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The Value of Printing in the Age of Digital - Girl Reading a Book
Consolidated Press

The Value of Printing in the Age of Digital

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The Value of Printing in the Age of Digital - Woman drinking coffee and reading

In an age where digital platforms seem ubiquitous, one might question the relevance of print. Yet, as reality would have it, the value of professional printing continues to be a valued choice despite, or perhaps in response to, the surge of digital media.

The resiliency of print is powered by several key factors that offer significant ROI and unparalleled advantages, especially for certain audiences and industries. In this piece, we discuss the profound importance of print, focusing on its economic value, tactile benefits, and its unique role in learning.

Exceptional Return on Investment

Many businesses can testify to the return on investment (ROI) of print. Direct mail, for example, inherently has measurable results. With advanced tracking mechanisms, businesses can accurately calculate their ROI, making this form of print marketing a valuable asset.

Printed catalogs continue to drive online sales, enhancing brand imagery and customer loyalty. Customers who receive catalogs tend to spend more time engaging with the printed piece and on a retailer’s website and consequently spend more money. Print, therefore, is not just alive but a thriving catalyst for business growth.

The Value of Printing in the Age of Digital - Magazine Covers

The Tactile Advantage

Nothing quite matches the sensory experience of print. From the smooth texture of a glossy magazine page to the comforting smell of a new book, these tactile experiences craft an intimate connection between the reader and the printed material.

Scientifically, the tactile experience stimulates higher cognitive processing and emotional connections – ultimately enhancing memory retention. It’s the sensory nature of touch that makes printed material instinctively more engaging and memorable than digital media, providing a lasting brand impression.

Moreover, print products such as brochures, business cards, or newsletters show effort, thought, and investment, creating a perception of credibility and professionalism about your brand. They bring a physical presence of your business into customers’ homes or office spaces, keeping your brand within reach and sight.

The Value of Printing in the Age of Digital - Girl Reading a Book

Print’s Unique Role in Learning

When it comes to education and learning, print takes an impressive stand. Scientific studies reveal that reading from paper results in better comprehension and recall than reading from screens. Print’s lack of distractions promotes deeper engagement and encourages more thorough mental mapping of the information.

Also, printed books and documents provide easy navigation that digital platforms often lack. The ability to physically flip through pages, highlight lines, and scribble notes on the margins greatly enhances the learning process.

The Emergence of Hybrid Models

Rather than view digital and print media as rivals, savvy businesses are combining the strengths of both to maximize customer engagement. Printed materials can work in tandem with digital platforms by incorporating QR codes or social media handles, offering a seamless multi-channel experience.

The endurance of print in the age of digital media is by no means accidental. Its powerful sensory connection, tangible market reach, and contribution to effective learning secure print media’s spot in the marketing mix. By leveraging professional print services, businesses can connect with their audience in a meaningful way while reaping a significant return on investment.

In essence, print is not just surviving, it’s thriving. It remains an impactful medium that businesses and learners alike continue to value in our digitally driven world.

Consolidated Press is a Seattle-based printer with more than 85 years of experience and expertise. Our specialties include magazines, catalogs, reports, manuals, book publishing, and direct mail. We’re the only commercial printer with in-house automated perfect bindery in the Pacific Northwest. Contact us to learn more. 

Holiday Print Marketing
Consolidated Press

This holiday season, get back in black with print

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The holiday season is upon us! Retailers can ensure a jolly holiday with print marketing plans that include catalogs, direct mail, and end-of-the-year postal promotions. With online advertising becoming both more expensive and more complicated to measure, print’s role in connecting with people and driving consumers to both physical stores and websites is on an uptick.

To underline the importance of print products in the retail industry, it’s essential to consider the National Retail Federation (NRF) Holiday Retail Sales Forecast. The NRF forecasts that retail sales during the US holiday season in 2023 will reach between $5.13 trillion and $5.23 trillion, or a growth of 4% to 6% over 2022, with multi-channel shopping (stores plus online) coming out ahead. This growth holds immense potential for retailers who leverage print products to connect with consumers and drive sales.

The Resurgence of Catalog Publishing and Mailing

In recent years, we’ve witnessed a resurgence in catalog publishing and mailing. Retailers are rediscovering the power of catalogs as an effective tool to engage consumers.

