Brochure design: 10 top creative tips

Source: http://www.creativebloq.com/graphic-design-tips/how-to-design-a-brochure-123267

01. Know your purpose before you start

 

When you're thinking about how to design a brochure, start by asking clients why they think that they need a brochure. Then, they need to define their objectives. Sometimes they just want one because their last brochure didn't work. If they've come up with a brief for you, take a step back from that and look at exactly what it is they're trying to achieve.

02. Limit your fonts

You don't need many fonts when you're thinking of how to design a brochure - just a heading, subheading and body copy font. But we see it all the time in student portfolios - people think they need to find a headline font nobody has ever used before. Clients will usually take the lead on fonts as they'll often have a corporate identity in place.

03. Take stock of your paper stock

Talk about paper stock before you put pen to notepad, let alone go as far as switching on your computer. If you're working for a client, ask if it has to be the standard A4. Find out if they've considered using uncoated paper, for example. there a great post here on making a paper choice.

04. Get your copy right

 

Great copy is often the most undervalued element in brochure design. A lot of people don't understand that copy needs to be considered as part of the overall design concept.
At the early stage of any brochure design project, experiment with the copy to see if it needs reworking. Headlines aren't something to just drop in later. Here's a great copy writing guide.

05. Put readers first

When thinking of how to design a brochure, keep the end purpose in mind. Is this a brochure that's going to be posted out in response to requests made on a website? Is it a giveaway at an exhibition, or a leave-behind brochure? When someone opens it, what will it say to them? Design for that person, not for yourself.

06. Think of simple statements

 

You want to know how to make a brochure that stands out, right? Sometimes the simple ideas are the best. If a client has decided they want lots of cliched images to get a particular point across, it's probably better to scrap them. The solution might be to use a typographic cover instead, and make a very literal statement about what they want to say.

07. Set pen to paper

Break out the layout pads and try drawing and sketching ideas to start with. We brainstorm everything among everybody - Toast projects start life on layout pads with pencils and pens. What we don't do is take a brief, go away for two weeks and then present three concepts to see which one the client hates the least.

08. Keep what works

Don't try to be wacky or different just for the sake of it when you're thinking of how to design a brochure that gets noticed. For example, most designers use the same 10 to 20 fonts across a lot of the projects they work on. There are sound design reasons why Helvetica is used a lot, and why Rockwell is a good headline font.

09. Make a good first impression

 

Brochure designs need to fit in with what the client does as a business. Charities don't want luxury brochures that'll make people think they've spent a lot of money on them, whereas a new product might need a brochure that looks amazing on an exhibition stand beside it.

10. Shoot sharp

To make a product brochure pleasurable to flick through, you need good photos. If you're using stock imagery - budgets don't always stretch to a photoshoot - try to find pictures that don't look like they're stock images. Never cut corners with images.

7 ways to save money on your brochure printing

Source: Creativebloq

There’s no reason why you can’t create a brochure that is both cost-effective and beautiful.

Whether you need 10 or 10,000 copies, brochure printing can be an expensive business. So how do you know that it's money well spent? And what can you do to save some cash without skimping on design or print quality? Here are some key factors to take into consideration.

01. Size and page count

When you're trying to be economical, it's tempting to just try and fit as much content and as many images as possible onto fewer pages. This is rarely a good idea, and can easily look cramped, cluttered and unprofessional, yet brochures don't always need to be heavy or large to have the desired effect and create a strong impact. Clear and concise copywriting will ensure that you only include the information that is necessary, and where design is concerned, less is very often more.

Inspirational Transparent Business Card Designs

Source : graphicsbeam

Having a cool and attractive business card is always an advantage for an individual or company as they can always solidify a first impression. It usually bears the information about your business and company or individual. Getting a transparent business card is the latest and modern trend in the industry. The transparent business card is becoming the latest trends in advertising.
In this collection, you can see some best examples of transparent business cards that look stunning and impressive. Most of these cards are made from PVC plastic. Check this out if you would like to be creative in designing your own business card. So, feel free to browse through this collection and get inspired. Be amazed!

1. Transparent Plastic Business Cards

2. Translucent Photographer Business Card

Fantastic Transparent Business cards

Source : http://designm.ag/freelance/30-fantastic-transparent-business-cards/


Corporate business card


Transparent Business Card

Trends In Producing Your Own Marketing Brochures

Sourec : http://www.articleonlinedirectory.com/757661/printing-trends-in-producing-your-own-marketing-brochures.html

Businesses want to always offer the best to their customers, whether it is products, services, or marketing materials. This is their only way to get loyal patrons who will be willing to invest their hard-earned money on the business. Some will try to be as creative as they can be just to capture peoples attention while others will offer extremely low prices. Creativity or low prices, gaining peoples interest and loyalty will basically depend much on how you market your business. People will often base their decisions on how effective you are in convincing them to invest their money on you.

