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PATTON PRINTING AND GRAPHICS PRESENTS
OCT
1
PRINTING IS OUR PASSION.
WELCOME TO TEN MINUTES OF GOOD NEWS AND FUN STUFF FROM YOUR FAVORITE PRINTER!
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Message
A Message from Patton Printing and Graphics
The Way I See It
 

Here is a nice story to tug at your heartstrings.

One day, a young girl and her father were crossing a bridge, and the father said, “Sweetheart, please hold my hand so you don’t fall into the river.” The girl said, “Actually, I want you to hold my hand.” The dad replied, “OK, but isn’t that the same thing?” The girl said, “If I hold your hand and something happens to me, I may let go. But, if you hold my hand, I know that no matter what happens, you will never let my hand go.”

Here’s the way I see it: A father holds their child’s hand for a while, but he holds their heart forever.

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Idea
Idea of the Week
Attract Magazine Readers with Short-Form Columns
REEL IN READERS

If you publish a periodical of any kind, you want to build your fan base.

But this can’t happen if people won’t start browsing. That’s why the short-form column is your secret weapon! Shorter items, called briefs, may consist of reviews, letters from readers, graphic pages, or mini editorials. For many readers, the heart of a magazine is not in the middle, where in-depth feature articles are tucked away; it’s at the edges.  

Briefs pages are essentially a little newspaper within a magazine, offering bite-sized ideas in a visually friendly format. They are most suited toward casual, brisk, or humorous articles, and they are irresistible because they are mentally grazable and visually attractive.

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Reel In Readers with These 5 Irresistible Brief Formats

When building your brief pages, here are several formats to try:

1. Linear

The most traditional brief uses a linear layout, which is the most efficient format for text-heavy pages.

Like a two-column “Editor’s View” (a capstone article just inside the front cover), conventional briefs bring a no-nonsense approach your readers will appreciate.

If you use a linear layout where one story flows into the next in a continuous stream of text, add design elements that communicate the bigger theme of the entire page. Headlines should not break across columns; art elements should be inserted or items reordered to achieve a visually engaging journey.

2. Layered

Layered briefs add more and more small elements to a page until it is stuffed full.

A layered brief might include six separate stories, three photos, a cartoon, and text boxes or arrow bars. Layered pages are enjoyable to read but even more fun to create!

3. Collage

Collage layouts use art and text as equal partners, with more visual elements per text block than a traditional brief.

For cohesiveness, place related text and images in proximity to each other. And it is usually wise to separate grid blocks using white space (versus lines or dots) so different items pop.

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4. Art-Driven 

This format takes a “go big” approach, often characterized by one-item-per-page layouts.

Art layouts nicely compliment more text-heavy pages, adding a luxurious tone and giving readers a mental break.

5. Alternative Story Form (ASF)

Do you learn more by reading or by watching?

Viewers who prefer the latter will appreciate ASF pages presenting information through a graphic, map, chart, or table. Infographics have exploded over the past few years and are a sharp addition to any briefs section. Though these pieces are time-consuming to create, they are highly entertaining. And they convey a wealth of information in a fraction of the time a full article requires.

Like what you see? Your customers will too. Use various short-form columns as intellectual “toys,” inviting the reader to explore your pages and dive deeper into your brand.

See more great ideas like this!
Click here to visit the Patton Printing and Graphics - Ideas Collection.
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MARKETING
Marketing Tip
Is It Time to Refresh Your Brand?
A FRESH COAT OF PAINT

A brand refresh can be a great way to revitalize the look and feel of your brand and show customers that you are evolving with them. A brand refresh doesn't have to involve drastic changes; it can simply modernize your look and feel - like giving your company a fresh coat of paint. Here are a few brand refresh ideas to consider:

  • Add a few extra colors to your already existing color palette.

  • Fine-tune your language, tone, and brand voice to align with current market trends and speak directly to your audience's needs.

  • Update your website to reinvigorate your brand image and ensure a better user experience.

  • Update product and lifestyle photos and consider new photography styles, graphics, and illustrations to freshen up your visual elements.

  • Refresh your tagline. For example, if you are celebrating a milestone anniversary, you may consider adding a tagline such as "40 Years of Excellence."

If your print collateral also needs a refresh, our experienced team would love to help create marketing materials your customers will love! Remember, other printers may be nearby, but nobody comes close.

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Uncommon Product
Die-Cut Envelope Seals
ADD EXTRA FLAIR

Die-cut envelope seals are a fun way to add flair and draw attention to any mailing piece. They are also a popular promo item that can be given out at tradeshows, celebrations, and other events.

Die-cut envelope seals are essentially stickers cut into circles or customized shapes of a logo, mascot, or monogram, as well as a sunburst or starburst shape with scalloped and serrated edges.

In addition to serving as a marketing tool to promote your brand or organization, die-cut envelope seals can also be used to announce a new website, promote a corporate anniversary, save the date, thank customers for their business, and much more.

Choose from a variety of ink and paper choices, as well as creative finishing touches such as foil stamping, embossed foil, spot varnish, and more.

Let us know if we can help you create the perfect die-cut envelope seal today!

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TECH
Tech Tip
Share Amazon Music Playlists
A GREAT WAY FOR PEOPLE TO CONNECT

Sharing music is an excellent way to connect, build relationships, and evoke nostalgia. Did you know you can share Amazon Music playlists with your friends and family with different Amazon Music subscriber accounts?

Open the Amazon Music app and choose the playlist you want to share. Then, tap the share icon. You may need to make your playlist public to share it. Once your playlist is public, you will see a wide variety of ways to share it with others, including email, text message, social media, and more. The recipient can tap the link to open Amazon Music and click Follow.

You can also share playlists via the Amazon Music Unlimited Family Plan, which allows up to six members of your family to access the subscription and stream simultaneously. Your family can share playlists, or each member can create their own.

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Fun@Work

Spotlight Recipe

Jenna Ortega’s Avocado Rolls

Did You Know?

Nature’s Tiny Workers

Printing Quiz

If a printer mentions a driver, they really mean...

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