What a day, what a last few weeks

It’s so far been great.  I've been strict, and set some good deadlines that iv managed to meet.  I won’t bore you with the list but I will show you some of the fruits of my labour.

Picked up these today from the printers, extremely happy with Bullseye for the amazing quality and fast turnaround, they are my favourite people ever and as they are local, it makes sense to work with them again.  

My small collection of illustrations have been carefully printed onto the best 350gsm Munken Pure Rough are ready to be letterpressed tomorrow.  Thursday will be a day spent printing and getting inky.  I’ll also be training a new member of the team so it will be a fun day and a good wind down to the week.

I should add that these ranges will be exhibiting at The Wedding Project at Sutton House this Sunday.  

obsessed with..

Sausages today, redid my business cards - NON LETTERPRESS just so i can have this image.

The National Wedding Show

Will be heading here this weekend.... to see the team from Rock My Wedding, an ideal opportunity to gain inspiration and insights into wedding trends for 2012 and beyond!

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

Vist Mardy Mable etsy store here.

Job Done…..

As of the Monday 5^th 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 3^rd.

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.  The mean machine of the high street, which either makes you or breaks you.  Luckily it’s made me!  And so today I handed in that lovely letter and sit here and write this with a buzz.  I’m embarking on an amazing adventure into self employment. Taking a risk, doing it for myself, my happiness my family and in honour of my mummy, who always told me to go with my heart, who believed in my creativity, who was always laughing & looking on the bright side, who isn’t here to hold my hand but is still with me.  With that and the support of my family and friends I’m not scared, but very excited &I can’t wait to share every exciting moment with you all.

Taplow House Hotel

Taplow House Hotel is without doubt one of Buckinghamshire’s finest wedding venues; its magnificent sweeping grounds and beautiful Georgian country house will ensure the perfect venue for a wedding of any size.

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...

SICK BAGS

If your are gonna be sick.... do it in style please.... http://www.lydialeith.com/sick-bags/

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!

Off Sick

Well this is us for now, all laid up, drugged up (not Milo) catching up on CSI...... Not by choice, if i could I'd be up on the printer printing, but am beat.  I lie here defeated with flu, sinusitis and glue ear.

 

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.

Things To Do List

I haven’t blogged for a while, but I have done an epic amount of work on Very Impressed.  So I thought id blog today about something different but how this epic amount of work was achieved. 

Always being one for lists To-Do Lists are my essential item, if anyone asked id say it’s what id take to a desert island.  

When I don't use To-Do Lists i'm unfocused and unreliable. When I do use them I experience less stress, safe in the knowledge that I haven't forgotten anything important.  More than this, prioritizing intelligently it has focused my time and energy, kept me sane & motivated.  Struggling in the day job and fighting a heavy bout of sinusitis it hasn’t been antibiotics or therapy that has pulled me through, it was my Things to Do List.  Meaning that even when i’m down in the dumps and sick I can still be productive, and valuable.  So though I may not have blogged for a while I have been Very Busy.  It has to be the first time my list has exceed more than 10 things.  This time round I produced a list of 68 things. 

I’m now on task number 25 of my list, (25. Update blog) and wish I had a PA to help with the rest, as there really are not enough hours in a day for such things as source cardboard boxes, buy tissue paper, make press packs blah blah blah…

Ill let you know how i’m getting on, but stay tuned, as last on my list is Launch Party, which i’m just a little bit excited about.

Moonfruit Review

I previously blogged about the wonderful package that Barclays Bank offers new start ups and how it included the free website builder Moonfruit. 

I may have also mention that alot of money was lost through independent web developers making a few pages from their bedrooms then running off with my money.  So, thought I would attempt this myself & after trying WIX previously, was confident with trying Moonfruit.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this postings are my own personal opinions and should not represent or reflect negatively of Barclays or Moonfruit.

I consider myself a printer - not a website developer.  Moonfruit is very simple and straight forward the site is very clear and fresh and offers some really attractive templates.  I had looked on the forums and other people’s site and it was very impressive.  With some creativity I could also have something as impressive.

