Specialties
Trademark is a brand design studio and letterpress company based in Waterloo, Iowa. We are designers, branders and printers making unique cards, paper goods and merch that leave an impression. Our modern and often cheeky aesthetic combines wtih vintage and traditional printing techniques to create something that you can touch but also makes you feel. Our products can be purchased in our shop, online and in curated retail shops.
In addition to cards and retail products, we also design and letterpress print custom commercial and personal stationery, including wedding invitations, business cards, and small paper goods. We design all of our products and projects in our studio and print on vintage letterpress equipment dating back to 1887.
We also provide branding services for identity development, design systems, packaging, collateral and more for businesses of all sizes.
History
Established in 2016.
Mike Tyer's journey toward letterpress printing began at a young age designing cards and paper projects as a kid, newspapers and yearbooks in high school and college. At Wartburg College, he studied graphic design becoming enamered with the printed page.
As a graphic designer since 2000, Mike has worked to help clients share their stories in printed and digital mediums. But after the proliferation of digital full-color printing, something seemed missing. The craft and specialty that can be a printed piece. It's ability to leave a lasting impression became fleeting and junk mail.
As a way to reconnect with the paper geek inside, Mike began hobby letterpress printing, making cards, wedding invitation and paper goods for family and friends. It quickly became a bigger enterprise and so Trademark began its existence to help people and brands make a lasting impression.
Meet the Business Owner: Mike T.
Mike Tyer has been a graphic designer for more than 15 years working in ad agencies in Iowa. He has experience designing brands and integrated marketing campaigns for brands of all sizes. Past clients have included Fortune 100 brands such as McDonald's, John Deere, GE, Fox River Socks, MTV Networks, as well as local clients and startups.
His clean, varying style translates well from brands to collateral to products like greeting cards, stationery and merchandise. He can help make your project stand out whether it's branding, design or custom letterpress.
Mike's award-winning work has been recognized by American Advertising Federation more than 20 times, Gold Quill Business Communication Awards and several others. He also actively volunteers in his community.
