Home - Article Writing - Web Content - Press Release - Jobs - Directory - Search:

Business Stationery Graphic Design - The Hidden Pitfalls And Dangers

By: William Penworthy

Business stationery graphic design is one of the most direct and successful ways in which a business or organisation can connect with and communicate to a prospective client or customer. Any corporate stationery designer knows that stationery, in its many forms, says almost more than anything else about a company, except perhaps for its actual products and service. But often it is the stationery which is seen by a customer before anything else. More sales have been won or lost through corporate stationery than flashy websites, flashy smiles or flashy varnished walnut reception desks. Why is business stationery graphic design so important, what aspects should you consider, what is important, and what isn’t, and what issues will a successful and experienced corporate stationery designer consider when creating a new stationery design?

The first thing to consider is what stationery means. Almost anything printed can be considered stationery, and it is worth considering all of the different printed forms of communication which your business or organisation sends out regularly. From business cards to letters, from envelopes to packing slips, there are many different printed forms of communication being sent out to customers, any one of which will be likely to make some form of impression. What that impression is will be based on a number of points, and the success of your business may depend on any one of them working to your advantage.

An issue well worth considering is the type of paper which you use. Your stationery may be printed either by a professional printer, and then delivered to you to be used in your own printers for the specific details to be added, or you may choose to have the template created entirely digitally so that your documents are printed on an ‘as required’ basis. Both methods have their benefits, but in either case you will need to consider the type and quality of paper you’re using. There are several factors worth considering, including the weight of the paper, its dimensions, its colour and its green credentials.

As far as the weight of your corporate stationery is concerned, this has two effects. The first is that thicker, stronger paper feels better in quality, and gives the customer or client a feeling of value. It suggests that you attribute value to them, and that they are worth you using high grade paper. A flimsy sheet of tracing paper not much more substantial than toilet paper may well have the opposite effect, and may make customers feel undervalued. The other implication of using high grade paper is that printing is likely to be better in quality. Cheaper, thinner paper will tend to absorb more ink, and encourage bleeding. This means that your sharp, crisp logos, images and text will look blurred, sloppy and indistinct. This will give prospective clients the impression that you cut too many corners, and don’t value quality as much as your budget.

Another aspect of business stationery graphic design which a corporate stationery designer will need to consider is how well any potential design translates from one form of stationery to another. A logo or design which works well for a letterhead may simply not work when compressed to the narrow dimensions of a business card. Your message needs to be able to be communicated easily and effectively regardless of the medium used, and so often it is the case that simplicity is preferable to detail. Although it’s true that attention to detail is critical, too much detail and your overall impact can be lost. A simple, bold design which works well on a business card, but which can be embellished and scaled up for letter heads, envelopes and packing slips is likely to be more successful. It is also important to consider the effect of having a consistent design throughout your stationery, so that customers are repeatedly reminded of your business, its message and its style, helping to consolidate your business message and voice in their mind.

But it’s also too easy to consider smart designs, and forget the implications of those designs in the long run. Having a flashy letterhead created with a large vertical banner running down one side, a sweeping curve rippling across the lower third of the page and a bold section at the top with your company details may look great, but you may well find your paper requisition costs double. Why? Because by having such a busy letterhead most of your letters which would have fitted on to a single page now have far less room, and require a second page. This can be an aspect easily overlooked, but an experienced and professional corporate stationery designer will be aware of such matters, and will help you to select an appropriate business stationery graphic design which says what you need it to, in the way you need it to, without costing you a fortune in the long run.

Article Source: http://www.articlecontentprovider.com/articlesubmit

Choosing a new business stationery graphic design can be fun and exciting, but it is also fraught with challenges and problems which can easily cost a fortune in the long run. What issues will a corporate stationery designer consider when developing a new brand image for a business through its stationery?

business stationery graphic design | http://www.specialdesignstudio.co.uk | corporate stationary designer

Freelance Jobs

Please Rate this Article

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Articles Via RSS!









Need Articles or Content written for you?
Article Directory Toplist