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What Makes an Effective Business Logo? 10 Top Tips

8 April, 2022Business Cards, Ideas, Inspiring Design, Marketingbusiness logo, effective logos, Logo Coloursblog123printukadmin

When it comes to business, appearances definitely count. One of the ways in which you can make a great impression with your potential customers and clients is by having a good, solid logo that accurately represents your brand.
Your logo should be recognisable, suit the tone of your business and stick in the mind of anyone who deals with your company. Including your logo on all of your business stationery and promotional materials is the key to spreading brand awareness!
It can be hard to pin down the difference between an okay and great business logo, but there are some general guidelines that will help you get started. A good logo is simple, memorable and conveys what your business does in a striking way. The following ten tips should help make your next project successful.

1. Keep It Simple

The best logos are the simplest ones. When it comes to designing a logo, less is more. Keep your design clean and uncluttered so that it’s easy to recognise and remember.
The reason this is better is because a busy logo will be harder to make out and could end up looking like a mess. People won’t just see your logo up close, like you see it when you’re designing it; they’ll see it from far away, e.g. on your shop signage or on posters. You want them to tell whose logo it is and what it says at a glance.
It’s also important to consider how the logo will look when it’s scaled down, as it may be used in different contexts. For example, you might have to use your logo on a sign, but also on a cup or even on a business card. Simple is better if you’ll have to shrink your logo down.

2. Use Typography Wisely

Typeface is a great way to communicate the tone of your business, so make sure you pick one that reflects your values and style.
Sans serif fonts are usually a good choice for modern businesses, while serif fonts work for more traditional, formal or official enterprises. Various scripts and handwriting-style fonts can be used to inject some personality into a logo. Just be careful not to go too crazy with the typeface – you want your logo to be easy to read, not a confusing jumble of letters.

3. Stick to One or Two Colours

Colour is another important element of logo design. Some colours are more associated with certain businesses than others—think blue for banks (because it’s calming and trustworthy), or green for eco-friendly companies.
Be conscious of the emotions you want your logo to evoke, and choose colours that reflect these feelings. You also want to make sure that the colours work well together and will look good when printed in black and white. As such, the fewer colours, the better.

4. Make it Unique

In a world full of logos, it’s more important than ever to make your business stand out. This doesn’t mean going crazy with your design or using an off-the-wall font, but simply ensuring that your logo is different from everyone else’s.
One way to do this is to play around with shapes. Instead of using a standard square or rectangle, try something more creative like an abstract shape or even a symbol. You could also use negative space to create an interesting effect.
This is why logo designers get paid an awful lot to do what they do. Balancing the need for originality with the need for simplicity is difficult!

5. Consider Symbolism

Many great logos are based around symbolism. This can be a powerful way to communicate what your business does, but without using lots of words, shapes or colours. The symbol can either be something that already means something, or just something that’s distinct and recognisable that people can associate with your brand.
For example, the Nike swoosh is instantly recognisable all over the world and stands for athleticism and high quality. It symbolises movement and forward motion, and is a very easy-to-recognise symbol.

6. Be Aware of Current Trends

Trends exist in logo design like they do in everything. Just as fashion changes over time, so too does the look of logos. For example, in the early 2000s, most business logos included 3D elements and shading. Nowadays, flat-looking, solid-colour logos are all the rage – and this will no doubt change in the future.
The key is to not get too caught up in the latest trend. Remember that you want your logo to be timeless. That doesn’t mean you can’t be inspired by current trends; just don’t go too crazy, and remember that you may have to change your logo eventually if it falls out of fashion.

7. Create a Mood Board

A mood board is a great way to get inspired and keep your ideas organised. It’s simply a board or document where you collect images, fonts and other design elements that reflect the mood you want your logo to evoke.
This can be really helpful when it comes to choosing colours and typefaces. It will also help you stay on track and make sure your logo is cohesive.
You can make a mood board with a simple piece of paper and some scissors, or use online tools like Pinterest or Adobe Creative Suite. There’s no wrong way; only the way you feel best reflects your creative process.

