Fabrication & Finishing Archives

33 Christmas Tree Designs You Should Know

December 21, 2023 by cole

Looking to add some holiday spirit to your environment? Printed Christmas trees offer a unique and innovative twist to the traditional holiday decor, bringing a touch of modern creativity to festive celebrations. These artificial trees, adorned with vibrant and intricate prints, can showcase a variety of designs, ranging from classic holiday motifs to contemporary and personalized themes.

Printed Christmas trees are not only visually striking but satisfy some people’s reluctance to cut down a live tree. And many are sustainable for year after year use. Additionally, they provide a customizable canvas for individuals and families to express their unique style and preferences, allowing for a personalized and memorable holiday experience. With the convenience of storage and reuse, printed Christmas trees offer a sustainable and aesthetically pleasing alternative, catering to those who seek a blend of tradition and innovation in their seasonal decorations.

After running thousands of holiday projects for major brands – here are 33 Christmas tree designs we think you should know about!

1. Octagonal Curved Tree

This tree uses 8 sheets of material that interlock into one another, with a small base to add stability.

2. Coinciding Triangular Tree

Interlocking triangles create this cool dimensional tree. The assembly is not complicated and can be easily installed in-store.

3. Flat Die-Cut Tree (With Hidden Base)

Need large quantities of trees at a fraction of the price? Nothing beats a perimeter die-cut with no assembly required and a hidden base!!

4. Dimensional Acrylic Tree (Product Holding)

This tree used 2 pieces of edge lit acrylic that vertically interlocked into each other, while the 4 intricately cut shelves interlocked horizontally.

5. Scandinavian Tree

This unique tree only requires a flat sheet of material with an interior interlocking pattern!

6. Routed Flat Tree

A classic and clean look, this was routed with 25mm Sintra. It slid into a PVC base.

7. Simple Interlocking Triangle Tree

This version was digitally printed on 1/4″ falconboard to be easily assembled by store associates!

8. Stackable Angular Tree

This style of tree was routed with 2mm Dibond. For extra “pop” we laminated it with chrome and screen printed on top of it!

9. Classic Christmas Tree Product Display

A classic shelf POP Christmas tree display that has been successfully implemented for years!

10. Flat Adhesive Backed Tree

This version utilizes printed Dispa that attaches to each other with strip tape. Base added for stability.

11. Christmas Tree Display

Need to hold a lot of product? This display uses clear post screws, gloss styrene and corrugate in the shape of a Christmas tree to do just that!

12. Interlocking Acrylic Tree

This version used routed edge lit acrylic to join into itself.

13. Pillowed Polycarbonate Tree

This tree used die-cut crease scores in polycarbonate to create a “pillowed” look. Interior structure needed for stability.

14. Coinciding Tree With Star & Adhesive Backed Ornaments

This version had no print, just die-cutting falconboard.

15. Flat Standee Tree With Cutouts

This tree uses a die-cut flat sheet with interior holes. The rectangular base is also out of the same sheet.

16. Quad Tree With Interior Connectors

Instead of parts sliding together, this utilizes interior pieces cut from the same material to hold the sides together.

17. Twelve Part Backlit Tree

Achieve this stunning look with 12 interlocking die-cut trees of various sizes with 30pt cardstock.

18. Complex Self-Engaging Tree With Ornaments

This version was screen printed and die-cut on corrugate. Interior base is needed to provide stability.

19. Interlocking Tree (Product Holding)

This version uses 4 trees that fit together vertically, with 2 shelves connecting horizontally.

20. Heat Bent Based Flat Trees

This style is routed Sintra with heat bent bases.

21. Interlocking Heat Bent Angular Tree

This version utilizes heat bending and interlocking parts on gloss ABS plastic.

22. Tri Shelf Interlocking Tree

Designed for 3 vertical interlocking trees with 3 horizontal engaging shelves.

23. Dump Bin Tree

Classic dump bin construction with a reinforced base in the shape of a tree.

24. Interlocking Triangular Tree

For a simple installation, this uses 8 interlocking die-cut triangles of various sizes.

25. Heat Bent Shelf Tree (Product Holding)

Designed to hold heavier items, this shelf uses heat bent acrylic held together with post screws.

26. Complex Rigid Interlocking Angular Tree

Manufactured with 12 printed MDF wood interfacing trees, with a square base.

27. Stacked Pyramid Tree

This version utilized 4 stacked pyramids with crease scores to provide dimension.

28. Shaded Dimensional Stacked Tree

Very similar to the stackable angular tree, this uses shaded printing on the interior sides to trick the viewer into seeing an additional dimensional plane.

