Click to View our Specials

Blog  -  Our Blogs

« Return to Categories List

Comic-Con Postcard Book for Charles Schulz

With Comic-Con over last week, we were excited to see the aftermath and the crazy costumes that come with the much anticipated event. So, we thought it only appropriate to showcase a project we did for Comic-Con for an iconic organization, Charles …

You’re Being Fooled by the “Go Green, Go Paperless” Movement

I recently received an e-mail that says, “Think before you print this e-mail, save paper.” Many marketers use this tactic in order to cut their costs, not with the intention to complete any philanthropic crusade. It is a common misconce …

How to Tell Your Unique Story Effectively

Branding is irrefutably the most important part of marketing a business. It is what sets a business apart from its competition and what will hopefully be its defining feature in its industry. Finding what makes a company unique is something that sh …

Why You Should Design Your Vehicle Graphic With A Promotion

Commercial car wraps, van graphics and truck wraps are the most cost efficient advertising you can get as a business. Their cost verses their benefit is scaled heavily toward the latter, and if you decide to enter the world of effective advertising …

12 Tips To Being Successful and Efficient Working From Home

At AJ Printing & Graphics and Wine Country Signs (WCS) we are always inspired to write about our industry, but also the ailments and challenges faced by our customers. This topic is something that our graphic designers, freelance marketing profes …

8 Ways To Make Your Next Brochure Design Stand Out

  We see a lot of brochures come through our printers and some ultimately stand out more than others. Brochures can be thick displays of products or simple tri-folds meant to tell a branding story. Either way, when a company adds something spec …

10 Reasons Why You Should Always Buy Local

In honor of Independent Business Month in July we would like to remind everyone of the numerous benefits that come from buying local. As part of Sonoma County’s Go Local Cooperative we have seen first-hand how buying local impacts our local e …

What Kind of Distribution Should You Use For Your Print Marketing?

Once their marketing materials are off the press, packed and ready to go, many of our friends and clients struggle with distributing them in an effective way. Whether by direct mail, grassroots marketing or leaflet distribution, they want to ensure …

Turn Failure Into Success- Famous Success and Failures

We all need a little inspiration, whether we are having a bad day, week or month, it is nice to know our little failures are not so detrimental in the big scheme of things. And since we are in the habit of making our clients (and readers) happy in …

How To Handle Negative Reviews Like A Pro

I almost had a heart attack when I heard that a customer recently threatened to leave a negative review on our Yelp page. His dissatisfaction was unavoidable, as any business has experienced, but alas, you can’t keep everyone happy. But when …

How to Maximize Your Mailing List For Maximum Returns

Our theme for the past couple weeks has stayed fighting in the corner for direct mail, because it is best time to add it onto your marketing "to-do" lists. With millennials favoring direct mail and the postal service reducing the price last mont …

With Postal Rate Drops It's The Perfect Time For Direct Mail Marketing

History has been made and it may have slipped under your nose. Last month marked the first time in over 100 years that the United States Postal Service (USPS) lowered its postage rates. Although only a fraction per package or mailer, when talking a …

Beef Up Your Sales Team With These 3 Expert Tips

We’ve all seen it, and some of us have felt it, the struggle to land the sale, to finally get that meeting with your dream client, and turn weeks, months and maybe years of hard work into a success that finally pays off. The process is expens …

How to Connect with Millennials: Direct Mail

  A generation brought up in the world of technology and computers, those that are now running San Francisco tech companies and developing your new favorite app are actually turning, looking and listening to an unexpected medium: direct mail. …

Balance Financial Fitness Wall Graphic Installation

Last week we completed a fun and amazing project at Balance Financial Fitness Program, a financial wellness provider based throughout the Bay Area with locations in San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Oakland and now in Concord. Balance and designer Sheree Ka …

The Future of Search Rankings: Adding Value to Your Content

  Even if you are terrified and shriek and sulk away when you hear the word “algorithm,” as a marketer or small business owner you need to know about the changes sweeping through Google with its new (somewhat), ahem, algorithm, Pa …