8. Get Feedback from Others

This is a step that so many people forget. It’s important to get feedback from other people, both from people with a design background and without.
Ask them what they think of your logo, what springs to mind when they look at it, how it makes them feel, and if there’s anything they don’t understand about it.
This is a great way to get an outsider’s perspective and see if your logo is communicating the right message. It will also tell you whether the mood you wanted to create with your logo actually came through in the finished product.
It’s also helpful to get feedback from friends and family, but bear in mind that they might just say what they think will make you happy!

9. Test it Out Thoroughly

Once you’ve created your logo, it’s important to test it out on different media platforms and in different settings. This will give you a better idea of how it will look in different contexts and whether any changes need to be made.
For example, your logo might look great on a screen, but what about on paper? Will the colours be too bright or too washed out on a t-shirt? How will it look on a website or an app? Testing is essential to make sure your logo looks good no matter where it’s used.
At 123Print, we offer a multitude of business stationery and promotional materials, many of which can be customised with your personal business logo. We stock thousands of customisable templates for personalised mugs, promotional postcards and more – even corporate Christmas cards! Why not experiment with a range of different stationery to see how your logo looks?

10. Have Fun With It!

This is the most important step of all. If you’re not enjoying yourself, then you’re not going to do your best work.
Logo design should be a fun and enjoyable process, and you should never be afraid to experiment. The more ideas you come up with, the better your chances of creating something truly original.
If you don’t find it fun, consider outsourcing to a designer. These days, you can find people who will make a logo for a very reasonable price, and you’ll still be able to get something that’s truly unique.
So, there you have it! Our top tips for creating an effective business logo. Follow these guidelines and your logo will stand out from the crowd and be instantly recognisable to customers and clients.
And when you’ve settled on your perfect design, don’t forget to update your business cards, flyers and other marketing materials to show off your new logo to the world!

8 Super Creative Ways to Use Custom Business Magnets

4 April, 2022Business Cards, Magnetsmagentic business cards, magnetic postcards, magnetsblog123printukadmin

There’s something about magnets that just makes people happy. Maybe it’s the way their thick vinyl surface feels in the hand. Maybe it’s the way they stick to things – doubling as both a decoration and a handy way to keep things together.
Or maybe it’s the way they give your refrigerator or filing cabinet a bit of personality! Whatever the reason, magnets are a great way to show off personality and creativity – and that’s especially true when it comes to personalised business magnets.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at some of the coolest, most creative ways to use custom printed business magnets to promote your company, startup or brand. Let’s get started!

1) Magnetic Business Cards

One of the most popular ways to use custom business magnets is as an innovative replacement for traditional business cards.
Not only do magnets provide a more creative and unique way to present your information, but they’re also more memorable – which can be a huge plus when it comes to promoting your business. Busy professionals are given stacks (and stacks) of business cards at every networking event they attend, so it can be tough for your card to stand out.
Customised magnets, on the other hand, are more likely to be kept – and your business will be noticed and remembered with every trip to the fridge!

2) Give Magnets Away at Trade Shows and Events

Another great way to use custom business magnets is to give them away as freebies at trade shows, conferences and other events. This is a great way to get your brand in front of potential customers, and it’s also an excellent way to generate some buzz for your business.

Again, this is a way of doing something different to everyone else. Most businesses give away pens, notepads or some other type of promotional item at events, so custom magnets will definitely help you stand out from the competition.
You can also hand them out alongside more valuable gifts such as personalised mugs printed with your logo, to create an even more memorable impression.

3) Use Magnets as an Alternative to Flyers

Magnets make a great direct mail promotional item, for all sorts of reasons:
1) They’re eye-catching and memorable, compared to typical direct mail
2) They give your direct mail weight and shape, making the recipient more likely to open it and see what’s inside
3) They’re practical, which means that customers are more likely to keep them around
4) They’re thin enough that they’ll fit inside any envelope, and you won’t have to pay extra for postage.

