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Conquest Graphics Blog

How an Online Printer Can Save You Money on Your Print Marketing

by mariruth.kennedy@gmail.com
May 15, 2012 19:58
Online printing companies can save you a lot of money on all of your graphic design, printing, and shipping needs.  There are a variety of reasons why this is true, which all contribute to the rapidly growing online cheap printing industry, and one of the biggest is the huge selections of options.  Unlike local printing companies, an online printing company like Conquest Graphics is able to utilize large warehouses in several geographic locations to store their materials.  While smaller, brick-and-mortar businesses often have tight space limitations, these online companies are able to expand their offerings to allow for much more customization.  Additionally, some online printing companies make submitting images and documents even easier through their websites.
 
There is often the misconception that the shipping and delivery costs for purchasing cheap printing through an online printing company will invalidate the low initial estimates but this is simply not true!  Many online printing companies place their warehouses strategically near shipping hubs for fast, cheap delivery options that will then dramatically cut costs.  These cut costs are immediately passed on to the customer who ends up paying even less for their cheap printing than they would at a local brick-and-mortar printer.  Additionally, postal services often have arrangements with companies to offer special discounts and bulk pricing.  In the end, thanks to the growth of online service industries, shopping and delivery have become such inexpensive options that they are almost irrelevant factors in the modern market.

It was once the case that only specialty printers could offer the highest quality printing products but with the boom in industry technology it is now possible for an online printing company to have access to the same supplies and materials.  No longer do customers choose between value and quality—both are combined when you shop online.  Of course, it is still important to shop around to make sure you get the most “bang for your buck,” but with established, experienced companies like Conquest Graphics offering such competitive pricing no customer has to shop around for long!  People often want to check up on company reputations online before committing their dollars to a purchase, but when the companies themselves are online you can easily save yourself a step.
 
Due to the low overhead generally associated with e-commerce, many online printing companies are able to offer complimentary perks like free price quotes and graphic design consultations.  Considering that these are details all businesses are minimally required to assign in-house, being able to assign those responsibilities to an online printer that will handle them free-of-charge saves time and resources—and in business, of course, saving time and resource saves money.  When you are shopping around for a printing and shipping service and they not only offer nominal delivery charges, but quality comparable to a specialty store, as well as a wider selection of options and free bonuses, there remains very little reason to have your cheap printing needs handled locally.
 
For more information and resources for all of your printing needs, please visit
www.conquestgraphics.com
 

History of Conquest Graphics: Why Experience is Important in Printing

by mariruth.kennedy@gmail.com
May 15, 2012 11:06
When it comes to selecting an online printing company, as with any other service-based field, extensive industry experience is important because it ensures quality.  Experience in printing generally comes from being an established company, and being established carries with it the potential for a good reputation and a stake in the community.  This is especially true for Conquest Graphics which is a unique combination of family-run, small business values, with access to high quality materials and the ability to offer sales and customer service online.  Conquest Graphics is the online printing company for any potential customer looking for a brand that is both trustworthy and has demonstrated a history of business success.

Cheap printing should not come without expectations of great service and great finished products, but in this digital age it can be difficult to decide which online printing company can be trusted with your money.  Conquest Graphics has been in business since 1922 in downtown Richmond, Virginia, and has been one of the first online printers to make the transitions to Green Printing methods whenever possible.  Through the life of the company it was been family owned and operated with commitments to both quality and value.  Even though the success of the business has allowed them to expand geographically, they are still based locally to ensure that the family is able to oversee that production meets their high standards of operation.  The ability to trust an online company as if they were located just down the street is a rare and wonderful opportunity in any industry.

A large part of online printing is the process of collaborating to design a premium finished product—and often this is done in a partnership with the printer.  Often the client has a good idea of the content they would like to print but may be unsure about which format would be best, other times they may know how they would like the information delivered but might need some guidance in composing the content.  Conquest Graphics employs a team of customer service staff who are experts in the industry when it comes to graphic design, efficiency management, and respecting the time and budget of clients’ businesses.  Companies with experience in printing like Conquest Graphics are able to offer similarly experienced teams to make the purchasing process smooth and successful. 

