We Put Your Best Foot Forward: Green Printing With Family-Level Care
Sun on the roof, eyes on every job, and a calm voice that guides instead of yells. That is how your print project is cared for at Foote Printing.
The Real Problem: You Need Printing You Can Trust
There are plenty of print shops that promise speed or price. What you really need is confidence. Confidence that your brochures, mailers, booklets, and signage will be produced correctly, on time, and with a conscience. We built Foote Printing to deliver that, combining hands-on leadership with sustainable practices that make sense for your brand and our community.
Why Our Clients Choose Us
Hands-on oversight from day one. Our leaders, Michael Duhr and his brother Stephen, are on the floor, reviewing files and checking output so your job is done right.
A coaching culture. When mistakes happen in printing, skill and steady leadership matter. We fix issues and teach through them, which elevates quality on every run.
Clear communication. We share proofs, flag potential pitfalls, and recommend materials that fit your goals and budget.
Green Printing That Actually Works
You should not have to trade quality for sustainability. At Foote Printing, you can have both.
Recycled and responsibly sourced papers when appropriate for your project.
A portion of our energy is generated by solar panels on our roof, which helps reduce our footprint and keeps your project aligned with eco-conscious values.
Practical recommendations so your finished piece looks great and reflects your standards.
A quick color reminder our team loves to share with the next generation of printers: blue and yellow make green. It is a simple truth that reflects our approach to sustainability, too. Many small smart choices add up to a greener result.
What That Means For Your Project
Consistency across pieces in a campaign, from business cards to booklets.
Reliable timelines driven by experienced press checks and workflow.
Materials that match the look you want, whether you need a premium feel or a budget-friendly option with recycled content.
How To Choose The Right Print Partner
Use this quick checklist before you trust a shop with your brand:
Ask who is responsible for quality control. Leadership involvement is a strong signal.
Request sustainable options, including recycled stocks and an explanation of how they impact look, feel, and cost.
Confirm proofing steps, color management, and approval milestones.
Review a recent sample pack to see finish quality and color accuracy.
Discuss turnaround expectations early so production and delivery align with your deadlines.
If you want help walking through any of these, we are happy to consult, even if you are still planning your piece.
Meet The People Behind The Presses
We are a family-run team, and that shows up in how we treat customers and coworkers. Michael Duhr and Stephen set the tone. They do not yell. They teach. They keep a close eye on every printing job and make sure it is done right. That steady leadership has shaped a shop where craftsmanship, accountability, and sustainability are part of daily production, not marketing buzzwords.
Key Takeaways
You deserve a printer that delivers quality and sustainability without stress.
Leadership oversight and a calm, coaching culture drive better outcomes.
Recycled paper options and solar-supported operations help you print responsibly.
A simple checklist can help you evaluate any print shop before you commit.
Ready To Put Your Best Foot Forward?
Let’s bring your project to life with the care, consistency, and green printing practices your brand deserves. Contact Foote Printing to request a quote, schedule a consultation, or see samples. We are ready to help you make something you are proud to share.
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