I was talking recently to an owner of a fish and chip shop. He mentioned the impact that increasing rising costs were having on every aspect of his business including his printing. Due to the cost of fish and other ingredients going up, he has had to recycle his current batch of menus and order new ones with his updated pricing. With the cost of living, energy bills and printing looking to continue to rise this year, he won’t be the only business who finds themselves facing this problem. As we enter a new tax year, there is no better time to start your print planning and review your requirements.
With this in mind, here are our six top tips for print planning this tax year to help you not only get organised but hopefully save some pennies as well:
1.Budget
At the start of a new tax year, you should have a good idea on your budget for the year ahead and how much you are able to spend on your print materials. Your accountant should be able to help you reflect on what you spent last year and gauge your budget for marketing materials whilst factoring in increasing costs.
2. Give yourself plenty of time to get creative
Across every business sector, it’s important to plan ahead and start planning print collateral requirements before you run out. Not only does this mean you never run short before an important event or meeting, but it also gives you and your team plenty of time to create engaging creative that resonates with your audience. Last minute planning could result in creating marketing assets that lack the sparkle they need to make you memorable, create impact and appeal to your ideal client. Leaving plenty of time for both the design and print is pretty important.
3. Bulk Buying
Whilst increasing costs in the print world may make bulk buying difficult, there are still savings to be made on delivery costs by ordering in batches. Whether you are heading into a series of exhibitions, needing displays and marketing collateral which will last the season or you need new menus for a recent price hike, buying in bulk is a good way to save some money and top up your stock.
4. Shine through the Summer Sun
The sun is slowly but surely making an appearance this spring (at long last!) which means your target audience will be getting up and out to enjoy the warm weather. For businesses where eye-catching signage and shop fronts are key (estate agents, we’re looking at you!) now’s the time to get ahead of your competition with impactful printing.
5. Advertise your offers with print
The end of a tax year often provides a chance to reflect on opportunities for growing your business, reviewing which products or services didn’t perform as well as you had hoped and need a boost with an offer or promotion. Now we may be biased but where there’s an offer or promotion, there’s also print – the two go hand-in-hand. A strategically place banner or a direct mail campaign is a great way to advertise your new offer and reach your business goals this tax year.
6. Plan your time
I know all too well that time is limited when running a business, which is why factoring in time in your calendar to get on top of your printing is so important. I recommend once a month reviewing your stock levels and once a quarter planning ahead for events, exhibitions or marketing campaigns.
Print Management Service
Of course, if all of the above is sounding overwhelming and too much to manage whilst also running a business, then it may be time to outsource your printing with our Print Management Service. Budgeting, planning ahead, creating efficiencies in your printing, we work collaboratively with you and your team to cover the whole printing mix.
Sounds like the the print support this tax year needs? Get in touch to book a free discovery call!
