How To Ask Businesses to Sponsor Your Event

Don’t allow a lack of funding to derail or limit the impact of your upcoming event. Businesses and corporations spend billions of dollars sponsoring events every year, and many times all you have to do is know how to ask.

clashgraphics.com gathered the following information and steps on how to successfully ask businesses to sponsor your event.

Step 1 - Define The Pitch for Your Event

The elevator pitch is a two or three sentence concise description of your event, its value proposition, and its demographics. The elevator pitch helps you generate interest in your event with individuals you meet briefly or casually. Your elevator pitch may look like this:

My name is (your name), and I am the lead planner for the (name of the event) event, offering (your audience/demographic) the opportunity to (purpose/goal of the event). Our sponsors include (abc company) and (abc company) attempting to reach (your audience/demographic) to (sponsor’s objective i.e., branding, lead generation, etc.)

Your formal pitch/presentation will look a bit different than the elevator pitch. Here you should offer more detail about your company, the event, and the benefits of sponsoring it, such as:

Introduction - Introduce yourself, your company, and the mission of the event.

Event Information - If this is your first event, you can only speak to possibilities and potential. However, if this is a recurring event, be sure to include:

• When the event started
• Event location
• Number of attendees
• Community impact
• Press coverage

Include any other unique information and facts about your event that create relevance to the business you are soliciting.

Appropriate Sponsorship - Identify and clearly state why the company’s sponsorship is suitable for the event’s mission.

Sponsorship Benefits - Describe in detail what they will get in return for their investment. Provide an outline of the benefits that align with their business goals.

Delivery - When making a pitch, it is absolutely necessary that you:

• Are making your pitch to the right person/people in the correct department(s).
• Know your talking points and can easily convey factual event and business information.
• Walk into the meeting/presentation with enough high quality printed material (presentation folders, booklets, handouts, etc.) for all in attendance.
• Be crystal clear about what you will commit to and deliver it (banner at the event, logo on promo material, inclusion in marketing campaigns, etc.).
• Be willing to listen and be open to modifications. This is a conversation meant to satisfy each other’s business needs.
• Ask for what you need. If you ask for small, you’re going to get small. You only get “big” when you ask “big.” Don’t sell yourself or your event short.

Practicing your pitch will help you make a more dynamic presentation. Pitch your peers, colleagues, family, and friends. Ask for feedback about the content of the pitch and your presentation of it.

Step 2 - Post Your Event to Your Blog

Before you go prospecting for potential sponsors, write an article that covers all of the information you will use in your pitch. If you have pictures and/or videos from previous events, use them to add value to the content.

Post the article, with images and videos to your company’s blog and voila, you have added a location that your potential sponsors can visit while learning about you and your company. More importantly, you’ve given your event another layer of validity.

If your company’s website does not have a blog, consider creating an independent website for the event. The team at ClashWeb can get your new website up and running quickly and efficiently. Visit clashweb.com to get started.

As your sponsors confirm their participation, you can syndicate the article to their blog for further exposure and validity.

Step 3 - Define Which Businesses You Want to Sponsor Your Event

Just because a business is popular and has a mega-budget for events like yours doesn’t mean they are an appropriate sponsor.

How would it look if a steakhouse sponsored an event for vegetarian and vegan environmentalists? Here are some questions that should be answered before approaching a company for their sponsorship:

• Will this sponsor hurt our brand?
• What amount are they likely to sponsor financially?
• Which sponsors will help us acquire other sponsors?
• How can this sponsor’s brand help our event and organization recognition?
• Is an in-kind contribution possible?
• Who should I contact from what department?

Seek sponsorship from businesses and corporations aligned with the mission of the event and the core values of your company. Conversion (closing the deal and signing your sponsor) is more likely when their business activities reflect or speak to what your event is about.

Seek local businesses that “give back” to their community, new companies in your area that are looking for more exposure, and national organizations that invest in their local communities. Some national businesses that frequently sponsor local events include:

• Nestle
• Red Bull
• Walmart
• Citibank
• The Home Depot
• JP Morgan Chase
• The Coca-Cola Company
• The Gatorade Company
• Unilever
• IBM
• Wells Fargo
• Mc Donalds

Whatever the size of the company, your contact and effort should be directed at the right person or department. Go to their website to find out who handles donations, community relations, or marketing. Don’t try to sell whoever answers the phone, save your elevator pitch for the people who can “green light” a meeting with their department for the full presentation.

Tip: When seeking multiple sponsors, research events that a company has sponsored in the past to see the companies they co-sponsored with and target them as well.

Step 4 - Close The Deal

Once you have presented your company, the event, and the potential benefits for your prospective sponsor, ask for the sale. It’s as easy as:

“What do you think about our event and sponsorship possibilities?” “Would you be interested in becoming a sponsor?”

There is no wrong answer. If the company decides to sponsor your event, congratulations! Your pitch and presentation were spot on for that company. If the answer is “no,” ask them why. It may be a question of budget, timing, or necessity, and you get to take advantage of some “free” marketing advice with their feedback.

The best closing is the one where you are offering them a way to benefit the most from their investment and relationship. Major brand sponsorship, even in-kind, sends a message of trust to other potential sponsors.

Tip: Enter your negotiations and exit them with grace. Always thank them for their time and their effort. Remember, a “no” this year doesn’t necessarily mean a “no” next year. Now, you have a relationship with the company that you can build on.

How To Get Event Sponsorship

In this article, you discovered information and steps to help you find, approach, and attain sponsorship for your event.

By using a well-structured pitch for your event with relevant companies, you are more likely to attain their trust and sponsorship.

If you seek sponsorship from major corporations and local businesses without first structuring your pitch and approach, you can expect poor results from your lack of effort.

Sources:
trust.guidestar.org/the-ultimate-guide-to-fundraiser-sponsorship
stbaldricks.org/blog/post/how-to-get-local-businesses-to-sponsor-your-event
csun.edu/sites/default/files/11-2-16%20Tony%20DeMaio%20Presentation.pdf

Clash Graphics Print Shop Atlanta Flyer Printing

2233 Peachtree Rd NE Ste 202 Atlanta, GA 30309

(678) 235-3464

To view the original version on Clash Graphics, visit: https://www.clashgraphics.com/printing-tips/how-to-ask-businesses-to-sponsor-your-event/

The Perfect Baby Shower Ideas, Games, and Planning

Avoid hosting a boring or disaster baby shower. A baby shower is a significant celebration that should be well-planned far enough in advance to eliminate any potential issues or problems.

clashgraphics.com gathered baby shower ideas, fun and inclusive games, and details how to plan for this incredible celebration of life.

Baby Shower Ideas

Baby showers can accommodate any number of guests and take place almost anywhere. The following are some considerations to help define how you want to put the perfect baby shower together:

Who’s Doing This - Rarely will an expecting mother prepare, plan, and execute her own baby shower. Baby showers are usually planned and hosted entirely by family or close friends, with one person taking the lead.

The expecting mom often serves as a consultant to guide the direction of the shower. Other than that, this is her opportunity to enjoy the love and gifts bestowed by her loved ones.

Choosing the Date - Baby showers are typically held when the expecting mother is at the beginning of the 7th month of her pregnancy. The planning for the baby shower should begin 9 to 10 weeks before the date of the shower.

Once the date and time are set, it’s “go time,” and decisions need to be made.

