companies are able to print the copies they need and do not need to over-order to make the project cost-effective. This saves copies from heading straight into the trashcan or recycling bin.

Companies may also choose to use recycled paper for their projects, making the digital printing process even greener.

Green on the Inside, Too

Paper choice and using electronic files are not the only things that make digital printing green. The materials used to print digitally are also green. Digital printing presses use dry powder toner rather than liquid ink to print. The process used to make the toner is 97 percent efficient. That means there is very little waste during the manufacturing process. The toner product is derived from materials created in a lab rather than taken from the Earth.

The byproducts from the toner manufacturing process can be used in other industries, reducing waste even further. For example, the iron oxide that enables the toner to transfer to paper creates sodium hydroxide, a substance that can be used in other industries.

This spring, green up your marketing materials with digital printing. To learn more or get started, contact Matreks Printing today at 952-746-4010.

Diversify Your Print Marketing Efforts in 2014

There are many print marketing options Minneapolis businesses can take advantage of. Sometimes, it can be difficult for business owners to choose what print marketing materials would be right for their companies. In 2014, why not try out a few different print marketing materials?

Using a variety of print advertising allows companies to reach a diverse audience and stay top-of-mind with recipients without making them feel as though they are being inundated with advertising. It also helps companies track and analyze what print advertising works best for each type of recipient, helping them create more effective print campaigns in the future.

Different Types of Print Advertising

Companies’ options for print advertising are boundless. Direct mail marketing pieces include postcards, mailers, flyers, greeting cards, and catalogs. Postcards are an especially effective choice because they are economical to produce and easy for recipients to interact with. They are visually engaging and do not require recipients to open an envelope to receive your message. People tend to hang onto postcards, especially if they include a coupon or other special offer.

Other types of print advertising include brochures, calendars, notepads, and branded stationery and business cards. Like postcards, recipients often hold onto these types of advertising and they are a good way to keep your company’s logo and name top-of-mind with current and potential clients.

Simple Tips to Make Print Advertising More Effective

Before you design your next print advertising piece, use these simple tips. Be sure your branding is consistent. Your logo, the color and style of the graphics, and tone of the messaging should be consistent whatever print advertising medium you use. When creating a direct mail campaign, keep your message brief and bold and the graphics eye-catching and engaging.

Print advertising can also help support a company’s online marketing efforts. Add a QR code that recipients can scan with their smartphones and leads them to a page on your website. Or, create a unique URL that you only use on your print advertising. Then, track the number of hits that URL gets. That way, you’ll get an idea of how effective your print campaign was.

Try diversifying your print advertising efforts this year. To learn more or get started, contact Matreks Printing today at 952-746-4010.