It’s no doubt we live in a digital world. Most of us cannot imagine life without our digital devices. The majority of our population uses a smartphone, tablet or computer daily. Whether it’s to read the news, check our email or share a post on Facebook, we’ve become nearly dependent on our electronics. With the use of these devices increasing every year, it seems that printed media would eventually become nonexistent, but this has not proved to be the case, and many don’t feel that will ever happen completely.

As a print finishing company serving Lacrosse, Wisconsin, we know print is still relevant and important. Whether you believe it or not, most people prefer print in many instances, and they trust print. In a recent study by MarketingSherpa, different age groups were asked if they trusted ads received in the mail. 70 percent of Millennials, 77 percent of Generation X and 80 percent of Baby Boomers replied they trust direct mail when considering a purchase decision.

So, what is it about print that makes it trustworthy? It’s true that information is easier and much faster to get online. Almost anyone can share some sort of story – factual or not. However, just because something is printed, that doesn’t guarantee it’s true. Sure it takes more time and effort to put it together, so you’d assume care was taken to get the facts straight, but it’s more than that.

Print media has something that digital cannot replicate: the experience. When reading or handling print media, the person can touch it and feel it. They can also sense in a book how far along they are and how many pages they have left to read. It’s these small things that make print stand out.

So, how does print finishing tie in with this? Print finishing allows you to create an experience for your customer or potential customer. Companies can brand themselves both with digital and print media. However, on the print side, they can be even more creative, using techniques like embossing or foil stamping to really help their piece stand apart and give people that “feeling” of connection with their brand.

Just like every company needs to have a logo or colors that represent their brand, they can also use print finishing to leave an impression. Maybe you’ll decide to use a specific type or weight of paper or a glossy or matte finish. Embossing or debossing can really make your print piece tactile. You can even go multi-dimensional with folding and gluing. The possibilities really are only limited by your imagination.

Once you decide on the best print finishing technique for your business, you can use it for all your printed materials for a truly branded look. Or, you can use different types of finishes for separate campaigns or to target a specific audience. One thing is for sure: don’t skip print altogether. This is still a relevant approach for marketing and branding that every company should incorporate.

If you would like more information on print finishing for your Lacrosse business, give Larkin a call at 651-645-6000 or Request a Quote.