# D2R Print & Design — full corpus Generated 2026-10-14 UTC ============================================================ # Business Card Printing in Watford Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/services/print/business-card-printing-watford/ Published: 2026-08-06 Business Card Printing in Watford Your business card is usually the only thing somebody keeps after meeting you. It sits in a wallet, on a desk or in a drawer, and it carries on working long after you have shaken hands.So it is worth getting right. Whether you need 250 to get started or 5,000 for a sales team, plain or with gold foil, we will find the right solution and make sure you get print that delivers response. Get A Quote Fast! Or Call Us On - 01923 232593 What you get with every order D2R are an established local family business printing business cards in Watford, from 250 upwards, with same day turnaround available and local and national delivery. Choose matt, gloss, soft touch or foil, and we will check your artwork before anything goes on press. All backed by an amazingly friendly bunch of people. Standard size 85mm by 55mm, with square and folded options Standard stock gsm Minimum order 250 cards Finishes Matt, gloss, soft touch, gold or silver foil, spot UV Turnaround Same day available on standard cards ordered before Price from for 250 double sided Collection 107 St Albans Road, Watford, WD17 1RD, Monday to Friday Click here to get a quote for your business cards Design and print under one roof If you have not got a design yet, our studio will create one for you. If you have a logo but no card, we will build the layout around it. And if a designer has sent you a file that is not quite print ready, we will fix it rather than send it back.That is the difference between a local printer and an upload box. You are never left guessing whether your file will work, because somebody looks at it properly before it goes near a press.Our designers will not blind you with science or bore you with technical jargon. You get a proof to look at, explained in plain English, and nothing prints until you are happy with it. See what our design team can do Business Card Finishes worth paying for A finish is not decoration. It changes how the card feels in somebody else's hand, and that is the part people remember. Finish What it does Who tends to choose it Matt laminate A smooth, non reflective coat that resists marking Accountants, solicitors and consultants Gloss laminate Lifts colour and makes photography sing Photographers, salons and food businesses Soft touch A velvet feel people notice as they take it Anyone selling on quality rather than price Gold or silver foil Metallic detail pressed into the card Jewellers, weddings and premium brands Spot UV Raised gloss over one part of the design Logos that need to catch the light Rounded corners Softer edges that survive a wallet better Cards that get carried around Square format A shape nobody is expecting Studios, agencies and creative businesses Not sure which suits you. Pop in and hold a few. We keep samples at St Albans Road, and the difference between soft touch and matt is something you have to feel rather than read about. Need your business cards today? A networking event tomorrow morning. A new starter beginning on Monday. Cards ordered online three weeks ago that still have not turned up. We hear all three most weeks.We can print standard business cards the same day on orders placed before , so you can ring first thing and collect before you finish for the day. No express delivery charge either, because you are picking them up from Watford.If you are not local, next day delivery covers Hertfordshire and North West London. Either way you will be told honestly what is possible, rather than promised something that then slips. In A Hurry? Ring us on 01923 232593 and we will tell you straight away whether we can get your cards printed today. Call us now Get A Quote How much do business cards cost? Prices start at  for 250 double sided cards on our standard stock. Most orders land between and depending on how many you need and which finish you choose.We publish our prices because you should not have to fill in a form to find out whether you can afford something. If your job is a bit unusual, ring us and we will price it while you are on the phone. Quantity Standard, from Soft touch, from Foil, from 250 500 1,000 2,500 Need A Quote? If you prefer to do things online then just fill in our super quick quote form to get a price for the business cards you are thinking of ordering. We aim to quote (and print) you happy. Get A Quote Call us now Why not just order them online? It is a fair question, and if all you want is the cheapest possible card then an online printer will beat us on price. We are not going to pretend otherwise.What you are paying a bit more for here is somebody checking your file before it prints, a proof you can query, and a phone that gets answered when the deadline moves. Most people who come to us have already had a batch turn up trimmed wrong, too thin, or three weeks late.You can also come and look at the stock before you commit, which is worth more on business cards than on almost anything else we print. Business cards for trades and local services A good share of our card work goes to people whose card is their shopfront. Cleaners, plumbers, electricians, hairdressers, photographers, dog walkers, gardeners and driving instructors right across Watford.If that is you, the card has a job to do beyond looking smart. Your number needs reading at arm's length. There needs to be room on the back for the next appointment or a quick note. And it has to survive being handed over with wet hands or dropped through a letterbox.We build that in without being asked, because we have printed a lot of them. Bring us your logo and roughly what you want it to say, and we will take it from there. How many business cards should you order? Most small businesses order 500, which is roughly a year of handing them out. Quantity When it makes sense 250 A new business, a job title that might change, or testing a design before you commit 500 The most common order. Roughly a year of handing them out for most small businesses 1,000 Where the price per card drops sharply. Right if you are at events or on the road 2,500 and up Sales teams, franchises, or a school or practice ordering for several people at once If several people need their own cards with different names, we will set that up once and reprint any of them later without starting from scratch. We are masters of personalisation, so this is very much our sort of job. Business card printing across Watford and Hertfordshire You will find us on St Albans Road in Watford with parking outside. Plenty of customers drop in with a memory stick, sit down for five minutes and pick their cards up two days later.Most of our card work stays close to home. Bushey, Croxley Green, Garston, Abbots Langley, Rickmansworth and Radlett are all a short run away, and we deliver into St Albans and Hemel Hempstead every week.If you are further out and not sure whether we reach you, ring and ask. We usually do. How to order your business cards 1. Tell us what you need. Fill in the super quick quote form or ring 01923 and describe the job in ordinary words.2. Send your artwork, or ask us to design it. A print ready PDF is ideal, and we are just as happy with an Illustrator, InDesign or Photoshop file.3. We check the file. Bleed, resolution, fonts and colour all get looked at before anything is committed.4. You approve a proof. Nothing prints until you have seen it and said yes.5. Collect or have them delivered. Same day on standard cards ordered before . Want to find out more? Our team are dedicated to helping you in any way they can Contact us Not sure what print ready means. Our Knowledge Centre explains bleed, paper weights and which file type to send, all in plain English. Why Watford businesses print their cards with us We are an established local family business on St Albans Road, not a call centre and not a website with a warehouse behind it. You can walk in, and more often than not somebody will put the kettle on while you wait.That has earned us a 5.0 rating from 324 Google reviews. Customers mention the same three things most often, which are turnaround speed, patience with awkward artwork, and simply answering the phone.The presses that print your 500 business cards also produce work for TK Maxx, John Lewis, Warner Bros Studios, Costco, the NHS, West Herts College and Action for Children, along with schools including Haberdashers Boys School, John Lyon School and Watford Grammar School for Boys. View All Reviews Common questions about business card printing How quickly can I get business cards printed in Watford? Standard business cards can be printed the same day if your order and artwork reach us before . Cards with foil, spot UV or an unusual shape take longer because of the extra process, usually working days. Ring us with your deadline and we will tell you straight away whether it is possible. What size is a standard UK business card? The standard UK business card is 85mm by 55mm, which fits a wallet and a card holder without trimming. We also print square cards at 55mm by 55mm, and folded cards if you need more room. Custom sizes are fine too, just tell us early because it changes how the sheet is laid out. How many business cards should I order? Most small businesses order 500, which lasts around a year of normal handing out. Order 250 if your details might change soon or you are testing a design. Order 1,000 or more if you are at events regularly, because the price per card drops noticeably at that point. Can you design my business card as well as print it? Yes. Our in house studio will design a card from scratch, build one around a logo you already have, or tidy up a file a designer has sent you. You will see a proof before anything prints. Our design rates are pitched to be reasonable, so having it done properly usually costs less than people expect. What file do you need from me? A print ready PDF with 3mm bleed is ideal. We can also work from Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop or even a Word file if that is all you have. Send whatever you have got and we will tell you what needs changing. Our Knowledge Centre article on file types goes into more detail. Can I have gold foil or spot UV on my cards? Yes, both. Gold and silver foil press a metallic finish into the card and suit jewellers, weddings and premium brands. Spot UV puts a raised gloss over one element, usually a logo, so it catches the light against a matt background. Both add working days to the turnaround. Do you print double sided business cards? Yes, and it costs less than most people assume. The back of a card is useful space for a booking line, opening hours, a QR code or a next appointment box. If you are not sure what to put there, ask us and we will suggest something based on what your card needs to do. What thickness of card do you use? Our standard business card stock is , which is noticeably firmer than the thin cards supplied by budget online printers. Heavier options are available if you want something more substantial still. Pop in and hold a sample, because thickness is very hard to judge from a screen. Can I collect my business cards from Watford? Yes. We are at 107 St Albans Road, Watford, WD17 1RD, open Monday to Friday from 8.45am until 5.15pm, with parking outside. Collection costs nothing and is usually quicker than delivery, so it is worth it if you are anywhere nearby. Standard business cards can be printed the same day if your order and artwork reach us before . Cards with foil, spot UV or an unusual shape take longer because of the extra process, usually working days. Ring us with your deadline and we will tell you straight away whether it is possible.The standard UK business card is 85mm by 55mm, which fits a wallet and a card holder without trimming. We also print square cards at 55mm by 55mm, and folded cards if you need more room. Custom sizes are fine too, just tell us early because it changes how the sheet is laid out.Most small businesses order 500, which lasts around a year of normal handing out. Order 250 if your details might change soon or you are testing a design. Order 1,000 or more if you are at events regularly, because the price per card drops noticeably at that point.Yes. Our in house studio will design a card from scratch, build one around a logo you already have, or tidy up a file a designer has sent you. You will see a proof before anything prints. Our design rates are pitched to be reasonable, so having it done properly usually costs less than people expect.A print ready PDF with 3mm bleed is ideal. We can also work from Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop or even a Word file if that is all you have. Send whatever you have got and we will tell you what needs changing. Our Knowledge Centre article on file types goes into more detail.Yes, both. Gold and silver foil press a metallic finish into the card and suit jewellers, weddings and premium brands. Spot UV puts a raised gloss over one element, usually a logo, so it catches the light against a matt background. Both add working days to the turnaround.Yes, and it costs less than most people assume. The back of a card is useful space for a booking line, opening hours, a QR code or a next appointment box. If you are not sure what to put there, ask us and we will suggest something based on what your card needs to do.Our standard business card stock is , which is noticeably firmer than the thin cards supplied by budget online printers. Heavier options are available if you want something more substantial still. Pop in and hold a sample, because thickness is very hard to judge from a screen.Yes. We are at 107 St Albans Road, Watford, WD17 1RD, open Monday to Friday from 8.45am until 5.15pm, with parking outside. Collection costs nothing and is usually quicker than delivery, so it is worth it if you are anywhere nearby. Ready to get your business cards printed? Tell us how many you need and what you want them to say. We will price it, check your artwork and get it printed properly, usually quicker than you are expecting. We aim to quote (and print) you happy. Request a quote ------------------------------------------------------------ # Funeral Orders Of Service Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/funeral-orders-of-service/ Published: 2024-10-03 > Funeral orders of service printing in Watford. Fast turnaround, compassionate service, and competitive pricing. Order your tribute booklets today. Funeral Orders Of Service We understand that planning a funeral can be an emotional and stressful time. That’s why we offer a compassionate and efficient service for printing funeral orders of service, designed to make this process as smooth and straightforward as possible.With quick turnaround times, we ensure that your order is delivered promptly without compromising on quality. Our team is dedicated to producing beautifully printed materials that provide a fitting tribute to your loved one, all at a reasonable price. Our friendly staff are here to support you with care and understanding every step of the way, ensuring the experience is stress-free during this difficult time. Prices Quantity 4 page 8 page 12 page 50 copies £50 £65 £80 80 copies £80 £110 £135 150 copies £115 £155 £195 250 copies £155 £245 £315 Quote Promo Code OOS2025 For A 5% Discount Order Details ------------------------------------------------------------ # Printing for Schools Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/services/printing-for-schools/ Published: 2024-03-07 > Expert school printing in Watford for prospectuses, newsletters, calendars and more. 25 years experience, fast turnaround, competitive pricing. Get your quote today. Home Services Printing for Schools D2R are experts in providing printing for independent schools and always aim to deliver exceptional results that exceed expectations. Why Use D2R? Experts in independent schools printing Worked with schools for 25 years Understand schools unique requirements Amazing print quality with latest technology Expert team with focus on giving VIP service Never miss a deadline! What We Do School Prospectus School Magazine & Newsletters Term Calendars & Planners Christmas Cards Student Contact Booklets Recital & Concert Programmes Postcards, Leaflets & Flyers Brochures & Booklets Posters, Banners & Signage Event Programmes Business Cards & Stationery Certificates Year Books Sports Day Material Yearly Desk & Wall Calendars Much, much more! What Our Schools Say About Us D2R are our go-to printer for all jobs large and small – most of our projects need to be done to extremely tight deadlines without compromising quality and we need a printer who we know will not let us down. The team at D2R are always on hand and communication from beginning to end is always excellent. We have never been disappointed with the service from D2R! Sally YoungMarketing Manager Haberdashers’ Boys’ School I have been using D2R for over a decade. No job is ever too big or too small for them and their high quality reflects our school’s image. D2R are very competitive with their costings and offer a service at a reasonable price. They are also a very friendly group of people, who are always more than happy to help. Jesal SuchakDirector of Marketing and Communications John Lyon School D2R have been looking after our school printing for over 5 years now - everything from the smallest last minute rush job to larger projects that need to be top quality to reflect our school’s image. Competitively priced, very professional and all handled with a minimum of fuss! Ann Marie RevellSchool Office, Watford Grammar School For Boys Previous Next ------------------------------------------------------------ # Printed Newsletter Service Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/dfy-newsletters/ Published: 2023-09-01 Thanks for your interest in our done-for-you printed newsletter service Click one of the links below to sign-up £429 plus VATper month 100 Copies SIGN UP £479 plus VATper month 250 Copies SIGN UP £529 plus VATper month 500 Copies SIGN UP £569 plus VATper month 750 Copies SIGN UP £599 plus VATper month 1000 Copies SIGN UP ------------------------------------------------------------ # Funeral Order Of Service Watford Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/services/print/funeral-order-of-service-watford/ Published: 2022-12-17 Funeral Order Of Service Watford Our Funeral Order Of Service design & printing service in Watford is a simple way of personalising a funeral and create a unique commemoration to the person who has passed away.We know this is a difficult time for the family and you need to attend to several things. So our team will work around your needs to create the perfect order of service.Prices start from only £50 for 50.Please give us a call on 01923 232593 or click the button below and one of our team will assist you to get started. Get A Quote ------------------------------------------------------------ # Leaflet Printing Watford Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/services/print/leaflets/ Published: 2022-11-06 Leaflet Printing Watford Thank you for your interest in our leaflet printing service in Watford. We specialise in printing all types of leaflets.Check out some of our online-only special offers:1000 x A6 Leaflets Double-Sided on 130gsm Gloss @ £45 plus VAT5000 x A5 Leaflets Single-Sided on 130gsm Gloss @ £99 plus VAT2000 x A4 Leaflets Single-Sided on 130gsm Gloss @ £95 plus VAT(Quote promo code D2R786110 to get the above special deals)The above prices assume that you will be providing your own artwork.If you need something slightly different or want our expert team to do the design then just click on the button below. Get A Quote ------------------------------------------------------------ # Business Cards Watford Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/services/print/business-cards-watford/ Published: 2022-11-06 Business Cards Watford Thank you for your interest in our business card printing service in Watford. We specialise in printing all types of business cards.Check out some of our online-only special offers:100 x single-sided business cards on 350gsm board @ £25 plus VAT250 x single-sided matt-laminated business cards on 400gsm silk @ £45 plus VAT1000 x single-sided business cards on 400gsm silk @ £75 plus VAT(Quote promo code D2R786110 to get the above special deals)The above prices assume that you will be providing your own artwork. If you need something slightly different or want our expert team to do the design then just click on the button below. Get A Quote ------------------------------------------------------------ # Productivity Pack Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/productivity-pack/ Published: 2022-11-02 Productivity Pack A common problem that affects the average working individual is a lack of productivity. We want to fix that problem. Our Productivity Pack has all the tricks and tips to help you become more productive. So why don't you have a try... the first step to being more productive is filling in that form! Get your Free Free Productivity Pack Get our awesome personalised calendar, notebook and wall planner – all customised with your name on it! Just fill out the details below and we will print and send them straight away!Fields with * are required. We will use your contact information in a responsible manner – please see our privacy policy for further details. ------------------------------------------------------------ # Sitemap Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/sitemap/ Published: 2022-11-02 Sitemap ------------------------------------------------------------ # Terms and Conditions Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/terms-and-conditions/ Published: 2022-11-02 Terms and Conditions of Trading These Terms and Conditions apply to all supplies of goods and services by d2rCrossMedia unless otherwise agreed in writing by a duly authorised representative of d2rCrossMedia. d2rCrossMedia’s employees and agents are not authorised to make any representations in relation to the services offered by d2rCrossMedia and the customer acknowledges that it does not rely upon and waives any breach of such representation.QUOTATIONS. (A) d2rCrossMedia will not be bound by any price quoted on the telephone. A firm quotation in writing will be given only after d2rCrossMedia has received full and complete instructions and examined the necessary samples and shall remain valid for a period of 14 days and no order shall be deemed accepted by d2rCrossMedia unless and until confirmed in writing. Where a quotation has not been given the price charged will (subject to Clause 2) be at the rate current at the date of acceptance of the order by d2rCrossMedia. No order which has been accepted may be cancelled without written consent of d2rCrossMedia and in terms that the customer will indemnify d2rCrossMedia in full against all costs incurred by it as a result of cancellation. (B) All work undertaken at the customer’s request including work of a preliminary nature will be charged to the customer.PRICE VARIATIONS. Prices are based on current costs of production and any quotation is subject to increase at any time after acceptance by d2rCrossMedia of the customer’s order to meet any rise or fall in such costs which are due to factors beyond d2rCrossMedia’s