As a printing company located in Greater Philadelphia, we understand the critical role that print materials play in helping businesses create lasting impressions and communicate effectively with their target audiences. We attribute our 60+ years of success to our ability to expand and adjust our business to offer the services that are necessary for our customers to grow. That’s why, roughly 20 years ago, we added promotional products and branded apparel to our service offerings, which helped us expand our business, enhance our relationships with our existing clients, and attracted new customers since we could now offer a “one-stop show” approach to helping businesses expand their reach via print marketing. By embracing the full spectrum of marketing tools, including print, promo products, and branded apparel, we can provide even greater value to our customers.
Here’s why incorporating promotional products and branded apparel services can add value to a printing company looking to expand their reach and to better serve their customers:
1. Expand Your Printing Company’s Revenue Streams
While print-related sales are often the backbone of a printing company, the addition of promotional products and branded apparel can diversify your revenue streams. For example, at The Homer Group, we’ve been in business for over 60 years and have evolved from a traditional print company to offering a broad array of print marketing services, including promotional products. They offer the perfect complement to our print offerings, contributing to more comprehensive solutions for our clients such as the fulfillment of marketing kits or helping our clients with their presence at trade shows. By adding promo products, you open up new avenues for growth and profitability in a way that you know will ultimately add value to your customers and strengthen your relationships with them.
2. Complementing Print with Promotional Products
When you offer promotional products and branded apparel, you can cater to more aspects of your clients’ marketing strategies. Many businesses need both print materials and promotional items to create a cohesive print marketing strategy. For instance, at The Homer Group, we regularly help clients with their trade show presence by providing a complete package of print marketing materials, such as booth signage, printed handouts, and pre-show or post-show mailers, and we also supply branded giveaways, custom apparel, and product samples. By handling both aspects, you position your company as a one-stop solution, which is highly valuable to your clients.
3. Creating Stronger Client Relationships by Selling Promotional Products
Being able to provide both print and promotional products allows you to build stronger relationships with your clients. As a printing company, you may already be an integral part of your clients’ marketing campaigns. By offering complementary promo products, you can further solidify your position as a trusted partner by helping them execute a cohesive brand strategy that spans multiple touchpoints such as print materials for direct mail, custom t-shirts for an event, or branded water bottles to distribute at trade shows. Adding value to your clients helps strengthen long-term loyalty and increases repeat business.
4. Customization and Personalization: Key to Business Success
One of the biggest advantages of offering both print and promotional products is the ability to customize everything to meet your clients’ unique needs. Whether it’s designing custom apparel or creating personalized print materials, the power of customization can play an integral role in a successful marketing plan. By offering a wide range of options, you give your clients more ways to engage their audiences and keep their brand top-of-mind.
5. Catering Marketing Strategies to Different Client Needs
No matter the size or industry of the business, there’s a promotional product for everyone. Whether you work with small businesses or large corporations, there is likely an appropriate approach to utilizing branded promotional products. Some companies may need branded pens and notepads for corporate giveaways, while others may want high-end custom apparel for employee uniforms or trade show giveaways. As a printing company, you can help consult with your customers to determine the right approach to utilizing promotional products, just as we do each day at The Homer Group.
6. Handling Both Print and Promo Solutions Seamlessly
When you add promotional products to your portfolio, you create more opportunities for success by combining both worlds. For example, The Homer Group has been able to deliver comprehensive marketing solutions by offering print services alongside promotional items and branded apparel. Whether it’s fulfilling large orders for a specific event or creating on-demand product or marketing kits for clients, our ability to design, produce, and distribute everything, has allowed us to serve customers more effectively. They certainly appreciate the streamlined process we can provide to them!
7. Navigating the Evolution from Print to Promo
If you’re coming from a print background and considering entering the world of promotional products, it’s important to remember that both services work together. We’ve seen some printing partners consider the switch from print to promo, but we see these two services as being complementary. Promotional products are an extension of print, enhancing brand visibility and creating lasting impressions. By partnering with trusted suppliers and focusing on high-quality products that align with your client’s goals, you can integrate promo items into your existing business model fairly easily.
The Homer Group: Offering More Than Just Print
Integrating promotional products and branded apparel into your print business doesn’t just provide a new revenue stream—it creates opportunities for stronger customer relationships, expanded service offerings, and the ability to deliver complete marketing solutions. These are the benefits that are most important to us (which ultimately will indeed provide additional revenue in our business).
By adding these services, you enhance the value you provide to clients and position your business for long-term success in a competitive market.
At The Homer Group, we’ve seen firsthand how combining print and promotional products creates powerful marketing tools for our customers. With over 60 years of experience and a diverse range of services, we’ve built a reputation for being a trusted partner, delivering everything from print marketing to branded apparel. By embracing both print and promo, your printing company can open new doors and continue to thrive in an ever-changing business landscape.