Will a flashy business card help you stand out? What size should your cards be? How many should you print? How much information can you add to your card? If you are unsure how to proceed with this highly effective sales tool, you may have a number of questions.

To help you get a better idea of how to plan, design and print the perfect business card, we have put together a list of commonly asked questions.

Frequently Asked Business Card Questions

In no particular order, some of the most commonly asked business questions that we get asked here at Minuteman Press Pinetown include the following:

How many business cards do I need?

This will come down to your unique needs and how you plan to use your cards. If you have a very small startup business that is still in its early stages, you may decide to print a smaller run of 100 cards or less. You may also require fewer cards if you don’t hand yours out on a frequent basis. If, on the other hand, you have a large sales team and you regularly attend trade shows and other networking events, you and your team will likely go through cards quickly. It’s worth noting that it can be more practical from a cost point of view to print a large number of cards. Smaller runs can be a bit more expensive.

What is the average size of the card?

The South Africa industry standard is 90mm x 50mm. A card that is below or over these measurements may not easily fit into a card holder slot in a wallet. This can result in cards being lost, which defeats the entire purpose of getting cards designed and printed.

What type of finish and card can I choose?

There are a number of options to consider when it comes to final details. Typical finishes include matte coated, gloss UV coated and various others that give your card the right look. Ideally, you want a paper weight that is thick enough to last as long as possible without tearing or crumbling. View our guide to paper weight to get a better idea of ideal thickness for various marketing material projects.

Will flashy, bright business cards make me stand out?

It may seem like a good idea, but, in reality, over the top cards do not always stand out as much as you’d think. The most important thing on this type of sales material is for people to easily be able to see your name, company name and title. You want people to remember your details easily without being distracted by overly bright colours, shapes and design details. Minimal cards can often be far more memorable. With that said, you can inject personality by creating a card that is unconventional and fun. View our unusual business card design ideas to see how you can add a bit of fun without going overboard.

Should I list all my products on my card?

The front of the card should be used to display only the most important information – your name, title, company name or logo, and possibly a tagline. You can use the back of the card to list key services, but try to keep the focus on only your most important highlights. Too much information can end up being confusing or distracting.

What does ‘tactile appeal’ mean?

This refers to print finishes such as foil stamping, die cutting or embossing. These features can add plenty of impact to your card without being over the top. Because this type of material is, by its very nature, tactile, it can be very worthwhile to add sensory detail that helps people remember your brand.

Should I invest in professional design services or make my own cards?

Ideally, you want to ensure that your cards are designed for optimal effectiveness. The problem with the DIY approach is that it can lead to a decrease in quality if you are not trained in design principles. Here at Minuteman Press Pinetown, we offer design and printing of business cards in Durban and surrounds. We’re always happy to help bring your projects to life.

Contact us today to find out more about

Helping you ensure the very best level of quality for your printed material, these pre-print design tips are made especially for those running a small business. As a business owner, presentation is everything. Your marketing material is an extension of your brand, helping to close deals, increase leads and grow your business. When your marketing material is less than expertly designed and printed, the message it can send is never ideal. Poor quality brochures, business cards, flyers and posters look amateur and unprofessional.

To ensure that you send prospective clients the right message, these pre-print design tips are sure to give you a better idea of how to perfect your project before they go to print.

Pre-Print Design Tips for Perfectly Printed Marketing Material

Some of the most important pre-print design tips to ensure that your projects are professionally and expertly prepared include the following:

Proof carefully to avoid errors.

Grammar and visual proofing are both essential to ensure that no errors slip through the cracks. As a business owner, the last thing you want is promotional material that contains errors. Even the smallest oversights can make the difference between closing a sale and losing a customer to your competition. Negative user experiences have a direct impact on your sales, brand and reputation. Typos, spacing issues and other errors can all affect the way that potential customers see your business. It is not always as easy to make changes after your projects have gone to print. This means that you will need to catch any potential errors in advance, before sending your files to the printer. The two main types of proofing include wording (the actual text on your brochures, flyers, posters or even business cards) and visual (the overall spacing, layout, words that are split between line breaks and other inconsistencies in the design).

