Category: Houston Graphic Design Services

What is CMYK Rich Black
Colors are key for printing and getting attention. We know black is often used, but did you know there’s a special type called CMYK Rich Black? Let’s explore!

CMYK Rich Black is made with a blend of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y) and black (K). This creates a deep, dark shade. Unlike regular black, which has just K, CMYK Rich Black has C, M and Y too. This makes the black color vibrant and attractive.

Adding CMY inks to K for rich blacks creates depth and vibrancy. This is great for large areas of solid black, like logos or backgrounds. The extra inks stop any grey tones from happening.

Here are a few tips for CMYK Rich Black:
1. Get the right mix: You need the right amounts of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. This varies, so check your printer’s specs.
2. Test-print: Before printing lots, test your artwork on different paper with CMYK Rich Black. This will identify any issues and give you the result you want.
3. Viewing distance: The colors you see depend on how far away you look. If people will be viewing your design from a distance, adjust the CMYK values.
CMYK Rich Black is an essential part of printing. Its ability to make deep blacks with vibrancy gives more possibilities in design. By understanding CMYK Rich Black and using it properly, you can create amazing printed projects.

Understanding CMYK Rich Black

To understand CMYK Rich Black, dive into the world of CMYK color model and gain clarity on the definition of rich black. Delve into the detailed explanation of these sub-sections as you unravel the intricacies of CMYK Rich Black.

Explanation of CMYK color model

CMYK is a key part of the printing world. It lets us make vivid, accurate colors on different surfaces. Designers and printers must understand it.

CMYK is four colors. Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black. By mixing these colors, you can get many hues. Each color has a number from 0-100, which tells you how strong it is.

CMYK is different from other color models. RGB (Red, Green, Blue) adds light to make a color. CMYK has white paper and takes away color to make what you want.

One special thing is ‘rich black‘. If you only use K, it may look dull or grey when printed. To fix this, designers use small amounts of the other colors to get a richer, darker black.

For rich black, mix 60% cyan, 40% magenta, 40% yellow and 100% key black (K). This makes text and graphics look sharp and clear.

Designers and printers need to understand CMYK to make what they want on paper. Otherwise results could be bad. It’s essential not to miss out on creating amazing designs that will wow your audience. Get into CMYK today and bring out your creativity!

Definition of rich black

CMYK Rich Black is a coloring strategy used in printing to get deep, even black shades. It is made by combining colors – Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and also Key (black). By adding more of each in the mix, you can get a richer black that looks better on printed material.

When making rich black, you need to think about the printing process and paper quality. Different printers have different dot gains, which can change the look of the black. To make up for this, you may need to change the CMYK percentages.

The paper quality also has an influence on how good the rich black will look. Coated papers usually make darker blacks than uncoated ones because their smooth surfaces allow more ink absorption. So, you must choose the right paper type to get the perfect rich black hue.

Pro Tip: To get the exact colors and results, ask your printer or use professional color management when using CMYK Rich Black.

Importance of CMYK Rich Black in Printing

To achieve optimal print results, CMYK rich black is essential. Enhancing contrast and darkness, as well as avoiding issues with color separation, become solutions.

Enhancing contrast and darkness

Mixing cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks (CMYK) creates a rich, dark black that adds depth and intensity to prints. Balance the ratio of each color to prevent any color dominance or discrepancies in the hue. Experiment with mixtures to find the perfect one for your prints and desired contrast. Steer clear of grayscale images, as they can appear dull and flat compared to CMYK enriched blacks. This blend brings out small details by intensifying shadows and improving image clarity. Take advantage of gradients and shading using CMYK rich black to give dimension to materials.

To get the best results, it’s essential to understand how these tips work. The CMYK mixture enriches contrast by increasing shadows and making pics appear sharper and more defined. Plus, it gives darkness, so darker areas still show detail instead of becoming flat blocks of ink. Utilize these tips to add contrast and darkness to designs for attractive visuals that draw eyes. Experiment with colors and techniques to find what works best for your project.

Avoiding issues with color separation

It’s key to dodge any issues when doing color separation in printing. To have a successful process, remember these points:
1. Utilize correct CMYK settings: Ensure your design software is set to CMYK, not RGB. That way, colors will be accurately displayed on printed material.
2. Refrain from using rich blacks in tiny text and fine lines: Rich black can add depth to a design but it works better for spacious areas of solid color. Rich black in small texts or thin lines may look blurry or unreadable.
3. Take note of color profiles: Specific color profiles may be needed depending on the printing method and paper used. Consult with your printer or designer to get the right ones.
Also, other considerations to avoid color separation issues:
- Calibrate your monitor often: Calibrating your monitor regularly guarantees that the colors you see on the screen are as close as possible to the finished prints.
- Check for any color mode conversions: If you need to transfer images from one color mode to another, be careful. Unexpected changes can occur. Double-check all conversions before finishing the artwork.
- Proofread and test print: Prior to sending your design for mass printing, read through all text and try out a sample print. It’ll help you spot mistakes or potential problems with colors before a huge print run.
By following these tips, you can keep away from typical troubles during the color separation process. Accurate colors are required for eye-catching prints that’ll grab attention.

Creating CMYK Rich Black

To achieve CMYK rich black in your designs, follow the section “Creating CMYK Rich Black” with sub-sections focusing on the mixing process colors and recommended CMYK values for rich black. This approach will provide you with effective solutions to create vibrant and professional-looking prints using CMYK rich black.

Mixing process colors

Let’s examine the following table for a better understanding of the process.

Color Component Amount
Cyan (C) 30%
Magenta (M) 20%
Yellow (Y) 20%
Key (Black) (K) 100%

The table shows the exact amounts of the color components needed for a CMYK rich black. It’s important to note that these proportions can differ based on the printing method and paper type being used.

What makes this technique special is its ability to provide deeper saturation and richness than pure black. Combining small portions of cyan, magenta, yellow, and key black can improve the visuals of prints.

Don’t miss out on this! By learning how to mix process colors for CMYK rich black, you can add more vibrancy and professionalism to your designs. Try it to unleash the full potential of your creation!

Recommended CMYK values for rich black

To get a deep, rich black, use a combination of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks. A common mix is 60% cyan, 40% magenta, 40% yellow, and 100% black. This helps make a uniform black that adds depth to text and graphics.

By selecting the right mix of inks, designers can create a visually striking effect. But other factors like paper type, print method, and color calibration must be considered too.

For a fashion magazine, I designed an ad with bold black text on a colored background. To get the right look, I tried different CMYK mixes until I found the perfect balance for rich black. The result was an eye-catching design that still looked professional. This experience showed me how important it is to use recommended CMYK values for rich black to get good visuals in print.

Best Practices for Using CMYK Rich Black

To ensure optimal use of CMYK rich black in your artwork and design files, follow these best practices. Preparing artwork and design files ensures the correct application of CMYK rich black, while checking color consistency guarantees uniformity throughout your design. Achieve professional results by implementing these guidelines for a flawless CMYK rich black experience.

Preparing artwork and design files

Use the right format. Save artwork and designs as TIFF, PDF, or EPS for top quality.

Set up bleeds. Make sure to add 0.125 inches around the edges to avoid any cuts in production.

Embed fonts. Include all fonts used in the project for the same typography.

Images should be 300 dpi for sharpness. This will make designs look great when printed.

Checking color consistency
1. Implement color management: This ensures accuracy between what you see on-screen and the final printed result.
2. Calibrate your monitor: Make adjustments to brightness, contrast and temperature to guarantee colors are accurate.
3. Preview proofs: Before finalizing, get print proofs from your printer. Review colors and make necessary changes.
4. Use standardized CMYK values: Consistent results by using higher levels of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black.
5. Spot checks: Compare printed samples to initial design file to look for inconsistencies in color.
6. Note printers/processes: Different printers and processes may cause variations in color. Communicate desired outcome to minimize.
The Printing Industries of America found that a color management system can reduce rework costs by 50%. This increases accuracy and saves money.

Conclusion

CMYK rich black is a must-have for printing and design. Comprehending its composition and application boosts printed materials’ quality and impact.

Importance of CMYK rich black:
- Vibrant blacks that captivate the eye.
- Counteracts color shifts during printing.
- Enhances professionalism of the final product.
Suggestions to make the most out of CMYK rich black:
1. Test different ratios of cyan, magenta, yellow and black for the optimal depth and richness.
2. Familiarize yourself with printer capabilities and limitations.
3. Communicate your requirements to printers or print service providers.
Comprehending CMYK rich black and following these tips can help designers reach excellence. It contributes significantly to the success of any print project.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is CMYK Rich Black?

CMYK Rich Black is a specific combination of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink used in the printing process to create a deep, dense black color. It is often preferred for printing text and graphics that require a darker and more intense black tone.

2. How is CMYK Rich Black different from regular black ink?

Regular black ink is made up of only black, while CMYK Rich Black utilizes small amounts of cyan, magenta, and yellow inks in addition to the black ink. The addition of these colors helps to enhance the depth and richness of the black shade.

3. When should I use CMYK Rich Black?

CMYK Rich Black is commonly used in offset printing, digital printing, and other printing processes where a deep black shade is desired. It is ideal for printing text, logos, and graphics that need to stand out and make a strong visual impact.

4. Can I achieve CMYK Rich Black with my home printer?

While home printers typically use a different color space, it is possible to approximate CMYK Rich Black by manually adjusting the ink levels and color settings. However, achieving an exact match may be challenging, as home printers often have limitations in producing a truly dense and vibrant black.

5. Is CMYK Rich Black used in web design?

No, CMYK Rich Black is specific to the printing industry. In web design, the RGB color space is used, which offers its own range of black colors. It is important to convert CMYK Rich Black to RGB values if you intend to use the color in digital mediums.

6. Can I request CMYK Rich Black at any print shop?

Most professional print shops are familiar with CMYK Rich Black and can accommodate your request. However, it is always advisable to communicate your specific color requirements and consult with the print shop to ensure the desired outcome.
October 5, 2023

Color Component	Amount
Cyan (C)	30%
Magenta (M)	20%
Yellow (Y)	20%
Key (Black) (K)	100%

Half Sheet Size Paper: A Comprehensive Guide

When it comes to printing documents, flyers, or other materials, choosing the right paper size can be crucial. While standard paper sizes like letter and legal are widely used, sometimes a smaller size can be more convenient. One such size is half sheet size paper.

At Catdi printing, we understand the importance of selecting the right paper size for your printing needs. In this article, we’ll discuss half sheet size paper, its uses, benefits, and how to choose the right type of paper for your project—with updated insights into the latest trends in sustainable printing and digital innovation.

What is Half Sheet Size Paper?

Half sheet paper, also known as half letter size paper or 5.5 x 8.5 inch paper, is a common choice for compact printing needs. It is exactly half the size of a standard letter-size paper (8.5 inches by 11 inches). This makes it easy to create two prints per standard sheet or to cut full-size paper in half when printing at home.

Half sheet size paper is widely used for printing flyers, postcards, invitations, mini-brochures, and event handouts. Its dimensions are especially suitable for digital printing and quick-turnaround projects, where smaller runs and personalization are beneficial.

Its adaptable size works well with modern printing technologies, including print-on-demand and digital workflows, making it easier than ever to produce short runs and customized content quickly and cost-effectively.

