First impressions are brutal little things.

They happen fast, they stick around longer than they should, and sometimes they’re decided before you’ve even had the chance to explain yourself.

I learnt this the hard way on a date years ago.

I turned up a little underdressed. Not disastrously underdressed, but enough to know I’d misread the assignment. She, on the other hand, was dressed to the nines. Beautiful, polished, completely put together.

She looked a tad surprised and all of a sudden I was very aware of my slightly daggy polo shirt.

The conversation was fine. She was lovely. I did my best. But I felt like I’d walked into the moment half a step behind, and once that feeling set in, it was hard to shake.

Alas, we never saw each other again.

A little dramatic? Maybe. But the lesson stuck.

Presentation matters.

Not because people are shallow, although let’s be honest, we all make snap judgements. It matters because how you show up tells people how seriously you take the opportunity in front of you.

And that’s exactly why cheap business cards can hurt your brand.

Your business card is a tiny (but crucial) first impression

A business card might be small, but it carries a lot.

It says who you are, what you do and how someone can contact you. But underneath all that, it says something else too.

It says, “This is how we present ourselves.”

If your card is flimsy, poorly printed, badly designed or already curling at the corners, people notice. They may not say anything, but they feel it.

And that feeling can quietly shape how they see your business.

Do you look professional?
Do you look established?
Do you look like you care about details?
Do you look like someone they can trust with their own brand, project or budget?

That might sound like a lot for one little rectangle of card to carry, but first impressions are rarely fair. They’re quick, emotional and often based on the details sitting right in front of us.

Cheap cards can make a good business look average

This is the frustrating part.

You could be brilliant at what you do. You could have years of experience, a great team, happy clients and the kind of work ethic that makes competitors nervous.

But if the first thing someone holds from your business feels cheap, it can make the whole brand feel less polished.

That doesn’t mean every business card needs to be covered in gold foil and printed on card stock thick enough to stop a door.

Please don’t hear that.

But it does need to feel considered.

Good paper stock, clean design, clear contact details, strong brand colours and quality printing all work together to create trust. They tell people your business has standards.

And standards matter.

Design says more than you think

A business card is not just a place to put your name, phone number and email address.

It’s a small piece of brand experience.

If the design is crowded, the font is hard to read, the logo is stretched, the colours are off or the finish feels wrong, it sends the wrong message before you’ve even had the follow-up conversation.

The best business cards are usually simple, confident and easy to read.

They don’t try to say everything. They say the right things well.

Your card should make it easy for someone to remember you, contact you and feel good about the interaction they just had.

That’s the job.

Quality creates confidence

There’s something about a well-made business card that still works.

Even in a digital world, handing someone a card can feel personal. It gives the conversation a finishing touch. It gives them something physical to take away.

And when the card feels good, it reinforces the impression you’ve just made.

Nice weight. Sharp print. Clean edges. A finish that suits the brand. Nothing overdone, just done properly.

That little bit of quality can say, “We care about how we show up.”

A cheap card can say the opposite, even if you didn’t mean it to.

First impressions are hard to redo

The problem with a weak first impression is that you don’t always get a second shot.

Just like my underdressed date disaster, you can still be a good person, a capable business or the right fit for the job, but if the first impression feels off, it can be hard to recover.

Your business card might be handed over at a networking event, a sales meeting, a trade show, a site visit or a casual conversation at the coffee shop. In that moment, it becomes part of how someone remembers you.

So it’s worth asking:

Does this card represent the business we are now?

Or does it look like something we rushed five years ago because we “just needed cards”?

Cheap isn’t the same as smart

Every business needs to watch costs. That’s normal.

But there’s a difference between being budget-conscious and cutting corners on something that represents your brand directly.

A cheap business card might save you a few dollars upfront, but if it makes your business look less credible, less professional or less memorable, what did it really save?

Your card doesn’t need to be expensive for the sake of it.

It just needs to be good enough to do its job properly.

Sharp design. Quality stock. Clean print. Clear message.

That’s not vanity. That’s brand discipline.

Final thought

A business card is small, but it can leave a big impression.

