Packaging Inserts: 7 Ideas (& Tips) to Increase Engagement
Whether you’re shipping products to existing customers, new clients or potential ones, Insert Cards can make a strong impression. As such, packaging inserts are an important marketing strategy you’ll want to consider as you grow your business and brand.
Why Include Insert Cards?
No matter what kind of creative insert card ideas you have, even a simple one can yield a big ROI. Business cards, thank yous and other package inserts do three key things:
- Build relationships with customers.
- Boost client loyalty and increase the likelihood of repeat business.
- Personalize your brand.
And an added bonus? They’re just fun. Who doesn’t love something extra and unexpected in their package? It’s all about surprise and delight!
Take a look at our top suggestions for effective insert card printing and get ready to reap the benefits.
#1 Thank You Cards
The easiest way to dip your toe into custom insert cards is with a thank you. Simple and impactful, Thank You Cards are a great opportunity to personalize a message to each customer and begin to build that strong, essential relationship.
Tip:
Express your gratitude by hand! Handwritten notes add a special touch to any insert card. Or keep it super simple with just the name of the person who actually packaged the shipment.
#2 Discounts & Promotions
Everyone loves a discount, so why not include one in each package? You can do this in many different ways, but common discount cards offer a percentage off the customer’s next order, a coupon to share with a friend or dollars off based on order total. Want to promote a new product? Inserts work perfectly for that, too!
No matter what you offer, you’re increasing the chance the customer will shop with you again or try that new item.
Tip:
Be thoughtful with paper stocks and finishes. As a premium online printer, The Bernard Group makes it easy to create the right look and feel with textured linen, felt weave and recycled stocks, gloss and matte UV coatings and velvety Soft Touch laminate.
#3 Loyalty & Rewards Punch Cards
Have a loyalty or rewards program? Include a punch card or rewards information in your packages and help customers earn points, cash back, bonuses and gifts. It’s a great way to keep customers coming back, and if they’re unaware of your program, easy promotion, too. You can even personalize them using Variable Data Printing.
Tip:
It’s important to design your insert cards with messaging that matches your branding. After all, it’s just another piece of marketing! Make sure you stick to brand colors and graphics, as well as a tone that customers will recognize.
#4 Ask for a Review & Share on Socials
It’s no secret that product reviews and your social media presence can have a big effect on your brand, so include a card asking the customer to write a review and share their experience on their social channels.
Whether positive, negative or neutral, the more reviews you have, the better. And if a customer has their own social following, it’s double promotion for your brand, too.
Tip:
Include a QR code on your insert card that takes the customer straight to the online review. QR codes are convenient, quick and swiftly becoming the norm.
#5 Suggested Items
Online shoppers have grown accustomed to “You Might Like” suggestions, and you can recreate that in physical form. Based on your customer’s order, include similar or coordinating items, product details and imagery that shows the products together. Or when you launch a new product, introduce it on an insert card!
Tip:
Want more space for the specs? Use custom Postcards, Rack Cards or design a regular Card without the fold. And of course, leverage double-sided printing.
#6 Care Instructions & How-to Information
This one may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised at how often it’s missing. Whether you list bulleted steps or include paragraphs, care instructions and how-to information is crucial to a positive and painless customer experience.
Tip:
Instructions and directions can be bland, so play with digital laser cutting to present your information in custom and unexpected shapes. Design your insert cards for online printing in simple circles, ovals and rectangles or take it up a notch with more complex shapes.
#7 About the Brand
Tie the proverbial bow on your shipment with this consumer favorite. Providing extra insight into your brand story (your origin, mission and values) builds a personal connection between you and your customer. It drives loyalty and makes them feel good about their purchase, too.
Tip:
People love a good background story for products. Offer interesting details and fun facts about where and how their item was made.
Other Package Insert Ideas
Who says you have to include just one? Double up with product inserts like magnets, samples, stickers, bookmarks, keychains, koozies, mints and more. Part of our premium online printing services, TBG can print custom promo products to suit your audience and meet your goals.
The possibilities are endless, but whatever you choose to include, make sure it’s something that will benefit your customer and the message is genuine.
Hint:
Interested in the packaging inserts we featured here? Learn more about them and their designers:
FEATURED DESIGNS
Thank You Postcard Design by Simplified by Emily Ley
Promotion Postcard Designed and Photographed by Jessica Uttinger, The Killer Brownie® Co.
Reward Self-Mailer Design by The Foursome and Boundary Clothing
Review on Socials Business Card Design by Laura Hammonds | Dbl Feature
Suggested Items Brochure Design by Christina Vidal, Kenny Flowers
How-to Postcard Design by Walker Mowers
About the Brand Postcard Design by Moka Origins
Die-Cut Magnet Design by EncourageThought for Homestead Coffee Roasters