The Power of Color - Blue & Purple

Color has a huge impact on how people view a company's marketing material. Although social upbringing shapes a person's personal view on certain colors, overall, colors will have the same general effect on people. The colors you pick for your company's marketing materials are important, as you do not want to accidentally send the wrong messages. The best printing company at the Lake of the Ozarks can help make your marketing materials stand out from the competition with our high-quality printers. However, we want to make sure the underlining messages you send is correct. Smart Postal Centers takes a look at the meaning behind the color blue and purple.

The Meaning Of The Color Blue

Blue represents trust, honesty and loyalty. It also relates to one-to-one communication, especially with speaking the truth through verbal self-expression, such as public speaking. It represents wisdom,  intelligence and spiritual perspective. Blue is a popular color, as it is a favorite for many people. The meaning behind blue depends on the shade. Dark blue correlates with authority. Bright blue is linked to cleanliness, strength and coolness, as it represents the ocean. Light blue relates to peace and serenity, as it correlates with the sky. Although blue represents trust, loyalty and understanding, it also has become the symbol of depression, such as "feeling blue" or "singing the blues." 

Blue in Marketing

Because the color blue ranks high as a favorite color for most people, it is hard to go wrong using this in your marketing materials. However, if you use too much blue, your design may become cliche. Combining it with other colors gives the design creativity. It is best used for conservative corporate businesses trying to give the message of trust, honesty and dependability. Lighter turquoise pair well for businesses involved in cleanliness, such as cleaning products, water purification or mineral water. Although the color blue does well in many different business sectors, those involved in food should steer away from it, as it does not occur naturally in food, except for blueberries. 

The Meaning Of The Color Purple

Purple is a rarity in nature, so the expense of creating the color has left it with an association of wealth. In addition, purple is the most powerful wavelength of the rainbow. In fact, it is just a few steps away from x-rays and gamma rays, which may be the reason why it is often associated with the supernatural. Purple has dynamic associations. It often symbolizes magic, mystery, creativity, dignity and royalty.Light purples are more light-hearted symbolizing romance, while darker shades often are associated with intelligence and dignity. However, a person's age often has an impact on the way the color is viewed. Young people view it as a happy color, while adults symbolize it with a broader perspective.

Purple in Marketing

Purple is great for targeting women and children, however, many younger men are slowly being attracted to the color. Education can benefit from using medium shades of purple, as it inspires intellectual thoughts. Purple combined with gold portrays wealth and extravagance. This combination works well on packaging and printed materials. Because children are attracted to purple and other bright primary and secondary colors, they work well in marketing material targeting that age range. 

The Best Printing Company at the Lake of the Ozarks

If you need new marketing material for your company, contact Smart Postal Centers. We can print various marketing materials using our high-quality printers including business cards, posters, flyers, banner and other items. Lake of the Ozarks' best printing company can help you stand out from the competition. To learn more about our services, stop by our store in Osage Beach or visit our website at www.SmartPostalCenters.com. 

Smart Postal Centers - Here for all your packing, shipping, copying and printing needs!

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www.SmartPostalCenters.com

Tim@SmartPostalCenters.com

4320 Osage Beach Parkway, Osage Beach, MO 65065

573-348-3100

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4 Reasons Why Business Cards Are Still Effective

In today's times, everything seems to be switching to digital, such as emails. While this can be an advantage, there are some items that need to remain in print like business cards. There are many different advantages that come with having a professional business card. At Lake of the Ozarks' best printing company, we can create business cards for your business that can make you stand out from the competition. Business cards are a great tool to use while networking. While this may seem like an "old school" technique, business cards work, and here are a few reasons why they are still relevant. 

1. They're Personal

While inserting someone's contact information directly into your phone while you're with them may seem like a time saver, it gives you no interaction with them. One part of networking is making a genuine connection. Yes, digital contact information is easy and convenient, but handing someone your business card gives you time to actually talk to them. In addition, if you exchange business cards, you can write on the business card to give yourself reminders on where you met them and what you talked about, which makes contacting them later a little easier. 