The 90 year history of Conquest Graphics gives customers the confidence of an extensive track record of sound business viability and an invaluable knowledge industry trends.  Clients are always guaranteed access to the newest cheap online printing technology, the lowest prices, the most skilled team of staff able to respond to their service needs, and the good fortune of knowing that they are about to become lifelong, loyal customers of one of the most accessible small businesses in the world.  Truly, Conquest Graphics is the greatest example of how companies seeking out online printing options can truly have that “one stop shopping” experience with confidence.

For more information and resources for all of your printing needs, please visit
www.conquestgraphics.com
 

Why Use Recycled Paper for All Your Printing Needs

by mariruth.kennedy@gmail.com
May 8, 2012 13:13
There has been a recent resurgence in companies “going green” with their products and services and there are a variety of reasons why.  Not only is it great for the environment, and consumers generally show a preference for businesses that use environmentally friendly methods, but it is no longer necessarily more expensive versus traditional printing.  Green printing through online companies like Conquest Graphics allows you to not only market your brand itself as “green” but you can help lessen a great amount of stress on the reforestation industry.
 
One of the best ways to slow the widespread deforestation taking place around the world is to opt for recycled paper when you are shopping around for a printing resource.  If possible, you should seek out businesses that commit themselves to using recycled paper more frequently than traditional.  Companies that commit to FSC certification are generally more reputable and established in the community as it is a complex and expensive process that newer businesses may be less inclined to invest in.  FSC certification communicates an investment in an active, socially conscious, and financially sound business practices.
 
There truly are a limited amount of materials on this planet to grow and cultivate and print onto and this has created the need to transition into more responsible business decisions with a focus on the long term instead of just the immediate present.  With this new trend toward a more economically-friendly style of business it is important to not allow your brand to stand out for the wrong reason—opting out.  Businesses in general did not always have to be so concerned with such public relations issues but over time consumers have become much more involved in the production and sale of the products they buy.  When we push this involvement toward trends like green printing, and other environmentally friendly efforts, we can help preserve our resources.
 
As consumers we should all make the effort to support businesses that make the effort to offer sustainable products and services because we can all benefit.  Companies can now even save money through “green” strategies and pass those savings onto their customers, the customers can save a little bit of money and be able to spend with a good conscience, and of course the environment itself benefits over and over again.  Thanks to companies like Conquest Graphics that invest the time and energy into demonstrating their commitments to green printing efforts through FSC certification we can all shop smarter and healthier.
 
The universal recycling/recyclable insignia of three arrows pointing toward one another in a triangle is governed by the Federal Trade Commission's Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims with very strict requirements—it’s very important to know the differences.  This symbol set against a background indicates that it is made of recycled materials, whereas these symbols without a background indicate only that they are able to be recycled safely.  Look for the arrows when you’re shopping for green paper printing and other environmentally sustainable products.
 
For more information and resources for all of your printing needs, please visit www.conquestgraphics.com
 

Why FSC Certification Is Important When Selecting an Online Printer

by mariruth.kennedy@gmail.com
May 8, 2012 12:25
FSC certification, which is certification based on standards proposed by the Forest Stewardship Council, is an indicator that the printing company in question supports environmentally friendly crop cultivation and paper processing.  There are very strict guidelines for all merchants involved that govern the processes from when the trees are first cut down to when they are sent through the printing machines for the final product.
 
It is important to choose a green printing company with FSC certification because it encourages printing companies to make their own environmentally friendly decisions.  If consumers push for more “green” production then it encourages the businesses to move further in that direction.  Companies want to make money, and since money talks, it’s good to note that the customers are crying out for more environmentally conscious options.
 
