You’ve launched your new business (or maybe you’re just looking for a marketing facelift), and you’re ready to start slapping your awesome new logo on some marketing print materials.
But where to start? What’s the most effective print marketing material for YOUR Lancaster business?
As a Lancaster-Lebanon print shop helping Central PA businesses get high-quality, comprehensive marketing materials for over 30 years, we’ve learned a thing or a dozen about what works well for what types of businesses. Often, finding your target audience means leaning into a few print marketing materials (and digital!), but we’ve found that there are some critical creative materials that work well for certain businesses.
Here’s where to begin your Lancaster printing and marketing journey.
Business Cards
Business card are perfect for:
Service businesses (plumbers, financial advisors, etc.) and salespeople or wholesalers.
Business card best practices:
Go with a solid cardstock, nothing flimsy, and work with an experienced designer to craft something that will stand out while explaining what you do concisely.
Why business cards work in Lancaster:
I’m just going to say it outright––for most service-based businesses, you really can’t beat a good old-fashioned business card. There’s something about the simplicity that works.
Picture this: you’re chatting with a potential customer, maybe in line at the coffee shop or on a random Saturday at a hardware store. What could be smoother than whipping out a clean, slick business card and handing it over? No fumbling around for your phone or spelling out your email address ten times. Just a simple gesture that says, “Here’s what I do, give me a call when you’re ready.”
The best thing about business cards is that they feel personal. They’re a tiny slice of your brand that you can hand to someone in a heartbeat. It’s a real-life connection, something tangible that your potential customer can tuck away in their wallet, stick to their fridge, or take a picture of on their smart phone if they don’t want to hang on to it.
For service businesses like landscapers, plumbers, or contractors, it’s like leaving a reminder behind––the kind that sticks with people.
It’s all about the impression: the right business card makes you look ready for the job, and sometimes, that alone is what lands you the next client.
And here in Lancaster, personal connections are everything. Business is built on relationships, and there’s a real value in face-to-face interactions. A well-made business card is more than just contact info––it’s a tiny impression that you leave behind, something that helps make those genuine connections that are so important in our community.
Brochures
Brochures are perfect for:
Retail stores, real estate agents, restaurants, and tourism-based businesses.
Brochure best practices:
Choose a fold that suits your content, like trifold for compact information, or a half-fold for more open layouts. Use high-quality images, concise but compelling copy, and always include a clear call to action. Work with our design team to craft something visually striking and informative.
Why brochures are great in Lancaster:
When it comes to showing off what your business has to offer, brochures are the MVP. There’s something about flipping through those glossy pages that makes it easy to visualize your services or products. Brochures aren’t just about giving information––when done right, they can tell a story. And people in Lancaster love a good story, especially when it’s about local, Lancaster businesses or people!
Picture your potential customer walking around a local market or exploring one of our community events. They pick up your brochure, feel the weight of it, see the eye-catching photos, and immediately get a sense of what you’re about. In Lancaster, where supporting local businesses is part of the culture, having a well-crafted brochure makes your brand memorable. It’s that physical reminder that sticks with people long after they’ve walked away from your booth or store.
For businesses like retail shops, real estate agents, or restaurants, a brochure (or awesome flyers and prints) can be the perfect leave-behind. It’s a full snapshot of what you offer, with all the little details you might not have time to explain in a quick conversation. And, brochures are an especially great fit for tourism-based businesses—something people can hold onto, take home, and look at later when they’re making decisions about where to go or what to do next.
If you’ve got questions about printing a brochure in Central PA, let’s chat.
Direct Mailers and Postcards
Direct mailers are perfect for:
Local service providers, real estate agents, restaurants, event organizers, and seasonal promotions.
Marketing postcard best practices:
Make it personal—address your audience directly and keep the message short and impactful. Use bold, eye-catching visuals in your sales mailers, a strong headline, and always include a clear call to action. Incorporate a special offer or discount code to encourage immediate responses.
Why direct mailers and postcards work in Lancaster:
If you’re looking to grow your business with untouched new clients, there’s nothing quite like a direct mailer or postcard.
