Expectation vs. Reality

If you’re looking for design and print services, you may know exactly what you want. With a design in mind, it’s simply a case of finding a quality printer within your budget.

However, there may be times when you need a little more guidance. Let’s say you have a new shop or office, or an empty display wall and you want to fit it out with signs and graphics. Even if you have a rough idea of the images and text you want to use, you’ll need to create some designs first.

This is where you need the help of a digital printers, who will provide you with a complete design service. But what actually is a design service? Well, it can vary depending on the printers you work with. Take our service, Project Plus, for instance with its:

1. UK site surveys
2. Experienced concept design team
3. Project scoping documents, including visual mock-ups
4. Dedicated account management
5. 24/7 installation service

Not every design and print service is as comprehensive as Project Plus, it’s therefore important you are clear on what’s included up front. Below, we’ve taken a look at some of the most common expectations regarding design and print services versus the realities.

Expectation:

“I can provide a quick one-line email and the graphics will work out fine, first time.”

Reality:

Some digital printers may claim this is possible, but it’s not. And they would be short changing you by suggesting it was! In reality, designing signs and graphics requires planning, research and a clear understanding of the end goal. Not to mention a site visit and proper project scoping.

For large projects, we visit the location and talk to you about what you hope to achieve. This helps us bounce some ideas around and set clear objectives for the results. It’s taking the time to understand the project at this stage that makes all the difference.

Expectation:

“The graphics won’t look how I want. I need to have complete control of the design.”

Reality:

First of all, digital printing companies are experts in visual communications, so you should trust them to offer sound advice. A quick glance at a company’s previous work or their blog should provide you with enough information to feel confident they’re capable of doing a good job.

Secondly, you’ll get the chance to see how your designs look before they go to print. Typically, you’ll receive a sample document as part of the design process, complete with visual proofs. These proofs will show you exactly how your new graphics will look and enable you to make any necessary changes.

Take a look at the design proofs below that we created for Club Energy Gym, Retford. You can see how the proofs match up exactly to the finished graphics.

There should be no ambiguity when it comes to your designs and where they will be placed. Being certain of this means you can go into the production and installation phases confident your visuals are going to look as fantastic as you expected.

Expectation:

“It’s going to be a hassle making sure our message is clear and that it’s communicated using the right materials.”

Reality:

This shouldn’t be a worry for you, as this is the job of your print expert. But, that’s not to say you won’t have your say or be kept informed. At Digital Plus, we provide a sample pack where you can review sample materials and decide which option you prefer. You’ll also receive professional advice on what materials and processes will be most effective for your specific requirement.

The aim of design and print services is for you to be provided with a joined up approach to and receive advice about your project. Your project coordinator is there to keep you in the loop, while the design team will develop your ideas. And it’s the job of the production team to turn them into a reality. The result is you have a team of experts on hand to make sure your message is memorable.

We hope this has given you a good idea about what the best design and print services should include. If you have a project you’d like to discuss you can get in touch on 0113 278 3133 or via sales@digitalplus.co.uk.

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Big print ideas for events, activities and interactive displays

Print isn’t all about branding or sharing a message.

It can be about bringing people together and creating a spectacle too.

We’ve helped lots of businesses, schools and organisations create one-of-a-kind games and interactive activities using big print. And the results have been fun, creative and truly memorable!

Whether your idea is for a one-off event or something that’s going to be used time and again, there’s a way to achieve it using print. Take a look at these projects for a little inspiration…

Here’s something a little different! ????

We were recently asked by @Clipnclimbworld in #Leeds to create a giant-sized word building board for use on their team motivational #corporate days.

The board was designed, printed onto 5mm rigid PVC and delivered within 2 working days!? pic.twitter.com/g7C0mMfvdR

— Digital Plus Ltd (@digiplus) February 14, 2019

Clip ‘n Climb get motivated

These giant-sized word building boards were created for leisure sports company, Clip ‘n Climb, to use with their team corporate days within a motivational word game. The giant board design made the activity more engaging and meant the team avoiding having to work around a desk.

