In the trades, the printed piece that matters is the one still sitting there next month. A lawn sign outside a roof replacement, a sticker on a water heater, a magnet on the fridge, a proper folder holding your quote: each one keeps your name and number in front of a customer who has already met you. We design those pieces, make them match the rest of your brand, and help you skip the ones that don't earn their cost.
The pieces that usually earn their place
Not every printed item pays back. These are the ones we recommend most often, and why:
| Piece | Where it works | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Yard or job sign | Active job sites in residential streets | The whole street sees who is doing the work, for days |
| Door hanger | Neighbouring houses around a job | Personal, timely and easy to keep |
| Equipment sticker | Furnaces, panels, water heaters, pumps | It's on the item that will need service again |
| Fridge magnet | Every completed residential job | It is where people look in an emergency |
| Quote folder or cover | In-home estimates | It makes your number stand out when the customer compares three |
| Business card | Estimators and owners | Still expected, still handed to neighbours |
Generic flyers through letterboxes come last. They can work for a narrow offer in a tight area, but most get thrown out unread.
What's included
For each piece we deliver a layout, print-ready files with correct bleed and colour, and a short spec: stock weight, finish, size and quantity guidance. For signs we consider the material your printer recommends for outdoor use and design to be readable from the street. For equipment stickers we keep the format small and simple: your name, the trade, the phone number and a space to write the service date.
We also design the quote package: a cover, a one-page "how we work" sheet, a warranty or workmanship summary written by you, and space for your licence or registration details where applicable. On a kitchen table next to two plain emailed PDFs, a tidy, consistent quote is a quiet advantage.
Who it suits
- Residential service trades that return to the same equipment: plumbing, heating, electrical, water treatment.
- Project trades with visible jobs: roofing, landscaping, fencing, exterior painting, windows.
- Companies doing in-home estimates, where presentation affects the close.
Rules we follow in every print design
- Every piece is a phone number with context. Name, trade, number and website, in that order of importance.
- Readable distance first. A yard sign is read from the sidewalk; a sticker from arm's length. Size the type for that distance.
- One message per piece. A door hanger says "we're working on your street". It doesn't list twelve services.
- Claims must be true and specific. Canada's Competition Bureau prohibits false or misleading representations in advertising, and advertised prices should include mandatory fees, as its drip pricing page explains. We write factual copy and leave any legal review to you and your advisers.
- Match the vehicle. Same colours, same lockup, same number, so the sign and the truck reinforce each other.
Timeline
A single piece typically takes one to two weeks. A full set designed together, which costs less per piece and looks more consistent, usually takes three to four weeks. Seasonal pieces such as spring roofing signs or autumn heating stickers should be ready a month before the season starts.
How results are measured
Use a distinct number or a short web address on high-volume pieces like door hangers, so responses can be counted. Ask every new caller how they heard of you, and include "sign" and "sticker" as options. If 200 door hangers around ten jobs bring four calls and two become work at $600 each, you have a cost-per-job figure you can compare against ads.
Mistakes to avoid
- Printing more than you'll use before the design is proven.
- Low-contrast colour on outdoor signs. Sun and distance flatten everything.
- Out-of-date numbers and names after a rebrand. Collect and replace old stock.
- Cluttered quote documents. If the price is hard to find, the customer assumes the worst.
Print should match your identity and your vehicles. For phasing and budget, see the rebrand rollout guide. Call, text or email with photos of your current signs and quotes.
Frequently asked questions
Is print still worth it?
For trades, selected pieces are. Yard signs at active jobs, service stickers on equipment and a well-made quote package all keep working after the visit. Untargeted flyers usually aren't worth it.
Do you print the items?
No. We design and prepare print-ready files and specs, and you print through the shop of your choice. We'll check the proof so colours and sizes match your brand.
Can I put prices or promotions on print?
You can, but make sure the price shown is the price paid. Canada's Competition Bureau treats advertising a price that leaves out mandatory fees as drip pricing. If in doubt, leave the price off and promote the offer in words.
Do you design door hangers for canvassing?
Yes. A door hanger around each job, saying who is working on the street and how to reach you, is one of the most effective print pieces for residential trades.