Printing on plastic isn't anything new, but it may be new to you. And it's something you should seriously consider doing if you want to both save and make more money.

Printing on plastic isn’t anything new, but it may be new to you. And it’s something you should seriously consider doing if you want to both save and make more money.

Save Money by Printing on Plastic

Paper, and even more durable cardstock, isn’t as robust as plastic. That means it’s much easier to destroy things printed on paper or cardstock, so you have to replace them more often. Even though printing on plastic costs you more money upfront, it could save you a lot in the long run if you are printing things you need to use often, use over a long period of time, or use or store in certain conditions where the printed materials could be exposed to the elements or come in contact with even a drop of moisture.

The benefits of printing on plastic are easy to realize. Plastics are pretty tough, and products printed on plastic won’t bend, tear, wrinkle, fold, or crush anywhere near as easily as paper or cardstock. They’re also more resistant to the elements - a splash of water won’t instantly destroy something printed on plastic. A tiny touch of water may even be welcome when wiping down things printed on plastic because you can clean off spills and spots, giving whatever it is more longevity. The plastic material is also fade-resistant, so colours will look brighter and newer longer.

What are the Items That Could Save You Money by Printing on Plastic?

• Menus: If your bar, restaurant, or cafe has a smaller menu or a seasonal supplement, plastics are the way to go! Paper or cardstock menus will only be able to be used once or twice before they inevitably end up spattered with sauce, marred by a coffee ring, or coloured on by kiddos. And that’s if they don’t end up wrinkled and looking shoddy first. Tossing out paper menus after every or every other use generates a lot of waste and adds extra expense, and continuing to use these menus in a less-than-ideal state is not the image you want to put out there. Custom printing on plastic will make sure your menus have a professional look.
• Posters and flyers: Whether inside or out, flyers and posters can put up with a lot of abuse. Your message and/or images will look new and crisp longer on plastic.
• Classroom materials: Kids can do a number on anything delicate, and paper certainly is delicate. Handouts or resources meant to be reused actually stand a chance if they’re printed on plastic. And anything hanging up (particularly in higher traffic areas or spots in reach of small hands) will have a better chance of surviving if you use custom printing on plastic.

Make More Money by Printing on Plastic

For certain printed products, printing on plastic could help you to make more money. Again, even though printing on plastic costs more than doing so on other stock types, the payoff could be well worth it with certain items. Anything unique will catch people’s attention, and if you are just one of many, having something different could make all the difference. Also, durability is a big factor here - if the printed item holds up, there’s a better chance it will be around down the road for people to take action on. However, not all items need to be distinctive and durable, so while printing on plastic could be a nice touch, it may not directly lead to more money.

Some Items Could Help You Make More Money by Printing on Plastics, such as:

• Business Cards: There are billions upon billions of business cards floating around North America, and yours are like a drop in the ocean. If you want your cards to stand out against the hundred or so other cards someone collects during a conference or trade event, it needs to be different. Business cards can utilize the benefits of printing on plastic, which can make them unique and help you stand out against the competition. We think it’s probably also much harder to lose track of a plastic card than one that’s just another piece of cardstock. This should lead to you having a better chance of being contacted by those you give your card to.
• Door Hangers: Not everyone comes home to find your marketing message ASAP. If you put up a standard door hanger on the knob of a home belonging to someone who’s out of town, your marketing message may be illegible courtesy of the elements. Rain, snow, wind, and sun can do a number on even the sturdiest paper – including tear it away and send it (and the money you spent on it) soaring down the street. Custom printing on plastic will improve the possibility of your door hangers still being there and being readable when your potential customer gets home, and they can’t act on your ad if it’s not there for them.
• Event Invitations: If you are having or participating in a business event like a networking mixer, a conference, or tradeshow, printing on plastic could be the way to go for your invitations. You can invite people digitally, but your guests will feel more special (and the event will feel more important) with a physical invite as well. As is the case with business cards, the plastic invites will be unique enough to catch people’s attention, which should also keep them from getting lost in the shuffle and ending up in the “cylindrical file.” And the durability should ensure that people still have your event details even after the invite was passed around the office and left on a busy lunchroom table.

Want to Learn More?

Of course, these are just some of the reasons you should be printing on plastic, and a very short list of items we recommend plastic for. To find out more about plastic for printing - including pricing, further recommendations, and even marketing tips, visit Newprint or contact us for even more information.