In August, Digiday reported that Nordstrom re-launched its anniversary sale catalog this year after phasing out the print publication in 2019. And Amazon-owned online retailer Zappos launched its first print catalog as part of its back-to-school marketing efforts. Amazon has been sending out a holiday toy catalog since 2018.

Here are some key reasons why catalogs are making a comeback:

Tangible and trusted

Catalogs provide a tangible experience that digital channels cannot replicate. Shoppers can flip through the pages, mark items of interest, and keep the catalog for future reference. This physical interaction creates a lasting impression and enhances brand recall.

Printed catalogs convey a sense of trust and credibility. Consumers often perceive printed materials as more reliable, which can enhance the perceived value of the products and the brand itself.

Curated shopping experience

Catalogs allow retailers to curate a personalized shopping experience for their customers. By showcasing select products, arranging them aesthetically, and providing detailed descriptions, retailers guide shoppers through their offerings, increasing the likelihood of a purchase.

Multi-channel marketing

Catalogs seamlessly integrate with online and offline channels. Retailers can include personalized URLs or unique promo codes that direct recipients to their websites for online purchases. Zappos is using QR codes to measure how many people are engaging with the catalog, what they’re buying and how much traffic the catalog is driving. These tools create a bridge between the physical and digital shopping worlds.

Targeted marketing

Catalogs enable highly targeted marketing efforts. Retailers can send catalogs to specific demographics, past customers, or those who have shown interest in their products, resulting in a higher conversion rate compared to mass advertising.

Direct Mail and EDDM: Niche marketing strategies

Direct mail, including EDDM (Every Door Direct Mail), is another powerful tool in a retailer’s arsenal. EDDM allows retailers to target specific neighborhoods or ZIP codes, making it an excellent choice for local businesses. It’s an efficient way to promote in-store events, sales, and special offers to the immediate community.

Personalized messaging

Direct mail, when well-executed, can provide a highly personalized experience. Customized offers, product recommendations, and exclusive discounts can all be tailored to individual recipients, increasing engagement.

Staying top of mind

Regularly sending direct mail keeps your brand top of mind for consumers. Whether it’s a monthly newsletter, postcard, or promotional flyer, consistent communication helps maintain customer loyalty. Come holiday time, sending a specialized mailer advertising gifts or services specific to the holidays will capitalize on the relationship you’ve been cultivating all year long.

Measurable results

Modern direct mail campaigns can be tracked and measured, allowing retailers to accurately assess their return on investment (ROI). Retailers can fine-tune their strategies by analyzing response rates and conversions for better results.

Maximize Impact with USPS End-of-Year Promotions

The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers various promotions throughout the year to encourage businesses to use direct mail effectively. One way for retailers to maximize their impact is to take advantage of these promotions, especially during the holiday season. The USPS 2023 promo calendar provides a roadmap for these opportunities, and we are happy to help our customers sort out which will work best for their audience.

  • Emerging Technology (now includes mobile shopping) – Retailers can experiment with emerging technologies like virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) to create immersive and engaging direct mail experiences. This promotion also encourages the integration of direct mail with mobile technology. Retailers can leverage QR codes and other mobile features to enhance the shopping experience and drive consumers to their websites and stores. Discount ends Nov. 30.
  • Retargeting – The Retargeting promotion incentivizes marketers to send personalized postcards to recent website visitors who didn’t convert. Discount ends Nov. 30.
  • Informed Delivery Promotion – Informed Delivery is a USPS service that provides consumers with a digital preview of their incoming mail. Retailers can use this promotion to complement their direct mail efforts with digital content, further reinforcing their message. Discount ends Dec. 31
  • Reply Mail IMbA – This promotion encourages Qualified Business Reply Mail (QBRM) and High Volume QBRM customers to adopt Intelligent Mail® barcode Accounting (IMbA). Participants will need to enroll in IMbA and use either a static or serialized barcode. By adopting these tools, customers can improve visibility, while also delivering easier payment methods and faster delivery speeds. Discount ends Dec. 31.