The Baby Registry - Not often do you have a celebration where you get to choose what kind of gifts your guests bring. Well, a baby shower is one of those celebrations, and the baby registry is what tells your guests what the expecting mom and her baby need. The following are common items found on a baby registry:

• Diapers
• Diaper Bag
• Wipes
• Crib
• Stroller
• Infant Car Seat
• Changing Table
• Baby Bathtub
• Baby Monitor
• Baby Clothes
• Bibs and Burp Cloths
• Bottles
• Baby Food
• Baby Swing
• High Chair
• Pump (if you plan to breastfeed)
• Milk Storage Bags
• Massage/Spa Day Coupons
• Gift Cards

Find more thoughtful baby gift suggestions on berkeleyparentsnetwork.org/advice/babies/gifts

When you decide what to put on the registry, you can make it accessible to everyone by creating an online profile on a site like babylist.com

The Guests - When you get the guest list from the expecting mother, the following questions should be asked to help form the makeup of the shower:

• Is this shower going to be women-only or co-ed?
• How many additional guests can each person bring (if any)?
• How many guests will be coming from out of town?
• Do any of the guests have food restrictions or allergies?
• Are any of the guests disabled or physically challenged?
• How many of the guests have toddlers or babies?

The importance of knowing the dynamics of your shower’s guests cannot be overstated. The more you know about them, the better your venue and food selection will be.

For example, if several guests are coming from out of town, you can work out a deal for accommodations at a local hotel, and potentially use their event space for the shower.

The Venue - When a baby shower is projected to have a dozen or so attendees, the comfort of your home may be the ideal location. As your guest list grows, take the following venue options into consideration:

• If the mom to be lives in a closed community, check the availability and capacity of their clubhouse or community center.
• A local park may have a recreation area appropriate for events, with tables, restroom facilities, and a covered space (in case of rain). Check with your local Parks and Recreation Department to see if permits are required for such events.
• The restaurants in and around your community may have the space to accommodate large parties. They would likely attend to any food restrictions or allergies. This option comes with the benefit of their staff cleaning up, doing dishes, etc.
• Local lodges usually have meeting rooms or event halls.
• Hotels generally have meeting rooms or event venues that they rent out.
• Event centers with bowling alleys and games for adults and kids (if you choose to allow kids) will have package deals.
• Sometimes people with large wooded or water-front properties will rent their land for parties and events.

Selecting the venue for your baby shower should be a fun process culminating in a selection that reflects the energy and spirit of the expecting mother, family, and friends. Don’t forget to take the venue’s parking accommodations into consideration when making your selection.

Themes for Boys - Oh boy! A fun way to add character to your baby shower is to make it a themed celebration. The following are common themes used for a baby boy’s shower:

• It’s a Boy! (Blue theme)
• Wild West or Cowboys
• Rock Star or Favorite Boy Band
• Baby Under Construction
• Superhero
• Sports
• Jungle or Wildlife

Invitations, games, decorations, food, and party favors can all be influenced by the theme of the party.

Themes for Girls - Themes for girls can be as diverse, and often are more elaborate than themes for boys. The following are popular themes for a baby girl’s shower:

• It’s a Girl! (Pink theme)
• Princess
• Fairytale
• Superhero
• Ladybug
• Favorite Singer or Girl Band
• Flower or Nature
• Mermaid

A well-chosen theme adds to the overall baby shower experience and makes the event more memorable for its attendees.

Food Selection and Preparation - Depending on the venue, the theme of the shower, and the number of expected guests, you may need to hire a catering service or rely on the venue’s staff and kitchen facilities.

For those on a budget or that want more control over the food and its preparation, the following are practical ideas that will help you feed your guests:

• Set the time of the shower as not to coincide with lunch or dinner time, and restrict the menu to appetizers and light snacks. If your guests have already eaten, they will consume less food.
• You can make several vegetable platters, fruit platters, cheese and cracker platters, baked appetizers, and salads.
• Make the baby shower a pot-luck event. Invite trusted family members and co-planners to bring dishes, platters, salads, and beverages.
• Baking your own cupcakes and cookies can help you save on the budget and show off your baking and icing skills.
• You can drop the baked goods and provide candy bars for dessert that can also serve as the party favor.
• Ice cream cones and some assorted ice cream flavors make an incredible dessert.

Ultimately, the number of guests will determine the amount of prep work and cooking that must be done. If that number is too high, you may want to consider that the food, or a portion of it be catered. Whatever you decide to serve, make sure it is explicit on the invitations “Appetizers and Beverages Only,” “Come Hungry,” etc.

Baby Shower Games

Let the games begin! Games can be used to keep your guests entertained throughout the shower. The following are some games commonly played at baby showers and can be modified to fit a theme, gender, or however makes the game more inclusive for your guests:

Balloon Birth - Guests place a balloon under their shirt and then try to “push it out” without popping the balloon or using their hands or arms. The first guest to give “birth” to their balloon wins (have your cameras rolling for this one).

Don’t Say Baby - As each guest arrives, they receive a necklace or a pin. Throughout the shower, anytime someone says “baby,” their necklace or pin can be stolen by the person that catches them. The guest with the most necklaces or pins at the end of the shower wins.

Guess How Many - Fill a baby bottle or other container with jelly beans, marbles, or another item of your choice (you need to know how many of the items are in the container).

Leave some loose paper and pencils near the container, and have your guests write down their name and best guess for how many jelly beans/marbles are in the container. The guest with the closest guess wins.

Baby Animal Matchup - In this game, each guest gets a sheet of paper with a list of animals on the left and a mixed-up list of their baby's names on the right.

Give your guests two minutes to match all of the babies to their animal parents. The guest(s) with the most correct matches wins. No cell phones allowed.

Celebrity Baby Matchup - This game is the same as the baby animal matchup but with star couples on the left and their baby’s names mixed up on the right.

Dad Said/Mom Said - Depending on the questions you come up with, this could be the most hilarious moment of the shower. Before the shower begins, print enough questionnaires for all of your guests and complete one of them with responses from the mom and dad to be.

The objective is to get the answer right (worth one point) and guess who’s answer it was (also worth one point.) The guest with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Parent Jeopardy - This game will help you discover who knows the soon to be parents the best. Gather information from the couple like how many siblings they have, where they lived in the past, odd jobs they’ve held, childhood pet names, where they went to elementary school, their nicknames, etc.

Print a list of only the answers and give one to each guest. They have to choose whether it was mom or dad for each of the answers or statements. The guest with the most right answers wins and can claim the title of bestie!

Who’s The Baby - Before the shower, ask a few of the guests to provide an embarrassing baby picture of themselves. Print the pictures with a number and hang them on the wall. Your guests get a numbered piece of paper and must write down the corresponding person to each of the numbers.

Whoever gets the most names correct wins.

Your guests include the people you love and cherish most in the world. The games you select for your baby shower will help keep the laughter rolling throughout the event, while giving something for everyone to remember.

Baby Shower Planning

To plan a successful baby shower, you’ll need to be organized and give yourself enough time to bring your ideas to life. The following timeline allows you to comfortably get everything on your to-do list done and make any necessary course corrections along the way:

Ten Weeks Before the Shower

• Determine who will plan and host the shower
• Appoint one or two assistants to help execute the plan
• Select the date and time of the shower
• Finalize the guest list
• Come up with a flexible budget
• Select the shower venue
• Order the baby shower invitations and matching thank you cards.

This is the time you should meet with the mom-to-be to determine the color scheme, theme, registry items, and any other details she would like woven into your plans.

NOTE: The baby shower invitations should include the parents-to-be and baby’s names, date and time of the shower, venue address, what kind of food will be served “appetizers only,” “come hungry,” etc., the baby registry address, with who, how, and by when to RSVP for the event.

Six Weeks Before the Shower

• Address your invitations for mailing
• Mail your invitations
• Start planning the menu or hire a caterer
• Start planning the decorations and placing orders for items that may take a while to arrive

Take the time to go over the baby registry once more with the mother-to-be to make any additions or alterations before your guests receive their invitations.

NOTE: If you are hiring a caterer, make sure they are aware of and can accommodate any food allergies or restrictions your guests may have.

Four Weeks Before the Shower

• Assign or hire someone to be the official photographer/videographer for the shower
• Reserve rental supplies (tables, chairs, etc.)
• Now is the time to order the cake or cupcakes
• Reserve any necessary accommodations for out of town guests
• Plan the baby shower games (have them printed) and order the game prizes
• Order the baby shower favors

NOTE: If live flowering plants are purchased and used as table settings or decorations, they can also serve as shower favors.