Benefits of Half Sheet Size Paper

1. Cost-effective

One of the primary benefits of using half sheet size paper is its cost-effectiveness. It is an economical option compared to larger paper sizes like letter or legal. Printing on this paper size can save money on printing costs, as it requires less paper and ink.

2. Versatile

Half sheet size paper is a versatile paper size that can be used for a variety of printing needs. It is commonly used for printing postcards, invitations, flyers, and other marketing materials. Its smaller size makes it easy to handle and distribute.

3. Convenience

This particular paper size is a convenient option for printing and distributing materials. It is small enough to fit in a standard envelope, making it easy to send through the mail. Its smaller size also makes it easier to carry and store.

4. Environmentally friendly

Printing on half sheet size paper can be more environmentally friendly than using larger paper sizes. Since it requires less paper and ink, it can help reduce waste and lower your carbon footprint. Many modern printers and presses are also embracing sustainable methods like soy-based inks and carbon-neutral technologies (Seacourt).

5. Supports Sustainable Printing Trends

In 2025, sustainability is a major trend in the printing industry. Half sheet paper is increasingly produced with recycled content, biodegradable fibers, or alternative materials like bamboo or agricultural waste. Combined with soy-based inks and carbon-neutral printing presses, this format allows businesses to align with eco-conscious values (FESPA).

Use case: Businesses can promote their green initiatives by choosing half sheet flyers printed on recycled stock with soy-based inks, appealing to environmentally responsible customers.

6. Ideal for Personalization

Thanks to advances in digital printing, personalizing half sheet materials is now easier and more affordable. You can create highly targeted pieces with unique QR codes, custom greetings, or tailored promotional offers. These technologies also allow for easy A/B testing in short-run formats (Park Communications).

Use case: A local restaurant could print custom half sheet coupons with QR codes linking to personalized menus or RSVP forms for exclusive events.

Uses of Half Sheet Size Paper

1. Flyers

Half sheet size paper is a popular choice for printing flyers. Its smaller size makes it easier to handle and distribute, and it can be a cost-effective option for printing large quantities.

2. Postcards

Its size is ideal for postcards—print your message on one side and mailing details on the other. These are a smart and mailable option for small business promotions.

3. Invitations

Half sheet invitations offer an elegant and practical format for weddings, parties, or business events. Their compatibility with standard envelopes makes distribution a breeze.

4. Brochures

Half sheet paper can be folded to create compact brochures, ideal for product or service highlights.

5. Hybrid Events & QR Codes

With the rise of hybrid in-person and virtual experiences, half sheet flyers can be embedded with QR codes or NFC chips linking to livestreams, digital brochures, or RSVP pages.

Use case: Event planners can use these flyers to merge print and digital engagement seamlessly.

6. Church and Community Inserts

Half sheet flyers fit neatly into church bulletins or non-profit handouts. They’re ideal for event reminders, donation requests, or announcements (MyCreativeShop).

Use case: Faith-based and community organizations can communicate effectively and affordably with their members.

Comparative Table

Application Half Sheet Size Benefits Example Use Case

Flyers Cost-effective, easy to distribute Community event handouts

Invitations Fits standard envelopes, elegant Wedding or business event invites

Postcards Mailable, eye-catching Direct mail campaigns

Brochures Compact, foldable Product or service mini-guides

Coupons/Vouchers Convenient size, wallet-friendly Retail promotions, loyalty programs

Choosing the Right Type of Half Sheet Size Paper

1. Paper Weight

The weight of the paper can affect its durability and how it feels. For half sheet paper, a weight of 80-100 lb. is typically recommended.

2. Paper Finish

Choose a finish that complements your message. Glossy finishes provide a polished look; matte finishes lend a more elegant, professional feel.

3. Color

While white is standard, colored half sheet paper can enhance visual interest. Use bold colors for promotions or muted tones for formal events.

4. Brand and Quality

Don’t overlook the quality of your paper. High-end stocks feel better, look sharper, and reflect more positively on your brand.

At Catdi Printing, we offer a variety of paper size options, weights, and finishes. Whether you need eco-friendly stock or a premium textured card, we can guide you to the perfect match.

FAQs About Half Sheet Size Paper

Q: What is half sheet size paper exactly?
A: Half sheet size paper measures 5.5 x 8.5 inches, which is half the size of standard letter-size paper. It’s often called “half letter size” and is great for flyers, postcards, and invitations.

Q: Can I print on half sheet size paper at home?
A: Yes. You can cut standard 8.5 x 11 paper in half and print on it using most home or office printers. Just adjust your page setup or printer settings accordingly.

Q: What kind of paper weight should I use?
A: A paper weight of 80-100 lb. is ideal for half sheet prints to ensure durability and a professional feel.

Q: What are some common uses for half sheet size paper?
A: Popular uses include event flyers, direct mail postcards, RSVP cards, shelf talkers, donation slips, and more.

Q: Is it an eco-friendly choice?
A: Yes! Since it uses less paper and is often available in recycled or alternative fiber options, half sheet paper is a smart choice for environmentally conscious brands.

Conclusion

Half sheet size paper is a cost-effective, versatile, and environmentally conscious option for modern printing needs. As printing technology evolves, this compact format continues to prove its relevance—supporting personalization, sustainability, and design innovation.

At Catdi Printing, we stay ahead of industry trends to bring you smart, effective print solutions. Our team is ready to help you choose the best half sheet paper for your campaign, event, or marketing materials. Contact us today to get started or request free samples and templates.

Application	Half Sheet Size Benefits	Example Use Case
Flyers	Cost-effective, easy to distribute	Community event handouts
Invitations	Fits standard envelopes, elegant	Wedding or business event invites
Postcards	Mailable, eye-catching	Direct mail campaigns
Brochures	Compact, foldable	Product or service mini-guides
Coupons/Vouchers	Convenient size, wallet-friendly	Retail promotions, loyalty programs

March 9, 2023

10 Unique Ideas For Letterhead Template

Venngage

Writing a good letter is a good skill that you can use in your daily life. Catdi Printing is proud to work with Venngage several templates that make creating letterhead easy. Some of these are basic others not so much. Make sure to practice composing a business letter on your own, so you have time to proofread it before submitting it. Remember, there are many ways to write a note, so if the one you wrote isn’t working, try another style until you find what’s right for you.

Letterhead is a pre-printed piece of paper (or other material such as plastic) with the name, address, and sometimes the telephone number of an organization printed at the top or bottom. The letterhead is then added to outgoing mail, so it is clear where it came from. Letterheads templates are usually 8 1/2 by 11 inches but can be any size.

To layout your letterhead template, you should first determine whether your design should be double-sided or single-sided. This usually depends on how much information you need and the quality of the paper that will be used. If you printed all the information required by a double-sided layout on one sheet of paper, then the report would be too thick and may not feed into the printer correctly. This is why Catdi Printing offers a wide of letterhead printing services in which the stocks dont get stuck in any commonly used digital printer.

Letterhead designs can include text, images, or a combination of both. One effective way to create your letterhead is to use an image as the background and add any text in front of it. Most images cannot be printed in their full color due to the cost of printing on letterhead, but they are still effective when printed in grayscale.

  Electronic Letterhead Examples

Venngage

Using an electronic design program makes it easy to create a professional-looking letterhead. You will need to let your client know what type of files they can expect, so you have room for this on your letterhead template. Some common types of files that are used for this purpose include:

Using an electronic design program makes it easy to create a professional-looking letterhead. You will need to let your client know what type of files they can expect, so you have room for this on your letterhead template.

  Unique Letterhead Ideas

Venngage

Here are some unique ideas for your letterhead:

1. Use a picture or symbol of your choice and add text in front of it.

Make sure the font is large enough to be skimmed, and try not to use more than one font per letterhead design.

Use a picture or symbol of your choice and add text in front of it. Make sure the font is large enough to be skimmed, and try not to use more than one font.

2. Make use of pre-made clip art on company letterhead.

You can use art such as the scales of justice for a lawyer, scissors for a hairdresser, and more! Be creative and look around on google images to find some good letterhead examples.

3. Use the same idea as in number two with numbers and symbols.

Use appropriate symbols and numbers related to your business, such as a phone symbol for a call center, an arrow pointing left or suitable for a car mechanic, and more!

Make use of pre-made clip art. You can use art such as the scales of justice for a lawyer, scissors for a hairdresser, and more! Be creative and look around on google images to find some good examples.

4. Create a pattern with your company letterhead example.

You can use this pattern in the background of the letterhead or add text over it. This will allow you to show your creative side and is an excellent way to add some flair to your design.

5. Use a logo from your business in the letterhead design.

If you have a logo already created for your business, add it into the letterhead design or use it as an entire background image. You can even use a photo of yourself and add text and a small logo in the corner.

6. Use a border around your letterhead or background image.

You can create this border to match the design of your business, such as using stars for a nightclub, waves for a beach resort, and more!

  Elements of a Letterhead Design Using Venngage

Venngage

Venngage is great for making your free letterhead templates stand out and look unique. It can be a floral design, a geometric shape, or just a nice pattern that looks good on print! It can also be a great way to include a photo in your letterhead design.

Here are some ways that you can use Venngage for creating a unique letterhead template:

Make sure that you add in information such as the company name, address, and other contact details so that this will print on the paper correctly. Add any branding that you have, such as a logo or slogan. You can use your name or the business name in the header of the letterhead design if necessary.

Moreover, keep in mind these elements of design:

– Contrast:

It is essential to have adequate contrast when designing your letterhead. This will ensure that the text can be skimmed and makes sure that the words stand out against the background image/border if one is added in.

– Repetition:

This will make your design cohesive and create a nice flow throughout the letterhead. Repetition can go with a pattern, similar colors, or any other small design elements.

-Alignment:

It is vital to have various elements of your letterhead design aligned correctly to look neat and professional when printed. There are many different rules for this, but the most basic way is to have the text aligned to the left. It is also placed on an even grid.

  Conclusion

Letterhead is an essential part of any business. This initial impression can make or break your business, so it is crucial to design it correctly! You should not just use a template that you find online and think that this will be good enough. Take the time to create something unique that will stand out among your clients.

Make sure there are no mistakes in the text when you are making your letterhead design. If this looks professional, then it will also give off a professional impression. Use Venngage to help you create a fantastic way for clients to receive information about your business!

July 7, 2022
Web Design: An Ultimate Guide to get a Top Gun Website and Enhance your Digital Marketing

Your website is your digital marketing business’s bloodline and plays a crucial role in today’s internet marketing landscape. Whether a startup, a multinational, or a bootstrapped company, every business needs a custom website for growth. But a static website is not the only thing you need to remain competitive. What you need is a site that drives web traffic, leads to conversion, and more revenue. Here’s how a top Houston web design company can help.

Why is Web Design So Significant in Online Marketing?

We have already established that a website is vital for all businesses in this fast-paced online marketing world. But for it to work and attain its digital marketing purpose it should have a web design that speaks volumes. If you get the web design right, you are halfway done. Your digital presence can thrive if you ensure that the web design is top-notch.