This will require you to establish a tight marketing program that will let you get in touch with your target customers successfully. With todays technology, it should be easy for you to produce marketing materials that will suit your business. But sometimes, you dont have to look any further in order to find the perfect material to invest in. Some of the proven and tested old marketing materials are still effective today as they were in the past. Take the brochures as an example.

Beyond the Boring Rectangle: Fantastic Die-Cut Business Cards

Source - Callum Chapman

Many people completely overlook business cards when starting up their new company, mainly due to the capabilities of social networking on the world wide web. However, traditional networking is still a very valuable source when looking for new customers and clients, and the best way to network in the “real world” is by word of mouth. In most cases family members, friends and other members of the public forget about new start-up companies (which is unfortunate), therefore they need something to remember you by. You guessed it: a business card.
If you want potential customers/clients to hold on to your business card, it needs to stand out from the crowd; it needs to be something special. This amazing compilation showcases some of the freshest die-cutting trends used in business cards – so get your thinking cap on and start designing your business card now. After all, it is likely the most powerful piece of card your company will ever see.

Square-Cornered Cards

These business cards are the same size and shape of common, standard-sized business cards but with a slight twist. The die-cutting process has been used to cut shapes out of the business cards, making them much more interesting and appealing.

Lisa Walker

Business Card Trends You Should Know About

Source - thesmallbusinessplaybook

 Are you still giving out boring business cards that look like something your accountant designed for you?  If so, maybe you should get with the times and create a new business card for your business.
Whenever most people think about business cards, they think of a boring and dated mode of marketing.  But guess what?  Creative individuals and businesses are doing great things with business cards these days.
In recent years, business cards have taken on a new life, with designers and creative types pushing the limits of what we once thought a business card should be.  The right business card can act as one of your most powerful marketing tools and can actually be fun…..if your ready to put some creativity into it.
A great business card should provide basic information about you and your business, but the way you present it can be as creative as you want it to be.  While some recent trends have emerged like adding QR codes and Social Media links on business cards, these are far from unique and will do nothing to liven up an already boring business card.  With some imagination, quality printing, and a little fun…..you can have a business card you’re proud to hand out at your next networking event.  Let’s look at some new trends in business card design that can breathe life into an old medium.

Social Media Business Cards

Whether on Facebook, Twitter or just doing a Google Search….we are all familiar with the standard screen displays for each of these platforms.  Why not have some fun and re-create that experience on your business card?  Creative, fun and original can be used to describe cards like these.

8 Ways to Revamp Your Business Card

Source - entrepreneur

What's NewOf course, some aspects of business cards are industry-specific. What works for a photography studio won't necessarily work for a real-estate agent. That's why it's important to first think about the message you're trying to send. "We're finding more and more business cards are an extension of the brand and the personality of the company," says Rob Schlacter, VP of business services for Staples, Inc. and head of the "Business Cards in Minutes" program.
With that in mind, here are eight of the top trends our experts highlighted to help your company's personality shine through while looking professional:

Choosing the Right Paper

Source - Paper Leaf

 

Paper grade defines paper in terms of its use. Each grade serves a purpose, usually suggested by its grade name. Below are some of the most common classifications of printing papers.

• Bond papers are commonly used for letters and business forms. They have surfaces which accept ink readily from a pen or typewriter and can be easily erased.
  
  
• Coated papers are used when high printing quality is desired because of its greater surface smoothness and uniform ink receptivity. There are many kinds: cast coated, gloss coated, dull coated, machine coated, coated one- and two-sides, etc.
  
  
• Text papers are noted for their interesting textures and attractive colors. They enjoy frequent use for announcements, booklets and brochures.
  
  
• Offset papers are considered the most economical printing papers. Offset papers may be used for directories, newsletters, books, direct mail pieces with only a few photographs, and other printing products requiring average quality.
  
  
• Cover papers complement coated and text papers in heavier weights and matching colors for use as covers on booklets, etc. Papers are also made for cover purposes only. Many special surface textures are available. Special characteristics of cover pages include dimensional stability, durability, uniform printing surface, good scoring, folding, embossing and die-cutting qualities. It is a useful rule of thumb that cover stock of the same basis weight as text paper has about twice the thickness.
  
  
• Index papers have two outstanding characteristics—stiffness and receptivity to writing ink. Index is commonly used whenever an inexpensive stiff paper is required.
  