Two Weeks Before the Shower

• Contact RSVP’d guests to see if they need any information, assistance, or accommodations
• Follow up with guests that failed to RSVP
• Confirm all venue, catering, and supply reservations
• Double-check that the cake is ordered and will be delivered on-time
• Assemble baby shower favors and game prizes
• Create your “Day Of” agenda (this is your playbook for the event)

NOTE: This is the time to provide the hotel information to guests coming in from out of town. Allow them ample time to secure or change their reservation.

One Week Before the Shower

• Assign someone to pick up the mother-to-be on the day of the shower
• Assign someone to record the gifts at the shower for the mother-to-be
• Purchase any non-perishable food items

Two to Three Days Before the Shower

• Pick up food and serving supplies or confirm the menu and delivery with the caterer
• Prepare non-perishable food
• Finish shopping for menu items and beverages
• Consult with your assistants or co-hosts to ensure that all tasks and details are complete

NOTE: Use this time to go over your lists and inventory one last time. If anything should be missing or was forgotten, there is still time to make it right.

The Day Before the Shower

• Set up the venue decorations and tables
• Pick up the cake or cupcakes
• Confirm your caterer
• Prepare perishable food items
• Designate a place for the gifts
• Stage gift bags, prizes, and favors
• Stage extra cleaning supplies (baby showers can get messy)

NOTE: This is it, get as much done as possible to free yourself up for the baby shower.

The Day Of The Baby Shower

• Assemble the food and beverages or direct the caterers
• Help everyone get seated
• Enjoy the celebration

Planning a Baby Shower

In this article, you discovered practical and creative baby shower ideas, fun and inclusive games, and a simple timeline to help you plan the perfect baby shower.

By using a few creative tips and following a plan, you can put together a fun and memorable baby shower for the mother-to-be.

Without a solid roadmap or not planning ahead may cause confusion or an overall poor experience on what should be an expecting mother’s precious day.

Sources:
lifehack.org/491064/7-baby-shower-planning-tips
firsttimepregnancy.org/baby-shower/
thcenter.org/blog/unique-baby-shower-games/

Clash Graphics Print Shop Atlanta Flyer Printing

2233 Peachtree Rd NE Ste 202 Atlanta, GA 30309

(678) 235-3464

To view the original version on Clash Graphics, visit: https://www.clashgraphics.com/printing-tips/perfect-baby-shower-ideas-games-planning/

How Wristbands Help You Identify People

Don’t lose money, control, or security of your next event. Using poly wristbands can help you clearly identify patrons, notice those that have yet to pay, and avoid the hassle of uncertain or mistaken identity.

clashgraphics.com gathered information on the varied applications of custom poly wristbands and the qualities that make them a highly sought after product in the printing industry.

Poly Wristband Applications

The following are many of the applications that poly wristbands (clashgraphics.com/poly-wristbands/) can be used for:

Age Identification - During events and parties where alcohol is served, those individuals of legal drinking age can be identified by wearing a wristband.

Private Event Access - When your event is by invitation only, wristbands can be used to confirm the person’s legitimacy at the event.

Revenue Control - When events and parties require a paid entrance, wristbands can act as a visible “receipt” of payment.

Amusement Parks - Different colored wristbands can be used to identify people that have paid for specific access levels to rides and events at an amusement park.

Pool Parties - Poly wristbands are ideal for pool party guests and members that belong to a swim/tennis community, since they are highly water-resistant.

Family Reunions - As large families may have different branches, different colored wristbands can be used to identify from which part of the family an individual comes.

Another highly desired product for family reunions are customized t-shirts, which can be ordered at clashgraphics.com/shirts/

Hospital Visitors - Wristbands can be used in hospitals to identify a patient’s family members, temporary staff members, and administration visitors.

Personalized wristbands are also used to identify a patient of the hospital, their primary care physician, and any pertinent information about their stay at the hospital. Other wristbands in a hospital environment may indicate:

• Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders
• Allergy Alerts
• Fall Risks
• Sleep Apnea
• Restricted Limb Alert
• Infectious Disease Alert
• Organ Donor

Crowd Control - In large venues like ballparks, stadiums, concert halls, and convention centers, a person’s access to specific locations, pre or post-event activities, VIP lounges, meet and greets, and other venue amenities can be granted or limited by the color or design of their wristband.

Tree Identification - If you own a nursery or tree farm, poly wristbands are an ingenious way to clearly identify trees by species, or to indicate that a tree has been sold or other relevant info.

Since poly wristbands can be written on and last for a long time, they are ideal markers or identifiers that withstand exposure to the elements.

Coat Check - For indoor events, poly wristbands can be personalized and used to identify checked coats, scarves, and purses.

Attendance Verification - Having poly wristbands printed with sequential numeration allows event organizers to reduce their margin of error when estimating an event’s attendance.

New Student Transition - New students at universities can be asked to wear a wristband identifying their major, housing location, or their registration location.

As these wristbands are so versatile and durable, they can be used for identification purposes, which you can tailor to practically anything on which you can attach them.

Wristband Material and Production

Within the printing industry, poly wristbands are made most commonly from Tyvek material. Tyvek is a spun-bonded material composed of high-density polyethylene fibers. This material is popular in the production of wristbands due to the following qualities:

• Distinctive look and feel
• Tear-resistant and durable
• Non-reusable as wristbands
• Printable and convertible
• Lightweight and flexible
• Ideal for wet and dry conditions
• Breathable
• 100% Recyclable

Tyvek is also a choice material due to its flexibility of printing options:

• Screen
• Offset
• Thermal Transfer
• Gravure
• Flexo
• Letterpress
• UV Inkjet

The material is so durable that it can be embossed, laminated, foil stamped, stitched, or heat sealed without damaging its integrity or durability.

Poly Wristbands and Individual Identification

In this article, you discovered the versatility and many applications of poly wristbands, and why they remain one of the most popular types of wristbands in use.

Using poly wristbands as a form of identification will help you collect all the money owed, maintain a high level of accountability and crowd control when used at venues or events.

By not using wristbands, your organization can lose revenue, security can lose control, and servers may expose you to legal liabilities when minors are served alcohol.

Sources:
https://www.dupont.com/tyvekdesign/design-with-tyvek/why-tyvek.html
easyid.org/poly-id-wristbands.html

Clash Graphics Print Shop Atlanta Flyer Printing

2233 Peachtree Rd NE Ste 202 Atlanta, GA 30309

(678) 235-3464

To view the original version on Clash Graphics, visit: https://www.clashgraphics.com/printing-tips/how-wristbands-help-identify-people/

Custom Greeting Card Printing for Events and the Holidays

You don’t have to settle for store-bought invitations or greeting cards anymore. With custom greeting cards you can personalize them, and put your creativity on display for your next business event, holiday gathering, or birthday celebration.

clashgraphics.com defines the versatility and potential for printing custom greeting cards for events and holidays.

Custom Printed Greeting Cards

Anyone can go to a grocery store and pick out a standard greeting card or pack of generic invitations which are likely to find their way to the trash or get tossed on a pile of correspondence. For these cards to resonate with their recipients, there must be more than loosely glued glitter on the face of the card.

There are times that your unique event or circumstances deserve to be fully represented by captivating custom printed greeting cards.

Whether you are sending them as your annual holiday card, a thank you card, to announce a commemoration, or to serve as an invitation, the possibilities are limitless. The following are some of the many events that custom greeting cards can be used for:

The only limitation to the purpose, design, or content of your custom greeting cards is your imagination. Even if you aren’t very tech-savvy, most graphic designers at your local print shop can present inspirations, help facilitate and bring your ideas to life.