Done well, it makes you look professional, prepared and worth remembering. Done badly, it can quietly drag down the way people see your brand.

And like turning up underdressed to a date with someone dressed to the nines, it can leave you feeling like you didn’t quite meet the moment.

Your brand deserves better than that.

Need business cards that actually do your brand justice? Brand Hero can design and print cards that feel sharp, professional and properly you. Let’s make sure your first impression lands the right way.

Print has a funny way of making a brand feel more real.

In a world full of quick scrolls, skipped ads and inboxes packed with unread emails, printed material gives people something they can actually hold. A brochure, business card, signage display, welcome pack or branded booklet doesn’t vanish with a thumb swipe. It sits on the desk. It lands in the hand. It takes up space in the real world.

That physical presence matters.

Print feels considered

When a brand invests in quality print, people notice. Not always loudly, but they do.

A well-designed brochure on thick stock, a sharp pull-up banner at an event, a beautifully finished welcome folder or a clean set of business cards sends a simple message: this business cares about details.

And trust often starts there.

Digital can be brilliant, of course. Fast, measurable, flexible. But because it’s so easy to change, delete or ignore, it can sometimes feel temporary. Print feels more deliberate. Someone chose the paper. Checked the colours. Approved the finish. Paid attention before it went out into the world.

That sense of care builds confidence.

Tangibility creates credibility

People tend to trust what feels tangible. A printed piece gives your brand weight, literally and psychologically.

A flyer handed to a customer after a consultation can become a reminder. A capability statement left after a sales meeting can keep working long after the conversation ends. A well-placed sign can reassure someone they’re in the right place before they even speak to a staff member.

Print doesn’t just tell people your brand exists. It proves you’ve shown up.

Print slows people down

Digital asks for speed. Print invites a pause.

Someone might skim a brochure over coffee, flick through a school prospectus with their partner, pin a local event flyer to the fridge, or keep a tradesperson’s magnet near the phone for later. That little pause gives your message more room to breathe.

And honestly, that’s rare now.

When everything is competing for attention at high speed, print can feel refreshingly calm. No pop-ups. No autoplay video. No mysterious algorithm deciding whether your audience sees it. Just your message, designed well, in front of the right person.

Quality print reflects quality service

This is where print can quietly do some heavy lifting.

If your printed materials look rushed, blurry, inconsistent or cheap, people may wonder whether your service feels the same. Harsh? Maybe. True? Often.

On the other hand, sharp print, consistent colours and professional finishing make your brand feel reliable before a customer has tested anything else. It’s a signal. One that says, “We know who we are, and we take pride in how we present ourselves.”

For schools, healthcare providers, builders, councils, venues, real estate agencies and professional services, that signal is powerful. People are making decisions that involve money, safety, time or reputation. They’re looking for signs they can trust you.

Print gives them one.

Print supports digital, not competes with it

The best brands don’t treat print and digital like enemies. They make them work together.

A printed brochure can drive people to a website. A QR code on signage can connect visitors to a booking page. A direct mail piece can support a local campaign. Event collateral can match social graphics so the whole experience feels seamless.

That consistency is where trust grows. When your brand looks and sounds the same across print, signage, website, social media and customer communication, people feel like they’re dealing with a business that has its act together.

Which, let’s be honest, is half the battle.

Print lasts longer than a scroll

A digital ad can disappear in a second. A printed piece can hang around for weeks, months or even years.

Think of fridge magnets, appointment cards, menus, catalogues, annual reports, welcome packs, wayfinding signs and vehicle graphics. These aren’t one-time impressions. They’re repeated brand reminders sitting in everyday environments.

That repeated visibility builds familiarity. Familiarity builds confidence. Confidence helps turn interest into action.

The bottom line

Print still builds trust because it feels real, intentional and lasting. It gives your brand physical presence, supports credibility and creates touchpoints people can return to.

Done well, print doesn’t feel old-fashioned.

It feels solid.

And in a market full of noise, solid is a very good thing to be.

Ready to make your printed materials work harder for your brand? Start with the pieces your customers touch, keep, read or see most often, then make them unmistakably yours.