2. They're Effective

While modern day advertising, such as email marketing, social media and paid advertising, are all great ways to get your business' name out there, nothing beats an in-person meeting. You could run into a potential lead anywhere and anytime - happy hour, trade shows, airport, so it is important to be prepared i.e. have a business card. It is always a good idea to have a few business cards in your wallet, purse, pocket or laptop bag. 

3. It Makes A Great First Impression

A business card is a lot more than exchanging your contact information. It is a person's first impression of your business, and you want it to be memorable. If you are potentially doing business with someone, you want them to have a certain image of you and your business. Do you want them to think that you are professional, reliable and organized? If you have an effective business card that is made right, it can pass on that message. 

4. It Makes You Prepared

A potential lead could happen anywhere, so you want to be prepared. If you are doing business someone, do you want them to write their name and number on a napkin, or do you want them to hand you a professional business card? Being prepared is important, especially when it comes to business interactions. 

Have Your Business Cards Printed By Smart Postal Centers

Having a professional business card is an important part of running your business. You want to make sure that you are prepared for meeting potential leads. The best printing company at the Lake of the Ozarks can make sure that your business cards look and feel professional by printing them on high-quality material. If you are needing new business cards for your company, give Smart Postal Centers a call at 573-348-3100, or stop by our store in Osage Beach. 

Smart Postal Centers - Here for all your packing, shipping, copying and printing needs!

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www.SmartPostalCenters.com

Tim@SmartPostalCenters.com

4320 Osage Beach Parkway, Osage Beach, MO 65065

573-348-3100

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Smart Postal Centers - Your One Stop Shop

With competitive products and a variety of services including packing and shipping, custom signs and banners and copying and printing services at the Lake of the Ozarks, Smart Postal Centers is your one stop shop. We have everything you need to effectively run your business, from professional prints for your marketing to shipping services.  Here is a glimpse at what the best packing, shipping, copying and printing company at the Lake of the Ozarks offers:

Packing & Shipping

Smart Postal Centers is an approved shipper for the US Postal Service, DHL authorized shipping center as well as a FedEx authorized ship center at the Lake of the Ozarks. We use most major carriers, which means you have more shipping options on rates and times. We provide expert service, meticulous care and quality packing materials to make sure your package arrives safely and on time. 

Copy & Print

Our hi-tech copy center at the Lake of the Ozarks can produce a variety of different materials for your business. Whether you are looking for traditional black and white copies, vibrate color copies or even blueprints, we can create it for you. Our machines can also collate, bind, staple, or fold your projects. In addition to copying, we offer lots of different full colors printing options to ensure your business is advertised properly. From business cards, brochures and flyers to table tents, menus and calendars, we can make sure your printing needs are met. 

Banners

Our wide format digital printing services can produce high-quality custom banners. If you need a beautiful banner for your next event, we can produce it. We can create retractable banners, hanging banners and more. Our banners are great for indoor or outdoor use, which makes them perfect for diverse marketing. A beautiful, full-color, custom banner will be sure to capture the eyes of your target audience. 

Signs

In addition to custom banners, our printing services at the Lake of the Ozarks also includes a variety of different custom signs. From yard signs and real estate signs to dock address signs, property signs and parking signs, we can create a sign that meets your needs. 

Custom Graphics

If you need to create a graphic, our designers can help you produce it. Custom graphics are a great way to make your business stand out from the competition. We can also design a variety of  different products including window, wall and floor graphics, trade show graphics, custom mounting and framing, boat names and numbers, and wrapped canvas. 

Smart Postal Centers - The One Stop Shop For Your Business

Smart Postal Centers is more than just a shipping company at the Lake of the Ozarks. We can help your business in a variety of different ways, from producing high quality print materials to creating custom graphics. If you are in a hurry, we offer fast turn around on custom products as well as delivery services. To learn more about what we offer the Lake of the Ozarks community, visit our website at www,SmartPostalCenters.com or stop by our store Osage Beach. 

