Category: Dimensional Print Marketing

Video Meet Print: How to Convince Customers to Remember Your Brand

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

What if a prospective client or customer could watch your brand’s story anytime and any place simply by turning a page or opening a brochure?

If this sounds like something from a Steven Spielberg film, you’re only half right.

Video in Print, though still a fairly novel concept, is completely attainable (and affordable) if you know where to look and what to look for. One of the biggest advantages of combining these two mediums is the ability to enhance your brand messaging. Video is highly visual and auditory, which means it’s easier for many people to remember than static, silent words and pictures. When consumers remember your video content, they, in turn, remember your brand. This can translate into better brand loyalty as well as more sales and leads.

Click here for some tips and tricks when it comes to using Video in Print for your marketing needs.

Here at Structural Graphics, we’re proud to have more than a decade-long relationship with our video component supplier. Even better? We’ve been to their factory and have personally certified their facility to ensure each component is of top quality and has met the standards for consumer safety, health and environmental requirements in the U.S. and Europe.

Interested in trying Video in Print for yourself? Click here to see why you should choose Structural Graphics for your project today.

Why Integrating Direct Mail with Digital Targeting Will Get You Noticed

Posted On: Category: Audio / Video Marketing, Dimensional Print Marketing, Direct Mail Marketing, Virtual Reality / Augmented Reality, Webkeys / QR CodesPosted By:

At Structural Graphics we are the leaders of the dimensional print marketing industry, and we have been for over 40 years. We are constantly re-defining what print can be by providing our clients with attention-getting solutions that stop people in their tracks. Our formats are engaging on their own, but by adding a digital element such as a Web Key, Video in Print, Virtual Reality, NFC tag, or QR code the piece becomes even more effective.

Check out the following article from CBT Automotive Network, Integrating Direct Mail with Digital Targeting, to learn 5 tips on how to incorporate technology in print in your current marketing efforts.

Structural Graphics’ Look Back on 2017

Posted On: Category: Audio / Video Marketing, Dimensional Print Marketing, Direct Mail Marketing, Events & Awards, Technology, Virtual Reality / Augmented RealityPosted By:

As we delve into another year, Structural Graphics looks back at some of the most effective dimensional print projects we worked on in 2017, from SleekPeeks® to disco balls (and even a mini planetarium!).

SleekPeeks®

The introduction of SleekPeeks®, inexpensive virtual reality headsets created by Structural Graphics, made it possible for brands like Porsche and USPS to deliver the ultimate interactive experience to their audience.

Lincoln Video Mailer

At the National Postal Forum in May 2017, our high-end video mailer for The Lincoln Motor Company’s “See it First” campaign was selected as the Grand Champion Award winner of the Irresistible Mail Awards trophy. The Irresistible Mail Awards is a USPS program that highlights mail pieces that increase engagement through innovative design, print or digital technologies. Structural Graphics structurally designed and hand assembled the piece.

Disco Ball Invitation

Featured as the 60-second Super-cool Fold of the Week, our “Simply Cool Swinging Disco Ball Accordion Invitation” was designed and produced for the Regional One Health Foundation. They used this mailer to invite people to their annual ONE Night Fundraiser. The invitation shipped flat, but the paper die-cut spheres on the cover immediately twirl in succession when you open up the mailer to create the illusion of a dimensional disco ball.

Dish Network Pop Up Cube

Used as a unique handout at the CES Show in Las Vegas, this pop up cube was delivered inside a half-sleeve, giving the recipient a sneak peek of what was on the inside. As the cube slides out, it immediately pops into shape delivering information about Dish Network’s award-winning DVR, The Hopper®. Click here to see it in action!

This Book is a Planetarium

In her newest book, “This Book is a Planetarium,” designer, innovator, and author Kelli Anderson takes commonly known mechanisms and replicates them through pop-up paper designs. Kelli came up with the initial engineering in her studio and then reached out to the team at Structural Graphics to make the Planetarium piece in the book production-ready. When you place the flashlight of your smartphone underneath the Planetarium dome, the constellations are displayed as if you were viewing them in the night’s sky.

Audi Pop-Up Brochure

Our Circle Pop-Up Brochure Mailer that we designed for Audi and their printer, Hennegan, was awarded Silver in the “Dimensional Printing” category of the Gold Ink Awards. Presented by Printing Impressions, The Gold Ink Awards is the industry’s most prestigious print competition. It’s open to all creators and producers of printed materials, and encompasses nearly 50 categories within commercial printing, magazines, books, catalogs, digital printing and packaging.

The Pop-Up Cube: How Can I Make it My Own?

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

More than four decades ago, a simple fascination with pop-up books and paper led Structural Graphics to engineer a new advertising medium focused on dimensional print. Now, we help brands rise above their competition by thinking differently about paper and what it can do.

One of our most loved and most popular formats is the Pop-Up Cube. It’s a customizeable direct mail template that ships flat and features a 3D cube that springs into the air automatically when opened.

The high achievers of direct mail, Pop Up Mailers are attention grabbing, leave a lasting impression and boost response rates. Keep your audience interested longer so your message is front of mind with these simple tips:

Think outside the box (literally).

