We spend more time in the digital space than we do face-to-face. Because of this, personalization seems to be the best way to put a human touch back into commerce. Personalizing everything from direct mail to e-mail campaigns helps show a brand’s consumers that they care about the human being behind the transaction. One way you can add a personal touch to digital advertising is by utilizing a personalized URL (PURL). The pros at Pel Hughes have been utilizing PURLs for organizations and businesses for quite some time. 

What is a personalized URL (PURL), exactly?

A personalized URL generates a unique landing page for a potential customer. When you send out an e-mail campaign, you embed a link into its text that routes a user to a static web page. An example of a PURL is www.JaneDoe.CompanyName.com. You can also place a simple personalized link to the copy of your direct mail. 

When a PURL is generated, the landing page can be customized with specific discounts and other purchasing offers such as buy-one-get-one-free promotions. Your potential customer will see their name along with familiar images like your logo on their personalized page. 

How can a PURL be used?

There’s a multitude of ways that you could implement a personalized URL. First, a PURL could generate sales by offering a QR code or link to specific products that consumer may be interested in. It could also be used to welcome a new member to an organization or educational institution. For example, Pel Hughes developed PURLs for Tulane University, which were printed onto pieces of direct mail. These PURLs were used to provide resources to prospective students. Another way a PURL can benefit your enterprise is when you deploy an e-mail or direct mail campaign for previous customers who haven’t made a purchase in a while. Something as simple as “We’ve missed you, Jane Doe. Visit your personalized link to earn 15% off your next purchase.” 

The possibilities of PURLs are endless; organizations and businesses throughout the United States have found very clever ways to use them. 

Does personalization really matter?

In the post-modern, Digital Age, personalization absolutely matters. In fact, researchers have found that personalized direct mail, for example, offers an ROI that is leaps and bounds more effective than conventional direct mail that isn’t addressed to a specific resident. Personalizing your marketing materials to customers shows care and attention to detail, which is something that almost anyone can appreciate. 

Another reason that personalization resonates with modern humans is the fact that our lives involve daily inundation from media, cell phone notifications, and our work lives encroaching on our personal lives. Because of this reality, our brains have become very adept at filtering out irrelevant information. One way that advertisers can break through this psychological defense is to personalize their campaigns to consumers. So, seeing your full legal name on a piece of direct mail sends a message of “hey there. This is meant for you, the individual.”

The experts at Pel Hughes are here to help you develop great print materials. We can also help you merge digital advertising with print. From campaign automation and database management to stellar signage and direct mail, we have you covered. Give our friendly team a call at (504) 486-8646 to get started. 

Using advanced printing techniques to your advantage could help your business, organization, or special event stand out from the crowd. One popular technique that can make your print materials look and feel unique is die cutting. Die cutting is a process that produces cut outs, uniquely-shaped materials, and a three-dimensional effect to printed materials. 

What is a die cut, exactly?

Chances are you’ve seen die cuts in the past on greeting cards and restaurant menus. Die cutting refers to the steel die that can carve unique shapes into paper. These dies can be used to produce a multitude of shapes cut-out within paper or to cut the entire piece into a unique shape such as a circle, oval, or square. 

An example of a simple die cut is the cut-out section on a mailing envelope that displays the addressee’s name and address through a plastic window. Die cuts could also be used to create unique edges on greeting cards. For example, printed pieces with scalloped edges are typically the result of a die cut. 

When should a die cut be used?

Die cutting isn’t normally seen with direct mail or catalogues. It is common to utilize die cutting for greeting cards, event invitations, and stationary. Die cutting typically adds decorative elements to print. Silhouette die cutting is particularly useful for evoking vintage appeal while simple cut-outs lend a contemporary or modern appearance.

 Similarly, a die cut can serve a functional purpose, too. Cut-outs may be used to bind materials, create open-ended envelopes, and as knots to hold pieces together. Bear in mind that mailed pieces with die cut treatments should be placed in envelopes to help protect them from tears while they are in transit. 

Are there limitations with this printing technique?

While die cuts can make for stunning print pieces, this technique does have its limitations. One common limitation of this technique is the size of the die. Most of the time, die cutting is reserved for small areas. Different press capabilities can affect the size of dies as well. 

Can any type of paper be used for die cutting?

