Guide To Creating Your Own Postcards

Author: Janice Jenkins

Postcard printing on your own is actually easy. The main element of postcard printing is its image. Just arm yourself with archives of pictures and you are ready to create your own personalized postcards. As for the format, you can find a wide selection of postcard templates which can be printed in different sizes such as 4x6 postcards.

Picture Files

If you want to use your own pictures in the postcard, store them in one file so that it will be a lot easier for you to upload them when you are creating them. For those pictures that you find on magazines, newspapers or other forms of print materials, just scan them and save them in the same file with the rest of your own pictures.

Design

If you have advanced knowledge of designing, you can use Adobe, Corel and others. Design software provides you with all the liberty and creativity to produce great looking postcards.

However, if you have limited knowledge when it comes to computers and software, worry not. Word processors such as Microsoft Word and OpenOffice have their own options to create postcards using postcard templates.

Printing

There are two ways to do this: at home with your own printer or online printing. Printing at home is cost effective but with limited choices. Postcard size, paper, quantity and quality of printing will depend on your printer and ink. For small quantities of 4x6 postcards or small to medium sizes, you may have them printed at home.

The process for printing at home is the following:

1. Download Free Postcard Templates from any source you find online.

2. Open the postcard template in Microsoft Office or OpenOffice.

3. On the first box on the screen, click “Add Image” and add your picture.

4. For resizing it to a 4x6 postcard (for example) and the image is too big or too small, position your cursor on the corners of the picture. You can then adjust the size.

5. Add your text or message.

6. The screen will show several boxes (or same postcard template) so just copy the content of the first postcard and paste them on each box until they are all filled.

7. Go to “Print” to produce your postcards.

The process for online printing is the following:

1. Choose an online printing and navigate your way on its site. Find the “Postcard” or “Order/Purchase” link.

2. If there is a Postcard link, click on it. This should lead you to their postcard templates. Click on preferred postcard template.

3. Click “Add Your Design” or “Upload Image” and choose your preferred picture.

4. There should be instructions as well as to how to resize your image and add your texts. Just follow them and you will be okay. If you want to use 4x6 postcards, just find the “postcard size” option.

5. The more you order the better price. Online printing companies offer discounts for bulk orders. Type the number of postcards and click “Add to Cart” or “Submit Order.”

6. Make your payment and complete the rest of the purchase process.

This guide should let you produce gorgeous postcards even with the use of postcard templates. If you want to experiment (first), try printing 4x6 postcards and see the results.

About the Author:
For comments and inquiries about the article visit: Postcard Templates

Article Source: http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Guide To Creating Your Own Postcards_64149.aspx

4 Tips In Preparing For Business Card Marketing

Author: Janice Jenkins

Most small businesses do not have the marketing budget of Coca-Cola or Nike. Often, all they can afford is a small time flyer or poster marketing. But this should not be a reason for a small business to neglect on their marketing efforts. Keep in mind that marketing is indispensable to every business. If your goal is to generate new customers to increase sales, then the more important it is to market extensively.

If budget is your problem, there are cost effective solutions to marketing these days. One of them is business card printing. Businesses have long been using these cards to market their business and generate contacts, but it seems that more and more businesses are now going after modern marketing techniques such as email and social media. But it is important to remember that the business cards are still important and if you often go to networking activities, you would know just how important these cards are.

Many times though you end up spending lots of marketing dollars for the design and printing of your cards only to find out in the end that your cards are not keepers and does not appeal well to your target customers. With a poorly designed card or not having any business card at all can give you a poor impression. It can make you look unprofessional, so not having a business card is a big no-no in today’s market condition.

Remember that when people ask for your card, you are actually getting a compliment from them. When you do not have your cards with you, this can make you look unprepared or worse this can be insulting to the other person. So, before you market your business you have to make sure that you have your cards ready to be distributed when necessary.

If you are ready to carry out a business card marketing campaign today, here are four tips for you:

1. Create business cards based on your business goal. This can mean printing several numbers of cards ideal for distribution for a certain period of time. For instance, you can set the number of cards you need to distribute each week. This will help you determine the actual number of cards you need so you do not run out or print excessive cards. In case you have changes in your contact details, this would not cost you lots of wasted cards.

2. Make sure to keep your cards in a good quality business card holder. This will help you look organized and professional in front of your customers and prospects. Make sure to refill your holder every night so that when you do out the next day you do not have to worry of running out of cards to pass out.

3. Make sure the design of your business card templates is compelling and intriguing. It should be something you can be proud of. If your design is boring or uninteresting, people would not even bother looking at your card much less keep it. This will surely result in wasted cards and money. So, make sure the cards you pass out are well designed.

4. Put your cards anywhere such as your car, briefcase, wallet, desk, and just about any place you will find them easily. In doing so, you can be sure to have a card ready to be handed out when necessary.

About the Author:
For comments and inquiries about the article visit: Business Card Printing

Article Source: http://www.articleseen.com/Article_4 Tips In Preparing For Business Card Marketing_64148.aspx