Smart Postal Centers -  Here for all your packing, shipping, copying, and printing needs! 

Contact Us

www.SmartPostalCenters.com

Tim@SmartPostalCenters.com

4320 Osage Beach Parkway, Osage Beach, MO 65065

573-348-3100

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The Power of Color - Yellow & Green

Although the way people view color depends on personal experiences, it is believed that overall people of the same culture still have a universal agreement on the meaning of certain colors. Knowing how these colors affect your consumers is an important aspect of creating a strong ad campaign. The best printing company at the Lake of the Ozarks is taking a look at how certain colors can affect your marketing material. We continue our Power of Color series with two more fun summer colors you can use in advertising for your business.

The Meaning of Yellow

In many cultures, the color yellow represents sunshine, happiness and warmth. However, it is also associated with warning and caution, as it’s the color of traffic lights and signs. Yellow captures our attention more than any other color. Yellow is the perfect color for education, as it stimulates the left side of the brain. The left brain performs tasks that have to do with logic, so the color yellow promotes wisdom and academic proficiency. On the other hand, the color yellow also helps the right side of the brain, as it inspires original thinking and creative ideas. It also helps you focus, study and recall information. Yellow is thought to help with decision making as it relates to mental clarity.

Yellow in Marketing

Yellow is best used to highlight other colors, as too much yellow can cause anxiety for some people. Avoid using this color if you are trying to send a message of stability. Yellow is a good color to promote children’s products, especially when combined with other bright colors, as it is stimulating to their mind and creativity. Yellow is also a great color to promote leisure products, particularly playful and fun activities. In addition, yellow is often used with fast food restaurants to encourage people to eat a lot quickly. Because yellow captures our attention, it is a good idea to incorporate it in the promotion of point of sale purchases. Yellow is the only color that doesn’t react well with black. When mixed, the two colors create a yellow-green color.

Positive Associations: Cheerful, happy, playful, fun, uplifting, logical, confidence, creativity and originality.

Negative Associations: Critical, judgmental, impatient, cowardly, egotistical, non-emotional and pessimistic.

The Meaning of Green

Green is a unique color with lots of different meanings. Its main association is with ecology, the environment and nature. Green has signified growth, rebirth and fertility since the beginning of time. In Muslim countries, it is a holy color and in Ireland, it is a lucky color. In fact, green is a lucky color in most Western cultures. However, green race cars are considered unlucky. Green relates to balance and harmony of mind, body and emotions. Like yellow, it also helps in decision making by helping up see all sides clearly. Darker greens often relate to money, wealth and prestige, while lighter greens relate to growth and freshness.

Green in Marketing

Green should be used for anything relating to health and healing. It is also the color that promotes natural, safe and organic products. A good color to use to promote something new would be green. Dark green is a good color for financial businesses. There are more shades of green than any other color. They range from yellow-greens, such as lime, to greens with a blue hue, such as emerald. Aqua and turquoise are half blue and half green.

Positive Association: Growth, renewal, reliability, tactful, calm, natural, practical, sympathetic, generous and adaptable.

Negative Association: Envious, selfish, inconsiderate, possessive, materialistic and greedy.

Have Smart Postal Centers Print Your Marketing Material

Knowing how these colors affect your consumers can help you create strong and effective advertisements. Make your advertisements stand out by using a professional printing company at the Lake of the Ozarks. Smart Postal Centers can print all your marketing materials from business cards to banners. Visit us today in Osage Beach or give us a call at 573-348-3100 to learn more about our services.

Smart Postal Centers -  Here for all your packing, shipping, copying, and printing needs! 

