DLG Print and Design

Being a business owner is demanding.
It’s not a cake walk.

It’s full of responsibilities, pressures, expenses, expectations, and problem-solving moments that many people never see from the outside looking in.

And when you own equipment and keep supplies on hand… that’s a whole different beast.

Last week, one of my machines started leaking oil.

Honestly, I was scared to even look inside to figure out what was wrong because this machine is used in over 70% of my business. It runs DAILY. It’s not a “nice to have”… it’s a MUST have.

After unscrewing a few panels and opening the machine so I could visually inspect it, I realized the issue had probably been happening long before I ever noticed the oil on the floor.

The bottom pan was completely filled with oil, and every time I used the machine, it would sq**rt out a long stream of oil.

I just sat there thinking…
“Lord, what could possibly be going on?”

I took a closer look, snapped a few pictures, and started making calls.

Long story short… one of the hydraulic cylinders had cracked.

I received an estimate for OVER $3,000 to fix it and that didn’t even include labor or mileage.

Just the repair.

And truthfully?
That kind of money was not just sitting around waiting to be spent.

But something in me kept saying…

“There has to be another way.”

So I found a local hydraulic shop, stopped by, explained the issue, and the owner told me:

“Just get them off the machine and bring them in. We may be able to rebuild them.”

I found someone willing to remove them THAT SAME DAY and took them straight over.

The next day around lunch, I got the call:
“They’ve been rebuilt, tested, and are ready.”

Picked them up.

The following day, the technician reinstalled them in less than 30 minutes.

What was quoted at over $3,000…

God turned into LESS than $1,000.

And just like that… another “But God” moment.

If you don’t hear anything else in this message, hear me when I say this:

To other business owners:
Charge your worth.

There is SO much more happening behind the scenes than simply “having customers.”

You are paying for equipment.
Maintenance.
Utilities.
Supplies.
Repairs.
Knowledge.
Experience.
Time.
Stress.
Sacrifice.

And especially don’t undervalue yourself for people who do not appreciate your gift, your expertise, or your service.

And to customers:
Please stop trying to discount people’s work.

If someone chooses to offer you a discount, appreciate it.

But if they don’t… pay what’s being asked.

Because you’re not just paying for the final product.

You’re paying for the years it took them to learn the craft.
The tools.
The upkeep.
The overhead.
The sacrifices.
And the expertise it takes to deliver it well.

Small businesses carry more than most people will ever know.

But God continues to carry us too. 💜

Siobhan Hardy

PrintPro Tips – Week 2

Last week we talked about printing.

This week? We’re talking about DESIGNING for print

Because here’s the truth:
Not every good design is a print-ready design.

This week we’re covering:
✔️ DPI & image quality
✔️ Fonts that actually print well
✔️ Business card design that stands out
✔️ The power of white space

If you’ve ever:
👉 Sent a file that came out blurry
👉 Printed something that felt “off”
👉 Designed something that just didn’t hit in print

This week is for YOU 💜

Let’s make your designs not just look good…but print like a PRO.

🎨 PrintPro Tip: Want Your Colors to POP in Print?

If your prints keep coming out dull… this is why:

🚨 Your screen is NOT your print.

Here’s how to fix it:
✔️ Design in CMYK—not RGB
✔️ Increase contrast slightly
✔️ Avoid super dark blends
✔️ Choose the RIGHT paper (yes… paper matters again!)

💡 Pro Tip: What looks bright on your screen can print darker—always adjust accordingly.

👉 Follow for weekly PrintPro Tips

Introducing
DLG PRINTPRO TIPS by Siobhan Hardy : My Why...

When I first started out, I was simply a creative who fell in love with stationery and beautiful graphics.

Designing came somewhat naturally to me. I could bring ideas to life and make things look good.
But when I was introduced to the world of production… I quickly realized I had a lot more to learn.

At first, I thought all you needed was a good design and a printer. I believed I could create something, send it off to my personal printer or a vendor, and everything would come out perfectly.

Well… that was not the case.

I learned that even when a design looks “ready” to your eye, there are critical details that make all the difference in professional printing such as file setup, color modes, bleeds, paper choice, finishing. These are things I didn’t even know to consider at the time.

Now, I know I’m not the only one who started this way.

That’s exactly why I’m launching PrintPro Tips 💜🖤

This is for the creatives, the business owners, the DIY designers, and anyone who wants their prints to come out right the first time.

Each week, I’ll be sharing real, practical tips to help you:
✔️ Avoid costly printing mistakes
✔️ Understand the production process
✔️ Elevate the quality of your projects
✔️ Print like a pro, not just design like one

Because a good design is only half the story.
Production is what brings it to life!

Stay tuned for our first tip dropping this week!