Wonderful Wooden, Engraved Wine & Stationery Boxes!

When it’s that time of year with Christmas just on the horizon, it’s always a challenge to find that perfect present for a much-loved family member or friend. And, if you’ve had a difficult year, then giving someone a special gift becomes even more important. So, why not think outside the (wooden) box and consider not just the gift itself, but an elegant way to display your present? Did you know that we can engrave personal messages onto beautiful, wooden wine and stationery boxes?

Personalise and immortalise
Tell someone special just how much you care for them by engraving your own personal message into your chosen wooden box, which will last forever. If you’ve not seen a loved one for some time, then why not use this opportunity to show them what they really mean to you? We have lots of super-festive, stylish designs for you to choose from, so you can design your gift to suit their tastes.

Mad about paper, mad about wood
If you’re one of our loyal customers, then you’ll already know that we have a passion for print and paper. And as paper comes from trees, we also have a deep commitment towards looking after our planet and its precious resources. Every one of our wooden stationery and wine boxes is made from either sustainable Pine or Tung wood, so you can give a guilt-free Christmas gift.

Red, white or sparkling?
Present a special vintage wine for one or two people, encased in an engraved wooden presentation box, with fully biodegradable packaging made from wood wool to keep your bottle nice and snug. Don’t settle for second best with a standard wine bag – how boring!!! Instead, give loved ones a Christmas gift they can cherish forever, and they can reuse each year when all the festivities begin.

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Calling all stationery addicts!
Say it in a letter… You don’t need to own an old-fashioned bureau to enjoy the beauty of a wooden stationery box, complete with paper and envelopes. If, like us, your loved one enjoys the smooth touch of real stationery, then this is the ultimate way to show your affection. And this classy, exquisite set will really look the business on any table top or surface too.

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What should my personal message say?
Think about what your special someone means to you. Have they had a tough time lately? Can you convey a cuddle using words? Maybe this gift is a way of saying “thank you” to someone who’s really been there for you this year? If they’re not really the sentimental type, then either stick to a simple well-wishing message or consider some witty words of wisdom.

Whether you’re buying gifts for Christmas or for another occasion, a personalised, engraved present is always special and will be something your friends and family will enjoy for years to come. And we’ve made the process so much easier for you too – just upload your message through our website!

So, if you’re looking for a special gift this Christmas, then visit our Gifts page or give us a call on 0116 253 1222. We’re here to help you celebrate any special occasion!

To quote Neil Gaiman (author and screenwriter)

‘The world always seems brighter when you’ve just made something that wasn’t there before’.

Such a brilliant and appropriate quote – see below our latest business card and mailer.

Printing is very diverse, with different processes that can raise your print, flatten it, make it shiny and glossy or even a cut out of it, and all of these processes can help you to make your business look different from the rest. With some cardboard engineering, you can add the surprise factor to your mailer and be remembered.

Be unique, be different… it will help you and your business be remembered and stand out from a noisy crowd.

Personalised Christmas Wine Boxes Make Perfect Gifts
If you’re struggling to find something special to give to a loved one or a client this Christmas, then why not consider a Personalised Christmas Wine Box? This is an ideal way to present a bottle of wine to customers, suppliers or close family members. Why not give them something to treasure long after the festivities have ended? All you have to do is choose from one of our ten super-stylish Christmas designs (Wine box order leaflet page 1) and we will take care of the rest – and you can tick another gift off your shopping list!

Personalised laser engraved wine boxes
We are currently supplying an elegant, personalised wooden wine box that holds one standard bottle of wine. With silver plated hinges and a sprint mounted clasp, this sturdy box is a lovely keepsake and can be used long after the wine has been consumed. Within each box, we will also provide wood wool packaging to protect your bottle, which is very light and completely bio-degradable. So, if you’re choosing an expensive vintage, you certainly won’t have to worry about keeping your bottle safe
from harm.

Add your logo or a fun Christmas message!
Using our special laser cutter, we will engrave your logo or festive message onto the front of the box – see image for an example. This is a fantastic way to promote your branding to clients and helps to keep your business firmly in the front of their minds. If you’re looking for something a little different this year to buy a loved one, this is also a great way to give a bottle of their favourite tipple and share your Christmas message at the same time.