  
• Tag is a heavy utility sheet. Tag board is sometimes tinted and colored on one or both sides. Tag stock has good bending or folding qualities, and a surface adaptable to printing, stamping, or writing.
  
  
• Bristol is one of the board grades, with a softer surface than index or tag, making it ideal for high-speed folding, embossing, or stamping. It is very receptive to ink and has good snap and resilience.

New Printing Industry Trends

Source - New Printing Industry Trends

The emergence of digital and Internet technologies in recent years have brought about new printing trends that will forever change the printing industry. These printing industry trends have changed the way companies do business from the design to the printing phase of operations.
In Australia, the printing industry has met these new printing trends with open arms as many have updated their workflow and production strategies to meet the changing demands. On the other hand, many of those who never made these important changes have struggled because of the growing competition by non-print and online media.

According to the Rochester Institute of Technology School of Print Media, there has been a growing media competition considering the fact that print advertising is driven by newspaper, magazine and periodical revenues while "the Internet is chipping away at traditional media usage and communication."

Print - the new 'cool' in 2012

Source - By Lyn Davis

Smart printing, that fulfils a particular need or niche, will survive the digital shift into 2012 and beyond. I like to think that print will never disappear. With many people spending their entire working day in front of a screen or glued to their smartphone, easing the commute with a newspaper on the Gautrain or relaxing in the bath with a book after a long day are some of life's great luxuries.

Everyone's still talking about it...Two Sides Autumn Seminar, held in London towards the end of 2011, reaffirmed the popularity of print as an essential medium, citing print as 'the new cool' and having a unique appeal.

Speakers talked about how important print is and results from their surveys suggested the younger generation actually preferred reading on paper than reading on screens!

Comfort factor

According to the November 2011 issue of Loyalty Magazine, editors found that when they transferred their offering from print to online, they received many concerned messages from readers who 'want to be able to flick through and browse' the articles. Many readers suggested that the online news service lacked the comfort factor of a 'real' magazine, so Loyalty decided to go retro and now publish a printed version three times a year.

We here at PocketMedia Solutions are strong believers that print will always be a reliable and innovative way to market your brand. As former BBC online editor Ashley Highfield suggests, "The trick is to help move those brands into the digital age and get the right balance between print and digital." Print is a crucial component to any successful marketing or advertising process.

Trends that We foresee in 2012

1. Chunky catalogues continuing to be replaced with small hand-held forms of print communication in 2012, directing consumers to websites or being used as quick reference guides.
2. Manufacturers finding more ways to become efficient at a lower cost through workflow changes, new equipment purchases and diversification.
   
3. More use of QR codes providing marketers with integrated marketing campaigns
   
4. More dynamic use of augmented reality, with print communication as the driver.
   
5. The continued growth of ambient media; we are always looking out for something new.
   
6. Smaller print runs becoming more cost effective with digital print
   
7. Going Green - companies are turning more frequently to environmentally friendly solutions to lower their carbon footprints.
8. Shorter turn-around times - in print everyone wants everything yesterday; gone are the days of two week turn-around times.
   
9. All-in-one print mailing solutions became popular towards the latter half of 2011. I expect this trend to boom in 2012.
   
10. Return on investment - finding a marketing solution that consumers can keep offers a greater ROI for brands
    
11. For the FMCG market, interactive bottle hangs are becoming popular and I expect to see greater growth with this application in 2012 - especially those that include a QR code or UFO, which opens to reveal a prize.

Five Printing Trends for 2012

What trends are happening in the world of print for 2012?

 

1. Increased cross-media With the importance of online as a media marketing tool, print has developed features to drive users to your site, including the use of 2D bar-coding/QR Codes which can be read by cell phones. This means that your Print advertising is not a separate advertising option but part of a rich cross over marketing mix. Print still has its own advantages over online and you can see how your advertising campaign can benefit by getting the right mix. Look for more innovations in cross-media as the entire marketing mix is viewed as an interconnecting symbiotic whole.

Know what is Offset Printing

Source - Wikipedia


Offset printing is a commonly used printing technique in which the inked image is transferred (or "offset") from a plate to a rubber blanket, then to the printing surface. When used in combination with the lithographic process, which is based on the repulsion of oil and water, the offset technique employs a flat (planographic) image carrier on which the image to be printed obtains ink from ink rollers, while the non-printing area attracts a water-based film (called "fountain solution"), keeping the non-printing areas ink-free.
Development of the offset press came in two versions: in 1875 by Robert Barclay of England for printing on tin, and in 1903 by Ira Washington Rubel of the United States for printing on paper.