29. Double Interlocking Tall Tree

This version uses second surface screen printing on clear 5mm acrylic.

30. Stacked Cone Tree

This design uses printed styrene formed into cones with strip tape.

31. Creased & Stacked Angular Tree

This version uses the angular tree design but stacks itself on the opposite edges to give more dimension. An interior interlocking base is required for stability.

32. Die-Cut Lettering Trees

This design uses thru-cuts and crease scores to form lettering for a fun message. Always requires interior base for stability.

33. Accordion Tree

Designed to ship efficiently this tree accordions up and down. Can’t beat cost-effective and easy to install!

Grow your company’s revenue while personally enhancing your career! Christmas tree displays are awesome, but they take more than good artwork or a well-structured design to entice a consumer to buy a product. It’s a balanced recipe of great design, affordable manufacturing cost, clever placement, and judicious use of resources. Stay tuned for next month’s knowledge drop to learn more!

On the other hand, if you can’t wait or want to cure your display issues RIGHT NOW – click here, and we’ll talk today!

6 Ways to Attract Last Minute Purchases at the Register

June 20, 2023 by cole

Attracting last minute purchases is one step forward in achieving growth. The product we offer is very simple, we create communication tools that grow your revenue! When attracting last minute purchases, there are A LOT of factors and methods that go into a successful visual aid. We admit that it can be daunting taking on this by yourself and that is why we are here to help. We will focus specifically at tools to that help grow sales at the register. Let’s take a look!

1. Sneeze Guard Graphics

We have talked about how many are overlooking a huge opportunity to grow their brand when they just buy plain sneeze guards. The customer literally has to look at this product. Print a graphic on them! That opportunity of communication/advertising is priceless and would normally cost a company millions of dollars to get that level of awareness. Put a QR code or the latest marketing campaign or a new program. If you have already implemented sneeze guards into your environments. No worries, we have awesome aftermarket solutions. Ask us about it!

2. Counter Displays

Do you ever wish that you could just have someone stand at the register and hand them a product? Counter displays are as close as you can get without paying someone to do that. Except a customer’s guard goes up immediately when someone pitches them a product. These are dramatic yet subtle. The common subliminal message in these displays says, “It’s easy, just utilize me, I am right here!” But counter displays are a broad term. The message can be changed and improved. What message do you want to say to your customer? Do you want them to purchase an item right now or do you want them to grow trust in your brand? Don’t put a box around yourself when picking a counter display. We help customize the display based on what you want the message to display.

3. Point of Sale Kiosk/Terminal Graphics

At this point in the customer process, the consumer is already checking out. Their card is literally in their hand. You can’t get a customer more prepared to make a purchase than right now. This makes the ease of buying a product at its peak because a customer is already expecting to purchase something. Attaching it to a trusted financial tool like a payment kiosk builds consumer trust as well. You can communicate with a simple decal or attach a a reusable holder if you want to switch out graphics. Are you getting the pattern? The possibilities are endless. We can help you narrow down your most effective options, but the point is, communicating a last minute message at this time is extremely effective.

4. Countertop Graphics

A countertop is a very effective place to advertise because it is a direct and natural sightline as a customer waits at checkout. There are so many ways countertop graphics can be designed to drive sales that it would take forever to explain them all. You could utilize a clear, antimicrobial film as a substrate and then print subtle graphics onto it. Maybe you want a larger profile, stain resistant counter mat, that provides more information. The possibilities are literally endless.

5. Shelf Fillers

The intended purpose of these products were to retain sales even if a product was out of stock in the store. Shameless plug, we have a whole case study on why you should use shelf fillers, check it out. Back to the blog, we have also found these parts are also great at last minute purchases! Specifically, the ease of purchasing through a QR code gives very little barrier to entry. Additionally, the increase in perceived value when an item is sold out is highly compelling. In order to achieve this, your copy has to convey that you are giving an edge to the consumer viewing the display. It’s at this goldilocks moment that you have achieved a great shelf filler that can serve two purposes.

6. Wildcard: Cashierless Purchase Displays

We are calling this our wildcard pick as technically a customer doesn’t have to go to register to purchase an item, which is the reason why it’s so effective. We also chose this as a wildcard because this is fairly proprietary and is still in its youth stages. Checkout-free shopping is growing more popular by the day with the intended purpose to allow customers to buy items from shelves and walk out without interacting with a cashier. It can eliminate costs associated with checkout, long lines and wait times, and potential unsafe contact points with COVID. However, we have found that it has helped attract last-minute purchases. The ease of buying a product and having it immediately is what makes this such an effective tool for impulse purchases.

