Wednesday 22 February 2012
The National Wedding Show
Monday 20 February 2012
Straying off the letterpress path ever so slightly to indulge in a bit of fabric printing. This is a sketch of my queenie prints that i'm looking to get made for the diamond Jubilee.
Last time I dabbled in scarf printing, I received some horrific sampling and then shelved the whole idea. Until now. Ivo Prints comes highly recommended, so I am much excited to be putting my work through with them.
Saturday 11 February 2012
30th March 2012 - Very Impressed Launch Date
A bit of a downer, the launch date for Feb is again being put back.. No one to blame, this is simply down to the fact that I’m leaving my current job and have been busy involved in a handover and making some adjustments and space at home.
Also I’m still having some problems with the website that I’m hoping to resolve next week.
Didn’t plan on having these distractions, (especially with wedding season looming) I wanted to be free to print and design. Anyway hoping that the delays are sorted soon.
30th March 2012 is the new launch date, fingers crossed nothing else goes wrong.
Friday 10 February 2012
QUEENIE
Getting to work this weekend on some Queenie Diamond Jubilee prints. Not a Royalist but am sure to be hyped centred around an extended weekend in on 2, 3, 4 and 5 June.
60 years of The Queen's reign
The Queen came to the throne on 6 February 1952 and her coronation took place on 2 June 1953. She celebrated her Silver Jubilee (25 years) in 1977 and her Golden Jubilee (50 years) in 2002.
Thursday 9 February 2012
History of The Wedding Invitation
Before 1447 when Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press, weddings were announced by the local town crier, walking the streets yelling out for all to hear. Some aspects of "greetings" or "announcements" have remained the same, while the overall art has changed dramatically.
Before the printing press, the noble were the only ones who used paper invitations, hand calligraphy crafted by monks skilled in the art. The invitation was sealed with a wax seal carrying the crest of the family. Then around 1798 lithography was invented and the possibility of producing sharp inking without engraving, and the mass market for wedding invitations emerged.
Shortly after World War II, the world was caught up in industrial growth, and the new nobility of the country appeared. It was during this period that thermography was developed with a cost effectiveness that allowed a way for everyone to afford beautiful invitations.
Engraving and letterpress were the printing choices of the wealthy, and continued through the ages, with letterpress making a resurgence in the past few years. Offset printing, as well as laser engraving has been gaining in popularity due to the popular use of multiple ink colours, extreme graphics, the use of wood veneer, acrylic and metal for creating invitations.
The other printing methods help with cost effectiveness and still allows for creative pieces to be created. Colours of ink have high variation between the different printing types. Most all companies will have colour swatches for customers to view, and you can pantone colours as well. The most notable differences are in metallics. Silver thermography for example will have a blue/green, flat appearance, gold more of a yellow/green colour, and copper looks more like a reddish brown.
Today’s brides like coloured ink, elaborate design and layered paper choices, but they want it to cost nothing. In order to help with that budget, bear in mind the printing choices are just as important as the design to ensure you create a masterpiece at low cost.
There are basically five different print types: flat print, silk screening, thermography, letterpress and engraving. While there are some newer processes coming into play, using mediums other than paper, these are your main working choices.
Flat Print/Offset
Flat print is the most common form of print. It is important to remember price is directly related to the printing type. Anytime you are printing on a lighter paper stock or copy paper, around 65lb, you will be using flat print. This is mainly printed on ink jet or laser printers. Flat print is great for using multicoloured graphics, but nearly always needs to be darker than the paper stock. White ink can not be used on flat print; the ink bleeds into the paper and becomes invisible. If you want to have a light ink on dark paper without high cost then silk screening would be your better choice.
Some companies will also do what is called a reverse out, giving the appearance of white ink by using white paper and then colouring in the design blocking out the pieces you want to come through as white - giving the impression that white lettering was used.
Silkscreen
Where flat print cannot be used on dark coloured paper stock, silk screening can. It is similar in look and feel to flat print, but depending on the company and processing techniques it can have a slight raise and waxy feel like that of thermography. Silk screening uses a high pressured machine to shoot ink on the paper, repeatedly, layering the ink on the paper.
