22 Essential Marketing Materials & Business Stationery Ideas

Whether you’re looking to start your own small business, or just want to brand yourself as an independent contractor in your field of expertise, one of the best ways to do that is to have a formal business suite.

The type of suite you put together depends on whether you are looking for marketing materials, business stationery, or promotional products. There is a range of different products that fit into each category, so we’ll use this guide to break down the important stationery items and essential marketing materials needed for a successful business.

What are ‘Marketing Materials’?

Marketing materials are an essential part of any business’s marketing strategy. They serve as a way to inform and engage customers, build brand awareness, and ultimately drive sales. This includes items such as business cards, flyers, brochures, business signage, and more.

If you have little capital to spend on upscale advertising, word-of-mouth advertising is a great alternative to start your marketing strategy. The following products will help you deliver the message about your new venture (& likely much cheaper than a radio, television, or billboard ad!).

Business Cards

When you need a bit more of a personal touch than what LinkedIn can offer, business cards are the way to go. Business cards are a simple and effective way to share your contact information with potential customers. They are small, easy to carry, and can be handed out at networking events, trade shows, and other business meetings. 

Depending on the business or services you’re providing, you can tailor the design, style, size, and information to your potential clients. Make sure that your business card includes your name, job title, company name, phone number, email address, and website.

We offer eight different sizes of business cards ranging from the Standard 3.5”x 2” to square and mini options. Learn more about all the different types of business card sizes in this business card size comparison guide.

Brochures

Brochures are a great way to provide detailed information about your products or services. They can be used to promote a new product or service, highlight a sale, or provide information about your company. Be sure to include high-quality images and clear, concise text that describes your products or services.

Flyers

Flyers are similar to brochures, but they tend to be smaller and less detailed. They are often used to promote events, sales, or discounts. Be sure to include a clear call-to-action on your flyer, such as “Visit our website for more information” or “Stop by our store for a special discount.”

Our flyers come in three different sizes and are sold in packs of 25. Grab as many as you need and start hanging them up or handing them out!

Postcards

Not just a “wish you were here” message for family and friends when you’re on vacation, our postcards can be used to help promote your business in numerous ways. They can work in conjunction with flyers and business cards by giving important contact information.

Rack Cards

While rack cards are great to use as wedding programs, you can add them to your supply of marketing materials. Another alternative advertising method can be using these cards as door hangers!

Posters

Posters are a great way to grab people’s attention in a crowded space. They can be used to promote events, sales, or new products. Be sure to use large, bold text and bright, eye-catching images.

Catalogs

Catalogs are a great way to showcase a wide range of products or services. They can be used to promote a new product line, highlight a sale, or provide information about your company. Be sure to include high-quality images and detailed descriptions of your products or services.

Newsletters

Newsletters are a great way to keep in touch with your customers on a regular basis. They can be used to promote new products or services, highlight upcoming events, or provide updates about your company. Be sure to include a clear call-to-action on your newsletter, such as “Visit our website for more information” or “Stop by our store for a special discount.”

Banners

Shout it loud and proud! Banners aren’t just for children’s parties anymore, especially when you can use it to market your new business venture. If you’re a real estate agent, consider using a banner for your ‘Open House’ showing.

Window Decals, Wall Decals & Floor Decals

Window decals, wall decals or floor decals are great marketing tools to incorporate into your physical business or store. Here are some of the ways these items can add value:

1. Grab their attention: Turn passers-by into new customers with an eye-catching window display, complemented by some of our decals or window clings!
2. Greet your clients: First impressions are important, so make your customers feel truly appreciated the first time they set foot in your office or store with a warm and cheerful welcome wall decal!
3. Display your logo: You’ve put great thought and effort into creating a unique logo, so make sure it’s displayed in style by adding it—and perhaps your contact details—to one of our high-quality decals!
4. Direct your customers: Make it easy for customers to navigate your premises with adhesive directional wall or floor signs, decals identifying the men and women’s restrooms and more.
5. List your services/prices: Let your customers know exactly what’s on offer and how much each service costs with an attractive wall decal.

Now that you’ve spread the word of your business or consultancy, you’ll want business stationery to help you communicate with clients.

What is ‘Business Stationery’?

Letterhead

While email is the preferred method for most business contacts, sometimes a handwritten note is a touching, personal way to reach out to clients and business partners. Do this by adding letterhead to your business stationery suite. Letterhead is also great for calling out your contact information on each note you’re sending out. This makes it easier for people to return the correspondence.

Along with adding your business information, you can select from four different paper types for your letterhead:

• Basic – 80lb text-weight paper made from 50% recycled content
• Felt – 100lb text-weight paper with an embossed finish
• Recycled – 80lb text-weight paper made from 100% recycled content
• Linen – 115lb text-weight paper made for formal letters

All of our customizable letterhead comes in standard 8.5”x 11” size.

