Drinks Coasters

Over the past year we have produced for our clients over 20,000 drinks coasters.

During what feels like more and more difficult trading conditions we have noticed brands are opting to add extra streams of income to their ranges with coasters coming out top for value, as along with greeting cards they are still proving to be a great source of income. Relatively cheap production costs  (around 50p) and retailing in shops for around £3 per unit these are proving very popular gifts for customers.

If you are interested producing coasters drop us a line info@inkysolutions.com 

Postcard books & Calendars

We have recently been producing new stock items such as printed pencil crayons, postcard books, colouring in books and other exciting items yet to be announced. :) 

They draw horses postcard books 

It was a typical busy Christmas run up for us supplying our clients with all their cards, retail gifts and of course thousands of calendars! 

So with the new year already here and with spring trade shows imminent it's a great time plan your strategy for wholesalers. So do drop us a line if you need us to help?

Greetings cards & Merchandise

Over the past year or so we decided to offer a new core service "Brand Merchandise Management."  

After extensive market research and trials  (we even created our very own brand
  "They Draw Horses Don't They?"   to help us do this) we finally rolled out the service. We ironed out any issues and ensured we had in place many great suppliers and products ready for our clients.  
As a result we have already managed to attract some great brands. This year we have produced and shipped direct to retailers over 150,000 greetings cards 10,000+ calendars 12,000 drinks coasters, 1000's of mugs, toy samples, pencil cases and many other items. So if you think you have a commercially viable brand get in touch today for chat.

Wrapping paper.

Greetings cards.

 

Coasters.

A New Brand is Born!

On a wet windy Thursday night we finally launched our horse based brand!
We had a fantastic turn out at the Latest Music Bar in Brighton with people coming from all over the country to see and buy the great art and to be entertained and some say educated. 

We had a live screen printing show care of the fantastic http://theprivatepress.org/  whom printed a wonderful Nishant Choksi horse onto paper we sourced made from horse poo:) Now a lesser unprofessional type could easily drop in a really bad pun about the paper being Manurefactured for the event! but not us we're pros with a serious message! well, anyway, we also had the very talented Paul Collicutt who supplied us with an illustrated horse for us all to contribute to. But it was so good that most artists didn't want to touch. Well until they had had a few beers at least:) Cartoonist Leon Edler was busy doing caricatures of people as horses! But the night was capped off by award winning comedy writer and cartoonist Harry Venning who treated us to his very very funny "Release your inner cartoonist" workshop. 

Nishant Choksi Signing the screen prints

Guy Parker-Rees, Lydia Monks and Harry Venning

Harry with his Release your inner cartoonist talk

We would like to thank all the wonderful artists who contributed to the they draw horses brand. 
We plan to continue to add to it and have some great plans in the pipeline and hope to have many products and greetings cards in various stores by next year (fingers crossed) 
but If you can't wait until then we have an online store http://theydrawhorses.bigcartel.com/
or contact us for more details at  theydrawhorses@gmail.com

Prints, Tea Towels and a Mug Mountain!

 

CHANGE OF VENUE

Due to unforeseen issues we have had to relocate our "They Draw Horses Don't They?" Expo 
same date and time. Thursday 9th October 2014 7pm-10pm but now we shall be at,

The Latest Music Bar
14-17 Manchester Street
Brighton
BN2 1TF

See you there!!

They Draw Horses Don't They?

You may remember sometime last year we set the very nearly impossible challenge for Artists Illustrators and Doodlers to draw us a horse? 
Well, one and a bit years on we are finally ready to share these with the world! Yes we will be having an Exhibition of the fine equine artwork. Visit us upstairs at Circus Circus Brighton Thursdays 9th October 7pm - 10pm for a night of Horsing around! We plan to have a great night of tongue in cheek fun, including a comedy cartoon workshop how to draw lessons, printed horse merch and much more and of course we will be displaying the Horse art itself! 
The art we have on display is from world class artists, to name a few. Nick Sharratt, Nishant Choksi, A.Richard Allen, Jon Burgerman, Michael Gillette and many more so come join us for a drink and share a horse pun with us:)

Exhibitions

Exhibition printing is an important part of our business, over the years we have supplied the print for many different types of exhibitions! from local events to international government seminars. 
Our working relationship with our clients allow us talk through all requirements early on in the planning process, this ensures all options and products are considered with the budget firmly in mind.