Themography
The number one most popular form of printing today, most economical and a very beautiful end product. The look of thermography is similar to engraving, and many people cannot tell the difference if they do not know what to look for. Thermography was made to mimic engraving, it is a powder lain on top of the paper, using a heat process and a disposable plate, it gives a raised feeling to the touch and has a shiny almost waxy sheen.
Similar to flat print, you cannot use thermographic inks on dark coloured paper. The nature of the thermographic inks are transparent and therefore disappear. You can however use multiple ink colours. It requires you have to do multiple runs on the printing press for each ink colour you use. It increases the cost for each press run.
Letterpress
Letterpress like engraving and thermography uses a plate, the difference being is that the plate is made with your motifs and/or text, and then pressed into the card stock. The indention of the plate places your ink and design on the paper and creates your custom invitation. New plates are made for every invitation and can be kept on file for future use or keepsakes. Letterpress printing is definitely one of the most beautiful, because of the graphic capability and feel of the final product. Because of the letterpress process, the indentation of the paper requires that the paper have high content of cotton making for a very heavy invitation and increasing mailing costs. The paper however is very soft and just a beautiful work of art.
Engraving
Engraving is the oldest form of printing and the process is the opposite of letterpress. The plate used in engraving is pressed up from the back of the paper, and ink and paper become one. Like letterpress, engraving allows you to create beautiful graphics, high detail graphics, multicolour graphics, and inks that touch and cross each other.
Invitation Choices
Contemporary, classic, destination, themed or a custom design all can be created with graphic designers, or using pre-created motifs available from the printing vendors. Many modern invitations today reflect popular design trends, using ink colour combinations, damask prints, creative wraps, layering paper, and other design motifs, whilst the classic, simple and traditional invitations are still very popular and very elegant.
Choices of fonts can give an invitation the look of hand calligraphy, it can be laid out to allow the bride and groom names to stand out from the other text, and allows customers to reflect their style. Some people prefer block style typeface, some love script, and yet others want it to have a fun relaxed feel. You can create the definite feel of the invitations by the choice of the font.
Pocket invitations are quite popular in today’s society. They allow the bride to showcase her beautiful invitation, and bring all the other details to her guests in a polished, unique presentation.
Whatever choice the bride makes on graphics, colours, paper, rhinestones, ribbon and print style, there is nothing that cannot be created today.
Before the printing press, the noble were the only ones who used paper invitations, hand calligraphy crafted by monks skilled in the art. The invitation was sealed with a wax seal carrying the crest of the family. Then around 1798 lithography was invented and the possibility of producing sharp inking without engraving, and the mass market for wedding invitations emerged.
Shortly after World War II, the world was caught up in industrial growth, and the new nobility of the country appeared. It was during this period that thermography was developed with a cost effectiveness that allowed a way for everyone to afford beautiful invitations.
Engraving and letterpress were the printing choices of the wealthy, and continued through the ages, with letterpress making a resurgence in the past few years. Offset printing, as well as laser engraving has been gaining in popularity due to the popular use of multiple ink colours, extreme graphics, the use of wood veneer, acrylic and metal for creating invitations.
The other printing methods help with cost effectiveness and still allows for creative pieces to be created. Colours of ink have high variation between the different printing types. Most all companies will have colour swatches for customers to view, and you can pantone colours as well. The most notable differences are in metallics. Silver thermography for example will have a blue/green, flat appearance, gold more of a yellow/green colour, and copper looks more like a reddish brown.
Today’s brides like coloured ink, elaborate design and layered paper choices, but they want it to cost nothing. In order to help with that budget, bear in mind the printing choices are just as important as the design to ensure you create a masterpiece at low cost.
There are basically five different print types: flat print, silk screening, thermography, letterpress and engraving. While there are some newer processes coming into play, using mediums other than paper, these are your main working choices.
Flat Print/Offset
Flat print is the most common form of print. It is important to remember price is directly related to the printing type. Anytime you are printing on a lighter paper stock or copy paper, around 65lb, you will be using flat print. This is mainly printed on ink jet or laser printers. Flat print is great for using multicoloured graphics, but nearly always needs to be darker than the paper stock. White ink can not be used on flat print; the ink bleeds into the paper and becomes invisible. If you want to have a light ink on dark paper without high cost then silk screening would be your better choice.
