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.

Expanding our printing range

Greetings all. We've recently added more products to our already hefty selection of print and marketing, New Zealand made products.

Most recently added are our Un-laminated Rackcards. A beautiful quality Offset-printed Rackcard on a very chunky 445um stock - these Rackcards will not curl over when put into a rack, and the un-laminated finish on our sustainable stock will ensure you are making a good choice for the environment.

See our range of Plastic Countertop Holders for allowing your customers easy access to your business cards, rackcards or brochures. There are good, clear illustrations online of the different sizes and shapes available through our website.

We offer "Value" Un-laminated Business cards, as well as our most long-running and popular Value Hi-gloss and Value Smooth-as-Satin business cards - which are all Offset printed and of the highest quality on a thick and chunky card weight.

We've added USB Sticks to our range, printed single-colour so you can print your own corporate logo or personalised message onto them as a unique gift or promotion.

Are you in a high-stress industry? How about some Stress Balls?! Print your company logo or message as a fun way to have your logo be seen and enjoyed, on this colourful selection of tension-easing promotional products.

Good luck with your promoting! More products on the way!

- Crystal Mathieson

Patch Print Customer Liaison.

Goodbye Reindeer Hello Kiwis!

Happy New Year to all our loyal blog readers! ... and those others who got lost on their way to finding print products on our website - welcome!

I hope you've heard wonderful feedback from your stylishly printed christmas cards over the break, and that you're among the many who ordered and received their christmas cards, christmas tags, custom-printed wrapping paper, christmas posters and other seasonal-themed, reindeer-enhanced marketing material early, avoiding the rush. As for everyone else - I'm sure we will hear from you again this December 23rd! Unless! - you would like to get in early this year and have a stress-free christmas wind-down.

We would recommend you start thinking about your christmas printing in early September, and then contact us so we can assist you in getting your needs met quickly and efficiently in late September / early November - leaving plenty of time for you to panic about all those other little stressfully important things.. like family.

A special new year's greeting to our Resellers! And all the best for your business endeavours in 2010! Our team of smiling, tanned and well-rested personages are here awaiting your calls and emails so as always, feel free to contact us for your product queries and your tricky quotes, we'd love to hear from you.

For anyone new to the wonders of online print ordering - welcome! - we're always happy to talk you through our online systems and introduce you to the new features, so start planning your marketing for the new year, and don't forget to always carry business cards!

Here's to a brighter more positive 2010 and the best quality print and smiling service we would love the opportunity to provide.

- Crystal Mathieson

Patch Print Customer Liaison.

Please note: For information on becoming a reseller, we encourage you to contact us to find out more.

Print Specials this month

To help you get prepared for the Christmas rush to come, as well as your own Business Card requirements, we would like to offer you some Print Specials for this month on two of our products.

Get in early for your A6 Greeting Cards to send to your family and friends! Design your own and send us the file, or collect your best photos and come and see us so we can work with you to create your own uniquely designed cards! We also have a range of Xmas images if you need us to come up with a style and greetings for you.

All Christmas Cards this month come with FREE envelopes!

Our second Special This Month are our NEW PRODUCT - Unlaminated Business Cards!

These are a great product, if you don't need a laminate coating then these top quality, Offset Printed business cards are an excellent option.

Because of the lack of any coating, these cards are more suitable to cards without any dense concentrations of dark colours - which fare better when protectively coated.

I would love to send you some of our samples, we're very proud of this new cheaper, eco-friendly, but still thick and chunky business card option.

For samples or any other queries, email me at ; orders@patchprint.co.nz

- Crystal Mathieson

Patch Print Customer Liaison.

Settled into new premises, & thanks.

One way I can tell that our Patch Print team is all settled into our new offices - the continuation of "Nerf Wars" - time to check before stepping blindly into a hallway, that you're not in a direct line-of-fire, and that you squint slightly to avoid the common affliction loosely termed ; "foam-bullet-in-the-eye".

I have come to the conclusion that these new premises are a definite improvement! The move was a good one and congratulations to all those who were involved, both outside the team and here at Patch, for the decision making process, the heavy lifting and struggling up and down stairs (then up and down lifts), and the relatively smooth transition into "who-goes-where" and "has-anyone-seen my...?" which was an adventure all on it's own.

Lastly we would like to send out our heartfelt thanks to all our Customers, Re-sellers and Suppliers who had the patience and fortitude for the short time our systems were in transit, and for their continued support and business.