Grow your company’s revenue while personally enhancing your career! Merchandising graphis are awesome, but it takes more than good artwork or a well-structured design to entice a consumer to buy a product. It’s a balanced recipe of great design, affordable manufacturing cost, clever placement, and judicious use of resources. Stay tuned for next month’s knowledge drop to learn more!

On the other hand, if you can’t wait or want to cure your merchandising graphic issues RIGHT NOW – click here, and we’ll talk today!

13 Highlights From Our Sustainable Printing Progress Report (2023)

May 4, 2023 by cole

We remain committed to our mission to drive value for our clients by providing expertise, superior products, and dependable services with speed and precision. And we’re equally committed to doing so in a manner that doesn’t deplete the earth’s resources. This commitment acknowledges our responsibility for our entire value chain—which extends across our facility and through the entire life cycle of our products. And it drives our strategy— whether innovating solutions to environmental challenges or creating opportunities for customers to use sustainable materials or providing assistance to our community. We’re striving to enable the type of world we want to live in.

By engaging with others in our environmental work, we can achieve an even greater impact. We learn from feedback and we work with partners to influence change in our industries. This is why we want to share some big wins from this year. Be sure to read the full report here.

Our Environmental Strategy

The environmental challenges the world faces today are significant, and Modernistic is responding with urgency and dedication. We approach our work by focusing on fundamental questions. What matters most? Where can we make the greatest impact? These questions inform our goals to achieve change and guide our initiatives across the strategic pillars of environment, resources, and smarter production. We know we’re not alone striving to reduce our environmental footprint. So we engage with others to support our efforts and find opportunities to lift our local community along the way.

Our Goals

We increase value for our clients by providing expertise, superior products, and dependable services with speed and precision. And we strive to do so in a way that sustains the planet and the resources that we all depend on. Setting ambitious goals is essential to this — to drive the innovation and collaboration that makes change possible and to be transparent and accountable for our progress.

1. Our Customers Are Committing to Carbon Neutrality!

Our goal is to one day achieve independence from nonrenewable and nonrecyclable materials. As we progress toward this objective, we’re doing so without sacrificing the quality, look, and durability of our products. We’re working on innovations in recycling to enhance material recovery and support circular supply chains for ourselves and our customers. With the growth of corporate commitment to carbon neutrality, many customers are expanding their investment in sustainable alternative material purchases. Read more about our material supply chain on Page 27.

2. Our Suppliers Are Committing to Creating Recycled Products and Recovery Options!

Modernistic’s responsibility for our products begins with the design process and carries through end-of-life. Multiple alternative materials are investigated every time we quote a project. With the increased demand for recycled goods, material suppliers are expanding their investment in development of new materials. And they are creating infrastructure for easy material recovery. Read more about our material sourcing on Page 28.

3. 40% Overall Water Reductions Across Our Facility!

Water is essential to our operations and product manufacturing. Due to concerted efforts (or initiatives implemented) we have reduced our consumption by over 500,000 gallons per year, for the past three years. Read more on our water reduction programs on Page 20.

4. 45% Overall Energy Reductions Plant-Wide

Our energy efficiency goals extend well beyond our products. We’re focused on using less energy across our operations, beginning with how we organize, operate, and maintain our facility. And we continue these same efforts in our supply chain, benefiting our suppliers’ communities by drawing less energy from electrical grids — many of which still rely heavily on fossil fuels. This reduces local air pollution and improves air quality for nearby communities. In 2022 we installed new light fixtures across our facility which led to over 345,000 kWh saved per year. Read more about our energy reduction programs on Page 18 or what we did with our 2022 Continuous Improvement Project on Page 44.

5. We Are Continuing Innovation On Material Recovery

Sending materials to landfill makes poor use of the world’s resources, while also contributing to emissions. This is why we’ve made waste reducing operations a priority. This year we achieved 100% on-site waste separation approximately 1000 pounds of material every day, through recycling and source separation efforts. Read more about material recycling programs on Page 16.

6. Implementation Of Emissions Reporting & Reduction

Some materials that are integral to our products result in significant emissions. The same is true for certain manufacturing processes and the transportation of our products. To address these emissions we seek technological solutions, investing in renewable energy, and switching to low carbon modes of transport. In the last 2 years, we have reduced our personal fleet emissions by over 95% and reported 100% of our facility emissions. Read more about our emission responsibility programs on Page 22.

7. More Products With More Recycled Content

Our products rely on the availability of high-quality materials. We’re increasingly sourcing more of these valuable commodities from circular supply chains, drawn from recycled content and renewable resources. This year we partnered with a customer to produce a sustainable package filler that won over 4 national environmental innovation awards. Read more about our material usage on Page 27.