I love a good presentation folder.

Honestly, apart from business cards, we use them more than almost any other traditional marketing tool in our office. 

Why?

Because nothing makes you look more prepared, more professional, and more put together in a meeting.

It shows you mean business.
It shows you’re ready.

Everything has its place. The branding is sharp. It just feels right in your hands.

And people notice that.

It’s not just a folder. It’s a first impression

Before anyone reads a single word, they’ve already formed an opinion.

That’s how fast this works.

A strong presentation folder tells people:

• This business is organised
• They care about detail
• They’ve invested in how they show up

And that matters, especially in face-to-face moments where you don’t get a second shot.

That’s why businesses investing in presentation folder printing in Brisbane are usually the ones who understand the bigger picture. It’s not about holding paper. It’s about holding attention.

It elevates everything inside it

Here’s the interesting part.

The content doesn’t change. Your proposal, your capability statement, your pricing… all the same.

But the way it’s presented changes how it’s received.

A polished folder adds weight. Literally and psychologically.

It makes your documents feel more credible. More thought-through. More important.

And when you’re competing for work, those small perception shifts can make a big difference.

It keeps you remembered after the meeting

Most meetings blur together.

People forget what was said. Who said it. What was promised.

But they remember how something felt.

A well-designed presentation folder often sticks around on a desk longer than anything else you leave behind. It becomes a physical reminder of your business.

That’s where it quietly keeps working.

It shows you’re prepared

There’s a subtle signal in handing over a proper folder.

It says, “We’ve done this before.”

You’re not scrambling papers together. You’re not pulling documents out of a bag.

Everything has a place. Everything feels intentional.

That level of presentation builds confidence fast.

Not all folders carry the same weight

Let’s be honest.

There’s a big difference between:

• Thin, generic folders
• Something printed last minute
• A properly designed, well-produced piece

Stock choice. Finish. Layout. Pocket structure. Even how the logo sits on the page.

These details are what separate “just printed” from something that actually represents your brand.

And if you’re going to invest in presentation folder printing in Brisbane, it’s worth doing it properly. Otherwise, it can work against you just as quickly.

The takeaway

Presentation folders don’t shout. They don’t demand attention.

But they influence how your business is perceived in a big way.

They turn loose documents into something structured.
They turn information into something considered.
They turn a meeting into something more memorable.

If you’re showing up to important conversations without one, you’re leaving part of the experience to chance.

If you’re thinking about presentation folder printing in Brisbane and want something that actually reflects the quality of your business, let’s put something together that people don’t just take… but keep.

​

A Practical Guide to Business Cards Brisbane Professionals Use to Stand Out

Business cards are small. But the judgment happens fast.

In Brisbane, whether you’re at a networking event in Newstead or meeting a client on site, you’ve got about five seconds after handing over your card. That first glance decides whether it goes into a pocket or into the bin later.

So what should your business card communicate immediately?

Let’s focus on what actually matters.

1. Clarity About Who You Are

No one should have to decode your card.

Your name should be easy to read. Your role should make sense. Your business positioning should be obvious.

If you’re a commercial builder, say it. If you’re a property accountant, own it. Vague titles and clever taglines don’t help in a fast interaction.

Strong business cards Brisbane professionals rely on communicate identity instantly. Clear beats clever every time.

2. Professional Standards Without Saying a Word

Before anyone reads the details, they feel the quality.

Paper weight. Print sharpness. Alignment. Finish.

These things speak quietly but powerfully about your standards. A thin, flimsy card suggests shortcuts. A well-produced card feels intentional and confident.

Your business card is often the only physical piece of your brand someone holds. It should reflect the level you operate at.

3. Brand Confidence and Restraint

One of the most common mistakes is overcrowding.

Too many services. Too much text. Too little breathing room.

Effective business cards Brisbane businesses invest in tend to be clean and controlled. Strong hierarchy. Consistent brand colours. Clear spacing.

White space is not wasted space. It signals clarity and confidence.

If everything is competing for attention, nothing wins.