Note Cards

Available in eight different sizes, our note cards are the perfect way to send greetings, salutations, or well-wishes. Our size options include:

• 4” x 5.6”
• 5” x 7”
• 5” x 11”

Each one of our note cards has seven different paper types from standard matte to premium Kraft. Learn more about the various paper types in this post about how to create the perfect custom invitation.

Thank You Cards

If you are just starting a business or beginning your journey in consulting work, you’ll need a lot of word-of-mouth publicity to help you gain more clients and more name recognition. What better way to do this than by making the clients you do have feel extra special? They’ll become your evangelists, telling their friends, family, and neighbors about the great service you offer and the respectful way you treat them and their business. Thank you cards are a great way to add that personal touch to your business stationery.

There are numerous style options that can help you create an awesome, unforgettable thank you card. First you can sort by four different formats:

• Folded
• Flat
• Postcard
• Magnetic

If that isn’t enough choice for you, there’s more! How about six different trim options, including:

• Normal
• Rounded
• Ticket
• Bracket
• Scalloped
• Circle

And it doesn’t stop there! There are also multiple size options, depending on whether you want something compact, or a bigger card to allow for more writing.

Invitation & Announcement Cards

From a new law office to a salon to a real estate agency, each new business will only get off the ground if it has customers and clients. Instead of sinking a bunch of capital into expensive television ads, radio marketing, billboards, and the like when you can work much smarter by walking around the neighborhood handing out personalized invitations and announcement cards.

No matter your business you can create the perfect announcement or invitation to an event celebrating your grand opening. If you work in real estate you can use these cards to broadcast an open house you are holding. It’s much more personal, and affordable, than a huge ad campaign!

Envelopes

Now that you’ve got your thank you cards, note cards, letterhead, and other paper products, how do you get them out to all of your clients and customers? That’s where envelopes come in handy! Ready for many different sizes of mailings, our envelopes can handle your business needs. Check out all of these options that are available to you:

• #10 – These envelopes are made for sheets of paper measuring 8 ½” x 11”
• #10 Window – The same as the above, just with a window on the front
• #9 – Smaller than the #10 envelopes
• #9 Window – The same as the above, just with a window on the front
• A2 – A small envelope that’s great for mailing out invitations and note cards
• A6 – A mid-sized envelope that fits mailings measuring 6” x 4”
• A7 – A bigger envelope that fits mailings measuring 7” x 5”
• Square – For smaller mailings that have a square shape, use these envelopes

After choosing the size of envelopes you need, you can also pick from two paper types, including basic and linen.

Promotional Products

Now that you have your marketing materials and business stationery, it’s time to head out and make connections at conferences, speaking engagements, corporate events, and other gatherings. Be sure to bring your promotional products to hand out along with your business cards to keep your brand in the minds of the people with whom you network. Plus, who doesn’t love free swag?!?

Pens

A simple writing utensil? No way! Pens are great to give away at networking functions, open houses, or other places you would like to connect with potential clients and customers. Brand them with your company logo, contact information, or company slogan. Everyone needs pens to take notes, so supply them and keep your business top-of-mind!

Mugs

The best promotional materials are those which the recipient will use repeatedly. How much more top-of-mind can your business get than by having your logo branded on the mug they use to sip their morning coffee? You can put your name and title on it or add your company logo.

Buttons

Like the pieces of flair in Office Space, buttons show off personality and style! They can also show off your company logo, name, or other fun design to keep your business top-of-mind. They make great items to hand out at corporate networking events, conferences, speaking engagements, and other gatherings.

You don’t even need to add branding to these buttons for them to be successful handouts. You can create buttons for your clients to display that show just how much they appreciate your particular expertise.

Keychains

Promotional products should not just be about branding. You also want them to be useful to everyone you hand them out to. Whether for our house, car, or office, we all need keychains to help us keep track of the various keys we use each day. We have a great selection of styles that you can choose from, including:

• Acrylic – Made from durable acrylic, it comes in 3 different shapes: square, rectangle, & circle
• Metal – Crafted from a silver-colored metal, all designs are printed on an insert
• Wrist – Great for when you are on the go but don’t have any pockets
• Bottle Opener – Mini, credit card and speed bottle opener, made out of stainless steel

T-Shirts

Who doesn’t love a free t-shirt! Using promotional t-shirts is a way to market your business or product that can add a lot of value and create an immediate connection with prospective customers.

Water Bottles

Everyone loves a practical promotional product. Especially a product that your prospective customer or client will use on a regular basis, like a water bottle! Think of it as free advertising or promo! Every time they bring their new water bottle to the gym or coffee shop, your brand is being exposed to a wide variety of new people.

Tote Bags

Tote bags are a super popular product for slapping on your business logo. Tote bags are big enough where your logo will be seen by more people than you think. These are great for handing out and letting potential customers or clients carry their belongings or even grocery shop with it! Don’t underestimate the power of a tote bag in the promotional world.

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Now that you’ve seen the offering for marketing materials, business stationery, and promotional products, you can start putting together the perfect business suite. Use this as a checklist and create your own formal business stationery and personalized branding materials. Happy creating!