A responsive web design can paint your site in gold and drive your digital marketing goals in a timely manner. While a bad design can break and shake your online marketing to the core. Moreover, you also need responsive websites for online reputation management and search engine optimization. So what are you waiting for, go up your internet marketing and e-commerce game now by hiring the top web designers or a web design firm!

Why do You need a Houston Web Design Company?

Web design can seem daunting for most newcomers to the digital marketing world. And those already foot-deep in their sites should know how vital web design can be! So whether you are new or established, it doesn’t matter; what matters is how to get a Web Design that converts!

Even if you have the best software, web designers in Houston, internet marketing agency at your disposal, getting the structure, speed, graphic design, and formatting right can be overwhelming. You can hire experts from Houston Web Design company to help you out.

Therefore, if you are thinking of developing a new website or revamping your custom websites, you must keep some dos and don’ts in mind. Making the web design user-friendly and fluid should be your top priority. And you cannot get it done without these tips.

Before we impart these quick tips to get your web design going, let us first explain what it is?

What is Web Design?

Web design creates the overall look of your website for a digital marketing campaign. It encompasses many different aspects that combine to form a complete user experience. From planning to building elements, everything falls under the web design scope. Unlike web development, which revolves around software, web hosting, and coding, web design focuses more on what’s on the outside.

From the appearance, layout, graphic design, and speed to content, adaptiveness, and mapping, there are many things that Web design relies on. In addition, web design has become essential in today’s digital marketing arena as it is essential for search engine marketing. As a result, many Houston web designers provide customized web applications to suit your design needs.

For example, a digital marketing firm or in-house marketing department can customize your site’s appearance, including formatting colors, style, font, and images. In addition, they can provide custom graphic design, layout, and other custom website design services which will structure and categorize the information on your website.

Some features that a custom web application and web design should have:

It should be easy to use with a smooth user interface

The user experience design and interface design should be above par

The graphic design and visuals should be aesthetically pleasing

The content and structure should suit your relevant user group

It should have search engine optimization

The formatting and style should reflect your brand

The web design should be responsive and adaptive

If you want feature-rich custom websites with a highly functional web design, contact the best Houston web design company, and ensure that your website has the above features.

To customize web applications with a comprehensive set of features, you need an excellent web designer backed by a top-notch internet marketing agency. It is also essential to keep the 10 things we are mentioning below in mind. At every step of the web design procedure, ensure that your selected Houston web design agency follows these steps:

So, without further ado, let’s discuss how you can take your digital marketing to the next level:

10 Things to Ponder When Designing a Website

1) The Intent: Local Vs. Global

Every business is unique, with different goal purposes, locations, and user bases. So the first step when designing a website is to question what you do or wish to do with your website. And for that, first, you need to answer the big question; are you a local, national, or global business?

Once you know where you stand, you will be able to plan your internet marketing in a better way. Not only will you be able to understand your website visitors and their requirements but also the scale your marketing strategies should take.

Moreover, you will be able to communicate well with your marketing agency if you guide them properly about your reach, location, and user base. Then they can customize your site according to your marketing strategy. For local businesses, the structure might stand differently from global companies, so it is essential to clear that out and have web design accordingly.

2) Content Management System: Caters To Everyone

The next question that comes to mind when planning and designing a site is which software tool to use to manage it. With so many systems in the market, this can be a difficult choice. However, you can leave the decision entirely to your Houston Web Design agency, as experts know best.

But you should ensure that your site is based on user-friendly CMS software so that you can manage your content easily. You cannot run to your marketing agency and web designers whenever you have a problem. So the key is to choose a CMS that offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface.

A good CMS will help you create, organize, edit, and publish your content without coding. As most site owners are entrepreneurs and have no coding knowledge, a CMS should be easy to understand for them without any technicalities.

There are many content management systems in the market. The ones that dominate the market are WordPress, Shopify, Joomla, and Squarespace. However, there are numerous others as well. The choice can be tricky but look at the features provided by each before deciding on one!

3) Sitemap: Structure Says it All

Once you have set the basis of your site by understanding who it is for and selecting a CMS, the next step is planning its sitemap. This sitemap is the blueprint of your site and can make or break it.

Think of a sitemap as the main structure that the building stands on. If the structure has flaws, the building can fall. So you need to ensure that your sitemap is sturdy. You start with a homepage and then add more pages to your site. Your marketing agency can help you decide how many pages you should have and how to map them.

Moreover, you should ensure that all your pages are fed back into the homepage and interconnected via internal linking. From about us to contact us pages and blogs, the sitemap will decide the scale of your site. Remember, the broader your map is, the more costly it will be.

The minute the sitemap is set, the real work on the web design begins. So ensure that you get this right, as your content will be based on it. All the information you will display will eventually depend on how your website is structured, so pay attention here and guide your web agency accordingly.

4) The Main Design: The Face of your Website

Well, you might be thinking, if this is the main designing section, what was all you read above. All the things mentioned above are components of web design but play a crucial role in the background. The items included in this subsection are the ones that are at the forefront. The main design itself can be broken down into several aspects, such as:

1 . Layout

Picking a layout for a website follows the same principles as laying out a poster. It refers to how you organize your site pages to gain an optimal balance of elements, including images, tabs, menus, CTA’s, and text.

When you are designing the layout, you need to keep usability in mind as well. The layout should be unique yet straightforward so that it is easier for users to digest and navigate it. The simpler your layout will be, the better the user journey it will lead to. Moreover, remain consistent when using and reusing elements to prevent frustration and boggling the user.

When pondering on layout, try to keep visual cues and advertisements to a minimum as you don’t want to confuse a user with your layout. Using hamburger menus can be a good option. You can even ask your web designers for suggestions on using a header that makes content location easy.

Lastly, before finalizing the actual layout, You should consider wireframing. By doing this, you can test whether it works or not and easily chop and add more elements.

2 . Branding.

If you are a brand with an established awareness, you should incorporate this in the design. Most companies don’t have a social media presence, so web design is the only way to showcase their brand. By using their brand’s colors, logo, and other visual representations, they can ensure that their brand’s image is well-spread all over the site.

Remember, a website shouldn’t be ad-hoc, and you should communicate all your brand details to the designing agency so that they can incorporate them into the design from day one! If you don’t have a brand identity or logo design, you can build it from scratch by discussing the details with the Houston web design agency. Then, you can flex those creative muscles and convey them to the web designer!.

3 . Formatting

From font to color selection and heading placements, formatting can include a lot of stuff. You can choose popular fonts like Sans serif fonts with high readability or customize fonts as per your preference. There are many free fonts available that your web designer can choose from, or if you have a big budget, you can even buy premium fonts.

The same goes for colors. You can select colors that go well with your brand or play safe with tones of yellow and blue. Moreover, you can even apply color theory depending on your business niche. For example, an eco-friendly housing website can use green color to represent its ‘green’ nature.

5) Content: Creation that Converts:

After all the formatting and graphics are ready, they lead you nicely onto content creation. You cannot just leave your site empty, nor can you fill it with fluff. Remember, a responsive web design does not just have creative content but also content that converts.

Moreover, content isn’t just words but also includes images, videos, and info-graphic. Anything that adds value to your audience’s brain is content. So basically, content is the essence of your website, and it should be able to grasp your user’s attention.

It may not be on top of your list when designing your custom web application, but it plays a crucial role. It shouldn’t be underestimated as, according to a survey, lack of explicit content is a turn-off for many people, and 46% of users leave the site due to it.

To get content that can engage and convert, you need to hire a full-service marketing agency that can provide you with content that conveys your brand’s messages effectively to your audience. The content should also help you from an Search engine marketing point of view (more on it below)

Once you have the words, you can focus on adding images and videos, as visuals are powerful in internet marketing. You can source them yourself, or your marketing agency can provide them. From stock images to self-clicked photographs, you can use anything. However, remember they should be high quality and relevant for your audience to represent your brand in a good light.

Optimized Metadata: More Traffic

As mentioned above, your content should be optimized to drive traffic and conversion. But there are other aspects of the website that you can optimize as well. One such crucial element is metadata.

For better search and visibility, your meta description should have the relevant keywords, google adwords, length, and meta tag to crawl up the search engine. It is not evident how Google ranks your site based on metadata, but it can be helpful in your overall SEO marketing.

8) Mobile Responsive: The Key in Internet Marketing.’

Most internet users are now using mobile devices, so your web design should incorporate mobile-friendly features. If your graphic design and custom web applications are only for desktop browsers, you will lose a huge chunk of the audience who prefer mobile over desktop.

So for a complete package, ensure that everything on your website loads on to all browser sizes and multiple devices. Responsive designs is the key here, meaning that all page elements should load up and adapt themselves on the small screen. The content should arrange itself according to the device in question.

As per statistics, 50% of users visit a website from their mobile device. So, If your site was built over a decade ago, it may not be as friendly for newer generations of smartphones, and you be losing traffic unknowingly. Therefore, contact a Houston web design agency to get it revamped.

8) Speed Sells: Efficiency is the key

Remember, a good website is not just a good-looking one. It should have speed optimization as well. A good website ensures that everything is snappy, and the users don’t have to wait for ages for it to load up.

You must have heard the term speed Kills. However, in website designing, slow speed kills while fast speed Sells. So even if your content and design are 101%, but they take time loading, they are meaningless as users won’t even spare a second for such sites.

So to ensure that the reader spends time on your site, make it more efficient. Ask your web agency to optimize load times. The quicker your site is; the faster it will Sell

Reaching out to Houston Web Design Company

So if you are looking for an affordable web design with custom web applications, you will find numerous Houston web design companies providing web services. Many internet marketing agencies in Houston tx can serve you with excellent mobile app development, social media marketing, and website hosting.

But choosing a digital marketing agency that fully understands your marketing strategies and can give you all the above features can be difficult. So when picking between numerous Houston web design agencies, ensure that whichever marketing agency you choose provides a comprehensive package.

Internet Marketing: Is the future!

Before we say adios and leave you to your internet marketing efforts, we would like to say that web design is not a stagnant process. On the contrary, it requires continuous updating and redesigning to keep up with newer marketing strategies. So all the above information is not just for new websites but also for well-established players.

If you have a beautiful website design that has been working for over a decade doesn’t mean it will work in the next decade too. Therefore you might need a revamp of your website as well.

The Next Step…

Now that you know, how important website designing is for your business – now is the time to take action.

In comes Catdi

Catdi is one of the leading names when it comes to design, printing, and direct mail services. Talking specifically about web designing, we can do everything from website redesigning to landing pages, and SEO – and everything in between.

For quotes, queries, and giving your website a new touch, feel free to contact our 24/7 live support now!

June 17, 2022
New Business Direct Mail Ideas that Really Work

Coming up with ideas for a new business direct mail campaign can seem like a daunting task, but it does not have to be. New customers are essential to any business’s longevity. There are many helpful and well tested ideas, which can help your company attract new business, so that you can flourish and thrive.

Include Real Testimonials From Actual Customers and Clients

When you design new business direct mail, including real testimonials from actual customers and clients shows reliability. You have already been tested by someone else and passed. Some mailers may include a testimonial with only a first name or customer initials. These are suspect, because they can be faked. Ask actual customers if they are willing to provide a testimonial for you, and use their actual name and location.