4. Simple, Direct Contact Details

A business card has one job. Make it easy to contact you.

That usually means:

• Direct phone number
• Email address
• Website

That’s it.

If you’re targeting local work, reinforcing your Brisbane presence through your branding or web address adds subtle credibility. But avoid clutter. Three phone numbers and two email addresses create friction.

Keep it simple. Make follow-up effortless.

5. A Considered Point of Difference

Standing out doesn’t require novelty. It requires intention.

Premium business cards Brisbane professionals choose often come down to finish rather than shape.

A soft-touch matte laminate feels refined.
Raised Spot UV over your logo adds subtle texture and gloss.
A confident use of colour creates memorability without shouting.

Raised Spot UV in particular works because it invites touch. It catches the light. It creates a small interaction that makes your card feel deliberate.

Not flashy. Established.

That subtle difference is often enough.

The Real Test

Take your current card and look at it objectively.

Does it clearly communicate who you are?
Does it feel aligned with your brand standards?
Would you confidently hand it to your ideal client?

If there’s hesitation, it’s worth reviewing.

Well-designed business cards professionals rely on are not about trends. They’re about positioning. In five seconds, they communicate clarity, credibility and confidence.

If you’re ready to create business cards that make the right impression from the first glance, let’s talk. We’ll make sure what you hand over represents your business properly.

I’m going to be a little controversial.

I don’t like digital business cards. You know the ones where you scan something and suddenly someone ends up in your phone.

It’s not that I don’t understand the appeal. They’re clever. They’re convenient. And yes, they’re better for the environment, which absolutely matters. We could all do with less paper waste in the world.

But here’s the thing… I don’t want more people in my phone.

More specifically, I don’t want work people in my phone. My phone is for friends, family, group chats, and silly memes. Work connections live somewhere else.

And that small, very human preference says a lot about why business cards still matter.

Not Everything Needs to Live in Your Phone

Digital tools are great, but they come with assumptions.

Scanning a digital business card often means saving a contact, granting access, or creating a connection that feels more personal than the situation actually is. For many people, that is a step too far, too soon.

A physical business card keeps things simple.

It lets someone take your details without committing to anything. No awkward phone handling. No forced follow-up. Just a quiet option to reconnect later if and when it makes sense.

First Impressions Still Happen in the Real World

Despite how digital business has become, many first impressions still happen face to face.

Meetings. Events. Site visits. Introductions through mutual contacts.

In those moments, a business card feels natural. It is quick, polite, and intentional. It respects personal boundaries while still making the connection easy.

That balance matters more than most people realise.

A Physical Card Is a Reminder, Not a Demand

Digital connections are easy to make and easy to forget.

A business card creates a physical reminder. It can sit on a desk, get tucked into a wallet, or resurface days or weeks later when the timing is right.

There is no pressure attached.

The person chooses when to act on it, which makes the interaction feel more respectful and more memorable.

Business Cards Signal Professionalism

A well designed business card quietly communicates that you are prepared and considered.

It shows you have thought about how you present yourself in the real world, not just online. In many industries, especially trades, services, and professional environments, that still carries weight.

Not having a card when one is expected is rarely a deal breaker, but it does remove an opportunity to reinforce credibility.

Design Still Does the Heavy Lifting

A business card is not just a contact tool. It is a small, physical expression of your brand.

This is where tactile design really matters.

The weight of the card. The texture of the stock. Finishes like raised spot UV, embossing, or soft-touch coatings. These are details people feel before they consciously think about them, and they shape perception fast.

A heavier card with a considered finish signals quality, confidence, and intention. It suggests that you care about how your brand shows up in the real world, not just on a screen.

In a digital landscape where everything looks similar and feels disposable, that physical contrast stands out.

A flimsy card gets handled once and forgotten. A well made card gets noticed, turned over, and kept.

Digital and Physical Can Coexist

This is not an argument against digital tools.

The strongest brands use both.

A business card does not compete with your website, LinkedIn, or online presence. It supports them. It opens the door without forcing the interaction and lets the relationship move forward naturally.

Final Thought

Business cards are not outdated.

