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Showing posts from July, 2025

Pages, Sides, and Leaves, Oh My! A Quick Guide to Print Terminology

  Printing terminology can be confusing. Leaves? Pages? Sides? It sounds less like printing and more like assembling a dining room table. But if you’re getting ready to place an order for a booklet, brochure, or multipage project, understanding these terms can save you time and ensure your job is printed just the way you expect. So, here’s a quick, no-jargon-needed guide to help you count it all correctly. What’s a “Leaf”? Think of a leaf as one sheet of paper in your printed piece. If you pick up a book or catalog and flip through it, each “flip” is one leaf. But because it’s printed on both sides, one leaf equals two pages. 1 leaf = 2 pages What’s a “Page”? A page is what you read on one side of a leaf. So, the front side of a flyer? That’s one page. The back? That’s another page. This is why an 8-leaf booklet has 16 pages—it’s all about the number of printed sides. What’s a “Side”? “Side” is often used interchangeably with “page,” but the key distinction is that it ...

Want More Impact from Your Print? Start With the Finish

  You’ve got the vision. The campaign. The space. Now you need the signage and displays to match. But here’s what most businesses overlook: It’s not just what you print. It’s how you print it. Because large format print isn’t just about filling space. It’s about making an impression that lasts both visually and physically. That’s where technology comes in. Not digital marketing tech, but smart, behind-the-scenes print tech that brings your brand to life in ways you may not even know are possible. Let’s walk through a few of the ways you can elevate the impact of your print, without making it overly complicated. Want to Break Out of the Box? Try Custom Die-Cuts Anyone can hang a rectangular banner. But if you want your display to stand out at an event, in a window, or along a wall, shape matters. Consider precision die-cutting to create custom contours and edges that: Echo your logo or product shape Add depth and movement Create surprise and visual interest Need It to Las...

Is Your Trade Show Team as Ready as Your Booth?

    You've got your booth space locked in. Your banners are designed, printed, and packed. Your table throws and floor graphics are on brand and on point. But here’s the real question: Is your team as ready as your signage? The best trade show displays don’t just look good. They work because the people behind them are prepared to use them. Here’s a quick-read checklist to make sure your team and your visuals are aligned for your next event. 1. Do They Know What the Signage Is Saying? Your banners, posters, and backdrops carry your core message. But does your team understand what that message is and how to build on it? Pro tip: Print out a “Booth Talking Points” sheet. Connect each visual to a key benefit or product. When your visuals and team speak the same language, you create clarity, not confusion. 2. Can Someone Set Everything Up Without Guesswork? Large format signage looks amazing when it’s set up correctly. Retractable banners, tension backdrops, floor decal...

Print That Drives Clicks: Connecting Displays to Digital

  When marketers talk about multichannel strategy, they often mean email, social, web, and maybe a little video. But there’s a big piece missing from that list: a literal, large one. Printed signage, displays, and banners aren't just for brand awareness anymore. When used intentionally, they become launchpads for digital engagement. Let’s clear up some of the most common questions people have when trying to connect their offline visuals with their online goals. “Isn’t print totally separate from digital?” Not anymore. A banner isn’t just a display. It’s a bridge. Window graphics, posters, sidewalk signs, these are real-world media placements that drive people to scan, search, follow, or buy. What matters is the intention behind the design. Are you putting your social handle on that window graphic? Is your QR code trackable? Does your signage reinforce what someone just saw in a digital ad? When your message is consistent online and offline, it’s not two campaigns. It’s one...

How Local Printing Helped This Bakery Go from Invisible to Unmissable

  When Elena opened her first storefront, it felt like the next big step for her business. She’d grown her bakery from a home kitchen to a full commercial space downtown. The product was there. The space was beautiful. Her team was ready. But for the first few weeks, the foot traffic just wasn’t. People walked by without noticing. Cars zipped past. She kept hearing the same thing from friends and customers who lived nearby:      “I didn’t even realize you were open!” That’s when she realized something important: the space was ready, but the signage wasn’t. Good Work Deserves to Be Seen A lot of small businesses put their heart into what happens inside, but forget about what people see outside. And in a busy area with limited time to catch someone’s attention, visibility is everything. Elena called a local printer and explained her challenge. Instead of pushing a package or asking her to upload artwork, they asked a better question: “Can we come take a look?...

When to Start Planning Your Year-End Print Projects (with Stats to Back It Up)

As the leaves start to turn, savvy marketers and business owners know it’s already time to think ahead; way ahead. Year-end print projects like calendars, holiday cards, and branded gifts aren’t just festive extras; they’re powerful tools for brand visibility, customer loyalty, and employee appreciation. But timing is everything. Here’s a breakdown of when to start planning each major print category and the data that proves why early birds really do get the worm. 🗓️ Calendars: Start Planning by   July–August Why so early? Calendars are long-lead items that require design, proofing, and often bulk mailing. They’re also one of the most visible branded items used daily, all year long. Stat to know: 80% of consumers hang onto promotional calendars for the entire year, and 76% recall the brand on them months later. Pro tip: Finalize your design by September to allow for production and distribution by October. 💌 Holiday Cards: Start Planning by August Whether you’re sending...

Flat, Forgotten, or Captivating? How Bold Display Design Changes Everything

  Here’s the thing no one tells you before you head to your next trade show or event: Most booths get ignored. Not because the team isn’t great. Not because the products aren’t solid. But because the display doesn’t do enough to earn attention in a room full of noise. At every event, there are two types of booths: The ones people pass by. The ones people walk toward. The difference? It’s not the giveaways. It’s not the clever pitch. It’s the display itself. Let’s look at the real difference between booths that blend in—and displays that captivate. Flat, Safe, and Forgotten Flat banners. Tabletop signs. Posters taped to the back wall. They still have a place. But when they’re the only visual element, they leave your booth doing the bare minimum. Flat displays make your team work harder. They rely entirely on human interaction to start the conversation. They say, “We showed up,” but not, “We stand out.” And in crowded event halls, safe is invisible. Bold, Layered, and Unm...

Is Your Trade Show Booth Doing Its Job or Just Taking Up Space?

  You’ve probably seen it or maybe lived it. You spend weeks prepping for a trade show. The team’s locked in. The products are polished. The sales strategy is tight. Then you show up and realize... your booth looks just like everyone else’s. You’ve got a table. A banner. Some printed handouts. Nothing’s wrong with it, but nothing’s making people stop either. Meanwhile, a competitor two aisles down is packed with attendees, taking selfies in front of their backdrop, posting photos, and drawing traffic. Here’s the hard truth: most booths fail before the show even begins. Not because the brand isn’t great. But because the display wasn’t built to do its job: turn heads, pull people in, and start the conversation. Let’s fix that. Most Booths Use Banners and Table Covers. The Smart Ones Use Them Strategically. Banners and table covers are the backbone of a trade show setup, and there's nothing wrong with using them. In fact, when they’re done well, they’re some of the most effect...