Cardies enjoy seeing designs brought to life at The Imaging Centre’s inaugural seminar
“Our aim is for you to use our knowledge to become a successful greeting card publisher,” stated Adam Short, managing director of The Imaging Centre printing and fulfilment business, as he welcomed the greeting card publisher attendees at the company’s inaugural InPress day seminar.
When The Imaging Centre moved into its new premises in Marden in Kent last year, it was always the plan to host a series of hands-on day seminars for a small group of card publishers to benefit from invaluable information about the industry and its workings as well as upload a design on to the company’s system and then actually see it being printed in the factory.
And on Thursday, 15 September, the first of many planned seminars took place with publishers Peony & Pangolin, Papercuts, Philippa Wright Art, Iona Buchanan and Francesca Kemp Textile Art all delighted to christen the initiative.
The classroom activity was a mixture of live talks, insightful videos and practical sessions, building up to a tour of the production facilities and witnessing the card designs coming off the digital presses.
Commissioned by The Imaging Centre, the super-talented Lanther Black team of Dominique Miranda and Jack Parker created engaging videos to cover various aspects, with GCA ceo Amanda Fergusson explaining about the support provided by the trade association; Enveco’s Stacey Lee and Lucy Glover stressing the importance of wise envelope choices; G.F Smith’s Mark Jessett and Emma Oliver talking on the wonders of board; retailer Paul Cheshire of &Quirky sharing an indie store’s insight, while Poet And Painter’s Lucy Creed, Jo Clarke of Toasted Crumpet, and Lanther Black’s Dominique gave a publisher’s perspective.
On the practical front, Deckled Edge’s Janna Cossettini helped attendees learn how to set up their artwork to make the most of it; The Imaging Centre’s systems manager Stuart Blake showed attendees how to upload files and the importance of proofing; new business development manager Simon Davis explained about the company’s Simplicity Retail platform; operations director Jessica Short reinforced the sustainable benefits of its operation; customer services manager Alan Miller talked through placing a greeting card order, and production manager Edward Starling led the factory tour to see the presses in action with attendee publishers’ designs.
When asked what they loved the most about the event, all attendees were gushing with their praise. “I loved it all,” exclaimed Philippa Wright, of Philippa Wright Art, “everyone was so knowledgeable.”
Francesca Kemp, of Francesca Kemp Textiles, was amazed by “how much was covered over the course of the day”.
Papercuts owner Gracie Thomson highlighted the value in meeting The Imaging Centre team “face to face” as well seeing the whole operation in the real.
Peony & Pangolin duo Danni Cooper and Lisa Barrett quipped “the lunch” was a highlight – feting the culinary talents of Jan Short – before adding that it was good to see that for all The Imaging Centre’s capabilities “it is not a large-scale business and you can get to know the people who look after your account”.
Iona Buchanan, artist and founder of the eponymous company, enjoyed “the factory tour…I loved it”, while her husband Mark Hordern said “it was learning about all the little details that matter that was invaluable”.
The next free-to-attend InPress seminar is to take place on October 13, and to register your interest in future events click here.
Top: Classroom action at the first InPress seminar from The Imaging Centre