They have simply found a more focused role.

In a world where everything competes for attention and access, a physical business card offers something refreshing. Choice. Simplicity. Boundaries.

And sometimes, that is exactly what makes it effective.

When I bought my first home, a small townhouse, I decided it was time to be a responsible adult and own some tools.

So I bought a tool wallet.

Not a toolbox. A wallet. Slim. Compact. Very optimistic.

Inside it were a few basics and a screwdriver that was far better suited to fixing spectacles than tightening door hinges. At the time, it felt sufficient. The place was small. The needs were simple. I convinced myself this was all I would ever need. I was teased mercilessly by my friends for this completely inadequate form of hardware.

Fast forward to buying our first large family home, and reality arrived quickly. Bigger space. Bigger jobs. Bigger expectations.

The tool wallet did not cut it. I upgraded to a proper toolbox and didn’t look back.

Marketing works the same way. You need the right tools for the job.

Small Needs Require Simple Tools. Growth Changes the Game.

In the early stages of a business, you can get by with very little. One flyer. A basic card. A simple document you reuse for everything.

But as your business grows, your marketing needs change.

You meet more people. You have more conversations. You need tools that support those interactions properly, not ones that almost do the job.

A marketing toolkit is not about having everything. It is about having the right physical tools for where your business is now.

Business Cards

Still essential, still misunderstood

Business cards are not outdated. They are just often badly used.

A good business card supports recall after a conversation. It does not try to sell. It does not try to explain everything.

Strong business cards:

• Make it easy to remember who you are
  
• Prioritise name, role, and contact details
  
• Reflect the brand clearly and consistently

Think of them as a handshake you leave behind.

Flyers

For focus, not volume

Flyers work best when they do one job well.

They are useful when they deliver value to their reader. A laundry-list of services is not only boring, it screams “me, me, me!”

Effective flyers:

• Focus on one clear message
  
• Offer valuable tips or advice
  
• Are easy to update as things change

If a flyer needs explaining, it is doing too much.

Brochures

When explanation matters

Brochures are useful when your services need context or structure.

They allow you to guide someone through what you do in a considered way, especially when multiple services or steps are involved.

Good brochures:

• Are structured and easy to scan
  
• Avoid jargon and filler
  
• Help people understand, not persuade

They should feel helpful, not heavy.

Company Profiles and Capability Statements

Confidence builders, not sales pitches

Profiles and capability statements are working documents.

They are often shared in meetings, emailed as PDFs, or used to support procurement and decision-making. Their job is to reduce uncertainty.

Strong profiles:

• Clearly explain what you do
  
• Highlight relevant experience
  
• Feel calm, credible, and current

They are not about saying everything. They are about saying the right things.

Presentation Folders

Quietly doing a lot of work

Presentation folders often get overlooked, but they play an important role.

They pull everything together. They create structure. They help your materials feel considered and complete.

Used well, presentation folders:

• Elevate meetings and proposals
  
• Keep information organised
  
• Reinforce professionalism without saying a word

They are especially useful when multiple documents are involved.

The Toolkit Principle

Just like tools, printed marketing materials should match the job.

You do not need every printed item available. You need the ones that support how you actually market and sell your business.

A small business may only need a few well-designed essentials. A growing business often needs a broader toolkit that feels intentional and aligned.

The mistake is holding onto the tool wallet when you really need a toolbox.

Final Thought

Printed marketing materials are not about nostalgia or tradition.

They are practical tools for real-world interactions. When chosen well, they support conversations, build confidence, and make your business easier to understand.

Start with the essentials. Upgrade as your business grows. And make sure every item in your toolkit earns its place.

I suck at gardening. But I do try. I like the end product and I do enjoy sun-filled days in the garden digging, pruning and planting with my green-thumb partner. I also enjoy the fruits of my labour, whether it be fresh basil, lemons or chillies.

Last weekend, Bec was at work and I was left unattended.

We had a small potted lemon tree and I thought it would be nice to have a bay tree growing nearby. So I popped off to Bunnings to get myself a new shrub or two.