Contact Us

www.SmartPostalCenters.com

Tim@SmartPostalCenters.com

4320 Osage Beach Parkway, Osage Beach, MO 65065

573-348-3100

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Finding The Right Binding For Your Project

There are a lot of factors that go into the type of binding you use for a project including the function of the documents, the number of pages and your printing budget. At the best printing company at the Lake of the Ozarks, we offer several different types of binding. To help you decide which one would be best for your project, Smart Postal Centers gives you a quick rundown on the different types of binding available at our shop:

Spiral Bound

Spiral binding is a flexible binding that can hold anywhere from 16 – 275 pages. It utilizes smooth, round plastic coil to hold the pages together. The design allows your papers to lay flat when opened and can be turned all the way around to the back if desired. The coil is threaded through punched holes and the ends are crimped to prevent the binding from slipping off. Spiral bound is often used for projects that are going to be used often such as booklets or catalogs. Cookbooks and manuals are also items that generally use spiral binding.

Comb Bound

Comb binding can hold 2 – 250 pages. This is great for projects that need to lay flat when open. It uses rectangular holes punched through the document, and the plastic comb rings are then threaded through holes. The edges of the pages on the spine are covered by the plastic comb. The plastic binding can be opened to insert or remove document pages. The plastic spine can often be customized with either the company name or the document name. It is often used for customized scrapbooks and school projects.

Wire Bound

Wire binding can hold 16 – 275 pages. It is similar to spiral bound but instead of using plastic, it is bound with metal. It can also lay flat when opened and be turned all the way around if needed. Wire binding gives your project a much more professional look, so it is often used for formal presentations. Wire binding is often used for projects that need to be mailed as it is flexible and durable.

What is the difference between spiral and wire bound?

Wire and spiral bound are very similar binding methods. However, the difference between the two is the material used to bind the documents together. Spiral binding uses plastic coil while wire binding uses metal. A good method to determining if your project needs spiral or wire binding is to ask yourself if your project is for formal use or everyday use.

Let Smart Postal Centers Bind Your Next Project!

If you have a project that you need to bind, come to Lake of the Ozarks’ best printing company. The right binding is an important part of finishing your project. You worked hard on your project, so make sure it looks its best with the right binding. We can help you with all your project needs – we can print, copy and bind! Visit our website or stop by our store in Osage Beach to learn more about our printing and copying services.

Smart Postal Centers -  Here for all your packing, shipping, copying, and printing needs! 

Contact Us

www.SmartPostalCenters.com

Tim@SmartPostalCenters.com

4320 Osage Beach Parkway, Osage Beach, MO 65065

573-348-3100

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5 Tips for Creating an Effective Flyer

Businesses are starting to move more towards digital advertising. While it is important for your business to be online, it is also important not to forget about traditional advertising. Flyers are one of the most widely used print marketing materials. They are a great way for a business to promote themselves while providing potential customers more information about their services. Lake of the Ozarks’ printing company has a few tips on how your business can effectively use this form of marketing:

Ways to Use Flyers:

• To promote a giveaway to potential customers
• To provide new customers with additional information about your business
• To provide more information to customers who request it
• To promote special sales/offers/discounts
• To promote an event for your business

Tips for an Effective Flyer

1. Keep It Clean

Do not try to highlight all of your services on one flyer. It will look cluttered and make it hard to read. Feature a few of your main services and give more details about them. If customers will need more information, direct them to your website, a phone number or an address. Use bullet points, text boxes or infographics to keep the information organized and easier to read.

2. Keep the Design Simple

Use your company’s color and logo. You want to make sure all of your marketing materials match. If possible, use full color. It will make the flyer stand out from others and make it look more professional. Do not use too many colors or fonts because people will not be able to focus on what the flyer is about. Keep it simple by using only 1 – 2 fonts.

3. Include Call to Action

A call to action is important to include in any marketing material. What do you want your customers to do after reading your flyer? If you have a website, be sure to include it and tell them to visit it for more information about your services. If you want them to call you, be sure your phone number is easy to find. If you have a store front that you want them to visit, don’t forget to include the address and if you have room, add a map. It is best to have all of this information in an easy-to-find location, like the bottom of the flyer. Don’t make them hunt down this important information.

4. Use Customer Testimonials

Give your business some credibility by including testimonials that relate to the product or service you are advertising. If you do decide to include reviews, make sure they are written clearly and professionally.