8. 401k Investing Classes For All Staff

We are invested in the success of our staff. This year we offered PTO for our employees to attend 401k investment classes and free 1-1 advising meetings at Mod. We set a goal to achieve 95% participation in our 401k matching program. Read more about our employee wellness on Page 43.

9. Introduction Of Material Of The Month

This year we implemented an email campaign that highlights a new material to over 8,000 print buyers each month. Sign up for it here or read more about our material advocacy, promoting environmentally friendly solutions on Page 30.

10. 2022 Sustainable Green Printing Audit Completion

This year we successfully completed our yearly audit, maintaining our 12^th annual certification as a sustainable green printer. Read more about our SGP Certification on Page 37.

11. Removed 60% Of Void Fill With Custom Packaging

We’ve made significant progress towards eliminating empty space and plastic bubble in our packaging. We invested in a bespoke box maker that helps us with precise kitting, reducing the need for wasteful void fillers and shipping costs for our packaging. Read more about how we innovate packaging to reduce our footprint on Page 41.

12. Nonprofit Gratis Printing Program

We value organizations that make a difference in the lives of others and get excited when their needs align with our services. This year we were able to support multiple non profits with their large format graphics at no cost. Read more about our giving mission on Page 44.

13. Supported 10 Renewable Material Projects

Material supply partners value Modernistic because they have been trusting us with their material development for the last 60 years. We take pride in our print and finishing expertise and the resulting industry respect for solving difficult problems. This is why we have a customer retention rate of over 99% – some of which are our own competitors. In 2021, we created a proprietary sustainable magnetic receptive process/product that is more cost-effective than the standard alternative. Read about our material development programs on Page 29.

Read Our Full 2023 Sustainability Report!

Grow your company’s revenue while personally enhancing your career! Sustainable printing is awesome, but it takes more than good machinery or a well-structured design to accomplish a responsible supply chain. It’s a balanced recipe of many resources. Stay tuned for next month’s knowledge drop to learn more, or dive deeper by reading our full sustainability report below!

On the other hand, if you can’t wait or want to cure your sustainable printing issues RIGHT NOW – click here, and we’ll talk today!

Sustainabillity_Report2023 Download

The Beginner’s Guide to Floor Graphics

March 7, 2023 by cole

Welcome to the wonderful world of custom floor graphics. Floor graphics are a unique and effective way to enhance your brand visibility and engage with your audience. We have been assisting big brands with making powerful floor graphics for over 40 years, but there are some nuances to putting printed media on the floor. Let’s break it down.

1. What Are Floor Graphics?

Floor graphics are a specialized form of printed media that are meant to be stepped on. They are most commonly used to direct foot traffic, promote products or services, convey safety messages, provide instructional information, or simply enhance the visual appeal of a space. They are designed to withstand heavy foot traffic and resist damage from spills, dirt, and other environmental factors.

2. Advantages Of Floor Graphics

Advantage 1: Increase in consumer retention rate
Apart from looking cool, a study by 3M found that floor graphics have a 5% higher retention rate than other types of advertising, such as aisle violators or standoffs.
Advantage 2: Added engagement
According to a study conducted by the Point of Purchase Advertising International (POPAI), 70% of buying decisions are made in-store, and 30% of shoppers are more likely to purchase a product when it is advertised with floor graphics.
Advantage 3: Proven to reduce accidents
A study done by the UK government found that floor graphics can reduce the risk of accidents up to 90%. This study even helped the University of Warwick implement floor graphics to help reduce the spread of infectious diseases in hospitals by reminding staff and visitors to follow proper hand hygiene practices.
Advantage 4: Differentiation from the competition
The majority of print media is not found on the floor. This inherently creates an opportunity for dramatic distinction from the competition, regardless of the market saturation.

3. Types of Floor Graphics

Since there are new, innovative substrates developed every day, we categorize our floor graphics by purpose. Generally speaking, there are 4 distinct categories based on the purpose: promotional floor graphics, safety floor graphics, wayfinding and informational floor graphics, branding and decor floor graphics, or some combination of these

Promotional Floor Graphics
These are the most common floor graphics. Promotional floor graphics are printed onto vinyl or other durable materials and placed on the floors of commercial or public spaces to advertise a product, service, event or brand.

Safety Floor Graphics
Instead of promoting a product to increase sales, these graphics are designed to increase the safety of the environment. They can be printed on anti-slip materials or other durable materials, and placed on the floors of industrial or commercial spaces, even vehicles, to enhance awareness of potential dangers.

