All posts by Jenna Paternostro

Use It or Lose It

Posted On: Category: Dimensional Print Marketing, Direct Mail MarketingTag(s): , , , Posted By:

Thanksgiving is already a little over a week away, which means, the end of 2019 is upon us. For marketers with leftover money in their budgets, the end of year brings the prospect of using it now or forfeiting it next year, especially when revenue goals aren’t being met.

Spending your marketing dollars wisely is essential, even when the race is on to “use it or lose it.” Dimensional mail, the kind we offer at our online ordering division, Red Paper Plane, consistently delivers response rates that are 3X those of traditional mail, which are already superior to those of email.

Dimensional mail is effective, efficient, and at Red Paper Plane, fast. We have over 60+ designs to choose from. Each is ready to be designed by you on easy-to-download templates, and most ship in as little as 7 days.

Don’t waste your “use it or lose it” budget. Get the most from it at Red Paper Plane. For examples on how you can USE IT WISELY take a look at how others have found success below:

First American sent this video mailer to C-level executives, showcasing a recent client success video. These prospects were decision makers, so the piece needed to capture their attention.
The technology solutions provider, Eze Castle, hoped to turn new prospects onto the company’s cloud based solutions. They generated a positive buzz by including a promotional item in the well.

 

 

 

The company, EI Microcircuits, promoted their Ninja Circuits prototype services to prospects using the Flapper®. It continuously folds into itself allowing for multiple panels to showcase brand content.
The state government agency, Fish, Wildlife, & Parks, included this Pop Up Pen Holder, which promoted the agency’s brand beliefs, in a brand kit that conference attendees received.

 

 

 

 

Structural Graphics Wins Big at 2019 MarCom Awards!

Posted On: Category: Design, Events & AwardsTag(s): , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Posted By:

Over our 43 years in business, Structural Graphics has had the honor of receiving top industry accolades in the Marketing, Print, and Design industries, and 2019 is no exception.

We are very proud to announce that, combined with our sister company The Lift Factor, we have taken home (6) 2019 MarCom Awards!

The MarCom Awards have been a prestigious industry honor since 2004. Today, with roughly 6,000 print and digital entries from dozens of countries, it is one of the largest and highly esteemed creative competitions in the world. The categories include Print Media, Strategic Communications, Digital Media, and Audio/Video.

Administered by the international organization, Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals (AMCP), the MarCom awards recognizes creativity and greatness in the Marketing and Communications industry.

Not to mention, the MarCom Awards prides itself in giving back to the community. The AMCP has donated over $250,000 to charitable causes, in just the past few years alone.

Below is a list of the (6) accolades Structural Graphics has received in the 2019 MarCom Awards:

It’s an absolute honor to be recognized by such a prestigious organization, and we are so happy that our submissions are helping contribute to a greater cause through the charitable donations the AMCP makes each year. Thank you to the AMCP and the MarCom Awards for this incredible acknowledgement!

To learn more about the MarCom Awards and their mission, visit: https://marcomawards.com/

 

 

Kellogg’s & Keebler Limited Edition Jurassic World Video Boxes 

 

Brighthouse Financial FlexChoice Planter Mailer

 

U.S. ARMY SleekPeeks® VR Viewers 

 

2019 Audi A8 Magazine Insert with LEDs

 

2018 Toyota Camry Magazine Insert 

 

2019 Audi A8 Video Mailer

Structural Graphics Paper Engineer Designs Spectacular Paper Sculpture By Hand

Posted On: Category: Design, Dimensional Print Marketing, Meet the CreativesTag(s): , , , , , , , Posted By:

At Structural Graphics, we are very lucky to have such talented and creative employees among us. One of them being our very own Paper Engineer, Shin Wakabayashi. We have yet to find out what Shin cannot do. Talented beyond his years and experience, Shin amazes us and our clients with an innate ability to enhance whatever he touches. Ambitious and tenacious, Shin doesn’t approach projects as much as he tackles them, working and reworking their solutions into perfection. A disciplined artist with an engineer’s attention to detail, he is a Renaissance man who can draw, paint, sculpt, invent, cut, fold, assemble, design, and render.