I worked on my site every evening for the past 3 months, it was always a bit of a chore, eye straining and time consuming.  I almost completed my site until I needed to add my shop.  This is where it became non functional for me.  I sell greeting cards and wedding stationery so therefore need the option of my clients buying in bulk quantities.  The Moonfruit shop builder didn’t have this function and only led you to add to cart then to payments.  There was no option for my clients to choose how many they wanted, they could only buy 1, so for example if my average couple wanted to order save the dates for example, for 100 guests, they would have to keep repeating the 'add to basket' 100 times.....errrrrr NO I don’t think so.

Other friends I know have used Moonfruit to publish their work and portfolios and the results are amazing.  For me however this ecommerce platform is not adequate for me.  I upgraded my account to get full ecommerce facility, but Moonfruit responded to me through twitter and email that I could be refunded or I could wait a few weeks for updates.

When running a small business every penny counts and time is also too valuable to waste, so on this occasion I opted to invest with WebCreationUK, who offer:

"......To build a respected and trusted website design company takes time, dedication, passion and hard work! WebCreationUK are one of the UK's fastest growing web design companies and we believe that no other can match our great services at the prices we offer...."

"......Our standard & advanced e-commerce web design solutions provide you with a contemporary, fully-functional online selling platform for your products and services - all at highly cost effective prices....."

It is alot of money to fork out and another business risk after being stung before.  But they were so friendly and cooperative that I am putting my trust in them.

This is also beneficial for myself as it frees up more time for me to concentrate on my design work and get messy with my prints.

At last.................

Making my mind up

Once again the Gemini twins within had a fight and naughty twin won and took over.  I’m blaming my twin, as I woke up this morning to the hurricane in my dinning room and it definitely wasn’t me. 

'Clever Gemini' letterpress & ink artwork

SHE completely deleted the VIP website; SHE then redid a new price list, completely came off the tracks, changed the VIP logo and cancelled a prospective client order...... WHY???  Because SHE is a MAD OVER EXCITED, OVER IMAGINATIVE, OVER AMBITIOUS & PEDANTIC, NEUROTIC PERFECTIONST................

So it’s left to ME to pick up the wreck that is VIP, regain control, detain the beast within, light some candles gather my chi and calm the hell down.........

Despite this madness, not all is lost and not all is a disaster.  The only thing really lost is time…. A whole weekend of work wasted.  But seeing the silver lining I can say that that is one of the beautiful things about being a creative.  The uncontrollable motivation that comes from small ideas.  But the destructive side is that these excited ideas can become too big and unmanageable and often lead to creative blocks, when all can be done is to cry.  Luckily it hasn’t got that bad this surge has only reconfirmed to me what I already knew – walk before running and all the plans for greeting cards, favours, party invites, birth announcements etc can wait.

This was also a good time to recalculate all my expenditure, and even though it appears that the start up costs are low.  This is all starting to add up.  I have to give up on a few luxuries for the foreseeable future in order to buy inks, new typefaces, chase, cards, envelopes, work tops and storage.

Harrington & Squires

All packed and ready to go,,,, off i set.... to become the best printer in the world....... Maybe not as that would be the Adana 8 x5...hehehehe


No seriously, this Wednesday, I am very proud to say that I am off to Harrington & Squires, named after Bob Harrington and Horace Squires, compositors and letterpress tutors at Hornsey College of Art in the late 1960s.  H&S are as a small private press founded in 2002 by designer/ typographers Chrissie Charlton and Vicky Fullick.

I am very fortunate to get trained by the best in one of their exclusive workshop in Tufnell Park, London.

Will update after class!

Sam x

OH BOY!!!!!

Have hardly slept, extremely sleep deprived and frustrated…….  I've been up at the crack of dawn tinkling about with the printer and cant get my head round it as yet…

WHAT THE .....???

Tears have been shed and a lot of things flung round the room. 

This is the depth of my passion and my impatience at not being able to print.

As a beginner, I have much to learn, but I have been a tad hasting in accepting delivery so soon, as now she is covered up in the studio until the rest of my fonts, paper arrive and I complete my course at the great Harrington & Squires. 

I am also very pleased to find other people like me in the same situation - learning about an art form for which there are few teachers & supplies and tools that are expensive and difficult to come by.

Stay with me here my start up is bumpy but my dedication and perseverance remains un-dented.

Sam x