Massive January Sale Starts Early!

Loads of people have been asking what's going to be Half Price in our January Sale. So we're starting the discounts early. Save 50% on our most popular Leaflets - optionally folded to make brochures or menus. Booklets with thick covers glistening with gloss highlights are half off – ideal for those spring 2010 price lists and brochures you’ve been thinking about. Postcards and Scratch Cards are half price too - get ahead in the new year with a twist on your usual promotions. See the full list of half price deals before anyone else...

Every week during January we’re giving away £1,000 worth of printing. Just give us a Shameless Plug and find out how to enter - it's easy.

Win £1,000 of print in our Shameless Plug Competition

How would £1,000 (€1,200) worth of free printing help your business? A new brochure, a big leaflet drop or the chance to rebrand? Well during January we’re giving you 5 chances to win that prize.

If you like what we do for you… or love how much you save, you’re half way there. All we ask is that you share your love with others. Give us a shameless plug or two. Update your status on Facebook, tweet about us on Twitter, upload a video to YouTube or post some nice stuff on forums. Is there a little exhibitionist inside you? Hold up an “I ♥ printing.com” banner in a public place and get photographed (we’ll post some ideas to get you started). The more shameless you are, the better your chances of winning.

To enter, simply email the evidence of your shameless plug (a photo, a screen grab, a link) to shameless@printing.com Every Monday in January, we’ll pick the best from the week before and they’ll win £1,000 (€1,200) worth of printing. Are you in? How shameless could you be?

TERMS & CONDITIONS

• By emailing us your photo or link to shameless@printing.com, you’re agreeing that you’ll be featured in our Shameless Plug Gallery (on this blog) and allow us to use your image for promotional purposes.
• You may enter as many times as you like.
• All entries must be received by 6pm Friday 5th February 2010.
• On Monday 11th January 2010 and each Monday until Monday 8th February 2010 we will pick the best Shameless Plug received in the previous week.
• The best Shameless Plug each week will win £1,000+VAT worth of printing (“the prize”).
• The winners will be published on this blog (www.printing.com/shameless).
• The judge’s decision is final.
• The prize can only be used on printing and may not be redeemed on artwork, carriage or promotional products.
• The prize can be redeemed until 31/12/2010 at a participating printing.com outlet.
• From previous competition entries we know you’re a lively bunch. But please, keep it in your trousers.

Click here to see the latest entries.

Increase your sales in the New Year

Ho Ho Ho,

Giving gifts during the festive season is a great way to show you appreciate the people who are important to you. Thank your customers with a low-cost gift they can use - like a Wallplanner, Desk Notepad, Mobile Phone Holder or Desk Calendar. As our gift to you, order them during December and save up to 50%.

If you've not sent them a Christmas Card yet, don't panic - it's not too late. Order elegant Silk Christmas Cards today and we'll upgrade you to our Xpress Service Level for free. That means they're ready to collect just 4 working days from your artwork approval. Choose from a great range of pre-designed cards, or your local store can design something just for you.

What are you doing for the festive season?

Some of our customers tell us that November is usually their busiest month. Are you running any special offers or planning a festive themed promotion? We can help.

Reinforce your offer with some leaflets. Our thickest, silkiest full colour Leaflets are half price during November. Ideal for popping on the counter, dropping through letterboxes or inserting into the local paper. Add a fold and turn them into elegant brochures or mailers.

Does your image betray you?

Ok, so it’s an overused cliché but its nevertheless true (just like wearing your coat indoors – you won’t feel the benefit if you go out). Customers take seconds to judge how professional your organisation is by the way your marketing and communications look. Unfortunately you may not necessarily be perceived as well as you think you are.

Looking professional isn’t hard. Investing in well crafted design adds pounds to your bottom line. According to the Design Council, two thirds of companies who ignore design have to compete mainly on price. Where does that leave you if your competitors decide to cut their prices? Making little or no profit… or worse… going out of business. Horrible places to be.

If potential customers take one look at your marketing and think ‘nah thanks’, you’ve lost them at the first hurdle.

You don’t often get a second chance to change their opinion – or if you do, it takes a lot more effort than if you make a great impression first time round.

printing.com can help with a knockout design – creative and effective artwork is what we do best. Once your design is crafted, don’t let the side down by just photocopying it onto cheap paper – the message “carrier” is just as important. Our Premium ranges exude professionalism without comprising your budget. If you don’t take care over the way your marketing looks, potential customers will wonder how much care you take over your work. Don’t let your image betray you.

How to use StarMarque to improve response

Like magpies, we’re all attracted to shiny things. Shimmering diamond necklaces, gleaming new cars, glistening crystal glasses. We’re programmed to be attracted to them. It’s in our genes (no, we're not talking about your favourite stretch denims).

Businesses are finding that adding shiny StarMarque highlights to their marketing is helping get their message through. StarMarque gloss highlights add depth and impact and set a perception of high quality.

During October, StarMarque Folders,Flyers, Showcards and Business Cards are half price – try them today and see how your response rates improve.

How can 50p turn into £100?

According to a Royal Mail survey almost two thirds of people who received Christmas Cards were prompted to make a purchase the following year and over three quarters of them spent up to £100.

How much is your customer’s loyalty worth?

More than the cost of a card, envelope and postage stamp? We all know looking after customers is more important than ever. Giving cards and gifts during the festive season is a great way to show appreciation to the very people your business relies on for revenue and is a powerful way to build strong and long lasting client relationships. Research shows that consumers respond well to this personal touch. Loyalty will ultimately give you the kind of customers that you need – the kind that believe in your product and will tell others about it.

If you’ve been tempted to send an e-card, think again. Two thirds of people said they’d rather not receive an electronically emailed “e-card” compared to a traditional printed one. In a survey conducted by the University of Salford, 71% said e-cards were impersonal.

printing.com can design Christmas cards as individual as you. Choose from our biggest ever range of exclusive Christmas card designs or use your own illustrations or photos. Printed in full colour and fully personalised with your logo on the front, inside or anywhere you like.

What about when the cards come down?

Nobody expects your customers to hang onto their Christmas cards into the New Year so give them something they will keep. We’ve got loads of great ideas to reward your customers. It needn’t be expensive – our gifts start at less than 1p each.

Remember, the earlier you send out your cards and gifts, the longer you’ll be in your customer’s thoughts. Call your local store on 0800 19 555 90 or pop into the store to discuss your Christmas promotion today.