Once upon a time, sending out direct mail meant mutually exclusive choices of either the lowest-price option or splurging on a more attractive piece. The good news for businesses is that those days are long gone.
Not only has advanced digital printing technology made high-quality short runs more cost effective, a wide array of paper stocks and ink choices allows your direct marketing to stand out from the crowd. Additional printing options such as die-cutting and foil imprinting can add the extra touch that takes your mailing from average to outstanding. With more than 30 years of experience, Mellady Direct Marketing provides a range of printing options that won’t break the bank.
As an example, let’s consider one of the most common pieces we mail, a postcard mailer. There are several easy steps to take to ensure your piece stands out in the roughly 8-10 pieces of mail someone receives on any given day.
Go Big: Most people hear “postcard” and picture a small 4×6” card. In reality, the most common sizes we print and mail are 5.5×8.5” and 6×9”. Some clients even opt for a jumbo 8.5×11” piece. That extra real estate gives you more room for your artwork and call to action, and stands out much better in the mailbox.
Paper Choices: Your mailer is responsible for making a great first impression, and a big part of that is choosing quality paper. Would your mailer benefit from a heavier weight cardstock with a matte finish that feels great to the touch? The difference between a higher-end stock and cheaper, more flimsy paper is less expensive than you might think.
Details, Details: Along with choice of paper, the finishing details can make a huge difference in first impressions. Could your artwork benefit from a glossy, spot UV finish on the photos? Perhaps metallic inks or foil stamping could help lend a bit of elegance to the artwork. What about incorporating variable data printing to call out the recipient by name in a special message on the front side of the postcard? With so many advances in printing technology, these types of details that help your marketing stand out are much less costly than you might expect.
Ensuring your mail piece makes a great first impression is easy to do without going over budget, and Mellady Direct Marketing can help you develop and send a piece that stands out and gets results.
