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The Benefits of B2B Catalogs

January 18, 2022/in Capabilities, Catalogs, Consolidated Press Blog, Retail /by Consolidated Press

If you are a manufacturer or wholesale business, you know getting your product into the right hands is vital to your sales. One way to get a buyer to notice your product is to put a catalog mailed directly in their hands. Like in the B2C space, B2B catalogs are tangible content pieces that have a long shelf life, can build a brand, help cross-sell, and offer an overall picture of what is available.

What You See

Because a printed catalog remains in someone’s sight, the brand, products, and other details stay on the buyer’s mind. Especially for manufacturers and wholesalers who offer many different products in larger quantities, a catalog with comprehensive information makes it easier for a buyer to make wise decisions. Instead of clicking through tabs on a web browser, they can enjoy the convenience of having a single piece to view.

In addition, printed catalogs are more likely to be retained for future reference. Suppose a customer likes an in-stock product but is interested in a different size or color. In this case, the seller can quickly refer to the catalog rather than attempting to navigate a website.

Another advantage to a print catalog is that the visual elements help build brand recognition. The way the photographs are styled, the colors and fonts used, even the finish and weight of the paper, create positive brand associations.

Finally, a print catalog shows commitment. The planning, design, and distribution of catalogs assure your audience that you invest in quality and aren’t afraid to promote your business and showcase your products in the best light.

What You Get

Whether you are a buyer who is sourcing inventory for a storefront, a construction company looking for building materials, or a manufacturer locating replacement parts, the experience of browsing a catalog is more immersive than scanning multiple websites. As the digital space becomes noisier with pop-up ads, email notifications, and social media alerts, having curated content in one place lets the viewer discover products and potentially uncover new items that may not have been generally found with an online search.

Wholesalers and manufacturers can use catalogs to inform businesses that they have options. With delays in the supply chain disrupting inventory, the arrival of a wholesaler’s printed piece can open the door to new relationships. On the flip side, showcasing your product in print can help move excess inventory from your shelves to where it is needed most.

Let Consolidated Press help you open those doors and move those products. Whether you need to provide a business customer a quick and simple directory of parts, or you want to feature beautiful goods in quality imagery and special paper finishings, Consolidated Press can help you explore cost-effective options. We also specialize in one-stop printing, binding, and mailing, for an end-to-end process that will streamline distribution, getting your pages where they are needed most.

CONSOLIDATED PRESS IS AWARDED WITH 10 PRINTROCKS! AWARDS

December 23, 2021/in Capabilities, Consolidated Press Blog, Print /by Consolidated Press

Consolidated Press is thrilled to announce its recent awards at the 2021 PrintROCKS! competition. We were awarded Best of Division for printers with 51 – 100 employees for our work to produce the Advantage Mailing / Pearl Jam / Fender Booklet and Poster.

In addition to our Best of Division Award, we received the following recognitions:

Best of…

Books, Book Jackets, and Diaries
Offset: Sheetfed 40” and larger
UW Publication A7597 Clamor Literary Journal 2021

Magazines and Magazine Inserts
Offset: Sheetfed 40” and larger
Freehub Media Craft Magazine

Second Place

Brochures, Booklets, and Flyers
Offset: Sheetfed 40” and larger
Western Washington University Jeopardy Magazine 2021

Catalogs
Offset: Sheetfed 40” and larger
Barn Pros

Books, Book Jackets, and Diaries
Offset: Sheetfed 40” and larger
Western Washington University Jeopardy Magazine 2021/JEOPARDY MAGAZINE

Third Place

Catalogs
Offset: Sheetfed 40” and larger
Mallory Paint Catalog

Magazines and Magazine Inserts
Offset: Sheetfed 40” and larger
Charles Wright Academy TIES Magazine

Honorable Mention

Brochures, Booklets, and Flyers
Offset: Sheetfed 40” and larger
MOHAI Q4 Programs and Events Brochure

Books, Book Jackets, and Diaries
Offset: Sheetfed 40” and larger
Bloom Journal

Hosted by The Pacific Printing Industries Association, now PIASC, the PrintROCKS! competition celebrates the outstanding work of printing companies in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, and Utah. Learn more about the PrintROCKS! event by visiting: http://www.printrocks.org/

Consolidated Press Charitable Giving - Northwest Harvest

Join Consolidated Press in a low-key, high reward giving campaign this season

December 1, 2021/in Consolidated Press Blog /by Consolidated Press

It almost goes without saying: Consolidated Press is here today because of our customers and their customers.

You are our whole story.

We appreciate you every day. We dream up ways to express our gratitude. Our team shows it by getting your work done expertly, on time, and within budget. We treat everyone who walks in with respect and dignity.