Shin recently attended a week-long paper sculpture workshop at the Marc Adams School of Woodworking in North Franklin, Indiana taught by world renowned artist Jeff Nishinaka. At this workshop, Shin began work on a paper sculpture that he created entirely by hand. At the completion of the workshop, Shin then took his paper sculpture home to complete it. The entire design was completed over the course of 1 month, with hours spent working on the sculpture before and after work.

The sculpture was inspired by Shin’s interest in Japanese mythological creatures and the artwork used to represent them. Shin referenced a statue of a Tengu, a Japanese folkloric being, erected in a mountain in Tokyo, Japan for his sculpture. He first begin with a drawing of the statue and then transferred it to paper. He hand-cut, shaped, scored (using rolling methods) and glued the paper pieces on top of each other.

This spectacular paper sculpture is currently on display at the Fisher Gallery at the Farmington Valley Arts Center in Avon, CT, as part of a larger paper arts show. Those in the Connecticut area are able to see it on display, along with works by other talented Paper Engineers, now through August 31st.

To see more of Shin’s spectacular work, follow him on Instagram at:

shinwaka89

papershin

Popeyes is Offering Emotional Support (Chicken) this Holiday Season

Posted On: Category: Design, Dimensional Print Marketing, Luxury & Specialty PackagingTag(s): , , , , , , , , , , , Posted By:

A common topic of discussion in the news lately has surrounded the idea of allowing animals on airplanes to provide emotional support for travelers during the holiday season, as well as the restrictions for the types of animals that should be allowed. When GSD&M, Austin, TX had a buzz-worthy idea and design for a campaign for their client, Popeyes, to get holiday travelers talking (or should we say “squawking”) they contacted Blanks Printing, & Digital Solutions and the design and assembly teams at Structural Graphics to help bring this project to life!

The solution? “Emotional Support [Fried] Chicken”. For a limited time, those travelling in Terminal C of the Philadelphia Airport during the 2018 holiday season can now pick up the box which contains a 3-piece Chicken Tender combo meal from Popeyes.  Why the Philadelphia airport? Because it was named one of the most stressful airports in the United States.

“We know holiday travel can be frustrating, and there’s no better way to ease stress than with a box of delicious Popeyes fried chicken and a good laugh. We appreciate how comforting emotional support animals are and wanted to create our own version,” stated Popeyes CMO, Hope Diaz via news release.

The best part is, Popeyes is guaranteeing that their Emotional Support Chicken is “permitted to fly without any restrictions”, helping ease some of the worries for those crazed travelers this holiday season.

Blanks Printing & Digital Solutions, Dallas, TX printed this project on the new HP 12000 Digital press. Structural Graphics proudly engineered the design for function, created several rounds of full color test prototypes, and then hand assembled for the launch in the Philadelphia airport on Tuesday, December 18th.

Holiday Marketing for Procrastinators

Posted On: Category: Dimensional Print Marketing, Direct Mail MarketingPosted By:

The busiest season is now upon us, but somehow it’s almost December and you’ve forgotten to create your holiday greeting card for your clients this year! Don’t sweat it – there’s still time for you to send your clients a Holiday or New Year’s greeting card before 2019.

We’re not lying. With our online ordering division, Red Paper Plane, you can have custom greeting cards on one of Structural Graphics’ bestselling formats in no time, but you need to act fast! Visit redpaperplane.com and add your holiday artwork to one of our easily downloadable templates to create the Holiday or New Year’s greeting card your customers deserve.

Below we’ve compiled a brief list of marketing tips that will help you refine your efforts and ramp up sales during the most wonderful(ly) profitable time of the year (even if you’re  a procrastinator).

  1. Surprise and delight. Instead of hoping customers will receive your marketing and spread the word about your business, why not take it one step further and give them something to talk about in the first place? Consider a paper Gingerbread house that pops up out of its envelope or an Extendo® with your holiday greeting applied that allows you to build on your brand messaging as it extends to triple its size.
  2. Make it easy-to-share. Maybe you can’t guarantee that your holiday marketing campaign will go viral, but you can work to maximize your chances by making it easy to share. Web keys allow you to guide a recipient to a specific landing page, website or PDF with additional information about your product, campaign or service. You can also add social media icons to your print and electronic communications, too.
  3. Add Dimension with an Interactive Format. With over 80 fully customizable downloadable templates on Red Paper Plane, your dimensional holiday greeting card options are endless! Choose from standard formats or our existing holiday designs including the Snowflake Spinner, Pop Up Snowflake, and Snow Scene Holiday Card. Not to mention, we’ve introduced brand-new engaging holiday designs including Birds n’ Branches, the Extendo® Pop Up Cube, as well as the beloved Holiday Globe Greeting Card line. All of these cards mail flat, engage the recipient, and act as great desk-top pieces keeping your brand front and center and top of mind throughout the holiday season and beyond!

