Reindeer and Jandals.

Almost-the-seasons' greetings to you all!

It's time to start thinking about flying reindeer and warm weather, summer jandals and hot eggnog, family barbeques and cookies with milk. It's time to think about christmas cards!

Now is the time to think how you can make sure that your christmas messages are out of the way early, so you can concentrate on those end-of-year details that are bound to spring up! It's time to think about xmas greetings! Do you want a christmas card to send out from your company to your clients? Perhaps you would like this card to be personalised with a picture of your staff - or a wacky picture of your staff? We can edit photos to create a unique design from your company to any style you wish, or use a traditional design to give recognition to those you've been in contact with this year.

Do you want a christmas card to send to family and friends? Perhaps this card could include a collage of images from your adventures this year, or a smiling family photo, or again - something a little different - we would be happy to create a design for you either from scratch, or using existing photos of your family portrayed in a christmas theme. Start thinking...

Think about the possibilities - we do! We think about having the chance to create something that you will love - and we can be proud of. Like unique diecut swingtags to put on your presents, or a specialised diecut shape for your christmas card! Perhaps include a foil effect on your christmas cards to ensure they stand out - we have 11 foil options for you to choose from - including our new "holographic" foil - which is a mixture of colours and comes in plain / with small circles, or with jagged shapes. Contact us if you would like samples!

And why stick to a christmas cards when you could choose a christmas postcard, or a christmas fridge magnet that will be kept for longer? You could have a christmas postcard with a tear-off voucher, or a new years flyer with some perforated vouchers included. You are welcome to give us a call to discuss your idea, or make an appointment to come in and speak to one of our designers in person.

See us to have something unique created this year! So your family, friends and clients alike, will know that you value them enough to send them your best wishes for a very happy christmas and a happy new year!

Crystal Mathieson.

Customer Liaison / Graphic Designer

Is there anything we can do to help?

Hi all.

Thank you to many of you that have phoned in or emailed us to check that we're okay.

We experienced a couple of major outages that had knocked some of our servers out on Monday morning and then again for most of Tuesday, as well as an evacuation of our building on the Wednesday morning (so if you phoned on Wednesday - you now know why we weren't answering).

However, it is currently business as usual.

All presses are up and running an our partner print operations in the North Island have been available to cover any downtime.

The team here have been absolutely remarkable. Some staff have come to work not having a shower in days, others have continued to travel in to work at our TPH Head Offices on the 2nd floor of Leicester House, even with aftershocks still occuring.

Our own personal indented stock supplies appear to have eluded the 30 - 40% damaged stock that some paper merchants have experienced.

Should you experience a problem logging in to The Production House?

Simply re-try logging in again, otherwise give us a call on 0800 533 677. It may be that we've had a power outage and one of our servers has not restarted (which affects all login requests).

It's sometimes hard to know what you can do to help others that have lost a lot.

So, we'd like to offer any of our clients that have lost stationery in the earthquake through damage, the opportunity to get some temporary stationery reprinted at a heavily discounted rate to assist them back on their feet - while they get set up again.

If you are on of our clients that this applies to, then please contact one of our team on 0800 533 677 to discuss what we can do to help.

For all our other customers we've taken 30% off our recommended Full Retail Prices for the next 21 days. You simply need to enter "Quakeoffer" (one word) in the promotion code when ordering onnline, otherwise quote "Quake Offer" when ordering by phone or email.

If you have any questions, or there is anything we can do to assist, then please let us know.

Business as Usual

Things are finally starting to settle down here at Patch Print HQ in the Christchurch Central Business District. After being evacuated from the building on Wednesday - another safety check required after a large quake struck - we have pulled ourselves together, put things back on shelves and are carrying on. We're still wading through plaster flakes from the ceiling, and there's a few disturbingly large cracks in the walls, but we're happy to say we're here and ready for action for all your printing needs, business card orders, letterheads and stationary requirements, and any other odds and ends as we have been printing in the past week such as building notification stickers, postcards to send to other businesses around the country to advise of address changes or updates from the current situation, and other small and large print jobs that have arisen from the Canterbury upheval.