This holiday season, Consolidated Press is pushing ourselves outside our own story. We’ve persisted through the last two years, and we’re looking at a bright 2022.

But not everyone is. For many, this pandemic is not even close to over. And we know that a safe and thriving community is better for all of us.

The pandemic’s footprint is massive, but together, we can fill in the gap.

That’s why this year we are making a corporate donation on behalf of our clients, employees, and corporation to Northwest Harvest this December.

Northwest Harvest supports a statewide network of 375 food banks, meal programs, and high-needs schools. What’s more, they work for real transformation by seeking to remove barriers within our food and economic systems permanently.

We’re so proud to support this Seattle-based nonprofit.

We know that our clients support important causes and organizations throughout the region. We invite you to join us in two ways:

✔️ Support Northwest Harvest by making a donation that fits your business.
OR
✔️ Make a holiday gift to a nonprofit that is a meaningful match for your company’s values and culture.
THEN
✔️ Drop us a line by Dec. 15 to tell us what organization your company gave to this season, and—if you have an extra minute—tell us why. In December, we’ll publish a post featuring all of our “Friends in Philanthropy.” Tell us your story at sales@consolidatedpress.com.

Together, we can make a big leap forward into 2022. Bringing others along with us makes the ride that much sweeter for everyone.

Local Publications Center Community

October 8, 2021/in Consolidated Press Blog, Print, Publications /by Consolidated Press

The local magazines, brochures or maps are still a vital and booming communications resource for small cities, townships, neighborhoods, and villages. Produced by local experts, and mailed to residents, these local and regional publications are regarded as trustworthy and filled with relevant information.

Relevant Content for Readers

Community magazines, usually mailed to residents quarterly, provide timely articles on local issues, schedules of community events, information about recreational activities and clubs in local parks, and guides to community development. Local magazines targeted to local audiences impart a sense of community, and build a sense of comradery in neighborhoods.

For example, many community magazines publish information regarding the hours and contact information for the township or municipal offices. They share waste management schedules, including special recycling events and yard waste pick-up days. Parks and recreation departments publish trail maps, summer camp options, and farmers’ market schedules. Community events such as outdoor concerts, fireworks for the Fourth of July, and even car shows all appear in the local magazine.

A similar community publication that neighbors enjoy is a calendar. Filled with photos of local flora and fauna, children enjoying nearby playgrounds, and other familiar images, plus holiday events, and information regarding, for example, school start dates or library book sales, community calendars are useful and stay accessible in households.

Print Options for Advertisers

Community publications are a boon to local businesses. Advertising dollars are well spent on space in a local publication. Because of the way these periodicals can build community, seeing an ad for a local business can feel like getting a recommendation from a trusted friend. These print publications help lead readers to an advertiser online as well; print ads that include QR codes and links to websites provide readers with more information.

Whether mailed to residents or distributed at a neighborhood business, locally produced calendars provide another cost-effective option for advertisers. Because a print calendar stays on-hand as a relevant reference in households, an ad is guaranteed to be seen. While an ad on Facebook may have a bigger reach, it does not necessarily hit the right target and demographic the way an advertisement in a local publication does.

Print ads in magazines and on calendars have longevity. These publications have a life beyond the mailbox, often showing up in dentist and doctor offices, neighborhood grocery stores, coffee shops, and pharmacies. When someone picks up a magazine while waiting or just hanging out, they engage with the content and advertising differently than they do on social media.

Professional Looking and Timely

The nature of a community magazine demands a printer who knows how to print, bind, and mail in specific quantities and on schedule. Quality graphics, clear fonts, and the right paper are key to eye-catching content and ads. Events and shopping guides need to reach customers by mail well before they are going to happen so people can plan and budget, both time and money. Consolidated Press offers in-house mailing services, helping publishers navigate and negotiate the best mail rates for their magazine or calendar.

Magazines, Now is the Time to Shine

October 4, 2021/in Consolidated Press Blog /by Consolidated Press

The print industry is here to stay, and at the same time, the industries that use print are changing. Magazines and periodicals are perfect examples of industries in demand, yet these media companies are also changing how they do business. Ad revenues are down; subscriptions are up (in some cases, 15% to 30%), and printers can serve these markets in creative and exciting ways.

Reread, Retain, Reward

Research shows over and over again that people enjoy getting mail and many prefer interacting with print pieces rather than digital advertising. People who read print media learn more effectively and retain more information. Magazine readers are diverse and include members of every age group, income level, sexual orientation and ethnicity. According to research, 91% of adults in the United States have read a magazine in the past six months, including 95% of adults under the age of 25.