Wayfinding & Information Floor Graphics
Wayfinding floor graphics are visual cues, usually in the form of markings or signage, placed on floors to guide people through a particular space. In addition to improving user experience, these graphics can also be used to highlight important information or messages, such as social distancing reminders, safety instructions, or promotional offers.

Branding & Decor Floor Graphics
Want to promote your brand or elevate an environment? Decor floor graphics are decorative graphics applied to floors in commercial or residential settings to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the space.

Hybrid Floor Graphics
Hybrid floor graphics are a combination of different kinds of floor graphics. You don’t have to be stuck using one or the other type of floor graphic. For example in the picture below the client used wayfinding signage to also enhance their brand experience.

4. Applications / Examples

Due to Modernistic’s comprehensive all-in-house manufacturing capabilities, we are well positioned to print a wide variety of products – including floor graphics! Typical settings include retail stores, airports, grocery stores, gas stations, hospitals, schools, sports facilities, and vehicles.

Indoor Floor Graphics
These can be long-term or short-term, but the sole purpose is that they are meant for indoor spaces. Indoor floor graphics tend to be more cost-effective because they do not need extra print finishes, extreme adhesives, or special materials to hold up against the weather.

Outdoor Floor Graphics
Outdoor floor graphics can stand up to demanding use and environments. These are far more durable than indoor floor graphics but require more expensive substrates to handle outdoor challenges.

Short-Term Floor Graphics
Short-term floor graphics are meant to be removed within a couple of months and are typically cost-effective.

Long-Term Floor Graphics
Floor graphics won’t last forever but there are methods and materials utilized to provide a longer life.

Vehicle Floor Graphics
Vehicle floor graphics are often printed on an anti-slip material which helps the operator keep their balance.

Anti-Slip Graphics
Custom anti-slip graphics are an effective prevention aid in the dangerous world of slips and falls. These can be tailored for any size, shape, durability, or color (even luminescent and transparent) Learn more here.

Stair Graphics
Stair floor graphics are printed graphics that are applied onto the treads (horizontal part) or risers (vertical part) of a staircase to create an eye-catching and unique look. These are becoming increasingly popular, as they are hard to miss during the shopping experience, fairly cost-effective, and are typically free promotional real estate.

Display + Floor Graphics
Incorporating floor graphics into your promotional display can be a powerful way to enhance its impact and engage customers in a unique and memorable way.

Interactive Floor Graphics
Want more customer engagement? Give them a tactile objective within a floor graphic. In the example below, a remote is underneath a floor decal that triggers a display model.

3D Floor Graphics
While not actually 3 dimensional, 3D floor graphics give the illusion through effective angles in the design phase. Just another trick up our sleeve to capture the attention of a customer.

Standard Floor Decals
Standard floor decals are extremely versatile and effective. They get the job done and the only limitation is the imagination.

Custom Anti-Fatigue Floor Mats
Custom anti-fatigue mats are specialized printed floor mats (no adhesive) designed to reduce fatigue and discomfort for people who stand for extended periods of time (while also promoting your brand or product).

Custom Floor Mats
Custom printed floor mats are non-adhesive backed floor graphics. Typically printed on rubber or nylon these can be used for a variety of purposes, including promoting a brand or product, providing directional information, displaying safety warnings, and adding decorative accents to a space.

5. Facts

In a study conducted by Sign Research Foundation, researchers found that floor graphics can increase brand awareness by up to 64%.
According to a study by 3M, 96% of respondents said that floor graphics were more eye-catching than other types of advertising.
In a study conducted by the Department of Psychology at the University of California, researchers found that people are more likely to pay attention to floor graphics than other types of advertising, such as posters or banners.
A study by the University of San Diego found that floor graphics can increase sales by up to 20% in retail stores.
According to a study by Nielsen, 72% of shoppers said that they noticed floor graphics, and 80% said that they found them helpful in making purchasing decisions.
In a survey conducted by the Outdoor Advertising Association of America, 82% of respondents said that they have entered a store or business because of an outdoor sign or graphic, including floor graphics.

Grow your company’s revenue while personally enhancing your career! Floor graphics are awesome, but they take more than good artwork or a well-structured design to entice a consumer to buy a product. It’s a balanced recipe of great design, affordable manufacturing cost, clever placement, and judicious use of resources. Stay tuned for next month’s knowledge drop to learn more!

On the other hand, if you can’t wait or want to cure your floor graphic issues RIGHT NOW – click here, and we’ll talk today!

