What
to Print, Why It Matters, and How to Win More Local Customers
In a competitive landscape, especially across Alberta’s diverse mix of rural towns and urban centres, knowing what to print and why it matters is key to building brand trust and visibility. This guide will help you identify the most effective print materials for your business and show you how smart print marketing can drive real results with local customers.
Despite living in a digital-first world, print marketing remains a powerful tool for businesses in Alberta. Why? Because print creates tangible touchpoints. Unlike digital ads that disappear with a scroll, a well-designed brochure or business card sticks around.
Print also builds trust. In communities across Alberta, from Edmonton to Calgary, people tend to value physical materials. A direct mail piece or a branded calendar has staying power, delivering your message long after the initial interaction.
Plus, print complements your digital marketing strategy. It creates a multi-channel approach that meets your customers wherever they are, online or offline.
Trust is one of the most critical factors in a customer's decision to buy, and print marketing helps establish it in ways digital sometimes can't. Physical materials convey a sense of legitimacy and permanence. When customers hold a well-crafted brochure, a personalized direct mail postcard, or a high-quality business card, they’re more likely to view your business as credible and professional.
In Alberta’s close-knit communities, where word-of-mouth and reputation matter, tangible print assets often serve as silent ambassadors for your brand. They are carried in wallets, pinned to bulletin boards, or handed from one person to another.
Simply put, physical items are harder to ignore. A printed flyer on a counter or a custom calendar on a wall creates repeated exposure that digital ads often can’t match. These tangible impressions stick, both literally and mentally, reinforcing your brand message over time.
Furthermore, print activates more senses. Touch, sight, and even sound (think of flipping through a booklet) make the experience more memorable. This sensory engagement makes customers more likely to recall your business when they need your services.
Now let’s explore how to decide what materials your business should print to make the biggest impact!
Not every business needs to print everything, but every business should print something. The key is to focus on the materials that reinforce your brand, stay in front of customers, and make it easier for people to remember and contact you. The following print marketing essentials are a great starting point for Alberta businesses looking to enhance their presence, credibility, and visibility.
A strong first impression often starts with a well-crafted print piece. These five staples not only look professional, but they also help people remember you.
Well-designed brochures and flyers are more than just promotional pieces, they're strategic tools. Placed in the right spots or mailed to the right people, they drive awareness and action.
A flyer advertising a limited-time offer can create urgency. A brochure clearly outlining your services can encourage someone to book a consultation. And when your materials look and feel premium, they signal quality, helping you attract the kind of clients you want.
Marketing is most effective when it reaches people where they are, and print is perfect for that. When done right, printed pieces help you stand out at events, drive attendance, and turn curious passersby into loyal customers.
If you’re attending trade shows, sponsoring community events, or launching a new campaign, these print tools can help you gain traction.
With tools like variable data printing, you can make each direct mail piece feel custom-made.
This kind of personalization builds stronger connections and dramatically increases the likelihood that someone will open, read, and act on your message. Combine that with a compelling design and a clear call-to-action, and you’ve got a winning formula for outreach.
Coming up next: let’s dive into some of the more specialty print products that can make a brand truly unforgettable.
Your marketing doesn’t stop at the door, print materials can help shape how people experience your business once they’re inside. Whether it's a retail storefront or a professional office, having the right branded items on hand keeps your business visible, helpful, and memorable.
Not every customer will leave with a brochure or a postcard, but that doesn’t mean they won’t take something with them. Items like notepads, magnets, and greeting cards live on desks, fridges, and countertops. These subtle yet effective tools reinforce your branding while providing real value to your clients, customers, or visitors.
Even the most essential printed pieces can go from good to great with the right enhancements. Whether it’s a tactile detail like embossing or a vibrant pop of foil, finishing services add a layer of polish that signals quality and attention to detail, both crucial when competing in Alberta’s crowded marketplace.
Customers don’t just see a well-finished print piece, they feel it. Adding specialty finishes can dramatically elevate the perception of your brand and help ensure your materials don’t end up in the recycling bin. Below are a few high-impact options.
The right combination of finishes depends on the purpose of your piece, but used strategically, these enhancements transform basic print into branded experiences.
Design isn't just about how something looks; it's about how it communicates. A strong layout with clear hierarchy guides the reader through your message. Strategic use of brand colours and fonts reinforces recognition. And white space, when used well, makes everything easier to digest.
In Alberta's competitive business environment, professionally designed print materials can make the difference between being remembered or forgotten. Whether you're creating business cards or full brochures, design is where your brand promise meets the customer’s first impression.
Alberta isn’t one-size-fits-all, and your print marketing strategy shouldn’t be either. From rural communities like Ponoka and Wetaskiwin to larger centres like Calgary and Edmonton, the needs, expectations, and opportunities can vary greatly. Understanding these differences helps you print smarter, not just more.
In Alberta’s smaller communities, reputation is everything. People are more likely to shop local, share recommendations, and value the personal touch. For these businesses, printed materials should emphasize authenticity, trust, and local involvement.
In contrast, urban audiences are exposed to more marketing noise, so standout design and smart targeting are key. This is where enhanced finishing, custom brochures, and QR-linked postcards can help you break through the clutter and drive online or in-store action.
Whether your business is based in Lacombe, Red Deer, Edmonton, or Calgary, some print tools consistently deliver strong results across the province:
Ultimately, the best ROI comes from matching the right material with the right audience and ensuring your design, message, and call to action all work in harmony.
Consistency is the secret weapon of effective marketing. When your branded print materials look and feel cohesive, they build trust, reinforce your brand identity, and improve customer recall. It also signals professionalism, showing that your business pays attention to the details.
An effective campaign uses multiple printed pieces that work together toward a common goal. For example:
Each piece supports the others, creating a layered experience for your audience that feels intentional and polished.
You don’t have to choose between printing services and digital marketing, in fact they’re strongest when used together. Here’s how to bridge the gap:
By connecting the physical and digital worlds, you create more touchpoints and make it easier for customers to engage with your business, no matter where they are in the buying journey.
Print is no longer a standalone effort; it’s a vital part of today’s multichannel strategies. In a world where businesses compete for attention across digital and physical spaces, print materials help create a fuller, more memorable customer journey.
Absolutely. When used together, print and digital reinforce one another’s strengths. A direct mail piece with a scannable QR code can lead someone to your Instagram or online store. A printed event ticket can build excitement for a digital campaign. Even branded packaging can direct customers to leave a Google review.
By integrating channels, you keep your audience engaged and allow for more natural, flexible interactions with your brand.
Large-format print (like banners, window decals, and event signage) extends your print strategy into high-traffic physical spaces. These eye-catching tools are ideal for:
When designed in harmony with your brochures, business cards, and flyers, they complete a cohesive brand presence that leaves a strong impression both inside and outside your business.
Choosing the right print partner can make all the difference. You need more than just ink on paper; you need a team that understands Alberta’s business landscape and can turn your ideas into marketing tools that perform.
At Strand360, we don’t just offer printing, we offer strategy. From graphic design to delivery, we help Alberta businesses build print campaigns that work. Whether you’re looking for everyday essentials like business cards and brochures, or exploring advanced finishing and signage, our team has the tools and experience to bring your vision to life.
We specialize in:
It’s easy to take the next step. Whether you’re refreshing existing materials or starting from scratch, we’re here to help. Contact us today for a free print consultation, we’ll review your goals, explore the best print options for your business, and deliver a plan that balances creativity, strategy, and budget.