HP
Targets Small Businesses with MarketSplash
MarketSplash by HP is a web-based shop to provide small businesses brand
marketing services such as design and print. They can use online
templates and custom designs to make business cards, stationery,
postcards, logos, and so on.
The
company has also introduced same-day pickup at Copy and Print centers in
Staples stores and a free business card offer. HP is licensing the
MarketSplash platform and application to retailers for co-branding.
At a
time when paper printing is fast losing its relevance because of
increasing online information exchange, HP is trying to explore new
areas to keep its printing business alive.
Last
month, for example, it had
introduced
HP iPrint Photo, a free application
available on the Apple App store. It gives iPhone and iPod touch users
the ability to print photos.
Earlier, it offered
its
printing solutions to MySpace users.
The leading social network, MySpace, has decided to integrate HP
printing options across multiple areas on MySpace, including all photo
sections.
Now,
MarketSplash has come.
“MarketSplash helps small businesses create the high impact look of a
big company without requiring the resources of one,” said Vyomesh Joshi,
executive vice president, Imaging and Printing Group, HP. “As part of
our Print 2.0 strategy, MarketSplash helps customers easily and
affordably access professional design services from the web and print
how, where and when they want.”
The
service provides small businesses with do-it-yourself (DIY) online
templates and custom design offerings for creating marketing products
and services – from business cards, stationery, postcards, logos and
website design to one-on-one brand design consultation.
Customers also have the convenience of choosing between several
convenient print fulfillment options: When completing an order online,
customers can print from their own printer, receive their order via mail
delivery, or pick it up at any Staples Copy and Print center in its
retail stores in the United States.
MarketSplash’s DIY tools feature intuitive editing technology that
offers flexibility during the creation process. Customers have the
freedom to create materials quickly in one sitting or fine-tune their
projects over time.
HP is
offering first-time customers 100 free business cards. Small businesses
can choose from more than 1,400 templates, pay no processing, shipping
or other fees, and receive their cards in seven business days or less.
With MarketSplash DIY tools, small businesses can create business cards,
mailing labels and postcards, for under $40 with no processing fees,
informs the company.
Customers who prefer one-on-one assistance can buy MarketSplash’s custom
design consultation services. Branding packages start at $579 and
include original logo concepts with unlimited revisions, custom business
cards, and stationery design work.
According to HP, MarketSplash design services and print fulfillment
options are available to U.S. customers.