10 Tips To Save Money When Buying Fleet Graphics

January 6, 2023 by cole

Fleet graphics are inherently one of the most cost-effective forms of advertising, passively driving your message home to millions while you transfer goods.

64% of US drivers notice vehicle graphics
– Nielsen Out of Home Advertising Study 2019
One Truck With Fleet Graphics generates an average of 30,000-70,000 impressions per day (10-14 million per year)
– “Measuring the Value of Vehicle Wraps” by ARD Ventures
Vehicle marketing results in a 97% message recall, compared to a 19% retention for stationary signage
– RYP & Becker Group
Out-of-home advertising generates nearly 4x more online activations per ad dollar than TV, radio, and print
– Nielsen March 2017 OOH Online Activation Survey

Memorable fleet graphics have great potential to increase engagement and revenues. Modernistic can provide cost-effective solutions for your next project – further increasing ROI to your bottom line. With fifty years’ experience printing, cutting, and installing major brand vehicle wraps, we’ve developed the following 10 tips to save money on mobile media programs.

1. Online Ordering

Ordering your fleet graphics from an online portal saves you time and keeps the buying process simple and organized. You can track orders and even let franchisees purchase the fleet graphics they need. Check out our easy-to-use online print ordering system here.

2. Know Your Fleet Graphic Coverage Options!

There are a lot of different graphic coverage options available to fit your budget and advertising goals. With the right graphic, it’s possible to achieve high-quality results that meet your unique business needs. Below is a quick guide.

Spot Graphics / Decals

Spot graphics includes simple logos and/or cut lettering to help customers recognize your business.

Partial Wraps

A partial wrap typically covers at least 1/3 of your vehicle makes your company stand out and enhances brand awareness.

Full Wrap

Reflective Accents

Full Reflective Wrap

3. Utilize The OEM Vehicle Color

Expenses can be minimized by ordering vehicles in the color you plan to use for your fleet graphics and then adding eye-catching graphics! Dialog between fleet graphics managers and vehicle purchasers often miss this no-brainer idea.

4. Make Your ROI Count By Standing Out

Sometimes you gotta go big or go home! A unique fleet graphic will promote more brand awareness than a simple one. A slight upgrade to design and coverage may dramatically enhance that eye-popping effect. Take time to determine how the desired outcome will best be achieved within the scope of your budget.

5. Die-Cut Only

A common misconception in fleet graphics is that they must be printed products. This is not the only option! If the material comes in the desired color, we can simply die-cut it to your desired shape. Another great way to save money is to utilize laminates. For example, we applied anti-graffiti laminate on city buses that were constantly being tagged [spray paint]. Once installed, graffitied buses simply go through the bus washing station for removal – saving thousands in repainting costs.

6. Choose The Right Fleet Graphic Material

There are thousands of fleet graphic materials, film types that you can get lost in. We examine the application and the expected service life of your graphics to properly determine what substrate and process should be utilized. The risk of selecting the wrong material is not only a loss of time and money but could damage your brand’s reputation. When you’re talking about the essence of a company’s brand, the performance of a material is of the utmost importance.

7. Efficient Design

As is true in any marketing program, efficient foundational design can reduce the total cost of a project. In the example below, partial graphics are utilized on a white trailer, however, it gives the appearance of a full wrap. This not only reduced costs for the client but by utilizing creative art, their brand awareness intensified and resulted in improved ROI.

8. Think Outside The Box

Let’s face it; this is an overused business cliché. But the principles it stands for – approaching problems in innovative ways, conceptualizing problems differently, and understanding your position in relation to any particular situation – is our goal with every project.

Don’t overlook approaching a fleet graphics project with a unique idea. Below is an example of a creative solution, printing on banner material for a large scale, durable portable storage container fleet graphic campaign.

9. Design With Safety In Mind!

50% of traffic deaths happen at night – National Safety Council
Visibility decreases by 95% at night – U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration

Creating a culture of safety with your fleet graphics is more than reducing hazards; doing so can also increase morale and productivity, and decrease insurance premiums for your business. We have helped hundreds of fleets implement this by manufacturing and installing reflective graphics, keeping drivers safe and their brand at the top of mind, no matter the hour. For reflective best practices, we highly recommend reading the U.S. Department of Justice’s Study on Emergency Vehicle Visibility and Conspicuity.

10. Curveball! Custom Paint Masking

There are times when a printed/cut fleet graphic isn’t the most practical solution. Custom paint masking can improve your bottom line if you have a paint process, need extreme durability, deploy a high quantity of vehicles, or utilize a complex painting assembly. Here’s a great example of how we helped save a motorcyle brand millions of dollars through our custom paint masking.