Check font spacing.

You will also need to pay special attention to the spacing of the font you are using. This means adjusting the leading, kerning and tracking of text if the font is not spaced correctly. Every single paragraph, letter, punctuation mark and negative space needs to flow cohesively in a way that makes the text easy to read. Text should stand out for all the right reasons, and not because it is hard to read, not aligned properly or off in any other way. This will help to ensure a flawless visual experience that ensures optimal results from your brochures, posted, business cards and other sales material.

Confirm image size and resolution.

Be doubly sure that your image resolution and size is correct. Check the resolution of the images you have used in your design, as well as the resolution of the entire project file. Ideally, print ideals need to be saved at a minimum of 300 DPI. A good rule of thumb is saving your files at the highest resolution possible. Remember that you can always reduce the size of the file, but you cannot easily increase the size without losing clarity and detail. Be careful not to enlarge images more than 20% of their original size. Changing images in your document will affect the final resolution of your entire file as well.

Ensure colour accuracy.

Another thing to check is colour accuracy. In our guide to design and printing colours, we give a detailed overview of what each colour is used for during design and printing. The colours you see on screen are not always the same as the colours you will see in a final printed design. It is very useful to check the existing colour to be sure that it will print accurately. Most designs are in RGB colour, while most printers work in CMYK. Make sure that you set your programme to CMYK so that you can be sure that your colours print accurately.

Define bleed and crop marks.

You will also need to be very clear that your bleed and crop marks are correct. These marks indicate the edges of your final design, showing where cuts will be made once the file is printed. Crop marks show exactly where designs will be cut, while bleeds indicate parts of text or graphics that extend beyond the page boundary. Outside the bleed, there is a slug that includes printer instructions, additional print info and other important information required to print. Ignoring the bleed might end up causing a white border on the side where physical paper extends past the design.

Check the preferred format your printer requires.

Finally, it is always useful to know which format your printer prefers files to be sent in when submitting design work. Some printers prefer PDF documents, while others may accept InDesign files or PSD files. Make sure that you know which format is preferred so that you can simplify the process and avoid potential incompatibilities.

For assistance with high quality design and printing in Durban, get in touch with Minuteman Press Pinetown today. We will assist with all the expert help and pre-print design tips you need to craft the very best material for your business.

 

Renowned printing company, Minuteman Press in Pinetown, often gets tasked with printing everything from banners and business cards to invites and catalogues. Flyer printing, however, is still one of the best ways for business owners and marketers to get the most bang for their buck. Here are a few advantages of using flyers for your advertising:

 

• Cost-Effective

Many printing companies, including Minuteman Press in Pinetown, offer in-house flyer design services. Saving on graphic design and hiring an affordable printing company means that your flyer marketing campaign won’t cost you an arm and a leg. If you’re looking for a cost-effective, high-impact marketing solution, then flyer printing is it.

 

• Raise Brand Awareness

In today’s day and age, most people hop online to find the products or services they need. There could be many people in your vicinity that need the solutions your business offers, but they simply aren’t aware of your company, and they might not be finding you online. A simple flyer campaign is a great way to introduce your company to more people and raise your brand awareness.

 

• Strategic Marketing Initiatives

If you know that you want to target people in a specific location or in a specific age group, then flyer printing is the way to go. Instead of investing in a print ad in a magazine that could or could not get seen by your potential customers, you can choose exactly where and when you are going to distribute your flyers.

 

Contact us for flyer printing services in Pinetown today.

Promotional products can have a powerful impact in your marketing strategy where you are wondering if you are reaching your target audience. Do they recall seeing your brand? What is their impression of your brand? Is your services relative to the customer’s needs? Will they react to your marketing campaigns?

The infographic below demonstrates the 5R’s which result from distributing promotional products to your target audience.

 

If you would like to reach your target audience, get them engaged and have them react to  a need which you can fulfill, then contact Minuteman Press Pinetown for a variety of promotional and corporate products which can be branded with your company logo, name and telephone number.