For the most part, thinner stock produces cleaner die cuts. Thicker stock tends to affect the crispness of the cut portion’s edges because it generates more resistance against the die. Stock made from cotton typically doesn’t make the cleanest cuts either. When in doubt, speak with an experienced printing professional to determine if this printing technique is right for your project. Our team can assist with selecting the best stock for your needs.

If you’re curious about implementing die cuts into your print campaigns, we encourage you to speak with the experts at Pel Hughes. In addition to die cutting, we offer other striking embellishments like spot UV and foil printing that can make your campaigns stand apart from others. 

Pel Hughes is a woman-owned enterprise that serves businesses and organizations in an array of industries. Visit our website or call (504) 486-8646 to request a quote. 

Did you know that businesses who use direct mail can see higher response rates than social media advertising and e-mail marketing? It’s true; when direct mail campaigns are properly executed, they can yield great results. When considering venturing out into direct mail advertising, it is important to know what makes direct mail campaigns effective and what doesn’t.

The pros at Pel Hughes have helped businesses throughout the United States develop compelling direct mail campaigns. Here, we have compiled five tips to help you get on the right track. 

#1 Define Direct Mail Campaign Objectives

Every advertising campaign needs clearly defined goals. Are you looking to drive sales? Perhaps you are opening a new location of your business and want to announce your presence to your community. Before you begin the process of composing a direct mail campaign, it is important to figure out exactly what your goals are. 

Common goals can include: increasing sales, generating interest in your services, reaching out to target demographics, and increasing traffic to your website or social media channels. 

Defining your goals helps shape the direction of your campaign. 

#2 Know Your Competition

Does your competition use direct mail to solicit potential customers? Is your competition attracting new leads at a rate higher than yours? How does your messaging and brand image differ from your competitors? Understanding your competition and evaluating their approach to advertising can help you develop direct mail campaigns that highlight the advantages of choosing to work with your business. 

#3 Develop a Great Mailing List

In the past, businesses sent direct mail to as many people as possible. Focusing on quantity over quality, however, can yield less-than-ideal response rates. With advanced technology, businesses can purchase mailing lists that are carefully curated to reach the exact demographics you want. Using this data to your advantage can enhance the effectiveness of your print advertising initiatives. 

#4 Utilize a Compelling Call to Action

Good direct mail campaigns have clear calls to action. Your recipients should understand precisely what it is that you would like them to do. Common calls to action involve booking an appointment for a service you provide, signing up for an e-mail mailing list, following your social media channels, or using a coupon you provided for their purchases. Your direct mail pieces should have easy-to-find contact information in addition to clear calls to action.  

#5 Solicit Help from Printing Pros and Graphic Designers 

These days, many business owners will take a do-it-yourself approach. While this can save money, some tasks should be delegated to experts. Direct mail is one task that can benefit from the expertise of print and graphic design professionals. Working with our team at Pel Hughes can help ensure that your direct mail campaign resonates with your potential consumers. Our team can help you develop striking direct mail pieces that reach the customers most likely to do business with your brand. 

If you have questions about direct mail campaigns, check out our website and blog to learn more. You can Pel Hughes at (504) 486-8646 to request a quote. 

Lauded psychologist, Carl Jung believed that “color is the mother tongue of the subconscious.” In other words, he believed that color affects our mood and it can influence our actions. If you’re looking to deploy a direct mail campaign, color selection is an important design element you might have overlooked. Gaining an understanding of color psychology can enhance your marketing efforts.  

The Basics of Color Psychology 

A good deal of research has been dedicated to the use of color in marketing and how it influences consumers. From this research, we know that color can impact the perception of a brand’s image and its services. For instance, there is a psychological reason why most fast food establishments have bright hues of red and orange in their messaging. The colors a person sees can affect their overall perception of a brand or product. This is because color evokes emotion. For instance, the color red is associated with hunger or passion while blue is associated with tranquility and trustworthiness.  

Determining which colors you select for your direct mail campaign should be based on your existing brand image, what works well with your logo and other branded graphics, and the industry with which you operate.  

Graphic designers can help you pick colors that won’t appear distracting or unprofessional with your existing brand image. It is important to consult with professionals since selecting the wrong tone of a color or using too many colors could detract from your overall message. Your goal is to seamlessly inject color to evoke a response and without help from a professional, you run the risk of turning potential customers off. 