For any queries or further information, feel free to email us at ; orders@patchprint.co.nz

To keep up to date with our ever-expanding product range, visit our websites today ;

Clients go to ; http://www.patchprint.co.nz

Resellers visit ; http://www.theproductionhouse.co.nz

Thanks again to all, and all the best in your business and marketing efforts!

Kind regards,

Crystal Mathieson.

Patch Print Customer Liaison.

We Have Moved!

... and we're still unpacking!

Your positive, professional, practical (perky?) patch team has just moved headquarters within the Christchurch Central Business District! We've moved from 96 Tuam Street to Leicester House, Level 2, 291 Madras Street! We're even mostly unpacked!

Moving is a great time for a change of scenery, a good sort out, and a fresh start.. that is, after the back breaking, nerve shattering, muscle straining moving is all done anyway! whew! I would relate moving into new offices, with existing funny-shaped desks and odd-sized equipment, to be much like a game of tetris on some advanced level! But we've done it! So you're welcome to come down and see us if you need any design work done and would like to talk to one of our designers face-to-face about getting your own fresh start - perhaps with a new logo, or some new signage around the office. You can do all the hard work but don't underestimate the positive effects on yourself or you staff of CHANGE! Some new colours on the walls, a coffee machine, an interesting plant?! Or a change in your own marketing personality through printed media!

Come and find us online at http://www.patchprint.co.nz for our full range of products to spruce up your image, or just get your name out there on a Large Format Poster, some Marketing Postcards, or perhaps some Printed Magnets?! Possibilities are only limited by your imagination as we can create customised products to suit your needs.

One of our recent customised jobs was for "Foam Hands" - like you would see people waving frantically at an American Football game. Well, we made them! So if you want to have an original product that is not normally found in New Zealand, starting thinking and give us a call!

Attention designers and those already in the printing trade - apply for Trade Access at our wholesale website here http://www.theproductionhouse.co.nz or contact us for more info. We will happily send out samples wherever required.

Time to add some SPRING into your company!

NEW PRODUCTS!! Come & See!

Exciting new product now available on our website!

COFFEE HOLDERS - print your own company branding on our new fold-up coffee holders, so when you have an appointment with another company you can turn up with coffee's in your own branded coffee carrier! Comes as a two or four coffee holder.

This is a new Print Partner product from one of our New Zealand suppliers - NZ business supporting other NZ businesses supporting our economy!

Go direct to this product on our website ; Coffee Holders

For related products visit us here at ; http://www.patchprint.co.nz

Or for those in the trade ; http://www.theproductionhouse.co.nz

Buy NZ Made!

Here at Patch we're proud of our "Made in NZ" status, and would like to encourage New Zealanders to buy New Zealand made! Most people share the inclination to support their own local community ahead of outsiders and the success of the "Buy New Zealand" campaign has been greatly helped by the well recognised stylised kiwi logo. The "Buy NZ Made" campaign started in 1988! So it is very well recognised in representing those companies, like ourselves, who are dedicated to producing quality products made by New Zealanders, for New Zealanders.

In a recent telephone poll, of 529 people in a month, researchers found 59 percent of New Zealanders said they made a point of buying New Zealand-made goods and an additional 13 per cent sad it depended on what the goods were. A mere twenty-eight per cent said they didn't make a point of buying New Zealand-made. The poll was part of Research New Zealand's monthly survey of attitudes and opinions and was not on behalf of any organisation.

When you buy a New Zealand produced product or service, you're helping to create jobs and promote growth in our country. So you're giving our country a huge benefit when you buy NZ made rather than from another country. We can be proud of the quality of our products.

For more information and to join up and register with "Buy New Zealand Made" follow this link ; http://www.buynz.org.nz/87083/links/subpages.html

Positive Vibe

We love to hear your feedback on our jobs, so as follows is a few recent comments that make us feel glad we're achieving the level of service and quality that we excell too.

"Thanks team, the job arrived safely and in time for our celebration on Saturday".

S. C. -Whitianga.

"Thanks so much for the **** brochure, both the client and I are delighted with the result!"

A. K. - Blenheim.

"Hi. Order has been received - am impressed with level of service and quality of work, will certainly be recommending you."

G.R. - Auckland.

"Hi.. just to say the flyers arrived safely yesterday and my client is very pleased... thank you for a great job and turnaround, cheers J."

J.G. - Auckland.