Of course, there is “going green” and picking up the impressive FSC certification through a separate organization—the latter is far more involved.  Not only do the certification policies have certain guidelines in place governing the green printing process itself but also the means by which the paper is gathered.  The FSC acknowledges that we are deforesting much faster than we are able or willing to create new growth in the old trees’ places.  Unfortunately, at this rate it will only be a matter of time before we have completely cut out too much greenery to sustain our current lifestyles.
When you choose to buy from green printing companies with FSC certification then you can feel confident that they are following these guidelines:
   
    Principle 1. Compliance with all applicable laws and international treaties
    Principle 2. Demonstrated and uncontested, clearly defined, long–term land tenure and use rights
    Principle 3. Recognition and respect of indigenous peoples' rights
    Principle 4. Maintenance or enhancement of long-term social and economic well-being of forest workers and local communities and respect of worker’s rights in compliance with International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions
    Principle 5. Equitable use and sharing of benefits derived from the forest
    Principle 6. Reduction of environmental impact of logging activities and maintenance of the ecological functions and integrity of the forest
    Principle 7. Appropriate and continuously updated management plan
    Principle 8. Appropriate monitoring and assessment activities to assess the condition of the forest, management activities and their social and environmental impacts
    Principle 9. Maintenance of High Conservation Value Forests (HCVFs) defined as environmental and social values that are considered to be of outstanding significance or critical importance
    Principle 10. In addition to compliance with all of the above, plantations must contribute to reduce the pressures on and promote the restoration and conservation of natural forests.
 
It is important to choose an FSC certified company for your green printing needs because you can support efforts to take care of the environment without any added cost to yourself.  Green printing companies like Conquest Graphics offer high quality products and services while also having competitive pricing.  Many customers believe that when businesses offer premium customer care and environmentally friendly products that this comes at a premium price and this simply isn’t true!
 
For more information and resources for all of your printing needs, please visit www.conquestgraphics.com
 

Can Green Printing Help Save the Environment & still be Cost Effective?

by mariruth.kennedy@gmail.com
May 8, 2012 10:07
Green printing is the concept of using environmentally friendly recycled paper and energy efficient means of printing.  In order to truly use the term “green” there must be attention paid to the process from the beginning to the end—the tree cutting to the printed product from a green printing company such as Conquest Graphics.  Companies are now better able to offer competitively priced green printing for environmentally conscious consumers.  Companies generally will still offer non-green options to customers but there remain very few reasons to not recycle.  Recycling paper can save money at either end, in addition to benefiting the reputation of the business, as well as the beauty of the landscape.
 
Reforestation efforts have picked up in recent years in order to combat the rampant destruction of forestry around the world.  Cultivation of trees for printing purposes accounts for 92% of all deforestation and it is vital that we find ways to slow and lesson the damage to the environment.  Humans are currently using more resources than they are growing and storing and will eventually run out of trees to clear cut.  Green printing companies are helping the efforts by transitioning into FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification.  This certification is based on standards set up by the FSC for endorsing environmentally conscious businesses.
 
Some options for green printing are switching to soy and vegetable-based inks, which are very cost-effective due to the fact that they are so much more pigmented than traditional inks and require less volume, as well as using recycled paper and buying product from companies that choose to do sustainable deforestation.  Additionally, green printing companies do make an effort to use recycled paper whenever possible and this is a wonderful trend.  Recycled paper is the same quality as non-recycled paper and can be cheaper in some situations and looks great for your brand.
 
If your company chooses to switch to green printing then you can qualify for FSC certification when you follow very specific guidelines.  Not only is this a good resource for planning how to move toward become a sustainable business but it will make your company much more attractive to consumers.  Many customers seek out FSC certification when choosing a printer, for both personal and professional needs, and are 23% more likely to maintain loyalty when they do so. 
 
Green printing companies are bringing new life back into their industry by learning how to efficiently and effectively remain active during this trend shift.  It is likely that this push for environmentally friendly business practices will only become stronger over time and it benefits the printers, the consumers, and the landscape as well.  By researching guidelines and standards for green printing, applying them to your printing practices, and knowing how to market your certification to consumers then you will be able to take advantage of this cultural shift with a good conscience—and without much added expense, if any!  Environmentally friendly printing is great for the entire industry.
 
