Bad Flyer Designs

Flyers can be an excellent way to advertise your business, if they are well designed. However, there are many examples of badly designed flyers out there which are having the opposite effect than the one that was intended because they are actually turning people away. There are four main rules that you should follow to ensure your flyer will be noticed for all the right reasons.

4 Tips to Get Your Flyers Noticed

Ensure There Is No Clutter

If you try to give your customers too much information within one flyer, it will just looked cluttered. If the flyer looks too confusing to try and read, then most people will not bother. Keep to the basic facts that you want your customers to know. A few images can make your flyer more noticeable, but again overdoing it makes it difficult for people to know where they should be looking first.

Make Sure Text Fonts And Sizes Are Consistent

You will probably need to use a couple of different sized fonts, one for the headline, and one for the rest of the information. Any more than this can make the flyer look too over the top, and it will also make it difficult to read. Even though the size of the font may vary, you should try to be as consistent as possible with the actual font that is used, as this will help keep the whole message of the flyer consistent.

Have A Clear Message

Before you start any design work on your flyer, you need to decide what you want the flyer to achieve. This message should then be in the forefront of your mind through every stage of the design process. This will help keep you focused on what you want the flyer to be saying, and can help you avoid any clutter that will detract from the main purpose of the flyer.

Consider Your Brand When Choosing Colours

Flyers are a great way to raise awareness of your brand and with this in mind, you want to make it as easy as possible for people to begin to recognise your business. When you are choosing the colours that you will use for your flyer, colours that are already associated with your brand are a great place to start. This means people will immediately start associating the information that they are reading with your business.

Crystal Print can help with all aspects of flyer design to ensure that anyone that reads your flyer gets the exact message that you want them to. We have many years of experience in the printing industry, and our team of in-house designers are available to offer as much advice as you need.

London Marathon 2015

We have spoken to loads of people recently who are entered to run in the London Marathon, and we couldn’t help but think about how great an opportunity it is for everyone involved to have their names printed on tops so that their supporters can cheer them on along the way.

You might even crop up on TV too, as the BBC will be showing every second of the Virgin London Marathon 2015 race which takes place on the 26th April this year... So, if you’re looking for sponsors, why not sell the idea of having your sponsor's company name printed on your shirt and seen by hundreds of travelling eyes as you make your way across, round, and through the London District?

Your sponsors will love you for this, especially smaller businesses who would enjoy seeing their business name, logo or information form part of your attire for the race itself.

By contacting Crystal Print we can talk to your about options for t-shirt print or possibly embroidery - if you want something a bit more hardwearing and long lasting. Maybe you are thinking of entering a whole host of marathons in the next few years and you want to make record of the races you have ran? Every time you run a race, why not have the name of the race and the date printed on a single t-shirt, which can be washed and used again every time you run a different race… We think this a great idea, and one which many runners from the Essex area have chosen to do.

You might even have a dedicated shirt for every race you run, with different sponsors and information on, as well as your name printed so everyone in the crowd can cheer you home of course! Having your own printed t-shirt or printed vest also gives you the chance to showcase the charity which you are running for and raise awareness to other people watching about who the charity is and what they do… the possibilities are almost endless.

In every circumstance, Crystal Print are able to work with you and get your t-shirt designs just right ready for the 2015 London Marathon on the 26th April.

The 2015 London Marathon Takes Place on 26th April!!

The race itself kicks off at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, and will see runners make their way down the thames and right across London for an impressive 26 miles, before finishing near St. James Park, just metres away from Buckingham Palace itself.

For more information on the Virgin 2015 London Marathon, make sure you head over to: https://www.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/en-gb/event-info/runner-info/

If you wish to make and order of printed t-shirts or vests for yourself or a group of runners, please give Crystal Print a call today on: 01277 650 661 or head over to our clothing page to gain a better understanding of how we can help you! Thanks and Good Luck to all who are running the race on the 26th April! We might even see you there,,,,

http://www.crystalprint.co.uk/clothing.php

5 Ways To Get The Best From Your Business Cards

Business cards are one of the most effective ways to introduce people to your business. In order to ensure that they are truly effective, you will want to create business cards that people would rather keep, than throw away. Crystal Print look at the five main ways that you can achieve this, which we have discussed below:


Give The Right Details

Business cards are professional tools and therefore you should only include professional contact details for you on the card. Personal social media addresses should be avoided, although if you have a profile for your business then it is fine to include this. You should also ensure that your correct details are on the card, such as the right phone number.