Magazines provide trusted information, and compared to Internet and television advertising; magazines persuade readers to try new things, buy new things, and help them make purchase decisions. Paper-based reading stimulates emotions and desires, and helps focus attention. Readers have positive associations with brands that advertise in magazines, and often seek out more information about the advertised product or service.

According to “Mr. Magazine”, Samir Husni, Ph.D., the founder and director of the Magazine Innovation Center at the Meek School of Journalism at the University of Mississippi, magazines are here to stay. We don’t have a print problem, he explains. We have a business problem. The COVID-19 pandemic changed the business model in terms of distribution and revenue collection. Bookstores and newsstands closed, so periodicals need to depend on the post office to get to consumers. Advertisers have other, often less expensive outlets than print magazines. The loss of distribution outlets and advertising dollars is a real double whammy.

Quality over Quantity

In order to continue to publish, magazines need to deliver experience-making content, says Dr. Husni. People depend on the publications to which they subscribe to provide content they can trust, content that has been vetted and verified. Magazines are reinventing themselves by moving to quarterly publication, rather than monthly, or by releasing special editions. Timeless content that readers can return to will pay off for magazines as advertising models change

Making a print project stand out from the pack can grab a person’s interest when browsing the magazine rack. As a non-disposable media platform, magazines have an advantage in style over other types of media. One option to engage customers is a bookazine, which is a publication that combines elements of magazines and books. A savvy magazine publisher will look beyond a monthly subscription, and create special editions on niche topics their readers will want to read and save. By using embossed graphics, foil printing, and high-quality paper, a printer helps publishers impart a feeling of value. (Very savvy publishers will also branch out into digital or streaming platforms, such as podcasts or television, information about which will be available to consumers via their print base.)

A Knowledgeable Printer is a Valuable Partner

Building a relationship with a printer will make a good print partner aware of the challenges magazines and periodicals face. By offering quality printing, an experienced printer will ensure that customers who are now laying down $12 or $15 per magazine get a collectible item that they can showcase in their homes.

Periodical Publishers Should Capitalize on Surprising Finishes and Formats

September 27, 2021/in Consolidated Press Blog, Print, Publications /by Consolidated Press

The golden age of print is happening now. More formats are available than ever before, more enhanced printing and finishing options at a lower cost, and lightweight papers that convey gravity and elegance while being economical to print and mail, especially for periodical publishers.

As magazines, periodicals and journals continue to compete for shelf space and strive to reach the top of the inbox, publishers should capitalize on the unique, hands-on experiences printers have to offer. Look for a color that’s outside the lines, eye-catching sizes and shapes, and highly touchable papers and finishes. The trick is to find a printer with these capabilities that also offers value, speed, competitive pricing, and unmatched quality.

Refining the look and feel of your publication will set it apart from and above the competition. Consider going outside the box with:

Paper.

Consolidated Press offers more flexibility and economy, starting with picking your paper. CP’s process allows for lightweight paper options that most offset printers won’t touch because they can be hard to print on. Publications can be lighter and less expensive to mail, making a huge difference to a magazine on a regular schedule.

Tipped-in pages.

Set your periodical apart with color illustrations, maps, coupons, advertisements, reply cards, and much more. Be sure your readers open to the page you want them to.

Customized binding and finishing.

Choose from in-house perfect binding, saddle stitching, drilling, laminating, gluing, and more — whatever binding matches the personality of your publication and works for mailing to your customers.

Color that dazzles.

In publishing, a printer’s capabilities should show their true colors. In addition to striking and precise color matching, true to the last page, CP can do a fifth spot color, as well as spot varnish. CP can print “5 over 5” in one press run, translating to faster delivery, less waste, and excellent color consistency throughout the run.

Versatility.

Not all the pages are created the same, and they don’t all need to go on the same press. Consolidated Press offers the upgraded, in-house process of simultaneously printing the inside of a publication on one press and the cover on another. This optimized workflow offers efficiency for printing pages while opening unique opportunities to make each cover impactful and distinctive using handpicked stock and finishing options.

After your unique publication is printed and bound, CP can shrinkwrap, mail, distribute and warehouse. We are indeed the premier resource for periodical publishers. See more of our work.

Consolidated Press is one for the books. Call or click today to start our valuable partnership in printing.

Hitting the Books with Expert Printers

September 22, 2021/in Publications /by Consolidated Press

While digital publishing trends may be the talk of the town in educational circles, the value of print pieces cannot be ignored. Whether you’re an educational institution looking to create and distribute marketing materials and alumni magazines, or an instructor seeking to reach students and help them learn, partnering with a print expert will benefit your audience and your bottom line.

