In a world of digital media, print collateral remains an effective tool for marketing and can be used to increase your reach and engagement with customers. However, it is important to ensure that your print marketing campaign is cohesive, visually appealing, and strategically structured. Here are five tips to help you maximize the print design in your next direct mail campaign. 

Establish Your Brand Identity 

Your brand identity is critical in any kind of marketing campaign – but especially in any printed marketing collateral. Your goal should be to clearly communicate who you are as a business, and have it resonate with your customers. This means that all of your print materials should have consistent colors, fonts, logo placements, and messaging in order to convey a unified brand image. It’s also important to consider how you want customers to perceive your business when they receive one of your flyers or brochures. Be sure to use images and messaging that evoke the right emotion or feeling associated with your product or service. 

Focus on Readability 

When designing printed materials, it’s essential to keep readability in mind. Make sure that font sizes are large enough for easy reading and that the text is well-spaced. This allows readers to easily scan through the page without being overwhelmed by too much information at once. Additionally, using contrasting colors between your text and the background can help draw readers’ eyes to specific content areas on the page. You may also want to include white space, as this will provide visual breaks from content blocks. This is another way to make it easier for readers to digest the material quickly. 

Include Clear Calls-to-Action 

Every piece of printed material should have a clear call-to-action (CTA) that encourages readers to take meaningful action — whether it’s signing up for a newsletter or visiting a website link included on the printed mailer. A great CTA should be brief yet powerful. Don’t be afraid to use words like “now” or “today” as this will give readers a sense of urgency which can help encourage them into taking action quickly. You want to avoid your customers waiting until later (when they may forget). If you’re including URLs or QR codes on the printed material, make sure they are legible and clickable so readers can easily access them if needed.  

Use Quality Materials 

Printed materials should always be made from quality materials in order for them to stand out from competitors’ offerings. Think glossy paper stocks over regular paper stocks, or even use unusual shapes such as die-cut cards which will definitely grab people’s attention! Additionally, if possible try incorporating unique finishes such as metallic foils which will add an extra layer of sophistication and luxury to your design pieces. Just make sure not to go overboard here as this could end up working against you in distracting readers from your message.  

Use Professional Photography 

Finally, don’t forget about photography when designing printed materials. High-quality images can really help elevate a design piece from average looking into something truly special! Professional photography doesn’t need to cost an arm and leg either — there are many stock photo sites online where you can purchase royalty-free images at reasonable prices. Remember though that some stock photos may require attribution, so make sure you read each site’s terms before downloading any images.

You can also use a variety of images for different customers. With variable data printing, you’re able to print mailers that are tailored to specific customers and their unique interests. 

Designing Your Next Direct Mail Campaign

To sum it up, having an effective print design campaign is essential for any business wanting to stay competitive in today’s market. By following these five tips, you’ll be able set yourself apart from competitors while making sure that your printed materials look professional and eye-catching. With professional photography, quality materials, readability considerations, clear calls-to-action and cohesive brand messaging, you’ll properly design your direct mail for maximum success.

Contact McAdams Graphics to get started on your next direct mail campaign.