We experienced some major outages that had knocked some of our servers out on Monday morning, and then again for most of Wednesday, as well as an evacuation of our building in the morning (so if you phoned on Wednesday - you now know why we weren't answering).

However, it is currently business as usual.

All presses are up and running and our partner print operations in the North Island have been available to cover any downtime.

Should you experience a problem logging in to www.patchprint.co.nz simply retry logging in again, or give us a call on 0800 533 677. It may be that we've had a power outage and one of our servers has not restarted (which affects all login requests).

Remember that you're welcome to give us a call for any further quotes or queries, we'd be happy to hear from you.

- Crystal Mathieson.

Christchurch HQ up and running!

Good morning all.

I'm happy to say we're all safe and up and running here at Patch HQ in Christchurch! Plenty of dramas and stories being shared, lots of communities pulling together, and so much good coming out of something so disastrous!

It's interesting the small things that can change, a bus ride to work this morning and I was the only passenger - very strange - not to mention the forced detours where roads are closed off due to flooding and damage. The driver and I exchanged amused looks as he checked his map for alternative routes to take. There seems to be about half as many people around in Christchurch CBD today, and lots of buildings with fences around them saying 'no access', but there is activity going on - and the action is repair and recovery.

Yes, we're a determined bunch here in the South, and we gladly welcome your orders and work in so we can keep the wheels turning and generate continued business for our industry in this area. So if you need business cards, brochures, greeting cards for your loved ones or postcards to send to friends and business relations as well as our standard stationary products like letterheads, stickers and magnets, now is the time to get them through to us. View our full range of print and promotional products online at www.patchprint.co.nz and you can order direct from our website, or give us a call if you would like some more information or assistance in ordering - 0800 533 677 - we're here and willing to assist with any quotes or queries.

I'd like to say a special thanks to all those who have emailed, phoned and txt'd us to ensure we're all safe & sound, and we send out our thoughts out to those in the afflicted areas and hope that you are getting all the kindness and support you need in this unexpected time, this chance to pull together and show the world our indomitable Kiwi spirit.

- Crystal Mathieson.

Easy File Preparation tips!

A wide range of templates for different products, such as business cards, brochures, postcards, rackcards and more, is available to download FREE from our website www.patchprint.co.nz These templates are available in Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, CorelDraw and Freehand.

For any other files you wish to supply, simply add a total of 3mm bleed (= 1.5mm on each edge) to the trim size on your file. For example, if you want to create a business card that is 90 x 55mm, create a page size in your software that is 93 x 58mm. My tip would be to add some guides so you can see where the trim line will be. And try to keep all text at least 2mm away from the trim line, as print movement may cause things to get cut-off.

Save the file, then when finished, convert all fonts to paths and save the file as a "paths" file. I tend to add; .ctp - onto the end of the file name of this "paths" file, so I always have two working files for each job. One converted to paths and one with fonts, able to be edited. (.ctp = converted to paths.)

From your "converted to paths" file, export a PDF. Don't include any crop marks, simply ensure the file size exported is the size inclusive of 3mm bleed. ie. 93 x 58mm. Ensure the file is also in cmyk (not rgb), and all images or links in the file are also cmyk - and have been re-sized (preferably in photoshop with 300dpi resolution) then imported into your working file, rather than imported and re-sized in the file. Re-sizing images in photoshop and THEN importing them, keeps the file size down.

Now you can order online through our website www.patchprint.co.nz, simply select the product and quantity that you require, and upload your print-ready PDF file!

Feel free to give us a call for any further file-handling queries - 0800 533 677.

Foiled Effects for business cards

Have you thought about putting a foiled effect on your cards or cards you are designing for a client? That metallic gloss or matt effect to make a business cards stand out above all others! And not just limited to business cards, but rack cards, appointment cards, menus or other printing?