"I have just received the flyers and I just wanted to say they are AWESOME! Excellent quality - thanks heaps!"

V.G. - Mount Maunganui.

"This morning I received the samples for the weddings flyers that were completed last week with great urgency. The flyers met and exceeded my expectations. I'd like to convey my thanks to you and the Patch team for working so diligently to get this job to my client in time for his departure for the wedding expo in Wellington. The completed job looks great and I'm certain my client will be more than pleased with the final result. While I'm not normally given to ostentatious outbursts of grandiose exclamations, I'm moved to proclaim that YOU GUYS ROCK!"

P.H. - Blenheim.

"Hi. Magnets turned up today brilliant job, can't wait to see cards will pay straight away, cheers D."

D.N. - Rangiora.

Made in New Zealand for New Zealanders

For our latest website have a look at www.clickprint.co.nz

We're offering design & marketing solutions and great products made in New Zealand, to all New Zealanders, and servicing among other areas, the following ; Akaroa, Amberley, Cheviot, Darfield, Kaikoura, Rangiora, Culverden, Lyttleton, Christchurch.

North Shore, Manukau, Albany, Howick, Takapuna, Ponsonby, Papakura, Warkworth, Auckland. Te Kuiti, Thames, Tokoroa, Matamata, Te Awamutu, Cambridge, Featherstone, Hamilton.

Upper Hutt, Lower Hutt, Kapiti, Porirua, Kilbirnie, Miramar, Paraparaumu, Karori, Wellington.

Mt Maunganui, Te Puke, Katikati, Ohope, Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupo, Whakatane, Opotiki, Turangi.

Design Student tips!

I was recently contacted by a student at the National College of Design & Technology, querying the following topics for a print project - quality, time, cost and function. Here at Patch we aim to support those starting out. I went to Natcoll myself - it was fantastic! I did feel then that there was a distinct lack of support from the Industry and not many printers would give you the knowledge you need if you are a student rather than a paying customer, and so I emailed back a novel of information to this student who is just starting out in the design industry and looking at organising print for their clients. Pretty much an overview of what I would have liked to know about when I was a student myself!

Needless to say, if anyone out there would like more information, and has any specific questions about product choice, price markup, file handling, spot colours, special orders such as foiled, embossed or diecut business cards, how to order online to get the best price, budget print options, accounts and payment queries, opportunities for commission design work, or any other queries that may be of relevance in this quickly changing industry, then feel free to contact us here at Patch, we'd love to help you get your orders through, sound like a professional about the products you can offer, and build your business!

Here's some basic info to advise on the topics I was asked about ;

Greetings Students! We here at Patch are ahead of the market in online ordering, so to get the best deal you would be advised to go to our wholesale website and apply for trade access. You need to be in a position to on-sell the products to get these prices and as a designer you should qualify. There's a good tip to start with - don't pay retail! Ordering online also saves you a $20 processing fee - which covers the time for basic file handling and admin order setup. This is a standard charge from all print companies if you were to email or post the job in.

Apply for Trade Access to our wholesale website here ; http://www.theproductionhouse.co.nz

Click this link to visit our retail website http://www.patchprint.co.nz - where can see the standard retails pricing charged. Generally we like to leave the markup that you want to charge your own clients up to you - just make sure you cover all your costs in what your charge, and ensure you have included all possible costs such as freight (local, around NZ, or rural delivery all differ), and any charge for faster turnaround where required.

To answer the queries on specific topics ;

QUALITY ; We have a range of stocks available, and a great tool is our Sample Pack which we can offer you when you are a potential reseller, to show you a good variety of the quality you would expect from us. This pack includes Offset business card samples, Digital business card samples, Matt Foiled business cards, Gloss Foiled business cards, Matt Spot Silver business cards, Gloss Spot Silver business cards and a variety of DLE Swatches on a book-ring that show a range of different options such as UV Accent, Diecutting, and Smooth-as-Satin Matt laminate or Hi-Gloss laminate. We also include letterhead and compliments slip samples, and some extras like bookmarks in various finishes, postcards, pens, notepads, magnets, all examples you can show your clients and labeled only with generic branding.

With quality you need to find out exactly what your client expects, and if they have anything they have done previously that they want to achieve again - this may be a previous stock they've used or a matt or gloss finish, or even a specific company colour that must be the same across various printed products and stationary. More about colour further on...

