How To Print Your Images on Calendars, Postcards, and More

When it comes to advertising, most people adhere to the old age, “You have to spend money to make money.” The popular conception is that the more expensive your advertising tactics are, the more effective they will be. But what if you can’t afford television or radio commercials? What if billboards are still a little out of your reach? Does that mean online advertising is your only option? Hardly! Print advertising – including calendar, postcards, brochures, flyers, and more – can be just as effective as their big-budget counterparts, at a fraction of the cost. The secret is to pay attention to the design and layout, and to personalize the materials with images of your products, facilities, and even employees. Not a business owner? Then you can add personal images to calendars, postcards, greeting cards, and notepads to make thoughtful and exciting gifts for friends and family! Here’s how to get started:

• Choose your image. The first step in the process of printing your images on media of any sort is to choose which images you think will be most effective. Look for shots that are clear, not blurry, and have a strong composition. For instance, if you’re considering different shots of a particular person, choose the image in which his or her face is centered in the frame and in the foreground of the image. If you’re dealing with an image of an object or location, make sure you have a flattering angle and good lighting. Whenever possible, print in color! Full color images are much more dynamic than black and white.
• Choose your medium. If you’re interested in advertising your company, decide whether you want to attract new customers or alert people of an upcoming sale or event with a postcard, flyer, door hanger or brochure, or if you’re more interested in thanking existing customers and colleagues with a calendar, notepad or personalized greeting card. Custom calendars, postcards and greeting cards are among the top choices for individuals who want to create gifts for friends.
• Consider the layout. Remember, the image isn’t your only concern; you also need to think about content, font and overall layout. Don’t attempt to fill every inch of empty space; leave some blank areas to add visual interest. In terms of font, be sure to choose one that’s easy to read.
• Print at home... If you have the right software, a good eye for design and a high quality printer, you may want to consider printing your images onto the media of your choice at home. This may be a valid option if you simply want to create special gifts for friends and loved ones; however, keep in mind that the end result will probably lack the professionalism necessary for a business advertising campaign.
• …or hire a professional printing company. That leaves one more option: Hiring a professional to print brochures, postcards, calenders, and so forth with your images on them. This is a fantastic, cost-effective option for most businesses, especially those that are just starting out or need a way to cut costs without decreasing visibility in the marketplace. There are a number of excellent printing companies that will work with you every step of the way; try searching online for the best rates and most attentive customer service.