Mid-Year Print Strategy Evaluation: What You Should Focus On

As the midpoint of the year approaches, you have an opportunity to assess and realign all strategies—including print.

Despite the increasing focus on digital channels, print remains a powerful and tangible medium that supports branding, customer engagement, and internal communication. A well-timed mid-year evaluation can ensure your print strategy is cost-effective, aligned with current goals, and ready for the second half of the year.

Here are the key areas your business should focus on when evaluating your mid-year print strategy:

1. Review Print Collateral Performance

Start by assessing the performance of your existing print materials—brochures, flyers, business cards, signage, packaging, and direct mail campaigns. Ask:

• Are these materials still relevant and on-brand?
• Have they helped meet marketing or sales goals?
• Are there outdated or underperforming pieces that should be revised or removed?
• Use analytics (like response rates for mailers or sales linked to campaigns) and team feedback to guide your decisions.

2. Reassess Budget vs. ROI

Examine how much of your print budget has been used so far and compare it to the ROI:

• Are you overspending on materials that aren’t producing results?
• Are there areas where a small increase in budget could yield stronger returns (e.g., personalized print or seasonal promotions)?
• Can you reduce costs by changing suppliers, formats, or paper stock?
• This review helps refine your print spending for the rest of the year.

3. Update Branding and Design Consistency

Ensure all print materials reflect your current brand identity:

• Has your logo, tagline, or colour palette changed?
• Do all printed pieces present a consistent tone, message, and visual identity?
• Are your materials cohesive across digital and physical platforms?
• Brand consistency builds trust and improves recognition—especially in multichannel campaigns.

4. Plan for Upcoming Campaigns and Events

Look ahead to seasonal promotions, trade shows, product launches, or end-of-year events:

• What printed materials will you need (e.g., banners, merchandise, promotional items)?
• How far in advance do you need to order to meet deadlines?
• Is there an opportunity to trial something new—like QR codes linking to video content?
• Planning now avoids last-minute rush orders and premium pricing.

5. Assess Environmental Impact and Sustainability

Consumers and clients increasingly favour eco-conscious brands. Take time to:

• Evaluate whether your print practices support sustainability goals (e.g., recycled paper, soy inks, carbon-offset printing).
• Review vendor certifications or consider switching to greener suppliers.
• Look into reducing waste by better forecasting print quantities.
• This can also be a valuable marketing point if communicated clearly.

6. Audit Internal Print Needs

Beyond customer-facing materials, consider internal documents:

• Are employee manuals, forms, or training resources up to date?
• Could digital solutions replace or supplement any of these?
• Is print helping or hindering operational efficiency?
• Mid-year is a great time to refresh internal tools and improve workflows.

7. Evaluate Supplier Performance

Reliable print vendors are critical to quality and timelines:

• Are your current suppliers meeting expectations on cost, quality, and turnaround?
• Have there been recurring issues or delays?
• Is it time to renegotiate contracts or explore new partnerships?
• Solid vendor relationships can significantly impact your ability to execute on your print goals.

A mid-year print strategy evaluation isn’t just about cost-cutting—it’s about making sure your materials are aligned with your brand, goals, and upcoming opportunities. By assessing print performance, refreshing outdated assets, and optimizing spending, you position your business to finish the year strong with a well-targeted and effective print strategy. If you’d like help with evaluating your print materials or planning your next campaign, feel free to get in touch—we’re here to support your growth with smart print solutions.

EPM Print Group, as a long term, local Queensland business and market leading print solutions agency, can assist with brand management and growth right across Australia. With our own online management portal, you can take charge of all your printing needs from the comfort of your desk or mobile phone. If your business would like to be supported by a professional, reliable, cost effective business solution, reach out to our team at sales@epmprint.com.au