Ever since Britain's first General Election in 1708, print has been an essential tool for campaigning politicians. Far from being limited to the simplest flyers and makeshift banners of 300 years ago, the print revolution has opened up more possibilities than ever before, and ensures that print remains absolutely indispensable in the arsenal of any politician.
Next month will see local elections take place on the 2 of May. 248 councils across England & Northern Ireland contesting a total of 8,425 council seats, Tradeprint look at how the world of print is still vital for driving political awareness.
One of the most widespread and effective methods of reaching the general public is through leafleting, be it handing them out on a high street or putting them through letterboxes. A huge portion of every major party's budget is that they have leaflets in significant quantity, design and quality for their constituents.
Colour is always the most important factor when designing any leaflet, and even more so when it comes to political material. Designing and selling for political candidates will always start with incorporating their party colours. This is a sure-fire way to make sure the party is at the forefront of the printed material, as well as letting the public know exactly whom the leaflet is from.
The specific message should be tailored to the intended audience with the main message from their manifesto. Leaflets not only help promote the positive message of the party creating them but can also highlight mistakes made by the opposition.
One of the exhausting methods of campaigning for politicians of the future is meeting the constituents. From the likes of May, Corbyn and Umunna all the way down to the local politicians in the smallest constituencies, shaking hands and kissing babies will be a daily event. With all this effort, it is vital, to leave a lasting physical impression so not to be instantly forgotten.
High quality business cards, stickers or envelopes are often used in the marketplace. A politician can meet 100 people in an hour and be forgotten almost instantly by all of them. But if they hand out business cards, signs, presentation folders or leaflets to as many as they can, there is a higher chance that they will be remembered and even spread their message further.
Upon arriving at public events or polling stations, politicians need to showcase their message in as many ways as possible. During the last few local elections, feather flags have become a new favourite for campaigning. Being lightweight and easy to transport, these achieve a striking advertising effect and are durable and weatherproof.
An integral part of an election comes with speaking at public events. An opportunity can be wasted without the proper printed materials, so banners, signs and roll-ups are a great way to communicate a message and gain the favour of the people present. With the use of banners, signs and roll-ups with the speaker's name, party and slogan, political candidates can help create a brand identity that will stay in the public's mind. Not only does it add an air of legitimacy, but it also provides a photo opportunity.
If you're from the print, design or the marketing community and want to know more, feel free to browse our range of election print essentials.