Student and Alumni Life

As with print catalogs and other direct mail pieces, the use of graphics appeals to the senses. For student catalogs and curriculum offerings, photography will bring your campus to life in living color. For alumni who want to stay in touch with their colleges and universities, magazines incorporating photos, graphs and charts regarding where their contributions go, and other visual elements will evoke positive feelings and memories.

An outstanding way to engage the user experience is by using tipped-in pages. “Tip-ins” are pages that pull the reader’s attention to a specific activity or content subset. If your university has a top-rated educational program, set it apart in the student catalog. For alumni, use a tip-in to highlight the achievements of their fellow graduate class members.

Promote Learning

According to research done by Dr. Naomi Baron, the vast majority of students say they learn better when they are provided print materials rather than relying on digital instructional materials and online educational resources (OERs). While higher ed institutions may be tempted to move toward digital resources because of perceived cost, learners still want print materials. Students report they re-read print materials, as opposed to just skimming through online resources one time; and they say they retain information better when they have read something from a print source.

Because higher ed is facing a contraction of resources, especially from a federal level, it’s more important than ever for these institutions to partner with an expert that can optimize their dollars. As students continue to demand books in print, a responsive and experienced printer with versatile offerings and an economy of scale can support this market by providing high-quality content to readers who want it.

Continuing Education

Colleges and universities aren’t the only educational institutions out there. Many industries demand that employees continue to learn to stay on top of industry trends, appeal to an ever-evolving customer base, and keep up with advancing technology. Providing employee handbooks, workplace manuals, and other corporate materials will engage your workforce in knowledge development and skills training, benefiting their careers and boosting productivity.

Consult with the experts at Consolidated Press. Cost-effective options include sheet and web printing for more options with sheet sizes and basis weights; in-house perfect binding to reduce shipping costs and time; and various paper options. We can ensure your printing projects will run smoothly, deliver on time and within budget, and thrill your audience with the information they are seeking.

Paper Demand Creates A Need to Strategize

July 23, 2021/in Consolidated Press Blog, Print, Trends /by Consolidated Press

Paper and packaging manufacturing are feeling the squeeze as demand for printed goods continues to outpace the supply of paper. It’s a sign that industries are recovering from the pandemic, but what does it mean for consumers? Consolidated Press is ahead of the curve with a healthy supply of materials in stock, and we want to share just a few tips and tricks that will come in handy for our clients who purchase printed goods. Our goal is to help you save time, money and more than a few headaches in the future.

Plan Ahead

Preschedule the print jobs you know are on the horizon, particularly as we enter the crucial holiday catalog season. If you can provide your print service provider with estimates of the number of projects, materials needed, and page counts, they can, in turn, place supply orders now for paper goods to have in stock at a later date.

What’s Happening

There are critical shortages in the supply chain required for the manufacturing of paper. International imports of paper are at a lower volume than normal forcing domestic mills to try to pick up the slack. COVID-19 protocols and short-staffing are also causing slowdowns in production cycles and port operations across the globe. This perfect storm of circumstances leaves inventory low for many paper suppliers. It also means that paper prices are increasing.

How We Can Help

We constantly manage our customer expectations and make every effort to not disappoint anyone or delay work unnecessarily because of supply shortages.

Work with your sales rep to identify projects well in advance
Be creative about the size, shape, or type of paper you’re using for your printed piece to help with both supply and costs
Consolidate projects into one print run to save time, money and paper
Target or segment your audience for greater impact at a reduced volume
Look at other printing options like roll-to-sheet versus sheetfed

The road to economic recovery will have a few speed bumps along the way, but we’ll get through this together. Ultimately, the temporary supply shortages are a sign that more and more companies are investing in the future of commerce, and that’s a win for all of us. Know that we have your back and, when in doubt, pick up the phone to discuss your options for print success with Consolidated Press.

Direct Mail is Worth a Thousand Words

July 19, 2021/in Consolidated Press Blog, Direct Mail, Retail /by Consolidated Press

According to a study of commercial printing trends, direct mail campaigns are on an upward swing. It’s expected that almost 72% of corporations will use direct mail, including catalogs, postcards, brochures, and books. Well-executed direct mail campaigns have a higher response rate than digital tactics, and direct mail reaches audiences that online campaigns don’t.

An outstanding metric to note is that companies of all ages – even new companies founded in the digital age – use direct mail. Companies 10 and 20 years old are leveraging direct mail at rates of 14.5% and 15.8%, respectively. Google, Amazon, Door Dash, and industry leaders in real estate, health care, leisure and travel are all using direct mail marketing to reach consumers.

