Those seeking to enhance their business cards with a distinctive look can choose from a diverse range of specialty printing techniques. Due to its versatility, impact and affordability, Full Color Spot UV business cards are one of the more popular cards along with our Spot UV postcards.

What is Spot UV?

You may be surprised to learn that Spot UV (also referred to as Spot Gloss or Spot Varnish) printing isn’t actually a printing technique at all, but rather a method for coating printed products. While Spot UV may sound futuristic, it is a relatively simple process. The “UV” portion of Spot UV printing involves using UV light for curing a varnish placed on the printed material. Although printers can utilize this method on white paper or card stock, it is most effectively on color-printed products to enhance product shine, protect its color, and keep moisture and damage out in order to preserve the product. 

Due to its lack of volatility, Spot UV printing is known for being environmentally friendly. This means that little or no varnish becomes a gas that can escape into open air.

With different techniques, printers can create different results in Spot UV printing. Spot UV printing works best with heavier card stock, so it is most commonly utilized for premium business cards or printed flyers. The “spot” part of Spot UV printing refers to the ability to apply this technique to only parts of a page if desired; it is mainly used for its decorative effect. Because Spot UV printing can deepen the color of areas it’s applied to, this property should be weighed during the design of a product.

At Primoprint, we have created a tutorial that will walk you through the process of setting up your mask files. You can always contact one of our customer service representatives with questions or feel free to view our FAQ section.

SEE ALSO: Enhance Your Business Card with Spot UV

Mask File Setup Tutorial for Business Cards and Postcards

SEE ALSO: Which Business Card is Best For You and Your Business

• Spot UV Business Card with Stamped Foil
• View This Product

Because varnished spots immediately dry upon UV light treatment, incredible precision is possible with this technique. This opens a variety of possibilities for incorporation of Spot UV printing. In the marketing world, printed materials can be enhanced this way to improve mass appeal. Once Spot UV highlights are added, a business card easily surpasses other cards in quality and precision.

• Silk Laminated Hang Tag with Spot UV
• View This Product

At Primoprint, we offer a variety of styles for Spot UV business cards: Velvet with Spot UV, Velvet with Raised Spot UV, Spot UV, Matte with Spot UV, and Silk with Spot UV. We now offer custom design services for your business card, brochure, EDDM® postcard and additional printed materials. With the right touch of Spot UV printing, business cards are more likely to impress recipients and generate positive responses.

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Many small and local businesses wonder what the best method is for finding new customers and getting the word out about their products or services. Today, business owners are utilizing the power of the internet; some prefer face to face marketing, and others use local mail.

How Every Door Direct Mail® Can Help Your Business

All of the methods have their own pros and cons; they are all different when it comes down to how much money is spent and the effort required for each marketing campaign. 

One option which has seen a recent uptick is usage is direct mail, specifically Every Door Direct Mail®, a service offered by the U.S. Postal Service®.

EDDM®’s popularity lies in its simple use and ability to reach far: no specific addresses are needed to be collected by the business for the postcard to be sent out. A local business simply selects a zip code, address area, or mail route, and provides the necessary postcards to the post office.  

Then, the USPS® will deliver every piece of mail supplied to the specified route. Business mailings must include at least 200 mail pieces and can’t exceed 5,000 per day.

One of best aspects of Every Door Direct Mail® is the flexibility, as advertisements mailed can include a variety of messages. However, they must meet the size requirements. Some great examples of how businesses are using EDDM® include coupons, menus, grand opening announcements, general announcements, giveaways, contests and many more. 

SEE ALSO: The Ultimate Small Business EDDM® Marketing Checklist

It’s cost effective, with prices starting as low as 16 cents per piece of mail, depending on the size and route chosen. 

New: Full Service EDDM®

At Primoprint, we are excited to offer Full Service EDDM® along with our Print Only service. By selecting full service, you can send high quality postcards from your computer to your customer’s mailbox for as little as 25 cents per home including postage!

Full Service EDDM® Tutorial

Learn more about this easy-to-use and cost-effective service by watching our tutorial video.

