How to Make Custom Printing Feel More Human and Less Generic

Standing out is harder than ever in a world where customers are blasted with thousands of ads, products and messages from brands every day. While speed, quantity and cost are important considerations when ordering printed materials, another often overlooked consideration is the human element of custom printing.

From personalised t-shirts to branded employee hoodies, event swag, business document printing, and custom-printed banners, people will remember your product if it feels customised. 

We've witnessed at Exact Print the power of thoughtful custom printing in turning mundane objects into something truly special. The idea is not only to get the design out of the printer, but to get something people really want to wear, keep or share.

Why Generic Printing Often Fails

Imagine if you went to a local charity event and got a t-shirt that was all white with a big logo on top of it. Most people use it, put it away and forget it.

Next, picture having a soft, comfortable custom t shirt with a meaningful design, a thoughtful message and a print that explains the reason for the event. Chances are you would wear it again and even tell others about it. It's not about the printing. It's the sentiment that the product has.

The human side of custom printing

The greater the story, the more effective the custom printing. Stories naturally evoke emotion and meaning, and that's why people connect to them.

For instance, one small coffee shop in London just recently employed customised tote bags with drawings of the local landmarks and artwork developed by the locals themselves. They were popular with customers as the design was more of their neighborhood rather than just a company logo.

These are some questions to think about when creating print pieces:

• What story does this design tell?
• Who are the people who will use this product?
• How will it make them feel?
• Would anyone be interested in keeping it without your logo?

Often, the answers to these questions result in better and more compelling designs.

Elements That Make Printed Products Feel Personal

The most successful custom printed products usually include a combination of the following elements:

Focus on Quality, Not Just Quantity

A frequent business mistake is purchasing large volumes of substandard printing, in order to save money. This might look like a good deal up front, but it can often backfire. Bad print quality fades easily, materials are cheap and customers are less inclined to use them.

The fact that people use the products for months or even years makes high-quality custom printing a more valuable investment. A good custom hoodie could be added to a person's daily wardrobe, for instance. Whenever they wear it, your brand is out there without you having to spend any more money marketing it.

Make Your Audience the Hero

There's a very simple way to humanise custom printing, and that is to take the attention away from your business. Rather than the question, "How can we advertise our company?" the question should be, "How can we make something valuable to our audience?

This mentality changes the whole situation.

A fitness business could design motivational fitness shirts to inspire gym members to work out, rather than just prominently showcasing the gym's branding. The hoodies may be printed by a University society to herald student successes instead of their own promotion.

If individuals are made to feel a connection with the design, they will be connected to the product naturally.

The Impact of Sustainable Printing

Today's consumers are more aware of the importance of protecting the environment. There are many customers who actively support businesses that make sustainable choices. Your brand values more than sales—when your business uses responsibly sourced materials, eco-friendly inks and durable products, you make a statement of your brand values. Sustainable printing also brings a sense of authenticity to your message since customers can see you are doing what you believe in, and you are printing sustainably.

Why Local Printing Creates Better Experiences

There are benefits that are missed by many businesses when they work with a local printing partner.

The local print provider knows what is going on in the area, customers' likes and dislikes, and their delivery expectations. People can get the message across quicker and projects can be tweaked when time is a critical issue.

Quick turnaround and quality production allow companies to stay flexible without compromising quality. Every one of these affects the impression that is made of your business.

Custom printing is not about generic things, but about human things when quality materials, design thinking, narratives, and customer thinking go together. That human touch, is the thing that keeps customers in memory long after the event, the purchase or the interaction.

It's at Exact Print that we know that the best printed products are those that people will actually enjoy using. This approach can lead to more meaningful customer experiences, improved brand recognition, and better relationships for businesses, with people coming first and print coming second.

FAQs

What is the most suitable printing method for my project?

Each method of printing is effective for different products, designs, quantities, and purposes. The full range of materials and printing options is available to browse from: https://exactprint.co.uk/  and products are offered at: https://exactprint.co.uk/ourproducts. 

Is it possible to have my custom prints delivered in a short period of time within London?

Yes, Exact Print has same day and next day services for many of its products throughout London which ensures businesses can deliver their products on time without compromising quality.

Why do some custom printed items make more impact than others?

The key to making a print piece resonate with your target audience is good design, quality materials, and messaging that's relevant to your audience.

So, what kind of businesses need custom printing the most?

Retail stores, restaurants, schools, charities, corporate offices, event organisers, fitness centres and start-ups are just some of the many businesses that can greatly benefit from custom printing.

How do I make sure that the printed materials are branded?

Employ a consistent colour palette, fonts, message, and design elements that reflect your brand values.