Choose The Right Graphics

High definition graphics should always be used on business cards to create a good first impression. Include your logo somewhere on the card so people will associate this logo with your business when they see it. If your logo is updated at any point then you will need to get your cards re-printed so you are always giving across a consistent image.


Be Original

Your contacts probably find that they are always being handed business cards so you need to do something that will make your card stand out from the crowd. This can be an unusual image that is relevant to the industry you work in, or some copy that will make you and your business memorable.


Choose The Right Paper

You should choose high quality paper for your business cards that will be noticed as soon as you hand the card over. The cards should be a good thickness and not feel flimsy in your hand. If you have the opportunity you should feel the thickness of the paper your card will be printed on at the beginning of the process so that you know whether it suits your requirements.


Choose Quality Printing

Having your business cards professionally printed is an investment that is worth making because of the impression that they will give. All of the other hard work you do in creating your business cards will be undone if the print is of poor quality. Ideally you want to look for a company that uses technology to create high quality print that is still cost effective.

When it comes to printing, and business cards specifically, Crystal Print have all the tools and ammunition to help you succeed, producing aesthetically pleasing and creatively designed business cards that are sure to turn a few heads along the way. Contact us today on 01277 650661 and we can discuss your business card needs with you. Thanks for reading.

Successful Sign Design

When you are creating a sign that is advertising your business, you will want it to attract the attention of as many people as possible and therefore it is crucial that it is well designed. There are some important factors that should be taken into consideration when designing a sign in order to ensure that it has the intended effect. 

Consider The Location Of The Sign

The location of the sign and the background should be taken into account as this will influence the colours that are used. You will want colours that stand out against the background. A sign for gardening services, for example, should probably not contain any green, as this will make it difficult to see against a backdrop of trees or bushes.

Use Contrasting Colours

On the sign itself, contrasting colours should be used for the background and the text. This will make the sign stand out more and also makes it easier to read. If you use colours that are too similar, then this can make your message hard to distinguish, and people won't read it. 

Simple but Effective Signs from Crystal Print

Simplify The Content

Trying to fit too much content into a small space can make the sign difficult to read. Only include information that is essential. If you include a web address or email then people can contact you for more information if they want it. The purpose of the sign is to attract the attention of potential customers, not to provide them with every detail of the product.

Use Typography Wisely

The text that is chosen for your sign should be easy to read. This means it should be large and with a font that is readable. When choosing the typography, you should opt for simple fonts rather than anything elaborate as this will be easier for people to read and this means that they are more likely to read the message that you are trying to get across.


Make Good Use Of Blank Space

Space that is left blank can be an effective way to get the attention of people that are passing, especially if your sign is grouped with a number of others that have quite a lot of information on them. Blank space can help to draw the eye to a particular image or piece of text.

Effective Ways of using Promotional products

Promotional products that have your logo and business details on them are one of the most effective forms of advertising that you can use. However, many businesses are unsure of where they should be used, or where to give them out. Below, Crystal Print have listed 10 of the best places you can use Promotional Gifts (in no particular order) to ensure your business name and logo are seen in the right places.

1. At a trade show. Whenever someone visits your stand at a trade show, ensure they do not leave empty handed by giving them some of your free products.

2. At a charity event. Sponsoring a charity event is an excellent way to get your business noticed, and your promotional products can be given away to attendees.

3. Set up a referral program. Offer a benefits package to your existing customers that recommend their friends, which can include free promotional products.

4. At local radio events. If your local radio station holds events then get in touch to see if you can attend on the day with give-aways. You may also get some free advertising on the station.

5. At your premises. If your customers visit you at your business premises then this is the ideal location to give away your products. Any FREE product is a good product right? 

Promotional Gifts & Products Available from Crystal Print

6. During mail campaigns. If you are launching a mail campaign to attract new customers, including free products can help to encourage people to use your business.

7. At networking events. At business events, products that are useful such as pens and USB drives may be more effective than just handing out business cards.

8. Products for your employees. Give free products to your employees that they are likely to use with your brand on. Whenever their family or friends see them using the product they will be reminded of your business.

9. Sales team uniforms. If you have sales teams that are often out and about, make sure that they have uniforms that display your logo.