The boards were printed on to 5mm rigid PVC and will be used many more times in the future.

Footy fun for local Leeds children

As part of npower’s Home Team Heroes campaign back in 2010, Leeds United players joined a team of 72 local volunteers to transform Beggar’s Hill, which overlooks Elland Road. Part of the transformation was the installation of this wooden printed board for football shooting practice.

It just goes to show that a little community spirit and some colourful ideas can really go a long way!

Spin-to-win for Meadowhall Student Night

We created this interactive spinning wheel display for a student event at Meadowhall shopping centre. The wheel was printed with brand names and visitors were invited to spin the wheel to win vouchers from whichever name the wheel stopped on. It’s a simple, but highly engaging idea.

Big print for the biggest games of all…

Which games are bigger than the Olympic Games?

None! We printed these track graphics for the mountain bike course at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. The printed vinyl had to stand up to heavy impact from the bike tyres, not to mention the blazing Brazilian sun!

A secretive display to draw in the crowds

When you’re trying to generate a buzz around an event, you need a unique display that turns heads. The West Yorkshire Playhouse (now called Leeds Playhouse) wanted to advertise their upcoming performances of The Secret Garden.

We helped them print and install this intriguing box-shaped display that encouraged passers-by to peek inside. In contrast to a traditional poster or billboard, the box is creative, unusual and leaves an impression.

Do you have an idea for an interactive game or display? We’d love to hear it! And turn it into reality for you too.  Just get in touch and tell us what you’re looking to achieve. 

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In the world of design, colour choices are used to associate brands with specific characteristics or emotions. These cues can be taken from nature, for example fresh green, dangerous red and sunny yellow, while some come from society, like regal purple or feminine pink, for instance.

Over time, these associations have solidified into what’s become known as the psychology of colour. Each colour has some commonly-defining traits, as summarised in the chart below:

We’re programmed to respond to these cues – both positive and negative – and subconsciously interpret colour as we go about our daily lives. Much like our ancestors would have avoided poisonous red mushrooms or yellow stinging wasps, we too have an innate response to colour.

In fact, we’re so used to interpreting colour that it’s thought to have become a part of our decision-making process. A study called the Impact of Colour in Marketing, found that up to 90% of snap judgments made about products can be linked back to colour.

Advertisers and designers are only too aware of these associations and regularly tap into the power of colour choice in their work. To illustrate what we mean, here are a few company logos as examples:

RED

Primary red is one of the core Lego brick colours, but it also sends a message about their company culture. Red tells us that Lego are bold, creative and extremely passionate about what they do. They are not afraid to push the boundaries in order to design new and exciting products for their customers.

BLUE

Efficiency, intelligence and calmness are values Boots would want their customers to associate with their services. Equally, blue is also thought to be an official, authoritative tone, which lends itself perfectly to Boots as a pharmacy (the NHS logo is also blue).

PURPLE

Conveying luxury, quality and creativity, Cadbury’s signature purple has been used so extensively that many of us would now recognise just the colour alone as their branding. This colour helps to make their product seem more enticing and desirable.

GREEN

Green is a good example of how colour can be used to align your brand with certain values, whether they are reflected in reality or not. Traditionally associated with nature, environmental harmony and positivity, green is a very deliberate choice by BP here.

YELLOW

As a charity, yellow works perfectly for Dogs Trust. Positivity and friendliness are at the heart of the work they do and the optimism of the colour choice shines through across all their marketing materials.

Once you start looking, it’s easy to spot these colour choices everywhere and, in turn, the subtle messages that brands are trying to convey with them. But, in reality, can a colour really influence the way we see a brand?

Well, it would be naïve to assume that people blindly accept a company as ‘eco-friendly,’ ‘strong’ or ‘reliable’ simply because of their brand colours – people are cleverer than that! As consumers, we are more likely to judge companies on our experiences or what we hear about them from friends, family or the news.

