Printing Needs for New Businesses – A Checklist

Despite the economic slowdown, or at least in part because of it, entrepreneurs continue to launch new businesses. Every entrepreneur has much to think about when launching a new business. What is the business model? Who are the target customers? How will you market the business? With so much on your mind, the printing needs of your new business may not be your top priority, which is why we’ve developed the list below to help you identify items that you may need as you launch your business. These items will not necessarily apply to every new business, but should ensure that you don’t overlook anything.

Essential:

• Business cards: This is the one item that every one needs. A business card with the new business logo and your contact information is a must for networking in person. (And even in an age of online social networking, face-to-face meetings are still important, as the popularity of tweetups shows!) You can even include your LinkedIn and Twitter URLs on your business cards.
• Letterhead & envelopes: Most business communication is now done through email or online, but letterhead and envelopes with your logo are still the most professional option when mail is required.
• Marketing collateral: Sell sheets, brochures, and postcards can be an important way to promote your business. Sell sheets can provide specific information about each of your products or services, brochures can provide a more general overview of your new business, and postcards can be used to promote a specific sale or event.

Optional:

• Presentation folders: Once you have your marketing collateral, a professional presentation folder will complete the sales kit that you can distribute to potential clients or advertisers. If you would like to make your materials stand out, consider a sleek 4×9″ folder that will fit into a standard business envelope (you’ll save on postage as well, if you mail it).
• Catalogs: Depending upon your business, a catalog may be useful either to showcase your products, or as an introduction to your business with more content and detail than a brochure.
• Bookmarks: The humble bookmark is a good way to provide information about your company while ensuring that your marketing materials will continue to be used after you have distributed them. In fact, if you’ve stopped by one of our booths at the Green Festivals or the other events that we support, you’ve probably noticed that this is what we distribute. It’s handy, in line with our values, and as every reader knows, you can never have too many bookmarks!

Special items:

• Labels: Product labels may be needed to identify your product and list its ingredients. Also, if you’re going to be shipping anything to your clients, you’ll want shipping labels to include on your package.
• Hang tags: Still a must for clothing items or other items that must be identified and priced.
• CD/DVD sleeves: This is obvious for businesses that involve music or media, but will also be necessary if you’re considering distributing a promotional CD with video and product information.
• Calendars: Some businesses like to distribute calendars as a way to keep potential clients thinking about them every day of the year. This is also a great green marketing product, since you’ll be giving clients something that they can truly use.