Color Psychology and Emotion 

If you’re wondering which colors could enhance your next direct mail campaign, it is important to have a basic understanding of the emotional response connected to specific colors.  

Here’s a helpful guide to get you started: 

Red: This color is seen as energetic. Red hues are commonly associated with passion, excitement, and hunger. When you think of this color, consider how people feel when they see Target’s or Coca-Cola’s logo. 

Blue: Seen as tranquil and reliable, blue is often associated with trustworthiness and dependability. A great example of blue being used to promote these emotions is how major car insurance carriers such as GEICO and Allstate utilize this color.  

Green: Conveying wholesomeness and vitality, green is often associated with nature and inviting environments. This is why many supplements, health products, and wholesome foods utilize green in their logos. Businesses based in the agricultural and food preparation industries commonly use green for these reasons.  

Orange/Yellow: These colors tend to promote feelings of optimism and joy. Due to their bright nature, these colors should be used sparingly and thoughtfully. Popular orange- and yellow-themed brands you know include Taco Bell, Nickelodeon, Fanta, and MasterCard. 

Purple: This color is most commonly associated with wisdom, royalty, and creativity. Purple is commonly seen in skincare products and among innovative brands with staying power such as Yahoo!, FedEx, and Hallmark. 

White: Typically associated with purity and cleanliness, white can evoke strong emotional associations with consumers. Many modern and minimalist brands like Ikea and Apple utilize white very well.  

Black: Although black isn’t technically a color, it is a hue that evokes emotion. Black is often perceived as strong, capable, and dominating. Popular brands you know of that utilize black include Adidas and Chanel. When black is executed strategically, it can command attention in all the right ways.  

If you have questions about color psychology and your next direct mail campaign, give the Pel Hughes team a call. We offer in-house graphic design and printing with excellent client service. You can request a quote online or call us at (504) 486-8646. 

Did you know that people have a stronger urge to take action with direct mail than they do with digital advertising? According to research conducted by the USPS, it’s true. There is clear data to demonstrate that people will respond to printed marketing materials more favorably than they would digital. While the numbers back up the notion that direct mail is still a powerhouse when it comes to driving sales, bear in mind that not all direct mail is created equal. One way you can make your direct mail more effective is to utilize variable data printing.  

What is variable data printing, exactly? 

Variable data printing is a method of digital printing that allows for interchangeable text without interrupting the printing process. This technology even makes it possible to utilize different graphics from piece to piece. 

 Variable data printing (VDP) technology is what makes personalizing direct mail a reality. In fact, you have probably had pieces delivered to you that utilized this VDP. With VDP, you can personalize pieces to address recipients by name on envelopes and on the salutations of letters.  

What are the benefits of variable data printing? 

One way that VDP is advantageous for your direct mail campaigns is the fact that they tend to see higher response rates. Conventional direct mail that doesn’t utilize VDP typically sees a 1% response rate. Adding VDP to the mix could easily double your response rate.  

Not only could using VDP double your response rate, it could save you money by making it possible to deploy smaller campaigns. If you know your response rate will be higher, you could downsize your campaign and still see a higher ROI. The cost savings of a smaller response rate could translate to you having the budget to use high quality graphics and paper. Investing in the quality of your direct mail can help you target niche markets such as consumers who prefer luxury products or eco-conscious buyers.  

Who benefits from VDP? 

VDP could benefit any brand but certain types of brands may find more value by implementing variable data printing. For example, brands selling niche products or catering to a specific consumer group tend to see great results with VDP. Companies selling services or products with high margins typically see better results with direct mail than businesses like restaurants or dry cleaners. This technology also helps enterprises attract new customers by boosting brand awareness.  

The best way to determine which form(s) of marketing and advertising are right for you is to devote time to research and speak with printing professionals about your budget, goals, and needs.  

Our team at Pel Hughes is happy to help you navigate your print marketing options. Our family-owned printing company serves businesses and non-profits of all sizes throughout the United States. We provide in-house graphic designworld class printing technologydatabase management, and campaign automation to help you boost your sales and develop a brand with staying power.  

Give our team of experts a call at (504) 486-8646 to request a quote.  

