Finding the right mix of reach and frequency for your marketing messages is a moving target – especially when you are trying to do more with less. Direct mail continues to rank among the best means for communicating with your customers and prospects in a highly targeted and personal way.

Keeping costs in line with your budget is easier than you think. It’s best when your print
communications provider can be involved in the up-front planning, including the graphic
design.

Here are a few simple guidelines that will help you to keep your printing costs in check:

• Stick with standard finished sizes to reduce paper waste and minimize your costs.
• Be careful when using bleeds, that is, color or images that run to the edges of the paper.



• Sometimes they require larger sheets that need to be trimmed, meaning higher costs and longer production time.
• Use color to print a large quantity of “shells.” Then, customize the text as your projects come up throughout the year with one color of ink.
• Similarly, spread the cost of color between several jobs. For example, design a series of brochures that share the same colors, and print them at the same time. It can be cheaper than paying separate set-up charges for each.
• Before placing a special order, ask if there is a paper stock in inventory that might be right for your project.

For more cost-saving tips on printing and copying, see the pros at Allegra Hamilton today.

If your New Year’s resolution is already a fading memory, don’t despair. You’re in good company. People who like to track this type of thing have concluded that about 35% of us kick our good intentions to the curb by the first of March. On the bright side, every day presents a new opportunity to get back on track. In business, being able to shift gears quickly and navigate new terrain is a sure path to success.

HAMILTON, ON., March 15, 2010 – Carson Taylor, sales executive at Allegra Hamilton was recently recognized by the Allegra Network franchise system for being among the top system-wide sales professionals. Taylor was awarded the International Silver Sales Milestone Award, an annual honour based on sales volume achievements.

“The marketplace is changing, and small and mid-sized businesses need to take a more strategic approach to their print and marketing communications, “said Allegra Sales Manager Jim Gladun. “Carson proves again and again to be a valuable and knowledgeable resource to marketers who want to see real results from their communications programs.”

With two locations at 255 York Blvd. and 11 Hughson St. South, Allegra is a full-service marketing communications provider with in-house printing technologies including traditional offset and digital printing, variable data capabilities, colour signs, posters and banners, graphic design, mailing services, promotional products, internet marketing solutions and project consulting.