Are you planning an exhibition or presenting to potential new clients? if you need some branded advertising, drop us a line for a chat info@inkysolutions.com  we can supply pretty much anything print related! Banners, pop ups, fliers, business cards, lanyards, folders, badges, books merchandise and  much more...

Meaning Conference 2013

Lanyard and concertina exhibition badges

Merchandise

After a busy few months we finally had the opportunity to revisit "They Draw Horses Don't They?" 
We had a great planning session and got some great advice. 
During our session some great print based ideas were banded about! among others goodies were Tote bags like this fab one of Nishant Choksi's Horse.
Interested in Tote bags or other printed goodies drop us a line info@inkysolutions.com

We hope to bring you more news in the near future of a possible "They Draw Horses Don't They?" Expo! Fingers crossed;) 

Autumn

As autumn arrives so does October fest! we recently had the pleasure of producing these lovely Beer mats for illustrator Neil Gower 

The beer mats where produced to coincide with the October beer edition of The Viva Lewes Magazine. Beer mats are a fantastic advertising medium and very much collectible! If your interested in your image on some beer mats contact us today info@inkysolutions.com


Autumn is also the time when Open houses, Art fairs and Christmas markets come thick and fast! We have been busy producing Greetings cards, Giclee's and other sellable goodies including these below

A2 Giclee Prints on 330gsm cotton paper by Pack & Tickle

Greetings cards for Kirsty Asher Chapman 

They draw Horses Don't They?

Much like skinning a mammoth or painting with berries, the ability to draw a horse is a skill that died with our Paleolithic ancestors.

It is a skill so alien to humans, that most of us don’t even think about it, ever. Only those who have thought, ‘Hmm, I wonder if I can draw a horse’, and tried putting pencil to paper have discovered this cold, ugly fact!

It had been said Leonard da Vinci attempted it, but as the result was so unrealistic, people believed it to be some kind of futuristic beast. He gave up and concentrated on drawing helicopters.

 In 1913, Emily Wilding Davison, a hobby artist sketching at the Epson Derby, was so frustrated at her inability to get the legs right, that she threw herself in front of the King’s horse.

My realisation came when, at 17, my soon-to-be-ex-girlfriend drew me a picture of one. It was frightening.

So, many years later I find myself working in the creative industry. In a studio, surrounded by people who can draw and create images most of us could only dream of. And yet, one subject matter was conspicuous in its absence (along with hands and feet, but that’s for another day). 

In universities, schools and art clubs around the country, it’s like a dirty word. Something never to be attempted. It was the unspoken rule (“You don’t talk about horses”).

But I talked!

Yes HORSES

Horses are hard, some say impossible to draw! 

Lacking the scientific equipment and intellect to prove this, I decided to challenge illustrators, artists and doodlers to prove me wrong!

And, well; they did. The overwhelming reply I got proved me very wrong. The horse pictures I received where outstanding!

http://pinterest.com/inkysolutions/they-draw-horses-dont-they/

The challenge we laid down had caused such a buzz that at one point we were getting up to several hits on the website in just one day;)

We decided to have a prize of "A 500 free postcard print run" for the most liked horse voted by the public.

And the winner was Chloe Douglass with her fabulous carousel horse.

We congratulate Chloe on her winning horse and shall be printing up some postcards for her soon. We would also like to congratulate everyone who had entered a Horse image! The standard has been amazing and the horses look wonderful! So good in fact we have great plans for them, but more on that another time. Until then feast your eyes on the horses we received They Draw Horses Don't They?

For The Love Of Print!!

