INSIGHT

 

In all our years printing, we’ve rarely encountered a project without some budget limitations. Regardless of industry, companies tend to have a keen eye on expenses, and marketing materials are no exception. So how can you maximize your budget? We recommend starting with these tips:

 

There’s a time and a place for the standard tri-fold brochure or one-page flyer. They’ve helped companies build their brands for decades, after all. Yet sometimes you know that a common approach won’t capture your target audience’s attention. And whether you’re thinking about a dimensional kit, unique die cuts or metallic varnishes, you need a plan to get your client on board.

While these design ideas may seem like obvious winners to you, it’s important to realize how “scary” they may feel to a client that’s done things the same way for years. And, let’s be honest: More creative approaches tend to come with higher price tags to justify, as well. That’s why it’s so important to be prepared for the design presentation. Consider these tips.

 

During the holiday season, we’re always excited to help clients share their cheer and gratitude with cards and packages. Of course, we can never resist sharing our own holiday greetings with clients as well.

This year, the SeaChange team created three coaster sets: ’Tis the Season, Minnesota Nice, and Bold Inspiration. With an omni-channel campaign that included print, email, packaging and on-line ordering from our GATHER tool, we invited clients to choose their favorite coaster set and personalize it with their name and initials.

We’ve received great feedback from clients who’ve shared “what a super cool idea and sophisticated design module” and “the whole experience showcases your unique print capabilities. It’s a winner!”

Of course, any time of year is a great time to show your clients you’re thinking of them and thankful for their collaboration. If you’d like to explore some creative options, give us a call. 

 

They've grown up in the digital age, and they're incredibly savvy with social media. But that doesn't mean Millennials eschew print. In fact, as the resurgence of print books ¹ and vinyl records has shown, Millennials are drawn to tactile experiences.² Consider these stats: 

• 54% love and look forward to receiving catalogs 
• 78% of Millennials prefer print books to ebooks 
• 57% prefer mailed invitations to evites 
• 77% pay attention to direct mail advertising vs. only 51% to emails 

What's behind the affinity for print? The simple answer may be that it's a welcome break from the busy digital space. But another very important consideration involves Millennials' lack of trust. Compared to digital documents, print is seen as more official (88%), more trusted (82%), and safer/more secure (74%).^₄

 

You've probably heard the old phrase "if it ain't broken, don't fix it." When it comes to relationships with print reps, many designers and marketers take this approach. It's natural to fear change, and sometimes sticking with the status quo just seems easier. 

But it's important to ask yourself: Is your relationship with your print rep really working for you? Or is it broken in little ways you've been ignoring? Take a few minutes to think about how your rep stacks up against these expectations: 

• Responsive partner - Delays aren't just frustrating you, they can compromise how your internal and external clients view you as well. Whether you're just starting a quote or you're on press, you deserve a rep who can respond quickly. Quotes should be turned within 24 hours, and open, honest communication should occur throughout a project to help prevent delays. 
  
  
• Big-picture thinker - Reps see dozens of print projects every day. Take advantage of that experience, and expect your rep to offer expertise throughout the project. A good partner will suggest certain treatments that can enhance a project and offer tips that only come from experience, such as "soft touch doesn't work well with silver" or "a clear varnish on white will be almost invisible." Bonus: Check out The Ultimate Guide to UV Printing White Paper. 
  
  
• Efficiency guide - Designers rarely, if ever, encounter a client that isn't concerned about budget. That's another area where print reps can help. Expect them to offer alternative approaches that can save money and reduce waste. You should hear things like "since two of your project covers are running on the same form, you can add soft-touch UV coating to all of these components without incurring any additional cost" or "if you shrink the overall size of this by 10%, you could save $500.”
  
  
• A printer with passion - Sure, print reps are essentially salespeople. But they shouldn't act like they're selling just another product. The printing industry is filled with beautiful design, creative thinking and strategic problem-solving - and your print rep should have a passion for them all. While you want a rep who supports your ideas, he or she shouldn't just go along with everything. Choose a rep who adds to the conversation. The right partner can inject excitement into even the simplest projects and help you stay inspired day to day.                                                                                                    

When we partner with clients to send direct mail or electronic campaigns, they entrust us with a lot of data. And we take keeping that data secure very seriously. That’s why we just completed our annual audits for both SOC2 and HITRUST accreditation.