How to Successfully Combine Print With Your Digital Marketing

In the age of digital, to some, print looks obsolete. As more marketing is going online it seems as though variable data and direct mail may be falling out of the ROI spectrum. If you think this, you would be mistaken. Although marketing has made t …

SMART Goal-Setting: Become Someone Who Always Achieves Their Goals

Do you ever wonder why some people kick butt at getting things accomplished while others set their dreams big but never seem to achieve them? Are you one of these people? It may surprise you but it has nothing to do with luck or accident. After tal …

Repurpose and Reuse: Get The Most Out Of Your Marketing Content

  It is all too common for marketers to look at content as “one and done.” Meaning you spend boatloads of time and money designing and curating content and picking the right print materials and sending it to all the right people n …

How Your Maketing Schedule Should Reflect "Quality Over Quantity"

As marketing professionals, we are constantly hearing it again and again- one of the fastest ways to turn a prospective client into someone that will probably never do business with you in the future is to contact them too often in too short of a p …

Santa Rosa Chamber Mixer: Marketing Recap

Our first mixer at our new facility was a success! With over 100 attendees we saw some familiar faces and met some new ones that brought our moving marketing to a new level. We are still seeing the leftovers lingering in our fridge, wine anyone? The …

Moving Marketing: The "To Do" List for Your Next Move

  As we start to settle into our new facility and hurriedly prepare for our mixer tomorrow we want to reflect on the marketing we put in motion in order to inform our customers and the public of our expansion. Some tactics were successful, some …

How Mountain Biking Can Teach You About Business Strategy

 If you’ve ever been on a mountain bike and felt the exhilaration of barreling down some well-worn single-track, you’ve likely also felt the pain of crashing headfirst into a tree. You might've sat there dazed, thinking, “wha …

4 Tips to Rock Your Next Event

One of our customers, Digilock, is a large company in Petaluma and most of their marketing consists of tradeshows. And although this is a fading tactic, chances are you have had your turn at tabling an event or working a tradeshow, no matter your ind …

How To Make Your Message, Your Brand And Typography Work Together

What Your Typography Says About You The term typography does not refer to any one particular type of font, but rather an entire family of fonts. Serif and Sans Serif are two different fonts, for example, but they both belong to the same family. S …

The Comeback Kid- How Print Marketing Is Becoming "Cool" Again

Recently, a prospective client said they wanted to get customers’ attention through non-traditional marketing using printed products. Who knew that in 2016, the printed word would be considered “non-traditional?” We’re sayin …

Announcement: We’re Moving and Expanding!

We are moving on up! Or actually just around the corner, but our newest facility is larger and just finished with construction so it kind of feels that way. We are excited to announce that on February 18 we will be moving into our new facility on 13 …

Email Marketing: Is it Right for Your Small Business?

Any kind of marketing in an economy that is still sluggishly recovering is not easy. But if you think marketing a profitable business is tough, imagine how hard it is for a non-profit that is completely dependent on donations. Dreams4Kids is one su …

5 Things All Company Letterheads Need: It’s the Law!

We bet you don’t know that you need certain information on your company letterhead in order to stay on the right side of the law. But you do. It is important not only for the obvious reasons but for your business, your brand and your sanity. 1 …

The Five Things Business Owners Need To Remember About Window Graphics

Recently, we experienced some confusion from a business owner on where they should place their window graphics for best viewing. In order to be best seen by their customers and so they can be best seen from the street. Our advice was simple but effec …

Which Is Better for Your Print Project?: Offset vs. Digital Printing

People always ask us what the difference between offset printing and digital printing is and when is should be used, so this week we made an easy-to-read infographic to help out. The printing industry can be confusing with words like CMYK and direc …

How to Create a Product Label in InDesign

Product flyers are great for showing off your brand and releasing a new product to your audience. Most often than not it is best to use a graphic designer but we want to show you some basics to get you started in case you want to save a little bit in …

Make Your Marketing & Sales Team Work Together

First what is "Smarketing"?  HubSpot defines it as the alignment between your sales and marketing teams created through frequent and direct communication between the two. But I would just say the love (and goals) are finally met between the tw …