We recently invested in a 120 year old antique Gestener Neo-Cyclostyle print duplicator. 
We didn't need it we just wanted it;)

The smell of the ink, the tactile feel of the paper. Print evokes stimulation for many of the senses and we feel this is a powerful tool when trying to get your message across to your target, this does not count for just advertising and marketing but artists too.
Artists today are able to communicate to many more clients than previously as affordable art is now readily available! from Screen to Giclee prints and everything in between artists can now produce and supply limited edition prints for their clients. 

We at Inky feel adding value to your print is an integral part of limited edition printing. The more interesting and creative the story behind the print the more desirable and valuable it will become to the owner!

We are currently playing around with our antique printer and hope to be able to put it to good use! 
We already have some fantastic artists lined up ready for some work and hope to show you these collaborations later this year!

DEADLINE EXTENSION! YAY

They draw horses, Don't they?

Due to overseas interest and postage time we have extended our horse drawn competition to 21st June 12pm. The voting online will now finish August 31st 
voting here http://pinterest.com/inkysolutions/they-draw-horses-dont-they/  

So that means you still have time to submit your horses by post or digital!! So giddy up pencil jockeys

Rules are simple draw us a horse (as many entries as you like) on the back of a postcard or submit digitally A6 size, the one voted best wins!!
Its your chance to win 500 free postcards from us at Inky but more important than that, its about pride!  
Oh yes it is, its your chance to show your peers and potential clients that you ain't afraid of drawing anything!! Yes we know horses are hard to draw some even say impossible! but here's your chance to prove them neigh sayers wrong! Is it possible in future years Art Directors will only commission artists based purely upon their equine illustration abilities? 
Probably not. 
Can you or anyone else ensure that will not be the case? No didn't think so!  
So what are you waiting for? 
send images to

They draw horses, don't they?
Inky Solutions
The Annex
43 Belmont Street
Brighton
East Sussex
BN1 4HN

email entries here info@inkysolutions.com 

Here are just a few Horses all ready up!! don't miss out 

They draw Horses, don't they?

Competition time:)
Win 500 free postcards!

Have you ever been to a children's book shop, and while browsing through the books thought to yourself "Umm considering its every girls dream to want a pony there's not that many picture books on horses and ponies? "  
Well the only possible reason has to be that its a well known fact that horses are hard to draw!
Obviously Leonardo da Vinci reckons he cracked it  but I'm not convinced;)

Can you draw horses? 
We challenge you to illustrate a horse, draw it on the back of a postcard and post it to me before 31st May 2013. If you would like a free blank postcard for your artwork or for digital submissions drop me an email to info@inkysolutions.com

Horses on the back of a postcard
Inky Solutions
The Annex
43 Belmont Street
Brighton
East Sussex
BN1 4HN



All the horses attempts will be put online on Pinterest to be judged by you and your peers in June! 
The winning pencil jockey shall receive a free 500 A6 postcard print run from us @inkysolutions.
Remember this is just for fun, you wont be judged by Sir Attenborough, so get drawing!

Proof that an anatomically correct horse is impossible to draw! by me at least;)

Brighton Illustrators Group Meeting

Last week i was invited to talk to the Brighton Illustrators group  at their Nuts and Bolts event.
The evening was packed full of great advice and tips for illustrators and creative types looking at self promotion, accounting and marketing. 

The night started with a great informative talk by Jo Boote discussing sole traders and accountancy. 
I followed with a talk on common sense marketing. I discussed the main marketing points creatives' could be looking to do to ensure their success in an ever more competitive industry.
My talk covered online and offline marketing, from social media and networking to printed mailings and Contact book, how to be targeted and the need to use common sense and creativity.
Among other things I also had a pie chart, as it wouldn't be a proper presentation without one:)

The evening was rounded off with a panel of Illustrators, Alan Baker, Nye Wright and Sean Sims answering questions on what marketing and self promotion has worked for them.

If your interested in becoming a member of the Brighton Illustrators Group click here its a great source of information and great way to show case your portfolio to potential clients.