10. Community events. Getting involved in the community can only benefit your business and these events provide an opportunity for you to give out your promotional products.

As an Essex based business with years of experience in dealing with promotional gifts and promotional products, Crystal Print are able to work closely with you to determine with products might be suitable for your business, and where best for you to use them. Get in touch with us today by calling: or head over to our Promotional Gifts page to read more about what we do and how we can help you.

Incorporating Branded Colours in Uniforms

2014 has been an amazing year for Crystal Print so far as we've made new friends, taken part in local events and developed strong relationships with local businesses who have required printed marketing materials, corporate clothing, and uniforms.

Clothing has been one of the many things which we have revolved around this year and because of this we are going to explain the importance of using branded colours in your uniforms or corporate clothing in the latest edition of our blog.

So, why is it important to use your brand colours in uniforms?

Every time you, or a member of staff, interacts with existing or potential customers, this a reinforcement of your business brand. Whether you are actually at work, out on your lunch, or travelling to or from work, you gain the opportunity to expose your brand to the people around you. This is invaluable in a world where marketing is everything and staying ahead of your competitors is crucial.

On a whole, the team within a business are the working embodiment of a business brand. As a business owner, you know your team need to look professional, but have you considered using your brand colours in your staff uniform as a way of further marketing your brand?

If no, then you should consider doing so. Using the same colours as your brand to form part of your workwear can have a number of positive effects:

• An increased sense of staff pride.
• Increased professionalism across the board, and improved brand recognition.
• Customers can easily identify staff in the workplace, which can build a sense of trust.

Even if you are a sole-trader operating on your own, building a brand is still important. Wearing a uniform that reflects your brand is a good way of building trust with new customers and showing them that you are as professional and efficient as large corporate companies.

Colour

According to the University of Loyla, colour is recognised by the brain before images or words. Colours can also increase brand recognition by up to 80%.

As humans we make instant connections between colours and various different organisations, including the fire brigade, police officers and paramedics. Regardless of the environment we are in, our brain will always search for colour straight away as this is the first thing we would see.

In public sectors, coloured uniform offers a way to be distinguished from the general public easily. You will always notice that nurses and shop staff will wear their own colours to separate themselves from patients and customers alike.

If you need help increasing brand awareness and you aren’t sure which route to take in terms of incorporating colour into your work uniform, please be sure to get in touch with Crystal Print today. We can talk to you about your options and if you need help with your design we can work closely with you to come up with suitable ones that will make you, your employees, and your business, look more professional.

Thanks for reading, hopefully this helps you in your quest for improved brand recognition.

Before we love you and leave you, Crystal Print would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. This will probably be our last blog post before January, because we are so busy at the moment, but if we don’t check in before then, we will see you in 2015!

Introducing the Amaya XTS Embroidery Machine

It’s exciting times at Crystal Print at the moment as we we edge towards Christmas. Getting in the festive spirit has been incredibly easy this year as we scoured the market for new technologies and thought we would treat ourselves to an early Christmas present… or two!

As a business operating in Billericay, we are always looking for new ways to improve the service we provide to our customers, and this generally boils down to two things, the quality of product we provide, or some form of special offer. In this circumstance however, we have decided to improve the quality of service we provide by introducing 2 new embroidery machines to speed up our processes.

We bring you the Amaya XTS Embroidery Machine, Ta da!

It’s beautiful isn’t it?

Purchasing the Amaya XTS embroidery machines was an easy decision based upon how well they work and how even more efficient we will become as a business, once they arrive. Due any day now, everyone in the office is extremely excited and eagerly awaiting the arrival of revolutionary embroidery machines that are spearheading the market at the moment. The Amaya XTS embroidery machine is capable of delivering much faster results than the embroidery machine which we currently have, which means we will be able to increase our production and bring you your embroidered clothing much faster than ever before. With 16 needles and Auto Thread Tensioning, here’s what the Amaya XTS Machines have to offer:

- The largest cap sewing field in the industry
- Unique modular embroidery system
- Precise thread tensios with Acti-Feed thread tension technology
- Embroidery speed - Consistent speeds of up to 1500 stitches per minute irrelevant of machine configuration
- Precise laser tracking eye
- 16 colour backup system

For further information about our new toys, please head over to http://www.amayauk.com/ and read a little bit more about what they do and how they work!

Thanks for reading!