Bling in the New Year

Print products such as catalogs, direct mail, and EDDM remain powerful tools for retailers to connect with consumers and drive traffic to both physical stores and websites. The popularity of print catalogs, the personalization of direct mail, and the various USPS end-of-year promotions all provide opportunities for retailers to make a significant impact. As the NRF holiday retail sales forecast indicates, the holiday season presents a prime opportunity for retailers to leverage print products and maximize their sales potential. With the right strategies in place, print is a valuable and effective marketing channel in the ever-evolving retail landscape.

Strategizing for election success
Consolidated Press

Strategizing for election success

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Print and mail campaigns can maximize voter turnout and positive results

Political campaigns heavily rely on print campaigns, especially in states like Washington that exclusively use mail-in ballots, printed materials and direct mail campaigns play a crucial role in reaching voters. Governments, candidates and political groups need to collaborate on a comprehensive plan with their commercial print partners to ensure a smooth and effective election-focused mailing in vote-by-mail states.

Understand the Mail-In Ballot System

In states where mail-in ballots are the primary voting method, it is crucial to have a thorough understanding of the deadlines and regulations governing the process to help shape the messaging and timing of the campaign to align with the election timeline.

Tailor Materials for Vote-by-Mail Voters

In states like Washington, where voters receive their ballots by mail, printed materials take on an even more critical role in engaging and informing voters. Governments and political parties should develop materials that educate voters about the voting process, highlight key issues, and provide clear instructions for completing and returning mail-in ballots. Design compelling brochures, flyers, and informational inserts that address common questions and concerns.

Collaborate with Printers That Have Election Expertise

Download our election checklist

Collaborating with experienced commercial printers is vital to the success of any election-focused mailing. Consider these aspects when working with printers:

Has your printer done this type of work before? Choose a printer with experience and knowledge in executing election mailings in your state. In Washington, Oregon, and California, they should understand the unique requirements, regulations, and deadlines associated with mail-in voting. Their knowledge will ensure that your materials comply with all the necessary specifications and arrive on time.

Consultation and design support. Planning is critical. For presidential election years, we recommend planning at least six to eight months out. For mid-term years, three to six months is fine. If your printer’s schedule fills up early, you run the risk of not having press time or paper secured in advance. Printers can put estimated deadlines in their schedule, and you can firm up later. Moving time around on a scheduling board is easier than creating time at the last minute. Work closely with the printer to discuss your campaign objectives, messaging, and target audience. Ask for advice on material design, paper selection, color choices, and printing techniques. Their expertise will help you create appealing and impactful materials that effectively convey your message to voters.

Look for extensive proofing and quality control. Establish a comprehensive proofing process in collaboration with your printer. Ensure that all printed materials undergo thorough proofreading to eliminate errors and inaccuracies. The printer should have robust quality control measures in place to deliver materials that meet the highest standards.

Develop a Mail Strategy

A well-developed mail strategy is essential to ensure that your printed materials reach the target audience in a timely and effective manner. Here are some key considerations:

Accurate voter data. Maintain accurate and up-to-date voter data to ensure your mailing list is precise and reliable. Work closely with the data management team at your print-and-mail house to regularly update voter information, including addresses and demographic details. Clean data will optimize the efficiency and effectiveness of your mailing campaign.

Targeted segmentation. Segment your voter base based on demographics, voting patterns, or specific interests to tailor your printed materials accordingly. Customizing your mailings allows you to address specific concerns or issues relevant to different voter segments.

A smart mailing timeline. Develop a detailed timeline that encompasses the various stages of your mailing campaign. Include all the steps, like design and production, addressing and labeling, sorting, and drop-off or delivery to the postal service. Account for production lead times, processing times, and the recommended mailing window to ensure your materials reach voters well before the election.

Compliance with postal regulations. A commercial printer with expertise in election mailings (like Consolidated Press!) knows the specific postal regulations and guidelines applicable to your state, and they can ensure that your materials meet size, weight, and format requirements set by the postal service to avoid any delivery issues or delays.

Tracking and monitoring. We utilize services provided by the postal service to track and monitor the progress of your mailings, allowing you to verify that materials are being delivered as planned and enabling you to address any issues promptly.

Evaluation and learning. Once the mailing campaign is complete, evaluate its effectiveness and gather feedback. Analyze response rates, voter engagement, and overall campaign impact. Use this information for future mailings and to refine your strategy for upcoming elections.