Custom Greeting Cards and Marketing Campaigns

For your business, a custom printed card can be useful and effective. Your greeting cards can take on any form and appearance, including being used as a marketing tool. Take the following, for example:

• Insert coupons that can be used online or in-store.
• Detachable coupons can be printed and dye-cut on the card.
• Offer merchandise discounts for bringing the card to a retail location.
• Print a discount code on the card for online purchases.
• Print a word game or mathematical problem for which the solution is an access code to prizes and discounts on your company’s website.
• Print a short survey on the card requesting feedback or opinions.
• Use Images of new products and services to generate interest.
• Insert a business card to make personal contact.
• Insert a flyer to promote products and services further.

With the aid of your printer, you can design and bring your concept to life. Learn more about custom printed greeting cards at clashgraphics.com/greeting-cards

Custom Printed Greeting Card Envelopes

Just as crucial as your greeting card, is the envelope it is shipped in. If the recipient is not inclined to open it or it is difficult to open, the whole thing may end up in the trash.

Some of the following phrases can be printed on the envelope to generate excitement and interest:

Another aspect of the envelope is its appeal. It should be made from quality stock, have a professional look, and be accurate in its addressing to the individual you intend to receive it.

In cases of invitations and special occasions, the envelope should be entirely personalized to its recipient. This personalization will lower the risk of your invitation being mistaken for advertising or bulk mailing.

Your Custom Greeting Cards

Commercially produced greeting cards can’t convey the personalized message you want to communicate. However, you can have them customized and professionally printed to accomplish a specific goal, and deliver your precise sentiments.

In this article, you discovered the possibilities and versatility of custom printed greeting cards for personal and business uses.

Don’t allow a lack-luster store-bought greeting card to represent your business or marketing concepts. Create a one-of-a-kind card that is sure to become a treasured keepsake.

Sources:
npr.org/2019/02/14/691963430/greeting-cards-are-still-a-thing-in-the-digital-age-thanks-millennials

Clash Graphics Print Shop Atlanta Flyer Printing

2233 Peachtree Rd NE Ste 202 Atlanta, GA 30309

(678) 235-3464

To view the original version on Clash Graphics, visit: https://www.clashgraphics.com/printing-tips/custom-greeting-card-events-holidays/

What is a Prepress Proof and Why it’s Important

Avoid being stuck with an order of thousands of flyers that are the wrong color or have other mis-typed information. You've put in the work to create the perfect design and layout for your marketing plan. Before the creative design you invested so much effort into goes to print, the proof is your opportunity to make any changes or corrections.

clashgraphics.com defines and explains the purpose of a prepress proof and what it means to your project.

What is a Prepress Proof?

Press time is the more expensive part of printed media. Proofing serves as a verification tool for the accuracy of the resolution, image quality, bleed, trapping (where colors overlap), and imposition of a print job before it goes to press. The following terms are used to describe proofs:

Prepress Proofing or Off-Press Proofing - An inexpensive way to provide a visual copy without the need to create a press proof.

Contract Proof - This proof serves as the agreement between a customer and a printer. Contract proofs are used as a color reference guide when making final adjustments before running the job and verifying a job’s accuracy after print. Contract proofs are typically prepress proofs.

All printers do not offer exact color matching or contract proofs. Ask this question upfront and be aware of your print shop’s policy beforehand.

Color Proof - Similar to a contract proof, this proof is a full-color print which displays precisely how the colors of the final print will look.

Hard Copy Proofing - This high-quality one-off proof is produced using ink-jet printing or similar technologies and used as a physical representation of the desired outcome of the job. A hard copy proof may also be referred to as hard proof, proof print, and match print.

Soft Proofing - This is the most inexpensive way to accomplish proofing. A soft proof is the visual representation of a completed print job on a computer screen or monitor. This proofing method can be challenging as monitors display color through RGB and printed material through CMYK.

Soft proofs can be generated and used an unlimited amount of times for color, contrast, image, and layout adjustments. However, soft proofs are not generally used as contract proofs.

Proofs are vitally important in the prevention of unforeseen problems with images, colors, and text. Discovering and fixing layout issues before your job goes to press saves valuable time, and helps avoid the costly expense of a reprint.

Are Prepress Proofs Provided for Free?

When you send “print-ready” artwork or files to your printer, this typically serves as a soft proof. You may request a contract proof, and depending on the printer, there may be an additional charge. If your printer’s design team is contracted to develop the project, proofs will likely be included in those services.

The following excerpt from Clash Graphics' Disclaimer & Policies page illustrates how printers make proofs available. This page is found at clashgraphics.com/disclaimer-policies/ and demonstrates when proofs are provided or not with their services.

“Proofs are essential to the design and printing process as they eliminate errors and dissatisfaction with the overall design. Customers who pay for Clash Graphics design services will receive proofs as part of the design process. Design changes must be submitted through email.

Customers who submit print ready files and paid for printing, WILL NOT receive a proof. If the files uploaded are in question Clash Graphics may choose to email you a proof to make sure the files are correct. It is the customer's responsibility to upload the correct files to be printed. However, if you require a proof please request one in the order comment section. In this case, the customer will be notified by email and will receive a follow-up phone call. Proofs must be approved in writing or in-person in order to be put into production. Please advise proofs can add a business day on to your turnaround.”

It is essential to understand when your printer provides proofs or not, and whether or not you may request one. Once your job has gone to print, it is the final contract proof that allows you to hold your printer accountable for accuracy and quality.

Prepress Proofing and Your Print Job

Avoid being stuck with a botched print job. After investing the time and effort to create your marketing strategy and take it to print, you can achieve an accurate product by agreeing to a contract proof with your printer.

In this article, you discovered the different types and purposes of proofs and what they mean to your project.

Choosing to run a print job without first agreeing on a prepress or contract proof, you may find yourself with little to no recourse if that job ends up below your expectations.

Sources:
http://facweb.cs.depaul.edu/sgrais/print_a_hard_proof.htm
https://cybercemetery.unt.edu/archive/oilspill/20121207012928/
http://www.gpo.gov/pdfs/customers/sfas/3006_10_2004.pdf
http://www.csun.edu/~pjd77408/DrD/resources/Printing/Prepress.html

Clash Graphics Print Shop Atlanta Flyer Printing

2233 Peachtree Rd NE Ste 202 Atlanta, GA 30309

(678) 235-3464

To view the original version on Clash Graphics, visit: https://www.clashgraphics.com/printing-tips/what-is-prepress-proof-why-its-important/

6 Ways Graphic Design Helps Grow Your Business

Are you ready to create, update, or completely change your brand’s appearance or visual identity? Graphic designers use graphic design to convey an idea or solve a problem. Knowing the differences between the types of graphic design will help you find the right services to fulfill your vision.

clashgraphics.com gathered information on six ways graphic design applications are used to solve problems and communicate ideas.

What is Graphic Design?

Graphic design is a process using typography, photography, illustration, color, and form to communicate visually.

Graphic design plays a role in everything we eat, drink, and consume. Every product, packaging, and business wants to communicate something to you and graphic designers are who deliver this.

Visual Identity (Brand Identity) Graphic Design

Visual identity graphic design is the use of images, shapes, and color to create the face of a brand. Brand identity is used to communicate an organization’s personality, purpose, tone, and experience that becomes the relationship between an organization and its audience.

To create a brand identity, graphic designers collaborate with an organization’s stakeholders to create and develop the following:

• Logos
• Typography
• Color palettes
• Image libraries
• Style guides (to ensure brand consistency)

These are used to guide the formation of an organization’s:

• Business cards
• Stationary
• Advertising
• Publications
• Signage

A successful brand identity campaign is recognizable across all media types.

Marketing and Advertising Graphic Design

Successful marketing aids a company in guiding their audience’s decision-making process. This is accomplished by engaging the audience based on their wants, needs, awareness, satisfaction, and perceived problem that a company’s product, assets, or services can solve.

Designers work with an organization’s owners, directors, management team, and marketing team to create assets within a marketing strategy. Those assets may include:

• Brochures (print and digital)
• Vehicle wraps
• Trade show displays
• Postcards
• Flyers
• Magazine and newspaper ads
• Signage
• Posters
• Banners
• Billboards
• Infographics
• Email marketing templates
• Digital presentations
• Menus
• Social media ads, banners, and graphics
• Images for websites and blogs

Until the recent past, marketing and advertising were almost exclusively print-centered. Presently, with technological advances and broad access to social media, there is a need for an online presence, and businesses are investing in digital assets such as those used in content marketing.