Have an idea that’s not mentioned above? Check out our holiday card offering on Red Paper Plane and we’ll see how we can work together to bring your vision to life. The holidays are soon approaching, so make sure you place your holiday greeting card order fast! No need to get caught up in the last-minute holiday stress – we’ve got you covered.

The Power of Print Marketing

Posted On: Category: Design, Dimensional Print Marketing, Direct Mail MarketingPosted By:

Written By Isabelle Bowden

The digital revolution has propelled society into a new era of engagement and creativity. This shift has significantly changed the marketing industry. Social media and technological innovation illustrate the power of digital marketing. However, in this fast-paced world of screens and computer chips, high-touch print collateral can, and does, have a surprisingly profound impact.

Interactive print marketing is a powerful tool which allows your brand or business to stand out from the competition. Various colors, dimensions, textures, and even lights, sounds, and video contribute to an effective multi-sensory experience with a lasting impact. Below are four reasons to choose print marketing for your next high-impact campaign:

  1. Effective recipient engagement

Paper has been a valuable resource since the earliest civilizations. The tactile fulfillment and sensory experience associated with print marketing is undeniably effective. The vast amount of online information dilutes the impact of digital messages. Standout from the digital clutter by choosing a dimensional print promotion from Structural Graphics!

  1. Creativity and personalization

With many options for print marketing, your business can stand out with unique and thoughtful designs. Think sizes, dimensions, finishes, and other fine details that will make your creation valuable. Visit Structural Graphics and Red Paper Plane to browse a variety of designs and examples.

  1. Promotes relationships

The value of a handwritten note is undeniable. This same value applies to print marketing which demonstrates an investment in business relations. Dedicating time and resources for print marketing will have more of a lasting impact than an email, already lost in the inbox. In fact, this 2018 FedEx survey reveals that “85% of participants said they were more likely to shop at a small business that had customer printed materials such as business cards, signs, and flyers.”

  1. A more established, unique brand/presence

Print marketing contributes to a more established and unique brand and/or presence in an industry. Consistent aesthetic elements on your print results in instant recognition! FedEx states that “80% of small business owners felt that professional printing services helped their business stand out from the competition.” Now is the time for your brand to be recognized!

Despite the growth of digital marketing, it is evident that print will continue to play a critical role in effective marketing mixes. Visit Structural Graphics online on our website or Youtube channel to learn about and see more of our work. We are constantly adding new designs, so make sure you check out all Structural Graphics has to offer. When it comes to dimensional print marketing, we are the 42 year leaders in the business, and we’re here to make your brand stand out!

Resources:

Fedex Office Survey Confirms that Consumers and Small Business Owners Prefer Print

This Book is a Planetarium (No, Really!)

Posted On: Category: Dimensional Print Marketing, Print ProductionPosted By:

Designer Kelli Anderson is known for her “disruptive” and extraordinarily creative designs.

A few years ago, she had the idea to create a book – made entirely out of paper – that would feature a pop-up pinhole camera. And that camera, she vowed, had to work. Kelli contacted Structural Graphics to help fine-tune the design and make it come to life. You can learn more about her piece, aptly titled This Book is a Camera, here.

Now, Kelli is back at it, again, with her most recent title: This Book is a Planetarium.

Inside this unique book are six interactive contraptions meant to answer the deceptively simple question: “How does it work?”. For instance, there’s a pop-up speaker which allows the reader to place his or her smartphone inside and project sound through the conical structure. Then there’s the pop-up guitar-like instrument (completed with a pick) that’s meant to show how a variety of sounds can be produced by amplifying string vibrations at varying speeds.