Hold a Special Event and Invite Potential Customers Using New Business Direct Mail

If you want your new business direct mail to generate interest and get noticed, then use it to send an invitation to a special event for new customers or clients. The event can be as simple as a new customer sale, or as elaborate as a free gourmet meal. The special event will draw people in, and give you a chance to show them what you can do for them.

Send Out a Valuable Coupon for New Customers

Many companies and organizations send out coupons in their new business direct mail. This can be extremely effective for driving sales and attracting new customers. When the coupon is perceived as valuable, the recipient is more likely to use it. The cost will usually be recovered with future sales. Offer a steep discount to new customers so they try your product or service.

People respond to ads where they have to take action, even if it’s something as simple as clipping along a dotted line.
Source: Entrepreneur.com Business Idea Center

Use EDDM in your Local Area

A great idea for a new business direct mail campaign is EDDM in your local area. Often, most or all of your customers will come from your local area. It makes sense to look for new customers nearby, as well as customers who may have to drive a distance. Every Door Direct Mail allows you to target local zip codes and carrier routes that are close by at a very affordable cost.

Use Variable Data Printing for a More Personal Touch

If you want people to notice you and consider using your business, then variable data printing can help. This provides a personal touch to the mailer. Mailers which are generic and bland do not get a good result, and are just wasting time and money. Your resources are precious. Add a personal touch. You may be surprised by the response that you get.

Include Your Company Website Address and Social Media Profiles

When you are designing new business direct mail, always include your company website address and your social media profiles. The reader needs to know where to find you easily online, and get more information if this is desired. If you do not add these elements, there is a chance the reader may go elsewhere and choose a company that has included their online info on their direct mail.

Offer Several Contact and Order Methods in your Mailer

Only using a website address, or a phone number, as your contact or order details is a huge mistake. Consumers and businesses have many different contact preferences. If you do not offer these methods, then you could be missing out. An order form, website, phone number, fax number, and physical address may all be preferred by some consumers.

Design a Distinctive Mailer That is Memorable

A distinctive mailer can be very effective with new business direct mail. The goal is to draw attention to your business and products or services. A mailer that really stands out and is different from the rest will do this. This idea may be more expensive, but it could also pay off handsomely in the long run and attract a large number of new sales.

Provide a Free Product Sample or Trial

Sending out a free product sample or trial is a great way to show people what your company can do. It allows potential buyers to use your product at no risk to their bottom line, and see the benefits that your products or services can offer. This idea encourages the recipient to try you out. A free product can be used to convert them to a customer.

What new business direct mail ideas have you used? Did these ideas get good results?

July 11, 2021
20 Best Houston Printing Shops

What You Need to Know

There are many companies offering printing services out there. That’s great, but it’s also a problem because you have difficulty selecting the best Houston printing shops. Here are some tips that should help you narrow your search;

Quality

Check on the quality the company offers because the print quality affects your brand in one way or another. Begin by checking out the samples the company displays on their website. Then visit the company to check the samples personally. The more advanced the print technology they use, the more efficient they are.

Trust

Do the company’s present and past customers trust it? Trustworthiness is quite essential. You have a need, and you want that need met. The best way to check out the reliability is by looking at the company’s ratings.

Customer Service

Look for a company that works hand-in-hand with its customers. You probably have some template in mind, and for it to materialize, there should be constant communication between you and the company. Furthermore, the staff you work with should be friendly and helpful.

Reliability

The company you choose should be one that you can depend on through thick and thin. It should do printing and delivery within your time frame.

Reputation

The printing shop should have been in business for some time. You look for the experience because you want to be sure it is familiar with the industry. Experience is also very critical, and if the company received an award, that’s a plus.

20 Best Houston Printing Shops

Check out the tips above and then select one of these companies that fits the description.

1. Catdi, Inc Best Houston Printing Shops

Catdi, Inc is one of the best printing shops in Houston. The printing shop has been in service for more than ten years and of course we are a little biased.

The company is a printing, graphic design, and direct mail shop. It offers its customers services like web design, but they also give their clients free web hosting for two years.

Catdi, Inc started as a simple printing shop. However, today it has grown, and so have its services. The brand now offers two categories of its commercial printing services;

Custom

Bundled

The Bundled plan deals with the basics that every company needs to have a grip on the market. These are things like flyers, business cards, and brochures. The number of pieces and their sizes may vary depending on the size and need of the client’s company.

Catdi, Inc offers the following services;

Commercial printing services

Fast & amp affordable digital printing

Large run capacity

Full color

Six bay printing services

Fast Turnaround

Bindery services

Turnkey Direct Mail and EDDM Services

Funeral program & design services

Catdi, Inc serves both small and big businesses. Expanding businesses also enjoy Catdi printing services.

2. Bay Area Printing Best Houston Printing Shops

Bay Area printing service provides digital printing, graphic, and copying services. It serves the people in Houston and the surrounding suburbs.

The printing shop serves individuals, small and large businesses, together with global corporations. Services that Bay Area Printing services provides include;

High quality letterheads

Brochures

Direct mail pieces

Business cards

As one of the best Houston printing shops, Bay Area Printing also provides its customers with logo designing and branding.

3. BEST Blue Print Best Houston Printing Shops

BEST Blue Print offers its clients a wide range of both copying and printing services. It serves those in Houston and surrounding areas.

The company specializes in creating documents and business materials. However, the BEST Blue Print also offers services like creating.

Wedding invitations

Catalogs

Banners

Bumper stickers

But not only that, but BEST Blue Print also does photo printing, window film, and logo design services.

4. CME Printing Best Houston Printing Shops

CME Printing has a combined 100 years of experience. It offers its clients in Houston a wide variety of services, including;

Printing

Lithography

Graphic design

Web development

Mailing services

Bindery services

The variety of services are the result of the efforts of CME Printing investing in modern technology. The print shop boasts blending creativity with tech to create state-of-the-art printed materials for businesses.

5. Copy Doctor Best Houston Printing Shops

Copy Doctor is another printing service shop that has been operating in Houston for quite a while. For over 15 years, Copy Doctor, or “Document emergency room” as commonly known by clients, has helped its customers in;

Printing

Copying

Binding

Finishing

Graphic design

The printing service shop has a team of experienced staff who are behind the business’s good reputation. They help their clients with their printing projects. Customers even receive free proofs to evaluate and give feedback long before the project is complete.

6. DeVine Promotions & Printing Best Houston Printing Shops

DeVine Promotions & Printing is just what its name suggests. The business helps its customers; firms to get an appearance in the competition. Their method to accomplish this goal is through its printing services. The printing service offers services like;

Branded giveaway items

Newsletters

Direct mail.

It also prints business documents like;

Annual reports

Branded envelopes

Letterheads

Devine Promotions & printing offers recycled materials help businesses sustain themselves.

7. DiPuma Printing Company Best Houston Printing Shops

DiPuma Printing Company offers its customers both digital and commercial printing services. The company has been in operation for 47 years. Therefore with the experience it has managed to garner over the years, it meets the desires of its customers.

The company offers printing services like;

Brochures.

Catalogs.

Flyers.

Presentation Documents.

Direct mail.

DiPuma Printing Company works with a team of experts who, combined with the experience, do a great job in Houston.

8. DiscPro Printing & Graphics Best Houston Printing Shops

DiscPro Printing & Graphics in Houston is one of the biggest businesses that offer commercial printing. DiscPro Printing & Graphics combines expertise and modern technology to meet its customers’ needs with its experts.

The company offers services in;

Bindery.

Media Replication.

Promotional Products.

DisPro Printing & Graphics has a full-time operating onsite shipping department. The department aids the business in delivering the projects to its customers fast and safely.

9. FPG Fast Printing & Graphics

FPG Fast Printing & Graphics serves its customers based in Houston and the surrounding environs. As one of the best Houston printing shops FPG Fast is famous for printing custom t-shirts for special events and businesses too.

The company also prints stickers, signs, posters, and banners for its customers. It also has a graphics design team that works closely with the customers in creating engaging and dynamic custom graphics.

FPG Fast Printing & Graphics accept rush orders. However, they promise to put quality above anything so that speed does not compromise quality.

10. Fresh Prints Best Houston Printing Shops

Fresh Prints is a beautiful place for clients interested in personalized clothing and printing. The business’s custom design studio has a variety of clothing selections and colors. That helps make a client’s custom sweatshirt, t-shirt, or other pieces of clothing to be quite an easy job.

As one of the best Houston printing shops, the business enables its clients to create t-shirts with their preferred images. The customers also have the option of using the service’s templates.

Once a client places their order, they receive a personalized quote from a sales representative.

11. Houston Art Prints Best Houston Printing Shops

Houston Art Prints specializes in commercial giclee and fine art printing. It has been serving the people of Houston for more than 12 years. The company employs high-quality materials to come up with perfect prints and vibrant colors.

The printing company serves its customers in printing;

Business cards

Postcards

Flyers

Brochures

Houston Arts Print’s fine prints come complete with matting and framing services included in the package.

12. Lady Lazarus Best Houston Printing Shops

Lady Lazarus is an award-winning printing studio whose specialty is in flatbed screen printing for fine art editions and collectible films and music posters. The studio also works with different galleries, merchandising firms, publishers, musicians, artists, and illustrators.

They help these varying sectors license and publish new fine art print editions, commemorative event posters, and limited edition rock poster series. Its employees dedicate their time to provide unique designs with keen attention to the details required.

13. Minuteman Press Downtown

Minuteman Press Downtown has been in the printing industry since 2001. It is a printing firm that is locally owned and operated. It received the 10 Gold Star Achievement Awards for;

Professional Excellence in Customer Service

Service Quality

Exemplary Business Performance

The company serves both startup and large businesses by offering a wide range of graphic design, direct mail, signage, and promotional materials. It also prints business cards and state-of-the-art marketing materials.

14. Neil Jou Productions

Neil Jou Productions is another award-winning service excelling in graphic design, printing, and photography services. The company name is the name of the founder. It serves its clients in Houston in;

Printing services

Signage

Graphic design

Website design

Photography

Videography

Neil Jou works with his team of experts in developing visually appealing promotional and marketing materials for businesses dealing in different industries.

15. Precision Printing

Precision Printing has been in business for more than 35 years. It is based in Conroe, TX, and offers digital printing, tradeshow, and sign printing in Houston. The company works with a team of experts who work together with businesses that seek their help.

They help them design logos and branding messages to develop stunning printed materials that arrest customers’ attention.

16. Star Copier

Star Copier is a printing shop in downtown Houston, TX, offering printing services within the area, including its neighborhood, for over 20 years. They offer black and white and color copying and printing. The shop also prints business cards, brochures, flyers, postcards, real estate signs, different banners, and yard signs.

Star Copier sells and offers maintenance for their copiers and printers for customers who prefer in-house printing services.

17. Texas Litho

Texas Litho is a family-owned commercial printing company in Houston, TX. The firm employs a combination of the latest commercial and digital printing technology to ensure customer satisfaction.

For more than 20 years, the company has offered digital and large-format printing services and six-color offset printing. The printing shop Texas Litho handles finishing, bindery, fulfillment, and distribution of products to their destinations.

18. The UPS Store

The UPS Store offers a variety of products and services to its local community in Houston, TX. This business is a local franchise; hence most of its services strive to promote local business in its locality.