As follows is a quick how-to for foiled business cards; and don't forget to ask us to send you samples of the colours we have available, and the kind of effects we can produce, if you would like a better look at the possibilities!

Here's a page-by-page file requirement for a foiled business card. PDF files are preferred -simply ensure all fonts are converted to paths/outlines (don't save over the original file when you do this!!) before you create the PDF file.

Page ONE of your business card file would be WHAT WOULD PRINT. This should be only in cmyk (no pantone colours for offset print), and all areas you wish to be foiled will not show.

The size should be inclusive of 3mm bleed (1.5mm on each edge).

Page TWO will be the reverse of your business card - or - if you do not want printing on the reverse, insert a blank white page the same size as the front page. We can print full colour or black-only on reverse, depending on your design requirements.

Page THREE will be the foiled area only set to 100% magenta only. We use this colour simply because it stands out, and is not commonly used on it's own so to most printers it indicates a "special requirement." This page must line up EXACTLY with page one, as the foil block gets made from this file and must fit on top of page one to foil.

HOW TO ensure your foil page or emboss page lines up exactly with your first printed page ; Create a composite page of your design first. Include everything. When it's correct - duplicate it twice. Go back to the first page and delete all the areas you want to be foiled. On the first duplicate page, delete all the areas that won't be foiled and change all the areas to be foiled to 100% magenta. The second duplicate you can leave as a "composite page" and this will be a guide for us. Throw a back page (or a blank page for the back) directly after page one and you're about ready to print!

Page FOUR will be the "composite page" - on this one you can overlay your foil layer onto your front printing layer to show us the final effect you want. You can have the foil in any colour you wish, to indicate the foil look you want. We can foil with a matt or a gloss finish so decide what look you want to go for first.

A few further NOTES ; When we foil a business card it gets printed first, then laminated, then the foil is done on top of the laminate, then the cards are trimmed.

As well as foiling effects, we can diecut and emboss - even on the same card. With these kind of effect, there is always limitations, or to put it better - things to be aware of. With embossing for example, say you wanted to have a swirly circle embossed and then foiled over the top. Sounds cool? The thing to avoid is making your swirly circle too fine - what can happen is that the cards will emboss fine, then the laminate may not be able to stay down in those small spaces and lift up. Ensure your designs are big and clear enough to avoid this. Both foiling and embossing look better on larger fonts - 8 point is about the smallest, and avoid itallic serif fonts where possible as it's very tricky to make a foil block on those tiny edges.

In saying all this - don't let these tips deter you from your creativity! We check all files as they come through, and if you're not sure if it will work you are welcome to flick us the file to have a look at before you proof the design to your client, or set your heart on it yourself.

Want to add an Emboss page, or a Diecut page? Simply create your diecut line or shape and set this to 100% magenta. Include this after the magenta-only foil page, keeping the "composite page" as the last page. A good idea to put your dieline on the composite page also, for reference. Emboss effect - same process applies, simply have the area you want to emboss in 100% magenta and include it after your foil or dieline pages. You can create a second "composite page" if you want to show the area on your final image - if it won't be seen where the foil already shows. Composite pages won't print so you can add some notes on there too if you want to send some instructions.

Notes on PAGE SIZE ; When you create your business card file, make the page size the size of the card inclusive of 3mm bleed (that's 1.5mm on each edge). So if you want a 90 x 55mm business card, create a page size that is 93 x 58mm. Another common size is 86 x 55mm, where you would make your page size 89 x 58mm. Put some guidelines on the page to remind you where the trim lines will be, and wherever possible, keep your text at least 3mm inside of this cut-line.

Meet the Team.

I don't think we've been properly introduced! So let me rectify the situation; we would like to handle your digital printing, offset printing, marketing and promotional product requirements. So I thought I would tell you a little more about us here at Patch Design & Print Solutions, also known as The Production House, to give you an overview of what we do, and the passion and purpose that goes into providing the best service and quality printing that is what we strive to provide on a daily basis.

