The Art File is offering to ‘go naked’ for its 2019 Spring Seasons cards and is giving retailers a deduction of 4p a card if they order them unwrapped.
The Nottingham-based publisher, which has just launched its largest ever collection of Spring Seasons, comprising some 150 brand new designs, is also offering the cards wrapped as an option for its retail customers.
Explaining about the rationale to initiate an unwrapped option on its Spring Seasons cards, Ged Mace, managing director of The Art File told PG Buzz: “The initiative came about from wanting to do something around packaging that would make us all stop and challenge our status quo – including The Art File.”
He suggests that retailers as well as publishers have long adopted a view of ‘We’ve always taken cards wrapped so….’, but this does not have to be the way.
“By offering customers the option to take their Spring cards unwrapped, we are simply giving everyone more choice and see this as a positive act on all fronts. Now of course it might not be for everyone but feedback at this early stage is enlightening,” Ged confirmed.
One of the first retailers to give The Art File a full thumbs up for this development was Louise Riley, owner of independent card shop, Sweet Autumn, in Buckingham.
“I remember reading in PG that The Art File was considering trialling unwrapped cards for Spring Seasons so I was delighted to have this confirmed when I saw the range on its stand at Harrogate Home and Gift last week,” Louise explained. “Such a move should be applauded. I hope it encourages many other publishers to follow suit. It really is a win win. Not only will it bring benefits environmentally, but also save costs for retailers and publishers and what’s more, the cards will look so much better unwrapped.”
As she reinforced: “The arguments about wastage or lost envelopes are easily overcome. Plus, Spring Seasons are on display for such a short period, the amount of damaged stock will be minimal. I can only see a case for wrapped cards if they have delicate handmade attachments. Good for The Art File for its approach.”
For the first time ever, The Art File’s Spring Seasons collection also includes some designs for St Patrick’s Day alongside the other four main events. All cards from The Art File are printed on FSC accredited board.
Top: The Art File is including St Patrick’s Day cards as part of its Spring Seasons collection for 2019 for the first time.