5. Proofread Your Work

It is always a good idea to look at your work several times before sending it to the printer. If possible, have someone else proofread it as well. The more eyes that are on it, the less likely there will be a mistake. A misspelled word or wrong information on the flyer could discredit your company.

Get Your Marketing Materials Printed at Smart Postal Centers

The best printing company at the Lake of the Ozarks can produce great marketing materials for all your business’ needs. We offer beautiful full-color printing options that can create a variety of different items your company may need including business cards, flyers, brochures, postcards, and more! Stop by our Osage Beach location or visit our website to see how Smart Postal Centers can help with your business’ printing needs. 

Smart Postal Centers -  Here for all your packing, shipping, copying, and printing needs! 

Contact Us

www.SmartPostalCenters.com

Tim@SmartPostalCenters.com

4320 Osage Beach Parkway, Osage Beach, MO 65065

573-348-3100

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Business Card Etiquette For Doing Business in Foreign Countries

Presenting your business card portrays you as a professional, and is a representation of your business. When doing business in other countries, there are different ways to exchange business cards, and handing them out should be done in the correct manner. A business card is an internationally recognized method of offering a fellow businessperson your contact details. Therefore, if you travel overseas on business a lot, you should have a printer at the Lake of the Ozarks print you a good business card supply. Smart Postal Centers is your full-service printing center for high-quality business cards at the Lake of the Ozarks.

General Guidelines

If you are traveling to a country whose main language is not English, you should have one side translated into the language of the country you are visiting, if possible. Always present the card with the foreign version side up, not the English side. This shows you are serious about doing business there. In many countries, it is considered disrespectful to put the card you were just offered immediately into your pocket. You should look at it for a few moments and clarify any information on it before putting it away. Study foreign customs of the country you are visiting to be prepared. Here are some more examples of business card etiquette in various countries:

The Middle East

Business cards are often given to everyone you meet. It is wise to have one side of your card translated into Arabic, but if you do that be sure to check the translation. Always present and accept business cards with your right hand or both hands, but never with just solely your left. 

India

Put any university degrees or honors on your business cards, as India places a great deal of emphasis on academic achievement. Always use your right hand when offering your business card. If the local dialect is Hindi, then you may not need to print one side of the card in that language because most business people who speak Hindi can also speak English.

China

Present your business card before asking for another person's card. Hold out your card with both hands and text facing the other party when you present it to them. Study the business card when you receive one and comment before putting the card away. Never write on the card in the person's presence. Find out the specific dialect of the people you will be meeting, whether Cantonese, Mandarin, etc. and have the card translated to correspond to the region of China they are from. The script for the characters should be Simplified Chinese, as that is the most commonly used script today in most parts of China. Gold is a lucky color in China and any gold print or embossing expresses fortune. Highlight any pertinent information on the card, such as the year your business was established. Your title should be displayed prominently as well. 

Japan

Giving and receiving business cards in Japan is quite ceremonial. Business cards are not just for business interactions, but also for personal relationships. Nearly everyone, whether business or personal, from the time they are a student and onward has their own cards. Make sure your business and title are prominently printed on the card. Status is important to the Japanese so present your business card to the highest ranked person first. When accepting another person's card, hold out both hands. Do not write on another person's business card or fold it. In a meeting, it is respectful to keep all the cards in front of you.

Have Your Business Cards Printed at Smart Postal Centers

Business cards are an essential part of doing business throughout the world. When traveling overseas, it is critical to know the customs of the country you are doing business with, and it is important to find out all you can about proper etiquette there. Get high-quality business cards and other marketing materials to take with you overseas at your Lake of the Ozarks printer. Smart Postal Centers has a full graphics department to assist you with your professional image. Call us at (573) 348-3100 and let us help you make a good first impression when traveling abroad.

Smart Postal Centers -  Here for all your packing, shipping, copying, and printing needs! 

