How To Print Rack Cards For Maximum Impact
In our increasingly digital world, physical marketing materials like rack cards remain a powerful marketing tool for businesses. Compact, visually appealing, and cost-effective, they are often one of the first contact points between your business and a potential customer.
Whether you’re marketing a service, event, or special offer, a well-designed and professionally printed rack card can make a significant difference. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to design and print effective rack cards that help you stand out.
What Are Rack Cards?
Rack cards are small, rectangular pieces of marketing collateral. They’re typically 4x9, so they fit into brochure racks or display holders. Due to their shape and size, they convey key information quickly and effectively.
They are worth having because they provide a tangible connection to your brand. They’re affordable to print and easy to display given their small size, so they’re a cost- and space-effective method to reach your target audience.
Rack cards are helpful tools no matter your industry, and they’re commonly used within sectors such as travel, hospitality, healthcare, and retail to inform customers about products and services.
Planning Your Rack Card Design
As you’re developing your design, think about the following ideas.
Design with your audience in mind.
Like all your marketing materials, your rack card should be aimed at a specific audience, so create your design to be persuasive to them. For example, if you’re designing one to promote a family-friendly theme park, include fun images and bright colors that will appeal to every member of the family. On the other hand, if you’re advertising a medical technology or procedure, you might want to use muted colors and a more sophisticated tone.
Part of understanding your audience is knowing what you want your audience to do after they read your rack card. Are you trying to drive them to your website? Or do you want them to take advantage of a limited-time offer? Prioritize your content and your call to action for maximum effectiveness.
Choose the right size.
The standard rack card size is 4x9, but you can opt for a different size if you need. Custom sizes can stand out and get you the attention you’re looking for. However, remember that your card will still need to fit into standard sized display racks, so when you’re deciding on a rack card size, don’t stray too far from the standard dimensions.
Add an eye-catching headline.
Your headline is the first part of your rack card that people will see, so make it stand out. Make it clear and concise, and convey your main message in just a few words. Use large, bold fonts that people can read from a distance, and make sure that your headline conveys a clear benefit to the reader. This could be a discount, exclusive offer, or other compelling reason to keep reading.
Write persuasive copy.
When it comes to your rack card’s text, less is more. Keep your copy concise and to the point by only focusing on the most important information. Avoid long paragraphs, and break up text with bullet points. Make it easy to skim.
Include a clear call to action. This could encourage readers to “call now” or “visit our website” or “claim your discount,” among others. What matters is that it’s direct and encourages immediate action. Include your call to action in a prominent position on your card where it can’t be missed.
Include your branding and contact information.
Make sure your rack card incorporates branding effectively. Use your company’s colors, fonts, and logos to make sure that the card aligns with your brand identity and makes it instantly recognizable as your company.
As well, include all of the essential information your audience needs. This can include your company’s name, phone number, address, website, and social media handles, depending on what’s most important for readers to know.
What To Know About Rack Card Printing
When it’s time to print, you get to make a few decisions about your rack card’s look and feel. Here are some of the choices you can make.
Pick A Paper
The feel of your rack card is just as important as its visual appeal. Therefore, choosing the right paper stock can make a significant impact on how people perceive it. As well, since rack cards stand up vertically in their display racks, it’s important to pick a paper thick enough that the card can stand on its own. Therefore, choosing a paper weight over 70 lb text paper and up to 100 lb cover paper is generally a good idea.
As well, choose a paper that has a finish that complements your design. Glossy papers offer a shiny finish that helps colors and images stand out, while matte papers have an understated and elegant look.
Decide How Many Copies You Need
Choosing how many copies to print might take some thought. As a basic guideline, consider how often you plan to update your rack card. If you won’t be updating your card for a long time, feel free to print a large number of copies. Due to their small size, they’re easy to store, so you can take advantage of the lower cost per card.
On the other hand, if you’ll be updating your rack cards frequently, it’s generally a good idea to print a smaller number of copies and reorder when you need more. This will decrease the number of obsolete copies you’ll need to recycle when you make changes.
Get A Proof
It’s always a good idea to know what you’re ordering beforehand. Therefore, request a proof from your printing partner. They’ll send you a paper or digital copy of your final rack card so that you can ensure it looks exactly like you have in mind. Once you’ve taken a look at the proof, you’ll be ready to place your order.
Print Rack Cards That Make A Difference
Rack cards are a powerful marketing tool that can drive significant results. By following the guidelines presented above, you’ll be able to order rack cards that reach new audiences and get your business the attention it deserves.
Here at ZoePrint, we print rack cards that drive business success. Our offset and digital presses create affordable cards that look great, and our helpful team can work with you throughout the design and printing process. We also offer all the print materials you need, including brochures, flyers, and more.
To get started, order your rack cards online or get a custom quote from ZoePrint!