These little pieces of mail can pack a big punch. Postcards designed well are perfect for getting the word out about a new service, a special event, or a seasonal promotion. Imagine a local family getting a postcard about your restaurant’s new brunch menu or a special discount on home services. It’s right there in their hands, easy to pin to the fridge or leave on the counter for later. It doesn’t get lost in the sea of online ads or buried in emails—they’ll see it when they’re thinking about where to eat or who to call for their next project.
For Lancaster businesses, direct mailers also tap into that sense of community. They make people feel connected to what’s happening locally. When done right, they’re more than just an advertisement, they’re a friendly invitation to come see what your business is all about, delivered right to their door.
Catalogs and Booklets
Catalogs are perfect for:
Furniture companies, other consumer-retail focused manufacturers, and any business with a range of products that can be explained well in 4 to 50 pages.
Best practices:
Focus on high-quality images that show off your products in the best light. Keep the layout clean and easy to navigate, and include detailed descriptions with clear pricing (when possible).
Why catalogs and booklets in Lancaster?
For high-dollar products where your customers might find value in taking the time to make an informed decision, catalogs and booklets are an incredible tool. They let your customers sit down with a cup of coffee and browse through all the products you have to offer—no pressure, just a relaxed experience exploring what’s available and easily seeing “side by side” comparisons.
There’s a sense of comfort that comes with flipping through a well-designed catalog; it makes the shopping experience more tangible and real.
For businesses like furniture companies or print shops, a catalog can be a game changer. Your customer wants to see all your designs or finishing options in one place, from couches to coffee tables. A booklet puts everything right there, letting them see the quality of your work and compare options and features without feeling overwhelmed. Another example might be a commercial HVAC supplier, where the customer could benefit from clearly understanding the features and benefits of your “Upgraded” model compared to your “Standard” model.
Apple does a great job of this with compelling art on their website, clear tags for benefits of every iPhone model, and an intuitive user experience.
Catalogs and booklets make it easier to connect with your audience on a personal level and gives them permission to take their time with a big decision. By providing a physical piece of your brand with easy-to-understand visuals, you’re making the shopping experience easy.
Apparel for Your Employees
Apparel is perfect for:
Retail stores, restaurants, service companies, and event staff.
Employee apparel printing best practices:
Make sure your new printed or embroidered apparel is comfortable, durable, makes sense for your industry, and matches your brand’s personality.
Why apparel for employees works in Lancaster:
Branded apparel gives your team a cohesive look, which helps build trust with customers and also opens unexpected opportunities for free brand awareness.
Seeing employees in well-branded clothing makes your business feel more approachable and recognizable. Whether it’s a polo shirt for your service team or aprons for restaurant staff, employee apparel helps your customers instantly identify who can help them and adds to the overall experience of your brand.
Promotional Items for Your Customers
Promotional materials are perfect for:
Service businesses with higher-ticket items like HVAC installers, real estate agents, and contractors
Best practices:
Choose promo items that are practical and memorable, like key chains, calendars, or mugs. These should reflect your brand well—something your clients will want to keep around and actually use.
Why promotional products are great in Lancaster:
For service businesses, promotional products are a great way to leave a lasting impression. Handing over a small but thoughtful item can go a long way.
Imagine a customer grabbing their morning coffee in a high-quality Yeti mug and seeing your logo every day: it’s a subtle reminder of the quality service you provided, and it keeps your brand top of mind for when they need you next. Promotional products add that extra bit of warmth and connection that clients appreciate, especially if it’s a quality product.
Some of our favorite promotional materials lately include:
- Yeti mugs or tumblers
- Magnetic calendars
- Engraved fingernail clippers (for a tongue-in-cheek reminder to your customers)
- Pens and pads of paper
Take Your Lancaster Business to the Next Level With An Experienced Print Company in Lancaster
Ready to make a lasting impression with your marketing print materials?
Whether it’s business cards, brochures, or unique promotional items, our one-stop shop and hands-on approach to print services provides a variety of custom designs to help your brand capture attention and connect with your audience. We’ve been Lancaster’s print shop of choice for both small-batch and large-batch printing projects alike for nearly thirty years. We have the expertise and the equipment to bring just about any idea to life, with in-house graphic design and photography services and a personal marketing experience from our friendly team.
Give us a call today for a free quote and discover how we can help bring your creative vision to life with top-notch printing services in Lancaster County!