Leverage Digital Integration

While mail-in ballot states heavily rely on printed materials, it is essential to integrate digital strategies for enhanced engagement—the combination of print and digital maximizes the campaign’s impact and reach.

Engage with Local Communities

During an election cycle, governments, candidates and political parties should focus on building strong connections with local communities. Organize community events, town hall meetings, or rallies to engage directly with voters. Printed materials, such as posters, banners, and informational handouts, can play a vital role in promoting these events and creating awareness. Consolidated Press can coordinate your materials and timing so your brand identity is clear and clean across all collateral.

Print and mail campaigns are crucial for effective voter outreach. By collaborating with experienced printers and developing a well-defined mail strategy, local governments, candidates and political groups can maximize the impact of their election-time mailings. The efforts listed above will help ensure your materials ultimately contribute to a successful election campaign.

Download our election checklist
Election Checklist

 

Summer Tourism
Consolidated Press

Use brochures, posters, guides and maps to promote your region’s summer fun

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When the sun comes out, people start looking to keep busy, feel refreshed, see something new, and get onto the open road.

Whether you own a business or work for a city, a parks department, a farmers’ market, or a nonprofit, summer is the time for printing projects aimed at the public—posters, brochures, calendars, maps, menus, guides, event collateral, direct mail, and more.

Posters reach more people.

Posters are an underrated source of advertising, and they are excellent at bringing people back to the spot they saw the poster in the first place. For example, if you are advertising a new farmer’s market or opening one for the season, plaster the area with posters. 

An event like a farmers market draws mostly local people—people who tend to live, work, and play in the same places day after day. So it’s easy to ask them to return to a place they are already hanging out for something fun and ongoing like a farmer’s market, monthly flea market, or summer concert series. All they have to remember is the time or date. 

The same principles work for one-time events like summer festivals, retail events, civic volunteer opportunities, and more. Be sure to print the website, hashtag or a QR code on the poster for an even stronger memory aid. A simple and clear call-to-action (CTA) like “Post a selfie with this poster” will go a long way toward engaging people and bringing them back to the very place they are standing —with friends.

Read this comprehensive guide to creating posters that bring a buzz to your event.

Brochures are marketing’s best bet.

Everybody likes to pick up free stuff! Brochures are better than free—they represent possibility, excitement, travel, fun, relief from boredom, and future purchases and services that make life better.

Consider these compelling statistics when planning your summer advertising campaigns:

  • 7 out of 10 tourists, as well as visitors, tend to pick up brochures
  • 95% of visitors that obtain brochures become aware of a business
  • 80% of people consider visiting the business they saw in brochures

Keep in mind that brochures can truly reflect your brand’s aesthetic or personality. They don’t have to be the glossy three-fold six-panel classics we know from brochure stands in visitor centers across America. You can produce maps, calendars, posters, sales flyers, menus, and destination collateral, all in brochure form.

We can help you stand out with:

  • Strong brand identity through color matching and design
  • A variety of paper choices for your budget and brand
  • Professional folding and printing so your brochure is easy to read
  • Fun and functional stickers and seals
  • Addressing, sorting, storage, and direct mailing (if you want to go that route!)

Get on the map.

A March 2023 survey and report from The Vacationer revealed the potential for an enormous uptick in travel—especially domestic travel—this summer.

As summarized in Travel Agent Central this month:

Eighty-five percent of Americans plan to travel this summer. Nearly half of them are planning to travel more this summer compared to last, and those who intend to travel this summer represent a 5% increase over 2022. Ninety percent of American adults aged 30 to 44 intend to travel this summer, as do 88% of 45- to 60-year-olds and 87% of adults under 30. Forty-three percent of women said they intend to travel more, while  40 percent of men said they will.

Sixty-two percent of respondents said their travels will be domestic only. Seventeen percent said their travels would be domestic and international, while 6 percent said they would only be traveling internationally. Nearly four in five travelers plan to take a road trip this summer, most traveling between 100 and 500 miles. 

Now is the time to get your community on a map. There are so many ways and reasons to do this!