Grow your company’s revenue while personally enhancing your career! Fleet Graphics are awesome, but they take more than good artwork or a well-structured design to entice a consumer to buy a product. It’s a balanced recipe of great design, affordable manufacturing cost, clever placement, and judicious use of resources. Stay tuned for next month’s knowledge drop to learn more!

On the other hand, if you can’t wait or want to cure your fleet graphics issues RIGHT NOW – click here, and we’ll talk today!

19 Lies You’ve Been Told About Holiday Displays

December 2, 2022 by cole

It is no secret that the print industry is vast and extremely unique. We have been in the business for 85 years and we are still learning!

While not always intentionally misleading, you’re often absorbing content from:

Printers who have limited capability: Most printers don’t have screen and digital printing capabilities which can lead to biases.
Marketers without much print experience: Marketers wear multiple hats and juggle numerous projects at once; it would be unreasonable to rely on them to know everything!
Non-practitioners: Printers who don’t invest in R&D themselves, but pass along (sometimes outdated) printing insights they’ve read online.
Outdated Information: Technology and capability change every day. Capabilities that weren’t possible yesterday, could be possible today.

After running thousands of holiday display prototypes for brands like Target, Kohls, and other major retailers – here are 19 myths you may have been told about holiday displays.

1. Graphics Have To Be Dimensional To Look 3D

False. You can utilize creative shading or special effects to make 2D parts look 3D! This is a helpful guide to creating the illusion of depth.

2. It Is Expensive To Screen Print Or Do Specialty Effects

False. Screen printing can be more affordable than digital printing. Plus screen printing gives you special effects capability and expands the color range (if you can see it with your eye – we can color-match it). That is why a quote from Modernistic includes screen printing and digital printing options.

3. You Can’t Print Fragrances or Scents

False. When you incorporate scent into your print media, a heightened emotional engagement occurs. This is proven to increase consumer recall, redemption, sales, and brand value. Read our Beginner’s Guide to Scented Printing to learn more.

4. Holiday Graphics Can’t Be Applied On The Floor

False. We make floor graphics that go indoors, go outdoors, glow in the dark, and even anti-slip graphics!

5. Your Display Needs To Be Printed

False. If the material comes in the desired color, we can simply diecut the material to the chosen shape! You could also use a laminate or even cut vinyl and apply it to your part instead of printing! Here is a great story of how we were able to create 15,000 dimensional bats with JUST cutting in under 72 hours.

6. Shiny Metallic Prints Are Expensive And Scratch

False. Metallic or chrome prints can be just as durable and affordable as other standard inks and laminates.

7. A Corrugated Box Can’t Be A Display

False. With a little creativity, anything is possible.

8. Holiday Graphics Can’t Be Applied Onto Stairs

False. We are huge advocates of attention-getting graphics placed nearly anywhere.

9. Christmas Trees Can’t Be Printed

False. It’s 1,000 times false. Printed Christmas trees are the best! Granted, we are a bit biased.

10. Christmas Trees Aren’t Able To Ship Flat

False. We design every holiday-themed display (including Christmas trees) to ship efficiently. Want more info – read our 3 tips cut down shipping time/cost.

11. There Are A Limited Amount of Christmas Tree Shapes

False. We have printed, fabricated, or cut out hundreds of different shapes and sizes of Christmas trees. Literally, the possibility for shape, dimension, material, and size are endless. For example, here are 400,000+ different shapes from Shutterstock.

12. Your Holiday Display Needs To Use Traditional Colors

False. According to a PR NewsWire study, Only 47% of consumers chose to decorate with styles considered traditional.

13. It Is Impossible To Have Floating Graphics

False. Floating graphics is our passion. We can take your vision and create an easy to install fixture.

14. You Should Not Add Light To Basic Substrates

False. Common substrates (FalconBoard, Sintra, PETG, etc.) can be backlit and look just as cool as fabric and acrylic!

15. You Must Choose Between Dimensional Graphics Or Shipping Flat

False. It’s all in the initial design/construction – our specialty!

16. Don’t Get Too Abstract With Your Holiday Display

False. Sometimes abstract is just what you need to stick inside the buyer’s mind!

17. You Can’t Put Holiday Graphics Onto An Escalator

False. Are you getting the theme yet? We think graphics can go anywhere!

18. Holiday Store Hour Clings Should Be Simple

False. Add some Christmas pizazz with our quick turnaround window clings and window graphics.

19. It’s Difficult To Find A Supplier That Can Do Special Effects

False. As one of the largest screen printers in the country, we take pride in our special effects printing. From distinctive textures and unusual substrates, to fragrance and metallic colors – we do it all! Here are some of the special effects we offer.