Environmental Graphic Design

Environmental graphic design (EGD) serves to enhance one’s experience by visually connecting them to or guiding them through a location. It involves disciplines such as graphic, architectural, interior, landscape, and industrial design which communicate identity and information.

The following are examples of where environmental graphic design is used:

• Office spaces and buildings
• Event spaces
• Conference spaces
• Store interiors
• Exhibitions
• Murals
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Fairs
• Markets
• Restaurants
• Public transportation navigation

A specific type of environmental graphic design called wayfinding consists of using well-placed signage and landmarks to help or suggest to people where they need to go.

Environmental graphic design is intended to improve one’s experience by making locations more engaging, informative, and navigable.

Publication Graphic Design

Publications, until recently, have been printed long-form pieces involving layout and graphic design, intended to communicate with a targeted audience by way of physical distribution.

The following are examples of publications:

• Books
• Newspapers
• Newsletters
• Employee handbooks
• Directories
• Comics
• Annual reports
• Financial reports
• Magazines
• Instruction booklets
• Catalogs

Publication graphic design is also used for e-publishing or electronic publishing and is a fast-growing market. For those of you buying and reading books, magazines, or manuals online on your electronic devices, those are all e-publishing. Because of its ease of use, distribution, and cost-effectiveness e-publishing is becoming the replacement of printed publications, but still requires layout and graphic design.

E-publishing isn't limited to electronic versions of books, newspapers, or magazines. Anyone can e-publish just about anything using blogs and publication platforms.

Art and Illustration Graphic Design

It could be said that graphic design serves the purpose of commercialization in the world of branding, logos, and business. Art and Illustration, on the other hand, is more of an art form serving as decoration or drawings in a book or magazine.

The following are examples of art and illustration for graphic design:

• T-shirt design
• Video games
• Websites
• Comic books
• Album art
• Book covers
• Picture books
• Children’s books
• Coloring books
• Motion graphics
• Stock images
• Graphic novels
• Infographics
• Technical illustration
• Concept art

A graphic artist may use any combination of techniques and media to produce their work.

Packaging Graphic Design

The graphic design of packaging is a complex assembly process involving choices of shape, color palette, typography, and material to make packaging highly visible and attractive to consumers. The shape and color alert consumers and attract their attention, while the lettering and font create its identity and brand.

Packaging serves to protect and prepare products for storage, distribution, display, and sale. Packaging design can also communicate directly to consumers, making it a valuable marketing tool. Each box, bottle, bag, can, container, or canister is an opportunity to tell the story of a brand.

Now that we’ve addressed the many applications of graphic design, if you are a potential graphic designer or a designer looking to advance your career, read clashgraphics.com/printing-tips/graphic-designer-salary-software-portfolio-tips/

Finding the Right Type of Graphic Design

When it’s time to create or update your brand identity, knowing which type of graphic designer to seek will aid you in finding the right designer and services to fulfill your vision.

In this article, you discovered six types of graphic design, their differences, and their applications used to solve problems and communicate ideas.

When searching for a designer to take on your job, knowing how the types of design differ from each other will help you determine which designer possesses the right skillsets for the job.

Sources:
https://segd.org/article/what-environmental-graphic-design-egd
https://www.sophia.org/tutorials/publication-design
https://wp.nyu.edu/fogdv2/2018/10/29/graphic-design-vs-illustration/
https://www.alimentarium.org/en/knowledge/packaging-%E2%80%93-graphic-design
https://oakland.edu/bals/interdisciplinary-careers/advertising-and-graphic-design/

Clash Graphics Print Shop Atlanta Flyer Printing

2233 Peachtree Rd NE Ste 202 Atlanta, GA 30309

(678) 235-3464

To view the original version on Clash Graphics, visit: https://www.clashgraphics.com/printing-tips/6-ways-graphic-design-helps-grow-your-business/

Benefits of Screen Printing vs. Sublimation and Offset vs. Digital Printing

Avoid costly mistakes and delays when taking your design to print. Discover the printing techniques available for your project, their benefits, and disadvantages.

Knowing the basics of the four principle printing methods will help you make informed decisions to achieve the best results for your marketing materials or printed products.

clashgraphics.com explores screen printing vs. sublimation, and offset vs. digital, their differences, applications, and cost benefits.

Screen Printing vs. Sublimation

When you want to place your design, logo, or message on a t-shirt, coffee mug, mousepad, or other promotional materials, screen printing and sublimation are the options that may provide the best results. Here are the significant differences, applications, and benefits of each printing type:

Screen Printing Method

This method of printing involves the use of mesh stencils. One stencil for each color of a design is created by using ultraviolet light to harden a substance applied to the mesh that prevents the passage of ink. The rest of the substance is then washed away.

The washed away areas allow ink to be pushed through open holes in the mesh with a squeegee onto the garment or product, one color at a time.

This process creates a high level of vibrancy, even on dark shirts, as more ink is applied to the garment than in other printing methods.

Material - While screen printing can be used on nearly any material, it is best applied to flat surfaces and can produce high-quality images on:

• Shirts
• Sweatshirts and pants
• Workout Gear
• Backpacks
• Tote Bags
• Glass
• Flags
• Binders
• Ceramics
• Aprons

Advantage - This method is most efficient when:

• Large quantities of printed product are needed.
• The design is simple.
• Fewer colors are used.
• Printing on dark shirts and using bright colors.

Setup and Production - Screen printing setup is costly and time-consuming since one stencil must be made for each color of a design. Print shops will often require a minimum quantity for this printing method.

Disadvantage - Over time, printed images may crack, chip, fade or peel away from the product, especially when exposed to frequent washing or laundering.

Watch this video to see how screen printing is applied to paper.

Sublimation Method

Also referred to as dye sublimation, this method of printing uses sublimation ink digitally printed on sublimation paper, which is then transferred to a destination material through heat and pressure.

Temperatures ranging from 195 to 250 degrees and pressure cause the sublimation ink to convert from a solid state to a gaseous state, and the pores of the destination surface or material to open. The ink leaves the sublimation paper and permeates the surface of the destination material.

Once the heat is removed, the sublimation ink returns to a solid state and the pours of the material close around it. The image is infused with the surface of the destination material, whereas screen printing leaves an image layered onto the surface.

Material - Ideal results are achieved on 100% polyester and polyester blended garments or items with a polymer coating, on white or light-colored materials. There are plenty printable products, some of which include:

• Shirts
• Coffee Mugs
• Mouse Pads
• Ceramic Tiles
• Drink Coasters
• Christmas Ornaments
• Dog Tags
• Key Chains
• Clock Faces
• Lighters
• Umbrellas

As long as there is a receptive material for the sublimation ink, and uniform heating can be applied, this method produces outstanding results.

Advantage - This method is most advantageous when:

• Your design is detailed and has many saturated colors.
• Small quantities of printed product are needed.
• Using different designs on multiple items or material.
• You need a fade resistant design.

Setup and Production - Sublimation printing setup is costly, and product production is time-consuming. When compared to screen printing, the sublimation process produces more stunning and photorealistic results in a much easier way.

Disadvantage - Unlike screen printing, sublimation is limited to polyester-blended garments or items with a polymer coating.

Watch this video to see how sublimation printing is done on dark shirts.

Offset vs. Digital Printing

When you want to produce brochures, flyers, books, newsletters, posters, and other marketing material, your first step is to create your design, copy, and layout. Once this is done, decide between offset and digital printing (oftentimes unaware, and based on the printing company you use). Here are the significant differences, applications, and benefits of each printing type:

Offset Printing

Offset printing, also known as lithography, is the most common printing method for high volume commercial projects.