TIME ; each product has a standard turnaround time. These are listed on our websites next to each product. For faster turnaround, or products required by a specific date - let us know so they can work to this deadline. Sometimes there is an extra charge for "Strict Schedule" jobs, and you would need to add this cost into what you charge your client.

Also, be aware that you will be adding time on for each extra 'event' in printing. What I mean here is if your client wants a rushed brochure job, and then wants it with a UV Gloss coating and a diecut - then these two additional events are going to add more time onto the job than what the turnaround time of the original product states. Contact us to check how fast this can be done and tell your client, they may have to settle for something simpler for a rushed job, or print the job digitally instead of offset, which is generally faster, but pricier for larger quantities. On some occasions we print "Temporary cards" when a client wants a really good quality business card from our Offset Printed Value range, but needs some cards immediately for, say, a business trip. We can then give them some cards same day if required, and send the fancy cards to them as soon as they are ready. There are always ways to satisfy your clients needs! Ask us how!

COST ; as a reseller you need to know what you will be paying, and what markup you wish to charge your client. You need to be fair, and allow a decent margin in your jobs so if things go bad you're not liable for the whole cost yourself. On this topic - get a signed copy of the proof from your client before proceeding! And a signed copy of the "proof sheet" too, showing exactly what your client will be charged for when the job is complete.

FUNCTION ; You need to know product options available, to ensure you have the right product to fit your clients needs. If, for example, they've ordered x 5000 Digital Brochures, it would actually work out cheaper for this quantity, and of better quality, to print them on an Offset press. Often it's just a case of checking with your friendly print company for the print solution that best fits the requirements, and getting quotes.

When you receive your username and password for trade access to our wholesale website, we have a new option that allows you to request a quote online. This is great for you as it allows you to check in on your quote/s, and have multiple quotes in progress. You get an email when the quote is ready, to which you follow the link to view your quote online, with the option to order it right there - avoiding any processing fees. It's great for us, as there are all the options to fill in and space for notes, so we don't have to worry about forgetting to ask you something!

FREIGHT ; This is one of a few extra things off the top of my head that will be important to note when you start getting orders. Is your client local or not, if they're rural this will be an additional charge, or do they expect you to deliver the job to them? Which will cost you time and petrol. Could they collect it from you? Talk through the options with your client before proceeding to print so everyone knows where they stand. There's nothing that makes you look unprofessional like phoning a client after approval and adding on extra costs, or the client coming back to you unhappy with surprise charges on their invoice.

Freight costs can be added onto your online order as you go, and if you select 'email me a proof' then you will clearly see all charges on your proof sheet. We recommend you do this for your clients also, so there are no unexpected costs, and you appear professional and organised, having covered all bases.

COLOURS ; very important. Is your client particular about the colours they want? Have they seen a printed proof or need too? What colours have they had previously they may expect to match again? Spot Colours / Pantone colours can be tricky also. Our Value and Vmax Offset print runs use cmyk, so if a spot colour is required we can run several cmyk breakdown swatches through the run first, and give you back a visual of some colour options to choose from, or offer your client. Ask us about our Colour Matching Service if you would like more info.

If you need any further tips about anything mentioned above, or a specific job you are looking to print, please feel free to contact us here at Patch where we're all happy to help.

Design, Print and Signage Network Expands

In the current economic climate, where business foreclosures and receiverships are virtually a daily occurrence, one company is seeing a remarkable upturn in sales and lead generated enquiries. The Production House, New Zealand's leading online design print and sign network is experiencing substantial growth in both sales and quote enquiries thanks to an expanded product range, growing online presence and active supplier network.

Managing Director for The Production House, Mr Nigel Matthews comments, "We started investing heavily into systems and online tools 5 years ago. Back then businesses in NZ were only starting to think online - and it wasn't easy. Now it's a different story. We're experiencing response rates to our online advertising anywhere from 400% - 1800% above the industry average."

Mr Matthews points to the supplier network as one of their reasons for success. "We've been able to grow by having good suppliers on board. Currently, we have more quote requests and work than we can handle."

"Our system allows for quotes and orders to come in from around New Zealand and suppliers get to quote or accept jobs immediately for producing and dispatching back to the client."

"We market the products and manage the debtors - ensuring payment is received and that our suppliers get to do what they do best - produce great work. We've kept the network entry cost to approved suppliers down with no immediate ongoing costs until the network begins to pay for itself. It's a win win situation." With a further 3 print and signage companies having already joined the network this month, TPH is preparing for further growth.