Made from sustainable Tung wood
The wine box is beautifully crafted in Tung wood with finger joints on each corner. The clear varnish finish brings out the natural grain and enhances both the look and feel of the box. Tung wood is sustainable: the timber is from verifiable sources that meets the minimum standards of good forestry management. Each box has the FSC logo stamp of approval on the base to verify the chain of custody, which means the materials have been checked at every stage of processing. At Practical Printer, we believe strongly in eco-friendly printing and reducing our impact on the environment – please visit our Green Credentials page for more information.

Hurry! If you would like a personalised wine box, we are still taking orders for Christmas, but please don’t wait too long! There’s only a six weeks left to go!

Please get in touch today or give us a call on 0116 253 1222, as we’d really love to help you give a special gift this Christmas.

Did you know there are a number of interesting, recycled boards and papers available that can add a real difference to your marketing collateral? If you’re looking for a sustainable approach to your printed materials, then we’ve listed a few below for you to consider:

It’s Pooped! It’s Pulped!! It’s Printed!!!
One of our absolute favourites is the Pooped, Pulped and Printed range. Poo papers and boards are made from 50% recycled fibre, which includes 10% pulped dung and the remaining fibre is sourced from a mill using only FSC pulp (see images below). Other papers and boards available in the Pooped, Pulped and Printed range include Ellie Poo and Rhino Poo. However, the ultimate ‘Pooped’ option that we consider perfect for Christmas cards is the Reindeer Poo board, which comes in a 280gsm board weight.

A number of years ago, we promoted the Ellie Poo papers and boards, but as digital printing was in its infancy, it proved to be too expensive for most businesses. However, today this is not the case, as recycled boards are more readily available. And, as digital printing has improved dramatically, this has also made it much more cost-effective when it comes to producing short run items using more expensive boards. Therefore, if you’re looking for a fabulous recycled option for your printed marketing, it is now possible for almost every budget. So, talk to us today if you would like to choose the Pooped, Pulped and Printed range for your marketing materials.

Natural plants and flowers
How about a lovely, textured recycled board that contains dried seeds and petals? This board weight is 240gsm and, as it is a fairly bulky board, it works well for business cards.

Reused materials for weddings
Recycled confetti board and recycled glitter boards are fabulous options for wedding stationery. Did you know there is even a recycled bank note board available?

Choose one of the most sustainable materials on the planet…
Moving onto one of the fastest growing, renewable resources in the world… Bamboo! Growing up to 1 metre per day, bamboo absorbs more CO2 and releases up to 30% more oxygen than its equivalent mass of trees. Plus, it’s anti-allergic and has low VOC emissions (Volatile Organic Compounds). Did you know that you can buy bamboo clothing, bedding, pillows, beer and even wine?!! The list is endless…

At The Practical Printer, we have a great range of bamboo and recycled papers, boards and envelopes. So, if you’re looking for eco-friendly, printed marketing materials, just get in touch or call 0116 253 1222 – we’d love to help you promote your business.

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Personalised Christmas Wine Boxes Make Perfect Gifts
If you’re struggling to find something special to give to a loved one or a client this Christmas, then why not consider a Personalised Christmas Wine Box? This is an ideal way to present a bottle of wine to customers, suppliers or close family members. Why not give them something to treasure long after the festivities have ended? All you have to do is choose from one of our ten super-stylish Christmas designs (Wine box order leaflet 2017 page 1) and we will take care of the rest – and you can tick another gift off your shopping list!

Personalised laser engraved wine boxes
We are currently supplying an elegant, personalised wooden wine box that holds one standard bottle of wine. With silver plated hinges and a sprint mounted clasp, this sturdy box is a lovely keepsake and can be used long after the wine has been consumed. Within each box, we will also provide wood wool packaging to protect your bottle, which is very light and completely bio-degradable. So, if you’re choosing an expensive vintage, you certainly won’t have to worry about keeping your bottle safe from harm.