You can use magnets as an incentive to get customers to visit your website, to advertise a sale or promotion, or to spread the word about new and upcoming products.
Have your magnets printed with a unique discount code for your website, and you’ll be able to directly measure the efficacy of this strategy compared to previous marketing attempts.

4) Include Free Magnets with Customers’ Orders

Studies show that customers are more likely to remember your business and order from you again if they own your merchandise.
Magnets make the ideal freebies to hand out with orders because they’re eye-catching and have a practical use around the home (e.g. holding things to the fridge) – yet they’re extremely affordable. They’re also small and light enough to slip into customers’ parcels without incurring a higher postage fee.
You could use magnets in this way by printing them with a complimentary message such as “thank you for your order, it means a lot to us”. You could even include a discount code for their next purchase, or a request to leave a review online.

5) Magnetic Postcards

Did you know that custom printed magnets aren’t always small or pocket-sized? We offer two sizes of personalised magnets, and our large magnets measure 140 x 108mm – roughly the same size as your standard postcard.
This gives you much more space to play around with than a standard small magnet. As well as including your logo and business address or phone number, you could add images of your products, testimonials from customers, or advertise your business’s opening times. Essentially, use them as a more durable and higher-quality alternative to promotional postcards.

6) Magnetic Save the Dates for Work Events

If you’re planning a work party, corporate event or some other kind of special occasion, why not use fridge magnets as “save the dates”?
This is a great way to get people excited about the event, and it’s also a fun way to show off your company’s personality. Just make sure that you include all the important information (such as date, time, location) on the magnet itself. You don’t want guests to be left scratching their heads when they stick it to their fridge!
At 123Print, we offer several kinds of personalised magnet templates, including save the dates. So, no matter what you need them for, you can get them on our site.

7) Use Magnets Around the Office

Custom business magnets make the perfect kitschy office decoration. In fact, there are many ways you can use custom business magnets around your company’s office space to promote your business and make life easier. You can:
1) Stick them to filing cabinets as a way of organising files and reminding employees of important company policies.
2) Use them as tags for desks or meeting rooms.
3) Place them on the work fridge as a way of keeping track of lunch dates, staff birthdays and other office events.
The possibilities are practically endless! You could even order different designs and colours of magnet, personalised for each of your employees to use at work or home.

8) Promote Your Business on the Go

If you’ve got a car, van or truck, and you can’t afford to have it repainted for your business, why not use it as a mobile billboard for a vinyl magnet instead?
The magnets that we stock at 123Print aren’t heavy and chunky like traditional fridge magnets. They’re thin and bendy, made of vinyl, and they’ll stick to any magnetic surface including cars and vans. So, if you’re looking for a way to promote your business on the go, vinyl magnets are definitely the way to go!
This is a great way to get your business in front of potential customers who might not ordinarily see your advertising. It’s also a very affordable option when compared to other forms of outdoor advertising, and especially compared to having your car painted or wrapped.

Order Your Personalised Business Magnets with 123Print

123Print is your one-stop shop for all kinds of business stationery and promotional products – including magnets! We offer high-quality printing for both business and personal use that is professional, affordable and totally customisable.
We’ve got business cards, mugs, letterheads, compliment slips, address labels, note pads, and so much more. We offer thousands of custom magnet templates in two sizes, so whatever you’re going to use them for, you’re bound to find a design that suits your needs.
Simply choose your favourite magnet template to get started. Input your text, upload your business logo and alter the layout and fonts to your heart’s content. With our 100% satisfaction guarantee, you can’t go wrong!

