Returning Customers

October 8, 2016October 4, 2016 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

In my opinion, there’s no greater compliment than a returning customer. Even positive feedback can be hollow, but when someone comes back for more, you know they truly love what you’ve made for them.

So when I had the opportunity to do a reprint of both Troy and Sharon’s business cards before I left for my September trip, I was really honored. You can read more about Troy’s original design here, and the story of the Franziska cards here. Want to order some custom letterpress business cards for yourself? Browse options here or get in touch!

Branding for Yourself: 622 press’ Business Cards

August 25, 2016August 26, 2016 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

I recently printed up another big batch of my business cards, and it occurred to me that when I rebranded last year I never shared my new cards! So, even though I’m considering another update in the next year or so (the perils of being a designer!), here’s the story of my cards!

Kraft paper was part of the identity package I put together for myself, and I love the look of white and metallic ink on kraft, so I knew I wanted to incorporate those inks in some way. After testing out a few options, I settled on white for the front of my cards as it has the most contrast with the paper, making small text easiest to read.

I also wanted to have a two-sided business card, but didn’t want them to be a difficult project to print—double-sided cards are the most difficult to get a tight registration. The solution? A free form pattern that would show parts of an oversized logo I had randomly printed on the backs of my cards. For the first few runs, I went with silver on the back, but this time I switched to gold (on a slightly lighter card stock)—it felt more festive for fall and the holidays, and more on trend! (Plus, like every other creative person right now, I’m obsessed with all things gold!)

Looking at them now, I’m falling in love with them again, so maybe I’ll hold off on that redesign…. Need some cards for you or your business? Get in touch, I’d love to work with you!

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Idaho Farm Business Cards and Stationery

February 28, 2016 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

Price Farms’ stationery is the last of my new year projects. I print a lot of business cards, but these were a particular challenge—not only are they a three-color job, but they also feature reversed-out type on a solid color flood background… twice. I printed lots of extras to allow for imperfections and mis-registration and I’m quite pleased with how they turned out!

The letterhead was a completely different story. I ordered the lighter text weight version of my favorite Crane paper and they printed like a dream! I was a little worried I wouldn’t get a good impression into such a light paper, but I was so wrong. I just love how they turned out!

To Give Without Expecting anything in Return

February 17, 2016February 9, 2016 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

I can’t beleive I haven’t shared this with you all yet, as it was one of the more interesting experiences of my trip home, but I guess that’s what you get when you’re a bad blogger…

Last fall, I designed this logo (plus a few other options, but this is my favorite!) for Laura, a Madisonian I’ve known for years, we first met through the magazine I used to work for, I got my hair done at the salon she owned for a number of years, we have lots of friends in common. She is also an intuitive reader, or, for lack of a subtler word, a psychic.

While I was home in Wisconsin, I did something very much outside my comfort zone and went to a reading with her. I actually tried not to think about it before my appointment so as not to create expectations in my mind, but even after being acquainted with Laura all this time, the experience was still not what I expected. More than anything else, it was like having coffee with a friend who wants what’s best for you and gives great advice (and might know a thing or two you haven’t actually told her).

I left feeling renewed, uplifted about life in Bermuda, the relationship that brought me here and the direction I’m moving in career-wise. There’s been more than one little nugget of advice that has stuck with me since our chat, but the one producing the most tangible results right now is when we were talking about how to grow my business in a country that doesn’t allow me to work locally. Laura told me to give (my work, my time, my expertise, etc.) without expecting anything in return (particularly since I can’t currently accept money for any of those things). Say what you will about karma, but so far it’s working out in my favor.

A few weeks ago, I was putting together Valentine’s Day orders for two of my stockists. I had pulled all the cards from my stock, and I was just short on a few things for one of the stores, which means I would have had to do two printing days for less than $10 immediate profit. Then I remembered that I had a few extra cards in a different custom design for the other store and I decided to give them those for free. When I pulled the cards I was going to give away, I happened across the exact quantity of cards I needed for the first shop!

Perfect coincidences like that remind me that the universe is working in ways that you or I won’t see until the right time… and we just have to trust the journey.

Custom Letterpress Projects: A Timeline

October 17, 2015October 8, 2015 ~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ Leave a comment

Recently, I’ve received several requests for custom projects like business cards and broadsides featuring custom designs or logos with due dates within a few days or a week. Since this is impossible for me (or any other printer without an in-house plate-maker…. and even then!), I thought I’d share a typical timeline for custom letterpress projects to help foster more understanding for the process.

DESIGN: I usually create the first round of design options within a few days of receiving the order, but depending on how specific and descriptive the project parameters are, the time required for design can vary quite a lot. It’s always better to provide too much information rather than too little!

PLATE-MAKING: Once the design is finalized, I create files for the company that makes my printing plates. Letterpress is a physical process, with ink not only being spread across the surface, but the design is actually impressed into the paper, so three-dimensional printing plates are required. The design is etched into magnesium plates (backwards, of course), which are then mounted to a specific height of wood base. Then of course they must be delivered to my little island studio, which usually takes about a week, but can take up to two. I also order any additional supplies during this period.

PRINTING: Most one-color projects can be completed in a day once they’re worked into my printing schedule. If the project has additional colors, I prefer to let the ink cure for at least one week between colors to prevent smudging. If the design is double-sided, I’d rather set aside two weeks between sides.

FINISHING: Many projects end up being trimmed by hand, which takes several hours, or even a couple days, depending on the quantity. I always print more than the number of pieces ordered, so then I spend some time choosing the very best to send to the customer.

SHIPPING: Once the project is packaged and addressed with care, the Bermuda post averages one to two weeks for delivery within the continental U.S. Shipping can be expedited, but two- to three-day shipping starts at $51 for something as small as an envelope!

All told, most completely custom projects will take a minimum of five weeks after the design is finalized and approved. I do love printing custom projects though, so please do get in touch!