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Most of us live on autopilot when it comes to communication. A quick skim, a quick delete. Another ping, another ad, another feed refresh. Even the meaningful stuff can get lost in the mix.
That’s why print still has a quiet kind of power. Not every piece, of course—but the ones made with thought, care, and purpose. The ones designed to be used, kept, and remembered.
We call those signature pieces.
People notice the details. A perforation that tears cleanly. A tab that actually holds up. A finish that shimmers in just the right light. These aren’t small things—they’re the difference between something that gets tossed aside and something that makes a lasting impression.
Every signature piece tends to have a champion—one person with a vision who carries it forward. Sometimes it’s a product manager, sometimes a development director, sometimes a designer. Our job is to bring that vision to life, with the expertise and craft to make sure it holds up in the real world.
That’s where signature pieces stand apart. They aren’t defined by format, but by intention.
For Jaeckle Distributors, that meant creating catalogs that feel like more than reference tools. They’re polished, tactile showcases of their product line—the kind of piece customers want to come back to.
What makes it signature:
These catalogs prove that “signature” doesn’t always mean complicated—it just means intentional. Even with a simple saddle-stitch bind, the piece feels elevated because of the choices behind it: thick, durable cover stock; clean, high-impact photography; color accuracy that makes tile tones feel true-to-life; and a layout built for clarity. The result is a catalog that holds up to constant use in showrooms and sales calls, stays intact through flipping and comparison, and genuinely reflects the quality of Jaeckle’s product lines. It’s straightforward, but thoughtfully crafted—and that’s what sets it apart from a typical catalog.
For St. Vincent de Paul of Dane County, it was a keepsake book celebrating 100 years of impact. A gift for donors and volunteers—something they could hold onto long after the centennial event itself.
What makes it signature:
The keepsake began with their unmistakable Vinny’s blue—a deep, recognizable brand color carried through on a naturally textured cover stock. That tactile surface gives the book an immediate sense of warmth and substance, and the silver foil–embossed centennial logo adds a brilliant focal point that catches the light and elevates the entire piece. Inside, archival photos and personal stories are laid out with intention, giving a century of service the space and reverence it deserves. This isn’t a pamphlet or a report; it’s a commemorative artifact built to last, to honor, and to be proudly displayed.
And for us? It’s been our calendar. Each year, we approach it as a chance to design something people will genuinely want to use. For 2026, that meant postcards, foil-stamped park badges, and subtle finishes inspired by water and sky—built to be both functional and beautiful.
What makes it signature:
The calendar brings together a mix of thoughtful design and high-end production. Specialty finishes—foil, dispersion, perforations, a die-cut hanger tab—work together to create a piece people interact with all year long. Removable postcards extend its life, and the layered textures make each month feel intentional and engaging without being overdone.
In a world of digital fatigue, signature pieces go beyond simply using a different channel to offer something different. They don’t compete by shouting louder. They connect by slowing things down.
And most importantly: they give your audience a piece of you they’ll actually use—and want to keep around.
We’re not here to tell you what story to tell. That’s yours. Our role is to ensure that vision carries through every detail — all the way to the hands of the people it’s meant for.
That’s what makes a piece “signature”. That’s what makes it stick.
So maybe the real question isn’t whether you need a signature piece — it’s ‘what yours will become’?