A SOC2 report ensures that we use secure practices and suitably designed controls to maintain compliance and security. Our auditor, Logan L. Baumann at LB Carlson, LLP, noted, “SeaChange Print Innovations’ information security team is clearly committed to a strong information security environment. They achieve this commitment through organization, communication and by using sophisticated processes and equipment.”

HITRUST CSF is an overarching security framework that incorporates and leverages federal, state, third-party, and other government agency regulations, standards, and frameworks. We were thrilled to finish our HITRUST audit in less than half of the scheduled time. Auditor Brittany Schatz of FRSECURE commented, “SeaChange is one of the most organized companies that I’ve worked with on a HITRUST assessment. Arin wants perfection, Ross is a machine – together you’re an ideal security team.”

Want to know more about how we protect client data? Connect with our chief technology officer, Arin Brown.

We believe creative approaches come from teams with a wide range of experiences and perspectives. So you can imagine how excited we were when one of our clients, UnitedHealth Group, recently recognized us with an IMPACT Award for Technology and Innovation.

Like UnitedHealth Group, which has a Supplier Diversity program that hosts the IMPACT Awards, we’ve made a big commitment to diversity. We have a second-tier diversity plan with more than 10% of purchases from diverse suppliers, and 43% of our staff are female. We’re also Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) certified, and President and CEO Wendi Breuer serves on the NAWBO board of directors.

 

Throughout your career journey you'll tell many stories with typography, photographs, illustrations and other beautiful design elements. UV printing has the power to make those interactions more memorable, impactful, efficient, and earth-friendly. 

Why UV Printing? Today's business world moves at lightning speed. UV printing does too, yet it invites your audience to slow down and experience the moment. UV printing delivers: 

• Tactile interest- Of the five human senses, sight is fickle while touch has power-engaging the brain on a deeper level. Science has shown that when multiple senses are engaged, this is where the real connection happens. UV offers multiple ways to drive this connection, increasing brand impact. 
• Precise results - The curing process eliminates over-absorption into paper, which leads to better ink holdout and finer quality. A must have when using uncoated paper!
• Quicker turnaround - Drying time for conventional ink is measured in hours and minutes, curing time for UV inks is measured in seconds. Press sheets can be moved to finishing immediately, as UV inks don't mark or smudge through equipment.         
• Environmental benefits - Unlike solvent inks that dry via evaporation, UV inks dry instantly and do not release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making it safer for operations and the environment.         

 

The addition of our NEW UV print capabilities allows us to provide many advantages over traditional printing. Below are a few of the main benefits of UV printing and ideas as to how UV print technology can elevate your brand: 

• Environmental - UV printing is considered a green technology because it leaves an almost zero-carbon footprint and releases no VOC's into the environment. 
• UV Cures Immediately - Because the inks are exposed to ultra-violet lights, they immediately turn from a liquid to a solid with almost no absorption of the ink into the paper stock. This means you can print on almost an substrate you can imagine when printing with UV inks. And, it's not just for paper and board stock. We can also UV print on styrene, PVC, polycarbonate, PETG, flexible vinyl, clings, metallic board or foil. Plus it's superior on uncoated stocks. 
• Passport to eye-catching and tactile techniques - When you incorporate UV printing into your design, the image becomes more alive and the images become a tactile and tangible product. Some of the main techniques to consider are:                                                                                                                             
  • Raised UV Coating
  • Textured UV Coating
  • Glitter Coating
  • Sandpaper Coating
  • Grit Coating
  • Dry Erase Coating
  • Rubber Coating
  • Pearlescent Coating 
  • Iridescent Coating
  • Strike-through-effect UV coating and reticulating varnish combinations

 

As we celebrate another Earth Day, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by all the waste. Even if we’re doing our part to reduce, reuse, and recycle, seeing pictures of pollution in big cities or trash islands in the ocean can make us wonder how can we make an even bigger impact.