This method utilizes water, ink, rubber rolls, and metal plates (one plate is made for each color) which transfer ink to rubber rolls. As the paper moves through the rolls, color is layered on to produce the final image.

Material - Offset printing allows you to print on multiple media surfaces, which can include:

• Paper
• Card Stock
• Plastic
• Metal

And is most beneficial when used to mass produce:

• Posters
• Books
• Book Covers
• Brochures
• Business Cards
• Mailers
• Flyers
• Newsletters
• Newspapers
• Magazines

Advantage - This method is most efficient when:

• Large quantities of printed product are produced (over 500 pieces).
• An exact color match is required.

Setup and Production - Offset printing setup is costly and time-consuming due to the production of each plate used in the process. However, once the project has been set up, production time is fast with impressive color and quality.

Disadvantage - While offset printing has many advantages, the following should be taken into consideration:

• Rush jobs don’t happen with offset printing. Since the plates must be created, there is a longer timetable to consider.
• Low volume jobs will have a high price per piece.
• Typos and graphics errors can cause the loss of a batch and the need to start the process over from scratch.

Watch this video to see how offset printing works.

Digital Printing

Much like the inkjet or laser printer you may be using at home, print shops use ones that are larger, more precise, and much faster.

Digital printing eliminates the need for proofs, plates, and rubber rolls, printing your design directly to the printing surface with powdered toner or liquid ink.

Material - Digital printing allows you to print on multiple media surfaces, which can include:

• Paper
• Card Stock
• Plastic

Which may be used to produce smaller quantities of:

• Posters
• Book Covers
• Brochures
• Business Cards
• Mailers
• Flyers
• Newsletters

Advantage - This method is most beneficial when:

• Small quantities of printed product are needed.
• A faster turnaround time is required.
• Changes are needed in print (you can change dates and times on flyers or invitations within a single batch).

While the cost for digital printing is excellent in small quantities, keep in mind that the price for offset printing reduces as quantities increase. At some point, the cost-benefit between offset and digital will invert.

Setup and Production - Digital printing setup is fast and requires digital graphics rather than metal plates.

Disadvantage - While digital printing has many attractive advantages, the following disadvantages should be taken into consideration:

• While much progress has been made, digital print jobs cannot create exact color matches, where offset utilizes specially mixed inks and makes a closer match.
• The options of materials you can print on are significantly reduced.
• Digital printing quality and sharpness are slightly lower than that of offset printing.
• Large-volume jobs cost more.

Watch this video to see how a large format digital printer works.

Types of Printing for Your Project

Knowing the difference between screen printing and sublimation, and offset and digital will help you avoid costly mistakes and re-orders when taking your design to print?

In this article, you discovered the differences, applications, benefits, and disadvantages of screen printing vs. sublimation, and offset vs. digital printing.

Don’t allow the wrong type of printing technique to misrepresent your design, break your budget, or reduce the quality of your project. Use your knowledge of the four principle printing methods to make informed decisions, and achieve the best possible results.

Sources:
https://99designs.com/blog/tips/popular-printing-techniques-guide/
https://99designs.com/blog/tips/digital-vs-offset-printing/
http://scalar.usc.edu/works/packaging/sublimation-textile-printing-vs-digital-printing
http://sites.tech.uh.edu/digitalmedia/materials/3252/Printing_Unit.html

Clash Graphics Print Shop Atlanta Flyer Printing

2233 Peachtree Rd NE Ste 202 Atlanta, GA 30309

(678) 235-3464

To view the original version on Clash Graphics, visit: https://www.clashgraphics.com/printing-tips/benefits-screen-print-sublimation-offset-digital/

5 Steps to Writing A Winning Business Proposal

Stop losing business deals to your competition when the tips to fix your proposal are simple.

Your business proposals must not only appeal to your prospective clients, but they must also capture and keep their attention by illustrating their definitive ability to solve their problem in the most direct way possible.

clashgraphics.com has gathered information to help you assemble the most appealing content and gives you the steps to write a winning business proposal for any product or service.

What Is A Business Proposal?

A business proposal is a written or digital collection of appealing information that introduces you, your company, your business ethics, your product, and your prices to another company that may benefit from your product or service.

There is no one-size-fits-all proposal. Your business proposal should be flexible enough to scale up or down depending on the company you want to do business with. The following steps will guide you through the creation of a versatile and winning business proposal.

Step 1 - Gather Relevant Information

When a promising business opportunity arises, you may feel pressured to send a business proposal as quickly as possible. However, reserving the necessary time to collect data about the business, their needs, and your competition will help you create a better overall proposal.

Before writing your proposal, answer the following questions:

Who Makes the Decisions? - Learn as much about the company and their decision making processes as you can. Knowing who is included in the selection process (CEO, CFO, COO, etc.) will help you tailor your proposal to be more appealing.

Are You Working Against a Deadline? - Many well-structured companies make their purchasing decisions during specific periods of the year. Make sure you ask questions about time constraints, budget cycles, and internal deadlines.

How Are You Going to Solve Their Problem? - Once you have a clear perspective of what the company’s problem is, you must decide which of your products or services are best suited to solve it efficiently.

Has the Company Established a Budget? - Ask about the company’s budget or anticipated investment for this product or service. The more you know about how much they are willing to invest, the better you can refine your proposal. In some cases, this information may force you to walk away when there is little to no chance to make a profit.

How Much Will You Invest in This Project? - Before sending your proposal, calculate your company’s expenditures versus the full contract value (FCV) if your proposal is accepted. By doing this, you can determine your company’s projected revenue.

Who Are You Competing Against? - If you are entering into a competitive bidding process, take the time to research your competition. Knowing their strengths and weaknesses will help you highlight how your products and services can better solve the company’s problem.

Step 2 - Define The Project Scope

The scope of your project is a blueprint of how the products and services will be delivered and is as essential for you as it will be for your prospective client. It will also help you determine whether or not you have the necessary resources and logistics in place to fulfill the commitments you are proposing.

The following questions and their answers will help you define the project scope:

Who?
Who will oversee/manage the work?
Who will be tasked to do the work?
Who will the customer call for problems and troubleshooting?
Who will be responsible for billing?

What?
What service or product is being promised?
What time/manpower will be required to deliver it?
What will your customer expect weekly or monthly?
What will all of this cost the client?

Where?
Where will the work take place?
Where will products be delivered?

When?
When will the project begin?
When will the project end?
When will payments be due?
When will contract renewal be negotiated?

How?
How will work deadlines be met?
How will the work be managed?
How will you guarantee product quality?
How will you determine customer satisfaction?
How will your product or service solve your customer’s problem?

Why?
Why did you choose this project?
Why did you choose the product or service as the solution?
Why should you be selected?

Answering these questions will give you insight into your company’s ability to honor the proposal’s requirements, as well as expand or grow to meet its needs.

Step 3 - Draft Your Business Proposal

You can personalize an unsolicited business proposal to appeal to a specific customer. There are no set standards unless you are responding to a solicited RFP (more on this below). Throughout your proposal, never make promises you cannot keep and be realistic about your product and service.

Ethos, pathos, and logos are related terms used in business proposals. Ethos refers to the credibility of you and your company, pathos refers to the passion and enthusiasm used to represent your company, and logos to the logic or reason used when making business decisions or proposals.

With these ideas in mind, the general flow of your proposal should include the following:

Introduction - Relevance is essential when introducing your company and its mission. The introduction tells a story about your company, product, services, and brand. Be sure to highlight your credentials, accomplishments, and what distinguishes your company from your competitors. The length of your introduction should be relative to the relationship you want to build with your potential client, but no more than one page.

Executive Summary - This is not a detailed summary of the proposal, and should also be kept to a single page. This is where you pitch your reasoning for why your company should be selected while offering the takeaway message of the proposal. Use objective language to focus on the conclusions the reader should reach after reading the proposal.

Table of Contents - Unless directed to do so by the requirements of an ‘RFP,’ or you are assembling a proposal with a lot of detail, inserting a table of contents is optional and in most cases unnecessary.