9 Signs that You Should Rebrand Your Business in 2022

30 March, 2022Business Cards, Marketingbusiness rebrand, changing your brand, marketing, rebrandingblog123printukadmin

If you’re reading this, it’s probably because you’re considering rebranding your business in 2022. And that’s a great idea! A rebrand can help refresh your image, attract new customers and boost profits.
Maybe you’re bored with the look of your marketing materials and business stationery, or you feel you aren’t connecting with your target market like you used to. Perhaps there’s a new company in the industry that is giving you a run for your money, and you feel that rebranding will help you compete.
But a rebrand is a huge undertaking that involves a lot of time, money and effort. How do you know when it’s the right time, or even the right decision? In this guide, we’ll discuss 9 clear signs that indicate it’s time for a rebrand, and share some helpful tips.

1) You’re Not Happy with Your Identity

One of the most obvious signs that it’s time for a rebrand is if you’re not happy with your current brand identity. As a business owner, it’s often good to follow your gut feelings, and this is an excellent example! If you’re not happy with your branding, it’s likely that your customers won’t be either.

A rebrand can help you create a new identity that accurately represents your business and its values. So if you’re feeling uninspired by your current logo, colour scheme, product packaging or tagline, it might be time for a change.
Tip: If you’re not sure where to start, try conducting a brand audit. This will help you take a closer look at your current branding and assess what’s working well and what needs to be improved.

2) Your Logo Is Outdated

Another sign that it’s time for a rebrand is if your logo feels outdated.
This might be the result of changing trends or evolving technologies, or just a matter of trends changing. But whatever the reason, an outdated logo can make your business look dated too.
A rebrand can help you create a fresh, modern logo that accurately represents your business in the present day. So if you’re looking to update your image, this is definitely the way to do it!
Tip: When redesigning your logo, try to focus on simplicity and versatility. A complex logo might look great on your website, but it might not work so well on a business card or letterhead.

3) Your Branding Is Inconsistent

If your branding is inconsistent, it’s likely that customers are getting confused about who you are, what you do and what you stand for. This can be a major problem, especially if you’re operating in a competitive market.
A rebrand can help to unify your branding and make it more consistent across all mediums. By creating a strong visual identity, you can make sure that customers always know who you are, no matter where they see your branding.
Tip: When rebranding, it’s important to create a brand guidelines document. This will help to ensure that your new branding is consistently applied across all touchpoints, from your website to your business cards.

4) You Don’t Stand Out

A business whose branding doesn’t help them stand out from the crowd is never going to succeed and thrive the way you’d like it to.
Perhaps when you first started your company, you didn’t have a lot of experience and weren’t sure how to design a memorable name, logo and tagline that would stick in your customers’ minds. Or maybe when you first started out, you were operating in an untapped market, and now you have a lot of competition.
Whatever the reason, a complete rebrand – especially with the help of hired professionals – will make your business feel fresh and new, and will help set you apart from your competitors.

5) The Industry is Moving On

If you’re part of a particularly new or fast-paced industry, your business has to be constantly evolving to keep up with these changes. If it isn’t, you’ll quickly find yourself left behind.

This might manifest itself in a number of ways, such as:
1) Outdated website design
2) Irrelevant marketing materials
3) Products that are no longer in demand

All of this feeds back into your branding, because you want your branding to represent precisely what it is that customers/clients can expect from you.
A rebrand can help to signal that your business is keeping up with the times, and is willing to adapt to changes in order to stay ahead. It can also help you attract new customers who are looking for something fresh and innovative.

6) Your Target Market Has Changed

If your target market has changed, it’s likely that your current branding is no longer relevant.
Maybe you’ve pivoted towards eco-friendly products; well, changing your logo and marketing materials to incorporate the colour green is an obvious potential change. Or, you might have started selling to businesses instead of consumers; in this case, a more corporate branding style would be more appropriate.
A rebrand can help you reach your new target market by creating branding that appeals to them. So if you’ve changed your business focus, it’s time to update your branding too!