"The Brighton Illustrators Group (BiG) is not an illustration agency but a group run by illustrators for illustrators on a voluntary basis. Since BiG was formed 22 years ago its role has been to support and advise freelance illustrators living in Brighton and the surrounding area. Our aim it to share information about professional practice though our meetings, newsletters and website as well as providing networking opportunities. Our further principal aim is to promote the use of illustration through our website and raise the profile of the group."

If you are interested in self promotion in the creative industry and missed my talk a white paper will be available to download shortly, please email me to secure your copy.

Do you work or are interested in working in the creative industry? 
I shall be one of the talkers taking part at the nuts and bolts BIG meeting next Thursday 
28th march 2013. I shall be giving a short basic presentation on marketing and on self promotion for people working in the creative industry, so come along its a free!

 My own marketing material, packed up and ready for the night!


http://brightonillustrators.co.uk/blog/nuts_bolts_meeting
THURSDAY 28TH MARCH. 8PM

Upstairs at the Kings & Queen pub, 13-17 Marlborough Place, Brighton

Accounting, print, marketing and self-promotion.

Desirable print

Just a few recent items we've produced, all on our thick uncoated card stock up to 400gsm. Rough to the touch and uncoated so the ink soaks in leaving a great colour reproduction similar to newspaper print. A fantastic tactile product. For samples drop us an email today info@inkysolutions.com 

Dry rub transfers

As I mentioned in my previous news feed, we recently started working with creative agency The Church of London, responsible for publishing Huck and Little White lies magazines amongst other things, The church of London have always been keen to use tactile and interesting print in their publications. We just supplied these Letraset style dry rub transfers for the Huck magazine's yearly subscription's so if your going to subscribe this month look out for them...

Creative print management

We love print! anything and everything printed, from leaflets to brochures and all in between. But what we really get a kick out of is creative print! It's why we decided awhile back to actively attract those clients and creative agencies who's print projects and marketing campaigns are interesting. We think it's what makes print desirable and exciting! 

Printing adds not just the visual for your design but also has the added bonus of touch, even the smell of the ink can add a lasting memory to your design. Something a flickering screen can only dream of achieving. ( at least until some genius creates an app that makes the screen feel and smell like print)

Its not always straight forward though, great print projects can be time consuming, problematic, difficult and sometimes impossible! but we love it. 

Creative print management is one of our core specialities and we are always looking out for more "Champions of old media" contact us today and lets see if your idea can be printed? 

We just produced these rather nice concertina folded cards for imeus.  The fantastic Head to Toe expo is currently showing at the Unlimited editions gallery in Brighton until the 17th November. It's well worth a visit!

We recently started working for Creative agency The Church of London and have some great projects for Huck Magazine in the pipe line, more on that next time!

here are some printed postcards of fantastic images for their Anywhere Road event. Thick uncoated and high quality.

Stationery

Autumn tends to be a busy time of year in the printing industry, with many companies representing themselves at expos and also mailing out their new marketing campaigns. 
So its no surprise to hear we've been busy too! we have printed lots of great marketing material recently, coupled with online marketing, print really still is a top marketing tool, when used with great design and tactile papers and card, print really does leave your potential clients with a great lasting impression. 

Talking of tactile stocks we produced this lovely stationery set for London 
PR company BACALL Associates Letterheads, Compliment slips and Business cards all printed on an uncoated stock with the cards on a 400gsm thick card.
All design and branding was created by A space for something  and look fantastic.
Need marketing material or stationery? contact us today.

Print and Propaganda

The power of print has been used as a political tool from prints early beginning's. The ability to reach audiences and target the masses has been a perfect tool for various political reasons over the years. The first printed book Gutenberg's Bible below is a great example. 

During the first and second World Wars, print was used for Propaganda reasons too. Famously printed posters were used of striking images used by  The Soviet Union  see below,  the images where used as a way to rally the people.

During D Day thousands of fliers were dropped over France by allied forces as a call to arms for the french resistance. Fliers where also dropped over towns and villages to warn the residents to seek shelter from the pending air strikes.