Now that COVID-19 is less of a threat, businesses are returning to their tried-and-true methods for reaching their clientele. As the economy opens back up, cities are hosting trade shows again. The likelihood that social distancing will continue to be practiced means that your booth at a trade show should be enticing with eye-catching banners or signage, your products, and well-stocked with promotional products and brochures.  

If you’re wondering how to make a great impression at your next trade show, consider the following helpful tips.  

Invest in Eye-Catching Banners or Signage 

Your booth should be enticing. You don’t want to be lost in a sea of homogenous booths. One way you can attract passersby is to have professional signage and banners that utilize your logo, attractive color schemes, and your company’s name. Well-designed banners help convey your brand’s message to others.  

The printing pros at Pel Hughes can help you develop materials that make your tradeshow booth pop. From banners to signage, our team has you covered.  

Stock Your Trade Show Booth with Promotional Products 

One thing that people look forward to at a trade show are the freebies. Promotional products can help make a lasting impression on trade show attendees. Items like pens, coffee mugs, and reusable water bottles boost brand awareness and can drive sales down the road.  

Pel Hughes offers an array of customized promotional products including face masks, hand sanitizer, reusable totes, calendars, coasters, mousepads, and umbrellas. Branding these materials with your logo and company name can serve as consistent advertising for years to come.  

Ensure that You Have Plenty of Brochures and Business Cards 

Every trade show booth should be stocked with brochures and business cards. A trade show attendee may interact with brand representatives from hundreds of booths, which can be overwhelming. Providing brochures and business cards can help attendees remember your company down the road.  

In a post-pandemic world, brochures and business cards will likely be more powerful than ever. These visual tools can help attendees understand what your company has to offer—particularly when social distancing and COVID-related hesitation affects face-to-face interactions.  

Well-made brochures should have great design, copy, and quality paper. Business cards should have eye-catching design and legible font selection. Sometimes, advanced printing techniques like raised varnish and foils produce memorable and polished business cards.  

Pel Hughes can help with both. We offer in-house graphic design and utilize state-of-the-art printing technology.  

Familiarize Yourself with Audio/Video Equipment 

The pandemic has made an impact on the sales world. Brand representatives have to contend with people who are more hesitant than ever to interact. One way around this justifiable hesitation is to utilize audio and visual technology to your advantage. Running a demo reel of your product or services along with customer testimonials and advertisements helps generate interest in what your company has to offer.  

If you intend to incorporate audio and visual tools at your trade show booth, it’s important to learn how to use this equipment long before the big day.  

If you have an upcoming trade show, consider reaching out to the pros at Pel Hughes for help. We work with businesses and non-profits in every industry. Our mission is to provide world-class service to help our clients’ businesses thrive. Visit our website to request a quote or call (504) 486-8646.  

Evaluating the success of direct mail campaigns involves taking a comprehensive view of the types of marketing you’re using and the metrics you have. For instance, focusing heavily on one type of metric may not provide a detailed view of which elements of your marketing efforts are working and which aren’t.  

Direct mail has a powerful effect on brand recognition and consumers’ purchasing behavior. Most people find direct mail to be trustworthy and pleasant. This is a stark contrast to how some people feel about digital advertising including e-mail campaigns and sponsored content on social media.  

If you’re curious about determining the success of your direct mail campaigns, the experts at Pel Hughes offer three factors you should consider.  

#1 Utilize Cross Media Marketing  

Consistent branding across digital and non-digital channels is an important component of developing consumer awareness with your brand and your services. Inconsistent messaging can be confusing for consumers. When deploying a direct mail campaign, be certain that your messaging across all marketing channels is on-brand and cohesive.  

Direct mail can help spurn consumer action while digital advertising can help expose potential consumers to your brand. Utilizing cross media marketing properly can enhance the effectiveness of all your marketing efforts. One way to merge digital marketing with direct mail is to include incentives for visiting your website or following your social media accounts. For example, coupon codes and buy-one-get-one free promotions are great for driving direct mail recipients to your online store.  

#2 Pinpoint Audience Insights from Direct Mail Campaigns

Data can help you determine what parts of your marketing strategy are resonating with consumers. Pinpointing the metrics that help you determine this will make it that much easier to replicate a successful approach in the future.  

Helpful data such as logging answers to questions like “how did you hear about us?” can help you evaluate where new interest in your business is coming from.  

