The Importance of Quality Customer Service to Growing Your Business

Poor customer service can kill your business. By knowing how quality customer service translates to business stability and growth, you can better train your employees and associates to exceed your customer’s expectations.

clashgraphics.com gathered the following information on what quality customer service is, how it improves customer relationships with your business, and how it translates to growth.

What Is Quality Customer Service?

Quality customer service is comprised of the following traits:

• Providing fast, efficient, and friendly service
• Building strong relationships with your customers
• Receiving and quickly handling complaints
• Responding to all customer feedback
• Positive email, text, social media, and website interaction

Success in any business is reliant on its customers. The quality of your customer service plays a significant role in making them loyal to your brand.

Benefits of Quality Customer Service

When you consistently provide superior customer service, your business will benefit from increasing:

• The number of times your customers shop at your business
• The “basket size” or dollar value spent per customer, per transaction
• The customer’s lifetime value (CLV)
• The number of customers attracted by impeccable word-of-mouth advertising
• Customer satisfaction and favorable reviews
• Customer loyalty to your brand
• Your competitive advantage

Among the most significant rewards of quality customer service are your employees beaming with pride and the ability to dramatically reduce your marketing costs over time.

At times, businesses are so similar in their products, prices, location, etc. that the only striking difference is in the quality of their customer service.

Today’s consumers tend to repeatedly shop where they feel comfortable, welcome, and heard. Whether you have a brick and mortar location or do business online, your customers will respond to how they are treated with their wallets.

How To Improve Customer Service in Your Business

By investing the time to improve your business’ customer service, you are investing wholly in the growth of your brand.

To put this concept better into perspective, think about where you do your grocery shopping and answer the following questions:

• Is parking readily available, or are you dodging shopping carts to find a spot?
• Is the entryway to the store clean and free from foul odors?
• How do you feel once you are in the store?
• Is the store clean?
• Are the items you need in stock and readily accessible?
• How long did it take before you were greeted or acknowledged?
• Do any of the employees know you by name?
• Are there enough open registers to keep lines short and moving?
• How was your experience checking out and paying for your purchases?

You will be grocery shopping in-store or online your entire life (unless you have someone do it for you). It’s a household necessity. Why would you give your money and patronage to a store or brand that doesn’t, at least, make an effort to exceed your expectations?

As consumers, for the most part, we readily give our long-term patronage to businesses that treat us with respect and make us feel like the most crucial part of their business. Consider the following to improve your customer service:

Product Knowledge - The more knowledgeable your staff is about your products and services, the easier it is to answer customer questions and doubts.

Work Environment - The more satisfying and rewarding your workplace is, the more committed your staff will be.

Employee State-of-Mind - Within your work environment, are employees heard when they express concerns? Is your staff encouraged to think independently and responsibly during their shift? Micromanagement often creates a poor atmosphere for staff and customers alike.

Cleanliness - Keep your location inviting, pleasant, and tidy.

Maintenance - Keep your production equipment, refrigeration units, etc. in good working order to avoid production slow-downs and customer frustration.

Training - Observe, coach, correct, and encourage your staff to continuously seek improvement in dealing with customers.

Customer Complaints - Establish a fast and straightforward policy for handling complaints or product returns. Take ownership of their problem and provide them with a solution promptly.

Trust - Trust is built by honoring your word. When you tell a customer you will provide or do something, do it. And do it right the first time.

Availability - Be available to your staff, willing to help them whenever they have questions or problems. Then encourage them to practice the same availability with each other and your customers.

By focusing on the well-being and betterment of your staff, you are supporting a superior level of customer service. You can measure this and the growth of your business by the following:

• Online Customer Survey
• Daily, Weekly, Monthly, and Annual Sales
• Average Basket Size
• Customer Count

You can also have survey cards printed. Hand the survey to your customers and encourage them to fill it out. Provide a box or container to maintain their anonymity (this also encourages them to be blunt when needed).

Customer surveys are only valuable when you are committed to acknowledging their concerns and making proactive changes.

Read more about increasing your company’s revenue at clashgraphics.com/printing-tips/4-strategies-guaranteed-increase-your-companys-revenue/

Customer Service

In this article, you discovered what quality customer service involves, how your business benefits from it, and how it converts to growth.

By promoting the highest level of customer service to your customers, you also foster a sense of pride amongst your employees and create an environment for your business to grow.

When you continuously provide mediocre service to your customers, you can expect your business to decrease and your revenue to tank.

