Ever wish you could nosy in on how other UK businesses use print to look amazing? Well now you can!
We asked 16 small UK businesses to share their best print designs along with top tips for using print to make a big impact on their customers. From logo stickers to promotional flyers and booklets, every business uses print in its own unique and inspirational way. We hope this free eBook filled to the brim with real print designs is the perfect thing for getting your creative juices flowing.
Kawaffle
Who are they?
Kawaffle are a Plymouth-based waffle bar offering a range of freshly made snacks, such as bubble waffles, lolly waffles and milkshakes. They have also recently expanded their business to include a cereal café.
Product used:
What they have to say about their print:
“instantprint have always provided us with fantastic fun and quality products that match our brand perfectly, at a great price.”
Kate Moby
Who are they?
Kate Moby is a designer, photographer and illustrator who creates unique hand-drawn designs inspired by nature and printed on a range of different items, from stationery to homeware.
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Kate’s top print marketing tip:
“Extra touches like branded stickers to decorate envelopes or seal up packaging all show to customers how much I appreciate them choosing my work.”
Wirewax
Who are they?
Wirewax are a leading video and media company who use interactivity to enhance the viewer’s experience. Their videos allow viewers to touch, explore, play and even shop through the medium of video.
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Why they chose print:
“In a time when it is easy to see more and more brands zombie-walking into bland homogeny, it’s so important to push the boundaries with creativity. Represent yourself in a way that is a strong, genuine reflection of who you are and the values you want to drive in your work. Design is everything; never be afraid to be disruptive with it.”
Nice Things by Helena
Who are they?
Helena Mackevych is an illustrator whose designs are inspired by her own childhood. She uses her distinctive style of illustration to turn her clients photographs into something straight out of a children’s book.
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Using print for a personal touch:
“In my little business, adding a personal touch to show customers I care is really important to me and it’s lovely to get it back from other businesses that I deal with.”
New Leaf Health
Who are they?
New Leaf Health are a healthcare consultancy provider specialising in workplace wellbeing. As well as offering training and consultancy services, they also have a range of healthcare checks and events both onsite and across the UK.
Product used:
Reward your clients:
“We have certificates of completion for our workplace wellbeing coordinators course. It’s a great way for the delegate to show that they, and their organisation, are passionate about health and wellbeing in the workplace.”
Peblsbooks
Who are they?
Peblsbooks is a publishing arm of the Peblsrock seaglass seller based in Seaham. This etsy-based business creates unique pieces of jewellery and art from locally-sourced seaglass. They’ve recently published a set of chidlren’s books and pocket guides for collecting seaglass.
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How they use print:
“Discovering instantprint has been transformational for my business. In the space of two years, it has allowed me to grow a publishing arm, Peblsbooks, that includes five children’s books and a series of guides for my main business – sea glass collecting and jewellery making.”
Peanut Butter Dreams
Who are they?
Peanut Butter Dreams create stunning homemade decorations and accessories through the technique of macramé. They also offer workshops to show you how to create your own macramé crafts and projects.
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Benefits of print for small businesses:
“As a small business owner, flyers are a key marketing tool for me to reach potential new customers. Having a trustworthy and efficient printing company supporting my venture is essential. Sometimes it is difficult to be on top of everything and it is reassuring to know that instantprint will deliver any last-minute high-quality prints quicker than any other company.”
Milo & Co
Who are they?
Milo & Co are a doggy day care service offering dog walks, 12-hour day care and 24-hour stays in the seaside location of Whitstable. A qualified human friend will be on hand throughout their stay, they have full access to a private garden and daily walks, and even basic behaviour training.
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On using print to reach new customers:
“As a new business providing doggy day care and home boarding, our brand is incredibly important to us and therefore so too is the look and feel of our business cards. We ordered our first 500 from the instantprint team and could not be happier. They are extremely cost effective but equally very high quality and the overall service from the team was brilliant.”
Sheffield Skincare
Who are they?
The Sheffield Skincare Company are an independent business that make a sell 100% natural handmade skin care products. As well as being free from harmful additives, their products are vegetarian and cruelty free, and packaging is 100% recyclable and eco-friendly.
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Tips for saving time as a business owner:
“As a business owner, your time’s quite precious, isn’t it? So, if you can afford it, get someone professional such as instantprint to print your materials – it’s really important that your marketing looks the part alongside your products.”
Monty Dogge
Who are they?
Monty Dogge have created a collection of children’s books featuring their five dogs, including Monty the Newfoundland Pup. As well as author-signed books, some of the dogs pawtographs are also available to buy.
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Easy online printing:
“We love the products and ease of adding our own design. instantprint’s quality and speed makes it perfect for us to be proactive with our promotions.”
The Gift Fox
Who are they?
The Gift Fox is an online gifting business offering jewellery, prints and clothing with personalised messages. Calligraphy-based foiling designs and custom baby grows are just a couple of the fun gifts this business sells.
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How they created a high-quality feel for their business cards:
“The first thing people say when I hand over my business cards is how smooth they are. Knowing that they are part of my first impression to a customer, I opted for the velvet finish. I wanted to give the impression that quality is important to me, especially as people are choosing me to create their custom gifts.”
Enjoying Norfolk
Who are they?
Enjoying Norfolk are a family-run business sharing their passion for where they live by offering discounts on local attractions. They hope that this helps tourists and locals alike find new things to do in Norfolk, which in turn helps local businesses thrive.
Product used:
Good value marketing materials:
“As a business, we use instantprint regularly. We’ve always been really pleased with the ease and speed of ordering and delivery, and also the quality of the final products. Great value for money too!”
Polka Dot Creations
Who are they?
Polka Dot Creations are a handmade wedding stationery business dedicated to adding a special finishing touch to their customers’ big day. Founder Nicky has experience in both graphic design and proofreading, meaning quality is a must for her business.
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Why they chose instantprint to print their roller banners:
“I use instantprint for my roller banner printing as the quality is second to none – the images seem crisper than other companies that I have used in the past and the speed of delivery is fantastic.”
Saf and Ani Boutique
Who are they?
Inspired by her daughters, founder of Saf and Ani’s main aim is to source beautiful jewellery from all over the world. As well as unique necklaces, earrings and bracelets, they also have a range of hair accessories.
Product used:
Small circle stickers and business cards
Their top print hack:
“My business cards are multi-purpose. As well as handing them out to new contacts, they’re perfect for stylish jewellery backing cards.”
Tillyandsage
Who are they?
Tillyandsage is an Etsy-based homeware and gifting business with an impressive collection of toiletries, soap dispensers and cleaning labels. One of their unique offerings is soap dispensers made from old gin bottles!
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Their top print hack:
“We created stunning new instruction cards for our soap dispensers – thanks instantprint, they’re fab!”
Sister Collab
Who are they?
Sister Collab is an interior architecture graduate from London. As part of her final open show, she used business cards from instantprint to introduce herself to potential clients and connections.
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How to impress with print:
“I absolutely loved the prints and used them for my final degree show of interior architecture. I was very pleased with the quality of the prints and the way they were packaged. They made such a good impression on working professionals at the show, they were gone in seconds.”
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