When it comes to evaluating data for consumer insights, it’s important to look at a number of metrics. Tracking website visits, increased sales, affiliate marketing links, and coupon codes specific to your direct mail campaigns are great tools for determining what generates consumer interest.  

#3 Find Balance in Creativity 

Creativity is powerful but undisciplined creativity can be a waste of your time and money. Brands need to find balance between the analytical and the creative. That being said, it is important to not stifle the creative process or the insight of graphic designers and copywriters. 

 Instead, pool ideas together and select the ideas that can help replicate successful marketing efforts of the past. One way to harness powerful creativity is to operate with an understanding of what your target consumers find important and by following the market trends of your industry.  

Pel Hughes is a family-owned enterprise offering the latest in printing technology and campaign automation. We have served businesses and non-profits throughout the United States. Our mission is to help brands thrive in an increasingly competitive business climate. Give our friendly team of experts a call today at (504) 486-8646 or fill out our convenient contact form online to request a quote.  

In addition to offering world class printing services, Pel Hughes provides in-house graphic design for our clients who need new logos, signage, direct mail, business cards, and other print materials. If you’re new to working with a graphic designer, you might feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to expect from the process. The main thing to keep in mind when working with a graphic designer is that the process is collaborative. Your feedback is an important part of the process. That being said, there are some ways you can streamline your communication and expedite the design process by avoiding common faux-paus 

Following are some helpful tips to make your collaboration with a graphic design team more productive.  

#1 Keep Realistic Expectations with Your Graphic Designer

Creating a graphic for your marketing and advertising materials is a process. The first draft you see might not be in line with your expectations. This is normal; however, as most first drafts are used to guide the design process. The end result could look radically different from its initial draft. Consider the first draft a litmus test for what you like and what you don’t like.  

#2 Ask Questions  

It’s perfectly acceptable to ask a graphic designer questions. Seasoned graphic designers know that many folks are not acquainted with the design process or industry lingo. One way to make your communication especially effective is to send your questions via e-mail. Interruptions—particularly telephonic ones—can slow the creative process. While not all questions are easy to formulate in written form, most are, so feel free to send e-mails with your burning questions from time-to-time.  

#3 Provide Examples of What You Like 

Although graphic designers are talented folks, they aren’t mind readers. Before you initiate the process for the first draft, we recommend sending over examples of logos, color schemes, fonts, and print materials that you find striking. Even a cover photo on Facebook or an Instagram post can make for great inspiration.  

When you send examples to your design team, it helps them understand the overall aesthetic you desire and can help them develop a clearer path forward.  

#4 Avoid Using Bland, Non-Descriptive Feedback 

Throughout the design process, your feedback will help determine the direction of your project. Non-descriptive and general feedback is usually not very helpful to the process. There are five major components to design, which are: layout, fonts, images, color, and general aesthetic. When providing feedback, discussing what you like or don’t like about each specific component is helpful. 

 For example, many clients may ask their design team to make their project “pop”. These kinds of statements don’t really move the graphic design process forward. Instead, specifics like “could we try a white background to make a logo stand out more?” or “Could we try a different font?”  would be more beneficial to generating a design you like. Details with clear and direct instructions can make a world of difference for you and your design team.  

The design process can lead to generating beautiful and well-received materials for your business. If you’re looking to create stunning print pieces for marketing and advertising, give our helpful team a call at (504) 486-8646 or request a quote online 

Marketing is the lifeblood for many businesses. The problem, however, is that managing marketing and advertising campaigns takes serious effort and time. Fortunately, technology has made producing marketing and advertising materials much easier with digital management systems. Our team at Pel Hughes offers Storefront—a management system that can increase efficiency and reduce your costs when it comes to handling your marketing campaigns.  

Following are four ways that Storefront can help your business.  

#1 A Convenient Hub for All Your Print Materials 

You can liken Storefront to a digital library. This system can store all your campaigns and other materials like tags and logos in one central location. Let’s say you need to update a franchise restaurant menu or edit existing materials like personalized business cards; you can do so with just a few clicks. Then, you can send these materials to the printer with ease.  

Beyond saving you time and money, Storefront can also set permissions for your account’s users. This is especially beneficial to enterprises with multiple locations or franchises. You can also enable customization for your users. This can be advantageous if you offer different services or prices from different locations. 