Sources:
bizfluent.com/about-5437915-quality-customer-service-important.html
business.tas.gov.au/managing-customers-and-suppliers/the-importance-of-customer-service
www.k-state.edu/cecd/docs/pdfs/Session%201-%20Option%203%201.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/importance-of-quality-customer-service-growing-your-business/

Looking for Yards To Mow to Grow Your Lawn Care Business

Are you trying to grow your lawn care business with little to no results? By knowing how to market your lawn care business, you can find more yards to mow and turn them into loyal customers.

clashgraphics.com gathered the following information on marketing your lawn care business to attract new customers, and how to keep them.

How To Find Yards To Mow

Whether you are just beginning or you’ve been in the lawn care business for a while, you can always benefit from new customers and the revenue they bring with them. The following tips are designed to help you grow your lawn care business:

Printed Marketing Material - Until you meet a customer face-to-face, it’s likely going to be the printed marketing material that represents you and your business. The following will help you get the word out about your business:

• Business Cards (clashgraphics.com/printing-tips/tips-to-design-the-best-business-card/)
• Brochures
• Flyers (clashgraphics.com/printing-tips/marketing-with-flyers-use-size-design-and-flyer-printing/)
• Yard Signs
• Door Hangers
• Magnets

Avoid using stock images and overly wordy presentations on your printed material. Take the following into consideration:

• Your printed material needs to create immediate interest with your potential customer. Use images of yourself doing the work, and in their neighborhood if possible.
• Keep your presentation concise and informative.
• Don’t put services or claims in print that you may not be able to perform or keep.
• Use vibrant lawn and garden colors throughout your material (create a color theme).

Work with a print shop that has an internal graphic design department. They can likely help you go from concept to design, and finally to print.

Build A Website - Create a space that your existing and potential customers can visit. Include the following to lend credibility to your business:

• Use photos of your work
• Share your contact information and location
• Include a map of your service area
• Share your prices**
• Include monthly and annual packages
• Describe off-season services you provide
• Include your web address on all printed media and advertising

Get help when building your web site. It is essential to optimize as much as possible, from accessibility across multiple devices to the intentional use of keywords and key phrases. Your website should help your visitor (by providing a solution to the problem they are there for), and be optimized (so your website can be found in searches relevant to your business).

**According to HomeAdvisor, the prices for mowing and lawn maintenance can range from $49 - $219. Although the following number varies based on types of treatments and services, homeowners are spending an average of $133 on lawn services.

Word of Mouth - Perhaps the most effective way to gain new customers is to spread the word and create a level of customer satisfaction that compels them to do the same.

For new and existing lawn services, get the word out to everyone you know. This may include:

• Family members
• Neighbors
• Friends
• Coworkers

Canvas the areas where you provide services. Try to meet your potential customer face-to-face and give them your business card, flyer, or brochure. Invite them to visit your website and allow them to make an informed decision about hiring you for their lawn care needs.

Again, in this type of business, you, combined with the quality of your service and your customer interaction, will determine whether or not your business succeeds or not.

Referrals and Rewards - Reward your loyal customers when they refer you to a new customer that uses your services. You can do this in many ways:

• Gift Cards
• Discounted Services
• A free lawn mowing
• Service Upgrade

While these make great incentives, always remember that the quality and integrity of your services will ultimately be the reason your customers refer you.

Social Media - We live in an age where everyone is using some form of social media. They are doing this to keep up with friends, look for services, and offer feedback or comments on just about anything. In addition to your website, consider creating business pages on the following platforms:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Pinterest
• Tumblr
• Get Pocket
• Scoop.it
• LinkedIn
• WhatsApp

You can write about your business, take videos of your work, give lawn care tips, and tricks of the trade, and post them on multiple platforms. Invite your customers, friends, and family to follow your pages, like, and comment on your posts.

The more quality information you post (relevant to your business), the more momentum you will gain with your followers and search engine rankings.

Non-Competing Partner Companies - Approach companies that provide home services that you are not in competition with, and exchange referrals. For example, a tree service company will likely have residential customers that need lawn care. Likewise, you may have customers that need their trees inspected or pruned.

In this type of relationship, both companies can get new business by referring their existing customers to each other. It’s a win-win.

How To Keep Your Lawn Care Customers

Keeping your existing and new lawn care customers relies mostly on how well you provide the services they have asked of you. Just as important though, is customer service.

Always listen to your customers. Respond to criticism and praise with humility, authenticity, and honesty.

When your customer has a problem, give that problem your full attention and solve it efficiently. When the problem is solved, followup with your customer and thank them for the opportunity to fix whatever was wrong.

How To Get Lawn Care Customers

In this article, you discovered how to attract more lawn care customers to your business through marketing, service quality, and customer service.

By knowing how to market your lawn care company efficiently, you can build on your loyal customer base, and grow your business.