The company prints various banners and posters, brochures, business cards, bookmarks, catalogs, cards, and flyers.

19. Sel-Fast Printing

Sel-Fast Printing shop serves Houston, TX residents. The company offers a wide range of printing services, including; business cards, full-color postcards, color envelopes, wedding invitations, and bindery.

The firm offers various other services like a black and white copy, digital color printing, vinyl banners, signs, and lamination and mounting. Sel-Fast printing uses design templates by Microsoft. So, you have quite a variety of models to consider for your work.

20. Copydotcom

Copy.com is a full-service printing shop in Montrose, Houston, that caters to all your needs. Apart from printing services, the company has designers who can help you create flyers, business cards, and pamphlets, among other requirements you might have.

The company also rents out Mac and PC workstations to clients. It also offers a self-serve option for printing and copiers so that you can handle personal projects with ease.

Recently Updated!

21. Alphagrahics

Alphagraphics is a comprehensive printing provider with many locations in Houston and the US. They are dedicated to meeting every one of your printing needs. In addition to a wide range of printing services, Alphagraphics boasts a team of skilled designers ready to assist in creating impactful flyers, business cards, pamphlets, and more, tailored to your specifications.

Questions People Ask

Where Can I Print Something in Houston?

Houston has many print shops for you to choose from. Depending on what you would like to print, you can check out any of the shops numbered above. Or you can ask google to identify one for you. Simply type the words, “Printing services near me.” You’ll be surprised at the number of shops in your area.

What Places Allow You to Print?

You can print in the following places;

Office supply stores

Shipping providers

Print and copy shops

Universities and Public Libraries

Hotels

Can I Print Documents at Walgreens?

Yes, you can print documents at Walgreens. However, you will have to pay for the service. This list shows you the cost of printing at Walgreens.

What Is the Cheapest Way to Print Documents?

Whether you are printing documents at home or in a print shop, print your documents cheaply by;

Put the printer in draft mode. Standard printers have different modes which offer different print speeds and quality. Because of that, the amount of ink used for every method varies. You do not need a premium resolution when printing overall documents. Using draft mode ensures speedy printing, plus you use very little ink.

Print on both sides of the paper. Duplex printing enables you to cut the number of pages by half. Now that’s a great way to save your money. You can do it manually, one heck of a job, or your printer can automatically do it.

Cut on document size. There’s a lot of dead space in printed documents. Now to avoid that, you have to; When using Word docs, Use smaller line spacing and margins. That ensures you don’t have extra spaces on your document. You also have reduced pages. This is an effective way if you are printing reading material. On PDF documents, change the print settings to two pages side by side on both pages. The result is four pages on a sheet of paper. The fonts are smaller than usual, but you are still able to read.

Check your preview page for non-essentials. If you are printing an article from a website, leave out the comment section and ads too. Focus only on the content you need. That way, you will save some cash. Some web pages offer you the “read-only” feature, which gives you a great reading experience. You can print that.

Proofread your final drafts. Remember to go through the document just before you print it. It is pretty common to re-print your text after realizing some grammatical mistakes in the initial form. Now that’s a waste of money, time, and paper. But if you have to, re-print the page you need.

Reuse your papers. Do not throw away your papers because there’s something published on them. Use the pages you previously left blank. That’s a great way to record your notes.

Check font choices. While using specific fonts makes documents look great, it is also advisable to rethink font choices. That’s because the thicker or bolder your fonts are, the more they are likely to cost you. Using the right fonts saves on ink and money in the long run.

If you are using your printer;

Unplug your printer when it’s not in use. If you leave your printer plugged into the wall plugs, it will attract passive power. That results in high electricity bills amounting to hundreds of thousands annually.

Use congenial cartridges. Buying a printer is not the end of your woes most of the time. That’s because you have to buy genuine cartridges. But you can purchase cheaper cartridges from trusted manufacturers.

June 4, 2021
Why a Funeral Program Is Still the Number #1 Funeral Keepsake

When planning funeral arrangements for a funeral it is a good idea to implement a memorial keepsake of the decease. Each person who attends the funeral looks forward to receiving an obituary funeral program. It tells the story of the life once lived and provides historical and genealogy information of the decease.

The reason the funeral program is the number #1 funeral keepsake is its cost effectiveness. On average you can provide each guest a funeral program for under dollar. In fact, you can reduce that cost by printing a larger quantity as printing cost is determined on a sliding scale. The more you print the less you pay. The less you print the more you pay.

There are many memorial keepsake gifts that can be provided at the funeral but none as cost effective as the funeral program. Another reason the funeral program is an effective keepsake for the funeral is the obituary. The obituary is the life story of the decease. Everyone who attends the funeral wants a copy of the funeral program for this reason. It allows the reader an opportunity to read the official obituary at a later date.

In my professional career I worked as a full color digital Printer, printing obituaries for funeral homes. After working with hundreds of funeral homes many funeral directors do not place great importance on having funeral programs at the funeral. The professional services rendered by the funeral director and casket cost will deplete any ones budget. This creates a minimizing effect for any other specialty services or keepsakes.

The obituary funeral program is vitally important as it contains real world data that can be used for genealogy and historical purposes. I can remember attending my family reunion in Ohio one year. As the family was gathering for one of the schedule events, they began talking about my great-great-great grandfather. I had never seen him or knew what he looked liked. I was curious to see where my dad had got his looks from. To my amazement one of my aunts had a funeral program with his photo on it that she had saved for many years. The publication was dated back to 1926. Apparently the printed publication had been passed down through the family for years.

As a result, I was able to see my great-great-great grand father and read the family lineage. There are many choices available for a memorial keepsake. However, there is only one keepsake that is a true staple in the funeral industry, the funeral program.

May 22, 2021
Why Do People Turn to Catdi for Quality Business Cards?

For over 10 years, Catdi has been providing business owners with the 24/7 support they need to get business cards. Today, we’re the top graphic design provider on the web.

We provide a variety of services. One of the most important things we do is give business owners great cards.

But why do so many business owners depend on Catdi for quality business cards?

The answer is simple: a great business card is incredibly important. And on top of that, there are some brands that do it better than others. We believe that we can give you a perfect card because we have the production values of a large company with the personal touch of a small one.

Don’t believe us? Here’s our look at why you need business cards, and why you need them from us specifically.

The Importance of Quality Business Cards

There’s a reason everyone from ministers to musicians uses business cards.

That’s because a business card is the best way for your brand to make an impression. When somebody takes your card, they are literally carrying a piece of your brand in their pocket.

As they go throughout their day, they’ll be reminded of you and your company. They may even go home and give your business card to somebody else.

In terms of physical, pen-and-paper advertisement, that makes business cards the most useful tool out there. Flyers get thrown in the trash, and newspaper advertisements are no longer a practical option for getting your message across.

But on top of being an effective marketing tool, they also communicate a prepared image for your brand. Having quality business cards lets potential customers know that you are serious and prepared.

No matter what service you provide, that goes a long way. Nobody wants an attorney or mechanic who’s working for the weekend: showing potential customers that you’re serious is probably the best thing you can do.

Why Your Cards Need To Be Personalized

It’s obvious that you need a business card. But just going with the first card you find, or trying to make one yourself, is a bad idea. A boring business card is a way to make your brand fade into the background.

This is one of the reasons quality business cards require the touch of a designer. Making something stand out is harder than it seems: anybody can make something that makes people look twice.

If you want a powerful branding solution, you need a designer who knows what works and what doesn’t.

An understanding of dynamic shapes and color psychology is one of the most important things a business card designer can have. It’s also something you get when you work with Catdi.

A Business That Works With Brands

Quality business cards are interesting and communicate your contact information, but they also do something more. The best cards will allow you to show potential customers your brand identity.

This seems relatively simple, but it’s actually one of the hardest tasks in marketing. The brand is a multifaceted element of your company’s identity. It isn’t just about what you do: it’s about who you are. And it’s about who your customers are.

If you want to be successful at this task, you’ll need the help of a company that knows what it’s like to work with brands. That’s where we come in.

One look at our portfolio of quality business cards reveals that we work with a company to pinpoint exactly what their brand is. When you work with us, you get the personal touch that so many business cards are missing. And having that extra effort put into the establishment of your brand will go a long way towards elevating you above the competition.

Expertise In Other Areas

Usually, we are told to look for people who are specialized. But companies that only work with business cards rarely make quality business cards.

The reason for this may seem complicated at first but it’s actually relatively simple. Designing a business card is an endeavor that shows just how complicated it is to create.

We don’t just design business cards, we’re one of the most effective providers of everything from direct mail to web design today. We also offer printing services. This means that you can get a variety of tasks done when you work with us.

But the benefits go beyond that and venture into the realm of the specific. In this case, it’s clear that working with Catdi for quality business cards means you’re giving your cards the attention to detail you can only ever get from a designer.

A Competitive Price

Finally, you want to get all of these services at a fair price. And while quality business cards rarely come cheap, they can come at a price range that fits the budget of a small business.

Because we specialize in working with the folks on Main Street, we guarantee that you can get a high-quality card from us at a fair price. If you want more information, get a quote today!

Hire Catdi Today

If you’re interested in finally working with some intelligent people to get quality business cards, then you need to get in touch with us. We guarantee that your business will benefit from this time-tested method of offline marketing.

The first step is getting a quote. Make sure you get the service you need at a price that works for you. After you do that, you need to get in touch with us to learn more.

May 20, 2020
Free Blank Templates for Small Businesses

Blank Flyer Templates & Why You Should Use Them.

When you’re looking to get a professional flyer developed, perfected, and printed, you have two main choices. You can look to the services of expert designers, who will charge you high fees to produce your materials, or you can find ways to do it yourself. Here, we aim to show you why DIY flyer development – with the use of Catdi’s professional templates – can help you create the flyers you need for any occasion. So, whether you’re flyering for your small business, for a local event, or for your wedding party, read on to learn about the benefits of using blank flyer templates for your marketing material needs

Easy to Understand

The world of print can be confusing. As you will no doubt have found out when printing documents you’ve created on Microsoft Office programs, there’s always a pesky margin or an unexpected printing error that can scupper your prints. What’s more, traditional printers – those you have at home – rarely get the pigmentation right on your print, which means your colors are distorted when you print out business cards, posters, and flyers.

The benefit of using a template, then, is to remove much of the complexity and difficulty in getting your designs printed perfectly. Not only will you be able to adjust your approach based on the margins offered in your template download, but you’ll also be shown the all-important ‘print and slug’ guidelines, which show the margins for error when you send your finalized design to our printers.

Saves Cash

For individuals and cash-strapped businesses, getting professional designers to produce each and every marketing item can quickly become an expensive affair. Often, businesses will look to save cash on their printing and designing in order to spend their marketing budgets online – and as such, they often neglect their print output, despite this being incredibly important for small, local enterprises or individuals looking to grow their networks.

The beauty of our templates is that you will save all the cash you would otherwise spend on a designer, helping you to design the most eye-catching and professional-looking marketing materials without forking out for the privilege. Download one of our free templates to see how simple and easy it is to do it yourself, saving yourself hundreds of dollars on designer fees in the process.