That said, colour choice is certainly not something to be overlooked. As the research suggests, we make snap assessments on products all of the time and brand colours are one of the things people pick up on. Whether knowingly or not, colour can subtly influence how something is perceived, so it’s important to spend a bit of time thinking about it.

Making sure the colours in your design a) look good and b) send the right message, will help to make your finished artwork much easier to process and far more effective. The colours you choose won’t tell a customer everything they need to know about your company, but they’re a great place to start!

Want some design advice for your next printed project? Our in-house team of creatives will help you create a design that sends the right message. Get in touch with them today.

Want to hear more from the specialists here at Digital Plus? Sign up to our newsletter for regular updates from the team.

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So far, we’ve helped the Hospital Art Studio team create touching displays at 6 hospitals across the UK, with our printed birds for Medway Hospital winning gold at this year’s FESPA awards.

The latest installation is called ‘A kaleidoscope of butterflies’ and features an array of colourful butterflies spiralling up towards the light above. The display guides the viewers’ eye to the central message of the Gift of Life on the ceiling.

We helped Hospital Art Studio to choose exactly the right materials for the 100 individually crafted butterflies. Four different species were chosen to replicate – Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell, Adonis Blue and Silver Washed Fritillary – with two different sizes of each type.

Using laser cut 1.2mm thick aluminium each of the butterflies was individually coated in shimmering colours to both sides and with three coats of clear gloss lacquer to give them an iridescent finish which creates the impression of fluttering in the light.

Each project that we complete with Hospital Art Studio is special not only because of the amazing results, but because of the value it holds for the people close to those it commemorates.

“Digital Plus are a perfect fit for Hospital Art Studio and always push the boundaries to create very special results. With each success, we are pushing each other to do something out of the ordinary and their brilliant team are always up for the challenge! That trust in each other means that together we have been creating multi award-winning projects on a world scale. Not bad for some Yorkshire Lads and Lasses!” 

Karen & Tony van de Bospoort, Hospital Art Studio.

(Pssst! We won Silver for this project at 2018’s annual FESPA awards. FESPA is the Federation of European Screen Printers Associations.)

Got an upcoming project that needs added impact? Get in touch with our team today and we’ll help you find your inspiration.

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Why personalisation is so effective

Remember that Coke campaign that put the names of people on the bottles? And what about those giant jars of named Marmite and Nutella that everyone got for Christmas last year?

The products were exactly the same, but people loved the packaging. Why? Because, quite simply, personalisation is something we’re programmed to react to.

Add a little glitz and glamour to the Christmas stocking this year with their own personalised jar! https://t.co/Dr2pEXA74J pic.twitter.com/vcAajPlju7

— Marmite (@marmite) December 5, 2016

Seeing your name immediately grabs your attention, undoubtedly. But the psychology of personalisation runs even deeper than this. A study by the University of Texas found that personalisation helps us to feel a greater sense of control as we feel we are choosing something meant for us.

#ShareaCoke rolls out 1,000 personalized songs feat. America’s most popular names! Find yours: https://t.co/iJGru220wH pic.twitter.com/dTcdzhEGlu

— The Coca-Cola Co. (@CocaColaCo) July 18, 2017

This subconscious pull is what makes personalisation such a useful marketing strategy. Emails with personalised subject lines are said to be 22.2% more likely to be opened than without, and a recent survey found that 55% of people say they would be ‘more likely’ to open a personalised piece of direct mail.

It’s clear that personalising mail, online or direct, helps to get a better response. But how can you use personalisation more widely to reach people with your printed campaigns?

Well, with most printed campaigns you only have a few seconds to catch somebody’s attention and using personalised language can help you really make these seconds count.

Whether it’s a poster, flyer, window graphic or billboard, speaking directly to your audience by using names, ‘you’ or greetings like ‘hey there’ helps to invite a response and encourages viewers to take further notice of your messages.