Sending a postcard as a direct mail marketing piece is a quick and versatile way to get consumers’ attention. Using eye-catching graphics, an attention-grabbing headline, and quality card stock gives a postcard heft and authority. A brochure mailer has the advantage of giving consumers more information than a postcard, while still providing contact information and calls-to-action. Staying in front of your customers with relevant, targeted messages and offers can help keep your business front of mind.

One cost-effective method to reach customers is with self-mailers. A quick way to get your offers or branded materials into the mailstream is by creating a self-mailable piece or publication that can be inkjet addressed inline as it is printed—no inserting into envelopes or additional assembly work. The printed piece catches the eye as soon as it lands in the mailbox.

More Direct Than Email

Consumers like getting mail, and they especially seem to like postcards and catalogs.
Because of their tangibility, direct mail pieces last longer than emails.
Direct mail postcards are perfect for coupons. Putting a coupon on a postcard makes it easy to hold on to, and easy to use.
Direct mail is also perfect for images. On a postcard, a powerful image paired with short, concise copy tells the receiver everything they need to know at a glance. With brochures and catalogs, companies have the opportunity to tell a longer story, and still emphasize image and copy elements.
Response rates to digital interactive elements, also called digital calls to action, have doubled in the past four years. These callouts include social media channels, QR codes, and prompts to visit a website.
Postcards and brochures are versatile. These types of direct mail come in a variety of sizes and card stocks, with specialty coatings and graphic elements that can make an immediate impact.

Consolidated Press is your printing partner for direct mail. Contact us to talk about specialty printing, unique sizes and special mailing rates.

Printed Books Trend Upward in Sales Post-Pandemic

June 22, 2021/in Consolidated Press Blog, Print, Publications, Trends /by Consolidated Press

Hot off the presses: as we head into the post-pandemic era, print book publishing is picking up where it left off — skyrocketing in sales and popularity. As print books trend upward in sales post-pandemic, publishers need printers to rely on for speed and flexibility.

Print is on Trend

The New York Times wrote, “Sales of digital books fell 3.6 percent to $1.02 billion in 2018, a third straight decline, while hardback sales rose 6.9 percent to $3.06 billion and paperback sales 1.1 percent to $2.67 billion, according to the Association of American Publishers.”

In January 2020, The Association of American Publishers reported that total book sales were $12.57 billion year-to-date in 2019. The growth was an increase of 3.6% over the previous year. Printed books continued to dominate the consumer publications category, accounting for $751.0 million, or 80% of the category’s $938.7 million in revenue. Paperback books saw the most growth, once again, climbing 11.0%. Professional publishing also jumped.

While book sales initially dropped off in early 2020, they began to tick upward in the spring and ended the year strong with print sales rising 8.2% over 2019, the most significant annual increase since 2005, and the print total of 751 million units sold was the highest since 2009. An increase in online sales drove numbers up, and online sales are projected to continue strong through 2021.

Printed Pages Produce Better Comprehension

Several recent studies have reviewed digital books and education materials vs. paper. According to the Hechinger Report, a nonprofit newsroom focused on education that examined these studies, reading on paper trumps reading on screens regarding comprehension and student preference.

The Right Partner Can Make the Difference

Let’s get your titles flying off the shelf, What does all this mean for today’s book publishers and the way they work with printers? Here are the key takeaways:

The era of printed books is not over. It’s on the uprise, so finding a reputable, flexible, high-capacity printer like Consolidated Press to keep up with publishing demands is crucial.

Time and again, learning and comprehension are reported to be better on paper than with digital for a variety of reasons, which research is still uncovering. In the meantime, book publishers can rely on a powerhouse printer like Consolidated Press to increase efficiency and cost competitiveness to meet the demand for more printed books.

Independent bookstores are increasing their margins with gifts, consumables, events, and more. As a result, publishers don’t need to slash prices to be competitive. The boutique environment is also an incentive to experiment with bolder designs and visual impact to stand out on a shelf.

Sales of e-books are down and audiobooks are up. E-books compete primarily with paper books; audiobooks compete with music, podcasts, radio, and other paid audio media. Some publishers have adopted a digital-first strategy and need a printer that can nimbly print books on demand.

Paperback books continue to see explosive growth. You can depend on CP’s equipment to precisely print crucial information and images, perfect binding each piece with optical cameras confirming quality and placement. We ship straight from our warehouse, offering the most accurate addressing and cost-effective mailing available.

Whether on-demand or on a schedule, textbook or trade paperback, CP can meet today’s book printing market demands and exceed publisher expectations for quality, speed, value, and flexibility every time.

Consolidated Press is one for the books. Call or click today to start our valuable partnership in printing.