Some companies will also do what is called a reverse out, giving the appearance of white ink by using white paper and then colouring in the design blocking out the pieces you want to come through as white - giving the impression that white lettering was used.
Silkscreen
Where flat print cannot be used on dark coloured paper stock, silk screening can. It is similar in look and feel to flat print, but depending on the company and processing techniques it can have a slight raise and waxy feel like that of thermography. Silk screening uses a high pressured machine to shoot ink on the paper, repeatedly, layering the ink on the paper.
Themography
The number one most popular form of printing today, most economical and a very beautiful end product. The look of thermography is similar to engraving, and many people cannot tell the difference if they do not know what to look for. Thermography was made to mimic engraving, it is a powder lain on top of the paper, using a heat process and a disposable plate, it gives a raised feeling to the touch and has a shiny almost waxy sheen.
Similar to flat print, you cannot use thermographic inks on dark coloured paper. The nature of the thermographic inks are transparent and therefore disappear. You can however use multiple ink colours. It requires you have to do multiple runs on the printing press for each ink colour you use. It increases the cost for each press run.
Letterpress
Letterpress like engraving and thermography uses a plate, the difference being is that the plate is made with your motifs and/or text, and then pressed into the card stock. The indention of the plate places your ink and design on the paper and creates your custom invitation. New plates are made for every invitation and can be kept on file for future use or keepsakes. Letterpress printing is definitely one of the most beautiful, because of the graphic capability and feel of the final product. Because of the letterpress process, the indentation of the paper requires that the paper have high content of cotton making for a very heavy invitation and increasing mailing costs. The paper however is very soft and just a beautiful work of art.
Engraving
Engraving is the oldest form of printing and the process is the opposite of letterpress. The plate used in engraving is pressed up from the back of the paper, and ink and paper become one. Like letterpress, engraving allows you to create beautiful graphics, high detail graphics, multicolour graphics, and inks that touch and cross each other.
Invitation Choices
Contemporary, classic, destination, themed or a custom design all can be created with graphic designers, or using pre-created motifs available from the printing vendors. Many modern invitations today reflect popular design trends, using ink colour combinations, damask prints, creative wraps, layering paper, and other design motifs, whilst the classic, simple and traditional invitations are still very popular and very elegant.
Choices of fonts can give an invitation the look of hand calligraphy, it can be laid out to allow the bride and groom names to stand out from the other text, and allows customers to reflect their style. Some people prefer block style typeface, some love script, and yet others want it to have a fun relaxed feel. You can create the definite feel of the invitations by the choice of the font.
Pocket invitations are quite popular in today’s society. They allow the bride to showcase her beautiful invitation, and bring all the other details to her guests in a polished, unique presentation.
Whatever choice the bride makes on graphics, colours, paper, rhinestones, ribbon and print style, there is nothing that cannot be created today.
Wednesday 8 February 2012
Pretty Pieces Perfect Days
I had the pleasure of meeting Jane Taylor and Zoe Taylor at the Taplow House Hotel wedding fair on Sunday. Like a magpie, I was immediately drawn to the table of loveliness that is Pretty Pieces Perfect Days. It’s the first time I had come across this concept of hiring out accessories, but was impressed with all the exquisite mix & match vintage crockery, delightful tea cups, tea plates, milk jugs, tea pots and cake stands all of which have been handpicked & sourced throughout the UK by mother and daughter team Jane and Zoe.
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So if you are planning a Wedding, Anniversary, Christening, Birthday, Garden Party or Afternoon tea with friends and would like to add a touch of vintage romance or English country chic to your special day – Pretty Pieces Perfect Days would love to help!
Tuesday 7 February 2012
Anti-Valentines Cards
Urgh, Valentines day is almost upon us. That day when you have to grin through gritted teeth and pretend that you actually like the other half. Or when you try and bite your tongue when they pull out their 2 for 1 Pizza Express voucher to pay for your romantic meal. Or you might actually be that poor twat who cries into a box of self-bought Dairy Milk as the rest of your housemates escape to their bedrooms to… play Scrabble? Yes, Scrabble – that sound is definitely the thumping of celebrating feet after a triple word score.
