Instantly halve the cost of your next leaflet printing campaign

Would you like to HALVE the cost of your next leaflet printing campaign? That's right, cut a whole 50% off the cost?

No problem... it's easy!

The secret lies in establishing a partnership with a company or organisation that offers a complementary product or service to your own. You can then advertise both companies within the leaflet and split the cost!

For instance, if you sell double glazing you could strike up a partnership with a landscape gardener or a driveways contractor. Although you're all trying to reach the same audience you do not offer competing products. There's no reason why you shouldn't pool your resources and either cut the cost of your campaign or print double the amount of leaflets and reach a wider audience.

So next time you need to promote your company, consider a leafleting campaign, and halve your costs by establishing a partnership!

Finding images for your leaflet printing project

If you are creating artwork for a leaflet printing project you should always consider including some imagery.

Full colour photographs or illustrations which help to support your marketing messages will draw attention and add interest to your leaflet design.

If you own a digital camera then you may wish to take your own photographs and import them into your word processing or desktop publishing software. Always use the highest possible quality setting when taking your photographs. All professional leaflet printing companies require very high resolution photographs - usually 300dpi. You can check the resolution of an image using your photo editing software. Most mobile phone cameras are not of sufficient quality for generating print quality images for your project.

Please note that you cannot increase the resolution of an image once it has been created so you only have one chance to set the correct resolution of your camera!

If you are scanning an image, adjust your scanner settings to 300dpi. Again, you should be aware that you cannot increase the resolution of your scanned image once it has been created so if you plan to increase the size of the image once it has been scanned, you will need to increase your scanner settings to above 300dpi.

If you do not own appropriate images for your leaflet, you can download royalty free illustrations and photographs from istockphoto.com. Most cost only a few pounds and are generally very good quality.

Don't be tempted to use images from the web. Most have been compressed for quick download and are not suitable for use within your leaflet printing project. Furthermore, copyright will probably lie with the owner of the image and you will need to obtain their permission to reproduce it in print.

If you are at all unsure about creating your own artwork, most UK leaflet printing specialists can provide artwork and design services. Some online leaflet printing companies will even throw in the use of royalty free images from their library free of charge.

Creating artwork for your leaflet printing project

Creating artwork for a leaflet printing project used to mean employing the services of a graphic designer or advertising agency. Not any more! If you know your way around a word processing solution such as Microsoft Word, a desktop publishing package such as Microsoft Publisher or a photo editing application such as Photoshop then you can create your own artwork and upload it via the internet to a UK leaflet printing specialist.

Some leaflet printing companies will only accept artwork in PDF format. If you are able to export a press resolution PDF file using your software then this should not pose a problem. Other leaflet printing companies will accept most common file types so you dont have to go to the trouble of converting your artwork into PDF (although beware... some printing companies charge an extra fee to handle non-PDF files). Always check with your chosen printing company before you begin work to make sure they can accept your artwork.

If you intend to include photographs, illustrations or scanned graphics within your artwork you need to double check the resolution of your artwork. For an image to look crisp and sharp on a computer monitor it only requires a resolution of 72dpi (dots per inch). In contrast, all professional leaflet printing companies require artwork at 300dpi (dots per inch). So just because your artwork looks great on screen it doesnt mean that it will print correctly.

You can check the resolution of an image using your photo editing or scanner software. If the image you wish to use is less than 300dpi you cannot improve its resolution once it has been created. However, if you reduce the size of your image within your artwork then you effectively improve its resolution. So, if your original image is 150dpi, you would have to reduce its size by 50% to achieve a final resolution of 300dpi.

Sound confusing? Even the professionals get it wrong sometimes. That's why you should always ask your printing company for a printed proof before they print your leaflets. Many online leaflet printing companies only supply a PDF or on-screen proof. Whilst PDF proofs are adequate for checking the content of your artwork, it is difficult to tell how well your images or photographs will reproduce. Some online leaflet printing companies will supply a printed proof free of charge so you can see exactly how your leaflets will look before they are printed. Even professional designers will rarely place an order for leaflet printing without seeing a printed proof so follow their example! It may delay things by a day or two but it could save you a lot of time and money if your leaflets don't turn out the way you had hoped.

The benefits of a co-ordinated leaflet printing campaign

Leaflets are a great way to boost sales just when you need them.

A one-off leaflet printing project is great for getting your message out in a hurry. Ideal for promoting a new store opening, a limited time special offer, a sale or a one off event.

However, the real power of leaflets is when you use them as part of an on-going campaign.

It has been proven that most customers will only make a purchase after they have seen a company's marketing messages on at least SIX different occasions. Obviously there are exceptions to that rule but on the whole it is undeniably true. On average you need to get your message under the nose of your prospect SIX TIMES before he will buy from you.

I know what you are thinking. That sounds expensive! Well not if you utilise the power of leaflet printing.

The cost of leaflet printing has reduced dramatically over the last few years, thanks in no small part to the internet. You can now use this to your advantage by producing not just a one-off leaflet but a co-ordinated campaign.

You might decide to send out the same leaflet design time and again. A better idea is to change your message slightly each time. Dont change the whole look and feel of your leaflet campaign - you want your prospects to know that all your leaflets have come from the same company. But to avoid boredom and 'switch off' alter your sales messages slightly. Change the photographs or illustrations you use. Promote a different special offer each time.

Don't give up too early - stick with your leaflet printing campaign. Remember, if you win sales before your sixth mailing then you are doing extremely well. Be persistent and the results should speak for themselves.

Why are leaflet printing projects so successful?

Leaflets are an extremely effective marketing tool. That's why almost all companies and organisations embark on a leaflet printing project at some time or another.

If you need any proof that leaflet campaigns work you need look no further than your front door mat. The major corporates use leaflets as a major part of their marketing efforts. Why? Because they work!

One of the benefits of a leaflet campaign is that a leaflet can be distributed in so many different ways. Leaflets can be handed out in the street, inserted into newspapers or magazines, left in the entranceway to shops and businesses, posted through the mail, pushed through letterboxes... even dropped from aircraft!

Another great benefit of a leaflet campaign is portability. A potential customer can take your marketing messages home with him and read them at his leisure. They can also pass your leaflet onto someone else... a great way for you to reach more customers!

The cost of leaflet printing campaigns have reduced dramatically due to new technology and the wonders of the internet. Online leaflet printing companies are able to provide high quality leaflets extremely economically and in a very short space of time. Some leaflet printing companies are able to print from your own artwork so you no longer need to pay for the services of a designer (although the benefits of utilising the expertise of a professional should never be underestimated - the extra costs can reap real rewards in the long run).

So next time you need to drum up some extra business consider a leaflet printing campaign. Flexible, cheap and above all effective!