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DYNAMIC MARKETING PRESENTS
MAY
20
PRINTING IS OUR PASSION.
WELCOME TO TEN MINUTES OF GOOD NEWS AND FUN STUFF FROM YOUR FAVORITE PRINTER!
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A Message from Dynamic Marketing
The Way I See It
 

Taming the Wild Things

Late May brings a kind of wild energy.

School’s out, schedules shift, and everything speeds up at once. It’s a bit like Where the Wild Things Are—all noise, motion, and a little chaos before things settle again.

In business, that same rush shows up. Projects stack, timelines tighten, and it’s easy to lose focus. But like the story, calm always waits at the end—found in the routines that work, communication that stays clear, and systems that bring order back.

The wild isn’t the problem. It often brings momentum, ideas, and movement. The trick is knowing when to let it run and when to return to what keeps things steady.

Here’s the way I see it: Even in busy seasons, balance is still the best plan.

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Idea of the Week
Print Like a Pro with Better Trapping and Imposition
PREPRESS PROCESSES FOR FLAWLESS PRODUCTION

High-quality print materials can elevate a brand, create strong impressions, and drive action.

Whether you're designing brochures, booklets, or marketing materials, understanding the basics of trapping and imposition helps ensure your final prints look polished and professional.

Trapping: Preventing Unwanted Gaps in Print

Trapping is a technique that prevents small white gaps from appearing between colors when they don't align perfectly on the press. These gaps can happen due to slight shifts in paper or ink during printing, especially in offset or screen printing. 

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To avoid this issue, trapping slightly overlaps colors so there are no visible gaps, even if there's a tiny shift. There are two main approaches:

  • Choke: Slightly reduces the size of a lighter-colored element so it fits better against a darker background.
  • Spread: Slightly enlarges a darker-colored element to ensure it fully overlaps a lighter background.

Most professional design software, like Adobe InDesign and Illustrator, includes automatic trapping features. However, for complex designs—especially those with thin lines, gradients, or specialty finishes—it's best to consult your printer to ensure optimal settings.

Imposition: Arranging Pages for Efficient Printing

Imposition is the process of arranging multiple pages on a single sheet so that everything lines up correctly when printed, cut, and folded.

Without proper imposition, pages might be out of order or misaligned, leading to costly mistakes in production.

The proper imposition method depends on how the piece will be bound:

  • Saddle Stitching (stapled booklets): Pages must be set up in multiples of four so they fold and nest correctly.
  • Perfect Binding (glued book spines): The layout must account for creep, where inner pages shift slightly outward due to paper thickness.
  • Gang Run Printing (combining multiple designs on one sheet): Helps lower costs but may lead to slight color variations between different designs.

Many design programs can handle imposition automatically, but checking the proof before printing is crucial to avoid surprises.

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Ensuring Professional Print Quality

  1. Communicate with Your Printer Early – Ask about their trapping and imposition preferences before finalizing your design. Different printing methods have different needs.

  2. Use Design Software Wisely – Built-in tools help, but for special finishes, spot colors, or unusual layouts, expert input is valuable.

  3. Always Check Proofs – A digital proof is a great first step, but for high-stakes projects, ask for a printed proof to verify color, alignment, and trimming.

  4. Stay Updated on Print Trends – Printing technology is evolving, from eco-friendly inks to specialty coatings. Keeping up with innovations can help make your designs stand out.

Why This Matters

Print is a powerful marketing tool, and attention to detail ensures that your designs look as polished and professional in print as they do on screen.

Understanding trapping and imposition can ensure that colors are crisp, layouts are perfect, and materials look flawless in print. Getting these details right will not only save costs but also ensure that your final printed pieces reflect your brand at the highest level of quality.

See more great ideas like this!
Click here to visit the Dynamic Marketing - Ideas Collection.
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MARKETING
Marketing Tip
Show the Process, Not Just the Product
MAKE YOUR PROCESS FEEL SIMPLE

Most businesses focus their marketing on the end result: the product, the promotion, the polished finish. But what customers often want to know is what happens before that.

What’s the timeline? Who’s involved? What should they expect along the way?

That’s where process-based marketing comes in—and it’s surprisingly effective. Whether it’s a simple step-by-step flyer, a printed overview sheet, or a visual “how it works” card, showing the process removes uncertainty and makes buyers feel informed, not overwhelmed.

Think about your own business: Are you showing the product… or are you showing the path? When customers understand the journey, they’re more likely to start it.

Want help turning your process into something printable? Let’s map it out together.

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Uncommon Product
Printed Water Bottle Labels
MAKE HYDRATION PART OF YOUR BRAND

Summer’s on its way—and that means outdoor events, open houses, golf tournaments, company picnics, and community fairs. No matter what the occasion, water bottles are everywhere… and that’s a marketing opportunity waiting to happen.

Custom water bottle labels turn something ordinary into a conversation starter. Branded with your logo, message, or even a QR code, these labels are an easy, low-cost way to get your business into people’s hands—literally.

They’re perfect for:

  • Welcome tables at events
  • Giveaway bags or vendor booths
  • Customer gifts or service calls
  • Fitness centers, salons, or clinics

Want to go the extra mile? Add a clever message, campaign hashtag, or reminder to follow your business online. Whether you’re promoting a new service or just want to stay top of mind, a branded water bottle gets noticed—and appreciated.

Need help with design or sizing? We’re happy to help you create a label that fits your brand and your bottle.

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Tech Tip
Work Offline Without Missing a Beat
STAY PRODUCTIVE - EVEN WITHOUT WI-FI

Summer travel doesn’t have to mean lost time or missed ideas. With the right tools, it’s easy to stay organized—even when you’re offline.

Here are a few apps that work without internet access, perfect for planes, road trips, or quiet breaks at the lake:

  • Google Keep – Jot down tasks, reminders, and quick ideas. Syncs automatically once you’re back online.
  • Notion – Plan projects, draft content, or brainstorm in organized boards and pages (just enable offline mode).
  • Pocket – Save articles or web pages to read later—great for catching up on insights when you’re unplugged.
  • Microsoft OneNote – Write, sketch, and organize notes across devices. Edits made offline will sync when reconnected.

Before you head out, open the app(s) while online to load your content—then you’re good to go. Whether you’re catching a flight or just catching your breath, these tools keep your ideas moving forward.

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Fun@Work

Spotlight Recipe

Hit summer running with Emma Thompson and Lemon Raspberry Bars

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