Trends, Changes and Strategies in Business Planning for 2021

If there is one thing that we can all agree on it's that the past year has been far from normal. While we were celebrating the end of 2019 and making business plans for 2020, no one had any idea what was really in store for the year to come. What we know no that we didn't know at the start of 2020, is 2021 will continue to see the ripple effects from the pandemic. We think it's important to create a marketing plan at the beginning of the year, so you can layout a strategy, who you are marketing to and how you will achieve that end. Here are a few suggestions.

Review 2020 

Before you can figure out where you’re going, you will need to take a look at where you are. What were your goals for 2020 and did you achieve them? Give some thought to the specific tactics you implemented in 2020. How did they work out?

Review your Target Audience

Did you include your target audience as part of your content marketing strategy for 2020? Do you have a clear idea of whom you’re trying to reach? Going forward, make sure your target audience is clearly defined and ask yourself:

• How can you connect with them?
• Is there anything you can do to improve how you are reaching them?

Establish New Goals

Once you have established what worked (and what didn’t) during 2020, it’s time to look ahead to 2021. What do you want to achieve in the next 12 months? 

Write Out Your Marketing Strategy

Write each month of the year at the top of a list, then list the tactics you plan to imply during the month. This will help you visualize how many different marketing activities you plan to commit to each month. Establish deadlines and stick to them!

Consider Your Time and Resources

Although you may have wonderful ideas, if you don’t factor your budget into your marketing strategy, you are severely limiting yourself and won’t see the success you envision. While you may not be able to accomplish everything you would like, by considering your target audience, goals, budget, time and resources available, you will be able to narrow your focus to tactics that are realistic for your business.

We’ve already laid out that businesses who set goals are far more successful than those who don’t. But without a plan to complete the goal, everything you’re dreaming about for your business will most like fall flat. At Spectra Print we believe it is important to make sure your plan is adaptable and full of smart goals that you and your team can achieve. 

When you’re ready to build a marketing plan that actually works for your business in 2021, contact us today. We want to make sure you’re on the right path to success. (715) 344-5175

image source: alma stock photo

Keeping Printed Materials Safe & People Healthy!

 

We all know that print is not dead. In fact, it is essential to businesses around the globe. Spectra Print is proud to now offer antimicrobial coating protection for your printed materials. The increased public awareness and greater emphasis on public health has caused antimicrobial coatings to become one of the print industry’s most rapidly expanding markets. This new technology makes our high quality finishes 99.9% effective in killing bacteria, viruses and fungi. This can significantly reduce the risk of airborne dangers on your printed materials.

• Proven to reduce the overall levels of damaging microbes by 99.9%.
• 24/7 antimicrobial product protection for the life of the printed piece.
• Enhances the high quality performance of UV and Aqueous coatings.  
• A responsible way to provide an additional safeguard for your business

Spectra Print continues to be an innovative industry leader, finding ways to protect our customers and communities. Contact us today for a quote and to discuss if antimicrobial protection makes sense for your next project!

LEARN ABOUT ANTIMICROBIAL COATING PROTECTION

COATINGS WITH ANTIMICROBIAL TECHNOLOGY

Which Industries use Antimicrobial Technology?  Consumer, Healthcare, Food & Catering, Home & Leisure, Textile, and Packaging.

Types of Antimicrobial Methods  Silver ion, Zinc, Copper, & organic biocidal additives.

Why Antimicrobial? Unlike alcohol-based gels, disinfectants and oxidizers, products coated with Aqueous and UV antimicrobial technology are effective 24/7 for the lifetime of the treated article. ISG Coatings with Antimicrobial Technology (CAT) are primarily effective against bacteria but are also highly effective against mold, and fungus.

How We Do It?  We work with world leading Anti-bacterial Technology Companies to add value to our brands and to our customers brands. In order to provide the optimum CAT for the application, we work closely with our customers to determine the material being treated, the en-use of the final article, desired performance, and market area. We review the regulations in those market areas to determine the optimum antimicrobial method to implement. Finally, we incorporate the antimicrobial components during manufacturing for uniform distribution into the finished product.

Are Coatings with Antimicrobial Technology tested for effectiveness?  General studies have been performed on many print applications. Specific tests can be performed, if deemed necessary.

Are FDA Versions Available?  Yes, some antimicrobial additives have been evaluated for food applications.

How Will Using Antimicrobial Technology Benefit Me?  Microbes can also cause foul odors and stains on articles and even premature degradation of product. In addition, antimicrobial products can open the door to new markets, add value, increase market share.