Body - The body of your proposal is where you get to expound on what you stated in the Executive Summary and provide the answers to the questions about the project scope.

The following can be used to fill the body of your proposal:

• Project Timeline
• Project Pricing
• Project Logistics
• Market Analysis
• Marketing Plan
• Graphs and Data Charts
• Financial Projections
• Client Testimonials
• Website and Social Network Links

The body is where you should include your company’s limitations or “terms.” While it may not seem necessary, without doing so, your prospective customer may develop expectations for your company to provide services outside the scope of the proposal.

It is common practice to end the body of a proposal with a signed agreement that facilitates the closing of the contract. By adding this agreement, your proposal will double as a contractual agreement.

Conclusion/Call to Action - Conclude your proposal by emphasizing the benefit your company brings to the table, and encouraging the reader to take action. Even in the simplest form by visiting your website for further information, contacting you for further details, or by detailing how to close the deal and begin the terms of the contract.

Appendix - The appendix allows you to showcase material that may not have been appropriate for other sections of the proposal. The following can be added to your proposal’s appendix:

• Resumes
• Certifications
• Awards
• Additional Graphs
• Additional Customer Testimonials

For guidance on how to write a winning resume, visit clashgraphics.com/printing-tips/how-to-write-winning-resume/. For help with graphic design, layout, and professional printing options, contact clashgraphics.com/pages/print-shop-in-atlanta-ga.html

What Is an RFP?

Business proposals are sometimes solicited through a request for proposal (RFP). This document requests proposals for an agency interested in the procurement of a service, asset, or commodity.

RFPs will generally be specific on how proposals are to be structured and what information should be included. In these business proposals, do not deviate from the given instructions. If you are writing a proposal for an RFP, please refer and adhere to the guidelines in the RFP.

Step 4 - Editing Your Business Proposal

Never send a first draft proposal to a prospective customer. Typos, grammatical missteps, and calculation mistakes can be enough to get your proposal eliminated before it even gets to the review table.

A second set of eyes will help you catch mistakes that you may overlook. As well, there are several online editing programs like Grammarly which can help you fine tune the proposal’s vocabulary, spelling, and grammar.

During the editing process, work to remove repetitive or information which may not be necessary for your proposal. By keeping your proposal concise (without sacrificing valuable content), you are giving it a better chance at winning the selection process.

Also while editing, read the proposal from your potential client’s point of view and ask:

• Is the information clear and concise?
• Is the tone of the proposal professional and using industry vocabulary?
• Is the call to action compelling?
• Would you sign the proposal into a contractual agreement?

Step 5 - Submitting Your Proposal

Depending on the content of your proposal, and the delivery requirements of the company it will be submitted to, the following delivery options should be addressed:

Email - When sending a business proposal via email, there are a few things you should take into consideration:

• Who is the recipient, who will be copied, and will there be anyone blind copied?
• Is your subject line populated with direct and brief language?
• Is there a size limit for email attachments with your or the customer’s service?
• Be prepared to change the document format to accommodate a size limitation?

If your email provider offers a “read receipt” turn it on so you’ll be notified when the email has been opened. This will help you determine a time to follow up with your potential customer.

Portal - In many cases, the customer or entity requesting the proposal may have an online portal set up. Portals are advantageous as they can handle larger file sizes, permitting more thorough proposals to be submitted.

If this is the case, all of the documents comprising the proposal can be named and uploaded to the portal for the reviewers to see at their discretion.

Hand Delivery - Some companies (especially those issuing an RFP) will request that multiple copies of your proposal be hand delivered by a particular deadline.

Mail - Finally, there are times when your proposal will have to be mailed using USPS, UPS, FedEx or courier, and stamped by a specific deadline.

Increasing Business with Winning Proposals

Don’t miss business opportunities when there are references and easy to follow proposal writing instructions.

In this article, you discovered the necessary steps and content to write a captivating and winning business proposal.

Your failure to efficiently write, assemble, and deliver a winning business proposal can cost your company significant revenue and prevent its ability to grow.

Sources:
http://jsmith.cis.byuh.edu/books/communication-for-business-success/s13-03-business-proposal.html
http://kmh-lanl.hansonhub.com/pc-26-58-seisler.pdf
https://www.score.org/blog/8-ways-make-your-business-proposal-stand-out

Clash Graphics Print Shop Atlanta Flyer Printing

2233 Peachtree Rd NE Ste 202 Atlanta, GA 30309

(678) 235-3464

To view the original version on Clash Graphics, visit: https://www.clashgraphics.com/printing-tips/5-steps-writing-winning-business-proposal/

How to Write a Winning Resume

Are you ready to stop getting turned down for jobs? Your lacking resume may be the reason you can’t take the next step in your career.

An impactful resume in the hands of a hiring manager can significantly increase your chance to secure an interview. Your resume is a snapshot of your work history, qualifications, and should reflect a history of performance that indicates to the reader your likelihood for success once hired.

clashgraphics.com defines what a resume is, what information should be included, and professional tips on how to properly organize yours.

What Is a Resume?

A resume is a brief summary of your education, skills, and professional background. Resumes may also be used to present accomplishments, volunteer work, certifications, and career objectives.

While the basics of resume writing haven’t changed in decades, new technology fields and online application processes have added dimensions not only to resume content, but also to the hiring process.

How to Write a Resume

The objective of a resume is to present your relevant skills, education, and accomplishments successfully. As your resume may be uploaded at times, a simple one-column format with a professional font may be your best option. However, regardless of the format you choose, the basic information it contains will remain the same.

Basic Information - Every resume should contain the following information relevant to the position or industry you are applying for:

• Contact information including your full name, physical address, email address, and phone number.
• Certifications, licenses, and degrees which add value based on the industry or requirements of the job description.
• Work experience. Whether you begin with your most recent employment or only list relevant jobs, avoid listing every responsibility you had and focus on what you accomplished while in the position.
• Skills and level of proficiency (for example, “basic programming skills” vs. “expert programming skills” or “conversational Brazilian Portuguese” vs. “fluent in Brazilian Portuguese”).

Adding references may seem to be a necessity, but it is not. Only add references or other information if the job posting requires it.

Note: Job postings offer a blueprint as to what should be included in your resume. The addition of unrequested or irrelevant information will likely reduce your chances of being called for an interview.

Resume Examples and Jargon

Sometimes, it helps to see how others write about their experience. Check out these resume samples from the University of Virginia at career.virginia.edu/resumes/creating-your-resume/resume-samples

Are you speaking the same language? - Each industry has its jargon, and before crafting a resume for a specific company, you may want to visit its website or research the industry. By identifying keywords and phrases in relevant example resumes, the company’s website, and the job description itself, you can discover stronger ways to present your credentials and capabilities.

When your resume is posted to an online database, the use of keywords in your titles and text will help potential employers find your resume. It also signals that you are able to speak their language, increasing the potential for a callback.

Order of Information - There is no rule that your work experience should come before your education section. Whatever information is most relevant to the position you are applying for should be at the top of your resume.

If your education or degree is in an unrelated field, move it to the bottom. However, if you lack professional experience and your GPA, degree or overall education are your strongest assets, they should be at the top.

Structure your resume in a way that makes sense for you, your qualifications, and the job for which you are applying.

Resume Visual Format - Avoid leaning too heavily on traditional templates. When your resume is added to a stack of other resumes, what will make it stand out?

Visual communication is as important as the content within the resume. Consider what the employer is looking for and how you can give them what they want to see.

Style your resume so that it appeals to the person reading it, what works for the food and beverage industry may not be appropriate for the engineering industry.

Resume Content Tips

A resume is not intended to include everything you have ever done. Your resume should highlight the most essential skills and experience that is relevant to the positions you are targeting.

