A Freshly Paved Parking Lot, Faster Service: How a Surprise Asphalt Upgrade Helps Us Help You
If you have ever battled weeds and bamboo pushing through old asphalt, you know the struggle. Our delivery area had turned into a patchwork of cracks and potholes. Then one morning, opportunity literally walked through our front door. A paving crew working down the street had extra asphalt and an open hour. We vetted the plan, said yes, and in about 60 minutes our back lot was transformed.
Why We Chose to Repave Now
Behind our building is a busy delivery and pickup area that keeps your print jobs moving. Over the years the lot had gotten rough. Weeds and bamboo were breaking through, and the surface was not what we expect from a facility that stands for quality. We had already cleared the area and planned a spring repair. Timing and reliability matter to us, and the chance to get it done sooner at a smart price was too good to pass up.
The Story Behind the Upgrade
Here is how it happened, straight from our team:
We cleared the back lot and planned to bring in a pothole repair team in spring.
A representative from ARC Roadway Construction stopped in. They were paving nearby, had extra asphalt, and could mobilize quickly.
We asked the right questions. Scope, layers, timeline, and price. Two layers of asphalt were proposed, which was key for durability.
We phoned a trusted advisor for a gut check. The answer was simple, take the deal, it will save money and time.
The crew arrived, and about an hour later the lot looked phenomenal. Smooth, clean, and ready for work.
We are grateful for the quick thinking from our team, the guidance we received, and the quality work by ARC Roadway Construction. It is a great example of what we believe in at Foote Printing. Ask the right questions, move fast when the plan is sound, and focus on long term reliability.
What We Learned About Parking Lot Maintenance
A print shop runs on precision. Your facility should be no different. Here are practical lessons you can use if you manage a commercial property or logistics area:
Define the scope. Ask about base prep, number of layers, and compaction. Two lifts of asphalt will outperform a single thick pour.
Verify timing and crew readiness. A quick mobilization can be a win if the plan is solid and the surface is prepped.
Leverage smart opportunities. Extra asphalt from a nearby job can reduce cost without sacrificing quality, as long as the contractor is reputable.
Clear the area in advance. Removing vegetation and debris allows the new asphalt to bond and last longer.
Think beyond looks. A smooth lot reduces trip hazards, protects tires and pallets, and keeps delivery schedules predictable.
How This Benefits Our Customers
Our mission is simple. Deliver great print on time. A better parking lot helps us do that.
Smoother loading and unloading in the delivery zone
Less risk of delays from potholes or blocked routes
Cleaner, safer access for partners and vendors
Strong curb appeal that reflects the care we put into every job
We upgraded the ground beneath our workflow so you get the consistent service you expect.
Shoutouts and Gratitude
To ARC Roadway Construction for the quality asphalt work and quick turnaround
To our long time collaborators, including friends who still run projects with us after decades
To our team for clearing the site and insisting on the right questions before we green lit the job
Key Takeaways
Maintenance is strategy. The right facility upgrades drive reliable delivery and customer satisfaction.
Ask detailed contractor questions. Layers, spec, and scope matter more than price alone.
Move quickly when trusted advice and timing align. Opportunity favors preparation.
Work With a Printer That Sweats the Details
At Foote Printing, we treat every decision like it affects your deadline, because it does. From press checks to parking lots, we improve the process so your brochures, books, labels, and mailers get produced and delivered without surprises.
Ready to plan your next print project or schedule a consultation with Michael Duhr and our team? Contact Foote Printing today. We are here to help you hit your timeline with quality you can see.
If election night kept you up late, you were not alone. While you watched returns, our presses were humming. This off-year cycle turned into the best month ever at Foote Printing, and it revealed what local campaigns in Cleveland truly need to win: speed, precision, and partners who understand the stakes.
The Realities Cleveland Campaigns Face
This year, the City of Cleveland reduced wards due to new census data. That shook up council races and put every council seat back on the ballot. The result was a surge in political printing with tight deadlines and last-minute changes.
We are not a massive national shop. We are a local union printer rooted in Cleveland. That’s exactly why off-year elections are our sweet spot. When campaigns need quick turn times, accurate targeting by ward, and materials that reflect local values, we deliver.
What We Printed That Moved the Needle
Campaigns are getting smarter about their marketing mix. While a lot happens online, print still does heavy lifting for persuasion and turnout. Here is what we produced most this season:
Political postcards and mailers: The bulk of our campaign work. Designed for speed, clarity, and fast mailing.
Yard signs: Still essential for name recognition and visibility in key neighborhoods.
T-shirts: Street teams and volunteers need branded gear that pops in photos and on the doorstep.
Union and solar bugs: We print the union bug and a solar printed bug so your materials reflect values many Cleveland vot
If you have ever battled weeds and bamboo pushing through old asphalt, you know the struggle. Our delivery area had turned into a patchwork of cracks and potholes. Then one morning, opportunity literally walked through our front door. A paving crew working down the street had extra asphalt and an open hour. We vetted the plan, said yes, and in about 60 minutes our back lot was transformed.
Why We Chose to Repave Now
Behind our building is a busy delivery and pickup area that keeps your print jobs moving. Over the years the lot had gotten rough. Weeds and bamboo were breaking through, and the surface was not what we expect from a facility that stands for quality. We had already cleared the area and planned a spring repair. Timing and reliability matter to us, and the chance to get it done sooner at a smart price was too good to pass up.
The Story Behind the Upgrade
Here is how it happened, straight from our team:
We cleared the back lot and planned to bring in a pothole repair team in spring.
A representative from ARC Roadway Construction stopped in. They were paving nearby, had extra asphalt, and could mobilize quickly.
We asked the right questions. Scope, layers, timeline, and price. Two layers of asphalt were proposed, which was key for durability.
We phoned a trusted advisor for a gut check. The answer was simple, take the deal, it will save money and time.
The crew arrived, and about an hour later the lot looked phenomenal. Smooth, clean, and ready for work.
We
You can design a stunning postcard, but one tiny white sliver along the edge will make it look cheap in an instant. We see it all the time, and it is completely avoidable.
At Foote Printing, the most common error that slows jobs down or triggers reprints is simple, no bleed. When files arrive without bleeds, trimming tolerances can reveal thin white edges or force us to under trim, which pushes type uncomfortably close to the cut. I am Michael Duhr, and my team and I want to help you avoid those headaches with a few practical, print-ready habits.
Bleeds and Safe Zones, The Foundation of Print-Ready Files
If your design prints to the edge, extend background colors, images, and elements past the trim.
Add at least 0.125 inch bleed on all sides
Keep critical content, logos, and type at least 0.25 inch inside the trim, the safe zone
A proper bleed lets us trim cleanly even with slight mechanical variance. A proper safe zone keeps your message from crowding the edge if we must under trim to avoid a white sliver. You can give more bleed if you prefer, even 0.25 inch or more, especially useful for complex layouts.
Send the Right File Format and Resolution
For commercial printing, PDF is your best friend.
Export a print-ready PDF with bleeds turned on
Include crop marks if your workflow supports them
Avoid sending JPG or PNG as your only file, those often come in at 72 dpi and oversized, which prints poorly
If you have to use raster art, ensure it is 300 dpi at final s