Cars.com Polygon Calendar

Aside from our standard cube, clients have also requested everything from pop-up houses, polygons and pyramids. Put your own stamp on this piece by choosing a shape that best illustrates your industry, your clients and your work.

Multiply your idea.

Essilor Rolling Cube

Looking for a chance to build on your brand messaging? Consider a Rolling Cube. While this format doesn’t have the same surprise and delight that a Pop-Up Cube does, it is still incredibly interactive and allows you additional space to feature your brand and/ or brand messaging.

Don’t forget the sleeve.

Dish Network Pop Up Cube

Though the Pop-Up Cube will likely be the most memorable part of this direct mail piece, it’s important to remember that it’s not the first thing your clients will see – the sleeve is. Make sure to include copy that will entice recipients to open it. Maybe consider including your brand logo. Whatever your decision, don’t forget that this is also valuable space to gain your audience’s attention and keep it.

4 Easy Steps to Design a Piece on Red Paper Plane

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

Are you a small business or solo entrepreneur? Do you need a marketing piece turned around quickly in order to meet a deadline? Do you want your piece to be of high quality but not for it to cost a fortune?

Have you heard about RedPaperPlane.com?

Red Paper Plane is the online ordering division of Structural Graphics. It provides clients with an easy and intuitive way to design the high-impact formats we’ve become known for, including pop-up cubes, greeting cards and the Flapper. And you don’t need to be a professional designer to do it! Using our online design tool, anyone can customize the direct mail formats with their logo, photos and text in a fraction of the time it used to take to place art to one of our templates offline.

Just follow these four simple steps:

  1. Choose your format.
  2. Download the template.
  3. Upload your artwork.
  4. Proof and order!

Whether you’re an experienced designer, a marketing professional or a small business owner, Red Paper Plane has created an online experience with your needs in mind.

Why Disruption Can Be A Good Thing

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

Have you ever taken an Uber? Stayed at an Airbnb? Or watched a movie on Netflix? Even if you weren’t aware of it at the time, all of these brands are participating in what marketers these days refer to as “disruption”; they’re shaking up the industry.

WHAT IS DISRUPTIVE INNOVATION AND MARKETING?

Disruptive Innovation is a term coined by Harvard Business School Professor Clayton Christensen. He describes disruptive innovation as “a process by which a product or service takes root in simple applications at the bottom of a market and then relentlessly moves up market, eventually displacing established competitors.”

But, believe it or not, this buzz-worthy phrase has been a part of the business world longer than you might think. Consider the introduction of cell phones. When was the last time you used a landline?

IS IT BENEFICIAL?

Disruption is a word that has inevitably evolved as the new standard for businesses around the world. Here are a few ways embracing Disruptive Innovation can help you and your brand stay relevant:

  • Smaller companies and startups can compete with corporate enterprises by establishing and growing new market segments of their own. In many cases, big business will make lucrative deals or offer huge cash sums to incorporate these innovative startups into their own business model – or make them go away.
  • Your company culture can evolve as a learning community that welcomes change rather than fearing it. Employees may have ideas on better processes or technologies that will increase efficiency; consumers can provide insights into what various markets are looking for.
  • You will identify your leaders for today and for tomorrow. People who are curious, open to new ideas / approaches, and welcome the challenge of taking your business into the future are those you should rally behind.
  • Opportunities for growth will present themselves to companies that allow themselves to adapt to leading new trends. It can benefit both competition and consumers by providing better products and more accessible services.

How to Make Your Marketing Interactive Even If You’re Not a Designer

Posted On: Category: Custom Design & Printing, Dimensional Print MarketingPosted By:

Have you heard about our online offering, Red Paper Plane?

Red Paper Plane is an online design tool made for marketers by marketers. It puts clients in charge of their own marketing with its do-it-yourself process (though we’ll pair you with a Red Paper Plane representative to help if you need us). Users can be as creative as they want, uploading photos and adding text to an assortment of themes, or by developing something completely original.

So, even if you’re not a professional designer, you can still design beautiful, impactful direct mail pieces. Here’s how:

  1. Visit RedPaperPlane.com.
  2. Create an account. (It’s free!)
  3. Order a sample pack (optional).
  4. Choose your product from our selection of templates.
  5. Select your design or opt to add your own custom touch.
  6. Enter quantity.
  7. Personalize to fit your individual needs.
  8. Place your order.

That’s it! Curious to learn more? Give us a call at 860-469-3200 or send us an email.

#TBT: Deliver Magazine

Posted On: Category: Custom Design & Printing, Dimensional Print Marketing, Direct Mail Marketing, Inside Structural Graphics, UncategorizedPosted By:

A few weeks ago, one of our staff members was combing through the archives, and came upon this wonderful article from the August 2010 issue of Deliver Magazine. How fortunate of a find, seeing as we recently celebrated our 40th year as a company. We love being able to go back, remember our roots and relive some of our favorite projects over again.

Won’t you join us?

Deliver Magazine (Vol 6, Issue 4, August 2010)

 

What is Dimensional Print and What Can it Do For Me?