But perhaps the most exemplary part, and the piece for which the book got its name, is the pop-up planetarium. Taking advantage of light, this piece features die-cut holes formed into the patterns of the constellations of the night sky. Our team at Structural Graphics helped to make Kelli Anderson’s remarkable design production-ready. All the reader needs to do is slip his or her cell phone (in flashlight mode) beneath the planetarium and turn out the lights to see the constellations come to life.

To learn more about this project and see it in action, click here.

 

Print Marketing and the Power of WOW with Ethan Goller, Structural Graphics President

Posted On: Category: Audio / Video Marketing, Custom Design & Printing, Dimensional Print Marketing, Direct Mail MarketingPosted By:

Structural Graphics President, Ethan Goller, shares the “making of” story behind the ground-breaking Toyota Magazine Insert and how SG brings “WOW” to the masses on “Podcasts from the Printerverse”. Give it a listen here: 

 

Structural Graphics Awarded 2 Gold Ink Awards

Posted On: Category: Events & AwardsTag(s): , , , , , , , , , Posted By:

We are proud to announce that Printing Impressions has awarded Structural Graphics not one, but two, 2017 Gold Ink Awards! With submissions in the “Direct Mail” and “Dimensional Printing” categories, Structural Graphics took home “Silver” for each.

Here are the designs that took home the prize:

Our Diagonal Box Mailer that we designed for Porsche, and their agency Cramer Krasselt, was awarded Silver in the “Direct Mail” category of the Gold Ink Awards.

Our Circle Pop-Up Brochure Mailer that we designed for Audi and their printer, Hennegan, also took home Silver, but this time in the “Dimensional Printing” category of the Gold Ink Awards.

We’d like to thank Printing Impressions for both of these honors and recognitions. To learn more about the awards, visit Printing Impression’s website here.

For more dimensional print marketing inspiration, visit us online at StructuralGraphics.com.

Innovation At Work

Posted On: Category: Inside Structural GraphicsPosted By:

Paper currency. Chocolate chip cookies. The Smartphone.

What do all of these things have in common, you might ask? Well, they all started as an idea that turned into a life-altering innovation.
innovation-team-300px
But, an innovation doesn’t have to be something as complex as creating Samsung’s Galaxy, or coming up with a way to maintain monetary policy; it can be as easy as baking a batch of homemade cookies.

At Structural Graphics we recognize that innovation is a major component to the success of a business, not only to provide our clients with new and creative solutions to their marketing challenges, but to provide solutions to the challenges we face internally in our company as well. Thus, the Structural Graphics “Innovation Team” was born. CEO Michael Maguire selected 10 employees, from all different backgrounds and departments, to form this Team whose sole purpose is to “create anything new that has impact”. For our company, innovation could take place in the form of a product or service, a process, or the way in which we interact with our customers.

The first task for the Innovation Team was to “think outside the box” and come up with an innovative way to re-organize an open space that wasn’t being used. After some brainstorming and collaborating, the Team transformed a dull, closed-off area into a terrific space with lots of natural light and places to display creative work. The “Innovation Space” became an area where employees can hold meetings, collaborate on projects and, most importantly, share projects (personal and professional) with their colleagues. You may not have known it; but we have lots of artists here, painters, poets, musicians and more.

The Innovation Team has some exciting projects they’re working on now. Members have split up into groups to take on projects the Team sees as having the greatest opportunity for innovation in our company right now. Projects include new and exciting updates to our company website, a company-wide recycling project for employees to become more environmentally conscious, and a plan to alleviate bottlenecks in our current internal prepress process workflow.

This is just the beginning. The Innovation Team holds lively and interactive meetings twice a month where all ideas are welcome, and usually a tasty dessert is shared among co-workers. This Team will act to provide Structural Graphics with innovative solutions to our current challenges. Keep a look out for some of our upcoming projects, and remember that innovation can be found anywhere; all you need is a great idea and the ability to “think next” (chocolate chip cookies definitely help too).

Picture: the Innovation Team in our newly redesigned innovation space.
(Front Row) Michael Maguire, Jenna Paternostro, David Komorowski, Karen Signor, Warren Yamakoshi
(Back Row) Darlene Ferris, Jeff Nixon, Joe Migliaccio, Shin Wakabayashi and Edmund Wu