After much digging, planting and mulching my work was done – our luscious lemons, beautiful basil and punchy chillies were now augmented with the subtle flavours of bay leaves. My winter soups will be unreal. She will be so proud of me.

Then she got home…

Issue 1: I didn’t read the label and had chosen a tree that would grow to 15 metres and put it directly next to the house.
Issue 2: You generally only use around 5-10 bay leaves a year.
Issue 3: I had planted 3 of these bad boys, so theoretically now had enough to make soups for the entire northside, for a lifetime.

I should not be left alone for such things…

In honour of upcoming World Environment Day on June 5th, we are launching our eco-friendly print range. From business cards and brochures to corflutes and even t-shirts. All products are made with recyclable materials and will make a real difference to our planet.

And I am leaving tree planting to the experts. In fact, we have teamed up with the wonderful team at B1G1 and for every eco-friendly product sold in June 2024, we will be planting a tree to celebrate and support our wonderful planet.

Whether you are a family, an organisation or a school, a shared set of values is important. Having a set of core values helps build strong relationships between members and contributes to the overall positive culture of the cohort.

In an effort to develop positive learning environments, many Queensland schools are embedding a whole-school approach via the Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) framework. This proactive approach offers a clear and consistent framework to support all members of the school community. 

Let’s take a closer look at some of the inventive ways in which Queensland schools can promote PBL values to their students.

10 Awesome Ideas for Successful Implementation of Your School’s Values

School Yard Signage

Using areas of high-congregation (think tuckshop area, eating areas and assembly areas), having brightly-coloured signs is a great way to promote the school’s PBL values to the student group. These could be economical aluminium signs for walls, or even acrylic cut signs 3D for that extra-special effect.

School Pencil Totem Pole Signs

Make the school’s PBL values stand out with attractive ‘pencil signage’ on display at school entries and common walkway areas. These are a great addition to garden beds. 

Printed School Banners & Flags

Using banners and flags around the school grounds is also a great way to effectively promote the values. These could be fence banners, stage banners, pull up banners or even tear-drop style flag banners.

Children’s Wristband Printing

Raise awareness of the values with colourful silicone wristbands for students to wear during the campaign. This gives students a sense of identity and pride over the values they are ‘wearing’. They could also be used as a ‘reward’ for good values practices. 

Cartoon Character Design

Children respond to strong visuals. Having the values promoted by a set of cartoon characters is an effective way to communicate your school’s PBL values.

Promotional Passport Printing

Have ‘PBL Passports’ for the students to have stamped as they display positive behaviors throughout the day. Each stamp could get them closer to a prize such as a wristband or other fun item.

T-Shirt Printing

Printing the values on t-shirts for the students to wear helps bring awareness to the campaign and to the values within. You could even have a ‘values t-shirt day’ once a month for higher impact. 

Classroom Poster Printing

Simple posters in each classroom is an inexpensive way to promote the behaviours in the rooms where the students are spending the most of their time. 

Sticker Printing

Kids of all ages love getting stickers. As a simple and effective way to reward positive behaviours, stickers could be placed on kids books, hands or shirts.

Printed Redeemable Coins

Consider gamification of the values to the students. This could be printed ‘values coins’ that can form a currency, redeemable for prizes.

Whilst having school and organisation values is critical in developing a positive group culture, it’s how you communicate those values to your audience that counts. Being creative and using “out of the box” thinking is a great way to ensure your values are being communicated to those you wish to influence.

Need some help in brainstorming ways to effectively communicate your school’s values? Get in touch with Brand Hero today or visit our school signage and printing page for more information.

Last month we did a post on brand consistency. We discussed the importance of maintaining a consistent visual image across all places your logo is seen – from your website, to your vehicles and business cards.

Getting your brand colours correct is a critical element of brand consistency.

At times this can be tricky, especially if they are not set up correctly in the first instance. And with different print technologies producing different colour results, having your brand colours properly identified, recorded and adhered to is critical. 