A quick note: The Production House was created as an online-store brand, and is gradually taking over Patch as being our most recognised name. We welcome any feedback you may have on our current brands, website or products.

The friendly team here at The Production House consists of our Manager; Nigel Matthews. This is a man who has transformed a simple print shop into the largest online print store in New Zealand, through his unique vision and development of a system that has taken four years and immeasurable planning, creating, testing, adjusting, and considerable patience, to become the greatest tool I have ever come across in the print industry. Capable of archiving all the work this company has done for the past six years and more, making your current and previous orders instantly accessible by us, and by you, when you login online. This is by far the best system I, personally, have come across, and a formidable reason for why I stay and enjoy the work I do here. I am constantly amazed at the ease with which this system allows me to give the good service our clients are used too. We are able to give our customers instant information about products we have available, orders they currently or previously have put through us, prices for our complete range, and the ability to update online listings and add new products daily. In fact, the system we have all had input into, and have developed and use daily; "PatchPro" is just about worthy of having staff member status itself!

We have a fantastic Office Manager in Tania Wahrlich - with a brain like a computer. This lady is charming in person, and just a super-computer of information on how "PatchPro" works, and how the company works as a whole, connecting all the separate parts into one efficient machine. To the rest of the team Tania is invaluable, and her personal involvement in the long-term development of our system, both in-house and online, means she is also the safety-net we often find ourselves caught in before we hit the floor.

Donna Pore is our Accounts person, and is someone I have known for many, many years, having previously been trained by her in a printing role, running a printer the size of a large dining-room table and multi-tasking from graphic design to printing to invoicing. Donna is a flexible, wonderful member of our team, able to multi-task with the best of them, handling any design or file-handling requirements and client queries, to all of our accounting needs. If you have any account queries or issues, Donna is quick to assist and we are very lucky to have her here.

Adele Little should have about eight more hands to handle the Production Manager role she wrangles with daily - keeping track of all current orders, whether they be printing here in-house by us, or printing off-site around New Zealand, including Auckland and Gisborne, with our Supply Partners. Adele is a wonder, overseeing that all orders are approved by our clients, or automatically approved (a feature that can be requested when ordering) are put into production, printed, and then in most cases trimmed, packed and freighted out. Then sometimes additionally die-cut / laminated / embossed / creased / folded / glued / padded / hole punched / or any number of other special finishing that may be requested, not to mention ensuring that we have all the paper stock and supplies we need to keep things running smoothly. This is a demanding role that Adele handles with a smile, and she welcomes any queries and is never too busy to take your calls and queries when needed.

I am Crystal Mathieson, and beyond an uncanny knack to ramble about what it is we do here and why you should be inspired to let us assist and provide for your printing needs, I check and handle your files as they come through from orders processed online, emailed or faxed in. Or taken personally when you may wish to come in and see us directly. I ensure your orders flow through from the processed stage to approval, and followup orders, along with others in the team, to ensure everything gets checked and double-checked prior to printing. I pilot our flight into social media, and do some of any graphic design jobs and in-house printing where needed, along with our other in-house Graphic Designers. I enjoy assisting with online print order processing, or any file handling queries, and am always happy to take your calls and answer your emails to that end.

Within our company there is a lot of overlapping roles, as we are all happy to answer your queries and assist in the process to a final product we can all be proud of. We all put more than just our time into the challenge of making this company a smoothly functioning Production House, and a purpose-driven yet enjoyable atmosphere to work in. And so I ask you to give us the opportunity to provide you with our top quality products. I ask you to support a New Zealand based print company, and our New Zealand Made products. Take a look at our products and pricing online, or let us quote you on any printing or products you may be thinking about using as a marketing tool. Let us assist you with any stationary needs that you may have, such as letterheads, compliments slips or notepads. Or any promotional products such as pens, name badges, stickers or fridge magnets that will give you or your company that extra platform with which to promote yourselves.

We ask you for the opportunity to do what we do best.