For more information and resources for all of your printing needs, please visit www.conquestgraphics.com
 

What's the difference between Digital Printing and Offset Printing

by mariruth.kennedy@gmail.com
April 30, 2012 13:27
 
With the growing popularity of digital printing, it’s become a decision that many companies have to make as they’re choosing how to approach a marketing strategy—digital printing or offset printing?  With even a quick scan over this list it is very easy to decide which option is best for your business, and online printing companies like Conquest Graphics offer both at competitive prices.  It is important that your company not become so familiar with one that they neglect the other, when each can be good for different types of printing projects.  As always—the best marketing strategy is one that uses variety and several paths to reach as many customers as possible with novelty and innovation.
 
 
Benefits of digital printing:
More cost effective at lower volumes—Depending on the size of your order it can be cheaper to go with digital, so it’s a good idea before you place an order to get a quote for comparison just to check.  If you aren’t looking to simply go the cheapest route then there are still benefits to using digital printing that go beyond price and still ensure value.
 
Variable printing— Using databases and mailing lists, variable data printing is one of the best benefits of digital printing.  With these customized direct mailings you can narrow down your targeting to the individual residents themselves and greatly increase the likelihood that they will find your advertising interesting and exciting.
 
Benefits of offset printing:
Cheaper at high volumes— Unlike digital printing, offset printing is usually the cheaper way to go with a larger bulk order due to the way the machines process materials.  For a business looking to save as much money as possible this is often a smart choice.
 
Higher quality product— Even if there is a degree of variability in the finished products, the image quality ( resolution and cleanliness) is generally much better when you go with offset printing, so some businesses with image-heavy advertising may opt for this choice.
Good for a variety of printing surfaces— Paper is not the only printing surface you can choose from!  You can print on anything from wood to cloth to plastic, and all of this is possible with offset printing.  If you’re interested in one of these methods it’s best to call your printer first to find out if they offer any of these surfaces as an option.
 
Both digital printing and offset printing have positives and negatives, depending on everything from your budget to the needs of the individual project itself.  Companies like Conquest Graphics offer excellent customer service, either over the phone or online in real-time, to help you make the best decision from project to project.  With immediate and highly accurate quote availability, as well as a broad knowledge base regarding the industry, you should definitely take advantage of this assistance from the earliest stages of your planning.
 
For more information and resources for all of your printing needs, please visit www.conquestgraphics.com
 
 
 
 
 

How to Design Door Hangers to Promote Your Restaurant

by mariruth.kennedy@gmail.com
April 30, 2012 10:47
Restaurants always benefit greatly from any form of advertising that uses colorful images and door hanger printing is a cost-effective to promote your business.  With some pretty basic tips for your graphic design, and a great resource for online printing like Conquest Graphics, cheap door hanger printing becomes a perfect marketing strategy for restaurants.
 
Take advantage of imagery—  One of the best benefits of door hanger printing for restaurants is the way that high quality, glossy images can be used to show off your delicious looking food.  Customers respond quickly and strongly to visual advertising and this is especially true for industries that offer products that can satisfy all 5 senses.  One professional photograph of a pepperoni pizza can say that it’s hot, perfectly cooked, covered with high quality ingredients, a nice big size, and very aromatic.  They say that pictures are worth a thousand words, but with cheap door hanger printing they don’t have to cost that much!
 
Include menu highlights—  Although restaurants can include a huge chunk of their menus on their cheap door hanger printing, sometimes it’s better to highlight some of the more popular and enticing food items—particularly if they are associated with some kind of special.  For example, an Italian restaurant could advertise their top 5 selections; chicken parmesan, chicken alfredo, spaghetti, cheese ravioli, and pasta e fagioli. These are well-known and easily recognizable dishes whose prices will help give a general picture of your business’ pricing model.  Direct readers to your website for the complete menu if applicable.
 
