What is ...the correct size for a business card?

What is ...Number 24
Regular followers of this blog will know that in the middle of the month, I publish a "What is ....? post. The article covers various aspects of paper, printing and finishing in greater depth. However, many of these subjects are complex, so these posts are only intended to be a brief introduction to the topic.

What is ...the correct size for a business card?

Business cards developed from the calling card, which became an important part of 18the, 19th and 20th century social etiquette. Originally the footmen of aristocrats would present a visiting card to the servant of their prospective hosts, thereby introducing the arrival of their owners.

Today, with relatively little business correspondence (on letterhead paper) the business card is one of the most visible pieces of business communication. However regarding the size, there is convention, but no actual rules! Sizes vary internationally and obviously there are cultural norms which certain markets follow.

In the UK the accepted size for business cards is 55x85mm. In the US it is based around 2inches x 3.5inches, which equates to a slightly larger 51x89mm. Other sizes around the world seem to vary from 55x90mm to 50x90mm and in Japan where the business card, called a Meishi (名刺?) has an extraordinary cultural significance, the size is 55x91mm.

I measured the card, here at the hotel in Penang, Malaysia and the size is 56x89mm ...different again!

So there you have it, no right or wrong size, just some local sizes to be aware of.

Posted by Justin Hobson 16.12.2015

Wansbrough Paper Mill to close

A fortnight ago, it was confirmed that Wansbrough Paper Mill, located in Watchet, Somerset will close athis Christmas with the loss of 176 jobs. The mill is owned by paper and packaging conglomerate DS Smith, who regard production at the site not to be commercially viable.

Photo courtesy of DS Smith

I don't just write about events such as this just to spread doom and gloom! ..it's just that most people in the design and creative print market often don't hear about these events and I think it's important, from an industry perspective, that it is reported. Unfortunately the world of paper manufacturing is not in a great shape, especially not in European countries, where energy prices and high production costs make it hard for any 'heavy' industry to survive. One only has to think of the recent media coverage about closures in the UK steel industry.

Previously I have written on this blog about a paper mill that has been turned into a Google data farm:
http://justinsamazingworldatfennerpaper.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/from-paper-mill-to-shopping-mall.html
...and a paper mill that is now a shopping mall:
http://justinsamazingworldatfennerpaper.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/from-paper-to-data.html
...on a positive note, I've also written about a new mill that started production in the UK in 2009:
http://justinsamazingworldatfennerpaper.blogspot.co.uk/2009/09/paper-mill-actually-opens-in-uk.html


Photo courtesy of DS Smith

Wansbrough Mill, is located in picturesque Watchet in Somerset and currently the largest manufacturer of coreboard in the United Kingdom. It also produces recycled liner as well as envelope and bag Papers. The total annual production capacity of the mill is around 180,000 metric tonnes. The mill was founded in 1750 by William Wood and was taken over by the Wansbrough family in 1846, who installed paper machines. The site went on to become a profitable business which was later acquired by DS Smith in 1986.

DS Smith has confirmed that the historic mill will close, resulting in 176 job losses, on Christmas Eve.
http://www.dssmith.com/

Posted by Justin Hobson 15.12.2015

Aaaaaaaah! film poster

This is the promotional poster for Steve Oram's directorial feature debut, Aaaaaaaah! (that's eight "A's"). The film has been written and directed by Steve Oram and the cast includes Julian Barratt, Toyah Wilcox, Julian Rhind Tutt and Holli Dempsey.

This poster is A2 size (594x420mm) and is silk-screen printed in six colours, a combination of tonal work and solid colours - the zip is printed in shiny metallic silver. It is produced using our Colorset, Bright Red 270gsm.

The posters were printed to coincide with the film's premiere in Leicester Square as part of Frightfest 2015. More information on the film can be found at both the Rook Films and Lincoln Studios sites. You can see the trailer below...

There is a review of the film here: http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/sep/10/aaaaaaaah-review-satire-of-beastly-behaviour

The prints were screen-printed by Gary Parselle at Brighton based silkscreen studio, The Private Press, and the above picture is from from the studio when they were in the drying rack.

 

Design is by Jay Shaw. Above is a picture of Steve Oram and Holli Dempsey pictured with the poster at the premiere!

http://rookfilms.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.kingdomofnonsense.com/

http://www.theprivatepress.org/

Posted by Justin Hobson 10.12.2015

Caramel Baby & Child Christmas

This is the look-book for last the last Christmas collection for Caramel Baby & Child . The format is a very simple 4pp broadsheet, opening to a large size. The open size is 420x556mm, folded to 420x278mm, which is then 'endorsement' folded to 210x278mm.

like so....

Click on images to enlarge

folding out to...

The wonderful little Christmas illustrations (left) just work perfectly with the images.

Like many of the projects I feature, it is virtually impossible to do justice to the finished piece on this blog. Redeem 100% recycled is at best, off white and 100% recycled and 80gsm, so the feel that the paper exudes is one of simplicity and a 'newsy freshness'. The reproduction on this paper is superb, with even the intricate detail in the silhouettes and distinctive colours looking brilliant.