7) Your Business is Evolving

If your business is in the process of growing or expanding into new areas, or your vision or ethos is changing from what it used to be, this may also be a good time for a rebrand.
This might be because of changing demographics, evolving technologies or even an adjustment in your personal beliefs. It might just be that you think your business needs to move in a different direction, in order to take advantage of changing public opinion or interests.
A rebrand that reflects your new business model and ethos can help you future-proof your business and ensure that you’re ready for these changes.

8) You’re Not Reaching Your Audience

Sluggish sales figures? Hardly any visits to your websites? Or do you never hear the bell ring to tell you a customer just walked in? If any of this sounds familiar, it might be because you’re not reaching your audience.
One of the main purposes of branding is to create a connection between your business and your target market. But if that connection isn’t there, then you’re missing out on a lot of potential customers.
Rebranding can help in two ways. One is if there are any negative connotations people have with your business; maybe you recently bought it, and it still has a bad reputation in the trade, for example. The other way rebranding can help is by giving the impression of freshness and newness, which can draw in customers that would otherwise ignore you.

9) You Can’t Keep Up with Competitors

The competition is always changing, and if you’re not keeping up, you’ll quickly fall behind.
One of the best ways to stay ahead of the curve is by constantly re-evaluating your branding. If you see that your competitors have updated their branding in a way that’s more in line with what customers are looking for, then it might be time to do the same.
Of course, this is a fine balancing act. After all, you’re constantly working to build brand recognition and make a name for your business in the industry. Rebranding after all that effort may not be the right idea. But nobody said running a business was easy!

Contact 123Print Today!

If you’re considering rebranding your business, it’s important to update your physical marketing materials – such as business cards, flyers and letterheads. So, once you’ve settled on a new direction to go in, get in touch with 123Print.
123Print provides high-quality printing that is both affordable and totally customisable, so that you can rebrand without the effort and at a fraction of the cost. You’ll find thousands of templates on our site to suit a wide variety of industries and niches – every one of them ready to be customised and made to specification.
We offer professional printing, speedy shipping and a 100% money back guarantee – so you can rely on 123Print to kick-start your 2022 rebranding adventure!

Small Business Startup Checklist: The 9 Things to Do First

25 March, 2022Building your small business, Small Business Spotlight, Small Business tipsSmall Business Advice, Small Business Inspiration, Small business tipsblog123printukadmin

Starting your own small business is an incredibly rewarding experience, but it can also be quite challenging. It’s definitely not an undertaking for the faint of heart. There are a lot of things to do in order to get your business up and running, and it can be difficult to know where to start – especially if you’ve never owned your own business before.
It’s almost impossible to know whether a startup will be successful or not until you get it launched. But even if you have a fantastic idea for a new product in an untapped market, your venture could fail before it’s even got off the ground if you get the basics wrong, such as marketing.
That’s why we’ve put together this small business startup checklist! In this guide, we will discuss the first 9 things you need to do in order to get your business up and running. Let’s get started.

1. Make a Business Plan: Is Your Business Viable?

This is by far the most important step in starting your own business: you need to figure out whether or not your business idea is actually viable.
This means doing a lot of market research and financial forecasting to determine whether there is a demand for your product/service, and whether you can make a profit from it.
You don’t need to have everything figured out before you start your business, but having a solid plan is essential for giving yourself the best chance of success.
If you’re not sure how to go about making a business plan, there are plenty of resources online (including our very own blog). Alternatively, you can always hire a professional business consultant to help you out.

2. Decide on Your Business Structure

Before you can start doing any business activities, you’ll need to determine what legal structure your business will have. This will determine things like how you file your taxes and how much liability you have. Limited company? Partnership? Sole trader? There are a lot of different options, so it’s important to do some research and figure out which one is best for your business. In brief:
• Sole trader is the simplest business structure – it’s just you, the owner, and there is no legal distinction between you and your business.
• A limited company is a legal entity in its own right, separate from its owners. This means that the company can enter into contracts and own property in its own name.
• A partnership is similar to a sole trader business, but with two or more owners.
If you want to run a startup, it’s probably best to start a limited company. That’s because you’ll presumably want it to grow quite big, and because startups are risky; running a limited company limits your liability if the business owes debt or goes under.