Add your logo or a fun Christmas message!
Using our special laser cutter, we will engrave your logo or festive message onto the front of the box – see image for an example. This is a fantastic way to promote your branding to clients and helps to keep your business firmly in the front of their minds. If you’re looking for something a little different this year to buy a loved one, this is also a great way to give a bottle of their favourite tipple and share your Christmas message at the same time.

Made from sustainable Tung wood
The wine box is beautifully crafted in Tung wood with finger joints on each corner. The clear varnish finish brings out the natural grain and enhances both the look and feel of the box. Tung wood is sustainable: the timber is from verifiable sources that meets the minimum standards of good forestry management. Each box has the FSC logo stamp of approval on the base to verify the chain of custody, which means the materials have been checked at every stage of processing. At Practical Printer, we believe strongly in eco-friendly printing and reducing our impact on the environment – please visit our Green Credentials page for more information.

Hurry! If you would like a personalised wine box, we are still taking orders for Christmas, but please don’t wait too long! There’s only a couple of weeks left to go!

Please get in touch today or give us a call on 0116 253 1222, as we’d really love to help you give a special gift this Christmas.

Our simple guide to letterpress, laser cutting, etching & engraving

This month, we look at a variety of creative ways you can breathe life into your print, using a range of traditional and technological processes. We’re going to look at both old and new techniques, which can add texture, shape and embossing effects to a wide range of materials – and we’re not just talking paper! Using an inspiring process to produce your promo items can really help to enhance and refine your brand presence. Read on…

What is a ‘letterpress’?

Originating in the 1400s, letterpress is one of the oldest forms of printing and is still very popular today due to the brilliant effects that you can produce. Letterpress is a relief printing process, utilising raised metal type and engravings to imprint words and designs onto a page. It was used as the main form of printing for around 500 years, and has evolved into more of an art form due to the highly appealing, tactile quality when compared to other standard offset and digital printing methods.

Why would I choose letterpress?

Suitable for line work, letterpress printing is a wonderfully, tactile technique. It can be used to create stylish wedding invitations, business cards, greetings cards, and most other stationery items. Nowadays, we use pantone (PMS) spot colour inks and metallic inks to produce stunning effects. However, be aware that it can be difficult to ensure the consistency of solid colour areas, so always ask for a sample to check it fits with your objectives. Letterpress is great for embossing and debossing; and we think it’s a great way to make an impression!!!

How does laser cutting work?

From the old to the new, laser cutting is the latest process to hit the printing world. Finely detailed, beautiful shapes can be delicately cut into a vast range of materials without the need for expensive tooling. Using a laser, materials are cut to precision – this process is becoming increasingly popular with businesses and customers looking for a highly creative, personal finish for their print.

What can I create using laser cutting?

Laser cutting is especially suited to wedding stationery, greetings cards, packaging and point of sale displays. Why not laser-cut shapes into your office stationery and business cards so you stand out from the crowd? From paper to wood to plastic to foam – it’s really quite limitless! In fact, you’ll find that signs, awards, trophies, prototypes and architectural models are often laser-cut. If you’re looking to create something special, laser cutting will make your project very unique, as you can cut any shape you like to reflect your branding and logos. We recommend using laser cutting for wedding invitations – you can really ‘wow’ your guests with imaginative shapes and designs to reflect your wedding theme! 

        

How does etching / engraving work?

Laser engraving is similar to laser cutting, except that the settings are adjusted so that the laser doesn’t cut completely through the surface. It creates stunning effects on paper, board, wood, acrylic, glass etc.

What are the benefits from etching and engraving?

Etching and engraving produce a lovely finish. You can engrave items such as chopping boards and tapas boards, or promotional items such as pen holders, coasters, frames – even coat hangers! Why not consider engraving and personalising wooden wine boxes for clients, suppliers, or for a special event? A truly bespoke branding item or keepsake, people are likely to keep this forever.

                           

          

If you’re planning a wedding, then read our previous blog on wedding stationery to get creative when it comes to your special day. We look at a vast range of inspiring ideas, which use some of the above techniques to make your day even more special.

And when you’re ready to try a different process, always ask to see samples from your printer. It’s very important to compare the effects produced by these different techniques – you might just be surprised at what you can create!