control or due to any changes requested (including any changes in the timetable for production) or delays occasioned by the customer or failure of the customer to give adequate instructions. Unless otherwise stated all prices quoted are exclusive of VAT and any delivery or expedition charges for which the customer shall be additionally liable.PROOFS AND ERRORS. An additional charge will be made for corrections, amendments and alterations in style or content other than typographical errors and for additional proofs necessitated thereby. Proofs are available for customer’s approval on request. No responsibility or liability will be accepted by d2rCrossMedia for: (i) any errors not corrected by the customer after inspecting the proofs or where the customer declines to make such inspection; or (ii) any material for which the customer has given instructions which allow for a degree of artistic licence and the customer shall not be entitled to reject such work.DELIVERY, PAYMENT AND RISK. (A) Delivery shall be made by the customer collecting the order from the 22rCrossMedia Centre at any time after being notified it has been completed or if some other place for delivery is agreed by delivery of the order to that place. Time for delivery shall not be of the essence; (B) d2rCrossMedia shall be entitled to invoice the customer for the price of the order once notification of completion has been given and payment shall become due immediately and d2rCrossMedia shall be entitled to recover the price notwithstanding delivery may not have taken place and legal title has not passed to the customer except in the case of approved credit account customers with whom alternative arrangements have been agreed in writing. Time of payment shall be of the essence of contract in this respect. (C) Where the order is to be delivered in instalments each delivery shall constitute a separate contract. (D) In the event of the processing of the customer’s order being suspended or delayed as a result of any act or omission on the part of the customer for a period in excess of thirty days d2rCrossMedia shall be entitled to immediate payment for that part of the customer’s order which has been processed. (E) If the customer fails to make any payment on the due date then without prejudice to any other right or remedy available to d2rCrossMedia, d2rCrossMedia shall be entitled to: (i) cancel the contract or suspend any performance of the customer’s order; (ii) appropriate any payment made by the customer as d2rCrossMedia may think fit (notwithstanding any purported appropriation by the customer) and to charge the customer with all costs and expenses involved in collecting the overdue payment together with interest (both before and after any judgement) on the amount unpaid at the rate of 2% per month from the due date until payment in full is made (part of a month being treated as a full month for the purpose of calculating interest). (F) Legal title in the work the subject of this contract shall not pass to the customers until d2rCrossMedia receives payment in full of all sums whether in respect of the work or otherwise due owing or incurred including VAT. Until legal title passes the customer shall be bailee of the goods for d2rCrossMedia but the risk in the goods shall be borne by the customer from the date of delivery referred to in Clause 4 or where stored in accordance with Clause 11. The customer shall ensure that he has appropriate insurance in this connection.QUANTITIES. Whilst every endeavour will be made to provide the precise quantity requested by the customer orders in excess of £50 (excluding VAT) are accepted on condition that the customer accepts certain margins of over supply and shortfall and the sale price will be adjusted accordingly. These are 5% for work in one colour and 10% for any other work.LIABILITY. Subject to Clause 12 below d2rCrossMedia shall not be liable for any indirect or consequential loss for any loss to the customer arising from third party claims occasioned by any error, failure or delay in completing the order or by delay in delivery and in this connection time shall not be of the essence. Where work is defective for any reason, d2rCrossMedia’s liability (if any) shall be limited to rectifying such defects as have been notified to d2rCrossMedia in writing within (48 hours) of delivery and in any event only so far as d2rCrossMedia is reasonably able to do so.CUSTOMER’S OWN MATERIALS. (A) d2rCrossMedia reserves the right to reject any unsuitable materials (including without limitation any paper, plates, computer disks or CD-ROM's) supplied or specified by the customer and to make additional charges where additional costs are incurred as a result of such materials proving unsuitable during production (B) Customer’s artwork or other materials supplied to d2rCrossMedia remain at the customer’s risk and d2rCrossMedia accepts no liability for damage, destruction or loss thereof. (C) d2rCrossMedia shall have a lien over any materials supplied to it by the customer against payment of all monies due to it by the customer from time to time and shall be entitled (if any sum is not paid on the due date) to dispose of such property or such sums (if any) as d2rCrossMedia shall in its discretion think appropriate towards settlement of the sums due.COPYRIGHT. Subject as provided in Clause 9 below any copyright and design rights in relation to any artwork and physical materials resulting from the same which are originated by d2rCrossMedia as a result of an order of the customer, (including where the customer’s own artwork or materials have been incorporated into the artwork, design or physical materials so originated) shall belong to d2rCrossMedia and the customer shall only be entitled to reproduce or authorise any other person to reproduce such designs or artwork whether in whole or in part with d2rCrossMedia’s authorisation once the price for the same has been paid by the customer.ORIGINAL DESIGN WORK. Where the customer has requested the production of original design work d2rCrossMedia may engage the services of outside designers in producing such work. Whilst d2rCrossMedia warrants that original design work so produced by d2rCross Media will not be offered by d2rCrossMedia for use by any other customer of d2rCrossMedia, it cannot provide any warranty on behalf of the designer who is commissioned to produce the work.INDEMNITY. (A) The customer warrants that he has full authority to reproduce any material in which copyright subsists and d2rCrossMedia reserves the right to refuse to undertake any work which infringes or appears to infringe the copyright or other intellectual property rights of any third party or which in its opinion contains any material which is an any way unlawful. (B) The customer warrants that any design or other material furnished by him or any design material created by d2rCrossMedia pursuant to the customer’s instructions is not defamatory or obscene or such as will cause d2rCrossMedia to infringe any intellectual property rights of any third party or any legislation for the time being in force in the United Kingdom in the performance of the contract. (C) The customer shall fully indemnify d2rCrossMedia in respect of all costs, claims, liabilities and expenses (including any amount paid in settlement on legal advice and d2rCrossMedia’s own legal costs) arising from any claim that any materials provided by the customer or design materials produced by d2rCrossMedia pursuant to the customer’s instructions contains any defamatory or obscene matter or infringes the intellectual property rights of any third party. (D) In the event of any claim being made or action brought against a customer arising out of the matters referred to in this clause, the customer shall promptly notify d2rCrossMedia thereof.STORAGE. If for any reason the customer fails to take delivery of goods at the time when the goods are ready d2rCrossMedia shall be under no obligation to store the same. d2rCrossMedia may however at its discretion if its storage facilities permit store the goods until actual delivery but at the customer’s risk and the customer shall be liable to d2rCrossMedia for the reasonable costs (including insurance) of it so doing.CONSUMER RIGHTS. These terms and conditions do not and will not affect the statutory rights of a customer who is a consumer. No provision which would be void by virtue of Sections 6 or 20 of the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 (as amended) or by virtue of the Unfair Contract Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1994 shall apply to any consumer transaction. The expressions “consumer” and “consumer transaction” shall have the respective meanings given thereto in paragraph 2 of the Consumer Transactions (Restriction on Statements) Order 1976 (as amended) or in the 1994 Regulations as appropriate.INSOLVENCY. If: (A) the customer, being a company, makes any arrangement or composition with its creditors or has a receiver or administrator appointed or if the customer is unable to pay its debts within the meaning of Section 123 of the Insolvency Act 1986 or becomes insolvent or goes into liquidation within the meaning of Section 247 of the Insolvency Act 1986 or an order is made or resolution passed for winding up (except for voluntary amalgamation or reconstruction); or (B) the customer, being an individual, has a bankruptcy petition presented against him or is unable to pay his debts within the meaning of Section 123 of the Insolvency Act 1986 or becomes insolvent or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors or takes any similar action in consequence of debt; or (C) the customer is in breach of any of its obligations under these terms and conditions then d2rCrossMedia may without prejudice to any of its other rights immediately suspend the performance of any order placed by the customer and shall be entitled to charge the customer, and the customer shall immediately become liable to pay, for any work already carried out (whether completed or not) including the cost of any materials purchased on behalf of the customer.WAIVER. Failure by d2rCrossMedia to exercise or enforce any rights hereunder shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any such right nor operate so as to bar the exercise or enforcement thereof at time or times thereafter.ILLEGALITY AND SEVERANCE. If any provision hereof is held by any competent authority to be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part the validity of all other provisions and the remainder of the provision in question shall not be affected thereby.ENTIRE AGREEMENT. These provisions constitute the entire agreement between d2rCrossMedia and the customer and replace all prior agreements, understandings, statements and communications between d2rCrossMedia and the customer.FORCE MAJEURE. d2rCrossMedia will make every effort to carry out the customer’s instructions and the resulting contract but shall be under no liability if unable to carry out any provision of the contract for any reason beyond d2rCrossMedia’s control (without limiting the foregoing) including the inability to secure labour, materials or supplies, breakdown of machinery, or as a result of the Act of God, war, labour dispute, fire, flood, drought, legislation, failure of power supply or any cause beyond d2rCrossMedia’s control. During the continuance of such contingency the customer may by notice in writing to d2rCrossMedia elect to terminate the contract and pay for work done up to such notice for materials used but subject thereto shall otherwise accept delivery when available.GOVERNING LAW. These conditions and all other terms of the contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the country where d2rCrossMedia has its principal place of business.UK 11/11Cheques only accepted when supported by a valid banker's card.Please make cheques payable to d2rCrossMedia. ------------------------------------------------------------ # Terms Of Use Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/terms-of-use/ Published: 2022-11-02 Website Usage Terms And Conditions Welcome to our website. If you continue to browse and use this website, you are agreeing to comply with and be bound by the following terms and conditions of use, which together with our privacy policy govern ’s relationship with you in relation to this website. If you disagree with any part of these terms and conditions, please do not use our website.The term ‘d2rCrossMedia’ or ‘us’ or ‘we’ refers to the owner of the website whose registered office is 107 St Albans Road Watford Hertfordshire WD17 1RD. Our company name is Silverfine Limited and registration number is 02961885 Registered in England and Wales. The term ‘you’ refers to the user or viewer of our website.The use of this website is subject to the following terms of use:The content of the pages of this website is for your general information and use only. It is subject to change without notice.This website uses cookies to monitor browsing preferences. If you do allow cookies to be used, then location and referral details may be stored.Neither we nor any third parties provide any warranty or guarantee as to the accuracy, timeliness, performance, completeness or suitability of the information and materials found or offered on this website for any particular purpose. You acknowledge that such information and materials may contain inaccuracies or errors and we expressly exclude liability for any such inaccuracies or errors to the fullest extent permitted by law.Your use of any information or materials on this website is entirely at your own risk, for which we shall not be liable. It shall be your own responsibility to ensure that any products, services or information available through this website meet your specific requirements.This website contains material which is owned by or licensed to us. This material includes, but is not limited to, the design, layout, look, appearance and graphics. Reproduction is prohibited other than in accordance with the copyright notice, which forms part of these terms and conditions.All trademarks reproduced in this website, which are not the property of, or licensed to the operator, are acknowledged on the website.Unauthorised use of this website may give rise to a claim for damages and/or be a criminal offence.From time to time, this website may also include links to other websites. These links are provided for your convenience to provide further information. They do not signify that we endorse the website(s). We have no responsibility for the content of the linked website(s).Your use of this website and any dispute arising out of such use of the website is subject to the laws of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. ------------------------------------------------------------ # Get A Quote Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/print-quote/ Published: 2022-11-02 Get A Print Quote Fast For pricing on our most popular print products please download our price guide.  Price Guide For anything else you can't find in our price list, please fill in the form below and our quoting team will get a quote to your inbox super-fast. Fields with * are required.We will use your contact information in a responsible manner – please see our privacy policy for further details. Or call us on 01923 232593 if you prefer to chat. a Word FROM our Our Happy Clients :) ------------------------------------------------------------ # Contact Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/contact/ Published: 2022-11-02 Contact Us Fields with * are required.We will use your contact information in a responsible manner.Please see our privacy policy for further details. Contact Information Find Us d2rCrossMedia, 107 St Albans Road. Watford, Hertfordshire, WD17 1RD Call Us01923 232593 Email usresponse@d2rCrossMedia.com ------------------------------------------------------------ # Blog Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/blog/ Published: 2022-11-02 > Explore D2R Printers Watford's knowledge centre for printing advice, design tips, and solutions for your business needs. Read our latest posts today. Knowledge Centre Latest Posts Design Direct Mail Marketing Print All ------------------------------------------------------------ # Testimonials Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/testimonials/ Published: 2022-11-02 Our Happy Clients ------------------------------------------------------------ # Direct Mail Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/services/marketing/ Published: 2022-11-02 Home Services Direct Mail We create campaigns that get insanely great response rates from their target audience by using some amazing trade secrets that only the best marketing professionals know about.As a member of the Entrepreneur’s Circle and also several other marketing groups, our owner and Head Of Marketing – Aarif Merali, is one of the best marketers and copywriters within the UK print industry.Aarif knows exactly how to understand a marketing campaign’s objectives and deliver the right message to the right audience using the right media.Rather than jumping on the bandwagon of the latest marketing fad, Aarif sticks to the fundamental principles of marketing to ensure that each campaign has crafted the correct message and is relevant to the target audience.If you have a marketing project requirement, then we will be able to: Come up with fantastic new concepts you may not have thought of Craft attention-grabbing headlines for your marketing material Write compelling copy that will encourage prospects to act Print the material in just the right way to generate response Handle all the mailing and fulfilment Several of our clients have been amazed at the increased response rates they have received after following our approach.Once you follow the tried and tested approach we have used with several other clients, you will never want to go back and do marketing the old way.Need A Quote?If you prefer to do things online then just fill in our super-quick quote form to get a price for any printing you may be thinking of doing. We aim to quote (and print) you happy ... ------------------------------------------------------------ # Print Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/services/print/ Published: 2022-11-02 > Printing services in Watford with 45 years' experience. Fast turnaround, same-day delivery, and bespoke designs. Get your free quote today. Home Services Printers In Watford Established local family business offering same-day turnaround and local/national delivery backed by an amazingly friendly bunch of people.Here are some of the items we print every day: Appointment Cards Banners Birthday Invites Bookmarks Brochures Business Cards Calendars Carrier Bags CDs & DVDs Christmas Cards Compliment Slips Deskpads Direct Mail Envelopes Exhibition Stands Flags Flyers Folders Greeting Cards Invitations Labels Leaflets Letterheads Loyalty Cards Newsletters Notebooks Invoice Books Notepads Order Of Service Outdoor Banners Party Invites Plan Printing Presentation Folders Postcards Posters Roller Banners Training Manuals Video Brochures Wedding Invites Click here to get a quote for any of the above items Our print service has a 45 year heritage of serving our clients. Whether your requirements are small or large, simple or complex, we can find the right solution to ensure that we provide print that delivers response.We are also masters of personalisation and we can ensure that each printed piece is completely bespoke to the person receiving it so that your message is delivered in a targeted, relevant and timely manner. ------------------------------------------------------------ # Design Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/services/design/ Published: 2022-11-02 Home Services Design First impressions count and people do judge a book by its cover. Our in-house design team will ensure your printed material not only looks good but also gets the attention it deserves.If you have a great business and want to show off your product or service in its best light then you must have all your print items professionally designed.Our design team is highly experienced and our design rates are very reasonable so you can get a lot done for your budget.Some of the ways that we can help with your design project include: Coming up with new concepts Developing a new brand identity Design a new logo or refreshing your existing one Drawing illustrations of your products or team Making print-ready artwork from any files you supply Our designers will not blind you with science or bore you with technical jargon. They will present the best concepts to you in a quick and easy way so you can decide which ones you like best.Once you have worked with our design team you will never want to do another piece of print without involving them. ------------------------------------------------------------ # Services Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/services/ Published: 2022-11-02 All Your Marketing Services Under One Roof Unlike other print suppliers, we can offer an complete one-stop-shop for all your design, print & marketing needs. Design First impressions count and people do judge a book by its cover. Our in-house design team will ensure your brand not only looks good but also gets the attention it deserves. Learn more Print In this increasingly online world, print is still the most effective way of communicating with your target audience and reports of its death have been greatly exaggerated. Learn more Direct Mail We create campaigns that get insanely great response rates from their target audience by using some amazing trade secrets that only the best marketing professionals know about. Learn more Taking The Hassle Out Of Ordering Print. Want a logo designed – we have helped hundreds of businesses with their new logo. Want to have all your artwork setup in print-ready format – our artworkers can help with that Need something printed in a hurry – we offer a same day service! Need help in writing really good copy and headlines then our copywriters will help with that. Want some help in creating a new marketing campaign – our resident marketing experts would love to get creative and help with that Need your print mailed out – we offer a complete fulfilment service so you don’t have to lift a finder Want it delivered – we will make sure it reaches the destination safely whether its around the corner or the other side of the world!Our team are dedicated to make your print order a completely hassle-free experience. So, relax and let D2R take care of it. Here are some of the items we print every day: Brochures Business Cards Calendars Carrier Bags CDs & DVDs Christmas Cards Flyers ------------------------------------------------------------ # Our Team Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/our-team/ Published: 2022-11-02 Meet Our Team Aarif Merali Owner & Head Of Marketing My job is to ensure any marketing campaigns we carry out for our clients have the maximum chance of generating insanely great response rates. This may include creating the concept for the campaign, crafting the headlines and doing the copywriting. I then hand over to our design team to work their magic and make things look really good. Outside of D2R, you will find me either on the golf course or on the ski slopes with my three young sons and lovely wife Khairun! Khairun Merali Co-owner, Company Secretary & Office All-rounder I am the all-rounder of the D2R team and get involved in