Make sure to include address and phone number —  This may seem obvious but it’s important not to overlook emphasizing  your relevant contact information!  You want your customers to know immediately where you’re located and what your phone number is, in addition to a website or other social networking site if they can be used to place orders.  One good idea is to mention what your restaurant is close to so that potential customers will create associations.  Quotes like, “Next to the Downtown Mall!” or, “Right across from Big Supermarket on Main Street!” create those immediate associations and connect your business with others that have ties to the community and established legitimacy.
 
Take geography into account—  Outside of the graphic design itself, you should make sure that your printed door hanger is distributed intelligently around the area.  If your restaurant delivers then be sure to focus your advertising within that zone—it does very little good to spend money to advertising your Chinese takeout business over 30 minutes away when your drivers will only travel to residences 15 minutes away.
 
Door hangers are definitely one of the best ways of advertising delicious food!  Customers respond so well to the images and the close geographical proximity that it is easy to attract their attention.  When you combine your photography with high quality printing, competitive pricing, and smart distribution of the marketing materials, you will make sure to get the absolute most out of your advertising budget.
 
For more information and resources for all of your printing needs, please visit www.conquestgraphics.com
 

How to Design a Great Newsletter for Charitable Organizations

by mariruth.kennedy@gmail.com
April 30, 2012 10:32
Good graphic design decisions are very important for making the most of your cheap newsletter printing through online printing companies like Conquest Graphics—this is especially true for charitable organizations because they benefit so much from the newsletter format. 
 
Establish legitimacy—  Potential donors want to know that they can trust your charity with their money and newsletters are a very effective way of doing this.  By compiling information about your organization and the cause as a larger idea, you can communicate that you are an active, healthy charity with clear goals and ideas.  People will be much more likely to put faith in your ability to make the most of their money when they can read well-written, clear and concise details about what your organization stands.  It’s nice to set aside some space to discuss your history and any mission statements as well.
 
Show ties to community— One important thing for charitable organizations to show in their advertising is that they are fixtures in the community.  This can be done through cross-promotion, as well as through newsletter pieces discussing local events and donor testimonies.  When you give your organization a familiar context you make it seem even bigger than itself.  If you supply t-shirts for a sporting event, prizes at an auction, or make signage around a stage, be sure to include a piece about them in your cheap newsletter printing to remind donors and potential donors alike that you are making a difference and also making efforts to spread the word and get your cause as much visibility as possible!
 
Increase awareness of your cause— Of course, if you want potential donors to give money for your cause then you need to be sure they know what your cause is!  This is an issue that some lesser known medical conditions suffer from because there is simply not enough awareness.  While conditions such as AIDS and cancer have a lot of public support, others like Tay-Sachs disease do not have as much simply because there have not been enough opportunities to make that human connection through informational efforts.  Make the most of the newsletter’s strength of blocks of text by giving as much important information as possible about your cause to let potential donors know why they should be as passionate about it as you are.  People want to help if you just make the effort to let them know where their help is needed most, and why.
 
Highlight big donor contributions— Even though charitable giving is not about receiving recognition it can be nice to use your cheap newsletter printing to highlight some of the larger donations from private individuals or businesses.  This is especially a good idea when your charitable organization teams up with other groups or has local sponsorship.  For example, sometimes a business will donate a large sum of money, or help out with regular donation drives, and you can foster a reciprocal relationship by recognizing their efforts in your newsletter.
 
For more information and resources for all of your printing needs, please visit www.conquestgraphics.com
 

Why Hire A Graphic Designer to Design Your Printed Marketing Materials?

by mariruth.kennedy@gmail.com
April 26, 2012 11:24
All companies want to cut costs at each level of advertising but it’s always important to know when you’re cutting costs and when you’re actually costing yourself profit.  Too often businesses will employ in-house personnel for their graphic design needs because they don’t understand the knowledge base and research that goes into a professional design position.  Unfortunately, they can then miss out on the increased revenue generated by a skilled graphic designer who knows how to put a novel and exciting spin on your cheap brochure printing through high quality, cost effective companies like Conquest Graphics.
 