Contact Us
www.SmartPostalCenters.com
Tim@SmartPostalCenters.com
4320 Osage Beach Parkway, Osage Beach, MO 65065
573-348-3100
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The Power of Color

When creating print items for business use, color is an important factor to consider. According to Strathmoor Press, ads in color are read up to 42 percent more often than the same ads in black and white. In addition, color can affect the way consumers feel about products or services, and can even influence their buying decision. Do you know how it affects the way consumer buy products? In this blog, Smart Postal Centers looks into the power of color and how it affects the marketing for your business.

Branding

Researchers found that up to 90 percent of initial judgments made about a product can be based on color alone, depending on the type of product. The relationship between brands and color is based on the perceived appropriateness of the color being used for the particular brand. Color has a direct effect on how the brand’s personality is perceived. According to a study by the University of Loyola, color also increased brand recognition by up to 80 percent, which makes it an important factor when creating a brand identity.

Gender

If your target market focuses on a certain gender, it may be important to know what colors men and women like and dislike. The color blue is favored among men and women, while the color purple is only favored by women and, for the most part, strongly disliked by men. Both men and women dislike the colors red and brown, while women dislike the color grey. Additional research found that men prefer bold colors, while women liked softer colors. Men additionally liked shades of color (color that added black), and women liked tints of color (color that added white).

Emotion

Although color plays an important role in business, there isn’t always a universal response to one particular color. People with different backgrounds, culture and upbringings will all respond differently to the same color. The key to using color in your business is to look for practical ways to make decisions about color.

Color at Smart Postal Centers

Our Lake of the Ozarks’ printing company can help your business succeed with high quality, full-color marketing materials. We can print anything from business cards and brochures to menus and table tents. We offer fast turnaround on all custom orders with delivery services available. The next time your business needs marketing materials come to Smart Postal Centers!

Smart Postal Centers -  Here for all your packing, shipping, copying, and printing needs! 

Contact Us

www.SmartPostalCenters.com

Tim@SmartPostalCenters.com

4320 Osage Beach Parkway, Osage Beach, MO 65065

573-348-3100

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Smart Postal Center's Hi-Tech Copy Center Can Handle any Size Job!

At Smart Postal Centers we have the capability to handle any copying at the Lake of the Ozarks that you can throw at us.  From small jobs like reproducing individual copies, to large jobs like reports that need collated and binded, we have have the equipment to help you.

Our Quality Equipment Makes Great Copies

Not only does Smart Postal Centers have great printing equipment at the Lake of the Ozarks to help you with your flyers, brochures, presentations, manuals, calendars, postcards, menus, table tents and any other promotional material, we also have the capability to make great copies of these items.  Come on in and check out our copier machines...we can handle any color scheme and our hi tech machines can rapidly churn out the number of copies you need.

Our prices are extremely competitive

Bring your copy project in and talk with one of our folks.  We can learn exactly what your requirements are and then let you know the price per copy immediately.  The copy price will depend on many factors:

• Black & White or Color
• Collating 
• Binding
• Stapling
• Laminating
• Padding
• Folding
• Booklets

Once we know exactly what you need, we can quickly get your copy job done!

Once your copy job is complete, we can help you with more

At Smart Postal Centers, we pride ourselves on being a one stop shop for all of your business needs.  If you need to get your copy project to another business quickly, we can help you with packing and shipping your project, track your shipment, and ensure it get's to where you need it on time.  We use all the major shipping carriers, so if you have to use US mail, FedEx, or DHL, we can help you out.

Don't forget that we are also one of the best sign shops at the Lake of the Ozarks.  We can help you with your graphics and design the perfect sign to promote your business.  If you are attending an upcoming trade show, our banners can make an eye catching difference and bring a crowd to your booth.  Stop on by and talk to us about your sign and graphic needs.  We can help you and have some fun at the same time!

Smart Postal Centers -  Here for all your packing, shipping, copying, and printing needs! 

Contact Us

www.SmartPostalCenters.com

Tim@SmartPostalCenters.com

4320 Osage Beach Parkway, Osage Beach, MO 65065

573-348-3100

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