Cleveland Political Printing: How Off-Year Elections Delivered Our Best Month Ever
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 voters care about.
Every little detail matters. For some voters, seeing a locally printed union piece is proof you walk the walk.
Fast Turnarounds Without the Stress
Political calendars do not pause for print. When races get compressed or messaging shifts late, speed wins. Here is how we help campaigns stay ahead:
Plan early where you can, but set up files and templates that allow quick updates when news breaks.
Confirm your ward maps and lists. With boundary changes, accuracy is everything.
Approve proofs fast. We keep communication tight so production starts the moment you are ready.
Batch your drops. Multiple mail waves can outperform a single blast, especially in low-turnout cycles.
Keep your design clean. Clear headlines, one call to action, and readable contact information beat clutter every time.
Our job is to give you the biggest bang for your buck and remove friction so you can focus on voters.
Why Cleveland Campaigns Choose Foote Printing
We are local: We know the neighborhoods, the ward changes, and the urgency.
We are a union printer: We proudly print the union bug.
We are solar powered: We can add a solar printed bug to showcase your sustainability values.
We are responsive: Quick turn times and dependable communication kept campaigns on schedule this season.
We are proven: We printed for winners and for contenders who fought hard. Either way, we showed up when it counted.
Key Takeaways From Our Best Month Ever
Off-year elections are a major opportunity. Lower noise plus targeted print equals more attention on your message.
Postcards still do the heavy lifting. They are fast to produce, cost effective, and flexible for last-minute changes.
Values on the piece matter. Local, union, and solar credentials can boost trust with constituents.
Local partnerships pay off. When timing is tight, a Cleveland printer with political experience is a competitive advantage.
Ready for the Next Political Season?
Thank you to every candidate, campaign, and consultant who trusted us this year. If you are planning for the next cycle, let’s talk now so you are ready when the calendar heats up.
Need political postcards, yard signs, or shirts?
Want the union bug and solar printed bug on your materials?
Looking for quick turn times and a team that understands Cleveland elections?
Contact Foote Printing to schedule a consultation. Ask for Michael or my brother and we will walk you through timelines, quantities, and smart ways to stretch your budget. Let’s get your message in voters’ hands and help you win your election.
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