 

To help you get a better idea of how paper is chosen for various projects, we have put together some simple paper types FAQ. These questions cover some of the basics, from the differences between coated and uncoated paper to short and long grain, absorbency and weight. Remember that these paper types FAQ are here to act as a guideline. Should you have any questions at all, please get in touch with our team for assistance. We are always happy to give you advice on choosing the right paper for your needs.

Stay Informed With Our Paper Types FAQ

For the meantime, the following paper types FAQ will help you stay informed on the basic qualities and uses of paper in the printing process.

What is stock?

Stock is a term that refers to the material used for printing. It could refer to paper used for brochures, flyers or posters, or thicker card used for business cards and postcards, for example.

What is the difference between coated and uncoated paper?

Coated paper has a coating that gives it a smooth finish. This could include a gloss or satin finish. Usually, coated paper is the best choice for projects that require a high quality finish, such as flyers and brochures. Uncoated paper has no coating. It is not as smooth, but it works well for paper material such as letterheads, envelopes and some business cards.

What is long grain and short grain?

Long grain is used to refer to paper that has a longer dimension that runs parallel to the grain. Short grain refers to paper that has a shorter dimension running parallel to the grain direction.

What is meant by absorbency?

This term refers to the capacity that paper has for accepting fluid, such as ink. This could affect how well the paper holds its colours and detail after printing. A very absorbent paper has a bolder effect, while less absorbent paper may not be quite as bright.

What is the difference between 100gsm, 120gsm, 130gsm, 170gsm, 300gsm, 400gsm and 450gsm?

All of these measurements refer to the weight of the paper. Paper thickness is measured in grams per square metre (gsm or gm). Fax and regular photocopy paper have a weight of about 80gsm, while a premium letter may be between 100gsm and 120gsm, a leaflet or  a flyer may be 120-170gsm, brochures and company profiles around 200-300gsm, and a postcard or business card around 280-350gsm. Packaging and boxes need to be sturdier to hold the products without it falling out or the boxes tearing, thus these will be 400-450gsm board.

Uncoated paper can seem thicker than coated paper, due to the fact that uncoated paper does not have a coating on, which takes up most of the weight, thus coated paper has more coating and less actual paper pulp, making it appear thinner or more flimsy but they are infact the same weight as the uncoated stock.

Generally speaking, the weight of a paper is a good guideline to indicate the thickness of the paper. We will always advise on the best weight for your project – speak to our team if you are ever in doubt.

What paper should I use for my project?

Every project is different, with different paper requirements. The best way to determine the best weight, finish and coating for your project is to simply ask when submitting your initial enquiry. That way, we can advise you on the best paper to suit your specific needs. This, in turn, will ensure the best results.

Get in touch with the Minuteman Press Pinetown team today if you have any more paper types FAQ or let us know if you have any other questions you may have about printing services in Durban and surrounds.

As we get a bit further into the new year, these 2018 printing trends are showing just how much the print industry is set to adapt over the course of the year. Each year, a number of trends help to continue the consistent evolution of print as a medium. This year, we are looking forward to a number of trends that will shape the industry, from the increased fusion of print and digital to colour trends, texture trend, personalised direct mail campaigns and new trends in large format printing.

 

Keep reading to get our insights into the biggest 2018 printing trends to watch this year, so that you can get inspired for your upcoming campaigns.

 

2018 Printing Trends to Watch

 

Some of the most interesting 2018 printing trends to keep an eye on this year include the following:

 

Print and digital fusion

The lines between print and digital have continued to blur, resulting in an increased move towards fusion in 2018. Many businesses incorporate social media addresses on their business cards, while other businesses drive engagement through audience interaction with printed materials. If you are not keeping both print and digital in mind when designing creative resources, now is the time to start doing so, as we continue to see a fusion between these two channels.

 

Use of colour.

A look at the Pantone 2018 colour trends shows us just how much of a role colour plays in the world around us. According to Pantone, blue and orange indicate resourcefulness, yellow indicates playfulness, gold indicates discretion, pink indicates delicateness and rosy tones embrace diverse cultures. A move from pastels toward brighter tones is expected this year, with iridescent colour palettes and bold shades being used in various print projects.