Interested in letterpress, laser cutting, etching or engraving? Please feel free to get in touch or give us a call on 0116 253 1222 – we’d love to discuss your project with you.

 

Long live Direct Mail! Why offline marketing still reaps big returns

In this modern age of digital marketing, more traditional, offline marketing channels such as direct mail can easily be forgotten. However, this is a big mistake. Research tells us that a well thought out, targeted direct mail campaign is still one of the leading ways to engage and convert customers.

92% of respondents who felt something as a result of receiving
valued mail, did something.
(Source: Mailmen – Key Facts)

Why? Because there’s so much NOISE out there, online. If you’re a young person, glued to your mobile or tablet most days, then it’s unlikely that you will receive a lot of postal communication. This is why direct mail can be a real winner for the 18 – 34 age group. According to a study done by Forbes, it was found that this age group actually preferred hearing about products and services via direct mail instead of online advertising! Now, that’s a thought, isn’t it?

(Marketing) Campaigns that included mail were 40% more likely
to deliver top-ranking acquisition levels than campaigns without mail.
(Source: Peter Field, IPA Effectiveness Awards Databank)

What are the benefits of a Direct Mail Campaign?

1. Reading information on printed paper is much easier than on a computer screen.
2. A mailer can be read anywhere – in the office or home – we’ve even heard of people reading newsletters in the bath!
3. You can create an emotional connection with potential clients. A mailer helps you to connect with your clients and prospects on a much more personal level.
4. The shelf-life of an effective mailer is as long as people want to keep it! A strong sales piece will be kept, read again, and then potentially passed on to others.
5. Direct mail increases trust and raises brand awareness for your business.
6. A good mailer is a great way to direct traffic to your website, despite being an offline channel.
7. Direct mail can be recycled!!!

83% of people valued mail that kept them up to date
(Source: Mailmen – Key Facts)

What makes a good Direct Mail campaign?

Be creative; the more your mailer stands out amongst a pile of boring bills and letters, the more likely people are going to open it. Give them something striking and innovative that they will want to keep – that way, they are much more likely to remember your business.

We’ve pulled together a few of our favourite ideas to help get you started:

• Postcards – a simple A6-sized postcard is a great way to remind people about what you do.
• Coloured, brightly printed envelopes – create an impact that will make people want to open what you have sent them.
• Invitations – we can’t resist an offer or invitation; try printing the words ‘open me’ or ‘gift inside’ on the envelope.
• Choose the right weight of paper and board (card) – this is important as it gives the impression of ‘quality’ – the higher the quality, the more impressive your brand will look.
• Lumpy mail – this is a great way to ensure your mailer is opened and has a 100% success rate! Consider a ‘pop-up’ or ‘pop-out’ mailer that promotes your company or any type of event. This is a fun way to communicate too!
• Desk items – calendars have a fantastic shelf-life; not only could you class these as ‘lumpy mailers’, but they will sit on a desk or wall for at least 12 months. You could also consider printed coasters, mouse mats, pens and pen holders, magnets, notepads, etc.
• Folded mini leaflets – folding to the same size as a business card, this is a really innovative way to include a vast amount of info. Plus, it adds intrigue to your mailer!

Valued mail is informative. 65% said it told them something new.
(Source: Mailmen – Key Facts)

 

How do I plan my Direct Mail campaign?

When we work with our clients, we ask for a clean database to be supplied – this includes a name, company name (if applicable) and a full postal address. We then mail merge your data onto the relevant material, whether it’s an envelope or a ‘carrier sheet’ which fits inside a polybag mailer. Any leaflets, letters, promo items, etc. are inserted, sorted and mailed. Leaflets and letters can be personalised too.

General timescales for fulfilment (printing, inserting pieces into the envelope, mailing, etc.) will depend on the size of your mailing and how much personalisation you need. For example, a mailer with a simple insert plus an address would only need 2 – 3 days to fulfil. However, if you need personalised information to be inserted as well, this could take an extra 1 – 2 days. When it comes to timings, we always advise this at the start of discussing any direct mail project.