When you neglect your company’s marketing needs or fail to attend your customer’s needs, your business will likely lose revenue and struggle to survive.

Sources:
turfmagazine.com/business-management/9-marketing-tips-prepare-lawn-care-business-spring/
lawncare.org/lawn-care-business/

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/looking-for-yards-to-mow-grow-your-lawn-care-business/

Digital vs. Offset Printing Explained

You can avoid unnecessary expenses for your printing needs. Knowing the differences between digital and offset printing can help you make smarter decisions when it’s time to print.

clashgraphics.com gathered the following information about digital printing and offset printing, the differences, turnaround time, quality, color, and cost-effectiveness.

What Is Offset Printing?

Offset printing is the most used form of commercial and bulk printing. Invented in 1798 by Alois Senefelder, offset printing or offset lithography is a process in which:

1. Original text and images are scanned or uploaded to a computer
2. Films are produced using a high-resolution imagesetter
3. The image is transferred to a metal, plastic, or paper printing plate
4. Rollers apply oil-based ink and water to the plate (water prevents the ink from bleeding to the non-image area)
5. The inked image is transferred to a rubber blanket (cylinder)
6. The image is then transferred to paper as it passes between the blanket and another cylinder
7. A new plate is produced, and the process is repeated for each color added to the image

The term offset refers to the process of the image not being printed directly from the plate. Rather, it is offset or transferred to another surface that makes contact with the paper.

What Is Digital Printing?

Digital printing refers to printing from a digital-based image directly to media using toner or liquid ink. In this process, the toner or ink sits and dries atop the medium rather than being absorbed by it. Benny Landa, who is known as “the father of digital printing,” shocked the entire printing industry when he unveiled the world’s first digital color printing press in 1993.

Unlike offset printing, the technical steps required to produce reproduction plates are not necessary. Digital printing also allows you to make changes to your project on the fly, without needing to reset any machinery.

Project Turnaround Time

One consideration when choosing between digital and offset is how quickly you need the job done.

Offset - Due to the plate production process, fine-tuning of machinery, and typically higher order quantities, the turnaround time for an offset print job can be significantly longer.

Digital - With no need for plate production, machinery maintenance, and lower quantity print jobs, the turnaround time for digital print jobs is much faster.

Digital Printing Wins Turnaround Time

Print Project Quality

The print jobs you will have done are going to represent you or your business. Quality print is an absolute necessity to convey professionalism and confidence.

In this category, both offset and digital possess the capacity to produce high-quality print jobs.

Offset and Digital Printing Tie on Print Quality

Project Color Requirements

Some print projects may require exact color matches. Here are the differences between offset and digital.

Offset - Traditionally, offset printing uses four ink cylinders - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (CMYK). Offset, however allows for the printing of true colors such as Pantone color matching and HKS:

• Pantone Color Matching includes 1,114 individual spot colors
• HKS includes 120 spot colors and 3,520 tones

Digital - Digital printing uses inkjet or laser printers with a four-color-matching system. It is reliant on CMYK, lacking the capability to match the color and tone variations of Pantone and HKS.

If your print project requires an exact Pantone or HKS color match, digital will not fulfill your requirements.

Offset Printing Wins on Color Matching

Project Cost Effectiveness

Price is often the determining factor for which print process will be used.

Offset - The price for offset printing decreases as the printed number of units increases from a single or series of plates. The initial cost of plate production and machine setup makes smaller print jobs economically inefficient.

Digital - While the cost per unit is higher with digital printing, the costs associated with plate production and machine setup are eliminated.

For print jobs that require sequential numbering or individual personalizations, digital is the way to go, as a new plate would have to be produced for each individualization, making the print job astronomical in price.

Offset Printing Wins (for larger print jobs - over 500 units)

Digital Printing Wins (for smaller print jobs - less than 500 units)

The Difference Between Digital Printing And Offset Printing

Ultimately, digital and offset printing produce high-quality printed products. Their differences only become evident depending on your project’s color, budget, time, and quantity requirements.

Digital Vs. Offset Printing

In this article, you discovered the differences between digital and offset printing, their efficiencies regarding turnaround times, project quality, color limitations, and cost-effectiveness.

By knowing the efficiencies and drawbacks of digital printing and offset printing, you can better meet your printing needs while achieving your budget goals.

Failing to properly evaluate and select the best print options can generate an inadequate product, or create the need to completely rerun the project, simultaneously generating more expenses and frustration.

Sources:
pirate.shu.edu/~mckenndo/Offset%20Lithography.htm
printcopymail.umich.edu/copysvcs/digitalprinting.htm
landanano.com/about-us/benny-landa

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/digital-vs-offset-printing-explained/

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/