 

Use of texture.

Texture is another trend to watch. Touch or haptic memory can have a strong impact on the human brain, helping to resonate on a deeper level than sight, sound or scent. Tap into haptic memory by using rich textures on your marketing material, such as wood grain, matte finish, debossing, raised ink, folds, and embossed detail. Flyers, postcards, business cards and other printed sales material that has an additional sensory element are ideal for helping to keep your brand front of mind.

 

Meaningful mail campaigns.

As direct mail begins to reach saturation point, campaigns need to be more meaningful than ever before in order to engage audiences. To see a genuine return on your direct mail investment, aim for engaging, personalised campaigns. Think about how you can resonate with a smaller percentage of your target audience rather than how you can send out bulk messages to a wider audience. This is the best way to drive results with flyers and other printed material mail drops.

 

Soft signage.

Incorporating banners, flags, tablecloths and other materials, soft signage is on the rise. This type of large format printing uses soft materials that are ideal for trade shows and POP displays. A number of these displays are integrating SEG (silicone edge graphics) and similar solutions, which are set to become more popular in the year ahead.

 

While the Minuteman Press Pinetown team is more focused on providing our customers with the best level of quality and service than blindly following trends, we continue to find inspiration in the changing face of print marketing in Durban and surrounds. These 2018 printing trends are testament to how the industry continues to adapt, and we can’t wait to see what the future will bring.

 

In the past, ‘safety boots’ conjured up images of unsightly black boots that were worn on construction sites. Corporate Barron clothing manufacturers have vastly upgraded the designs, look and feel of a number of safety shoes to make sure they’re not only more comfortable than ever before, but also much better looking. Here’s a brief overview of the different types of safety shoes that are available:

 

• Safety-Toed Shoes

People working in factories and other industrial environments are all too aware of the hazards that can arise from moving heavy equipment around. Safety-toed shoes have a special reinforced section that creates a hardened cap around the toe section of shoes.

 

• Steel Insole Shoes

Shoes with steel insoles are used to keep a person’s foot stabilised. If for example, a person has to push pedals on an industrial lifting equipment, the steel insole shoes can prevent the foot from shifting. This will help to avoid joint and bone problems that may arise from having your foot angled and pressured in certain positions.

 

• Electric Hazard Shoes

Some safety shoes have been designed to reduce the risk of an electric shock. Electrical hazards can pose many risks on site. So, if workers are moving between wiring, electrical devices and other high voltage equipment, then electric hazard shoes should be worn.

 

Regardless of the types of hazards in your work environment, you need to make sure that your workers are wearing the appropriate safety boots to help them perform their jobs safely. Minuteman Press Pinetown is a Design, Printing and Marketing company that can offer you a wide variety of Barron safety boots.

 

Letterhead design is something of a lost art. In the days before email, letterheads were a great way to bring a brand together. Today, although things have evolved to include email as well, nothing can fully compete with a beautifully designed letterhead. To help you get the most from your letterheads, we have a few tips to share today. Keep reading to find out how to get the most from your letterhead design.

 

How To Ensure The Best Letterhead Design

 

Some tips to keep in mind when planning your letterheads include the following:

 

Simple is always best.

 

Essentially, the only information that your letterhead needs to convey is your company logo and name, your title, your contact information, and possibly, a slogan or some type of visual detail. Less is usually more. Unless your letterhead is so minimal that it fades into the background, you should ideally have one that is simple enough to not take up too much space on the page. Play around with positioning to test designs. You could try a modern vertical letterhead, a border, a bottom centred letterhead or a contemporary design that showcases just your logo.

 

Clutter often ruins the effect.

 

The problem with adding too much to this design is that it very quickly starts to look cluttered. When you take up most of the page with an ornate top and bottom design, as well as a border, the effect is more chaotic than calming. This will make it harder for any letters to be read on the page without the eye wandering off the wording. An overly cluttered design can also look disorganised, aggressive or over the top, which is never good for your branding, either.

