What is Printed Collateral? Does Your Business Need Them?

What the heck is print collateral? In a nut shell, printed collateral is a collection of printed “leave-behind marketing materials”. Things like business cards, folded brochures, pocket folders, and sales sheets. This will help tell a story about you, your business and your services. They can be utilized to support the product, service or event your company or business may be trying to promote.

Printed collateral should be a part of a company’s marketing mix.

You printed collateral needs to provide insightful, relevant information about your company’s products or services. Your success may depend on how well you communicate what you have to offer and how relevant that information is to the demographic your marketing to. Printed collateral gives people something tangible to hold and share with peers and coworkers. With the right information, it can assist towards closing a sale long after you’ve left the conversation. Types of printed marketing materials come in a vast array of sizes and formats. So depending on your needs, budget or promotion, there are many options available.

Printed Collateral includes, but is not limited to:

  • Newsletters
  • Pocket presentation folders
  • Thank-you cards
  • Posters and fliers
  • Sales sheets
  • Marketing brochures
  • Leaflets and pamphlets
  • Direct mail, postcards
  • Business cards and letterheads and more

Now that you know what printed collateral is, does your business need it?

The answer is likely yes. Certain types of printed marketing materials may be advantageous for you to have on hand. At the very least you should have business cards. It’s astounding how many businesses at events don’t have any collateral available. Similar to a website telling a story for you while your not physically in front of a potential client, collateral can do the talking for you. But remember, say what you need to say efficiently. Printed collateral can only hold the attention of a potential client for a short time.

Trade Show Booths.

Your first trade show or expo is an important rite of passage for small businesses. A good event can lead to valuable orders, partnerships and exposure, but that can’t happen if your booth doesn’t get noticed. Most expos are full of attendees that are on their phones, coordinating meetings and relaying info back to the office. After walking aisle after aisle, most will barely notice a booth before stumbling into it. Anything you can do to raise your visibility in a unique way will help. That’s where great graphic design, layout and planning come in. We can help with all three.