We also offer custom graphic design services to ensure that your oversized postcard grabs the attention of potential customers.

We offer custom postcards that fit the Postal Service’s specification for Every Door Direct Mail®. Once the customer provides the desired size and design, the postcards are created and delivered to the small business. 

Once the company has received the postcards, the next step is to drop them off at their local post office with the specified routes. Business owners can then sit back and watch as their postcard travels to exactly where they have assigned them too. Next – enjoy an increase of traffic to your business! 

As the internet becomes more and more widespread, many customers still choose to discover local businesses online. However, every home in the US has a mailbox, and paper mail is the easiest way to reach new customers. Research found that coupons received in the mail have a 35% redemption rate.

EDDM® expedites and simplifies this process, and is a fantastic tool for small and local businesses to reach potential customers. Contact us and learn more about how this service can help your business. 

View EDDM® Postcards

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Your custom business cards are an extension of your company, brand and the people behind it. With this in mind, there are several considerations to make when designing your cards. Sometimes these simple networking tools can make a great impression on customers and clients before they get a chance to meet you in person. Their appearance can enhance the credibility of your business and create an image of professionalism.

However, a poorly crafted business cards can kill business opportunities and reflect badly on your company. Be sure you reflect on everything before going to print. If you need help with a design, we now offer graphic design services for any of our business card printing options.

What to Include on Your Business Card

Name:

The names that’s included on your business card design should typically be the most prominent features. This should include the name of the businesses, or organization, the specific individual, along with their job title. The size and placement of names should involve careful consideration to gain the maximum effect. I.e. should the name of the company be the most prominent or should the focus go to the name of the employee?

Address:

If your card has a physical location, then an address or mailing address should be on your business card. You could even add a map to the back of your card to give it a unique touch and make it simpler to find your business if most of your business is done in a physical location. If the company is based exclusively online, then this is not necessarily an important feature for the card.

Phone Numbers:

If a business person has multiple numbers that are used for different purposes, the most direct line should be listed first. Also, it is a good idea to have the numbers separated with characters such as hyphens or periods to keep them readable. Make sure to be consistent with the style you choose and check the information for accuracy.

Web Presence and Email:

Your web presence is a vital component of your business, and you want potential customers to have the ability to contact and learn about your company online. Including the company website is essential for an online business and is also a fine move for a brick-and-mortar company. Your own email address is also a necessity for a modern card, while social media links are another way of connecting with your customers and letting them know that you on top of new marketing strategies.

Tagline or Description of Services:

A tagline or a concise description of your business can  communicate useful information for customers. You can also include a small list of products or services.

QR Codes:

Adding this interactive feature to your business card will allow clients to scan it with their smart phone and be directed to your website. The QR code can link to a website, landing page or a video that explains your products or services.

How to Design a Business Card

Logo:

If you have a logo, then using it on your business cards can help you establish your company’s identity and provide customers with a memorable image to relate to it.

Product Images:

If your business revolves around selling a product or even several products, you can select a few of the best-selling items and feature them on your business card.

Color:

Although a splash of bright colors may make your card stand out, it is not always the best route to take with a business card. Choosing complimentary colors that are pleasing to the eye can add to the professional appearance of your card. Of course, it should be consistent with your logo, and company branding.

SEE ALSO: Spring 2017 Color Trends and Combinations

Readability and Decorative Elements:

When you choose the font size and style, you need to make sure that it will be easy to read once it is printed. This includes color choice and the decorative elements on your card such as boxes and lines that can be used to separate information. Printing options can include Spot UV (spot gloss) Stamped Foil, Inline Foil and others that can truly enhance your design.

SEE ALSO: Mask File Setup Tutorial

Incorporating useful information and an effective design into your business card can boost your networking prospects and build credibility for your company.

Paying attention to the outlined elements above can help you on your way to creating the perfect business card. Check out our previous blog “Printing Business Cards for Your Business” to learn more about creating the perfect business card. Have a question or need help with a custom design? Please contact one of our in-house graphic designers.
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