 

Excessive detail does not always print well.

 

Yet another reason to keep your design simple is that too much detail will not always print properly. Many companies design their letterheads for printing at the office. Even if you invest in professional design and printing, it is always best to be on the safe side. Too many colours together can bleed, small details can be lost, and the effect can often be disjointed and haphazard, which are both no good as far as corporate stationery goes.

 

Use colour wisely.

 

On the topic of colours, make sure that you use colour sparingly on this stationery. Too many colours used together can result in a loud, clashing letterhead that does not have the impact you are hoping to achieve. Decide on one or two colours, and bring those in subtly through smaller details. This will ensure that your documents can be easily printed without the risk of bleed. It will also ensure that your letterhead stays clean and professional-looking.

 

Brand cohesive is essential.

 

Finally, always make sure that your stationery is designed with your brand in mind. Seeing stationery as a whole rather than looking only at your letterheads, presentation folders, envelopes, business cards, and promotional items individually. This will help you plan your stationery in a way that does not risk a disjointed brand.

 

The best way to get the most from your letterheads is to invest in professional letterhead design in Durban. Minuteman Press Pinetown offers high quality corporate stationery that is conceptualised, designed and printed professionally. Get in touch with our team today for more information on letterhead design in KZN.

Giving out your business card may seem like a simple enough thing. After all, how hard can it be to give someone a bit of paper? In reality, there are many unspoken etiquette rules involved in handing out cards. From not giving cards out to everyone you see to waiting to be asked before giving your card, keeping your cards up to date, adding a handwritten note and having enough cards on your person at any given time, we’ve put together a simple guide on business card etiquette.

How to Hand Over Your Business Card

Here are a few tips to consider before you hand out that business card.

Make sure that all information on your card is up to date.

Before you do anything else, make sure that your cards are up to date and accurate. Nothing is worse than handing out your card to a few people at a major event, only to realise later that your email address, phone number or role has changed. A general rule of thumb is to print cards in smaller runs if your business is likely to change at any point or you have a job that will involve a promotion at some stage. Whenever there any information on your original card changes, you will need to print new cards as soon as possible.

Keep a decent stack of cards with you at all times.

While it is never a good idea to print thousands of cards that you will likely never run out of any time in the century, you should keep a good selection with you at all times. One way to keep your cards close is to invest in a cardholder. As charmingly old-fashioned as these holders seem, they are extremely useful to keep a stack of cards with you whenever you are on the road, at conferences or at any other networking event. A beautiful card holder can also look impressive, as an added bonus.

Don’t force your card on everyone you see.

Even if you have a pile of cards with you, it does not mean that you should give them out to everyone you meet. Handing out your card to people uninvited is considered very rude in the corporate world. In fact, while you may think that you are proactively marketing your business, you are to all effect spamming people. Your card will almost certainly end up in a waste bin somewhere rather than being seen by the right people at the right time. That brings us to our next point…

Give your card to those who show genuine interest.

If you only give your card out to those who actually ask for it, there will be a far higher chance of that person genuinely wanting to get in touch. This is what real networking is all about. It is not forcing your contact details onto people, but rather about making meaningful connections. You can offer your card under certain circumstances. If you have been chatting a while, and your new connection is displaying interest, asking questions or asking you about pricing and other details, it will not be considered too rude to offer your card. When in doubt, however, it is safest to wait until your card is requested if you are not 100% sure.

Add a personal note to the back of the card.

Finally, a good way to hand your card over is to write a personal note relating to how you met your new contact. You can write this on the back of your card. Something as simple as, ‘hope you enjoyed XYZ Conference as much as I did!’ or ‘see you at the next trade show’ will help people remember you more easily. This also turns the exchange of cards into a meaningful connection, with the handwritten note adding a personal touch that will be remembered as much as a sleek card case and your respect of waiting to be asked to give your card. In business, it is all too often these thoughtful gestures that have the most impact.

Looking for expertly designed and printed cards? Contact Minuteman Press Pinetown for professionally printed business cards in Durban and surrounds.