Personalize

The other benefit of going in the direction of DIY template design is that you’re able to get your marketing materials, flyers, and brochures to look exactly how you imagined them. This is especially important if you have a vision that you’d like to carry through to the printing stage. Being able to control your design output and customize your message and your brand can be incredibly helpful, allowing you to be perfectly happy with the end result.

Conversely, if you use a designer, there’s no guarantee that you’ll be impressed with the final product that your designer produces. You may find that this product misses the mark and disappoints in its execution, which can leave you feeling that you’ve wasted your cash on a needless product.

Saving Time

Meanwhile, if you do choose to go it alone, but you’re unable to access free-to-download templates, you will spend hours just trying to get the format right for your printing needs. This can be deeply frustrating, as every effort that you make to get the dimensions and margins right for your design can be thwarted when it comes to the printing stage. You’ll also have to spend some time online learning about standard print sizes and requirements, which adds up to more lost time.

That’s where templates come in. Dispensing with all the formatting and shaping that you would otherwise spend hours on, a free template saves you bags of time that you can instead invest in making your design pop with individuality and excitement. So, save time by using our templates, and you can be confident that your design will be fit-for-print when you’ve finished drawing it up.

Print Flexibility

When you download a print template from Catdi, there’s no obligation to trade with us. If you’re unable to get your design right, or you run out of time and decide to leave your template half-finished, that’s absolutely fine. But if you’re looking to finish your work and get your design printed as quickly as possible, Catdi will be on hand to check over your work, to offer guidance and advice, and to give you a quote for the printing costs.

What’s wonderful about working with Catdi, from our clients’ perspective, is that we’re familiar with our own templates, and we know exactly how to print them quickly and to your specifications. So, whether you’re looking to print 1,000 brochures for your new company products, or you’re printing 100 wedding invitations, you can trust Catdi to transform your wonderful template design into print in no time. Should you choose Catdi to use our graphic design services

Save and Adjust

Finally, templates offer you the versatility and flexibility to return to your original designs to make small adjustments and tweaks, given the feedback that you receive from your marketing products and materials. By simply saving your template design and returning to it weeks or months later, you’ll always be able to adjust what you had printed and return to Catdi with a new idea, a new range of products, or an entirely new design to print on an old template that you’ve got used to working with.

This is, again, a huge benefit for individuals and businesses that are desperate to produce speedy marketing materials in print, but don’t have the resources to go to a design agency – nor the time to wait for them to turn around a complete design. As such, you’ll save time and money by returning to our templates each time you need a piece of marketing collateral, and you’ll be familiar with both our templates and our printing methods. Our excellent customer service will give you supreme confidence that you’ll get your printed products ready for when they are required.

Using Catdi templates comes with a number of benefits, including saving you cash and time, and allowing you the freedom to customize and personalize your marketing materials endlessly over the weeks and months ahead.

May 4, 2020
How to Design EDDM Postcards For Your Business

As a business, few factors are more important than community awareness and participation. One of the best ways to achieve outreach for a local business is through the mail. Believe it or not, over 80% of people still read or skim their mail on a regular basis meaning that with a simple elegantly designed postcard, you can get thousands of new eyes on your brand and offers with a low-cost EDDM postcard campaign. Keep reading to learn how to design EDDM postcards for your business!

EDDM stands for “Every Door Direct Mail”. Rather than the postman taking cards to specific houses and addresses, EDDM postcards go to every single house or business on a mail route. Why is this so useful? It all hinges on how you make use of EDDM distribution.

It is Important to Design EDDM Postcards Because They Can Reach An Entire Neighborhood

The unique thing about EDDM is that it doesn’t go to individual houses or businesses, it goes to everyone in a region. For businesses trying to raise local awareness, you can canvass huge swaths of the city or surrounding neighborhoods without knowing a single resident’s name or worrying about printing thousands of address-unique mailing labels. EDDM is the number one way to reach an entire neighborhood, business or residential. This can be used to reach out to new potential customers or provide a blanket opportunity in neighborhoods that already include many of your regular patrons.

EDDM is also significantly more affordable than targeted direct mail marketing. You can send up to 5,000 postcards without need for additional postal permits and at very low postage costs. EDDM saves you on address labels, while still providing the same kind of regional targeting that traditional direct mail marketing has always used. You gain the benefit of canvassing a neighborhood without the costs of mailing to each house one by one.

Tips for Designing an Impactful EDDM Postcard Campaign

1) Map Your Mail Routes

The 40/40/20 rule of direct marketing campaigns states that 40% of your mail respondents will come from carefully selecting your recipients. The next 40% will come from the quality and appeal of your offer. The last 20% will be influenced by details like art and design.

This means that your first task after you decide to design EDDM postcards is to choose a mail route that matters. Simply canvassing the entire local region is going to be less effective than targeting exactly the neighborhoods that are most likely to be responsive. To do this with EDDM, that means choosing the right mail route. Your mail route is the path the mail carrier truck takes and for each home or business, the mailman takes a postcard and adds it to the personal stack.

To get exactly the distribution you’re looking for, you’ll want to choose a route that goes through the neighborhoods that matter most. Fortunately, USPS is ready with this handy tool that allows you to visually examine and select the routes in your target area.

2) Design EDDM Postcards that are Eye-Catching and Action-Inspiring

Your next goal is to make sure that your postcards catch the eye and win the attention of your EDDM recipients. You want to avoid the recycle bin and encourage your recipients to really consider the offer your postcard proposes. Your postcards first need to catch the eye with bold colors and a definitive design. Too many design elements and you’ll “bury the lead”. Too bland, and your cards will be discarded without a thought.

This is why marketers work hard to create powerful eye-catching designs that include action-inspiring messages. Your design will likely have a photo or image of some sort, a title of opportunity and a call to action. “Summer Blowout Sale at Barnie’s Pool Supplies”, says the title. “Get 30% off with This Discount Code!” says the call to action. These are your EDDM building blocks designed to catch the eye and spur recipients to the action you desire.

3) Approved USPS Card Dimensions

Of course, all that hard work is for naught if your EDDM postcards aren’t an approved USPS size. Whether you’re sending folded brochures or simple flat cards, the USPS system handles mail in a few standard sizes. Especially for EDDM campaigns. The standard sizes make it easier for mail machines to sort the stacks of cards and for mail carriers to quickly flip through the cards and distribute one to each home or business on the route.

All templates and designs should be based around the dimensions required by the USPS for EDDM delivery. Fortunately, there’s some variety in the size and the card design you can choose to best serve the purposes of your brand and campaign.

4) Clear Purpose and Use

Recipients should never be confused about why they have received the EDDM postcard or what they are expected to do about it. Your card design should prominently feature a statement of purpose and a call to action that recipients can understand with a single glance. The more complex your design, the more people will discard it without fully understanding the value you have to offer.

Whether your goal is to build awareness or send out coupons that people will put to use, make it clear. Use short declarative statements and design the flow of your imagery to direct readers to the best possible conclusion via a call to action. Make sure your purpose and the use of your EDDM card is unquestionably clear.

5) The Motivator

Next, think about the motivator. A simple call to action is often not enough to spur a call, walk-in, or website visit. But an offer, special deal, or opportunity might be. Remember the 40/40/20 rule. The second forty percent of your respondents will follow through on the call to action because of the value of the offer on the card.

Here is where your brand and campaign design matter most, as you decide what kind of offer will be most compelling and rewarding for the residents who will receive your EDDM postcards. Make your motivator friendly, powerful, and with enough of a time limit to prevent the indefinite put-off.

6) An Online Landing Page

No modern marketing campaign is complete without a landing page. Some cautious respondents may want to visit your website and check out your brand before they take any real action. This is a combination of curiosity, due diligence, and a desire to be engaged by your brand. So be sure to build an engaging landing page and include its URL on each of your EDDM postcards. This way, your respondents not only have a call-to-action to follow, but they also have a website to interact with and possibly even a customer portal to open an account for and track their new services.

7) Mobile App Features

Finally, don’t forget the mobile crowd. Many postcard campaigns today feature more than just a discount code and a nice design. They also feature QR codes for cellphone scanning or opportunities to log in through a mobile app for even more features and services. Just like the landing page, mobile features are key to engaging high-tech younger generations and those who would rather interact online even if they’re responding to a postcard.

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Your next EDDM marketing campaign has huge potential to be a hit; increasing awareness and drawing customers in for discounted or special package services. For more on how you can customize EDDM postcard campaigns to serve your business’ specific goals an brand personality, contact us today!

July 27, 2019
5 Banner Design Tips to Attract Passing Drivers to Your Store

As the owner of a retail store, your livelihood hinges on your ability to capture the attention of prospects who regularly drive by your store. Hanging a large banner outside your store is one of the best ways to attract the attention of these prospects and convert them into loyal customers. Below are the key reasons why you should use large outdoor banners, along with five banner design tips that will help you lure more traffic than ever to your store.

Why should you use large banners to attract shoppers to your store?

Large banners offer superb utility to owners of retail businesses seeking a cost-effective means of brand promotion. Their versatility and ability to be reused enables users to enjoy a high ROI and an increase in foot traffic. Below are the top five reasons why you should use large banners to attract shoppers to your store.

1) Large banners can be used for a variety of occasions

Large banners are an excellent means of promoting your brand on an everyday basis or for special occasions and holidays. Here are just a few of the many events that you can promote with a large banner:

Grand openings

Store anniversaries

Seasonal sales

Open houses

Special promotions

2) They are affordable

Every penny counts when allocating marketing dollars for a small to medium-sized business. Large banners are a good addition to your marketing strategy because they are cost-effective, especially when compared with media advertising or sophisticated marketing campaigns. Top agencies are sometimes willing to offer a discount to companies that purchase one or more banners along with business cards, catalogs, or sales flyers.

3) You can reuse them

Large banners offer an excellent return on your investment because you can use them time and time again. Additionally, some banners offer the ability to print on both sides. This allows you to maximize utility and conserve resources by printing a different message on each side. Your banner can last for years if you store it properly and hang it in a location where it is out of harm’s way.

4) They are versatile

Your storefront is just one of many locations where you can hang a large banner. For example, you can use them at trade shows, professional meetings, flea markets, and local fairs. Just make sure there is plenty of space to hang your banner, and seek permission from event organizers in advance.

5) You can customize them

An experienced commercial printing agency will have the tools and experience required to create a customized banner that effectively conveys your brand. You can request the font of your choice, your favorite color scheme, and even the material of your choice. And you are not limited to a rectangular shape, as a talented graphic design specialist can produce banners of various shapes.

What are some tips to help you design a stellar banner?

Designing an attractive banner for your store sounds like a fairly simple task. But the opposite is actually the case. There are many factors to consider in banner design, and you are responsible for ensuring that you maximize the return on your investment. Here are five tips to help you design a large banner that is impossible to ignore.

1) Keep your message short

The average attention span for human beings has been steadily declining over the years. Today’s consumer has an average attention span of 8 seconds, which is not even as long as the attention span of a goldfish. Accordingly, your banner should be concise, direct, and clear. Avoid lengthy sentences and complicated words, as they can cause drivers to lose interest in your message quickly.