everything from the company finances, dealing with suppliers, customer quotes, helping the production team with urgent deadlines and ensuring that the D2R engine is well-oiled and running smoothly. I am also in charge of ensuring the team get their Friday cakes so they end the week on a sweet note! Nicki Bain Centre Manager I ensure that everything is running smoothly on any given day. This involves allocating resources, making sure machines are running properly, and responding to client requests. I also obsess about making sure we deliver a VIP service to all our customers! Outside of work, I love the great outdoors and am always up for a camping trip. Christopher Smith Artworker & Production Assistant I bridge the gap between the artwork/design department and the production team. I love coming up with ideas that make our customers print look great. I have a love of photography & illustration and when I am not doing that you will find me at the gym doing deadlifts! Barry Ward Digital Print Operator & Finisher I get stuck into the entire production process which involves running the presses, working the finishing equipment and seeing that each and every job gets completed as quickly as humanly possible. Love of travel home and abroad, with family in 3 different countries and playing league standard darts weekly and watching various sports. ------------------------------------------------------------ # About Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/about/ Published: 2022-11-02 About D2R D2R are one of the leading printers in Watford who focus on the response clients get from their printing. As well as print, we can supply design and marketing services all under one roof. Print In Today’s Online World In this increasingly online world, print is still the most effective way of communicating with your target audience and reports of its death have been greatly exaggerated.People are beginning to realise that inboxes are getting full and customers are getting immune to emails, text messages, Facebook posts and tweets.Our clients are finding that a nicely designed and well thought through piece of print will outperform any online marketing and deliver far greater response rates.Our team contains marketing professionals who understand the art of copywriting, creating powerful headlines and putting it all together in a design that will truly catch the reader’s attention. Mixing Bricks With Clicks However, we also understand that in order to get the very best response to your printing you must combine print with other online channels.That is why we can design campaigns that will combine print, web, email, mobile and social media to ensure you don’t leave any stone unturned.Everything we do – whether it’s a Design, Print or Marketing project – is weighed up against one principle: How do we increase the response rate for our client? We Would Love To Chat You can find out more about us here on our website, but make sure you give us a call. We’d really like to talk to you. In this age of faceless online printers and call centres, it is re-assuring to find a printer in Watford who is happy to chat and even make you a cup of tea!Once you get to know us, you will find that out of all the printers in Watford we are the ones that are totally dedicated to response.So give us a call on 01923 232593, email us on response@d2rCrossMedia.com or drop in for a chat at our premises at 107 St Albans Road, Watford, Herts, WD17 1RD. ------------------------------------------------------------ # Privacy Policy Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/privacy-policy/ Published: 2022-11-02 Privacy Policy D2R Cross Media: Website Privacy Policy GDPR Version 1: 15 May 2018 We appreciate your interest in our products and services and your visit to this website. Your privacy is important to us and we want you to feel comfortable with how we use and share your personal information. This privacy policy provides you with details of how we collect and process your personal data through your use of our site https://d2rcrossmedia.com. You do not have to give us any personal information in order to use this website. However, if you wish to register on this site, subscribe to a service, request further information, purchase / enquire about a product or service, sign up to our newsletter or take part in a specific promotional campaign, prize draw or competition, we may collect: Your name, eMail address, phone number and possibly your physical address. A record of financial transactions where applicable, however we do not directly, collect, process or store debit or credit card information. We may also automatically collect information about the website you came from or are moving to, the pages you visit on our website, IP address data, the type of browser used and the time of site access. This information will be aggregated and not used to identify you directly. By providing us with your data, you warrant to us that you are over 13 years of age. D2R Cross Media are the data controller and we are responsible for your personal data. We have appointed a nominated Officer who is responsible for all privacy related matters. If you have any questions, please contact: dataprotection@D2RCrossMedia.com. Contact Details: Full name of legal entity: Silverfine Ltd t/a d2rCrossMedia Name or title of Data Protection Officer / Contact: Aarif Merali Email address: dataprotection@D2RCrossMedia.com Postal address: 107 St Albans Road Watford WD17 1RD If you are not happy with any aspect of how we collect and use your data, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK supervisory authority for data protection issues (www.ico.org.uk). We will always endeavour to resolve any complaint directly, to resolve any issue should you contact us in the first instance. It is very important that the information we hold about you is accurate and up to date. Please let us know if at any time your personal information changes by emailing us at the above address. WHAT DATA DO WE COLLECT ABOUT YOU? Personal data means any information capable of identifying an individual. It does not include anonymised data. We may process certain (applicable) types of personal data about you as follows: Identity Data may include: your first name, maiden name, last name, username, marital status, title, date of birth and gender. Contact Data may include: your billing address, delivery address, email address and telephone numbers. Financial Data may include: your bank account and payment card details. Transaction Data may include: details about payments between us and other details of purchases made by you. Technical Data may include: your login data, internet protocol (IP) addresses, browser type and version, browser plug-in types and versions, time zone setting and location, operating system and platform and other technology on the devices you use to access this site. Profile Data may include: your username and password, purchases or orders, your interests, preferences, feedback and survey responses. Usage Data may include: information about how you use our website, products and services. Marketing and Communications Data may include: your preferences in receiving marketing communications from us and our third parties and your communication preferences. Sensitive Data: We do not collect any Sensitive Data about you. Sensitive data refers to data that includes details about your race or ethnicity, religious or philosophical beliefs, sex life, sexual orientation, political opinions, trade union membership, information about your health and genetic and biometric data. We do not collect any information about criminal convictions and offences. HOW WE COLLECT YOUR PERSONAL DATA We collect data about you through a variety of different methods including: Direct interactions: You may provide data by filling in forms on our site (or otherwise) or by communicating with us by post, phone, email or otherwise, including when you: order our products or services or create an account on our site; subscribe to our service or publications or request resources or marketing be sent to you; enter a competition, prize draw, promotion or survey; or provide feedback. Automated technologies or interactions: As you use our site, we may automatically collect Technical Data about your equipment, browsing actions and usage patterns. We collect this data by using cookies, server logs and similar technologies. We may also receive Technical Data about you if you visit other websites that use our cookies. Third parties or publicly available sources: We may receive personal data about you from various third parties and public sources as set out below: analytics providers such as Google based outside the EU; advertising networks which we may utilise from time-to-time Contact, Financial & Transaction Data from technical, payment & delivery service providers. Identity & Contact Data from publicly availably sources such as Companies House and the Electoral Register based inside the EU. HOW WE USE YOUR PERSONAL DATA We will only use your personal data when legally permitted. The most common uses of your personal data are: Where we need to perform the contract between us. Where it is necessary for our legitimate interests (or those of a third party) and your interests and fundamental rights do not override those interests. Where we need to comply with a legal or regulatory obligation. And to: Provide the products and services or communicate with you as requested Administer our website and provide customer services Gather management, statistical and trend analysis information Investigate any complaints Generally, we do not rely on consent as a legal ground for processing your personal data, other than in relation to sending marketing communications to you via email or text message. You have the right to withdraw consent to marketing at any time by emailing us at: dataprotection@D2RCrossMedia.com Where you opt out of receiving our marketing communications, this will not apply to personal data provided to us as a result of a product/service purchase, warranty registration, product/service experience or other transactions or where we have a legal obligation to retain your financial transaction data. PURPOSES FOR PROCESSING YOUR PERSONAL DATA We have listed below examples of how we intend to use your personal data and the legal grounds on which we will process such data including our legitimate interests to do so where relevant. Note: We may process your personal data for more than one lawful ground, depending on the specific purpose for which we are using your data. Purpose/Activity Type of data Lawful basis for processing To register you as a new customer (a) Identity(b) Contact Performance of a contract with you To process and deliver your order including: (a) Manage payments, fees and charges (b) Collect and recover money owed to us (a) Identity(b) Contact(c) Financial(d) Transaction(e) Marketing and Communications (a) Performance of a contract with you (b) Necessary for our legitimate interests to recover debts owed to us To manage our relationship with you which will include: (a) Notifying you about changes to our terms or privacy policy (b) Asking you to leave a review or take a survey (a) Identity(b) Contact(c) Profile(d) Marketing and Communications (a) Performance of a contract with you(b) Necessary to comply with a legal obligation(c) Necessary for our legitimate interests to keep our records updated and to analyse how customers use our products / services To enable you to partake in a prize draw, competition or complete a survey (a) Identity(b) Contact(c) Profile(d) Usage(e) Marketing and Communications (a) Performance of a contract with you(b) Necessary for our legitimate interests and to analyse how customers use our products / services. To administer and protect our business and our site (including troubleshooting, data analysis, testing, system maintenance, support, reporting and hosting of data) (a) Identity(b) Contact(c) Technical (a) Necessary for our legitimate interests for running our business, provision of administration and IT services, network security and to prevent fraud. (b) Necessary to comply with a legal obligation To deliver relevant content and advertisements to you and measure and understand the effectiveness of our advertising (a) Identity(b) Contact(c) Profile(d) Usage(e) Marketing and Communications(f) Technical Necessary for our legitimate interests to analyse how customers use our products / services. To use data analytics to improve our website, products/services, marketing, customer relationships and experiences (a) Technical(b) Usage Necessary for our legitimate interests to define types of customers for our products and services, to keep our site updated and relevant, to develop our business and to inform our marketing strategy To make suggestions and recommendations to you about goods or services that may be of interest to you (a) Identity(b) Contact(c) Technical(d) Usage(e) Profile Necessary for our legitimate interests to develop our products/services and grow our business MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS You will receive relevant marketing communications from us if you have: requested information from us or purchased goods or services from us; or if you provided us with your details and ticked the box at the point of entry of your details for us to send you marketing communications; and in each case, you have not opted out or unsubscribed from receipt of that marketing. We will obtain your express opt-in consent before we share your personal data with any third party for marketing purposes. CHANGE OF PURPOSE We will only use your personal data for the purposes for which we collected it, unless we reasonably consider that we need to use it for another reason and that reason is compatible with the original purpose. If you wish to find out more about how the processing for the new purpose is compatible with the original purpose, please email us at: dataprotection@D2RCrossMedia.com If we need to use your personal data for a purpose unrelated to the purpose for which we collected the data, we will notify you and we will explain the legal ground of processing. We may process your personal data without your knowledge or consent where this is required or permitted by law. DISCLOSURES OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA We may be required to share your personal data with the parties set out below for the purposes set out in the table above: Service providers who provide IT and system administration services. Professional advisers including lawyers, bankers, auditors and insurers who provide consultancy, banking, legal, insurance and accounting services. HM Revenue & Customs, regulators and other authorities based in the United Kingdom and other relevant jurisdictions who require reporting of processing activities in certain circumstances. Third parties to whom we sell, transfer, or merge parts of our business or our assets. We require all third parties to whom we transfer your data to respect the security of your personal data and to treat it in accordance with the law. We only allow such third parties to process your personal data for specified purposes and in accordance with our instructions. INTERNATIONAL TRANSFERS We do not transfer your personal data outside the European Economic Area. DATA SECURITY We have put in place appropriate security measures to prevent your personal data from being accidentally lost, used or accessed in an unauthorised way, altered or disclosed. In addition, we limit access to your personal data to those employees, agents, contractors and other third parties who have a business need to know such data. They will only process your personal data on our instructions and they are subject to a duty of confidentiality. We have put in place procedures to deal with any suspected personal data breach and will notify you and any applicable regulator of a breach where we are legally required to do so. DATA RETENTION We will only retain your personal data for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes we collected it for, including for the purposes of satisfying any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. To determine the appropriate retention period for personal data, we consider the amount, nature, and sensitivity of the personal data, the potential risk of harm from unauthorised use or disclosure of your personal data, the purposes for which we process your personal data and whether we can achieve those purposes through other means, and the applicable legal requirements. By law we have to keep basic information about our customers (including Contact, Identity, Financial and Transaction Data) for six years after they cease being customers for tax purposes. In some circumstances: you can ask us to delete your data: see below for further information. we may anonymise your personal data (so that it can no longer be associated with you) for research or statistical purposes in which case we may use this information indefinitely without further notice to you. YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS Under certain circumstances, you have rights under data protection laws in relation to your personal data. These include the right to: Request access to your personal data. Request correction of your personal data. Request erasure of your personal data. Object to processing of your personal data. Request restriction of processing your personal data. Request transfer of your personal data. Right to withdraw consent. You can see more about these rights at: https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-the-... If you wish to exercise any of the rights set out above, please email us at: dataprotection@D2RCrossMedia.com You will not have to pay a fee to access your personal data (or to exercise any of the other rights). However, we may charge a reasonable fee if your request is clearly unfounded, repetitive or excessive. Alternatively, we may refuse to comply with your request in these circumstances. We may need to request specific information from you to help us confirm your identity and ensure your right to access your personal data (or to exercise any of your other rights). This is a security measure to ensure that personal data is not disclosed to any person who has no right to receive it. We may also contact you to ask you for further information in relation to your request to speed up our response. We try to respond to all legitimate requests within one month. Occasionally it may take us longer than a month if your request is particularly complex or you have made a number of requests. In this case, we will notify you and keep you updated. THIRD-PARTY LINKS This website may include links to third-party websites, plug-ins and applications. Clicking on those links or enabling those connections may allow third parties to collect or share data about you. We do not control these third-party websites and are not responsible for their privacy statements. When you leave our website, we encourage you to read the privacy notice of every website you visit. COOKIES You can set your browser to refuse all or some browser cookies, or to alert you when websites set or access cookies. If you disable or refuse cookies, please note that some parts of this website may become inaccessible or not function properly. GDPR Cookie Policy At D2R Cross Media, we believe in being fully transparent offering details on how we collect and use any data related to you personally. We use cookies as explained in our PRIVACY POLICY and by your continued visit to our website you are agreeing to the use of cookies as described in this policy. Explaining a “cookie”: A cookie is a small file placed onto your device that enables us to identify your device and secure your access. There are two main types of cookie: persistent cookies & session cookies. A persistent cookie will recognise you as an existing user: e.g. can remove the need to sign in each time you visit the site. Session cookies will only apply for as long as your current website visit or browser session. Necessary Cookies: These cookies are essential to allow you to move around our website, remember login or registration details and shopping cart information (where applicable). Performance Cookies: A system for collection of anonymous information on how our site visitors use of website (i.e. Google Analytics). This data does not store or retain any identifiable personal data. Functional Cookies: Again, these cookies collection anonymised information to remember; Relevant information including the Country you visit the site from, language preference, product line search preferences. Targeting or Advertising Cookies: These cookies are usually placed by third-party advertising networks aimed to remember sites you visit and to deliver relevant advertising targeted at your areas of interest. Social Media Cookies: Social Media Cookies are not within our control and allow you to share your website interaction on social media channels including Facebook, Twitter etc. Please refer to their respective privacy policies. Web Beacons: Web beacons collect anonymised and limited information to track campaign effectiveness. The privacy use of a Cookie is compliant with the General Data protection Regulations (GDPR). THE USE OF COOKIES: Categories of Use Authenticate: To deliver the most appropriate information and personal experience. Security: Tailored to support security features and to identify malicious activity. Preferences, features and services: To identify language and communications preferences, aid easier form completion and customise content. Advertising: To deliver relevant advertising and provide retargeting to visitors who saw an ad, took action, completed a purchase or a download. Performance, Analytics and Research: To aid research and analytics to understand and improve, products, features and services. Cookies and Advertising Cookies, pixels and tags help to serve relevant ads to visitors by identifying your device, your usage, your browsing behaviour, log data (your IP address). The General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) governs the use of personal information and information collected cannot be shared with any 3rd party advertisers without your consent. The use and Control of Cookies and third-party cookies You can control cookies through your browser settings preferences. To decline to receive cookies, simply change your browser settings on your computer or other device. Most browsers also provide functionality that lets you review and erase cookies. D2R Cross Media can provide details of the third-party cookies that may be used on our site. To learn more about cookies, including how to see what cookies have been set and how to manage and delete them, visit wikipedia.org, www.allaboutcookies.org, or www.aboutcookies.org. Browser manufacturers provide help pages relating to cookie management in their products. Please see below for more information. Google Chrome Internet Explorer Mozilla Firefox Safari (Desktop) Safari (Mobile) Android Browser Opera For other browsers, please consult the documentation that your browser manufacturer provides. Privacy Policy Clause Additions – For appropriate Insertion (where applicable) Cookies and Google: Google Analytics cookies are classified as first party cookies as they are set by our website domain, although Google collects and processes information from our use of Google Analytics. To find out more about how