It is printed on Redeem 100% Recycled 80gsm, offset litho in four colour process (CMYK) plus a fluorescent orange on one side only. Print is by Blackwing Press.

Art direction and design is by the in house studio at Caramel Baby & Child. Designer on the project is Kelsey Hutchinson.

http://www.caramel-shop.co.uk/
http://www.blackwingpress.com/

Posted by Justin Hobson 08.12.2015

Noodle Street

Noodle Street is a traditional Chinese restaurant based in London's busy Canary Wharf. Established in 2010, Noodle Street prides itself of using the freshest ingredients and new dishes from the many and varied regions around China

The new identity has been applied to some swanky new A4 letterheads, printed on Shiro Echo, Bright White 120gsm.

Click on images to enlarge

The stationery is printed in two colours, offset litho. Shiro Echo is 100% Recycled (and FSC accredited) and part of the criteria for this project was that the paper should be recycled.

Detail of noodles!

Print is by Aldgate Press based in London.

Branding and design is by Reason. Design Director is Catherine Hampshire. Thanks to Catherine for sending me file copies and the nice words!

http://noodlestreet.co.uk/
http://www.reasondesign.co.uk/
http://www.aldgatepress.co.uk/

Posted by Justin Hobson 03.12.2015

Jobs from the past - Number 74

Regular followers of this blog will know that my first post of every month is a "job from the past" so that I can show some of the really good work from years gone by...

Le Touessrok Brochure 2003
Located on the east coast of Mauritius in one of the island’s most spectacular bays, the Le Touessrok five-star resort is among the world’s most distinguished. It has three villas and 200 guestrooms and suites, all of which have sea views. Along with extensive water and land-based activities, it offers guests access to two islands: Ilot Mangenie, a private, secluded isle with 3.5 kilometres of pristine beach, and Ile aux Cerfs, where the 18-hole, par 72 championship golf course designed by Bernhard Langer is located - sounds perfect for Christmas!

As you can tell from the description above, this is anything but a normal resort and this is anything but a normal hotel brochure! It has a sense of scale and luxury that really has to be experienced to be truly appreciated and I'm afraid that it's unlikely that these images will do this project justice.

The size of the publication is 340x290mm, portrait and is a 32pp self cover. It is printed on our lightweight Offenbach Bible 60gsm and this brochure is undoubtedly one of the finest printed examples on Offenbach Bible that I have ever seen.

Above is the introduction spread, below, shows the way it the pages just beautifully flop over.

The cool grey, pantone special used on the cover runs throughout the brochure, between spreads, creating a perfect sense of pace and space, with captions. Below is ...so tropical

Click on images to enlarge

Design is by Pentagram. Creative director is John Rushworth and the designers on the project are Rob Duncan and Leigh Brownsword. The brochure is printed offset litho in four colour process plus a special grey and was printed by Gavin Martin Colournet.

Click on images to enlarge

...normally I do a "where are they now"? paragraph - as with many of these projects having been completed so long ago people and companies have often been scattered to the four winds! Not so in this case:
Rather fittingly for this article, the Le Touessrok resort (now the Shangri-La Le Touessrok Resort) reopened at the beginning of last month following a six month refurbishment. John Rushworth remains a partner at Pentagram in London. Rob Duncan now lives and works in San Francisco and is a partner at Mucho. Leigh Brownsword is a freelance design director based in London and Gary Bird is still merrily printing away at Gavin Martin Colournet!

www.letouessrokresort.com/
http://www.gavinmartincolournet.co.uk/

Posted by Justin Hobson 01.12.2015

DesignWeek Awards 2015

On Thursday I was lucky enough to be at the DesignWeek Awards, held at the Roundhouse in London's Camden Lock. I was kindly invited by Fenton Smith and Bonnie Lo from London print company BOSS, who were also one of the sponsors and printed the awards catalogue. Along with paper industry colleagues Pari Blackbeard (Fedrigoni) and Megan Simpkins (GF Smith) we were joined on a table with some of the other award sponsors. Fenton and Bonnie with Pari pictured below:

Photo courtesy of Pari Blackbeard at Fedrigoni

The Roundhouse was an excellent venue, with 40 tables packed with the design industry's finest. In total there were twenty awards covering the diverse world of design from graphics, signage, product design, interiors etc.

The awards were hosted by the ever popular Sue Perkins who did a good job of rattling through the categories as rapidly as she could!

Every one of the winners deserves massive congratulations but in particular I must mention Magpie, who were nominated for five awards and scooped three on the night! Pictured below are David Azurdia, Ben Christie and Mike Fischer from Magpie.

Image courtesy of Magpie Studio

Below shows the contents of the excellent goody bag which included the awards catalogue printed by BOSS (paper donated by Antalis) and a cute, bright red Moleskine notebook, supplied by Noted in Style.

Image courtesy of Noted in Style. http://notedinstyle.co.uk/

It was a great evening - good company and food and my thanks go to BOSS for inviting me and my fellow industry companions!

https://www.bossprint.com/

http://www.designweek.co.uk/

Posted by Justin Hobson 30.11.2015