Grow your company’s revenue while personally enhancing your career! Visual communication is awesome, but it takes more than good artwork or a well-structured design to entice a consumer to buy a product. It’s a balanced recipe of great design, affordable manufacturing cost, clever placement and judicious use of resources. We are here to help!

What is Die Cutting?

July 22, 2022 by shawn

Cutting techniques can make or break a project budget. That is why it is important to learn when to use the right machine for the job. Otherwise, you could be losing unnecessary money. We will look at what die cutting is and when you should use it!

Simple Answer:

In its simplest form, die cutting is essentially just a large cookie cutter for your design. It’s meant to pump out parts fast and precisely. Similar to screen printing, the setup for die-cutting takes longer but is faster on the production end. Its sweet spot is large quantities with substrates less than .5” thick. If you have a thicker substrate or smaller quantities that’s okay! There are plenty of other cutting options and we have even die-cut foam up to 3” thick! That is why it’s important to have a printer with the knowledge and alternate cutting capabilities in-house.

A die-cutting project has 3 elements.

1. The Die Line

The die line is essentially the guide for us to make the cuts or creases. These die lines can be very tricky to read, but it is imperative that they are correct.

2. The Cutting Die / The Die

A die can either be curved or flat. We typically used a curved die (aka a rotary die) when the parts are small and there is a dramatically higher volume (think sticker size). Every cutting die has a base with blades sticking out of it. Some of those blades are sharper to cut straight through and some are duller to score the material in case you need it to fold or bend. The rubber pieces are to help the blades cut evenly.

3. Die-Cutting Machine

There are 3 major die-cutting machines: roll fed die-cutting, sheet fed die-cutting, and rotary die-cutting. Typically, a die-cutting machine is 4 feet wide so you would want the dimensions of the die-cut part to be less than 22” x 32”. We don’t believe in being held back and that is why we have some of the largest format die-cutting machines in the US.

The more you are under budget, the more revenue you produce. It is important that you are using the most efficient method based on your project specs and not constrained by machine capabilities. Otherwise, it can limit your budget and weigh down your bottom line. Shameless plug: If you want to know if your project is as efficient as it could be, we would be happy to give you a 2nd opinion! Our scope of equipment ensures that you are using the best method for your project.

Top 3 Ways to Cut Down Shipping Costs on Your Print/Converting Project

July 18, 2022 by shawn

At Modernistic, we often get asked by our customers “how are you able to cut our shipping times down by so much?” That is why I want to go over the top 3 ways you can cut down shipping costs on your print/converting project. This is more important than ever now as the supply chain gets more bottlenecked and more unreliable. Let’s jump right into it.

1. Design

The first way is also the first step in the process. Design! We design our products to ship efficiently, that way you start with a healthy foundation right from the start. Just like in a house, if you start with a healthy foundation the rest will be set up for success. A lot of shipping costs can be reduced by engineering the design with shipping in mind.

For example, a large fashion retail brand came to us with this huge fixed-box display. The first thing we noticed is that it could be easily redesigned in a couple minutes to be more efficient. This affected how it broke down, was able to ship flat, etc. It cut the shipping cost by 50%, saving thousands of dollars, just through a couple simple steps. *We would love to share a picture of this project but due to proprietary designs and our customer’s wish for privacy, we are unable to share this project.*

2. Efficient Kitting

The second way to reduce shipping costs is efficient kitting. I can’t stress enough how often we see extremely inefficient kitting setups. We always use precise and lean kitting techniques because we know they are proven to help reduce costs.

Another example, one of the tools we utilize is a custom box maker. This helps us maximize the purpose of every inch of space in a kit. Whether we are shipping to one location or 1,000 we are able to quickly create custom kits to exact specifications so every inch is utilized. Eliminating any extra space, size, and weight. It also indirectly makes the contents more secure because of
everything more tight.

3. Location, Location, Location!

The third way to reduce shipping cost is location. Having a neutral location is extremely helpful in reducing ship time and cost. Our location in the midwest situates us perfectly to keep fast, affordable, and reliable shipping lanes for anywhere in the US. This can make or break a project budget and can’t be overlooked.

These are just a couple examples of how small, efficient steps can affect so much of the overall project cost. It even affects sustainability, you are using less fuel, less box inventory/waste, and less bubble or microfoam. (Side note: if you are still using bubble wrap, you should look into switching to sustainable packaging material). This is just the start of how we are able to reduce cost, minimize waste and maximize value, quality, and speed.

Let us know if you have any questions or want help on your next project by contacting us.