Ms Tania Wahrlich, TPH Production Manager says, "We have suppliers on the network that are handling anywhere from $2k - $20k worth of work each month via the system - with very little end user contact. Files are usually supplied in pdf format ready to print taking the hassle out of customer liaison."

Asked what the future holds for The Production House, Mr Matthews comments,

"Continued growth and a host of new features that will benefit our suppliers and clients nationally."

Foiling

I've had a lot of interest lately about Metallic business cards, business cards printed onto metal or plastic - like a credit card, cards with numbering or individual names and numbering, cards with metallic foils in various colours including orange, red, blue and green, as well as the usual gold and silver printing, emboss effects, die-cut cards - both your standard die-cut business cards or unique, original die-cut cards, and more... Here I will start with some information about Foiling and go from there, as there as so many small ways to ENHANCE YOUR IMAGE and HELP YOUR CLIENTS REMEMBER YOU!

So not just once, but definitely for all, I will give a explanation for all those people looking for business cards and printing with a little something extra. A little ZING to make a business card stand out among the billions of others.

So like the salesman with the flashing gold tooth.. but a lot less cheesy.. we offer foiled business cards! These can be added to either our Hi-gloss cards or our slinky matte option - Smooth-as-Satin business cards, and come in a variety of colours ; Classic Gold foil, Stunning Silver foil, Bronze foil, my personal favourite - Gunmetal foil, Blue foil, Green foil, Red foil - great for Christmas Cards, Black foil - you gotta see the black, ask us for samples! .. White foil - looks like a smooth twink finish - yes, that's the best way I can explain it - and a white foil will look fantastic on the right card.

Foils are a great option to get your cards looking classy. We have done designs where we try to work a foil into the design which looks great for Manufacture companies, where the foil is the hammer or anvil or some kind of metal. We have used foils to give a card a "riveted" look, or to highlight parts of a motorbike or a safety helmet. Imagine the possibility!

Classic foil use would be starting with the right font for your style, and having that font embossed. It used to be that you would only see a foil effect on your lawyers business card, or the foiled business card with matching foiled letterhead from you Dentist reminding you of your next bill due date. Nowadays foils are an affordable and very effective way of making your card stand out from your competitor, and insuring your customers KEEP your card, which is, after all, our ultimate goal. Even better if they're impressed enough to show their friends!

More on our other Special Effects coming soon!

Tania's North Island Tour - Part II.

This is a continuation of my interrogation/interview with Tania from Patch and The Production House, grilling her for gossip and information about her recent trip to the North Island to visit with some of our new suppliers in the efforts to offer you, the client, a better range of Print and Marketing Media at your fingertips.

Crystal: What type of businesses are you looking for to connect with The Production House?

Tania: Basically we are looking at Digital Printers, Offset Printers, and Signage Printers. Currently we are looking more towards signage than anything else, because that comes down to our available National, Regional and Local licences.

Crystal: Those businesses already using Patch Systems, did they have any feedback or comments that you'd like to share - either on Patchpro, Quoting or Website Ordering Processes?

Tania: They were absolutely blown away, and the reason they were blown away is because taking them through the Patchpro system and showing them ; okay this is how you load up a product, your image is changable, there's a content management system as well, so they can change the description, pricing and everything on -the-fly. And then showing them on the website what it looks like and the fact that it's all interchangable, they were just "Wow!". And a lot of these companies don't have online catalogues or online ordering or anything, they've just got a basic website which is a little bit of information about them with pictures and things. So, to be able to have this content management system and tie it in to the back end of The Production House and have their own catalogue website system they were absolutely blown away.

Say they've got a head office and they want to type the details in and just let head office manage it and they organise the print. They were blown away with that too. Just with all the tools that we were able to offer in terms of templates and business cards and things.

Something else I impressed them with, was we have a system called "Card Builder Template". This is where we setup your stationary as online templates, which allow each staff member to enter their details into these pre-existing templates without changing the brand or logo, look or style of your business card or other stationary. Either Head Office can control this or it's up to the individual Branches to fill in the information and from there to order the product - all done online and without the need for a designer to be involved, once the templates are complete. Ask us for more information on this fantastic Card Builder option by sending us a quick email with your contact details to orders@patchprint.co.nz

Crystal: So for those who aren't in the know, and to clarify, this means that without our interference or involvement suppliers are able to put their own products online?

Tania: Yes, they can put their own products online, and they can also put their products onto The Production House as well. And then they can have a catalog for their direct clients as well that has no reference to The Production House - they can have their own logos and all they are using is our back-end or layout from our technical setup.