A Question of Colour

Let’s have a look at the four main colour modes we use to produce your work:

Best First Step

Getting your colours right from day one of your logo design is really the best step you can take to getting them right down the line, no matter what the print or display media. Get your designer to choose colours from the PMS system, then convert them to CMYK or RGB down the line if needs be. This way, you are always matching a specific colour code and standard used across the world. 

It’s Never Too Late

If you aren’t sure what the colour codes are for your logo, ask your designer. They should be able to to send you the colour codes and keep them on file for when you need them. Alternatively, click below or email us and we can colour match your logo to the correct codes free of charge.

Most small businesses have a limited marketing budget. We are not like Apple, Nike or BMW and we need to make sure we get as much bang for our buck as possible. And by that, I don’t mean in a ‘cram every service you offer into a DL flyer’ kind of way. We just want to make sure our marketing collateral reaches and appeals to the right people.

The old adage of ‘any business is good business’ has gone out the door with Hypercolor shirts and Pez Dispensers. You want your phone ringing off the hook with qualified leads, willing to do business with you and on your terms. This enables you to do your best work.

One easy way to apply this filter and weed out the tyre kickers and price shoppers is simply by upgrading the quality of your paper and card on your printed marketing collateral. Whether it be business cards or brochures, the type of paper they are printed onto can really speak volumes about who you are and how you do business.

Let’s have a closer look at some common marketing items where a few simple upgrades can supercharge the value of leads into your business.

 

Business Cards

Ten years ago, a good friend of mine told me that business cards (and print in general) was dead. I’m happy (and somewhat relieved) to discover how wrong this was. With the rise and rise of technology and faceless business transactions, there appears to be a move back to a more hands-on, relationship-centric approach to doing business. This is where the humble business card shines (sometimes literally). This is often the first impression a potential clients gets with your company and you only get one of these. Squandering it with cheap business cards is a wasted opportunity and one which is easily (and inexpensively) avoided.

Suggested Upgrade:

A simple upgrade to 350gsm business card with a matt or gloss celloglaze at least gets you out of the shadows and into the ‘respectable-looking business’ category. For not much more than a 6-pack, you can add rounded corners to this too.

Selling high-end or big ticket items? A Raised Spot UV or Metallic Foil business card adds a touch of class and elegance to your cards and inturn, your company. In addition to this, they “feel” different. This added sensory element is huge when people are deciding to buy from you or not.

 

Flyers, Postcards & Brochures

I have been watching re-runs of UK comedy Blackadder on ABC recently. In the classic WW1 sitcom, they refer to fictional propaganda magazine King & Country as ‘soft, strong yet thoroughly absorbent’. Regardless of what you are selling, your product and company getting associated with toilet paper is never a good look.

Particularly if you are looking at short-run trade show printing or similar event printing, the difference between toilet paper level stock thickness and quality card is next to nothing. Whether it is flyer printing, postcard printing or brochure printing this can have a huge effect on who is attracted to doing business with you.

Suggested Upgrade:

If you are planning on running flyers, a simple upgrade from paper (around 130gsm) to a 250gsm or 350gsm coated card will really help you step up your marketing game for under $20.

 

Booklets & Magazines

Rinse and repeat for the above items here. The emergence of digital printing (think short run, high quality work) enables booklets and magazines to be printed in small numbers, perfect for events and conferences. Whether it be company profile printing, product guide printing or capability statement printing, adding a slightly thicker cover stock or internal stock will make the world of difference.

Suggested Upgrade:

Most booklets are printed on stock that is 100-130gsm in thickness. A simple upgrade to 150gsm satin for internal sheets and 250gsm satin for the cover looks fantastic and will make a big impression on the reader.

 

People make their buying decisions based on how they “feel” about the company. Think about Apple. The iMac is very similar to PCs – A monitor, keyboard and mouse. Yet, they sell for 2-3 times higher than PCs and people not only buy them, they rave about them (me included!).

Purchasing decisions go beyond facts and figures and perceptions can make a make a massive difference. Simple changes to your marketing collateral such as higher-grade stock choices or professionally designed artwork may not cost the earth, but will have a huge impact on the quality of leads flowing into your business.

Need some honest advice on what stocks to use to boost your marketing game? Get in touch today.