To demonstrate the true capabilities of Somerset, we created a website the only way Somerset knew how - we printed one. Rather than optimizing user-experience, animation and a fancy gallery of past work, we approached the website like Somerset would any project – by focusing on the craftsmanship, the physicality and the details.

We created a beautiful, tactile, true-to-print website that you could see and interact with on the Web. The site used over 40 printing techniques on a single press sheet, including embossing, foils, scanimation, perforation, and stock variety. It was shot in stop motion and transferred to the digital world. The many unique facets of the printed medium were faithfully recreated online, leading to a more accurate digital demonstration of a Somerset-printed piece.

Then we found a new way of sharing a website: mailing a physical copy.

Everything was built on a grid, with extreme attention to detail and precision. We realized that every printed piece — and even website – was an opportunity to delight designers. Every printed piece became a reference for a unique print feature or treatment, a keepsake for designers that would keep Somerset on their desk when it came time to choose a printer for their next job.

The rebrand shifted the way designers viewed Somerset. They were immediately recognized for their innovation, design and printing capabilities and unique offerings.

Printed by Somerset got the industry talking, sparking a conversation on Reddit labeled “most creative website ever”.

- 7575.8% increase in unique visitors in first 3 months of launch

- 2168 printed website requests

- 5928% increase in website visits in first 3 months

- 13940% increase in site hits in first 3 months

- Somerset received hundreds of positive feedback and interest via email praising the site

After interviewing a number of past clients and people in the creative industry, it became evident that Somerset’s offering of unique, one-of-a-kind design-led pieces was not well-known.

The high-quality, bespoke products and services Somerset was providing were not what their existing client-base of “brochures by the thousand” was looking to create. They were attracting the wrong clients, and needed to appeal to a new consumer base that understood the value that printed techniques and stocks could bring to a project – the creative community.

We created a website by designers – for designers. And brought it to life the only way Somerset knew how – by printing it.

The site gave visitors the chance to order a hard copy to have delivered to them directly – to touch, feel and interact with it in all its tactile glory.

Somerset, a small printing shop in Mississauga, specializes in beautiful, high-quality printing. But they weren't getting the credit as such. Somerset's existing clients weren’t taking advantage of their capabilities.

They had two unique challenges. They needed to grow their business by appealing to a very niche clientbase – the audience that appreciated their offering: the creative community. And they were trying to grow their printing business in a world that was growing in a digital direction.

They needed a rebrand and website that demonstrated what they do: make beautiful printed pieces. Despite the digitally growing industry, we decided to lean towards print, craft and physicality as much as we could and created a truly printed website. Then put it in the hands of designers through a direct mail request–building Somerset’s reputation in the right community, and a database of potential clients.