3. Choose a Name and Logo for Your Business

This one’s pretty self-explanatory: you’ll need to come up with a name for your business. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy or complicated. In fact, simpler and more concise names are often better, as they’re easier to remember (and spell).
The name you choose should represent what your business does. Members of the public should be able to figure out what you’re selling or offering from the name alone. You should also do some trademark research to make sure nobody else is using the same or a similar name (as well as being confusing for consumers, this could get you into legal trouble).
Besides the name, you’ll also need to design an eye-catching, relevant, scalable and memorable business logo. This is important for building up your brand identity. If you’re not a graphic designer, you can always hire someone to do it for you.

4. Invest in Personalised Business Stationery

With your business name and logo sorted, you’ll want to start printing out some personalised business stationery. This includes things like:
• Business cards
• Letterheads
• Compliment slips
• Address labels and/or stamps
• Note pads
• Appointment cards
• Promotional products, such as flyers, fridge magnets and mugs
These products make your business look professional and help people remember who you are and what you do. Part of running a successful startup is making a big first impression, and having professionally-printed stationery goes a long way towards achieving that aim.
You can have these products printed relatively cheaply and easily, thanks to companies like 123Print. We provide high-quality printing that is professional, affordable and totally customisable.

5. Register with Companies House

Now that your business is starting to take shape, you’ll need to register it with Companies House. This is a government agency that deals with company registrations and other business-related matters. It’s quick and easy to register with Companies House, and you can do it online.

6. Open a Business Bank Account

Once you’ve registered your business, the next step is to open a business bank account. This is absolutely essential for keeping your personal and business finances separate, which becomes even more vital as your business grows and you take on employees or co-directors.
You can either choose an old-fashioned bricks-and-mortar bank, or go with one of the many challenger banks/digital banks that have popped up over the last decade. Do a little research and decide which business account is best for you.

7. Register with HMRC

You’ll need to register with HMRC as soon as your business starts trading. This is necessary for declaring your income and paying taxes. If you don’t declare your income properly, you may be hit with fines or even be investigated for fraud – so ensure this step is done properly!
You can do this online too, and it shouldn’t take that long. Depending on how you’re going to run your business, you can register for other things like PAYE online too. Once you’re registered, you’ll be given a unique tax reference number (UTR) which you’ll need to do things like log in and communicate with HRMC.

8. Get Business Insurance

No business is complete without insurance. You’ll need to get insurance for both your premises and your employees. This is designed to help protect your company against day-to-day operational risks, such as mistakes, losses, premises damage and legal costs.
There are a lot of different types of business insurance, all of which may cover different areas and provide varying amounts of compensation. So, it’s important to do some research and find one that’s best suited to your needs. Make sure you shop around and compare prices as business insurance can be quite expensive.

9. Set Up a Website and Socials

In this day and age, every business needs an online presence. You’d be surprised how many potential customers simply won’t bother with a business if they don’t have a website or Facebook account.
Your website is your digital storefront, and it’s how people will find you online. If you’re not particularly tech-savvy, there are plenty of ways to build a website without needing to code it yourself. Online web development services are good if you’re on a budget, although if you’ve got big aspirations, you may want to hire a professional website designer instead.

It’s also vital that you put time and effort into social media content. This is how you’ll connect with potential customers and build up a following. Again, you can either do this yourself or hire a social media manager.

Get Started Today with 123Print

There are lots of other things you need to do when starting a business, but these 9 first steps will help get you off the ground.
When you’re ready to order high-quality, professionally printed business stationery, don’t forget to check out 123Print. We offer thousands of templates for business cards, flyers and more, all of which are fully customisable and affordable for new businesses.
Choose from a huge number of fonts and colour schemes to match your branding, and upload your own logo and artwork with the click of a button. With our speedy printing and dispatch times, your new stationery will be with you before you know it!