Just like adding different spices and seasonings can create unique flavor profiles for a meal, using a specialty coating on your marketing piece can help communicate your distinct style or add a tactile reinforcement of your messaging.

But using spices and seasoning can be intimidating for an amateur cook who doesn't know the difference between cumin and nutmeg and how much of each to move a dish from good to great. In the same way, designers and marketers need to know how to use a coating to achieve a desired visual affect.

Consider the following advice as your "cookbook" for coatings:

Traditional and digital marketing do not have to be mutually-exclusive efforts. In a previous blog we shared 5 examples of how they have been used successfully together. Now I'd like to share some ideas specifically combining social media with print marketing.

An annual treasured summer treat for me is attending a play in the woods at American Players Theater in Spring Green, WI. As a writer, I tend to gravitate towards the works of William Shakespeare because of his masterful worldplay.

Planning to exhibit at a tradeshow or conference means juggling a lot of tasks and project management. Here's a timetable to help you plan your company's presence at the next sponsored event:

When you are starting a printing project, there are a lot of decisions to make. One important decision is whether you should print using a digital press or a traditional offset press. There are many variables to consider so let's review your options here:

Marketers know direct mail is a powerful channel to reach their customers and prospects. The DMA reports that direct mail response rates outperform all digital channels and continue to climb year over year. In their latest Response Rate Report, the DMA found the direct mail response rate was 4.9% for prospect lists and 9% for house lists in 2018. This is significantly higher than the previous year and the highest since the report started in 2003.

The start of a new year is a great reason to declutter and reorganize all aspects of your life, from your closet to your career. One of Netflix's hottest new shows is "Tidying Up" where Marie Kondo, the New York Times best selling author of The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, helps people part with their clutter and find joy in their belongings.

When people enter the front door of your business, what impression do they get about your brand? Based on your lobby appearance you could seem "boring and bland" or "polished and professional." Your lobby should set the tone for your overall brand customer experience. It can also help with employee recruitment and morale. Here are four ways you can improve your lobby's aesthetic appeal with indoor business signage and custom graphics:

Since paper can be up to half of the costs associated with a printing project, choice of paper is a important consideration when planning any marketing campaign. The paper you choose can affect how your digital designs translate to the real world, but many marketers do not receive training about how to evaluate paper options. Here is a short guide for paper novices:

Business cards are small, but they are mighty. In fact, they may be the most overlooked piece of marketing material at your disposal. But this small item is the one thing that represents you at your first introduction to a new potential prospect, partner or employee. What impression does it give of you and your company?