Effectiveness Against Coronavirus  Currently our Coatings with Antimicrobial Technology have not been tested against Covid-19 for any type of application and currently there is no method available by which it could be tested. ISG CAT products complement current hygiene guidance offering additional product protection.

Digital Printing Makes Advancement at Spectra Print

If you are familiar with the Spectra Print story, you know our company continues to evolve from its founding in 1930 when Oscar Hofmeister established Valley Sales Corp and began selling and distributing trading stamps. In 1959 Oscar and son Richard installed their first offset press and Spectra Print was born. Today we continue to explore advancements in technology to ensure that Spectra Print is on the leading edge of productivity.

Offset and digital printing are two of the most commonly used methods for commercial print projects. Although they produce similar results, these two methods are quite different and work best for different project requirements.

What is Offset Printing?

Offset printing gets its name from the printing process. The 4-colors of ink that are used; cyan, magenta, yellow and black, are not directly transferred to the paper but is offset onto another cylinder before being applied to paper. Before printing can begin, an initial calibration press run is performed on the specified  paper to ensure that the metal plates are inked properly. Offset is the method best suited for large runs (over 500 pieces); if you need to use the Pantone Matching System, we suggest using offset printing.

What is Digital Printing?

Digital printing, on the other hand, skips the plate entirely and involves toner sitting on top of the paper instead of being absorbed by it. The process uses toner in a combination of cyan, magenta, yellow and black dots to create the image. This is typically used on short-run jobs (under 500 pieces) using a large format or high volume laser or inkjet printer. Digital can offer a quick turn around and is able to personalize each individual piece. It is a very affordable way to customize marketing materials, direct mail pieces, letters and postcards. If your project is a "short run" we suggest quoting your project using Digital Printing.

Our Growth Contributes to Your Success

Spectra Print is excited to introduce new equipment in our Digital Printing Department. This service offers exceptional quality, quick-turn times, flexibility and a lower cost solution for those short run jobs. Projects run through the Digital Printing Department can print projects in black, 4-color and also offer a 5th color option, such as clear or white. Our machines can print on paper sizes from 8-1/2" x 11" and up to 13” x 40” and on all envelope sizes.

If you saw our April 25, 2019, Facebook Page posts featuring Decorator Industries you had a "teaser" of what our Digital Press Department is capable of. The Decorator Industries project utilized the latest in digital technology, a fifth color station, which expands our capability to apply a clear coat to the logo and photos to enhance the design. The Monteverdi Chorale (Facebook Page April 26, 2019) images were also produced on our Digital Press using the booklet function.

Our Digital Printing Department allows you flexibility: keeping your print materials up-to-date while being cost effective in the fastest time possible.

Like anything else, working with the professionals from our sales and design team will give you insight to insure you are making smart decisions which printing method - offset or digital - that will best serve your project and your budget. We call this the right recipe for helping achieve #CustomerSuccess.

Marketing Trends for 2019: Why You Should Include Print

Print marketing is enjoying an uptick in popularity at the moment and there are several trends in the print industry that is behind this resurgence.

The Return of the Print Newsletter

Cutting through the clutter and noise of the digital newsletter has led a Forbes commentator to suggest a return to print for corporation communication.

Niche Publications

Fine tuning digital advertising has been around since its inception; changing reading habits of the consumer has opened up an opportunity to fine tune target print advertising. 

Innovations in the Paper Industry

Varnish finishing, paper texture, foil and other textures have made an impact on consumers - and not just the ones who resist digital publications because they enjoy the sensory stimulation that a printed piece offers.

Personalization

While personalization has been the hallmark of digital printing, publishers can take advantage of the opportunity to use subscription data to help brands tailor their message and personalize the content.

Image: local advertisingjournal.com

Tis The Season ....

Goggle the history of the Christmas card and you'll soon find yourself lost in a gallery of cards from every era and every country. From vintage cards circa 1843 to the Top 10 Grateful Dead Christmas cards.

In 1611 a flowery Christmas card was sent by one Michael Maier to James I of England and his son the Prince of Wales . When it was discovered in 1979 in the Scottish Record Office it was named the first recorded Christmas card. The words of the greeting - "A greeting on the birthday of the Sacred King, to the most worshipful and energetic lord and the most eminent James, King of Great Britain and Ireland, and Defender of the true faith, with a gesture of joyful celebration of the Birthday of the Lord, in most joy and fortune, as we enter into the new auspicious year 1612" - was laid out to form a rose.

No mention if Michael Maier was awarded a title for his efforts.

