Merge Design, Print and Promo

Merge Design, Print and Promo (mergeprint.com) serves the graphic design, printing and promotional product needs of small companies and associations in the Ottawa area.

“We are a neighbourhood-oriented business,” says company owner Brian Tracey, who has over 30 years experience in marketing, advertising and graphic design. “We specialize in working with smaller companies, organizations and charities. We have developed a niche in this area.”

Merge offers a broad base of printing and copying solutions, as well as design services at affordable prices. They design and print business cards, brochures and flyers, while also offering full service marketing packages for small companies. For example, Merge’s corporate identity package comes with logo design, business card, letterhead and envelope design.

Not only are Merge’s products and services geared to the promotional needs of small companies, so are their prices. They offer much more competitive rates than those charged by most big graphic design studios or big box stores.

Brian works with clients to develop unique and individualized ads and marketing campaigns to promote their business more effectively. Clients benefit from all the expertise and services found at a pricy advertising company, but at a fraction of the cost.

Merge is a one stop-shop (their slogan is “the small business convenience store”) for a small company’s printing and advertising needs, as they also sell office supplies and promotional products that can be branded with corporate logos.

Merge Design understands the needs of small businesses, because they are one. A small team of three people operate the company: Brian, who launched Merge five years ago; award-winning graphic designer and illustrator Anthony Tremmaglia; and promotional products manager Vern Fiddler.

“As a small business we offer personalized service and flexibility,” explains Brian. “We work on weekends or late at night, whatever it takes, to meet our clients’ deadlines.”

For example, Merge recently printed some last-minute flyers for the local police force.

“They needed the leaflets right away and called around but it was a holiday and most places weren’t open,” explains Brian. “I was in catching-up on a few jobs so I said ‘sure, I can do that’ and got the job done for them that afternoon. The Chief of Police actually sent me a letter of thanks!”

In order to offer affordable rates to their clients, Merge Design has to keep their own corporate overhead low. Four years ago the company switched from another telecommunications provider to Allstream because they offered a more competitive price.

Most recently, Merge signed up for an Allstream Small Business bundle because it offered additional cost savings and included more services.

Similar to Merge Design, Allstream Small Business’ products and services are also tailored to the requirements of small companies at prices they can afford.

Customers choose from basic to larger bundles of services, depending on the size and scope of their telecommunications needs. This gives small companies a cost-effective and flexible solution.

Plus, packages can be customized by purchasing individual phone, fax, long distance or Internet features. So customers design their own telecommunications package – and never have to pay for a service they don’t want.

For example, Brian purchased a Phone 500 bundle, which includes two phone lines with two calling features on each line, plus 500 North America long distance minutes per month.

“The bundling reduced the price of our phone bill by $20 a month and we get the extra value of 500 long distance minutes every month and two calling features, instead of one, on each phone,” explains Brian.

Switching to Allstream Small Business is also hassle-free. Customers get to keep their phone number and have the option of paying month to month or selecting a fixed term contract. And phone and long distance charges are combined on one convenient monthly bill.

Beyond the cost savings, Brian notes that the Allstream Small Business service has been reliable and the customer service team is always there to help should issues arise.

“If I have any questions I can call and a representative helps me out right away,” he says. “With Allstream Small Business I get great service for a great price.”