2) Create a banner that is consistent with your branding

Ideally, your banner design should incorporate the personality and feel of your brand. For instance, if your brand is known for its free-spirited, colorful style, then you would not want a black and white banner with a formal message written in calligraphy. Mitch Duckler, Managing Partner of FullSurge, notes that “A consistent positioning helps marketers stay ‘on point’ with regard to messaging and overall experience.”

3) Select a visible hanging location

While this tip may seem rudimentary, many retailers hang banners without noticing that a large tree or other obstruction is limiting their banner’s visibility. Ideally, the location you choose to hang your banner should not have any trees or other obstructions in front of it. And your banner should be positioned high enough to be easily seen over vehicles in the parking lot.

4) Clearly feature your company logo

Consumers may recognize your company logo faster than they recognize your store location. For this reason, it is critical to make sure that your banner design includes your logo. Safa Khudeira, Creative Project Manager for Intechnic, explains the important role of a logo as follows: “The purpose of a logo is to get instant consumer recognition for a company. Essentially, logos are the ‘face’ of a business.”

5) Consider a bi-lingual banner design

Latinos now account for over half the population growth in the United States. And in Houston, there are several districts in which over half of the residents speak Spanish at home. If your store is located in these areas, you may wish to customize your banner to include English and Spanish versions of your message.

What is the best strategy to attract passing drivers to your store?

As outlined above, there are many steps you can take to captivate passing drivers with an eye-catching banner. However, the single best step you can take to grab drivers’ attention is to seek the expertise of an expert in the print fulfillment industry. An industry expert will work with you to create a dazzling banner that is sure to drive traffic directly to your store.

For over a decade, Catdi has been a leader in the printing and graphic design industry. We have a proven track record of success creating large banners for retailers throughout Houston and the surrounding areas. Our attention to detail and ability to complete large projects swiftly has earned the accolades of clients across the greater Houston area. We invite you to contact us to find out why we are the nation’s most trusted full-service printing company. We look forward to helping you increase traffic to your store!

June 3, 2019
Top 5 EDDM Design Tips for Small Business Owners

Using Every Door Direct Mail service helps to attract more customers to your business. As an affordable form of marketing, Every Door Direct Mail or EDDM allows a business to experience a higher ROI and enables customers to take action

The convenience and simplicity of EDDM further contribute to its effectiveness as a marketing strategy. The process involves selecting a specific area or route where the business wants to target, designing eye-catching promotional materials, and submitting them to the USPS for distribution. The USPS then delivers the materials directly to every mailbox within that chosen area, ensuring maximum exposure and visibility.

EDDM program enables customers to take immediate action. By placing compelling offers, discounts, or calls to action on the promotional materials, businesses can entice recipients to engage with their brand. Whether it’s visiting the store, checking out the website, or making a purchase, EDDM provides a direct pathway for customers to interact with the business, increasing the chances of conversions and fostering customer loyalty.

The good news is that there are hundreds of postcard designs. Selecting the appropriate design for your business can be a bit tricky. Lucky for you, we have compiled tips to help you select the right template. Even when you want to design your own EDDM template, the tips below will help you formulate ideas assuring you of success.

Tip #1 – Outline the purpose of your postcard

The first step to take is to craft the purpose of your postcard. This can be achieved by answering the following question – What would you like your postcard to achieve?

Tip #2 – Incorporate your business logo

Yes, you need to incorporate your business logo on your postcard. As a result, it will give your postcard credibility. Don’t forget to add images and the theme colors of your business. To ensure your images are of high quality, opt for high resolution images.

Tip #3 – Choose an appealing design

If you are targeting a specific group of customers, design the EDDM postcard with an appealing design. This will attract the customers to your advertisement.

Tip #4 – Simplify the design

To come up with a design that conveys your message, keep it simple. Avoid adding too much information on the postcard as this makes it difficult for the customer to understand the message being conveyed.

Tip #5 –Print postcards in color

Color brings the message to life. Use contrasting colors to enhance the look of your postcard. There are free EDDM postcards readily available online which you can redesign and print out before sending to your customers.

Lastly, our graphic designers are proficient in incorporating call-to-actions (CTAs) into the design. They will strategically place CTAs that prompt recipients to take the desired action, whether it’s visiting your website, making a purchase, or contacting you for more information. Our designers understand the importance of compelling CTAs and will make sure they stand out and entice the recipients to act.

In conclusion, our seasoned graphic designers are the perfect resource to design your EDDM postcard. Their expertise, attention to detail, and creativity will ensure that your postcards not only look visually stunning, but also effectively communicate your message and drive desired actions. Whether you need a brand-new design or a professional touch on your existing one, our designers are here to bring your vision to life and help you achieve your marketing goals.

October 10, 2018
$500 Graphic Design Scholarship Offer From Catdi Printing!

Scholarship Opportunity for Graphic Design Majors

It’s common news that the cost of a quality design education are spiraling upwards, and unfortunately, not everyone can afford one. However, a quality education is important for everyone, and here at Catdi, we are intent on helping the future generations achieve that goal. At Catdi Printing, we place great value on an education and want to help students with the finances needed for their higher studies. Catdi Printing is a Houston based commercial printer and direct mail provider that strives to give back to the community. With this in mind, Catdi Printing is proud to offer our first scholarship, “Catdi Print & Design Scholarship” in the amount of $500. This is designed to assist Graphic Design Majors minoring in business achieve their educational goals.

Scholarship Amount

The scholarship amount is $500 and it will be awarded to one (1) student for their education expenses. Should the winner not respond in 14 days of notification, another student will be chosen.

Who is Eligible for the Scholarship?

We are looking to encourage the growth of the Design field, and looking for Design majors with a practical minor in business. Both Undergraduate Students and Graduate Students can apply for the scholarship program, provided they are enrolled in a full-time degree program in an accredited college or graduate school.

How to Apply for the Scholarship?

Submit your essay (as outlined below) to scholarship@catdi.com. Keep in mind, once submitted, the essay cannot be altered or returned, so proofread carefully before hitting Submit!

Following are the steps to apply for the Catdi Print & Design Scholarship:

Write an essay of 1,000 words describing how you believe quality writing skills will contribute to your future in graphic design. We ask that you include personal anecdotes to emphasize your points. Too many times, writing doesn’t really communicate what the writer intended. Take the time to review your work carefully before submitting the application.

You must submit your essay on or before May 31, 2022

All applications should be sent to scholarship@catdi.com in a Word format only. PDFs or Link to Google Docs will not be accepted.

You should mention your full name, your university/college name, your phone number, and email address in the scholarship application.

The essay should be unique and creative, however, it must be YOUR work, as plagiarism will not be tolerated.

You should not provide any other information other than that mentioned above.

The winners will be announced on June 15th, 2022, and the winner will be notified by email. Should the winner not respond in 14 days, a new winner will be selected.

Privacy Policy for Scholarship

NOTE: Catdi’s Privacy Policy for all scholarship applicants’ submissions ensures personal information will never be shared and is for our own internal use only. No information collected during this process will be given to 3rd parties, but Catdi Printing reserves the right to use the submitted articles as we wish.

***Updated***

We have extended the deadline for the Fall application due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The deadline is now May 31, 2022. In addition to the scholarship@catdi.com email address users can also email their submissions to carlos@catdi.com

April 23, 2018
YOU SHOULD CARE HOW YOUR BUSINESS CARD LOOKS. WHERE YOU PRINT THEM MATTERS.

AVOID THESE COSTLY BUSINESS CARD MISTAKES

No matter the category of business in which you work, buѕіnеѕѕ саrdѕ аrе еѕѕеntіаl. Thеу сrеаtе a bond bеtwееn the business and their сlіеntѕ. Thеу аrе a grеаt іntеrасtіvе еlеmеnt that саn be modified by texture, mаtеrіаl, аnd ѕhаре. However, thеrе аrе соmmоn mistakes thаt compromise thе funсtіоn оf business cards that lеаds tо sales potential losses.

Catdi Printing Offers Quality Stocks

Buѕіnеѕѕеѕ соmе with differing qualities аnd роlісіеѕ, making each and every business unique. Thе mistake thаt іѕ often made іѕ creating a generic саrd that blends wіth оthеr cards. It loses іtѕ uniquе features аnd thus the uniqueness of thе соmраnу. Business cards (like businesses) should stand-out, not blend in.

Wіth аdvаnсеmеnt іn technology, рооr quality buѕіnеѕѕ саrdѕ are inexcusable. Thеѕе tесhnоlоgіеѕ аrе here to help оnе сrеаtе buѕіnеѕѕ саrdѕ thаt сарturе thе аttеntіоn оf реорlе. Thе mаtеrіаl оf thе саrd ѕtосk should bе strong and durable. Presenting a card with bent or peeling edges leaves an impression and it’s not a good one!

Cоmраnіеѕ make the mistake оf рrеѕеntіng buѕіnеѕѕ cards thаt dо nоt іndісаtе their area of business (the type of products and services sold). This can cost both the consumer and the business. The consumer loses time through making multiple phone calls to various businesses and the business risks potential loss of sales.

Addіtіоnally, аnоthеr common mistake іѕ having a card thаt іѕ unreadable. This mіght bе a rеѕult оf bad design оr a сluttеrеd саrd. Smаll fоnt ѕіzе, аѕ wеll аѕ wrоng ѕеlесtіоn оf font соlоr аnd background соlоr, wіll mаkе реорlе ѕtrаіn to lооk at thе card. Cluttеrіng саrdѕ bу including too muсh content and/or uѕеing too much color can be off-putting. Onlу necessary and essential іnfоrmаtіоn should bе рlасеd on thе саrd.

MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN DESIGNING BUSINESS CARDS

Cheap Materials

Don’t ѕkіmр whеn it соmеѕ to buѕіnеѕѕ саrds. Yоu wаnt tо hаvе good, thick ѕtосk рареr; print thаt dоеѕn’t blееd from a drop оf wаtеr; аn еmbоѕѕеd lоgо; аnd the card ѕhоuld feel ѕubѕtаntіаl аnd рlеаѕіng tо thе touch.

A рооr quality саrd implies the buѕіnеѕѕ wіll hаvе рооr quality рrоduсtѕ аnd services. Rather thаn аttrасtіng business, this tуре оf card wоuld mоѕt lіkеlу rереl prospective customers.

Too Much Text

Bsiness саrdѕ are ѕmаll, limiting space for content. Of соurѕе, іt’ѕ іmроrtаnt tо іnсludе as much іnfоrmаtіоn аѕ уоu саn, but if уоu сrаm too muсh іn, thе саrd wіll look cluttered and will bе hаrd to rеаd.

Inсludе оnlу еѕѕеntіаl information, ѕuсh as your nаmе, jоb rоlе оr роѕіtіоn іn thе company, соntасt telephone number, еmаіl address аnd wеbѕіtе address. Yоu mау аlѕо wаnt to іnсludе a mailing аddrеѕѕ іf rеlеvаnt.

Small Text

Although business саrdѕ don’t have much ѕрасе, all tеxt should be еаѕу to read. If іt’ѕ too small, реорlе won’t bоthеr. Don’t fоrgеt thаt ѕоmе реорlе ѕtrugglе tо rеаd smaller print. Cоnѕіdеr removing unnесеѕѕаrу text to mаkе thе mоrе іmроrtаnt content larger and more prominent.

