Posts by bigger dot

A few decades ago Volvo Automotive created a direct mail campaign, as well as an onslaught of magazine inserts, for the rollout of their newest vehicle. It was lauded within the advertising and automotive industry as one of the smartest, most effective campaigns in their history. The big idea: A scented piece that emulated the…

Imagine a printing technology that exceeds all others by leaps and bounds. An innovation with extreme precision, nimble agility and limitless flexibility. The only limitation is your imagination. Enter the Landa Digital Printer. Powered by Nanography technology, the Landa Nanographic Digital Printer is the new standard when it comes to printing efficiency coupled with eye-popping color. Landa…

In modern day America, we know him as Santa Claus. He is the round and ruddy old man who magically flies from home to home on Christmas Eve, delivering toys to good little girls and boys. This jolly old elf, also referred to as Pelznickel, Noel Baba, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas and Sinterklaas…

The origin of the Thanksgiving holiday has had it’s share of controversy over the years. Many of us remember having Thanksgiving ‘feasts’ in our elementary school classrooms where each child was adorned with a handmade Pilgrim hat or American Indian headdress. Everyone would eat their little meal in unity ‘as they did at the first…

Brick-and-Mortar is a retail classic. Physical street-side shops are essential in today’s business environment and they can tell us a lot about the current economical climate. Before e-commerce, brick-and-mortar shops were how and where business was done. As we look to the future, brick-and-mortar retail could be making a strong come back. Brands such as Ralph…

Everyone loves a car show. Well, maybe not everyone, but almost everyone can appreciate the collision of nostalgia and innovation when attending an automotive exposition. These shows are a place to marvel at groundbreaking technology, talk shop with like-minded gear heads and take a peek at automotive designers ideas for future models. Let’s look back…

Now that the pandemic has subsided, trade shows are making a comeback. And now is the time to make a huge impact at your next trade show, especially when it comes to your trade show booth and branding. Sure, there are virtual events with attempted bells and whistles, but nothing beats face-to-face handshaking, fist bumping, appointment…

In this eye-popping world of large format printing and fabrication, a hand-painted, customized sign is a timeless piece of art. It can express the uniqueness of any brand, big or small. Though it can be considered a lost art, hand-painted signage is quite popular and there are a number of reputable sign designers whose craft has…

When you were a kid there was nothing better than receiving a birthday party invitation in the mail. It was special and important because someone had thought to send a personalized card or letter that was delivered via US Post Service right to your doorstep. Now imagine the feeling your customer gets when they receive…

It’s everyone’s favorite, slightly awkward time of year. The giant bins in front of Trader Joe’s contain both watermelon’s and pumpkins. Our air conditioners are buzzing and our candy corn cravings are creeping in. Halloween is (kind of) around the corner and that means one very important thing for many people… it’s Pumpkin Spice Latte…

You know it when you see it. It saturates direct mail, brochures and catalogs. We see it at trade shows and on retail signage. Bad, poorly directed, off-brand, and misguided creative is everywhere. A famous creative director once said, “99% of all creative is crap. The big idea is to do the other 1%.” We wholeheartedly…

Everyone enjoys a little something special. Whether it’s truffle oil on a hot gourmet pizza, surround sound on a hi-def TV or embellishments on a well-designed, printed piece. Small details can make a big difference.  Upgrading your printed pieces can dramatically enhance their perceived value. These simple upgrades can take your project from basic to…

As the saying goes, big things come in small packages. If you are exhibiting at a trade show alongside the big boys, you can still make quite an impressive impact on a limited budget. If this is your professional debut into the world of trade shows, it’s important to know that a 10’X10′ trade show…

When the time comes to launch, promote or boost your business, Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) marketing is one of the most potent sales and promotional tools you can include in your arsenal. Additionally, it’s one of the most affordable promotional tools for businesses of all sizes. In the past, many people thought that direct…

Let’s face it. Successful retail signage can’t survive without a brand story. A relatable voice. Likewise, a successful brand can’t survive without incorporating an intriguing retail marketing component.  Look at Starbucks, Volkswagen, Netflix, and Coca-Cola. What do they all have in common? Consistency. You know their logos, fonts, and color schemes because they have consistently…

Something you may not see much of these days is a good postcard. A kitschy landscape scene from a friend on vacation in Hawaii with the ole, “Wish you were here, but you’re not!” Instead, your mailbox is stuffed with poorly done, cookie-cutter postcards from local real estate agents, plumbers, moving businesses, and banks offering…

If you’ve walked through a Target or Walmart in the past few years, you have undoubtedly noticed the comeback of Tabletop Games. Rock ’em Sock ’em Robots are back in full effect and the analog game aisles are fuller than ever. Retro redesigns on the Sorry, Jenga, and Monopoly boxes will take you straight back…

You can learn a lot about someone when you enter they’re living room and take a glance at their well-appointed coffee table.  They have styled it with a homeopathic, meditative candle, coasters from the last vacation, a stack of books, and between them all lies one retail catalog. It’s so impressively and wonderfully designed, printed,…

There is nothing that we love more than a beautifully designed, eye-catching piece of printed paper. Whether it’s an Egg Press greeting card, an Anthropologie catalog, or an elegant invite to a performing arts gala there is something special about these items. They activate the forward movement of business and draw consumers in for new…

In the past, press checks for litho printing or large format printing were essential. Modern technology has allowed for press checks to go from an arduous task to a simple remote discussion. With supply chain issues in the world of paper, however, the results can be far less predictable on press. A press check is a critical…