  • Regional and state visitor associations can create road trip maps of cities and tourist destinations. 
  • Cities and towns can publish a map of shopping and dining hubs, pointing visitors to all the places to play and spend money while passing through. Locals love these maps too, when they are updated regularly. 
  • Hotels and convention centers can publish maps of nearby nightlife, dining, and daytime activities. 
  • Tourist bureaus can offer maps of day trips within a radius of your city or region. 
  • Business hubs and neighborhood associations can promote dining and shopping with hyper-local maps, capitalizing on “coop-ertition” to bring more people to the location by displaying or handing out the map at each business in the area.
  • Local Arts and Entertainment can distribute information on upcoming show schedules, venues, special events, or concerts. 

Organizations often have state or local funds to produce maps promoting their area. Local businesses can offset these costs by advertising or paying for a prominent location on the map. Be sure to create a connected website for the latest updates, specials, and events.

Invite summer fun—and spending!—with print products like maps, brochures, direct mail, guides and posters. Visitors and locals alike will be happy to jump in.

With our efficient presses and professional staff, we can help you steward your resources while creating important print products that benefit everyone. Let us help you—reach out today.

Elections and Print
Consolidated Press

Clear and accurate print materials help elections stay secure and accessible

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Free and fair elections are the bedrock of American politics. Communicating in print has played a crucial role since the first one in 1788, and it continues to make the elections process secure and accessible to the entire voting public.

Election materials need to be clear, accurate and on-time

In the Northwest, we use mail-in ballots which, coupled with voters’ pamphlets, afford voters the time to sit down at their kitchen table and become educated on each candidate and issue while filling out their ballot. Accurate and clear printing means an accurate and clear message. Smudges, misalignment, missing pages and improper binding can all contribute to misinformation—particularly for those who are disabled or do not have easy access to the internet, including elderly and under-resourced adults.

Voters’ pamphlets are printed, addressed and mailed directly to voters in time to make informed decisions. Using a reputable printer for both printing and mailing services is key to proper list management and on-time mailing to registered voters. Any mistake or delay means a vote may be cast late or not at all. 

A large printer like Consolidated Press can save money on mailing in several ways. We provide volume postage discounts by analyzing your files and providing postal logistics planning and strategy. We deliver mail direct to USPS bulk mail centers for faster delivery and postage discounts, and ink-jet addressing occurs in-line on our stitchers to save you time and money.

Printed campaign communications help sway voters

Taking part in our election process means being able to convey our specific ideals, opinions and plans to our constituents. Whether that is through flyering, print and direct mail, or canvassing, there’s a personal touch with print that you don’t get with digital communication. Besides that, print–even print and mail—is much cheaper and better trusted than television spots and outdoor advertising.

After a contentious race in Virginia, the USPS teamed up with the American Association of Political Consultants to ask voters about their sources for political outreach and information. The results revealed the power of direct mail for local campaigns.

Nearly 70% said mail sent to their homes was the most credible political outreach technique. Sixty-six percent of female voters, 56% of millennial voters, 57% of nonwhite voters, and 69% of college-age voters trusted direct mail the most. The survey also revealed direct mail in the top three most persuasive channels.

In addition, most people visit their mailboxes every day. They have positive associations with mail vs. unrecognizable digital campaign messages that are frustrating because of pop-up ads, potential privacy issues, and frequency. 

Reliability is key to the civic process

The printing industry has been in a tough spot since the pandemic started. In the early days, working together in a building was nearly impossible. Later, worker shortages slowed commercial printers across the nation. Add to that supply chain tangles and paper shortages, and presses were in a constant state of catch-up.

Today, Consolidated Press is completely staffed up and enjoying a surplus of paper. Our suppliers and vendors are all coming back up to speed and are at pre-Covid turnaround times. 

All of these factors add up to a reliable, cost-effective process suitable for government budgets and responsive to tight deadlines on the campaign trail.

With our efficient presses and professional staff, we can help you steward your resources while creating essential print products that benefit everyone. Let us help you educate voters—reach out today!

CatalogsInAction
Consolidated Press

The Benefits of B2B Catalogs

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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.

SampleCatalogsImg 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.

magazine
Consolidated Press

Magazines, Now is the Time to Shine

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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.  

print magazine and periodicals

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. 

publications
Consolidated Press

Periodical Publishers Should Capitalize on Surprising Finishes and Formats

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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.

Consolidated Press

Hitting the Books with Expert Printers

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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.  

Education print publicationContinuing 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. 

Consolidated Press

Paper Demand Creates A Need to Strategize

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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.