Google handles information collected from Google Analytics, see Google Analytics’ privacy policy. For information on how Google uses data from cookies it uses, click here For Google’s general privacy policy (including, in relation to YouTube), click here Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on: You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by installing the browser add-on. Privacy Policy: 3rd Party Suppliers: Transfer and storage of your information eMail Platform: Mailchimp We use a third-party service to send out our e-newsletter and administer our mailing list, called MailChimp. You can access their privacy policy here Information you submit to subscribe for our newsletter will be stored outside the European Economic Area on MailChimp’s servers in the United States of America. Providing information to 3rd party organisations: Accountants: Our UK based accountants receive shared information required for tax purposes. For example, invoices we issue and receive for the purpose of completing tax returns and end of year accounts. Business partners: Our partners may include UK based businesses we work with which provide goods and services complementary to our own or which allow us to provide goods or services which we could not provide. Independent contractors: Occasionally, we may use independent contractors to support our business. Your information may be shared with independent UK contractors only where it is necessary for them to perform the function we have hired them to perform in relation to our business. Transmission of information to use by email Transmission of information over the internet is not entirely secure, and if you submit any information to us over the internet (whether by email, via our website or any other means), you do so entirely at your own risk. We cannot be responsible for any costs, expenses, loss of profits, harm to reputation, damages, liabilities or any other form of loss or damage suffered by you as a result of your decision to transmit information to us by such means. Transfers of your information outside the European Economic Area Your information may be transferred and stored outside the European Economic Area (EEA) in the certain circumstances. Where we are required to do so, we will ensure appropriate safeguards and protections are in place. Privacy Policy Updates: Where we make minor changes, we will update our Privacy Policy with a new effective date. Our processing of your information will be governed by the practices set out in that new version of the Privacy Policy from its effective date onwards. Where we make major changes to our Privacy Policy or intend to use your information for a new purpose or a different purpose than the purposes for which we originally collected it, we will notify you by email (where possible) or by posting a notice on our website. We will provide you with the information about the change in question and the purpose and any other relevant information before we use your information for that new purpose. Wherever required, we will obtain your prior consent before using your information for a purpose that is different from the purposes for which we originally collected it. ------------------------------------------------------------ # Home Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/ Published: 2022-11-02 > D2R Printers Watford delivers fast commercial printing and design for local businesses. Get your quote today and discover why we're dedicated to response. https://d2rcrossmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/d2r_-_v2_v1-720p.mp4 Leading Printers in Watford As one of the leading printers in Watford, we always ensure the work we do for our clients for any design, print or marketing project generates insanely great response rates that helps grow their business.We make sure that each item will get a great response and as soon as you work with us you will find out why we are Dedicated To Response!Need A Quote?If you prefer to do things online then just fill in our super-quick quote form to get a price for any printing you may be thinking of doing. We aim to quote (and print) you happy. Request a quote Not sure what you need? Give us a call us 01923 232593 Our Services We’re here to simplify your printing so that you can take care of your business. As one of the leading printers in Watford, we provide a complete, simple & fast printing experience where personal service comes as standard. Our team are dedicated to make your print order a completely hassle-free experience. So, relax and let D2R take care of it. Design First impressions count and people do judge a book by its cover. Our in-house design team will ensure your brand not only looks good but also gets the attention it deserves. Learn more Print In this increasingly online world, print is still the most effective way of communicating with your target audience and reports of its death have been greatly exaggerated. Learn more Direct Mail We create campaigns that get insanely great response rates from their target audience by using some amazing trade secrets that only the best marketing professionals know about. Learn more Here are some of the items we print every day: Brochures Business Cards Calendars Carrier Bags CDs & DVDs Christmas Cards Flyers Get your Free Productivity Pack Get our awesome personalised calendar, note-book and wall planner – all customised with your name on it! Just fill out the details below and we will print and send them straight away! Get your free pack Our Direct Response Knowledge Centre Get the scoop on everything print marketing, all conveniently in one place. Make your life easier and trust us to provide you with all of the needed information! View all Our happy clients ------------------------------------------------------------ # How To Get More Customers With Direct Mail In Watford Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/how-to-get-more-customers-with-direct-mail-in-watford/ Published: 2026-10-01 > Most direct mail campaigns that fail do not fail because the print looked wrong. They fail before anything goes to the printer. The list is too broad, the offer is buried on page two, or there is no reason for the reader to act today rather than next month. Getting distribution right matters, but distribution is the last step. Everything before it decides whether the piece is worth posting at all. This guide walks through the whole chain, from targeting to tracking, so your next campaign earns its postage. The list does more work than the letter A well-written piece sent to the wrong people will always underperform a decent piece sent to exactly the right ones. That is not a small difference. It is usually the difference between a campaign that pays back and one that does not. For businesses targeting Watford and the surrounding areas, geographic selection is the natural starting point. You can work by postcode district, by a set radius from your premises, or by named towns such as Rickmansworth, Chorleywood, Borehamwood or Hemel Hempstead. That base selection narrows the universe to people who can physically use what you are offering. From there, you layer on demographic selects. For consumer campaigns, that means household income bands, age profile, property type, or whether the household contains children. For B2B campaigns, it means company size, sector, and sometimes turnover banding. A good list broker can pull data cleaned against the Mailing Preference Service. Unverified data lists are a false economy; the wasted print and postage on undeliverable addresses costs far more than a cleaner list would have. One useful check before you commit, if you described your ideal customer out loud to someone, could that description be used to pull a list? If it is too vague to filter on, the targeting brief needs more work before anything is ordered. What your offer actually needs to say The offer is the pivot point of the whole piece. Get it wrong and even a beautifully designed, perfectly targeted mailing does nothing. The most common mistake is leading with the business rather than the reader's situation. Consider how a reader encounters a piece of direct mail. It landed on their mat alongside everything else. They are giving it roughly three seconds before it either catches them or goes in the recycling. An opening line that reads 'family-run business serving Watford since...' is not going to catch anyone. An opening that names the exact problem they are sitting with, or the outcome they want, stands a far better chance. The offer itself needs to be specific and time-limited. 'Save money on your printing' is not an offer. 'Bring this card in before the end of the month for 20% off your first order' is. The reader should be able to answer two questions immediately, what do I get, and when does it run out? If either answer is unclear, the response rate will show it. One thing that often gets cut in the design stage is the reason why. Giving a genuine reason for the offer ('we have press capacity this month', 'it is our anniversary', 'we are launching in your area') makes the deal feel less like a generic discount and more like a real opportunity. That small detail can meaningfully lift response. Format and print choices that affect response The format of a piece is not just a design decision. It affects whether the piece gets opened, whether it gets read, and how much it costs to send. Those three things do not always point in the same direction, so it is worth thinking through the trade-offs. Common direct mail formats compared Format Best for Watch out for A5 postcard Short, punchy offers; event announcements No envelope means the offer is instantly visible, good and bad DL letter in envelope Higher-value B2B or personal tone campaigns Envelope must earn the open, so the teaser copy matters A4 folded to DL More complex offers, services with several parts to explain Folding cost and heavier postage bracket Catalogue or brochure Existing customers, product ranges, high-ticket services High production cost; needs a strong existing relationship to justify it Paper weight and finish also carry an implicit message. A flimsy leaflet feels throwaway, which is fine if the price point is low and speed is everything. A heavier stock signals that the business behind it takes itself seriously, which matters more when the product or service costs several hundred pounds or more. The format should match what the reader is being asked to do. Getting the response mechanism right Every direct mail piece needs one clear action for the reader to take. One. Not three. Not a phone number, a website, a QR code, a social handle and a freepost address all competing for attention. Pick the one channel that makes the most sense for your audience and make that the obvious next step. For a local campaign in Watford, a phone call is often still the most natural first response, particularly for services where the customer will want to talk before committing. A QR code works well when the offer lives on a specific landing page, provided the page is built to convert and not just the homepage with the campaign forgotten. If you want to know whether the QR code on a mailed piece actually drove traffic, a unique URL or a dynamic QR code will show you the numbers. Whatever the response method, make sure it is distinct to the campaign. A dedicated phone number, a unique landing page URL, or a specific voucher code all let you measure what the mailing actually produced. Without that separation, you are left guessing how much of the month's enquiries came from the print campaign versus anything else you were running at the same time. Timing and frequency matter more than most people plan for One mailing rarely does the full job. The research on direct mail response consistently shows that people need to encounter an offer more than once before they act on it. That is not a failure of the first piece; it is just how decisions work. The reader might have been busy, travelling, or simply not ready the first time your card arrived. A sequence of two or three touches, spaced a few weeks apart, will almost always outperform a single high-volume drop. The pieces do not all need to be the same format. A postcard followed by a letter, or a letter followed by a postcard as a reminder, gives each touch a different feel while reinforcing the same message. Timing against external events also makes a difference. A campaign promoting garden services that drops in January will work against itself. A campaign promoting accountancy services timed to land before the self-assessment deadline puts the offer in front of people exactly when the problem is on their mind. Obvious once you say it out loud, but easy to overlook when the focus is on getting the artwork approved. How to brief your print supplier so nothing goes wrong Unclear briefs are where campaigns lose time and money. A printer cannot guess your intended audience, your offer, or your deadline. What they need upfront is the format, the quantity, the finish, and when the piece needs to be in the post. What helps them help you is a clear indication of where the piece is going and whether you need fulfilment handled, meaning the addressing, enclosing and posting, as well as the print itself. At D2R Print and Design in Watford, the conversations that go most smoothly are the ones where the client already knows the objective. Once the goal is clear, the format, quantity and print spec follow from it. If you are not sure which format suits the campaign, that is a conversation worth having before artwork starts, not after the files are submitted. For businesses across Watford, Rickmansworth and Borehamwood, having a local supplier means you can talk through the brief directly rather than submitting a form and waiting. That direct contact tends to catch problems early, before they become expensive. ------------------------------------------------------------ # The World’s Ugliest Colour Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/the-worlds-ugliest-colour/ Published: 2026-10-01 Researchers have identified the world's ugliest colour, and the descriptions people give it are striking. "Dirty", "tar", and "death" are among the most common associations. Pantone 448C, sometimes called opaque couché, has an important purpose behind its grim reputation. Experts chose this murky green-brown shade specifically to discourage smoking. After early results showed falling cigarette sales in Australia, the UK adopted the same approach, making plain packaging using Pantone 448C the legal standard. Every carton was designed to look as off-putting as possible. An undated handout image released by Action on Smoking and Health (UK) (ASH (UK)) in London on May 19, 2016 shows a mock-up design of a standardised cigarette pack. This image is fully compliant with both the EU Tobacco Products Directive and the UK standardised tobacco packaging regulations. Tobacco giants have lost a legal challenge in London against imposing new rules for standardised packaging due to come into force on Friday, meaning Britain will join a growing list of countries to do so. / AFP PHOTO / ASH (UK) / Handout / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE, MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / ASH (UK) / HANDOUT" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS, DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS HANDOUT/AFP/Getty Images Colour shapes how people feel, and how they respond. Choosing the right palette for your marketing materials is not a minor detail, it can determine whether a customer engages or walks away. Opaque couché may be earning a certain notoriety for the public health good it does, but that is not a reason to bring it into your brand. The ugliest colour has no place in marketing that needs to attract attention for the right reasons. If you want print and design that gets a real response, our team at D2R Print & Design can build a colour palette that draws people in rather than pushing them away. After all, we are Dedicated To Response! ------------------------------------------------------------ # How Much Does Print Cost – A Guide Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/how-much-does-print-cost-a-guide/ Published: 2026-10-01 When you need printed marketing material, promotional collateral, internal communications or stationery, print quality and paper stock matter enormously. So does your budget, and so does your deadline. These three factors, quality, speed and cost, rarely all pull in the same direction, and finding the right balance is the real challenge. Paper stock, colour, size and finishing options all affect the final price, and the range is wide. What surprises many businesses is that the same specification can produce quotes that differ by up to 100% across three different printers. That gap usually comes down to the type of equipment each printer runs and the mark-up each applies to labour and materials. Asking how much coloured print costs is a bit like asking how long a piece of string is. Even so, the team at D2R Print & Design has put together this plain-English guide so you go into any print conversation properly informed. colored printers rolls What Are The Main Factors That Govern Printing Costs? Four broad factors determine what you pay for print. Quantity, size and page count, finishing options, and printing method (litho, digital or large format) each play a part. Here is what each one means in practice. Quantity brings economies of scale. The more you print, the lower the unit price, because there is a fixed setup cost whether you print 100 or 10,000 copies. Spread that setup cost across a larger run and each item costs less. Size affects cost through paper wastage. Standard sizes such as A6, A5, A4 and A3 are the most economical because sheets are cut with minimal waste. An unusual size that falls between standards means more off-cuts and a higher price per unit. Number of pages determines your total print impressions. A double-sided leaflet is two pages. An A4 sheet folded in half gives you four pages. Multiply the page count by the quantity and you arrive at the total number of impressions the press must produce, which directly drives the cost. Finishing Touches cover everything from paper weight and lamination to die-cutting and spot varnish. Each addition increases production time and material cost, so it pays to decide early which finishes your job genuinely needs. Method Of Printing comes in three main forms. Litho printing suits large quantities and delivers excellent unit costs, though it needs a longer lead time. Digital printing turns jobs around fast and works well for shorter runs, though unit costs rise on higher quantities. Large format printing covers anything bigger than A3, from posters to banners. Sample Print Costs The figures below are rough guides based on popular specifications. Prices vary between printers and change over time due to paper and energy costs, so always confirm the current price directly with your printer before committing. FlyersBased on 170gsm paper 170gsm gloss paper Single sided A6 , qty of 5k @ £95, qty of 10k @ £145 Double sided A5 , qty of 5k @ £170, qty of 10k @ £245 Brochures Based on 20 pages, 170gsm throughout, staple bound (saddle stitched) A4 , qty of 500 @ £700, qty of 1000 @ £975 A5 , qty of 1000 @ £575, qty of 2000 @ £860 Business CardsBased on 450gsm, matt laminated both sides, double-sided, full colour Qty of 250 @ £45, qty of 500 @ £65 A4 LetterheadsBased on 120gsm single-sided, full colour Qty of 1000 @ £85, qty of 2000 @ £125 PostersBased on full-colour, single-sided, 170gsm gloss A3 , qty of 250 @ £85, qty of 500 @ £130 A2 , qty of 100 @ £120, qty of 250 @ £165 Before You Place Your Order Print pricing has a lot of moving parts, but the figures above give you a solid starting point for any conversation with a printer. Bear in mind that finished quality also varies, so ask for physical samples before you commit to a job, and always request a proof before the press runs. If you have a specific job in mind and want a straight answer on cost, call the D2R Print & Design team on 01923 232593 and we will talk it through with you. ------------------------------------------------------------ # Top 5 Problems When Buying Print Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/top-5-problems-when-buying-print/ Published: 2026-07-30 > Avoid common printing mistakes. Learn the top 5 problems when buying print and how to fix them. Get expert guidance from D2R Printers Watford today. Buying print can feel like navigating a minefield. The industry is packed with technical jargon, and most printing companies never bother to explain things in plain English. Know the main pitfalls in advance, though, and you can place your order with confidence, having taken care of the risks before they catch you out. PRING JOB CANCELED yellow street sign leaning at blue wall - 3D rendering illustration This article covers the Top 5 Problems When Buying Print and shows you how to reduce the chance of things going wrong. Armed with this knowledge, you can have an informed conversation with your printer and give your job the best possible chance of looking exactly as you intended. Problem 1: Poor Colour Matching. Anyone who has been buying print for a while will have hit this issue. Those rich colours that looked striking on screen turn up flat and dull on paper, or the shade is so far off it bears no resemblance to what you approved. Screens and printing presses produce colour in fundamentally different ways, so some variation is unavoidable. You can keep it to a minimum, though. Make sure your print-ready PDF uses CMYK or Pantone colour values rather than RGB. With the correct colour mode in place, your printer knows exactly what to reproduce and has no excuse for getting it wrong. Problem 2: Incorrect Artwork Format. When you submit artwork to your printer, it must be a print-ready PDF complete with bleed, crop marks, and all fonts converted to outlines. Miss any one of those three elements and there is a real chance the finished job will not look right. Many people send artwork as a Word, PowerPoint, or Publisher file, or even as a native Illustrator or Photoshop document. None of these are ideal. Fonts can shift, colours can change, and layouts can reflow, all of which means something important may be lost before the job even reaches the press. Problem 3: Choosing the Wrong Paper. Paper choice has a bigger impact on the finished result than most people realise. There is no single correct answer because it depends on the job, but these guidelines will point you in the right direction. If your artwork features highly detailed, colourful images, choose a high-gloss paper. Gloss stock makes colours appear vivid and images sharp, giving photography and bold graphics the best possible platform. If your design carries a lot of text, such as a newsletter, silk stock is the better option. It has a smooth, pleasant feel but avoids the glare that gloss paper produces under bright lighting, making it far easier to read. A third option is uncoated stock, which lacks the smooth finish of gloss or silk but suits certain jobs very well. Its natural, tactile feel works particularly well for orders of service, invitations, and menus. Problem 4: Skipping the Proofing Stage. Carpenters say 'measure twice, cut once' for good reason. Print works the same way. Get as many fresh pairs of eyes on your artwork as possible before you send it to the printer. Better still, ask your printer for a physical proof and circulate that for review. It may feel like an extra step, but it is far quicker and cheaper than reprinting an entire job because of a spelling error or a misplaced element. Problem 5: Unexpected Delays. Most printers can turn jobs around quickly, and some can deliver on the same day. To keep costs down and avoid last-minute stress, aim to send your artwork at least seven working days before you need delivery. That window allows your printer to use litho printing, which offers better quality and lower unit costs on larger runs. If you genuinely need print in a hurry, ask whether your printer offers a digital print service. Digital is much faster, though the cost per copy is higher on bigger quantities. A Final Word Print involves many moving parts, so even experienced buyers occasionally run into problems. Follow the guidelines above, however, and you will go into each job well prepared, giving yourself the best chance of receiving great print, on time, and within budget. ------------------------------------------------------------ # What Paper Weight Do I Need? Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/what-paper-weight-do-i-need/ Published: 2022-07-29 Not sure about the weight of paper? The ‘grams per square metre’ or gsm of paper can have little meaning if you do not print regularly. Depending on what you print, you might find yourself asking what paper weight do I need? Media. Newspaper on the table Ordinary printer paper for use at office and home is typically 80gsm – 100gsm. This is thin and the most basic option for any documents. Leaflets can come in higher at 130gsm – 170gsm. Or even slightly thicker, approaching card at 250gsm. This range can also include the thickness of paper you would see inside magazines or catalogues. A invitation, postcard or folded A5 greeting card will range between 300gsm and 350gsm. This is pretty rigid, much less likely to be crumpled or torn. At D2R we print our digital same day business cards on 350gsm, thanks to how sturdy and reliable it is. If you want to get in touch with us about what the best paper for printing your projects are, get your quote at response@d2rCrossMedia.com or give us a call on 01923 232593. ------------------------------------------------------------ # What is Bleed? Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/what-is-bleed-2/ Published: 2022-06-22 Have you been asked to provide a print ready file that includes bleed, and might not know what that is? Bleed refers to the area around the print that will be trimmed away. Picture ink ‘bleeding’ or spreading past the edges of a painting. As all print machines will have some degree of movement (up to 3mm), then this extra space will be cut into and you won’t end up with uneven white lines on your print. If you are using design software such as InDesign, Illustrator or Canva, you can add bleed area in the page set up settings. Just remember that when you export the file as PDF to send to a printer, you make sure to keep the same bleed area, as sometimes it can overwrite this and export it at the finish size. If you are setting up a document in Word or PowerPoint, then these won’t explicitly give you the option to add bleed. But you can go into the page size settings and make your document 3mm bigger on all sides. Then, just make sure that any background patterns or the edges of images fill this space, without any important content falling into this extra area. So, an A3 document (420mm x 297mm) would become 426mm x 303mm. This will give the printer enough space to trim into the paper without uneven white edges becoming a problem. If you need any advice on setting up bleed to make your artwork print ready and get in on the presses fast, get in touch with us at Response@D2RCrossmedia.com or give us a call on 01923 232593. ------------------------------------------------------------ # Static or Dynamic QR Codes for Print Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/static-vs-dynamic-qr-codes/ Published: 2022-06-08 You’ve read about the benefits of a custom branded QR code, and now there is another option to consider: should you use a static or dynamic QR code in your print? What are they, and how will their differences help your print? A static QR code is the most common kind, where as soon as the code is generated, no details can be changed without generating a whole new code. A dynamic QR code has a lot more going on in the background. While the appearance of the code remains the same, the user can update the URL address that it points to when scanned through a web portal. That means, a new one doesn’t have to be generated. A dynamic QR code opens up a lot more options (depending on who you have generated it, and manage it with). You can easily manage updates to restaurant’s menus or shop’s catalogues without getting everything reprinted, change marketing campaignsand event details while using the same branded poster. You can set an even expiration date on what the code will take the user too, drumming up a feeling of exclusivity and excitement. It is possible to track how many people have scanned your code as well- a very easy way to tell how successful a marketing campaign is. That all sounds great! Static and dynamic codes are indistinguishable to onlookers. Both can be customised with your company branding. So why would you ever want to go back to using a static QR code? The timeless debate of your needs versus your budget. Dynamic QR codes are a subscription service, and require a level of management to ensure all details are up to date, all URLs point where you need to, and observe the analytical data. A static QR code is free to generate, and require less management (exactly, none. Other than testing to make sure they work). A business cards that has specific information on their codes and wouldn’t need to be updated unless the whole card where to be changed anyway (for instance, if a person’s name & job title were changing) would gain no real benefit from a dynamic code. A static code would be the free – and headache free – way to go. The QR Code Generator and QR Code Tiger are great options for free static & paid for dynamic QR code generation. If you have any more questions about if you should use a static or dynamic QR code and how to use it in your design & print, get in touch with us at Response@d2rcrossmedia.com or give us a call on 01923 232593. ------------------------------------------------------------ # What is a Branded QR Code? Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/what-is-a-branded-qr-code/ Published: 2022-05-27 How do you make an already neat tool benefit your marketing even more? Give it your branding. You may have already read our previous article on How to Use QR Codes in Your Print. So, you may already know what these Quick Response codes are all about and how you can incorporate them in your print designs. Since their very recent inception, QR codes have only gotten smarter, and now you can stray from their original, rigid black & white block pattern to include all manner of design options. Your company logo can sit pride of place in the center, and the whole code can be changed to your brand’s colours (even gradient colours). Using a QR code saves you valuable space in your design and act as a useful call to action your leaflets and posters. Therefore, it is a benefit to keep them consistent with the rest of your design. From even far away, your customers will instantly recognise your brand. Your own QR code won’t get lost in a sea of blocky squares. Some things to keep in mind when creating your own branded QR code: The minimum size of the code must be 2cm by 2cm. Too small, and the scanner will just see the pixels all jumbled up together and it will not work. Think about how large the item you’re printing is (leaflet, poster, or wee business card) and keep it in proportion. Incorporate your logo, but don’t cover up too much of the code pattern. The best way to avoid obstruction would be to keep it in the center and away from the ‘eyes’ (those dots in the corners of the pattern). Because of those eyes mentioned just above, a square frame is considered the easiest design to scan. That doesn’t mean you can’t get creative and use a circular frame, just ensure you give the code itself enough space to be readable. That space is referred to as the ‘Quiet Zone’, something to be considered in all designs, but is arguably more important for custom QR codes. A quiet zone is the natural buffer of void space to distinguish between the actual pixels of the code to scan and any patterns or artwork around it. Too crowded, and a scanner can’t tell the difference. It is incredibly important to scan your QR codes and make sure they work before printing. That’s an obvious thing to say. So obvious, people forget to do it. Scan your QR codes. The QR Code Generator boasts plenty of customization options for QR codes. It’s also worth taking a look at Beaconstac.com's own guide on how to make a custom QR code, as they take a great, in depth look branded QR codes. If you have any more questions about what is a branded QR code and how to use it in your design & print, get in touch with us at Response@d2rcrossmedia.com or give us a call on 01923 232593. ------------------------------------------------------------ # What File Type Is Best For Printing? Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/what-file-type-is-best-for-printing/ Published: 2022-05-25 > Learn which file types work best for printing. PDF, JPEG, TIFF and PNG explained. Find out how to prepare your files for professional print results. Have you got your estimate, agreed on material and quantity, all ready to place your printing order until you realize- you’re not quite sure how the printers need the documents sent to them? Let’s go over what a few of the different file types are used for, and what file type is best for printing. PDF Portable Document Format, a good old reliable. If you’ve noticed the contents of a Microsoft Word or Excel file shifting when you look at it in a different version, this is exactly what a PDF counteracts. No matter the device or browser, a PDF layout will appear exactly as it was created. This guarantees your prints will come out exactly as you expect them too. Most software will have a Save As PDF or Export to PDF option built in. It is very likely that most printers will convert any files you send to PDF before printing. JPEG Joint Photographic Experts Group. You’ll see JPEGS used for photographs and images on the web most often as they support all the colours – opposed to a GIF file which can only support 256 colours. The files can be reduced in size (as in megabits and kilobits) so they are easier to send and upload via the web. You won’t find many text documents as JPEGS, as the text won’t remain as crisp and clear as in a PDF, but they are a staple for printing photographs. GIF Graphics interchange formats, mentioned above, are not suitable for printing. You will find them as animated little images across all social media and as small logos and buttons on websites. Gifs are used for very minimal images and don’t scale up without becoming incredibly pixelated. TIFF Tagged image file format is like the big brother of JPEGS. They care maintain incredibly high image quality which isn’t lost when scaling up or down. Perfect for printing especially large works, like advertising billboards. But often this large file size is going to make the file difficult to send through simple means like email. PNG Portable network graphic is the smaller brother of a TIFF. It keeps the high quality of its images, but just on a much smaller scale. Similar to GIFFS, they are used mainly for images and logos online, or used within a design to be saved as a PDF and printed later. Again, a PNG’s larger file size can make them more difficult to send or upload. One of the most common benefits of a PNG is the ability to maintain transparency in the images, but this isn’t so applicable when printing. This all may feel like a lot of information to keep in mind when printing, but there is one simple takeaway here worth mentioning again. Almost all software can save a file as a PDF document, and a PDF will always ‘lock in’ its layout. When in doubt, go PDF. If you have any questions about what file type is best for printing, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at D2R through email response@d2rcrossmedia.com or give us a call on 01923 601 035. The team are always happy to help. ------------------------------------------------------------ # How To Use QR Codes In Your Print Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/how-to-use-qr-codes-in-your-print/ Published: 2022-05-12 Have you seen those strange black boxes popping up everywhere? Over posters, delivery labels, even business cards? Everyone has a different blocky pattern? Like futuristic hieroglyphics? Those would be QR codes. Now let’s talk about how to use QR codes in your print. QR Codes (a Quick Response code) is just a new design of the classic barcode. Within the pattern of pixels, the code stores data from phone numbers to names. They can also be set up to open up website links and process information in an app. Qr code, woman sends a kiss, the symbol leaving the mobile screen, conceptual idea You might have seen these being scanned by delivery drivers when they drop off a parcel, or more recently on the hundreds of thousands of lateral flow test cartridges the UK public have been scanning to record their covid test results on the government website. They can contain such a vast amount of information compared to the more common barcode. This is thanks to the creator of the QR code, Denso Wave, needing a way to quickly scan and track components in a car factor that included not just numbers and letters, but also kanji characters. From car parts, to opening a restaurant’s menus on their website from scanning the QR code stuck to the table with my phone and get my sushi direct to my table, they have proven to be much more than a marketing fad. A danger in design and print is over-stuffing your artwork with information you know is important but not aesthetically appealing. Including a QR code on a poster for an event can enable someone to open up a webpage to book tickets as soon the poster caught their eye. A QR code on a business card can hold much more contact information than you could fit on the 85mm x 55mm rectangle in a person’s hand. When you use a QR code in your print, you are doing two things: Saving space in your design Removing obstacles between your audience seeing your advertisement and buying your product (searching for your company versus immediately directed to a specific page on your website) It has become very easy to generate QR codes. The QR Code Generator is a great free website, and QRExplore QRExplore is a good option for generating large batches at once. Adobe Indesign (one of our favourite pieces of software for designing print) has a built in QR Code generator. Almost every smartphone has a QR scanner built in, and almost everyone has a smartphone. So why not include such a useful tool in your design that will benefit almost everyone! If you are interested in discussing how to use QR codes in your print, get in touch with us at Response@d2rcrossmedia.com or give us a call on 01923 232593. ------------------------------------------------------------ # How Do I Print Architectural Plans? Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/how-do-i-print-architectural-plans/ Published: 2022-04-27 Changes can be made and approved very suddenly, so a lot of architects and builders need to be able to get their hands on new drawings quickly. One barrier to this can be if they don’t know how to print architectural drawings and plans. Image of engineering objects on workplace top view.Construction concept. Engineering tools.Vintage tone retro filter effect,soft focus(selective focus) Architectural drawings and plans can contain a lot of small information on a very large scale. Our HP Designjet Z6 can print plans in sizes: -A2 (420mm x 594mm) -A1 (594mm x 841mm) -A0 (841mm x 1189mm) -and any sizes between these as well, if you have something custom These plans are usually made in architectural software, and saves CAD CAM documents as .stl files to keep them true to scale. As with all printing, a PDF is going to be the ideal format to send us documents as we have no CAD CAM software on board. Be sure to save as or export your plans as PDF or TIF. While we can print from JPGS, this file type is not usually suited to drawings, and it would have to be converted to PDF anyway (this can affect its print quality). It is useful to be aware of the file size limit when emailing plans across. Depending on how large or detailed they are, sometimes you can overshoot the 25MB maximum that can be attached to emails. WeTransfer.com is a great (vitally: FREE) way to bundle all the drawings into one folder. This will save you splitting all attachments across multiple emails and hoping none vanish into the spam filter. Finally, let us know if you want your plans rolled or folded to A4 size, and we can have these ready for your arrival at our shop. If you have any more questions about how to print architectural drawings and plans, get in touch with the team at response@d2rcrossmedia.com or give us a call on 01923 232593 ------------------------------------------------------------ # What is Correx®? Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/what-is-correx/ Published: 2022-04-26 A cost effective, durable signage solution that is going to be more attractive than a laminated sheet of A4 stickytaped up. Correx® by Corplex is definitely a good option for a lot of signage possibilities, but to make sure it is right for your project, you might be asking; what is Correx®? Correx® is flat, rigid board, usually around 4mm thick. To look at it from the side, it looks like a corrugated cardboard box, but it is actually commonly made out of fluted polypropylene for extra durability. This means that is tough, lightweight and weatherproof. They can be drilled into place, or even affixed to walls with Velco or tape. These attributes are why Correx® boards are most commonly used for estate agents For Sale! and Sold! signs and on construction works hoarding. While suitable for indoor displays, it won’t look as sophisticated as Foamex due to its exposed fluted edges compare to the flat solid structure of a Foamex board. It is a cheaper alternative if you are getting displays up on a tighter budget but it is certainly a product built for looking at from a distance. The boards can range from A4s all the way up to A0, and bespoke sizes in between. It can even be cut into custom shapes. Being flat and rigid, a larger surface area is more likely to snap if forced. If you have any more questions about what is Correx® and how it can be used for your projects, get in touch with us at response@d2rcrossmedia.com or give us a call on 1923 232593. ------------------------------------------------------------ # How To Use Colour To Increase Sales Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/how-to-use-colour-to-increase-sales/ Published: 2022-04-25 > Learn how colour psychology boosts print sales. Discover which colours work best for your marketing collateral and when to use them effectively. Choosing the right colours for you print literature can sometimes be the difference between people reading it or just putting it to one side. So, you need to ensure you are using the right option for the outcome you are seeking. But how do you know which colours are the right ones to use? This article will outline the science behind this and identify which colours to use and when to use them. This is based on research published by scientists at the University of Durham. Closeup of colorful color pencil stationery Orange With Orange, you are using a bright colour that will get attention and is gentler on the eye than other colours (e.g., Red). It does blend in with quite a few different backgrounds and because very few brands use this in their standard colours it can be used to draw attention to an item such as a special offer you really want to stand out. Generally, people experience positive feelings when they look at something in orange. Black Black tends to be associated with high quality products which is why brands such as Rolls Royce and Paul Smith use it. It is very bold so provides a powerful effect which can convey feelings of superiority. A black logo can look very elegant and provide a very nice contrast against a white background. Use the colour sparingly and it provide a nice touch to your marketing. Purple Purple tends to have associations with wealth and royalty. However, be careful you know who your target audience is as it is more popular amongst women than men. You have to be careful what other colours you use it with but it goes quite well with black & white but use it for attracting attention rather than the main colour. Use correctly, it will get you results. Green Green is naturally associated with sustainability and the environment which is why the phrase “go green” is used so often when referring to reducing the carbon footprint. So, use this colour if you are targeting an audience that is likely to care for the environment even if you product has no relation to “going green”. As green is also associated as a “Go” signal then it also makes it a good colour to use for a call-to-action. Blue Blue is a very calming colour but if used wrongly it can also come across as quite cold. However, if you want to build a brand that conveys trust (think IBM) then Blue is a good colour to use. Even if your brand is not primarily in this colour then it can be used as a useful background colour but try to use lighter shades of blue so it does not come across as too harsh. Red Red is one of the strongest colours around, so you need to be very careful when to use it as often it associated with warnings of danger. However, used sparingly in the right places it can really draw your target audience’s attention. For example, highlighting special offers is a great way of using this colour. Conclusion The use of colours can be very subjective, and you should never use a colour that goes against your brand guidelines. However, you can throw splash of the above colours into your marketing as long as you align it to what you are trying to do and the target audience you are trying to appeal to. ------------------------------------------------------------ # What Is The Best Paper For Printing Letterheads? Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/what-is-the-best-paper-for-printing-letterheads/ Published: 2022-04-22 Ever had a fight to get your office printer to just print out one(just the ONE! when you’re in a rush too!) invoice or proposal letter onto your office stationary? Letterheads are one more way a company can make sure their brand has a impact on their customer. If they are elegantly styled or used for purely functional estimate forms, you will still want to know what is the best paper for printing letterheads? An uncoated stock is ideal for letterheads. This is paper without any extra coating on top at all – no gloss or shine- so it can be overprinted will minimal skewing or smudging. Slip & slide should be the last things involved when thinking about letterheads. Unless you sell water slides. Or health insurance. 