Crystal: Where there any products or processes mentioned by these businesses that are difficult to achieve or hard to source?

Tania: There is some stuff that is hard to source but the fact that we just want to be the hub now we just put it out there, so it's becoming a lot easier now for The Production House, we can just float it past these supplier and see whether or not they can source it, and if we have no success with one then obviously we can go to another and see if they can source it, and just continue building our network. It's important to note that all of our product base comes from within New Zealand. All paper is imported into New Zealand as we don't have any paper mills, so we can proudly say all our products are proudly New Zealand made.

Crystal: Of the businesses that you spoke with can you recall a theme or an idea that is desired by the Management Staff that you spoke to, regarding the hopes for their company and the companies direction?

Tania: Yes, interesting when I got into the business side of things and see that each company has got their own existing core market that they want to work with, but the desire is - especially at present with the bit "Recession" word floating around, to look at different avenues and be able to source work from other areas. Hence they have chosen to come onto our network to partner with us, so we work with them, they work with us for mutual benefit and the natural achievement of this is having more ways of letting the public know what products can be provided and easy access to them! Providing more work for all.

In short our suppliers want to do what they do best, without having to worry about the marketing aspect or having to find a client base. They want to be able to stand behind their product, knowing that they've done a fantastic job in supplying their product to the end user.

Crystal: Was there anything that you were particularly impressed with on your travels?

Tania: The fact that we can now offer Neon signs and LED signs, Flag signs and signs that are about three times my height. We can also offer customised signage, Light Box signs, just the amazing product range that's out there... Full-on spray painting if required, as there's a spray painting booth available with one of our suppliers.

Crystal: If there anything you are particularly excited about regarding the new technology coming through?

Tania: Technology is forever changing but at the end of the day companies always need to advertise what they are promoting. One cool thing was in terms of motor-cross we now have a supplier that does all the graphics and can actually stick it on the motorbike for the client (think sponsors people, sponsors) and that was pretty cool because we've never been able to offer that and I think there's only three or four other companies in New Zealand that are doing that. That is definitely a unique part of signage that we can offer and I'm excited about having something unique to offer in this, along with the Neon Signage.

Crystal: Apart from the business you visited, were there any parts of the North Island that stood out for you and you'd recommend we visit?

Tania: North Island is absolutely beautiful. Travelling between Tauranga and Rotorua we got stopped in road works but it was just so tranquil. I stopped, turned the radio off, and just wound down the windows and listened to the bird life and it was just absolutely amazing. And the coastal scenery just driving along the beach between Whakatane and the Mount was really cool.

Crystal: So enjoying the serenity of the North Island in a traffic jam pretty much sums it up for you then?!

Tania: It's just great, especially when you're driving between Tauranga and Rotorua, and Rotorua to Taupo, there was a lot of road works, but it was really cool, you'd look out and see these little steam vents everywhere, and probably the only downside was it rained in Taupo, but I still managed to squeeze in a walk by the lake, and overall it was pretty cool

Crystal: Are you glad to be back, and what are your own feelings about what we have achieved at Patch, and where our ideas and skills in the market are leading us?

Tania: Yes, I'm glad to be back. But in saying that as well I fully stand behind Patchpro and The Production House because I think it's amazing what Nigel (Nigel Matthews - Manager of Patch Design & Print Solutions) has been able to accomplish with the website and the database and hopefully I'd love to see this grow a lot more in terms of our product range that we can offer to our end users, and at the end of the day I think the inspiration is to be the Trade-me of Print, and be able to let end users source all their print and marketing material via The Production House.

Crystal: And just lastly, what would like to say to Clients who are just looking for signage and thinking about using us?

Tania: If they're looking for signage I would recommend jumping onto http://www.theproductionhouse.co.nz. You are going to be absolutely amazed with what you find and with what's going to be coming in the next couple of months in terms of product. It's a brand new product range that we haven't been able to offer before, and now we've got access to offering this to our end users so watch this space!

A special thanks to Tania for undertaking this journey and representing the wildly enthusiastic and dedicated team here at Patch, in the trip across the ditch (Cook Strait) - bringing in more suppliers and thus allowing us to offer a wider range to our clients and give more work back to those skilled people in the Print and Signage Industry. 

Thanks Tania, and may we all have the opportunity to bask in the tranquility of a North Island traffic jam and dally with the locals.