Have you ever received something from a business that made you smile? Perhaps it was a handwritten thank-you card tucked into a parcel, a little unexpected gift or simply something that had been packaged with a bit of extra care.
It probably wasn’t anything particularly expensive or extravagant but you remembered it because someone had taken the time to make you feel appreciated.
We think those little touches are really important, especially when it comes to building relationships with customers. After all, people have plenty of choice about where they spend their money and while price and quality will always matter, sometimes it’s the experience of dealing with a business that makes someone want to come back.
Here at RS Print, we’ve always believed that business should be personal. It’s why our motto is Print on a first name basis. We like getting to know our customers, understanding what they’re trying to achieve and helping them find something that works. And we think that same personal approach can make a real difference to the way your customers remember you too.
There’s something lovely about receiving something you can actually hold
We’re all used to communicating digitally these days. Emails, online brochures, social media and websites are part of everyday business life and they’re all incredibly useful.
But there’s still something rather nice about receiving something physical, isn’t there?
Think about the difference between receiving a Christmas greeting by email and opening an envelope to find a beautifully printed card inside. Or being handed a brochure at a meeting rather than having another PDF arrive in your inbox.
We’re certainly not saying one is better than the other in every situation, but they do create different experiences.
With print, you can pick it up, feel the paper, turn the pages and take your time looking through it. The weight of the paper, the texture and the finish all add something to the experience. A lovely quality card or brochure can feel that little bit more special because someone has taken the time to produce it.
Unlike something that disappears down your inbox, a piece of print can sit on your desk, be passed to a colleague or be picked up again a few weeks later when you have a little more time.
That’s one of the things we love about what we do. We’re not simply putting ink on paper. We’re helping businesses create something their customers can physically hold onto.
It’s often the smallest things that make the biggest difference
You don’t need a huge marketing budget to make customers feel valued. In fact, some of the nicest gestures are often the simplest.
If you run an online shop, for example, adding a printed thank-you card to an order is a lovely way to show your appreciation. It might only be a small piece of card but it tells your customer that their order matters to you.
If you’re welcoming a new client, why not put together a little pack with everything they’ll need? A branded folder, some useful information, perhaps a notebook or pen. It doesn’t have to be anything complicated but it can make the whole experience feel more organised and thoughtful.
And if you’ve had a customer who’s supported your business for years, sending them a Christmas card or a little branded gift is a nice way to let them know you appreciate their loyalty.
It’s not about giving things away for the sake of it, it’s about showing people that you’ve thought about them. We all know how nice it is when someone remembers the little details and customers are no different.
Give people something they’ll want to keep
Of course, if you’re going to invest in printed materials or promotional gifts, it makes sense to choose something that’s genuinely useful.
We’ve all received promotional items that have ended up at the back of a drawer never to be seen again. That’s not really what you want for your business!
But think about the things you use every day. The mug you reach for when you make your morning cuppa, the notebook beside your phone or the calendar hanging on the office wall.
If those items have a company’s branding on them, you’re seeing that business name regularly without really thinking about it.
A branded umbrella might live in someone’s car for years, ready for the next British downpour. A tape measure could be used by a tradesperson almost every day. A desk calendar might sit right in front of a customer for the whole of 2027.
The important thing is thinking about who you’re giving something to and what they would actually find useful.
A practical gift that someone uses regularly can be a much better choice than something expensive that doesn’t really serve a purpose.
And when someone keeps using something you’ve given them, your business has the opportunity to stay in their mind long after that initial conversation or purchase.
Don’t forget about the way things look and feel
Another thing that’s easy to overlook is how your printed materials are presented.
You might have a fantastic product or service, but if the materials you’re handing to customers don’t reflect the quality of your business, you’re missing an opportunity.
Something as simple as choosing the right paper can make a real difference. A lovely thick card feels quite different from a lightweight one, while an uncoated finish can give something a softer, more natural feel.
Perhaps you’re putting together a welcome pack and want everything presented neatly in a branded folder. Or you’re sending products to customers and would like to add a printed sleeve, label or belly band to your packaging.
These aren’t necessarily big changes, but they can help everything feel a little more considered.
We always enjoy talking through these details with customers because sometimes a small change to the paper, finish or presentation can completely transform the finished result.
And that’s where having a conversation with your printer really helps. You don’t need to know all the technical terms or have everything worked out before you call us. Tell us what you’re trying to achieve and we’ll happily talk through the options.
Remember your existing customers too
When we’re busy running a business, it’s easy to spend lots of time thinking about how to attract new customers. We’re planning marketing campaigns, updating websites, attending networking events and trying to get our name in front of new people.
All of that is important, but it’s worth remembering the people who already choose to work with us. Your regular customers, the people who recommend you to others and the suppliers and contacts who support your business throughout the year are all part of what makes it successful. Sometimes it’s nice to let them know they’re appreciated.
As we head towards the end of the year, it’s a particularly good opportunity to do just that.
It might be a personalised Christmas card, a useful branded gift or simply a handwritten note to say thank you for their support.
It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. In fact, keeping things simple and genuine often feels much more personal and because it’s something they can actually open, hold and keep on their desk. It can feel a little different from another message arriving on a screen.
What will your customers remember about you?
Next time you’re thinking about your marketing, it might be worth asking yourself what little extras you could introduce to make your customers’ experience that bit nicer.
Could you include a thank-you card with your orders? Would a printed welcome pack make life easier for new customers? Is there a useful promotional gift that your clients would genuinely appreciate? You don’t have to do everything and you certainly don’t need to spend a fortune.
Sometimes one thoughtful little addition is all it takes to make someone smile, start a conversation or remember your business for the right reasons.
At RS Print, we love helping customers with these sorts of ideas. Whether it’s a small batch of thank-you cards, a beautifully finished brochure, branded packaging or promotional gifts, we’re always happy to have a chat about what might work.
After all, good print isn’t just about how something looks. It’s about how it makes someone feel, how useful it is and whether they want to keep it. We think that’s something worth remembering.
So, if you’ve got an idea, however big or small, give us a call. We’ll put the kettle on (metaphorically, at least!) and talk it through.
📞 Call Becky on 0116 233 0043
RS Print – Print on a first name basis.