Where names aren’t always applicable, you can take this approach out wider. Coca Cola are currently using cities on their bottles, proving there is more than one way to get personal. Collective terms such as ‘good morning Leeds,’ ‘hello happy travellers’ or ‘hi there, new employee’ are equally useful ways of connecting your audience directly with your messages.

Ultimately, if you feel that a display relates to you, you will be more inclined to read it. And this can only mean better results for your campaign. Well-designed graphics are one thing, but how you choose to communicate with your target audience can be the difference between a successful campaign and just a pretty picture.

Want some help making your next graphic print project truly impactful? Talk to one of our experts about your objectives and we’ll recommend the right solution.

The post Could personalisation improve your printed graphics? appeared first on Digital Plus.

Most businesses rent their site, meaning there are some restrictions on the changes that can be made. But digital printing offers a temporary and effective way to personalise your work space.

We help companies from right across the retail, leisure and trade and education sectors brand their sites with innovative signs and graphics. Planning a refurb? Make sure these key factors are part of the equation:

1. Keep your branding consistent

Sticking to one or two colours and consistent typefaces ensures your branding remains recognisable, helping to create a cohesive scheme and make the space flow. There a dozens of places to add splashes of your brand, from reception desks to door signs, and a good, overall scheme will tie them all together effectively.

2. Enhance blank wall space

Vinyl wall graphics are the fast and affordable way to brand empty wall space with your messages. Motivational, functional or simply decorative, wall graphics enable you to get creative with text and images to create something that is completely unique to your company.

Clever wall graphics immediately grab the attention of visitors and customers, enabling you to showcase your key messages and achievements quickly and effectively.

3. Think about the practicalities

As we’ve mentioned, good site branding shouldn’t just look great, it also needs to be functional. Health and safety requirements should form a part of your planning, it’s also important you seek professional advice to ensure you get them right.

Another useful tactic is to approach your site as if you were trying to find your way around it for the very first time or get somebody to visit it afresh. This will give you a practical, objective idea of where people might get stuck and precisely which areas could do with being better signposted.

4. Make a good first impression

Whether you’re a customer, employee, supplier or guest, what you see when you immediately enter a site is going to leave a lasting impression. Creating a smart and welcoming entrance will set the tone for the rest of your space.

Simple changes, like branded floor tiles or window vinyl on glass doors may be subtle touches, but will help to create a professional finish. And for added impact, you could even choose a bolder statement, like illuminated or back-lit signage.

5. Use more than just the walls

Wherever there is blank space, there is an opportunity to use graphics to brand it. Modern printing technology allows us to add printed graphics on to almost anything, from lift doors to cupboards and stairs, there are endless opportunities to share your messages.

6. Represent your values

The culture of every business is different, which is something that should be celebrated. Using your working environment to showcase your company values serves as a visual reminder to your employees and helps new customers learn about your ethos.

7. Work with one point of contact

With so many different things to consider, having one point of contact during the refurbishment process is crucial to making sure everything comes together.

A good project manager will not only help you to develop a strong concept, but will ensure your project’s completed for the best price. From recommending the appropriate materials to advising on savings and installation times, their insights will help your re-brand take shape effectively.

Are you thinking of re-branding or refurbishing your space? Get in touch with our team today to find out more about Project Plus, our dedicated print project management service.

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Back in 2013, the University of Salford completed a study that found classroom environment can affect children’s academic progress by up to 25%.

Since then, architects and designers have cited this in relation to the development of new and innovative school buildings across the country.

But when there’s no new school building in the pipeline, is it still possible for you to improve your school environment to better engage your pupils?

Yes, it is, and it’s possible to do it cost-effectively too.

Graphic print is a fast and affordable way of transforming classroom and shared spaces, helping to freshen up your existing building and create a more fulfilling learning environment for the whole school to enjoy, in the process.

There are no limits on the way signs and graphics can be used creatively within your school, but as a starting point, here are the three main types and how best to use them.

