We can all agree that large companies such as Amazon are extremely beneficial for our modern society, with our fast-paced lives and ever-growing need for quick and responsive services. However, if every type of business we utilized was outsourced to these companies then how do we cycle our local money back into our Cleveland economy?
Moreover, why would you want to outsource your money to these businesses when you can get the same value and then some with local businesses?
Printing in Cleveland
Foote Printing is proud to be a Cleveland owned and operated business for more than 100 years! Not only have we been serving Clevelanders for the last century, but we have also been improving their printing experience by providing them with the value of working with alocal business.
Working with a local company is not just about fueling your home-town economy; it’s also about the quality of the service and products you receive.
As one of the few locally owned printing shops in Cleveland, we offer our customers with quicker communication, quicker turnaround times, stronger relationships, and personalized products! You can’t get all of these great benefits from some run of the mill online printing company.
What are the Drawbacks of Printing Locally?
There aren’t any drawbacks to working with Foote Printing compared to large chain companies. We can provide all of the same products that they do while still being cost-effective! We can handle small orders, large orders, customized or standard orders all the while with quick service from friendly and familiar faces!
So, Why Print with Foote Printing?
Because working with local companies shows your support for your home-town by keeping your hard earned money in Cleveland! We offer quality products with quality customer service. If you have questions about Foote Printing or the services we offer, contact ustoday!
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