Understanding of market research— Part of training and education in graphic design is learning how to use knowledge of market research to maximize the benefits of your cheap printing needs.  A professional graphic designer understands trends in advertising and should have experience in taking advantage of these trends using the right combination of imagery and text—an in-house individual may not be able to do the same.
 
Saves time— When you give the task of designing to an in-house staff member who does not have a background in the field then you are also tasked with not only teaching them the relevant software and other tools, but understanding that they will not move as quickly through the process as a professional.  As a result, you may have a lower quality product that takes twice as long to produce.
 
Saves money— Believe it or not, it is often true that hiring a graphic designer to take charge of the creative side of your marketing materials can actually save you money.  Not only will a good graphic designer be able to compress the greatest amount of information into the smallest possible space while still looking professional, as it is part of their education, but the most success advertising strategies increase revenue and cause the freelance fee to pay for itself!
 
Creative specialty— Graphic design is, of course, a creative process, and like all creative processes it benefits most from a creative personality!  Generally professionals who choose to go into this field are artistic and have the right mindset for this type of marketing.  While in college they learn how to turn their natural talents into a skill that becomes second nature to them.
 
Be sure to research the graphic designer before hiring them because their final products will only have as much quality as they do.  They should have a portfolio for you to browse, and the depth of the portfolio may be smaller if they have not been out of college for long, but may come with the benefit of a smaller hourly fee.  If you like the quality of their prior work but it’s obvious they’re just starting out, it may be worth giving them a try.  Ideally, your relationship with your graphic designer will be long and fruitful for both parties!
 
For more information and resources for all of your printing needs, please visit www.conquestgraphics.com
 
 

How to Design your Door Hangers to Promote Your Contracting Business

by mariruth.kennedy@gmail.com
April 26, 2012 10:57
Contracting businesses rely very heavily on strong localized marketing to create familiarity and trust.  Whether you are a landscaper, plumber, or heat/AC Repairman, customers absolutely have to feel that your contracting business has a positive reputation and is an established fixture in the community in order to allow you on their properties and into their homes.  Using some basic tips for your cheap door hanger printing through online printing companies like Conquest Graphics you can let potential customers know you’re trustworthy, professional, and do only quality work.
 
Localized targeting— One benefit to cheap door hanger printing as a contractor is that you can target and canvas around where you are doing work.  A landscaper that is building up the curb appeal for a home in the middle of a big neighborhood could distribute their door hanger printing to the nearby homes.  This way, potential customers will be able to immediately connect the advertiser with their proof of service.  If a homeowner sees new, beautiful lawn on their way to their front door with the lawn service advertising hanging from it—that is an invaluable opportunity!
 
Use both sides— Depending on which contracting service you are offering images may not be as important, but generally if you’re trying to sell a visual product or service (e.g., anything home-related) you’re going to want to include a picture or two.  The nice thing about cheap door hanger printing is that one side readily faces out at the customer while the other side is waiting, covered with all kinds of relevant and important information.  Let the front jump out and pull them in while the back holds their attention.
 
Lots of colors— Being that contractors are largely hired for work around the home, there are lots of chances to incorporate bright, bold, exciting visuals that are related to home ownership such as vibrant outdoor landscapes, beautiful furnishings rich in color, and to use these all in a way that feels warm, inviting, and charming.  Use a lot of colors in your door hanger printing, but be sure to do research first and play with a variety of combinations to make sure that you’re projecting the right image.
 
Open with your offer— Every piece of advertising should come from some sort of angle—an offer to entire the potential customer.  So, what’s your offer?  Is it a percentage off of two combined services?  Is it a seasonal discount?  Put it first and foremost on your advertising materials!  Don’t make the resident have to read through a bunch of text to get to the most exciting part of your door hanger printing!  Remember that people only review ads for a few seconds before either committing to interest or deciding to discard them.  Make sure your big, bold, amazing offer jumps out at them.
 
Contractors can take most advantage of cheap door hanger printing through competitive priced online companies like Conquest Graphics by maximizing local visibility with professional and enticing marketing materials—using tips just like these!
 
For more information and resources for all of your printing needs, please visit www.conquestgraphics.com
 
 

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