100gsm is a standard weight that all domestic printers can feed through. For a slightly thicker stock, 120gsm will feel heavier and more official in your customer’s hands. Any thicker, approaching 160gsm, and they simply won’t feed through the printer rollers. If you have any more questions about letterheads, or would like to get a quote for them, get in touch with us at response@D2RCrossMedia.com or give us a call. The D2R team is always happy to help. ------------------------------------------------------------ # What is Foamex? Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/what-is-foamex/ Published: 2022-04-21 More customers than ever are looking for better ways to set up signage. Something easy to carry, easy to set up, weatherproof and re-useable. For something that ticks all these boxes, Foamex is a great way to go. So, what is Foamex? Foamex, or foam board, is made of compressed layers of PVC foam, where the outer layer is a smooth flat surface that can be printed onto. Even double sided! Being completely rigid, it can stand up to being displayed indoors and outdoors with little bending or breaking. You can also drill through Foamex to attach it to fences using plastic or string ties. If you need a customized shape, this can be done by laser cutting as well. And being made of foam, it is incredibly lightweight. This makes it ideal for standing on an easel or display stand as well as affixing to walls with Velcro or double-sided tape. Not to mention, this makes it easy to carry to and from exhibitions and events. Foamex boards come in a variety of thickness; 3mm, 5mm and 10mm. 5mm is an all around safe bet for most projects, as it is thick enough for extra durability while not being too cumbersome. The boards can range from A5s all the way up to A0, and bespoke sizes in between. If need ever needed something larger than A0, a safer option is to have the design split across multiple boards. Being flat and rigid, a larger surface area is more likely to snap if forced. Exhibition signage, advertisement, directional signs, and wedding seating plans are all examples of things you can use Foamex for. If you have any more questions about what is Foamex, get in touch with us at response@d2rcrossmedia.com or give us a call on 1923 232593. ------------------------------------------------------------ # How To Design A Great Postcard Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/how-to-design-a-great-postcard/ Published: 2022-04-12 An effective postcard not only has to look good, but it also must follow some essential rules of marketing to ensure you get a great response from it. This article shows how you can design some amazing postcards that will get you insanely great response rates. There is a 4-letter acronym that a lot of marketers use which is AIDA and it stands for Attention, Interest, Desire and Action. Attention – if your message does not get your prospects attention then it will never get read. Interest – now that you have their attention, arouse their interest Desire – now that you have them interested, you must create a desire for your product Action – finally, tell them exactly what to do next to enquire about the product The above is a universal rule of marketing – whether you are doing something in print, designing a new a website or running a social media campaign. So how do you design a great postcard that follows the AIDA principle. You must be even more strict as you are very limited for space. If you follow the guidelines below then you won’t go far wrong. Have An Attention-grabbing Headline This is probably the most important part of the postcard, and you must make sure the headline is bold and really stands out. You can even make the headline intriguing because all you want to do is get them to read the postcard. Use Images, Fonts & Spacing They say a picture paints a thousand words so make sure that your postcard is not just crammed full of text. Break up the text by having some eye-catching images, a good use of fonts and keep some space empty – you do not have to use up every millimetre! Vibrant Colours Use colours that really make the postcard stand out as it may be sitting on a doormat with several other postcards. If yours has some vibrant colours, not only will it stand out but a careful selection of colours will encourage your prospect to buy your product. Special Offers & Promo Code Everyone likes to think they are getting a great deal. If you highlight a special offer on your postcard and ask them to quote a promo code, you will not only get a better response but be able to track that response through the promo code. Focus on WII-FM Make sure the postcard outlines WII-FM, i.e. it must answer the question “What’s In It For Me?” when the prospect is reading it. So, rather than list the features of your product, try and make them imagine the outcome they will achieve if they use your product. Call To Action This is, by far, the most important part and one that a lot of people forget about. You must tell the prospect exactly what to do next to make the enquiry. For example, call this number by this date and quote this promo code to qualify for the special offer. Use Tracking Numbers & URLs If you are asking them to make a phone call, setup a tracking number that is unique to this postcard and you will then be able to monitor the exact response rate. If you are asking them to go to your website, then use a unique URL so you can see how many people visited that landing page. Conclusion Postcards are a great way to run marketing campaigns for specific products or special offers you may have run. However, please make sure you follow the AIDA principle and the guidelines above to ensure you get some insanely great response rates to your campaign! ------------------------------------------------------------ # What Are The Different Kinds of Book Binding? Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/what-are-the-different-kinds-of-book-binding/ Published: 2022-04-12 A book without any binding isn’t a book at all. It’s a pile of sheets. Some could argue it could be a Kindle or other brand of eBook, but that’s a different situation altogether. But a booklet can be the best way to convey information to your market. If you have a technical manual, a product brochure, or a programme for a training course, one of the things you’ll have to consider is what are the different kinds of book binding? And which is most suitable for you? Staple Bound Our most popular booklet option, the cover and inside sheets are stapled together in two places at the spine. The collected sheets are then folded in half, rolled flat and the excess paper front edge trimmed for a clean finish. This is also known as ‘saddle stitched’, the name coming from the saddle shape of the machine the sheets would be placed on. The covers can be the same paper as the inside sheets, or something different to stand out and add a touch more of a robust feel. At D2R, we can also offer a ‘square backed’ booklet. This is when the spine is pressed at a right angle, for a neat flat edge. This can make any stapled booklet resemble a more professional perfect bound booklet. Programmes, order of service booklets, product catalogues, church pamphlets and menus are all examples of staple bound booklets. Perfect Bound The perfect bound booklet has a flat square spine (just like our square backed booklets mentioned above), where the pages have been bound into with an adhesive. Because this process involves glue, there will be a longer turnaround time to include the drying process. The covers are heavier stock than the inside pages, even being as thick as card if needed. Examples include paperback books, glossy magazines, and more often corporate brochures. Wire Bound Holes are punched along the edge of the page, and then the collected sheets have a spine of wire loops inserted. The loops are closed (or ‘crushed’ for a more exciting term). At D2R, we add a clear acetate sheet to the front to protect the print, and add a 350gsm card back if no back cover has been provided. You will find wire binding used in note books, diaries, home recipe books and technical manuals. These wire bound booklets have become a more popular choice for presentation materials, as the sheets can be rotated around the spine and the whole booklet can lay flat. If the booklet only has a few pages, a heavier stock can be used to give it more weight, so no one looks at it and thinks it should have just been stapled together. Comb Bound Very similar to wire bound booklets, for comb binding, holes are punched along the edge of the page and held together with aplastic spine. These can still sit flat when opened on a desk, but unlike wire binding, they’re not as easy to fold over itself as the plastic spine is still a rigid strip. A comb bound booklet has a benefit the rest do not; the spine can be removed for more pages to be added or taken away without tearing. This is done with a specific comb binding machine, but if you don’t usually have one of these in the back of your cupboard, it can be done with some care by hand. Or you can always bring it down to us at D2R. Comb binding is a great option for manuals, legal documents, and even scripts. Book Binding Tape This tape is usually a tough strip of cloth and self adhesive that wraps around the spine or top edge of pages and trimmed to size. This option is the most utilitarian of all book binding in this article. Not suitable for presentation pieces, book binding tape is used on NCR invoice and estimate pads, delivery notes, and repairing the spines of hard back books. Get in touch with us to get your quote at response@d2rCrossMedia.com or give us a call on 01923 232593. Our team are happy to talk about what the different kinds of book binding are and what will get the Response! your product needs. ------------------------------------------------------------ # How To Create Print-Ready Files Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/how-to-create-print-ready-files/ Published: 2022-04-11 The term print-ready artwork still remains a mystery for almost all people who buy print and even some designers who are more used to preparing files for online content. So how do you create print-ready artwork that you can confidently give to your printer and know they won’t reject the file or add costly file correction charges. Professional print worker checking imprint quality and color matching with magnifying glass in printing house. There are some basic criteria that your artwork must have in order for it to be ready for print and these are as follows: It must be a PDF Any images must be high resolution It needs to contain bleed & crop marks Now let’s examine each of these in turn so you know exactly what you need to do next time you are submitting your artwork for printing. PDF File Format PDF stands for Portable Document Format and the reason why printers ask for PDF files is it preserves the content as it should be seen no matter what computer you are viewing it on. Whereas, if you sent it in a Word, PowerPoint or any other format, it may not come out in print how you intended it to. High Resolution Images A lot of people make the mistake of using the same images that have been used online. For example, on websites. These images will not print very well because they are not high enough resolution. Images for print need to be 300dpi resolution where as a lot of online images are only 72dpi. Bleed & Crop Marks Bleed and crop marks are what you see on the edge of the content that needs to be printed. Bleed is the “extension” of the content that is right on the edge, and this will ensure when the printed sheet is trimmed on the guillotine there are no white edges left. The crop marks are the guides in the corners that outline where the sheet needs to be trimmed. Please see image below to give you an example of what bleed and crop marks look like. Plain paper with all the printer marks: printing, cutting and calibration Conclusion If you implement the above guidelines before submitting your print job to your printer, it will ensure a smooth, problem-free production of your job which will get printed to the highest quality possible. It will also ensure there is no delay in your job and could save you a lot of money in reprints or paying your printer to correct the files to make them print-ready! ------------------------------------------------------------ # What Is The Best Paper For Printing Business Cards? Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/what-is-the-best-paper-for-printing-business-cards/ Published: 2022-04-07 Have you ever felt like you’re not getting the response you want when you hand someone your business card? It is some peoples first, and lasting impression of your company, so it is worth the extra attention when printing your cards. So, let’s look at the basics of which paper is best to print business cards? 450gsm Silk is a highly durable, thick card. It will barely bend, and hardly tear. At this weight, the cards can be matt or gloss laminated, an extra coating which can add a premium feel. Matt lamination has a smooth surface for a touch of added weight, and gloss lamination catches the light for a high shine finish. At this thickness, you can also consider getting rounded corners, or more finishing options such as spot UV. 360gsm Matt is a fine alternative. While roughly 100gsm thinner (that’s around the weight of generic printer paper), it is still a thick card that holds its shape. If you still wanted this thickness, but a different finish, then 350gsm Silk can add a low-shine smooth surface to it. Silk card does have a yellow-ish ‘off white’ tint to it, to bear in mind if your design is minimalist. These cards can be printed on a digital press and can be available same day. To discuss what is the best paper for your business cards, get in touch with us as reponse@d2rcrossmedia.com or give us a call on 01923 601 035 to have a chat with the team about printing your business cards! ------------------------------------------------------------ # How To Choose A Great Print Supplier Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/how-to-choose-a-great-print-supplier/ Published: 2022-04-04 This article explores five things you must look for in a print supplier and if they tick all these boxes then you can be sure you have a very rare breed of print supplier that will meet all your needs. As a buyer, we often like to get the best value for our money – whether it’s buying a house, a car, a television, clothes, or a pair of trainers. This doesn’t mean that we go for the cheapest option but one that provides us with the most bang for our buck! Chatting man and woman watching laptop and discussing colors for new design working in typography The same is true about choosing a print supplier as there are so many different types so choosing one which is right for us is often quite difficult. Every supplier says they provide excellent quality and service – when was the last time you met a supplier who said their quality was poor and they provided a bad service? We would argue that providing great quality and excellent service should be the minimum you should expect from any supplier. Therefore, you must look a little deeper and this article shows you what to look for in a quality print supplier who goes over and above everyone else. So, how do you choose a great print supplier? Read on to find out more... Do they understand your business? Most print suppliers are great at putting ink on paper and producing great quality print. However, very few will ask you what you are aiming to achieve with the print and advise you on things that would help improve the impact of the printed piece. See if the supplier asks about your business, what the printed item is meant to achieve and who the target audience is. If you come across this type of printer, then you know you are off to a good start. Will they add value? Let’s face it – you do not get up in the morning thinking I must go out and buy some print because it’s such a cool thing to do. The print is purely a means to an end and it is the end result that is important. If your print supplier understands your business (see previous point), are they coming up with ideas and suggestions to improve the outcome? If so, you can be sure this printer will be worth thousands, if not tens of thousands, in increased revenue or cost savings for your business. Are they aware of the environment? Is the print supplier taking steps to reduce the impact on the environment as this is becoming more and more important? Try and choose a printer who has got a sustainability policy – this may be things like being FSC certified or buying paper only from suppliers who are FSC certified. Do they make your life easier? Does the approach the print supplier use make your life easier. For example, no matter who you speak to in the team, are they able to give you an accurate update on your job or pass you very quickly onto someone who can? Are they quick in returning quotes? Do they give you a clear delivery date and then stick to it? Are they easy to deal with? All these things may seem simple to do but you would be amazed how many print suppliers fail in doing this. Do they help you save cost? By this, we don’t necessarily mean are they are the cheapest. However, if they have understood your business, are adding value, have an environment policy and make your life easier then this is a lot of hidden cost you are not incurring compared to a supplier who may not have one or more of the above. They may also come up with more efficient ways of doing things – for example, reduced postage when doing mailings or suggesting a process that saves you a lot of time. Conclusion If you do come across a print supplier that ticks all of the boxes mentioned in this article, then hang on to them for dear life as they are a very rare breed indeed. You will find that it will not only make your print buying easier, quicker and less costly but they may even change your business for the better! ------------------------------------------------------------ # How To Select Paper For Your Print Project – A Guide Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/how-to-select-paper-for-your-print-project-a-guide/ Published: 2022-03-30 We get asked a lot about what is the best paper to use for printing and our answer is always “it depends”. This is because so much depends on the what you are printing onto the paper as well as the desired outcome you want to achieve. This article will arm you with some knowledge so that you can have an informed conversation with your printer and choose the best paper that meets your requirements. Printing machine, hit set speed roto offset print press, newspaper and magazine production industry The Features Of Paper There are three essential features of paper which determine the type of paper you end up with and these are the paper weight, finish and reflective qualities. Weight corresponds to how thick and stiff the paper is and is measured in gsm which stands for grams per square metre. The higher the gsm the heavier the paper will be. For example, letterheads are usually printed on 100gsm to 120gsm paper while business cards are printed on 350gsm to 450gsm. Finish describes whether the paper is coated or uncoated. Uncoated papers produce a “flatter” and duller look to the print while coated papers are suitable for colours that need to be produced in a more vibrant look. Typically, forms that need to be written on are printed on uncoated paper and marketing leaflets are printed on coated papers. Reflective qualities of paper refer to coated papers which are then sub-divided into matt/silk or gloss. Matt/silk papers have a smoother finish than uncoated paper but are not as shiny as gloss. So, brochures that need to be read are best printed on silk paper while posters with a lot of vibrant colour might be best on gloss. How To Choose The Right Paper To help you choose the right paper, think about the following questions: Do you want the paper to have a thicker feel to it? If so, you want to make sure that you choose upwards of 250gsm for the weight as that has more of a card feel to it. Do you want the paper to be written on? If so, then make sure you go for an uncoated paper as coated paper can be quite difficult to write on. Is there a lot of text that needs to be read? If so, avoid gloss stock as that gets very difficult to read under lights. Is the printed piece going to be part of a mailing? In this case, it may be better to go for a lower gsm if you want to keep below a certain threshold for posting tariffs. Do I want to mix paper types? So, for example, if you are printing a brochure you may want the cover on a thicker 350gsm silk paper while the inside pages could be printed on a 160gsm uncoated paper. Paper Prices At the time of writing (March 2022), paper prices were going up every month and sometimes certain non-brand paper can be just as effective as the more popular brands. So always ask your printer if they can supply the print on a similar non-branded paper. The result will most likely be the same and it may save you a bit of money. Speciality Papers You can also get speciality papers which are for specific applications. For example, paper that is hard to tear, backlit paper which allows light to shine through, transparent paper for window graphics and vinyl paper for stickers. Conclusion There are many different permutations for paper which can lead to thousands of different varieties. Hopefully, this article has armed you with enough knowledge to have a more detailed conversation with your printer so you can choose the best paper for your project. ------------------------------------------------------------ # What Is The Best Paper for Printing Leaflets? Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/what-is-the-best-paper-for-printing-leaflets/ Published: 2022-03-28 Your leaflets will be someone’s first impression of your new product or event, from a breakout band’s latest gig to their freshest album drop. You’re going to want their response to be as enthusiastic about your product as you are. And the first place to start is deciding what is the best paper for printing leaflets? 130gsm gloss is a great standard of leaflet. Going for a mass maildrop in the high hundreds or thousands makes this a very economical option. But going for a higher grammage, say 170gsm or 200gsm- more than twice as thick as generic printer paper at home – makes the leaflet feel more expensive in your customers hands. Going for the thickest possible, at 300gsm and above, is approaching the same standard as postcards or high quality photo paper. These leaflets certainly won’t be easy for someone to screw up and throw away, they are guaranteed to be noticed. This is your go to for a luxury product launch, or kickstarting a new service for your brand. If you want a more minimalist design, mainly text or block colours to convey a time and a place to your audience, a matt or uncoated for a ‘muted’ finish will probably be ideal for you. You won’t have to worry about the surface getting scratched up or fingerprints leaving marks all over it when it is handled. If you want to include some photos or your background has a lot of colour, gloss and silk provide a much smoother surface for more a vibrant design. Gloss is a high-shine finish and silk is less shiny. If you have more text than images, the D2R team would recommend silk. Consider if a double-sided leaflet is the best option for you. More room for any information and images too! Get in touch with us to get your quote at response@d2rCrossMedia.com or give us a call on 01923 232593. Our team are happy to talk about getting the Response! your leaflets deserve and discussing what the best paper for printing your leaflets will be. ------------------------------------------------------------ # Why Does Thick Paper Need To Be Creased? Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/why-does-thick-paper-need-to-be-creased/ Published: 2022-03-25 Have you ever tried to fold a thick piece of paper or a postcard in half by hand? Straight away you’ll see the all the way down the fold the paper will start cracking apart. Either little wrinkles will appear in the solid colour printed onto it or the paper itself will literally split and pieces flake off. Remember, this paper stuff used to be trees. Creasing (or ‘scoring’) is literally putting a crease line, a bit like a dent, down the spine or fold line of your booklet cover, z-fold leaflet, anything you might need to fold. If you see a little rounded bump line in a fold, that’s where the paper has been creased. You’ll most commonly find these in greetings cards, as they are almost always printed on 350gsm and higher. We recommend any weight heavier than 170gsm should be creased if it intends to be folded, especially gloss and silk as these suffer from cracking the most with the extra layer of coating.You can always ask us to review your artwork and choice of stock and we can tell you if and why the paper needs creasing for the best quality. For a response that won’t crack under pressure (couldn’t resist), get in touch with the D2R team at response@D2RCrossMedia.com or give us a call on 01923 601 035 for a chat about your prints and for a quote today. ------------------------------------------------------------ # Should I Email Or Print My Newsletter? Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/should-i-email-or-print-my-newsletter/ Published: 2022-03-24 Ever wondered what would be the most effective way to distribute your newsletter? A list of emails is the most direct and immediate route, but does it pay off? Should you email or print your newsletter? Emails have a lot of pros going for them. First off, they’re free. Completely free! They go direct from your screen to your audience’s screen basically straight away after you hit Send. All you need from your soon-to-be customers is their email address, and you don’t need to consider the costs of mailing overseas to catch the attention of a worldwide market. But on the cons side, we know that your email will have to compete for attention in their inbox. And could be competing with a lot other vendors. Never mind their work emails. Or emails of cats from their relatives. Or invites to that party they are only maybe thinking of going to but only if that one mate is going. And this is on the assumption that your email won’t be filtered directly into their spam, never to be read. Once they have briefly read it, it is very easy for it to be disregarded, deleted immediately, and banished from memory. If you’ve got the budget, a physical mail campaign to a smaller, more focused target audience will lead to an increased response. Increased response is always increased conversion to sales. Your product is in their hands in front of their eyes. You could even include something more than just your words in the mail. A free gift is always going to draw someone’s attention, even some as small as a chocolate bar or lolly. And that isn't something you can attach to an email- another thing to consider if you are trying to decide if you should email or print your newsletter. Get in touch with us about how we can get the Response! your newsletter deserves at response@d2rCrossMedia.com or give us a call on 01923 232593. ------------------------------------------------------------ # Commercial Printer vs. Online Printer: Which Is Better? Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/commercial-printer-vs-online-printer/ Published: 2022-03-23 Commercial Printer Vs Online Printer – Which One Is Better? The aim of this article is to explore the difference in service you can expect to get from an online print company versus a commercial print company that operates in a bricks & mortar environment. There is no right or wrong option – only the option which will be right for you at a particular time. Armed with this information, you will be able to make an informed decision for your next print job. Push print button printing printer symbol blue computer keyboard The questions you need to ask yourself before deciding whether to go online or with a commercial print company are as follows: Is price the only consideration and is my budget really tight? Am I confident I know exactly what I am doing, or will I need some hand holding? Am I comfortable with progressing the order online or would I prefer to speak with someone? Are my requirements straightforward or is my print job slightly unusual? Do I want to explore additional options I may not considered? Do I need additional services such as design, artwork amends and mailing? Would I like to support my local business community and build a relationship with my printer? Once you have arrived at the answers to those questions you are now ready to decide whether to go online or to contact your local commercial printer to have a more in-depth discussion. We explore the merits of both options below. Is Price The Only Consideration? There is no doubt that online print companies have extremely competitive prices compared to commercial printers. This is because their processes are highly automated with very little human intervention and their product offering is standard. If you have a very straightforward print job, your artwork is in perfect print-ready format, and you need the cheapest price then an online printer is a good option. Do I Know What I Am Doing? If you are a seasoned pro at ordering print and have done it several times before, or your print job is straightforward, then you may be comfortable with submitting your order online. Your order is then processed through an automated system and will hopefully be delivered on time and to a reasonable quality. However, if you are ordering print for the first time, or you need the quality to be very exacting, or you have some unusual requirements, then you many be better off dealing with a commercial printer who can offer you help and advice along the way. Prefer To Deal With A Real Person? No matter how experienced you are in buying print, you may just prefer doing business with real people and the comfort that comes with having a friendly voice at the end of the phone. In this case, a commercial printing company is the way to go as you will be dealing with experts who will keep you updated each step of the way. Having said that, online printing companies have very good systems of automated alerts that let you know when your job is being printed and delivered. Have An Unusual Job? If your print job has some unusual features such as a non-standard size, some unusual paper, or some extra finishing requirements such as die-cutting or gold-foiling, a commercial printer is most certainly the way to go. Most online printers have a very finite range of products that will not include these bespoke options. Need Some Creative Ideas? An online printer has a very discrete set of products which is fine if they meet your requirements, and you don’t want to explore other options. If you want to bounce your ideas off the printer to sanity-check your specification will deliver the desired outcome, then commercial printers are very good at this consultation process and may suggest some alternatives you hadn’t considered. Need Additional Services? Along with your printing requirements, you may need some additional services such as logo design, artworking or mailing. Commercial printers have these services in-house or have very good relationships with specialists who provide these services. If you aren’t able to source these services yourself, or prefer to keep everything under one roof so you don’t have to deal with multiple suppliers, a commercial printer will be able to assist with this. Do You Want To Shop Local? Online printers, by the very fact they are on the Internet, do not need to have a presence that is local to you so they can be based in any part of the country or even overseas. If supporting your local business community is important to you then finding a good, reliable local commercial printer could be a very good symbiotic relationship to cultivate. Conclusion Online printing companies have extremely competitive prices, highly automated processes and can be great for fulfilling standard print jobs that do not need any interaction with the print team. If, however, you are new to printing and need someone to walk you through the process, or have very specific requirements that an online printer can’t meet, or you simply prefer to shop local to support your business community, a commercial printing company you can develop a relationship with could be the way to go. It really is horses for courses and there some excellent printing companies both online as well as in the commercial print sector. Hopefully this article has help you decide which will be the best option for your next print job. ------------------------------------------------------------ # What Is The Best Paper for Printing Posters? Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/what-is-the-best-paper-for-printing-posters/ Published: 2022-03-21 Have you ever taken your poster – which you’ve spent hours designing to make all the information look attractive as possible – to your printers only for the final product to look a little lacking and dull? It could be down to something as simple as finding the best paper for posters. You want to show off your product or event in the best possible light, to be visible from afar in any conditions and reflect the high quality of your brand. 3D render illustration of printing photo banner on large format color plotter in typography or print house printshop This article will help you understand the different types of paper you can choose for your posters so that you can show them off in the best possible light. For A3 posters, 170gsm is your ideal weight. It’s about twice as thick as generic paper you would use at home. If you are worried your poster needs to be a bit more hard wearing, 250gsm is the next best step up. There is no real advantage to going any higher than this weight, as it is a product that will be attached to a wall or inside a frame for everyone to see; not handled like a leaflet or a postcard. For larger posters, from A2 up to A0, we print onto a higher weight of 190gsm gloss/silk or 165gsm matt. (This is where weight does become important; a lot of ink on a large flat surface is going to soak into thin paper and be too heavy, risking tearing.) A gloss finish gives all the colour a lot of lustre, making photos look more luxurious. Silk will give you the same smooth surface for a rich image but doesn’t have as much as the characteristic ‘shine’ as gloss does. This means it won’t catch and reflect the light too much in comparison so you will avoid risking any glare that makes your poster hard to read. Matt or uncoated can be written onto with no smudges, if you wanted to print a plan or chat that can have notes added to it by hand. There is no going wrong with either option, but the D2R team recommends silk as a great standard. If you want to get in touch with us about what the best paper for printing your posters is, get your quote at response@d2rCrossMedia.com or give us a call on 01923 232593. Our team are happy to talk about what is the best paper for the Response! your posters deserve. ------------------------------------------------------------ # What Is The Best Paper For An Order Of Service? Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/what-is-the-best-paper-for-an-order-of-service/ Published: 2022-03-10 An Order of Service is an important part of a wedding or funeral. They can be a treasured keepsake after the event as well. So, what is the best paper for an Order of Service? This feels heavier than standard printer paper, but 250gsm is robust enough without being as heavy as postcard stock for example. You wouldn’t want the two extremes of a very thick cover and a very thin inside page. But on the reverse, a heavy 300gsm cover and 250gsm inside page won’t feel different enough to each other when you hold them, and risk being a bit of a ‘clunky’ booklet to be handling during a service. If you do choose a heavier stock, the inside pages will always be creased before stapling to avoid any cracking along the spine. Order of Service designs are rarely covered with bold patterns or colours. We recommend to print onto a matt stock instead of gloss or silk. Matt paper is usually closer to a pure white (whereas shiny gloss and silk tend to be off white and yellowish) for a more refined final product. As the Order of Service is a staple bound booklet, the pages need to be in multiples of 4 (4 page, 8 page, 12 page, etc). If you only have three pages or and odd number of pages for your design, a blank page can easily be added on the inside of the front or back cover. Your event is bespoke for you and should reflect the themes of your day. A single A4 sheet or a 20 page A5 booklet, a single photograph on the front or a whole collage of photos across two pages; you can ask D2R for the design and specifications that will be right for you. Get in touch with us to discuss your Order of Service at response@D2RCrossMedia.com or give us a call on 01923 601 035. Our team is always happy to help. ------------------------------------------------------------ # The Best Customer Service Ever Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/the-best-customer-service-ever/ Published: 2017-10-10 This article is about a stunning piece of customer service I recently experienced from Laurel House Charcoal Grill in St Albans.As you can see from the image below, these aren't your ordinary burgers but what amazed me was the superb customer service the owner showed when faced with a specific request from us. My son and I popped into this place for a quick bite to eat as it had been highly recommended. Unfortunately, they only served the burgers on brioche buns which my son can't eat due to a dairy allergy and he was starving! What happened next simply amazed me - after seeing the look of disappointment on my son's face, the owner went to the nearest supermarket to buy some plain buns which he could eat.He then carefully explained the rest of the ingredients in the burger to make sure he was not allergic to anything else before preparing the best burgers we had ever tasted. Needless to say they have secured my business for many years to come!I am always on the lookout for customer service experiences like this as it is the same ethos we have at D2R when producing print projects for our customers - we will go the extra mile to get our clients the best response from their print.After all, we are Dedicated To Response! ------------------------------------------------------------ # The Humble Apostrophe Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/the-humble-apostrophe/ Published: 2017-08-30 A Northern Ireland council has made an apostrophe gaffe costing the taxpayer £1200 in reprints. Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council's grammatical error appeared on an advert for a performance of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations. The council chose to reprint its promotional material - a spokesperson said it was the right thing to do as the event was a celebration of a literary giant. Money was spent on reprinting advertising boards, flyers, posters and window vinyls.It's a shame they did not print all this with D2R as we would have pointed out the mistake in the first place as our team are always keeping their eyes peeled for any issues in our customers' artwork. For printing with the apostrophe in the right place, come to D2R and avoid reprints to get a better response. After all, we are Dedicated to Response! ------------------------------------------------------------ # My Wife Won’t Let Me Eat This Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/my-wife-wont-let-me-eat-this/ Published: 2017-08-27 Two men always walk past a burger stand on their way home but don't even give it a second glance. Then, one day, the burger stand owner puts up a sign that really catches their attention - see the image below: The stand owner clearly knows his market (i.e. people who are hungry for what he offers) and has crafted a message that tells them exactly how he will satisfy their hunger (literally!). D2R are the masters at crafting headlines that will attract attention so contact us if you want all eyes on you for your next campaign. ------------------------------------------------------------ # Does Your CV Look This Good? Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/does-your-cv-look-this-good/ Published: 2017-04-26 When was the last time you saw a CV that really stood out? One job seeker managed to bag himself a role at GQ without even needing an interview - thanks to some ingenious thinking! Sumukh Mehta created a full 20-page mock-up of an edition of GQ,with information about himself instead of editorial content. This is a great example of how to apply some creativity in a scenario that normally does not allow you to do so and it shows it pays to be different. People are faced with an endless stream of marketing and ignore stuff that looks the same as everything else. You need to think differently and have a more friendly, personal tone to all your messages. If you are having trouble getting the desired response from your marketing just send us the artwork from your last campaign and we will provide a few suggestions on how to improve it. After all – we are Dedicated To Response! ------------------------------------------------------------ # Who Cares About Your Logo Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/who-cares-about-your-logo/ Published: 2017-03-19 It's true - no one really cares that much about your logo. Okay - that's a harsh statement but it is (mostly) true. If you’re Apple, and you’ve spent years building a brand that people really care about, then your logo does become quite important as people are willing to spend more money on products that have your logo. When Apple users lift the lid on their MacBook, they do so in the knowledge everyone will see the glowing Apple logo which makes them look the part. Most businesses, however, spend a disproportionate amount of time and money on logo design at the expense of other parts of their marketing such as crafting their message and targeting the right people.So, while it's important to allocate some time to getting the logo right, it should be in proportion to the time and money you spend on the rest of your marketing. If you need any help with a logo, our designers will create one you will be proud of and not cost the earth. Then, add the correct mix of marketing and you are on your way to getting insanely great response rates.After all - we are Dedicated To Response! ------------------------------------------------------------ # When Fedex Almost Went Bust Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/when-fedex-almost-went-bust/ Published: 2016-09-07 The founder of FedEx, Frederick Smith once gambled his last $5000 on a blackjack table to keep the business alive. In 1971, Smith founded the company with $4million of inheritance and around $80 million in loans. In their first two years, the company was on the brink of bankruptcy with just $5000 in the account and they couldn’t even afford fuel for their planes. So, what does a desperate business owner do in a time of need? Fly to Vegas of course! Smith gambled the last of the companies’ money on a game of Blackjack! Amazingly, he won $27,000 which was just enough to keep the planes flying for another week. After that, he managed to secure $11 million of funding using more conventional methods! He then launched a direct mail campaign to increase exposure of the brand and the rest, as they say, is history. The FedEx Corporation is now worth over $44 BILLION, it is the world’s largest airline and they fly over 600 planes. If your sales need a bit of a lift, I suggest you skip the trip tothe casino and contact D2R to help run your direct mail campaign. We have assisted many customers boost their sales with some astonishing response rates. So, don't gamble with your marketing - give us a call instead. After all, we are Dedicated to Response! ------------------------------------------------------------ # Ever Received A Head In The Mail? Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/ever-received-a-head-in-the-mail/ Published: 2016-07-29 Our regular customers will be familiar with the sight of chocolate arriving inside mailers around Christmas and Easter. This is just one example of what we call lumpy mail. A little while ago, we ran a campaign for one of our clients where we sent out some heads to their prospects for a campaign called Let's Get Our Heads Together. The results from the campaign were amazing and they managed to book meetings with key decision makers who they would otherwise not have been able to reach.We appreciate this may not be suitable for all businesses so we have plenty of other lumpy mail ideas that will get a better response than traditional "flat" direct mail. Drop us a line to find out how we can identify the perfect campaign for you that will get insanely great response rates that may well go to your head!After all, we are Dedicated to Response! ------------------------------------------------------------ # How Adidas Messed Up Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/how-adidas-messed-up/ Published: 2016-07-14 It looks like England are not the only people to mess up at a recent football tournament. Someone at Adidas must have been snoozing during geography at school – check out the image below and see if you can spot the error they made on all their ads featuring the Colombian football team ahead of the Copa America tournament. See, Colombia is a country in South America, while Columbia is a university in NYC, a Canadian district and a film production company (among other things). Adidas have scored a huge own goal here. They have since apologised to the Colombian community, but that didn’t stop social media from picking up on the huge gaffe and ultimately hurting the company’s image. So if you’re feeling low due to the England team's performance at Euro 2016 then just be glad you’re not Adidas right now! If you would like me to look over your existing marketing to see how you can improve response rates, drop me a line to schedule one of our super-useful marketing reviews to make sure you hit the back of the net. After all – we are Dedicated To Response! ------------------------------------------------------------ # What’s Wrong With This Picture? Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/whats-wrong-with-this-picture/ Published: 2016-07-08 It seems the only thing more enjoyable than a brilliant, uplifting,inspirational marketing success is a horrible, embarrassing,cringe-worthy marketing blunder – otherwise known as a big advertising fail. Every year there are plenty of them: the accidental tweet, the offensive billboard, the Photoshop disaster, or just the plain tasteless ad. A good example of this can be seen in the picture below - it looks like this particular designer did not know the difference between cats and dogs. In business, it’s important to learn from your mistakes but it's even better to learn from other people’s mistakes. So, are you sure your marketing message is being received in the right way? It's always worth getting a fresh pair of eyes to take a look. If you would like us to look over your existing marketing we would be happy to schedule one of our super-useful marketing reviews to help increase your response rates. After all – we are Dedicated To Response! ------------------------------------------------------------ # Jennifer Aniston Visits D2R Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/jennifer-aniston-visits-d2r/ Published: 2016-06-22 As you will have experienced when you work with us, we treat all our customers as VIPs and consider them to be superstars. However, it's rare that we have a true Hollywood celebrity pop into our premises in Watford. But that is exactly what happened last week - just check out the photo below: Jennifer Aniston's Visit To D2R As you can see, Jennifer Aniston is clearly starstruck after meeting our very own Centre Manager, Dan Parkes! This was a project we did for one of our clients who wanted to attract more footfall to their stand at an exhibition. They commissioned us to do life-size cut-outs of Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Gwyneth Paltrow. This just shows how some lateral thinking can get you to stand out from your competitors - the exhibition is taking place this week and we anticipate a lot of traffic at their booth. If you have an event or exhibition coming up, this would be a perfect way to attract the crowds. We have a wide range of celebrities from Angelina Jolie to Zain Malik and plenty of others representing each letter of the alphabet. Contact us now to see which celebrities would best suit your event and get you an amazing response. After all, we are... ...Dedicated To Response! ------------------------------------------------------------ # Never Up, Never In – Golf & Direct Mail Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/never-up-never-in-golf-direct-mail/ Published: 2015-06-23 The term "Never up, never in" is used in golf meaning that unless a putt is struck hard enough to reach the hole it has no chance of falling into the cup. Something similar applies when you’re doing direct mail. A mailing that doesn’t get opened—and read—has no chance of generating a response. People are busy and if they perceive your mailing as irrelevant they won't even open it, let alone read it. If you want your mailer opened and read you have to answer the question in your prospect's mind which is"What's in it for me?". If you follow the steps below your mailer will stand a far better chance of getting a response. Make The Envelope Standout - ensure you send it in a brighly coloured envelope. Personalised print on the outside of the envelope such as "Sarah - important information enclosed" will increase the chance of getting it opened. Write An Attention-grabbing Headline - now they have got the envelope open be sure not to disappoint them. For example, if you have a will-writing business you could say "The £100,000 Tax Loophole You Must Take Advantage Of In Your Will". Create A Special Offer- as a way of thanking your reader to take the trouble to read this far ensure you have a special offer for them. The days of "10% off your next purchase" are no longer any good. Instead, create a value proposition such as "Free Potted Plants With Every Lawn Cut In June". Call To Action - be very specific on what you want people to do in order to take up your offer. Do not rely on them trying to find your contact details from the back of the mailer and have a clear call to action such as "Call us NOW on 01923 232593 to take advantage of this fantastic offer!". Have A Deadline - people have a habit of putting things off unless you compel them to take action by a certain time. So always, have an expiry date on your offer. The above tips should ensure you get a great response from your next mailing. If you would like some help in increasing the response rates from your direct mail then contact us and we will be able to design and print a direct mail campaign that simply can't be ignored. After all, we are Dedicated To Response! ------------------------------------------------------------ # Printed Leaflets At The Crack Of Dawn Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/printed-leaflets-at-the-crack-of-dawn/ Published: 2015-04-14 We have all heard the saying “the early bird gets the worm” and recently we heard about a great example that illustrates this perfectly.One very innovative car garage came up with a marketing idea that was sheer genius - read onto to find out more. Imagine the scene – it’s 5am on a Sunday morning. Most people are fast asleep and you would not think this is the best time for drumming up any business. However, this car garage decided it was the best time to be targeting their prospects. This is what they did: They devised a series of leaflets and each leaflet would be tailored for a particular car marque such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, Ford, Vauxhall, etc. The leaflets had images and information that were specific to each marque and highlighted the garage’s expertise in servicing that particular marque. They hired a leaflet-drop company who were willing to put the leaflets through people’s doors at that crazy hour in the morning. The door-drop company was instructed to only drop the relevant leaflets based on the cars they saw parked on the drives. The leaflets were dropped through doors at 5am on a Sunday morning as this is when most cars would be on the driveways. This meant that when the owners woke up for their Sunday breakfast they had a leaflet through the door which would stand out as it wasn’t bunched up with other post and it would be completely personalised for their car. Needless to say they got a very good response from this approach as it was a simple yet thoroughly ingenious idea. This is a great example of putting in the hard work to identify who your target audience is and then crafting a message that is tailored perfectly to that audience. If you want to do a similar marketing campaign that will generate a great response rate then please get in touch. After all, we are Dedicated To Response. ------------------------------------------------------------ # Stay In Touch With Printed Postcards Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/stay-in-touch-with-printed-postcards/ Published: 2015-03-24 Remember when people used to send you a postcard from their holidays? Well, these are also a great way to keep in touch with your customers. They make a great alternative to leaflets as they tend to be read more and also kept longer than leaflets which often get binned. However, before producing your postcards, it would be good to keep the following key points in mind: Your flexible friend - As well as advertising a sale or a new product line, they can also be used as vouchers, gift certificates or invites to an event or exhibition. Get your message read - rather than making your postcard look like all the others ensure you personalise it in an eye-catching font and perhaps even consider applying a real stamp. The address could be printed in handwriting font to complete the personal touch and this will make it look like it has come from a friend. Don't skimp on design - get a professional designer and a copywriter to put together the content and look of your postcard. It will be money well spent as a postcard that looks like it hasn't been designed properly will do more harm than good. Simple messaging - keep your message simple and don't clutter the postcard with information. The postcard is just the trigger asking the receiver to take some sort of action. For example, print a special promo code on the postcard and give them a specific web site address or phone number where they can redeem the offer. Best time to post - time your postcard to arrive in the middle of the week as this tends to get a better response than postcards arriving on a Monday or Friday when people are busy just getting into the week or looking forward to the weekend. Postcards are a great way of boosting response rates to your marketing - if you need any help with designing, printing or mailing postcards for your next campaign then please get in touch. After all - we are Dedicated To Response. ------------------------------------------------------------ # The Apple Of Your…Wrist? Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/the-apple-of-your-wrist/ Published: 2015-03-18 By now you’ll have likely heard about Apple’s latest product which will be the Watch and costs anything from £300 up to £12,000 but has a battery that lasts as little as three hours! If you want to listen to music it’ll last you six and a half, but if you want to use it to make phone conversations, it lasts just 180 minutes. We don’t know about you, but we’re still trying to get our heads around it. The watch that everyone’s talking about, won’t even last a day if you want to do more than just tell the time. Yes, it last 72 hours if you want to just tell the time alone, but we get the impression Apple fans are going to want to use all the features that have been the watch's main ‘selling point’. You’d think having a watch with such a short ‘life span’ would be a problem… yet, we know without doubt there’ll still be queues of people lined up to buy one. So, what makes this watch so irresistible? Is it the price? We highly doubt it.Is it the style? Maybe… although we’ve seen nicer looking watches.Is it the brand? Absolutely 100%! As The World’s Most Valuable Brand 2014, Apple have built up one hell of a fan base over the years, meaning they can ‘afford’ to launch a product or service that isn’t the complete package – they know it will sell, simply because they’re the ones selling it. But this most certainly isn’t the case for the majority of businesses. When it comes to launching a new product or service today, it has to be a cut above the rest if it’s going to stand out. Don’t fall into the same trap of thinking anything less than perfect is okay. Unless you have a super loyal fan base like Apple, when it comes to introducing something new, make sure it’s the best it can be, before launching it out there for the world to see. It’s the best way to give yourself a fighting chance, unless you take over Apple of course! Once your product is ready you then need to have a complete marketing campaign where you use print, web, email, mobile and social media in order to ensure news of the product reaches your target audience. If you have a product ready to launch then give us a call as we can help you market it to get the best response. After all - we are Dedicated To Response! ------------------------------------------------------------ # Print Fonts To Totally Avoid Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/print-fonts-to-totally-avoid/ Published: 2015-03-05 There are some fonts which just don't look good in print or are now out of fashion - follow our guide to avoiding certain fonts and your next print project will look much better. Here are the fonts to avoid. Times New RomanFirst used by the newspaper industry for printing legibly on poor quality paper, this typeface is certainly easy to read. It has stood the test of time for some purposes, but not print design. For marketing purposes, it looks old fashioned and stuffy. Comic SansOne of the most overused fonts, Comic Sans became a popular choice for its light-hearted appearance. However, it’s been used so often that it’s no longer effective, and has become a joke in the print and design world. Use Comic Sans at your own risk, as most people won’t take you seriously. PapyrusPapyrus isn’t a terrible typeface in its own right, but it is significantly overused and synonymous with certain types of businesses. Papyrus now lacks originality, as it’s been chosen for too many “rustic” or “holistic” eco-friendly businesses. Curlz MTArtistic and whimsical, Curlz MT is unfortunately also difficult to read. That illegibility, however, doesn’t stop people from using it. Curlz MT has become synonymous with overused fonts, and isn’t suitable for anything more than a child’s party invitation. Bleeding CowboysOne of the more recent additions to the growing list of overused fonts, Bleeding Cowboys has already worn out its welcome with printers and designers. Described by some as “nauseating,” it makes an attempt to be original, but instead is too gaudy and difficult to read. Brush ScriptBrush Script, in addition to being amongst commonly overused fonts, is also quite outdated. Popular amongst older North American tourist brochures and on local sports teams’ uniforms, it no longer stands out or makes a positive impact on readers. ImpactAs the name suggested, this typeface was designed to make an impact. However, the only place it’s useful anymore is creating internet memes. Impact has featured on numerous billboard and poster adverts, looks like it was created with Microsoft Word Art and is no longer effective for marketing. Kristen ITCToo cute, much like overused fonts Curlz MT and Comic Sans, Kristen ITC doesn’t elicit respect. While some mistake it as fun and playful, there are very few instances where this font or others like it are a wise choice for your print marketing. Selecting the wrong font can put potential customers off using your business and therefore harm your response rates. Use a professional designer who understands typography and this will make people more attracted to what you have to say. The next time you go to design a print project, whether business cards or leaflets, carefully consider what fonts you choose and how they’re laid out and you will improve the response you get. ------------------------------------------------------------ # The 80-20 Rule Of Marketing Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/the-80-20-rule-of-marketing/ Published: 2015-02-17 If you're a client of D2R, you already know we're firm believers in regular communications with our clients. However, we fully appreciate not every person on our list will want to hear that message, on that day and at that moment in time. This is because different topics will be of interest to different people at different times. The Pareto Principle states “roughly 80% of effects come from 20% of causes” – otherwise more commonly known as the 80/20 rule. When applied to your business, you will find that 80% of your turnover is from 20% of your clients - the exact split may vary, i.e. it might be 60/40 or 95/5. I therefore hope that each communication we send out resonates with at least 20% of the readers that week. Some of them then take action and contact us to assist them with their Design, Print and Marketing projects. Knowing your numbers is a vital part of marketing and it is highly important for you to identify the 20% of your customers who are likely to give you 80% of your business. This way you can build up a profile of the type of customer you are more successful with and can then adapt your marketing messages accordingly. Doing this requires a measure of discipline and recognition that you can’t sell everything to everyone. Therefore, the more specific you can get about your ideal type of customer the more successful your marketing will be. You may then end up with two or three profiles of your ideal customers and at this point you then need to start creating different marketing materials for each of those target markets. Once you have identified your target market, your marketing message must address how you can help solve their problems and also answer the following questions: Why should they buy your product/service (or donate to your cause if you are a non-profit)? Why should they deal with you instead of one of your competitors? Why should they work with you RIGHT NOW instead of at some time in the future? If your marketing communications addresses the above questions and you have aimed it at the right target market your response rates (and hence your profits) will increase. It is very easy to get lazy and create marketing messages that are the same for everyone. While this may save time and cost, it is a false economy as the response rates you will get from your marketing campaigns will suffer. At D2R, we specialise in creating highly targeted marketing campaigns which are personalised not only to a particular segment of the target market but right down to the individual who is receiving that piece of communication. If you want to boost the response rates to your existing marketing campaigns then get in touch with us – we will show you why it pays to get personal and get insanely great response rates. After all, we are Dedicated To Response. ------------------------------------------------------------ # Direct Mail Is Not Dead Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/direct-mail-is-not-dead/ Published: 2015-02-10 Lewis Carroll used the Dodo as a character in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, 1865, and it was the popularity of this book that led to the widespread use of the phrase 'as dead as a dodo'. Some online marketing people have suggested that printed direct mail may meet the same fate. However, to quote Mark Twain, reports of the direct mail’s death have been greatly exaggerated and many smart companies are returning to it as a more effective medium because people’s Inboxes are getting too full. Here are three reasons why you should not ignore direct mail as a marketing medium: Saturation Of InboxesWith so much email bombarding consumers, it can be refreshing for them to receive a well-crafted direct mail piece which has been designed well and looks personalised. Reaching The Baby BoomersAs the most affluent generation group in history the baby boomers have considerable buying power. Many of them don’t access email on a regular basis and research shows direct mail remains the best way of reaching them. Let’s Get PersonalA piece of direct mail delivered in a coloured envelope with a real stamp and addressed in what appears to be hand-writing will have more chance of getting opened. However, don’t worry – you don’t have to hand-write all your envelopes as there are fonts that look like handwriting which can be used. Studies also show a timely, relevant and well-targeted direct mail piece will beat an e-shot that can be deleted at a click of a button every time. You may argue the reason you are reading this blog article is because you clicked on a link in an email you received. However, this is because you are subscribed onto our weekly email newsletter but if you had never heard of D2R there would have been very little chance of the email getting opened. So perhaps the nail in the coffin of direct mail hasn't quite been hammered in and in fact it is time for a resurrection for this medium. To find out how to get insanely great response rates to your next direct mail campaign just give us a call and we will show you. After all, we are Dedicated To Response. ------------------------------------------------------------ # Who Remembers J.R Hartley? Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/who-remembers-j-r-hartley/ Published: 2015-02-03 Some of us of a certain age may remember the Yellow Pages television advert from the early 1980s about an elderly gentleman searching for a book called “Fly Fishing by J R Hartley”. It is one of the iconic adverts from that era and if you fancy a touch of nostalgia scroll to the bottom of this page to play the video. Yellow Pages was once the lifeblood of the nation’s small businesses and a household staple used by millions of people who let their fingers do the walking to find services. Now it’s little more than a doorstop in many British households replaced by the convenience of searching for businesses on a smartphone or computer. In the early days the choice of mediums to advertise in was much simpler – radio, television or print. Marketing campaigns for businesses often meant an advert in the Yellow Pages and then waiting for the phone to ring. However, these days it is much more complicated with online channels such as Google, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn all requiring a presence if you are to complete in your market. It would be easy to fall into the trap of sacrificing print in place of advertising only online and then not getting the response rates you expect. In order to cover all the bases and gain get the maximum response rates you need to integrate online and offline approaches and have them working together. For example, you can use highly targeted direct mail to grab the interest of your intended audience and then drive them online to your website or social media presence to carry out the transaction. At D2R, we have some unique techniques for producing print that will drive people online and can show you exactly how you can measure the response you get. So just give us a call before your next campaign to find out how we manage to do that and we would be happy to show you. ------------------------------------------------------------ # Producing Direct Mail That Avoids The Bin Source: https://d2rcrossmedia.com/producing-direct-mail-that-avoids-the-bin/ Published: 2015-01-27 Did you know that 99% of the mailers sent in the post end up in the bin without even being read? The truth is that whether we are at work or at home our main aim when faced with a pile of mail is to reduce it and consign it to trash without even opening it. However, there are steps you can take to ensure that your mailer has the maximum chance of being read and if you follow these simple steps you should find that the response rates to your direct mail campaigns will increase dramatically. Use a coloured envelopeTests have proven that coloured envelopes tend to be opened a lot more than standard white or brown envelopes. This is not only because they stand out from the rest of the pile of mail but they also tend to imply there is something of value within the envelope. Handwritten addressUsing a very standard black/white font to address the envelope will again make it look like a bill or something that represents junk mail. Using a coloured handwriting font will make it look more personal. If the number of mailers is quite small then you may think of engaging someone with nice handwriting to actually write the addresses by hand! Make It LumpyTests have shown that mailers that are “lumpy” in nature tend to get opened quickly. To make the mailer lumpy you could enclose a small promotional item such as a pen, key-ring or a USB stick all of which are quite useful items for people to use. Use a real stampDepending on the aim of the campaign and your budget, it may be worth investing in the extra cost of a real stamp rather than just franking the mailer. Again, this makes it look more personalised and will increase open rates. Let us helpImplementing the above principles in your next direct mail campaign will dramatically increase the response rate but you may need a helping hand. At D2R, it is not unusual for us to get response rates for our clients in excess of 5% and some in excess of 20%. Considering the industry average is less than 1% this is a phenomenal result. So just give us a call before your next campaign to find out how we manage to do that and we would be happy to show you. ------------------------------------------------------------