Articles

How a Half Inch Can Double Your Print Cost: Our Proven Process to Get It Right

Ever designed a 6.5 by 9.5 postcard only to learn it costs far more than a 6 by 9? That half inch can drop your sheet yield from eight-up to two-up, which means more paper waste and a bigger bill. At Foote Printing, we help you avoid surprises like that before you hit send.

The Challenge We Solve

Specs drive cost, quality, and timing. Size, paper, bindery, and mailing all affect your quote, your color, and your schedule. We guide you through those choices upfront so your printed piece looks great, mails efficiently, and stays on budget.

I am Michael Duhr, one of the printing experts here at Foote Printing in Cleveland. Here is how we make your project smooth from first conversation to final delivery.

Our Print Production Process

Reach out by email or phone with your specs
- Size, quantity, paper
- Bindery or finishing
- Variable data and mailing needs
We consult and refine
- Not sure on specs? We walk you through options and goals.
Get clear pricing
- We can quote a few scenarios so you can compare cost and impact.
Approve and submit art
- Confirm the quote details are correct, then send your files and quantities.
Proofing to protect your design
- Standard: PDF proof
- Available: physical proof
- Digital jobs match the PDF very closely. Offset proofs are very close but can vary slightly because ink absorbs into paper.

Color Accuracy You Can Trust

Monitors vary and room lighting changes what you see. To keep color consistent, our shop uses LED lighting set to a neutral, sunlight-like setting so the light hitting your paper does not shift the color. If color is mission-critical, ask for a physical proof and we will advise on paper and ink choices.

Smart Specs That Lower Your Price

Sizing and paper are the biggest levers. A postcard at 6 by 9 might run eight-up on a sheet. Bump it slightly to 6.5 by 9.5 and we may only run two-up. That is a major change in paper usage and price. Talk to us before you finalize your design. We will recommend sizes and stocks that improve sheet yield without compromising your goals.

Planning a mailing? We know the standards that affect addressing, clear zones, and size-based postage. A five-minute call before you design can save hours later and cut postage or production costs.

Typical Turnaround Times

Timing depends on your specs and our shop load. Please share your deadline upfront so we can confirm feasibility.

Digital print jobs under 2,000 pieces, common sizes like 4 by 6 or 8.5 by 11: 2 to 3 business days
Larger offset jobs: 3 to 4 business days
Saddle stitch books, small to medium quantities under 1,000: 3 to 4 business days
Perfect bound or spiral bound books, up to about 500: 1 to 1.5 weeks
Saddle stitch books, larger quantities over 2,500: 1 to 1.5 weeks
Hard bound books: 2 to 4 weeks, binding takes longer
Die cut projects: 1 to 3 weeks

Note: October is political season and timelines can extend because of volume. The earlier we know your drop date, the better we can schedule.

Pro Tips From Our Team

Call before you design
- Share your end goal so we can suggest sizes and papers that hit your budget and quality targets.
Ask about sheet optimization
- A small size tweak can multiply your yield per sheet.
Choose the right proof
- PDF proofs are fast. Order a physical proof for color-critical work or specialty papers.
Confirm paper and finish early
- Stocks, coatings, and bindery affect both price and timing.
Share your deadline on day one
- We will tell you immediately what is realistic and lock in a schedule.
Consider variable data mailing
- Personalization can lift response. We can handle data and mailing in-house.

Why Clients Choose Foote Printing

Direct access to experts
- You talk with us, not a call center.
Clear, practical advice
- We translate specs into cost, speed, and quality you can understand.
Reliable color and quality
- Controlled lighting and proven proofing keep results consistent.
Fast, realistic schedules
- We publish timelines and keep them.

Let’s Talk About Your Next Print Project

Ready to save time and money on your next brochure, postcard, or book? Call us at 216-431-1757 or email Michael at michael@footprinting.com. You can also reach us at clevelandprince@yahoo.com. Share your goals and deadline, and we will build the most efficient path from concept to press.

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Cleveland Political Printing: How Off-Year Elections Delivered Our Best Month Ever

Posted By Foote Printing
January 14, 2026 Category: General

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

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Posted By Foote Printing
January 14, 2026 Category: General

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

The Number One Art File Mistake That Delays Printing, and How To Fix It

Posted By Foote Printing
January 14, 2026 Category: General

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