The following tips will help you keep your ideas and verbiage simple and easy to read:

Don’t Be Wordy - Busy hiring managers need to understand your experience and qualifications quickly. Use short easy to scan statements vs. long paragraphs. For example:

Wordy and dense: By introducing writing templates and guidelines, I was able to increase article output by 30% and significantly reduce employee time inefficiencies.

Concise: Achieved a 30% increase in article output by eliminating inefficiencies.

Resume Length - A typical resume is one page or two pages maximum. This underscores the importance of being concise and adding only information relevant to what the employer is requesting in the job description.

The job description will always be your guide as to how your resume is constructed. Depending on the company and position you are applying for, you may be required to include much more information using a professional portfolio, learn more here clashgraphics.com/printing-tips/how-to-create-a-professional-portfolio-and-content/

What Are You Applying for? - It is essential that you apply for positions that include work you enjoy doing. If you apply for and include experience for things that you dislike doing, you may end up being hired to perform those tasks.

Keep in mind that even if your experience isn’t directly related to an industry, it may still be highly relevant to the position you are applying for.

Quantify Your Work Experience - Numbers and data help hiring managers to envision your potential impact in their organization. Whenever possible, use real data to increase your credibility and add quality information to your resume. For example:

Unquantified: Increased article output by introducing templates and guidelines.

Quantified: Achieved a 30% monthly increase in article output by reducing research inefficiencies.

Proofread Your Resume - In today’s competitive market, accuracy and quality are critical factors in being successful at anything. A single typo or spelling mistake may be enough to get your resume tossed out early in the vetting process.

Before submitting your resume to employers, proofread it several times line by line, and word by word. Reading it backward will force you to see each word, and it can be a very effective proofreading technique. In addition, have someone else proofread it for you, they may see mistakes or “difficult to read” areas that you cannot see.

Write Your Winning Resume

Catch and hold the attention of hiring managers with an impressive resume, and avoid losing the opportunity to advance your career.

In this article, you discovered the definition of a resume, the information needed in it, and expert tips to accurately organize it.

Without a well-written and presented resume, hiring managers will likely discard your candidacy before you have the opportunity to prove your value. Speak their language and deliver a resume that will make an impression if you’re going to advance your career.

Sources:
https://www.bc.edu/offices/careers/jobs/resumes/howto.html
https://career.berkeley.edu/Tools/Resume
http://www.simmons.edu/cec/undergraduates/career-toolkit/write-a-resume

Clash Graphics Print Shop Atlanta Flyer Printing

2233 Peachtree Rd NE Ste 202 Atlanta, GA 30309

(678) 235-3464

To view the original version on Clash Graphics, visit: https://www.clashgraphics.com/printing-tips/how-to-write-winning-resume/

How to Create a Professional Portfolio and Content

Don't miss the job opportunity of a lifetime because your portfolio doesn't present you well. It's time to make an impression with a polished professional portfolio.

When applying for your new position, a portfolio will assist you in showcasing your past work performance, highlighting your skill sets, and catching the attention of your new potential employer.

clashgraphics.com details how to organize and construct your new portfolio while answering some highly relevant frequently asked questions.

What is a Professional Portfolio

Your professional portfolio is an organized collection of information, documents, and specific examples that showcase your work, skills, talents, and professional growth.

What is the Difference Between a Resume and a Portfolio

The differences between a resume and a professional portfolio are the following:

Resume - A resume offers a one or two-sheet snapshot of your work history, education, skills, and accomplishments. However, it rarely conveys an applicant’s true potential or actual qualifications.

Copies of a resume are often included in a portfolio for easy distribution amongst the hiring team of a business or corporation.

Professional Portfolio - A professional portfolio allows an applicant to tell a story about the journey it took to become qualified for the desired position, detailing specific skills developed along the way. Part of a portfolio may be a disk or memory stick with a video presentation or slideshow, further showcasing capabilities and creativity.

However, be aware that portfolios are not suitable when the applicant is applying for a first job or has not worked long enough to garner significant achievements, promotions, or professional growth.

How to Build a Professional Portfolio

The contents of your professional portfolio should represent and highlight the skills and knowledge that qualify you for the position you are attempting to secure.

The following are components which should be included in your portfolio:

Table of Contents - The table of contents is a roadmap that will help your prospective employer navigate through your portfolio with ease.

This table of contents can be created using corresponding color codes or section titles for tabs.

Introduction - Your introduction is what employers will first learn about you. Besides being captivating, it should include a clear statement of your professional goals and philosophy.

Highlighted Experience - This is where you take the employer on a journey of who you are and what you have accomplished. Provide narrative descriptions of the following:

• Academic Work and Achievements
• Public Service / Community Involvement
• Organizational Memberships
• Work Experience
• Leadership Roles
• Teaching Roles
• Conference / Course Participation
• Performance Reviews
• Awards and Recognition

Appendices - These are annotated examples and material which elaborate on your qualifications and experiences referred to throughout your portfolio.

Digital Presentations - Use video or another digital format to present your qualifications and experience. This information can be carried in the portfolio by way of CD, DVD, or memory stick.

Resume - Include several copies for distribution. It is important to consider adding all supporting information relevant to your experience and qualifications.

Portfolio Presentation

Once you have collected and organized your certificates, reviews, awards, and verbiage, it’s time to transform it all into a presentation.

Make sure that all components of your portfolio use high-quality paper, printing and/or reproduction.

There are several ways to present your portfolio:

3-Ring Binder - One of the more common methods is the use of a 3-ring binder with plastic sheet inserts and tabbed dividers.

Presentation Folders and Portfolio Binders - Found in most office supply or stationery stores, these folders and binders can be found in high-grade paper, plastic, and some options in leather.

Order custom presentation folders here clashgraphics.com/categories/Presentation-Folders

Booklet - One way to make yourself stand out is to turn your portfolio into a book. Hand your materials and ideas to the graphic designers at your local print shop and let them turn your common portfolio into a full-color saddle-stitched masterpiece.

Order custom printed booklets here clashgraphics.com/categories/multi-page-booklets

In the creation of this polished portfolio, don’t lose sight and neglect the substance necessary to prove your worth or merit for the position you are seeking.

NOTE: Several employers will stipulate the type and format of resumes they prefer to receive from applicants. In such cases, carefully follow their instructions and give them exactly what they request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Why do I need a portfolio?
Answer: A portfolio is your living and changing documentation of records that represent your accomplishments, skills, and experiences.

Question: What are the three types of portfolios?
Answer: Three major types of portfolios are:

• Working Portfolios
• Display Portfolios
• Assessment Portfolios

Programs and businesses may utilize several types of portfolios with many individual purposes.

Question: Is CV the same as a resume?
Answer: No. Three differences between CVs (curriculum vitae) and resumes are length, purpose, and layout. A resume is a very brief summary of your skills and experience usually kept to one or two pages, while a CV is a more detailed account, able to stretch beyond two pages.

Question: What is a portfolio career?
Answer: A portfolio career is that in which instead of working a single full-time job, you have multiple part-time jobs which may include part-time employment, temp jobs, freelancing, and self-employment; when combined the employment is equivalent to a full-time position.

Portfolio Content and Your Career

Avoid losing your dream job to an ill-prepared presentation. Your professional portfolio is how you can showcase your capabilities, talents, and skill sets.

In this article, you discovered what a professional portfolio is, what should be included in it, how to put it together, uncovered answers to frequently asked questions.

Using the single sheet resume format may end up costing you fantastic job opportunities. Stop under-selling yourself when your knowledge and experience could be showcased in a sharp, professional portfolio.

Sources:
https://www.clarke.edu/academics/careers-internships/student-checklist/resume-writing-and-portfolios/what-is-a-portfolio/
https://careernetwork.msu.edu/resources-tools/resumes/portfolios.html

Clash Graphics Print Shop Atlanta Flyer Printing

2233 Peachtree Rd NE Ste 202 Atlanta, GA 30309

(678) 235-3464

To view the original version on Clash Graphics, visit: https://www.clashgraphics.com/printing-tips/how-to-create-a-professional-portfolio-and-content/