Large format printing is one of the best ways to promote your brand, convey your company’s persona and increase engagement within your target audience. From banners and posters to custom wallpaper and window graphics; there are a myriad of ways to use large format printing to boost your brand.
Whether you’re eager to acquire new customers, launch a new physical business location or simply create brand awareness, large prints can help you to achieve your goals. To get the best results, however, you’ll want to plan your graphics carefully.
Before you commission your next run of outsize artwork, be sure to check the following.
1. Use custom designs
When you’re creating large format prints, don’t be tempted to simply increase the size of existing graphics and artwork. What looks great on a menu or flyer won’t necessarily appear the same way as a poster, banner or billboard.
While your large format prints should certainly complement your current marketing materials, they should also be able to standalone in terms of branding. Often, an outsize print is the first exposure a potential customer will have to your brand. With the potential to capture their interest and secure a place in their memory, it’s worth taking the time to create bespoke designs that really deliver.
2. Work with specialists
You may already have a reliable printer or in-house design team that handle your marketing materials and, if so, that’s great! However, don’t assume that every printer, designer or creator will be familiar with large format printing.
To create high-quality large format prints, specific expertise and equipment is needed. By choosing to use large format printing services from a specialist, you can be sure that you’re getting the best product out there. Similarly, designers who specialise in creating large format graphics and artwork will have the experience, talent and skill required to create stunning imagery, on a large scale, that works for your brand.
3. Choose a substrate carefully
What your designs are printed on is critically important to any marketing activity. The substrate you choose is integral when it comes to creating an impression and conveying your message, so don’t leave it to chance. If possible, visit with a supplier or printer beforehand so you can see and feel the substrates available. Many large format printers will order custom substrates and finishes at a client’s request, so don’t be afraid to ask for something different.
Depending on your product, you may intend to reuse large format prints on numerous occasions. Banners, exhibition materials and point of sale designs are routinely re-used, for example. In addition to this, many large format prints are used outside, so you’ll need a substrate and finish that’s weatherproof. Consider how you’ll be using your marketing materials when you choose your substrates, as well as the design, to ensure maximum longevity.
4. Consider installation
Some large format prints can be easily assembled and installed, so you may be happy to handle these alone. Standard cut outs and point of sale displays are typically printed on to a substrate that can be modified, for example. Sending these in flat form and installing them in situ is often the most efficient and cost-effective way to access large format printing.
However, other forms of outsize printing require more careful installation. Window graphics, billboards or self-adhesive vinyl graphics may require an expert touch. Before you approve a design, talk to your printer about installation options. Often, specialist large format printers offer accompanying installation services, so you can manage the entire process under one roof.
5. Check your designs work from a distance
When designing graphics or artwork for a large format print, don’t simply approve what’s on your screen. Whether you’re designing your own content or using an established creator, you need to put yourself in the shoes of your target audience.
Large format prints are designed to be seen from a distance. What’s more – they should create an impact and convey a clear message from a distance. Before you sign off on anything, be sure you’ve zoomed out a good few times and checked how your designs look from faraway.
Creating Offline Marketing Materials
Offline marketing remains as popular and effective as ever, so don’t be tempted to overlook the rewards it can offer. No matter what type of business you run, a cohesive marketing strategy that combines digital and offline assets will increase your reach. With a range of tools, such as large format prints, PPC ads, flyers, SEO and banners, you can create a perfectly balanced campaign to boost your brand.