Product Spotlight: AJ Printing & Graphics Calendar

Instead of the written word this week, we are giving you a much needed break (because you are probably back from vacation) and showcasing this week with our Product Spotlight Video: AJ Printing & Graphics Calendar 2016. This monthly video series …

Print Could Be Your Next Bright Idea

What do you think of when you think of printing? I know that what probably pops into your mind first is your home HP printer and how much it frustrates you when it jams one simple document. Or maybe that is me. Most business owners think of busines …

Giving Back for the Holidays

With the holidays coming up next week we now finally have a chance to breathe, but if you are still scrambling take a minute to read this and hopefully you will feel so inclined to give back this year. Every year we send out a holiday gift card to al …

How To Submit Print Ready Artwork files

  When using images keep with high resolution images 300 dpi (dots per inch) or higher. With some large format signs you can get away with 72 dpi but ask before committing to that image in your print materials. Note that you cannot change a 72 …

6 Print and Sign Materials Every Business Needs

We recently took a survey among our customers, wondering how important print and signage is to them and their overall marketing efforts. We found that over 80 percent said that it was “Very Important,” while the remaining few said it wa …

Winter Lights Downtown Tree Lighting Celebration | Business Lighting Competition

This year AJ Printing & Graphics and Wine Country Signs is excited to sponsor the Winter Lights Celebration and the Business Lighting Competition alongside the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce and the Press Democrat. This is the first year the …

Featured Project: 2016 Promotional Calendar

Featured Project: AJ Printing & Graphics and SR Photographic Society Calendar Yay! It’s finally here and we are beyond excited because after months of layout, graphic design work and creative we have come up with the perfect final product …

Which Point-of-Sale Displays Are Best For Your Business?

Point-of-sale displays are essential for any consumer packaged goods (CPG) business, wine or consumer targeted business, whether this be in your own local store or in retail stores across the country. How they are designed says another thing, whether …

A Key Component in Your Marketing You're Missing Out On: Analytics

The title of this blog may make you snore, but it could be something that could make or break your marketing efforts. Analytics, of course, is a very broad term, and in marketing could mean in-depth website and SEO analytics or something as basic a …

5 Amazing Promotional Material Tips and Tricks That Are Sure To Make An Impression

We've got your Halloween treats covered with this next one... Recently, I got the idea for this blog after a colleague of mine got really excited over some post-it notes that came on a mini-wooden crate (this is certainly something only someone in …

AJ Printing & Graphics and Wine Country Signs starts a new loyalty program with GO LOCAL

Get A Head Start On Your Holiday Marketing Plan

  As you finally get a much needed rest from your summer events and marketing, you’ll soon be spearheading your holiday marketing efforts. In order to get ahead of your competition, it is imperative to start early, planning out a key goal …

How To Take Care Of Your Vehicle Wrap

Why Print is Best for Your Business [INFOGRAPHIC]

As a continuation from the blog last week and our emphasis on images, we couldn't get it out of our mind so we decided to draft this unbelievably amazing infographic for you to show you just how fun and appealing they are and of course the topic had …

How To Create an Effective Newsletter

Whether you are a restaurant, a winery or a storage supply owner you always want to be on your customers’ mind by promoting yourself and the product you supply that they “cannot live without.” If your customers live across the count …

Meals on Wheels Project Complete!

This week marks the end of our project with the Council on Aging Meals on Wheels new vehicle graphics and we have to say we love how they turned out! We just finished the last vehicle on Wednesday, and after a new logo and a new colorful look the thr …

Google and Verizon Re-Branding: What You Can Learn from Them

So I am sure you’ve heard it. On Tuesday, Google unveiled its new logo and one day later Verizon showcased theirs. Big news by the way: two multi-billion dollar companies that haven’t change their logos in 16 and 15 years respectively are …

What a Vehicle Wraps Can Say and Do For Your Business

What a Vehicle Wraps Can Say and Do For Your Business You can’t deny that our world is ever more visual. Everyone loves visual content. It is even hard-wired into our brains, so it is essential as a business to take advantage of the visual wor …