#2 Monitor Your Marketing Inventory & Order On-Demand 

Storefront allows for easy reporting. This is helpful for evaluating your marketing budgets or determining which materials are ordered most frequently. Automated reporting helps decision makers understand which materials are most effective and most used. It can also help ensure that your business stays within budget. 

Ordering on-demand also reduces wait times when collaborating with printing companies, marketing agencies, and freelancers. Having your materials in one convenient, secure location accelerates the deployment of your marketing and advertising campaigns.  

#3 Protect Your Brand’s Identity 

Sometimes, businesses with multiple locations and franchises can see inconsistent branding when local managers are left to their own devices. Maintaining a cohesive brand image is crucial to any enterprise’s marketing and advertising efforts. 

 Inconsistent brand messaging can produce a series of hiccups and unintended complications. With Storefront, company leaders can ensure that only approved materials are utilized. Since each user’s permissions are set by their superiors, you can eliminate the threat of inconsistent, unapproved campaigns. Decision makers can also add approval settings to each user’s profile, which adds additional protection in maintaining a cohesive brand identity.  

#4 Easy Payment Methods 

Storefront makes paying for and billing your marketing materials much easier. The interface accepts payments from PayPal and major credit/debit cards. It also allows for invoicing and purchase orders for businesses with multiple locations and franchises.  

Storefront takes a lot of the hassle out of maintaining and ordering advertising and marketing materials. With Storefront, you can protect the brand you worked so hard to develop while increasing your efficiency and reducing your marketing costs.  

If you’re interested in utilizing an online management system, we encourage you to give our helpful team at Pel Hughes a call. Pel Hughes is a woman-owned enterprise that serves businesses of all sizes in both private and non-profit sectors. We offer in-house printing and fulfillment as well as graphic design services. Visit our website or call us at (504) 486-8646 to learn more.  

Every industry has its own vernacular and the printing industry is no different. For customers, however, these words may be unfamiliar. To help, our team has compiled a handy guide to help you learn more about common lingo you might hear among print professionals. Understanding this terminology can help you learn more about the wide range of services that Pel Hughes has to offer.

Digital Printing

In the past, printers relied on screens and plates to produce materials. Today, however, printers can print items from digital files. Digital is highly efficient but there are still instances where traditional print methods are necessary. 

CMYK, RGB, and Pantone

Choosing color is one of the most important aspects in branding and advertising. CMYK and RGB are color systems—each with different purposes. Pantone is not exactly a color system; it’s a color library with about 1800 variations. 

Unfortunately, color doesn’t translate the same across different mediums. For example, RBG (which stands for red, blue, and green) is used to convey color on computer monitors and device screens while CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) is a color system utilized in printing. 

These different color systems can make printing from digital artwork a little tricky. When digital logos, ads, and other graphics are generated it is important that they are compatible with CMYK to ensure that your materials match your digital ones once they’re printed on paper. Knowing your pantone color numbers can be of great help to your graphic design team and the printing professionals you work with, too.

Weight

In the print world, “weight” refers to the thickness of the paper you’re using. Thicker paper is more substantial, making it ideal for business cards and brochures. Lower weight is ideal for corporate letterheads. 

Variable Data 

Variable data makes it possible to print materials with interchangeable elements without stopping the print process. A great example of variable data is printing envelopes, personalized direct mail, or letters with different addresses or names. 

2Up

This term refers to the number of prints on a piece of paper. Utilizing as much space on a piece of paper as possible saves money and reduces waste. 2UP is particularly useful for producing post cards, packaging, and business cards.

Bleed

Bleed entails a print extending beyond its cut lines. For instance, the term “full bleed” involves printing beyond paper’s cut lines to avoid unwanted margins around an image or background color. When a full bleed is needed, printers will have to use larger paper to avoid unwanted breaks in color around an image’s borders. 

It’s important to bring up bleed with your graphic designers so that they can accommodate your needs when developing your images in Photoshop, InDesign, and other software programs. 

The pros at Pel Hughes utilize the latest technology to help you develop stunning print campaigns. We offer expert assistance with direct mail, banners, signage, business cards, and more. Our team can help you develop cross channel marketing that will set your enterprise apart from the crowd, too. 

We have worked with businesses and organizations in diverse industries throughout the United States. Give Pel Hughes a call today at (504) 486-8646 to learn more about our services.