Notepads are a good, reasonably cheap promotional material for businesses.
Notepads are simple print materials that can be very handy to have around the house and to promote a business. More than providing paper to write on, notepads typically contain a company's logo and contact information. Even though notepads are quite simple, there are a few key elements that must be included on a notepad in order to be considered an effective business promotional tool.
Instructions
1. Discuss with the printer the size of the notepad. The easiest size for printers to produce is a 4.25-inch-by-8.5-inch pad or a 4.25-inch-by-5.5-inch pad, although any size can be made. This would also be a good time to discuss the color and weight of paper, ink colors, binding material and price of the print job.
2. Open your design software program and create the appropriate-size document. Most printers want designers to place however many copies of the notepad will fit on a letter-size sheet. For example, a horizontal 8.5-inch-by-11-inch document can fit two copies of a 4.25-inch-by-8.5-inch notepad. This is called "2-up." A 4.25-inch-by-5.5-inch notepad can be made into a "4-up" on a vertical letter-size sheet. This allows the printer to print multiple sheets at once without wasting paper.
3. Include guidelines to split the document into multiple notepads of the same size. These guidelines indicate where the printer will cut the paper to create separate sheets. Include additional guidelines to create a 1/4-inch margin around each side of each notepad sheet. This is the "image area" in which to design (unless there is a bleed).
4. Design one sheet first. Place the company logo on the notepad to increase brand recognition. It is typically placed at the top of the notepad. Personal notepads can contain any graphic element that pertains to the individual or that the individual enjoys.
5. Type the company name, address, phone number, fax number, website and email contact information in an appropriate, legible font. A company Twitter or Facebook site can also be included. This information can be located at the top or bottom within the 1/4-inch margins. Most personal notepads simply contain a person's first name and sometimes "From the desk of."
6. Include company slogans printed on other promotional material. Some business notepads also contain an employee's or employer's name and job title.
7. Place lines on which to write (if desired). Most notepads leave the writing area open. Avoid borders, because they take up valuable writing space.
8. Copy the finished notepad design and place it within any allotted space for additional sheets within the document. Make sure all copies are within the drawn guidelines so each sheet looks proper when cut.
9. Save the design on a disk or email it to the printer in an acceptable format.
Tags: 25-inch-by-5 5-inch, 25-inch-by-8 5-inch, 5-inch notepad, company logo, contact information, letter-size sheet, promotional material