Paper, Paper … Read all about it … And then Recycle!

Apparently newspaper sales increase the day after Budget Day – as consumers search for the detail behind the headlines!

And once you’ve read that paper – don’t forget to make sure it is recycled.

As a business involved with the use of paper, we are fully aware of our environmental responsibilities.

You’ve got Use, Reuse, Recycle!

  

Paper is one of the easiest materials to recycle.

Paper is collected from our kerbside or recycling banks by local authorities and waste management companies.

Once the paper is collected it is then:

• Sorted, graded and delivered to a paper mill
• At the paper mill it is added to water and then turned into pulp
• The paper is then screened, cleaned and de-inked through a number of processes until it is suitable for papermaking
• It is then ready to be made into new paper products such as newsprint, cardboard, packaging, tissue and office items

And here’s a fact: it can take just 7 days for a newspaper to go through the recycling process and be transformed into recycled newsprint which is used to make the majority of Britain’s national daily newspapers

Of course, recycled paper can be used for a wide range of everyday products including:

• Newspapers/ magazines
• Printing paper
• Cardboard
• Tissue
• Loft insulation

For effective sales copy - keep your sentences short

Whether you are writing an advert, a blog, a sales letter, or maybe even a speech, I’m sure you will agree that good writing has the power to persuade and influence.

But what are the secrets of good writing?

It’s all about simplicity.

• Use short sentences and everyday words
• Cut the jargon and have a clear structure

If you read most stuff put out nowadays – it is indeed appalling. Badly written, dull - and often downright incomprehensible.

Yet bad writing is not necessary … if you can just count

This was discovered by Rudolph Flesch, an American, who spent years in the 1940s researching what makes easy reading. As a result he formulated some very easy rules.

The simplest is, make your sentences short:

• The easiest sentence to take in is only eight words long
• A sensible average is 16 words
• And, any sentence of more than 32 words is decidedly hard to take in

That’s because most people tend to forget what happened at the beginning of the sentence by the time they get to the end. Always write with your audience in mind and do make it easy for them.

And the same applies to paragraphs. Vary them, but keep them short, containing only one or two thoughts - especially the first one. A long opening paragraph is daunting.   

Don’t be ‘April Fooled’ … buy your stamps NOW!

Most people know (or should know) that stamp prices will rise quite significantly on MONDAY 4^th APRIL.

This has prompted Superdrug to introduce a 5% discount promotion on First Class stamps:

• Discount first class stamps will be available @ 39p each – current price 41p
• Offer runs from 16^th March to 3^rd April inclusive …

A book of 12 first class stamps will cost £4.67, a saving of 25p

Remember that any labelled 1^st or 2^nd class stamps remain valid as they are not date sensitive!!   

And, if you are a regular user of first class stamps and have some spare cash…

• You can save just over 15%!!
• First class stamps are set to rise to 46p from Monday 4^th April

The stamps are available to anyone, so if you have those special invitations to send out in the near future, it might be worth stocking up NOW!

And if you are a business owner who uses stamps it might be worth some forward buying.

Second class stamps are also set to rise from the current 32p to 36p on the same day.

The Superdrug offer doesn’t extend to second class stamps but early buying can save you 12%

I think you’ll agree the percentage savings are attractive.

As that well known supermarket brands says “Every little helps”!

Follow the Etiquette for great Wedding Invitations

In the days before commercial printers, weddings were announced in the centre of the village by the town crier!!

It was also common for nobility to pay monks to create hand-crafted wedding invitations that were delivered by courier. Today, beautiful wedding invitations are affordable but much of the formality still applies.

Wedding invitations might seem like simple things, but how they are crafted and produced can set the tone for the whole event. There are plenty of text books and manuals regarding teaching proper wedding invitation etiquette. In addition it’s well worth discussing with your local printer what options are available and how to maximise your budget.

• ·         Invitations used to be printed in heavy card stock, but this is no longer necessarily the case. Nowadays invitations are printed on card stock, light stationery and even velum
• ·         Take care with the wording of the invitation – it is important! It should indicate who will be hosting and the type of event the guests should expect

The invitations themselves should be sent out six to eight weeks prior to the big event and envelopes should be addressed by hand only … and certainly not computer generated, as this is considered tacky!

Design your Brochure with Customers in mind …

One of the best ways to make a good impression on potential customers who have yet to see your products is to use a full colour brochure.

Your company brochure is one of the most basic marketing materials to help promote your business. It is a great way for you to showcase what you have and why people should buy from you and not from any of your competitors.

When thinking about the design it is always a good idea to consult with your printer as there is often more than one solution to things like folding, quality of paper and finishing.

No matter what format you want your brochure to be, there are some essential tips to bear in mind:

Identify Your Target Customers

Before printing your brochures it is a must that you identify your target customers.

Know their problems, expectations and reasons why they are purchasing you products and services.

State the Benefits of your Products and Services

Often overlooked as we are all too keen to tell people about features – not benefits!

As an example, a brochure printing company should try and steer away from talking about their printing machines and instead major on how their printing services can help their customers

Keep it simple

Remember the old adage of … being simple is beautiful!

Try to avoid writing lengthy copy and, if possible, leave room for some pictures or illustrations.

Bulleted lists also work well as many customers don’t have the time to read your brochure from front to back.

And, of course, a little piece of originality can make your brochure work even harder for you!

So make things as unique as possible to your company.

If you’re serious about your business … then be serious about your business cards

Let’s face it; any technique that can gain you and/ or your company a competitive advantage cannot be ignored!

So, when it comes to your business card … make sure it stands out.

·         Don’t focus on the money, focus on the quality

·         If you spend enough time and demonstrate quality through your card people will believe you put the same amount of effort into your business

Business cards not only provide contact details – they represent you and your organisation.

People that you give your card to will form a first impression within seconds of receiving your business card (often before reading it) … so you want that impression to be a good one.

Here are a few tips to remember when designing and printing your business cards:

•        Have someone in house create a catchy logo and /or design and layout for your card. If you don’t   have anyone to do that … then just ask your printer
•        Get high-quality, thick card stock that feels nice to the touch
•        Apply foil or glossy finishes (if applicable) to catch your recipients eye

And do make the most of your cards – don’t be afraid to make them as a marketing tool.

Print is a great industry … it’s official!

In recent years the print industry has experienced many changes as it transforms itself into the essential delivery vehicle for the entire spectrum of communication solutions … as demanded by its clients!

We’ve long known that print is indeed a great industry to work in. In addition, and importantly, print continues to play a vitally important role in the performance of UK plc.

Did you know that the UK print sector:

-          Is the world’s fifth largest producer of printed products? Only USA, Japan, China & Germany produce more than the UK

-          Has a turnover of £14.3 billion

-          Has a gross added value of £6.4 billion

-          Has 10,500 companies and employs 140,000 people

Remember this:

Print adds value, not just as an efficient production process, but in providing a return on marketing investment.