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SD VISUAL IMAGES PRESENTS
JUN
4
PRINTING IS OUR PASSION.
WELCOME TO TEN MINUTES OF GOOD NEWS AND FUN STUFF FROM YOUR FAVORITE PRINTER!
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Message
A Message from SD Visual Images
The Way I See It
 

There’s a story about a man tending his garden. He watered, fed, and gave the same care to every plant. But while most of the garden thrived, one tomato plant stayed small and stubborn. Frustrated, he asked a neighbor what he was doing wrong. The neighbor replied, “You’re doing everything right. Some roots just need more time. Don’t forget to notice the ones that are blooming.”

That simple insight carries a lot of weight, especially in business.

As we reach the halfway point of the year, it’s tempting to focus on what hasn’t happened yet. The unhit targets. The unopened opportunities. But growth doesn’t always arrive on schedule. Sometimes it shows up in quiet loyalty, repeat customers, or stronger team dynamics.

Now is the perfect time to pause and reflect—not just on what needs attention, but on what deserves appreciation.

Here’s the way I see it: The most productive seasons begin with equal parts appreciation and adjustment.

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Idea
Idea of the Week
Draw People into Your Story with the Rule of Three
TRANSFORM CONFUSION TO CLARITY

Good design, like storytelling, brings ideas to life.

When designing a piece to persuade, your first goal is to draw people’s attention. Whether crafting memorable brochures or data-rich infographics, designers invite viewers to enter a scene and explore what is there.

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Easy as 1-2-3

Three is a magic number, and it resonates with the human spirit.

Important tasks have three basic steps (Stop, Drop, and Roll). Punchy slogans come in groups of three (Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness). And every epic story has a beginning, middle, and end!

Sets of three push people to act, and – as a bonus – they provide a powerful memory aid. When you want to maximize visual impact, here are several ways to use the rule of three in your designs:

Three Steps

It takes courage to move forward, so give people a visual path to follow. Try a 3-step infographic, a 3-part “make the switch kit,” or 1-2-3 arrows (with corresponding action steps) on a winding visual highway.

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Three Pathways

New platforms can overwhelm people, and clients aren’t always sure WHAT they want to do.

Offer “design hospitality” by using three pathways on your postcards (view samples/get a quote/connect with a specialist). Or build apps and landing pages offering three channels at key junctures (enroll/log in/ask me later).

Three Choices

People faced with too many choices are less likely to make any decision at all.

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In your pitch, try offering purchase options in groups of three (platinum/silver/gold plans or 30-60-90/day subscriptions) to encourage a decision.

Three Panel Stories

One memorable way to sell products is by creating a third visual panel that surprises or delights.

Like a comic strip with a punchline at the end, three-panel stories should end with a splash of humor or a surprise. Here’s one example from a mattress sell sheet:

Panel 1: A donut with legs sitting on a luxurious mattress.

Panel 2: A donut hole with legs running at full sprint.

Panel 3: The running donut hole dives through the hollow belly of the seated donut and lands on the bed with a goofy smile.

Punchline: “The Perfect Mattress for Finding Your Center.”

From Disengagement to Delight

Good design takes people from confusion to clarity and from disengagement to delight. Use a narrative arc in your visuals to increase conversions and make your message stick!

See more great ideas like this!
Click here to visit the SD Visual Images - Ideas Collection.
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MARKETING
Marketing Tip
Stop Chasing Clicks; Design for Curiosity
CURIOSITY DRIVES DEEPER ENGAGEMENT

Modern marketers are learning what psychologists have known for decades: people don’t act because of information, they act because of incomplete information.

It’s called the Information Gap Theory: when your audience senses there’s something they don’t know—but want to—they lean in. That moment of curiosity is marketing gold.

Here’s how to use it:

  • Rethink your headlines. Instead of “Introducing Our Summer Collection,” try “This New Arrival Was Made for 93° Days.” Leave just enough unsaid to trigger interest.

  • Use open loops. Start a story or idea… but make them click, scan, or attend to get the full answer. Think: “The mistake 72% of our customers didn’t know they were making.”

  • Tease value before revealing it. In social posts or subject lines, lead with a benefit, not the explanation: “Want 3x more referrals? Here’s where most people go wrong.”

Don’t give it all away. Invite your audience to take the next step.

Marketing isn’t about louder content; it’s about more magnetic content, and curiosity is what pulls people in.

Want help crafting marketing materials that intrigue, engage, and convert? Let us know!

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Uncommon Product
Perforated Shelf Wobblers
WHEN PRINT FLIRTS WITH FUNCTION

Picture this: You’re walking down an aisle, not really looking for anything in particular, when a little sign catches your eye. It's bobbing gently on the shelf—just enough movement to interrupt your thoughts. But instead of just shouting “SALE!” it invites you to interact. 

That’s the magic of the perforated shelf wobbler. It's not just a sign. It's an invitation.

Retailers love them because they move products, customers love them because they feel interactive, and marketers love them because they turn an ordinary shelf into a smart little engagement zone. 

Add a QR code. Offer a limited-time discount. Include a tear-away mini recipe or tip card. You’d be amazed how a little movement can lead to a lot more momentum.

Let us know if you'd like to try one out for your next campaign. We promise: it's way more fun than a sticker.

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TECH
Tech Tip
2 Smart Tools to Organize Your Workflow
SMARTER TOOLS = BETTER WORKFLOW

Marketing plans. Task lists. Print deadlines. Client notes. Ideas scribbled on notepads, buried in email threads, or spread across too many apps. Sound familiar?

When your information is scattered, momentum slows. That’s why centralizing your work into a smart digital workspace isn’t just convenient—it’s a productivity advantage.

Here are two powerful tools that help organize your workflow, reduce distractions, and now include AI features to do some of the thinking for you:

  • ClickUp: Built for teams who manage a lot of moving parts. ClickUp lets you create dashboards with visual timelines, assign responsibilities, and automate repetitive tasks. Its AI features can generate task briefs, action steps, and more—all right within your workspace.
  • Trello + Butler Automation: Trello uses drag-and-drop cards to help you visualize progress. Add Butler, Trello’s automation bot, to trigger actions like due date reminders, task assignments, or checklist creation—perfect for recurring print jobs or content campaigns.

Each of these platforms is designed to give your ideas a home, your team a rhythm, and your business more breathing room.

Need help turning those smartly managed plans into polished print pieces? We’d be happy to assist.

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Fun
Fun@Work

Spotlight Recipe

Sweet and smoky meet in this bold summer skillet. Plus, Samuel L. Jackson!

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Printing Quiz

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