Why Print on Synthetic Paper Stocks?

Colorful sheets of synthetic paper
Vibrant colors add to the versatility of synthetic paper stocks.

One of the biggest decisions you can make when it comes to your print project is which paper stock to print on. Color, weight, and texture are all important elements to consider when selecting paper for any print run.

Here’s another factor you may not have considered: whether your project is best printed on a synthetic stock.

While traditional paper is made from wood pulp and natural fibers, synthetic stocks are produced using polypropylene resin. Though these stocks are crafted from a different substrate, they maintain the look and feel of wood-based paper, with some added benefits.

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Which Type of Direct Mail Should You Send?

Young smiling businesswoman reading a direct mail letter at desk

There’s no denying it – direct mail is here to stay.

Direct mail outperforms email in several areas, including open rates, memorability, and reading preference. In our heightened digital era, handling a physical piece of mail can be a breath of fresh air.

However, “direct mail” is a broad category, that encompasses several different styles of mailings. Depending on your campaign goals and overall marketing objectives, one format may be more effective than another.

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Juice Up Your Appeals with Variable Imagery

UVM postcard mailing variable imagery
This postcard mailing for UVM makes use of variable imagery in the heading, with postcards segmented for recipients from different graduation years.

Variable imagery is one of the many benefits available with today’s digital print technology. It’s an effective and surprisingly easy way to add a personal touch to your fundraising materials, increasing engagement and gifts made to your organization.

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8 Steps to an Effective Business Card

woman pointing at business card
Logo psd created by Freepik

The business card is an old dog that’s learned quite a few new tricks.

A lot of different print work comes through our doors at Paw Print, but business cards consistently remain the most popular order. Business cards trace their roots back to 15th century China, when visitors left “visiting cards” at the homes of businessmen they hoped to meet with. Over the centuries these cards evolved to convey a variety of information, but one thing remained constant: they were designed to make an impression.

Often a business card is one of the first things a customer or potential client will receive from you. A well-designed business card can go a long way towards creating a favorable impression of your business, as well as generating engaging conversations between you and your customers.

Why Should You Print Business Cards?

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Impress with Letterpress!

letterpress flower design
This example shows both a blind and an ink-filled letterpress design.

The history of print is rooted in letterpress. We’ve come a long way from the hand set type of a traditional printing press. And while digital printers make printing fast and affordable, we haven’t left our roots behind just yet.

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Is Social Media Print’s New Best Friend?

facebook interacts with print
Background vector created by Freepik

While print and social media may compete for your marketing dollars, they don’t have to compete for your customers. In fact, using them together can make your marketing more effective. Let’s look at five ways print and social media can work together.

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Key Reasons Your Nonprofit Needs Branding

Chalk board with branding and marketing words

When you consider the word “branding,” what comes to mind? You may think of well-known companies like Apple or Target, that advertise on a large scale and whose characteristics are immediately recognizable to most of us, who come into frequent contact with them.

But the concept of branding is just as important for small businesses as it is for large companies. And, it’s an essential piece of increasing awareness for nonprofits as well.

The obvious reason for nonprofit organizations to spread awareness of their brand is to increase donations and build a reliable donor base. However, according to the Stanford Social Innovation Review, many nonprofits are stepping up their brand management in order “to explore the wider, strategic roles that brands can play: driving broad long-term social goals, while strengthening internal identity, cohesion, and capacity.”

Why Should You Build a Brand?

Like any other entity, your nonprofit has a unique set of goals, characteristics, and stories. When you bring these together to form a recognizable and repeatable persona, you have a brand. The first thing most people think of when they hear the word brand or branding, is an entity’s logo. While this is one branding element, it’s only the beginning. The style, graphics, and words your organization uses to communicate all convey your brand.

But what can branding do for your nonprofit?

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Paper 101: What Different Terms Actually Mean

Paper stock samples
In addition to various shades of white, stock is available in several colors and textures to meet the needs of any project.

When asked about the details of the paper stock you are choosing for a print project, do your eyes glaze over? Do terms like basis weight, points, and color cast sound like Greek to you? If so, here is a quick list of basic terms to help you better understand the process.

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5 Considerations for Creating Standout Mail Pieces

Woman reading direct mail piece

When we think about great direct mail results, we tend to think about the list, the message, and the call to action. However, things like the size, shape, and texture of the piece play a key role, too. Let’s look at five considerations for creating standout mail pieces.

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Pretty, Professional, & Powerful: Printing with Foil

white folder with red text in metallic ink
The artwork on this folder was produced using an emboss covered with a red metallic foil.

Need something to make your printing pop? Create an eye-catching piece that will get your business noticed and remembered by adding a foil stamp to business cards, invitations, stationery, and other promotional materials

What is Foil Stamping?

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