Posted On: Category: Custom Design & Printing, Dimensional Print Marketing, Direct Mail Marketing, UncategorizedPosted By:


Here, at Structural Graphics, we spend a lot of time talking about “dimensional print”.

But what, exactly, is it?

On the surface, dimensional print is exactly as it sounds: packaging, displays, sales aids and direct mail pieces with a three dimensional component. However, upon further inspection, dimensional print can also be a potent and highly effective way to get yourself, your brand or your company noticed in all the right ways – if you know how to use it.

But how?

Imagine for a moment that you open an envelope and a 3D cube jumps to life right in front of you. Or how about an elaborate jukebox that rises from a flat piece of paper and plays actual music. Have I gotten your attention?

Three-dimensional mail (not to be confused with 3D printing) is not a new concept, and, in fact, goes back some 40 years. But, in this day and age of digital communication, stale advertisements and uninteresting direct mail, dimensional print has the unique ability to breathe life into marketing that can often fall flat.

We’ve already spelled out some of the ways direct mail can impact your marketing efforts, but cutting through the noise remains one of the primary obstacles for marketers in businesses of all sizes. According to a study by Millward Brown, printed pieces drive more brain activity than virtual messages, perhaps leading to a stronger connection and increased memorability.

And adding a dimensional or interactive component to your piece can actually make it even more memorable. Researchers say that dimensional direct mail pieces enjoy much higher response rates on average than flat envelope mailers, especially for B2B campaigns.  Feedback from our customers has also proven this fact.

Best Practices for Marketing in Higher Education

Posted On: Category: Custom Design & Printing, Dimensional Print Marketing, Direct Mail Marketing, Ideas & Inspiration, UncategorizedPosted By:

The U.S. has some 20 million+ college students, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. To marketers, this tech-savvy group of twentysomethings is probably more commonly thought of in terms of keg stands, spring break and slim wallets, than as consciously selective consumers.

This is a mistake.

According to Jessica,  understanding how to approach this young market as a college or university involves so much more than your typical marketing approach. As a higher education institution, your marketing must track trends, incorporate digital media and speak to the audience in a “voice” that excites and motivates.

Making sure your school gets noticed is what we do best, so we’ve put together a few tips on how to really get your college or university noticed by the right students.

Don’t Assume Direct Mail is Dead: According to research by mStoner, in partnership with Chegg, 64% of teens say they prefer to consume college website content through text and articles. But what does this mean for your marketing team? The answer: Direct mail pieces shouldn’t be left out of the equation.

Not only can direct mail be cost-effective, but it can also be highly targeted and customized to fit the individual. As many as 55 % of people are eager to read their mail, according to the U.S. Postal Service. Addressing prospective or returning students by name can only enhance the experience and, ultimately, prompt excitement about your school or program.

Example: UC Riverside chose to send out a dimensional folder aimed at showing how different college is to accepted students. The piece starts off as a seemingly flat printed folder, but when you open it up, an intricate pop-up immediately rises from the center. Each corner of the piece featured individual mini folders, each containing step-by-step instructions on how to get started with enrollment.

Invest in Video Marketing: The stats are already there: 78% of people watch videos online every week and 55% watch videos online every day, according to research by HighQ. So, while your college or university need not invest in a production company or a cinematographer, it should invest in video marketing to its students.

Here’s how we see it: You have thousands of loyal brand advocates just waiting to share their experiences at your school. So, when it comes to reaching the right audience for your school, it’s smart to empower these people to tell YOUR story in an authentic way. Not only can this humanize your “brand”, but it creates an emotional connection for a generation that relies so heavily on the word of influencers, Yelp and product reviews.

Our video-in-print brochures offer an effective option when it comes to telling your story. One of the biggest advantages of combining these two mediums is the ability to enhance your brand messaging through engaging and supporting content. Video is highly visual and auditory, which means it’s easier for people to remember than text-based content. When consumers remember your video content, they, in turn, remember your brand. This can translate into better brand loyalty as well as more sales and leads.

Track Your Analytics: Today there are so many messages competing with yours on the web. How do you get people to visit your school’s website and click-through your communications? We use various web drivers to help take your prospective student from print to digital. Plus, we’ll provide you with campaign analytics to help you learn who is visiting, for how long, and what they are interested in.

Not only can analytics tell you how successful you’ve been with reaching your target demographic, but it can also help you maximize (and when it comes time, also justify) your paid media budget.

Give Your School Dimension: Your college or university isn’t like any other, so why would you want your student population or, better yet, your marketing to be any different? When reaching out to prospective or returning students, it’s important to stand out from the crowd and deliver your story in a trendy, engaging way.

Our dimensional direct mail formats deliver your message wrapped in an engaging interactive experience. When students are considering their options, the message that was inventive, engaging and memorable will be top-of-their-minds. We can make sure that message will be yours.

Example: Seton Hall University chose our Rolling Cube to deliver information on their university to prospective students. This is one of our most interactive pieces. When you pull the cube from the mailer it keeps unfolding to reveal multiple cubes of information. See it in action below.

For more ideas for how to market in higher education, click here.