2. Window and wall graphics

Transforming dull and empty walls with bright, visual graphics not only makes an environment more appealing, but the right messages can also help to keep your pupils motivated.

Why not get your pupils and staff involved in designing the scheme? This is a great way of creating shared sense of pride in the school as a whole and helping pupils and staff feel invested.

3. Educational displays

Interactive wall displays are a fantastic way of encouraging engagement within classrooms and can be used by teachers and pupils alike as the centrepiece of activities and lessons.

Surface materials, like dry wipe and magnetic boards enable you to use them as learning tools again and again, for a huge range of different activities.

3. Banners and flags

The fantastic thing about banners and flags for schools is that they are simple and cost-effective to change, meaning you can keep your messages fresh and up-to-date the whole year round.

Whether you want to celebrate school achievements or display motivational messages, flags and banners are quick to produce and can be stored away and used whenever they are needed.

Got some ideas for enhancing your school environment? Get in touch with our team today and we’ll help you transform and get the most from your space.

The post How to cost-effectively transform your school environment using graphic print appeared first on Digital Plus.

The very best graphic displays grab our attention, stick with us and deliver a compelling message. They are also difficult to get right and a strong concept takes time, planning and plenty of new ideas.

But great design concepts don’t have to be an expensive luxury

Do you remember when your school teacher would ask you to turn a group project into a display board? Well, there was method in that madness.

Collectively turning information into something visual helps to develop your messages. You can take a tired old idea and it can become something fresh, unique and compelling. And this is exactly what we do with our clients.

Share your idea and we’ll turn it into a winning concept

We’re more than your local printers. Bring us a scrap of paper or a half-formed sentence and we’ll help you develop it into a smart and effective graphic display.

Our team of designers have the industry experience and technical knowhow to breathe new life into your project. And sharing your thoughts with them might just mean the inspirational breakthrough that you’ve been looking for.

Simply stop by our studio or – we’ll visit your site – and we’ll look at your objectives and find a way to achieve them.

Got a message to share? Get in touch with our team today and we’ll help you find your inspiration.

The post Are you in need of a bit of inspiration for your graphic display? appeared first on Digital Plus.

At Digital Plus we take on your graphic print project and deliver a solution, whatever your challenge.

Our complete project management service, Project Plus, provides a dedicated service from your very first enquiry to the post-installation aftercare.

Not only that, but Project Plus gives you access to our team of design and production experts to help you create an innovative and impactful visual solution that exceeds your expectations.

Find out more about our project management service in our latest infographic:

Got an upcoming project? Find out more about Project Plus by speaking with our team.

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Research has shown that 59% of people prefer to purchase from brands they recognise.

So, make your business recognisable to your prospective customers and they’re more than twice as likely to buy from you.

Your brand is your gateway to these prospective customers; if you create a memorable brand you will be recognised by more new people in your local area, helping you reach new customers. Sounds simple, right?

But building brand awareness isn’t just about having a knock-out logo. To build your presence, you need to effectively and consistently communicate across all channels.

That’s where we come in. At Digital Plus, we help you to create a memorable message and share it in all the right places.

We create high quality branded visual displays for all stages of the customer journey. Whether you want to get noticed by passers-by for your smart and professional exterior signage or want to generate a buzz ahead of a new launch or in the lead-up to a big event, we can help.

As display specialists, we bring experience and innovation to every project we complete and offer new, creative ways to help your business get recognised.

From simple banners and temporary signs to interactive displays, our team of experts will listen to your objectives and recommend the right solution.

To help you get noticed wherever you are, we create and install custom branded:

• Outdoor and indoor signage
• Window and floor graphics
• Point of sale collateral
• Display graphics and exhibition stands
• Posters and banners

We are your brand guardians and will work with you to create something new and impactful while making sure it reflects your business’s brand identity completely.

Want to increase your brand visibility? Get in touch with our team today and we’ll help you create the right visual impact for your business.

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