Mobile action codes have been increasing in popularity over the past several years, with QR codes being one of the most popular and recognizable. However, many advertisers hesitate to place what may appear to be an unsightly square code within their beautiful artwork. The effort also requires some planning as the QR code must be created using a relevant link before being printed.

Image recognition software has made substantial strides in the last two years and will become even more prevalent as mobile devices become faster and faster. Image recognition platforms, such as Aurasma or Kooaba, allow you to essentially create a “QR code” out of any image, leaving the artwork as intended. From there, you may link a web page, video or create an augmented reality experience, such as a lifelike 3D animated character.

Even companies such as Chick Fil A have used augmented reality in their kid’s meal comic books. So, if you think you are a savvier marketer than Chick Fil A, perhaps it is time to discover what this technology can do for your printed materials.

Image provided by printinthemix.com

The Super-cool Fold Factory Video:
Source - foldfactory.com

Featured: #91 Interactive Envelope Solutions for Direct Mail

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Awesome App:

The Aurasma app provides a platform to create augmented reality experiences used by such companies as Outside Magazine and the automaker Infiniti.

Tips from the Trenches:

You can use Aurasma’s “skin” as is or, as a partner, you may develop your own “skin” with the same app functions. Essentially, the app could have the look and feel of your company.

Interesting Integers:
Source: PrintInTheMix.com

8,448 – The number of mobile action codes printed in 2012 among advertisers in the top 100 U.S. national magazines.

Almost Famous Quote:

Don’t be afraid of the space between your dreams and reality. If you can dream it, you can make it so.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Case Study on Large Direct Mail Pieces

FranklinCovey, a client of CPC Solutions, deployed a fabulous marketing piece back in the spring of this year. Its sheer size and great design helped produce phenomenal results. Click the image for the full story.

The Super-cool Fold Factory Video: Source - foldfactory.com

Featured: Reverse Wrapped Accordion with Smart Glued Panels

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Tips from the Trenches: Your Screen is RGB, but we Print in CMYK

• Illustrator: Work in CMYK (use CMYK builds using the CPC color chart or Pantone swatch book)
• Photoshop: Work in RGB, but convert to CMYK using CPC profiles
• InDesign: Work in CMYK (use CMYK builds using the CPC color chart or Pantone swatch book)

App-licious App:

Are you thirsty for knowledge? Get the TED app and witness talks from some of the world’s most fascinating people. You will find more than 1,100 TEDTalk videos covering a cornucopia of topics.

Interesting Integers: Source – Print in the Mix

Nine out of 10 B2B Organizations Now Market with Content

Almost Famous Quote:

An organization that's run on emergencies and reaction to incoming doesn't know what to do when there are no problems. Seth Godin

Click the image above for an in-depth look at a successful cross-channel marketing campaign utilizing direct mail, email, and QR Codes. Source: PODi

Practically everyone is an online merchant nowadays, including the iconic JC Penney Company. A recent study by Multichannel Marketing Magazineconcluded that online merchants continue to produce catalogs as part of their marketing mix, to help increase brand awareness and increase sales.

The image to the right is from a 1977 JC Penney catalog cover, long before the age of online merchants. We also print and mail some beautiful catalogs (both saddle stitched and perfect bound), so if you need help with your next catalog project, please consider CPC Solutions.  

Click the image below for the full, unabridged article from Print in the Mix, a clearinghouse of research on print media effectiveness, from the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Source:  Multichannel Merchant, Multichannel Marketing Magazine's 2012 -13 Outlook Survey: Catalogs, accessed August 23, 2012.