Inаdequаtе оr Pооr Uѕе оf Cоlоr

Sрісе up уоur business cards wіth a lіttlе ѕрlаѕh of соlоr; уоu’ll bе ѕurрrіѕеd whаt a difference it makes. Juѕt аѕ rеѕtаurаntеurѕ uѕе the color red fоr its appetizing quality, thе judicious use of red іn a buѕіnеѕѕ саrd іѕ vеrу visually арреаlіng. Avоіd the соmmоn mіѕtаkе of grеу print оn a whіtе bасkgrоund; іt lacks contrast аnd the print іѕ dіffісult tо rеаd. On thе flір side, dоn’t err with соlоr-оvеrlоаd. Tоо mаnу colors thаt dоn’t соmрlеmеnt оnе another will mаkе thе саrd lооk buѕу аnd wіll detract from thе content of уоur саrd.

Too Muсh White Space

Sрасе іѕ рrеmіum, ѕо dоn’t lеаvе tоо muсh еmрtу; you’ll need to include plenty оf іnfоrmаtіоn оn thе саrd. Leave a small white border аrоund the edges of thе саrd to ensure nothing is lost in printing and cutting. Take full аdvаntаgе оf the space уоu hаvе bу іnсludіng your еѕѕеntіаl іnfоrmаtіоn and eye pleasing graphics. Take a look at some of our business card designs to get a sense of how you should set up your business card

Pооr Sреllіng and Grаmmаr

Misspellings and grammatical errors communicate lacking attention to detail. In fасt, a ѕtudу ѕhоwеd thаt 59% оf реорlе іn Brіtаіn wоuldn’t uѕе a соmраnу wіth poor grаmmаr оr ѕреllіng in іtѕ mаrkеtіng mаtеrіаlѕ. Bаd ѕреllіng аnd grаmmаr is оnе оf the bіggеѕt buѕіnеѕѕ саrd mіѕtаkеѕ you саn mаkе.Use a proofreader to сhесk оvеr your text bеfоrе уоu ѕеnd tо рrіnt. It саn bе ѕоmеоnе іn уоur соmраnу, оr a frееlаnсеr – just mаkе ѕurе уоu gеt the tеxt checked first!

Leaving off Important Contact Information

If реорlе аrе interested, hоw can thеу get іn tоuсh if уоu dоn’t іnсludе уоur dеtаіlѕ? It ѕhоuld bе оbvіоuѕ how уоu саn bе соntасtеd. Mаkе іt easy fоr реорlе tо contact уоu bу including ѕеvеrаl mеthоdѕ of соntасt, such аѕ еmаіl аddrеѕѕ, telephone number, mailing/physical аddrеѕѕes, and social media icons.

Not Including Your Personal Position

People need tо knоw what job уоu dо аnd the service you оffеr. Don’t fоrgеt, buѕіnеѕѕреорlе lіkеlу rесеіvе more than juѕt your business саrd from thеіr mееtіngѕ. It’ѕ no uѕе gіvіng them a card with just your nаmе; hоw will thеу rеmеmbеr whо уоu аrе? Inсludе your job rоlе or уоur роѕіtіоn in company аlоngѕіdе your name аnd соntасt details so thаt there is nо dоubt who you are аnd whаt уоu do.

Unused Cards

What good is having a bоx full оf business саrdѕ if thеу’rе just sitting there соllесtіng dust? It would serve уоu and your buѕіnеѕѕ bеttеr to аррlу thе оld аxіоm, “Uѕе it оr lоѕе іt.” Whаt саn уоu lose? Buѕіnеѕѕ.

Always hаvе a ѕuррlу оf your саrdѕ whеrеvеr уоu go. Give them оut whеn аррrорrіаtе, and whіlе уоu’rе at іt, dоn’t hеѕіtаtе to gіvе оut more thаn оnе. Invіtе people tо раѕѕ thе еxtrаѕ аlоng to оthеrѕ whо mіght nееd your ѕеrvісе. Yоu mіght bе ѕurрrіѕеd аt hоw оftеn thіѕ саn rеѕult in a rеfеrrаl.

A GOOD BUSINESS CARD SHOULD PROCESS THE FOLLOWING:

LOOK PROFESSIONAL

Fоr a company, оnе оf thе mоѕt еffесtіvе ѕtrаtеgіеѕ to ѕрrеаd awareness аnd іnfluеnсе іѕ the uѕе оf buѕіnеѕѕ cards. Thіѕ kind оf ѕtrаtеgу іmрrоvеѕ the rеlаtіоnѕhір between your соmраnу and your clients аt the ѕаmе tіmе іnсrеаѕеѕ іnfluеnсе to оthеr реорlе. Tоdау, thеrе are mаnу ways tо make buѕіnеѕѕ саrd lооk stunning аnd рrоfеѕѕіоnаl. Hоwеvеr, thеrе аrе ѕесrеt wауѕ tо amplify the vаluе of your саrdѕ. Hеrе’ѕ how:

Sіmрlісіtу

Did уоu know that ѕіmрlісіtу still rосkѕ? Thе ѕесrеt rulе оf dеѕіgn is that less is more. Elіmіnаtе thе parts of thе dеѕіgn thаt makes the саrdѕ lооk crowded аnd unappealing. Kеер in mіnd thаt the саrdѕ will bear all your contact іnfоrmаtіоn аnd it will іlluѕtrаtе thе аіm of уоur соmраnу. Balance thе іnfоrmаtіоn wіth ѕіmрlе dеѕіgn еlеmеntѕ fоr clear аnd соnсіѕе іnfоrmаtіоn.

Grоuріng

Before designing your cards, first grоuр thе іnfоrmаtіоn that соmрlіmеntѕ each other. Fоr іnѕtаnсе, the соmраnу nаmе ѕhоuld gо tоgеthеr wіth thе соmраnу’ѕ аddrеѕѕ. On thе other hand, your phone number would mаtсh with уоur mоbіlе numbеr hеnсе they аrе grоuреd tоgеthеr. Thе purpose of thіѕ is tо balance thе іnfоrmаtіоn еffесtіvеlу whіlе the іnfоrmаtіоn is readable to сlіеntѕ.

Outside thе Bоx Dеѕіgn

Professional, уеt brіllіаnt, cards аlѕо ѕеrvе unuѕuаl function. Thеу are аn ideal opportunity to аttrасt аttеntіоn аnd inspire thе rеаdеr. Sоmе of thе uniquе dеѕіgnѕ are thе constructable dеѕіgnѕ аnd organic designs. The cards that have соnѕtruсtаblе dеѕіgnѕ tурісаllу еnсоurаgе the rесеіvеr tо ѕреnd mоrе tіmе with іt. On thе оthеr hаnd, thе organic dеѕіgnѕ dеmаnd рrореr handling and maintenance.

Funсtіоnаl Cаrdѕ

Today, professional business саrdѕ hаvе more function. They саn bе a сlоthеѕ ріn or a bоttlе ореnеr, for example. Cаllіng cards thаt аrе functional spread more аwаrеnеѕѕ as they саn bе utіlіzеd daily. Hеnсе, mоrе реорlе will ѕее уоur company’s lоgо аnd brаnd while уоur сlіеntѕ uѕе them.

QUALITY MATERIALS

Quality іѕ thе bеѕt aim of a gооd buѕіnеѕѕ рrасtісе. Whеn dеаlіng wіth реорlе, a gооd buѕіnеѕѕ card іѕ уоur fіrѕt linen tо attract new business. Your business ѕtаrts off with a boost. Business саrd рrіntіng is arguably thе best form оf fіrѕt-hаnd advertisement.

In thе рrоduсtіоn оf уоur buѕіnеѕѕ саrdѕ, thеrе аrе many аѕресtѕ and dеtаіlѕ to consider: соlоr, ѕіzе, mаtеrіаl, аnd оthеr еndlеѕѕ сuѕtоmіzаtіоnѕ. Business саrdѕ can аlѕо utіlіzе fоur соlоr printing tо асhіеvе bеttеr rеѕultѕ but іt dереndѕ оn your preferences аnd usage. Here аrе some оf the thіngѕ уоu саn dо to enhance the quаlіtу оf уоur buѕіnеѕѕ cards.

June 28, 2016
5 Tips for Designing Better Business Cards

Your business card is one of the first, and potentially last, impressions that someone will have of you and your business. After all, your business card says a lot about you.

However, not all business cards are created equal, and you likely know this first hand. How many times have you gone to a networking event and received an abundance of business cards, but you can’t remember a single one? If you’re like most people, this probably happens more times than you can count.

No matter what type of industry you’re in, a well-designed business card is a crucial asset. Not only can it set you apart from the pack, but it also can set the ideal tone right off the bat.

Luckily for you, we’ve compiled some of our top tips for superior business card designs. Discover what you need to know before ordering custom business cards.

1.) Understand Your Goals

Before getting too far ahead of yourself, you must first consider your intentions. Why are you designing business cards in the first place? Is it to simply let people know your contact information or are you trying to set yourself apart? Before you even consider contacting a business card printing company, you must first have a clear understanding of what your goals are. Not only will this make the entire process easier, it will also insure that the finished product is nothing short of perfection.

2.) Opt for Simplicity

Have you ever seen a business card and not sure what it’s for? Chances are, of course you have! However, this should serve as a reminder of what not to do. While this doesn’t mean every business card should be “plain jane”, it does mean that you should aim to ere on the side of simplicity. A design that is too busy can be visually distracting. You want to make sure that elements such as your name and company name are easily viewable. After all, nothing is worse than having to read a business card that’s a visual nightmare.

3.) Reflect Your Profession

A business card for a lawyer may look vastly different than a business card for a graphic designer right? Well, this same principle applies to your own business cards as well. Aim to follow the design guidelines of your profession. While there may be nothing set in stone, you do want to accurately reflect who you are and what you do. A perfect business card design for a social media specialist could be a total flop for a computer programmer. Your best bet? Consult an experienced business card printing company. They’ve likely worked on similar projects as yours and will easily be able to guide you in terms of finding an ideal design.

4.) Avoid Skimping on Quality

Keeping along those same lines, be cautious of skimping out on quality. Unless you’ve done custom designed business cards before, you’ll want to seek the assistance of a professional. As noted earlier, your business card speaks volumes about you. Is it really worth it to start off on the wrong foot? You only have one chance to make a great first impression, make it count. A beautifully designed business card can do wonders for you personally and professionally. Paying for quality is worth it in the long run. In fact, you may even find that it’s cheaper to go with a professional than trying to do it yourself!

5.) Keep it Clear

Above all, you need to keep things clear when it comes to your business cards. Whatever your purpose is, be sure that your business card reflects that. Confusion isn’t ideal when it comes to your cards. Ideally, you want someone to immediately be able to know who you are and what you do. While a touch of creativity is certainly appreciated, always aim to have a crystal clear message. Avoid letting your message get lost in translation.

Still have questions when it comes to business card designs? Whether you need help designing, printing, or maybe a little bit of everything, the Catdi Team would love to help. In fact, we even offer FREE shipping to the greater Houston area. Experienced professionals in the world of design, we’d love to help you create that one of a kind business card you’ve been dreaming of.

Contact Us Today to find out more about our business card design services.

November 4, 2015