The next cards were commissioned by Sir Henry Cole and illustrated by John Horsley in London. The central image depicts three generations of a family gathered together, raising a toast to the card's recipient. To the left and right are scenes of food and clothing being given to the poor. By all accounts, the image of the family enjoying wine proved controversial however, the idea was early marketing brilliance. In 1840 Sir Henry Cole helped introduce the Penny Post, one of several postal systems in Great Britain in which normal letters could be sent for one penny. A total of 2,050 cards were printed in 1843 and sold for a shilling each.

Christmas 1873 found lithograph firm Prang and Mayer creating greeting cards for the popular market in Britain earning owner Louis Prang the title of the "father of the American Christmas card." The firm began selling the Christmas card in America in 1874, becoming the first printer to offer cards in America. 

From the very beginning, collecting Christmas cards has become a passion. Queen Mary's collection of Christmas cards was so large it is now housed in the British Museum. Cards printed during the "golden age of printing" (1840s-1890s) are especially prized and command large sums at auction. In December 2005 on of Horsely's original cards sold for $11.5 million. But that cannot hold a Christmas candle to the world record as the most expensive Christmas card when a card produced in 1843 (pictured above) sold to an anonymous bidder in 2001 for $28,400.00

Technology for anyone to provide a personalized Christmas card thanks to digital photography. In tandem with our rapid digital printing, we can help you bring that personal touch during this the "most wonderful time of the year."

Shrink-Wrap: What is it and why you need it!

Dirt, dust, moisture, dinged up and damaged corners on printed pieces as a result of your brochures and other promo items rubbing against each other during transit. These are just a few of the enemies of printed pieces. What can you do to protect your investment? Enter Shrink-Wrap! Thin, light and durable, shrink wrap is the printing industry's protection super hero.

Sometimes referred to as shrink film, shrink-wrap is a polymer plastic film that (wait for it!) shrinks when heat is applied. As the film shrinks it conforms to the shape of the item being packaged, totally encasing and tightly securing it. Many printed pieces are shrink-wrapped in bundles however, there are some applications which require each item to be shrink-wrapped individually. Additionally a chipboard backer is often shrink-wrapped with the printed pieces to add stability to the bundle.

Shrink wrapping is considered a finishing operation used extensively in the commercial printing industry and like many other commercial printers Spectra Print offers it as an optional service. 

Why should you consider Shrink-Wrap for your Printing Orders?

Shrink-wrap reduces the chance of crumpled and scrubbed corners by restricting the pieces from rubbing together in transit or shifting in the shipping carton.

Shrink-wrap protects the printing from harmful contaminants such as dirt, dust, moisture and is a simple way of improving the longevity of printed orders especially those that are kept in long-term storage.

Printed loose pieces such as one page flyers or posters that are shrink-wrapped in bundles are much easier to handle, inventory, store, and distribute.

Due to the transparent nature of shrink-wrap it gives a clear view of what is enclosed. Printed pieces bundled in pre-set packs of 25, 50, or 100 pieces are easier to inventory and more manageable especially for high-gloss printing which has a tendency to slide around due to the nature of its slick surface.

Shrink-wrap is a cost-effective packaging option (probably less than you think!) especially when taken into consideration all of its advantages. 

If you have any questions about shrink-wrap give Spectra Prints a call at 715-344-5175. Or if you  have a project that you would like to have us quote, call or visit our website and click on the Request Quote link.

Photo Source: Internet Free Image

Facebook Cover Size Dimensions

We recently received a question via Facebook Messenger from Alicia if we could tell her the ideal size for her Facebook Cover profile - the photos she had been uploading were blurry. Since Alicia may not be the only one with this question, we decided to share with our followers.

The ideal cover photo dimensions for a Facebook cover size (both page and profile) is 851 pixels wide and 315 pixels tall for desktop, 640 pixels wide by 360 pixels tall for mobile.

Available for Facebook business pages is the ability to upload a cover video instead of a static photo. The specifications for this are: at least 820 pixels wide by 312 pixels tall and it can be 20 to 90 seconds long. If you found an image or video that you love and the dimensions are a bit off, you can still use it! You’ll want to choose that image or video (or upload it), and then you’ll be allowed to ‘reposition’ it. With the reposition feature, Facebook is essentially allowing you to crop your cover photo in a way that you think best fits in the space.

Not happy with any of the photos you have on hand? How about a site that offers free images for your blog or other social media needs? Be sure to scroll down past the "invitation to use Buffer's pablo service. Farther down the post are several free for use sites.

We also recommend reading the brief sections addressing Creative Commons and the explanation of Public Domain. Both are important for businesses - and individuals - to be aware of before grabbing an image from the Internet.