Choose any of the below to give to your insignificant other, and they guarantee a satisfying passive aggressive feeling.
sardonic greetings cards & gifts | Copyright 2012 Mardy Mabel
Choose any of the below to give to your insignificant other, and they guarantee a satisfying passive aggressive feeling.
sardonic greetings cards & gifts | Copyright 2012 Mardy Mabel
Monday 6 February 2012
Job Done…..
As of the Monday 5th March 2012 I will be self employed working for myself at Very Impressed. On my life’s list of things to do be my own boss was one of them. It has been on the horizon for a while now and now finally I’m making it happen.
I moved out of the smoke to the country for a reason, some major life shift and life losses made me think of what I really needed in my life, family & health come very high up but job satisfaction comes a close 3rd.
Having worked as a technologist for many years now, I fell in to it for the money and because I love fashion, but believe me the fashion industry can be a bitch and if you’re not tough enough you will get chewed up. My situation is nothing like a scene from the Devil Wears Prada, far from it, and I'm most certainly not chewed up or tainted. I love fashion and its direction I just fell out of love with fashion retail. My last home is with Arcadia
Sunday 5 February 2012
Taplow House Hotel
Off here today for my first of many wedding fairs Taplow House Hotel in conjunction with Berkshire Wedding Fairs is holding a bridal show from 12-2pm. I'm not exhibiting at this one, but going to network, get some inspiration, talk to a few brides and grooms and see what is on trend at the moment for the Berkshire set...
Saturday 4 February 2012
Friday 3 February 2012
TERRY POND
Found and loved this pic on Pinterest yesterday.... very very true
Its from Terry Pond, who i think may just become my new favourite person. Not only does she love sausage dogs, but she is living my dream as a self-employed artist selling products and prints featuring her illustrations http://pondragon.blogspot.com/. Shes a blogger http://terrypond.blogspot.com/and im looking forward to lunch time reading especially of the weiner blog http://weiner-dog.blogspot.com/
Nice to know you Terry!
Its from Terry Pond, who i think may just become my new favourite person. Not only does she love sausage dogs, but she is living my dream as a self-employed artist selling products and prints featuring her illustrations http://pondragon.blogspot.com/. Shes a blogger http://terrypond.blogspot.com/and im looking forward to lunch time reading especially of the weiner blog http://weiner-dog.blogspot.com/
Nice to know you Terry!
Thursday 2 February 2012
Off Sick
Wednesday 1 February 2012
Digital Printers
This may be the first of many post regarding digital printers. This week alone, a considerable amount of time has been spent googling local digital printers, getting quotes, downloading artwork, waiting for ring backs that don’t ring back, talking print resolution & dye-sublimation blah blah blah.....
As most of my stationery are to have individual illustrations, digital printing was the only option and then have them letterpressed. So it was vital I find someone (like me) dedicated to providing quality products and services. There are many design and print firms around today and choosing one to look after your needs can often feel like a gamble.
A gamble no one should take on STAPLES!!! Don't get me wrong, Staples do provide extremely good office stationery and filling solutions but after a disastrous birthday card, the only printing I would conduct in Staples is to use the 10p photocopier. They had poor customer service, poor knowledge of the printers, my cards were poor quality, the registration was off and I would not go back – please avoid.
Ones to recommend are Negs http://www.negs.co.uk/
My old faves, I used them a lot whilst at college, very down to earth, knowledgeable, give you what you want and if not make good recommendations. Check out there site, they do test pieces for no charge and there quotes have always been reasonable and there are student discounts.
Whilst Soho used to be very local to me, and not so much now I was now faced with a challenge of finding a local printer in the Berkshire area local to me.
Bullseye Print & Awards are my new friends. http://www.bullseyeuk.com/ They had an online chat with me, gave me a speedy quote for my 'diva' like demands and made this challenge simples. Not only will I be approaching them for my press packs, but also for my digital printing of the invites. This is made even sweeter by them sourcing the card I want or a suitable alternative. Perfect. I will keep you posted on the outcome.
In my opinion Digital Printers are like a good man.... hard to find, so i suggest when you find one, keep them. Then let me know their details so I can add them to my new section of Recommended Print Suppliers.
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