So, to make this happen, they needed a photo of each dean to drop in, plus the general image for the kids who have not yet declared a major. Undeclared majors got a personalized postcard with a fun image, too. Each variable postcard featured a welcome from the Dean of the college of their chosen major. This next example, produced by Slate Group for Arkansas Tech University, was personalized by name for every accepted student. Samples: Printing United Alliance and Infiniti USA Name-personalized Variable Data Printing. So, why not use today’s technology to personalize your postcard campaigns? It’s just not that hard-ask your printer for guidance. Personalized mail makes the recipient feel important and respected. In fact, 84% of participants in an InfoTrends study said that personalization of a direct mail piece makes them more likely to open/read it. Which piece of mail would you look at-the one with your name on it and images that interest you, or the one that looks like it could be for anybody? You know the answer. Idea #3: Add personalization to make it relevant. This technology can work for one-to-one marketing, and for bulk mailings, too. Tell the app who to send it to and where to print it, and your effort is done! See how it works here. When you’re done, LIVINGPRINT generates a custom QR Code that appears on the back of the postcard for the recipient to scan and bring the postcard to life. Crop the photos, change the order, choose a background image or color, add music and a message-it’s quick and easy. The app does all the work, automatically creating a slideshow of your photos and videos that you can edit to your liking. LIVINGPRINT® postcard from īetter yet, LIVINGPRINT® offers the ability to design, print and mail personalized, mobile-interactive postcard marketing right through your phone! Simply download the free LIVINGPRINT app, choose from an array of creative layouts for your postcard and start to drop-in your own photos and videos. They’re cheap, easy, and as a marketer, you can get a lot of data on the back end once they’ve been scanned, which is pretty cool. So, why not use them on your postcards? In its simplest form, a QR code can be placed on a postcard to drive people to whatever mobile-friendly experience you’d like to send them to. MobStac expects QR Code usage to double in 2022. According to an analysis by MobStac, use of QR Codes increased 45% between 2020-2021. If you had said to me in 2020 that QR codes would have a Renaissance, I never would have believed you-but since the pandemic, EVERYONE now knows how to scan a QR code, and will do so willingly. Idea #2: Tempt them to scan it with their phone. Work with your printer to determine the best way to set up your digital file, and which effects or coatings will work for your postcard, the mailing process, and your budget. However, if USPS self-mailing requirements cramp your style, you can always put your cool, textured postcard into an envelope.
![magnetic folder factory magnetic folder factory](https://5.imimg.com/data5/XO/GT/MY-9536716/magnet-folder-file-500x500.jpg)
One note on print effects: soft touch coatings in particular can be problematic for the USPS sorting equipment, and you will need to avoid coatings and textures on the barcode/address areas. Don’t forget specialty inks like neon, metallic, and white ink, too. Other finishing effects like foil (cold, hot, or variable digital foil) and embossing/debossing can add a distracting pop of interest to the card as well. Raised clear digital ink on a HP Indigo press by ENPOINTE (Chris Paulis Photography)
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Varnish/coating effects on postcard campaign by Sappi North America (Chris Paulis Photography)
![magnetic folder factory magnetic folder factory](https://www.printedpaperbox.com/photo/printedpaperbox/editor/20200402154039_75245.jpg)
Special print effects is a big category these days with lots of options, so talk to your printer to determine what’s available for your postcard project. Special print effects, including varnishes and coatings in different finishes (gloss, satin, dull, matte), UV coatings in different textures (grit, soft touch, glitter, high gloss, etc.), specialty laminating films, and raised clear digital ink create texture and visual contrast in exciting ways. This can be done inexpensively whether you’re printing short run digital, or longer run offset or inkjet printing. One of the smartest things you can do with print marketing is to leverage its tangibility. Idea #1: Use special print effects to catch their attention. Today’s technologies have made it easier and less expensive to do some very exciting things with these notoriously simple mailers, and I’ve got 5 great ideas to enhance your upcoming postcard campaigns, so let’s get started. Postcards are simple, effective, and inexpensive to produce-they can also be sensory, high-tech, and engaging, too.