Are you thinking of running a Direct Mail campaign? Please feel free to get in touch or give us a call on 0116 253 1222 – we’d love to talk through your project with you.

7 Top Tips for Exhibiting at a Trade Show or Conference

Exhibiting at a trade show or conference this year? If you’re booked onto an event, how can you make sure your business stands out from the crowd? We have put together our top 7 tips to help you make the most of your event, including creative ways you can create an eye-popping stand that will literally stop people in their tracks…

1. Bold and Vibrant Banners

   The biggest feature on your stand to attract people’s attention should be your banner. Depending on the size of your stand, you may even want to invest in two pop-up banners either side, which could display different messages. For example, if you offer a range of services, or you have different areas of your business, you could focus each banner on a specific set of services. Make sure your contact details are easy to see and always include a catchy strapline, so people walk away remembering exactly who you are and what you do.

2. Punchy Printed Information
   

   The next thing to consider is the information you’ll be giving out. Make sure all of your printed materials are consistent from a brand perspective – this includes business cards, brochures, postcards and leaflets. You could produce an information pack using a folder containing inserts for every product or service you provide. This will give you more space to go into further detail and to promote the benefits of what you are offering. Plus, you can tailor each pack to the person’s interests, which saves you having to re-print the entire brochure from scratch. Always look at the quality and thickness of the printed materials you give out – cheap, thin card or paper could give the impression your services are cheap too.

3. Show Stopping Business Cards and Leaflets

   How engaging are your leaflets and business cards? Why not consider something a bit different? Do away with boring rectangles and try an interesting shape from your logo (see image). Or, you could print a run of ‘pop out’ business cards or ‘flipping’ cards (see images below). The more exciting your promotional materials are, the more people will remember you – you want to be their first port of call when they need your services.

4. Get Creative with Giveaways

   Have you thought about giveaways? You could give visitors to your stand branded notebooks with your details on. Or, maybe consider printed coasters, mouse mats, placemats, fridge magnets, phone cases, key rings, desk tidies… the world really is your oyster! Why not consider cutting shapes into your promotional items with a laser cutter or engrave into hard materials such as wood? Have you heard of ‘dye sublimation’? This is where dye is transferred onto plastic, wood or fabric and can create a wonderful effect for any branded giveaways you’re considering. Ask your local printer for more details.

5. Memorable Mementos

   A really creative and fun idea is to create a selfie frame with your branding on. Take a photo of your visitor, maybe use some fun disguises or fancy dress, and then take a photo for the frame. You could even have this printed on a coaster, mouse mat or placemat and then send this to your visitor after the event, giving them a reminder of the day. Plus, this allows for data capture as they’ll have to complete a form or leave their business card with you. Don’t forget to add your branding! What’s more, with their permission, you could add the photos to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

6. Branded bags

   How are people going to take your promotional materials away? Why not consider branded paper carrier bags proudly displaying your business name? This is a brilliant piece of advertising – as people walk around the event, everyone will see your business name – and after they’ve left the building too.

7. Event Planning & Promotion

   How far in advance should you plan for a trade show or conference? This all depends on your needs. We recommend planning at least 6 weeks prior to your event. This should include an outline of what you want to achieve. Think about what you’re promoting – do you have any special offers for the event? Tie in any giveaways around your promotion. This will also help to create any key words you can use on social media throughout your promotion. At this stage, start organising your graphics and pick a designer to create eye-catching banners and booklets. Always keep your branding and any related key words prominent on any printed materials you’ll be using.

   On the run-up to your event, when you’re only 4 weeks away, this is the time to discuss your needs with your printer. They will look at what you’re trying to achieve and give lead times for delivery, so you are ready when the date comes around. Some printers will be only too happy to fulfil your goody bags too, so give them enough time before your event so you can get everything ready. The more prepared you are, the less stress you will have on the day. Your printer should be able to deliver your promotional items directly to the venue – this is especially important if you have a very large order or you’re travelling by train.

                                                                                

We hope your event goes well and that you make lots of valuable business contacts.

If you need print and promotional items for a show or conference, please get in touch or give us a call on 0116 253 1222 – we’d love to talk to you about your event.

 

 

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