 

 

Overalls tend to be preferred over pants as protective clothing for mechanics. Many mechanics who have learned the hard way (by ruining many items of clothing) opt for wearing overalls while working in the service bay.  At Minuteman Press in Pinetown, we are often tasked with the branding of workshop uniforms and have found that overalls are a firm favourite for those working in the industry.

 

Top Benefits of Choosing Overalls as Protective Clothing in the Workshop (H2)

 

Grease, grime, oil and chemicals need to be contended within the workshop. Mechanics must all work on the floor or crawl under vehicles to get things done. Below are a few top benefits of choosing overalls:

 

• Overalls provide practical protection from shoulders to ankles in a one-piece unit.

 

• Branded overalls turn mechanics into walking billboards for the business. They provide a great way for you to advertise your business and for your mechanics to feel part of a team (and proud of the brand).

 

• The long sleeve overalls provide protection for the arms against fuel, chemicals and friction when having to work underneath vehicles.

 

• Overalls are comfortable and cool to wear due to their design and loose fit. Many mechanics prefer a one-piece unit instead of having to wear pants, a belt and shirt.

 

Speak with Your Local Printing Company About Branding Your Mechanic’s Overalls

 

It is highly recommended that you speak with your local printing company, Minuteman Press in Pinetown, to discuss the many benefits of branded overalls and how to arrange such branding for your business. Protective clothing that you choose for your workforce can serve a dual-purpose:

 

• Enjoy the protective element, and
• Utilise the advertising opportunity.

 

Bring your team together with branded overalls designed to benefit both your workforce and your business.

 

To learn more about branding overalls and other promotional gear and items, contact us at Minuteman Press in Pinetown via email or telephone today.

 

Image file formats can be confusing at the best of times. While JPG, GIF, and TIFF may all sound much the same to you, there are a number of unique differences to each format that can affect the quality of your printed material. When you need to send files through to your printing services provider, it is essential that your files are in the correct format.

 

To help you better understand each format to see which is best for your project, we have put together a mini guide to image file formats. We hope that this guide clears up any confusion, helping you get the very best possible results once your projects go to print.

 

How Do Image File Formats Work?

 

Before we compare the main image file formats, it is good to know how digital images work. Simply put, image formats are used to standardise the way that images are stored and organised. Image files contain data that affects the way that they are displayed in print and on computer screens. Images are comprised of a grid of pixels, each containing a number of bits that determine its colour, equal to the colour depth of the device that is displaying the image.

 

A Guide to Image File Formats

 

Now that we have a better understanding of image file formats, which are the most commonly used formats?

 

JPEG/JPG – Joint Photographic Experts Group

 

JPEGs or JPGs are one of the most commonly used image files. The quality of these files decreases as the file size decreases. That means that a very large size file may look good, but a reduced version may not look as good. For printing, this is the worst format to use. It works better for web-based projects. Make sure you consider the resolution as well as the file size if you want a decent looking result from JPGs.

 

GIF – Graphics Interchange Format

 

Best known in their animated form, which are used all over the internet, GIF files can also be static images. In their simplest form, GIFs are comprised of up to 256 RGB colours. Because they are made up of a limited number of colours, they often have a far smaller file size. For fast loading websites, this file is useful. This format can be useful for simple graphics with only a few colours, such as logos, shapes, and diagrams. Quality is lost when multiple colours are used, however.

 

TIFF/TIF – Tagged Image File

 

TIFs are large files that do not lose quality. This format is typically used for printing photographs and other high resolution or large file size documents. Using this type of file for web based projects is never advised, as it will result in extremely slow loading web pages.

 

Note – PDF (an original print-ready vector artwork in high quality) can be saved as any of the image file types, however images saved as a PDF will still just be an image and therefore will not be print-ready, high quality vector as required by your printer. You would need to supply a print ready artwork file in PDF or recreate the design into vector/PDF format.

If you are ever unsure about the best format for your project, it is always a good idea to ask an expert. Get in touch with the Minuteman Press Pinetown team today with any questions you may have on image file formats and printing. We will help you find the best format for your printed marketing material in Durban and surrounds.