What Quality Printing Can Say About Your Company

  In an age of get it fast and cheap, where business cards can be bought in an instant it may be better to slow down, ask and expert and get a brand that will last and make an impression on your clients that will keep them coming back. I was a …

3 Steps To Take When Re-Thinking Your Logo

  Keeping your company brand fresh and relevant is essential to your business’ success. What is the first thing that people recognize about a company? It’s logo. Nike and Coca-Cola are examples of this. Their logo is synonymous with …

Common Mistakes Made When Wrapping a Vehicle

After decades of preforming vehicle graphics and wraps we have compiled a master list that includes the 5 most common mistakes businesses make when deciding to have a vehicle wrap or graphic.  Vehicle wraps and graphics can be extremely benefic …

Make Your Business Into A Global Business

With Ecommerce no small business has to be small anymore. Now you can buy products online and even customize those products all from the comfort of your own home. This opens a huge door for small businesses that we didn't have before. Now, can alway …

5 Mistakes You're Making With Your Business Signs

1. Lack of Contrast Designing with colors that blend into the environment and/or don't have a lot of color. Always design signs with an element of color in order for them to stand out in their environment. If your building color is black, use a lig …

Printing ABCs Except For Z

Knowing Key Printing Terms When it comes to printing, there are many things that can make the process go more smoothly for both you as the customer and us as the printer. Knowing printing materials and lingo can help complete your project faster a …

5 Reasons Why Printing Is Here To Stay

5 Reasons Why Printing Is Here To Stay... Even in the Digital Age With increasing images between social media, e-mail and everything online it seems as though things may be shifting for your marketing but here are five reasons why print will never …

Marketing Methods With Inbound Marketing Benefits

Sarah Giometti from Provaro Marketing in Rohnert Park kicked off our new monthly podcast, “Marketing Your Small Business,” discussing everything from social media tactics to branding strategies and tips for event planning. Eve …

Greater Brand Exposure Through Vehicle Wraps

In a day and age where more and more people get their news online and viewers can easily change the channel, traditional forms of advertising such as newspapers and television commercials are quickly losing their effectiveness. While billboards and o …

How to Get the Most Out of Your Printer

How Can I Get More for Less? Whether you're a marketing guru or just starting out, printing is a large part of your marketing efforts and budget, and there may be things that you're missing that could optimize your sales. Making the right choices …

Helping Sonoma County Non-Profits

Throughout the years we have made an effort to contribute to Sonoma County’s long list of non-profits totaling thousands of dollars and countless hours of work. In the past, we worked with organizations like Social Advocates for Youth and who a …

6 Types of Media Advertising

The best advertising and marketing doesn't rely on just one type of advertising. Using verious strategies can keep your audience interested and attract new clients. Be careful to use specific techniques that work with your companies' brand and messag …

Sandra Lee of Gorgeous Grape Girls in Healdsburg is our Visa Winner!

  Sandra Lee of Healdsburg, CA and owner of Gorgeous Grape Girls won our Visa Gift Card Giveaway! The Contest ran throughout the month of May for our clients, friends, family and local community. We had more than 80 entries from the Santa Rosa …

Promote Your Event in Style

Planning an event can and will be time consuming, tiring, and sometimes very difficult when approached without a thoughtful marketing plan. Getting your marketing materials just right can give your event the professionalism it may need to drive parti …

AJ Printing & Graphics: Going Local For Our 37th Anniversary

This week marks our 37th birthday in Sonoma County! AJ Printing & Graphics opened in 1978 and we have enjoyed every year! Time flies when you're having fun printing signage and more for wonderful customers while watching their businesses gro …

Our New Technology Sparks Innovation

As the printing industry moves forward, we are constantly expanding our abilities and investing in new technology to bring our customers the highest possible quality signs, banners, booklets, and more. At our shop in Santa Rosa, we here at AJ Printin …

Five Tips Toward Successful Advertising

The strategy can be half the battle. "The aim of marketing is to know and understand the customer so well the product or service fits him and sells itself," Peter F. Drucker. But how can one achieve this? Exposure is key but creating your next sign, …

The Future of Printing

As members of the printing industry at Wine Country Signs and AJ Printing & Graphics, we are invested everyday in where the print industry is going. You might be interested too when you hear about the new innovative technologies in the print …

