Promote your business image with poster printing

There's nothing like a clever, eye-catching poster to grab the attention of potential customers and create awareness of your business or brand, which is what poster printing can do for your image.

But, with poster printing a more costly marketing option than other media, such as brochures and postcards, you'll need to pay extra attention to getting your design just right.

Keep it simple

 According to Hagop Tchamkertenian from the Printing Industries Association of Australia, businesses often fall into the trap of making posters too complex.

"Because there's more space to work with, people feel they need to fill it up with as much information as possible," he says.

"In reality, posters shouldn't be used for complex messages – you only have a second or two to grab a person's attention, and if the design is messy or packed with text, they are likely to walk away."

Design for the medium

What looks good on a flyer might not have the same impact when enlarged to the size of a poster, so it's important to design with the end product in mind. 

A single, strong visual should be the focus of the design, says Hagop. "Go to the cinema and have a look at the big movie posters – that is poster design in its element."

Hagop's other poster design tips include:

• Choose dark text on a light background – it's easier to read.
• Make the font large enough so it can be read from a distance.
• Use short sentences and bullet points rather than long sentences and paragraphs.
• Leave room between sentences so the text doesn't look cramped.
• Use colour to highlight the key messages.

Poster printing costs

The costs of poster printing vary greatly, depending on size, turnaround times, whether you need a design and the type of substrate you use to print on.

When weighing up printing costs, bear in mind that the cheaper the substrate you choose, the shorter its lifespan.

"You can print a poster on 120gsm paper quite cheaply, but it will tear after a while," says Joe Kowalewski from the Printing Industries Association of Australia. "Laminating will double the cost, but your poster will last much longer."

Bright ideas

The type of substrate used for your poster is limited only by your imagination, purpose and budget. 

An increasingly popular poster substrate is film, says Joe. Used in conjunction with a light box it has added impact and durability.

"Illuminated film posters work really well and are not even that expensive, but you do need to have a strong single image for them to be effective."

Don't fade into the background

A well-designed poster is a versatile tool that can help give you a leg up in a crowded marketplace. To ensure that your poster printing is effective in promoting your business, talk to a printing specialist today.