We're Hitched: AJ Printing & Graphics and Wine Country Signs

AJ Printing and Graphics has recently joined with Wine Country Signs as its' sister company so now you can come to one place to make a banner, deck out your company vehicles or produce business forms and brochures.       AJ Print …

Earth Day: How Print is Going Green

Environmental Practices Earth Day is a great way to learn and educate others about environmentally friendly practices and share new ways to help keep the Earth clean and beautiful. The simple fact is higher populations and an increasingly large …

Sonoma County Vintners Summer Events - Achieve Success Through Signage with Wine Country Signs

Why are we called Wine Country Signs? We are located smack-dab in the middle of wine country, and frankly, we can't get enough of Sonoma County wine! Along with AJ Printing and Graphics, located in Santa Rosa, California, we are in the midst of award …

Trail Signage for Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District

Outdoor signs can be exposed to a lot of wear and tear. At Wine Country Signs in Santa Rosa, we know how important it is to you that your signage be correct. We have a lot of experience with both interior and exterior signs and know which materi …

PVC Signage for Trecini Wine

Every client is valuable to us and we always strive to leave behind customers who are happy with their signs, banners, graphics, or whichever of our many services they require. We love new customers, but it is always a special privilege for …

Building Signs for Sonoma Estate Vintners

We specialize in many things here at Wine Country Signs in Santa Rosa, and are therefore able to fulfill all sorts of different needs. One of our recent projects gave us the opportunity to exercise many different aspects of our sign making abilities. …

Custom Window Graphics for Pet Talk Grooming

At Wine Country Signs in Santa Rosa, we do our part to make your business look good. If you know you want a great sign, banner, window graphic, or other product to show off your business but you aren't sure how to design, we can help. Just like it sa …

Stage Backdrop for Graton Resort & Casino

If you're in the market for an amazing backdrop for your event, look no further! At Wine Country Signs in Santa Rosa we pride ourselves on being a one stop shop. We do everything in our power to make your project a success and to make your job easier …

Vehicle Magnets for Louie's Mobile Auto Repair

Vehicle graphics are one of the most cost effective forms of advertising. While a television or radio ad may reach hundreds or even thousands for the amount you pay out, a vehicle wrap or graphic can reach even more for a much smaller investment, giv …

Exterior Signs for Walter Hansel Wine and Bistro

Here at Wine Country Signs in Santa Rosa we do everything possible to meet the needs of our clients. If you need a sign for your building, we've got you covered. We are a one stop shop for all your signage needs. Whether you're looking for indoor sig …

Counter Display with Brochure Holder for Mendocino Forest Products

Here at Wine Country Signs in Santa Rosa, we are proud to say that we get a lot of repeat business. Why? Because we always do our best to give exceptional service and return the best finished product possible, whether it be signs, banners, vehicles w …

Vehicle Graphics for Rotary Club of Rohnert Park Cotati

At Wine Country Signs we have a varied history of incredible customers whom we have supplied with signs, banners, vehicle graphics, and more. Take a look at our blog for information on just a few of our projects and past customers. For this pro …

New Location Signs for Q-Zar Laser Tag

Unique graphics and eye-catching signs and banners help make any business a success. At Wine Country Signs we wanted exactly that for Q-Zar Laser Tag, which is why we made high quality digital prints and signs for their new business location. The own …

Catering Trailer Signage for Extreme Catering

You may have seen some of our signs and banners or even ordered them for yourself or your company, but you may still be surprised by the diversity of projects we've done! For example, our recent project for Extreme Catering is a shining illustration …

Vehicle Graphics for Vintage Tree Care Inc.

Wine Country Signs is all about amazing graphics. We do all sorts of unique projects for various clients. One of our recent successes was installing vehicle graphics for Vintage Tree Care Inc. Fred Frey originally contacted us about doing graphics on …

Garden Signs at the Sonoma Marin Fair

Whether you need something eye catching or something more professional and reserved, Wine Country Signs has the experience necessary to get your project done the way it should be. While we do projects such as traffic signs, decals, and construction s …