All our processes are constantly refined to ensure that we minimise waste. What waste we do produce, we separate into seventeen distinct streams for easy recycling or reprocessing. We compact all of our waste paper to minimise transportation, prior to being recycled. Our printing plates are recycled and our used chemicals are disposed of responsibly.

We use vegetable-based inks, pumped straight from large drums, rather than smaller cartridges in wasteful packaging. And talking of packaging, we’ve drastically reduced the volume of waste we pass onto you too. All of our cartons are produced from unbleached board.

This year we’re giving you even more choice to do your bit for the environment too. We’ve introduced many new products printed on 100% recycled paper. Where possible, the rest of our paper stock is made from wood pulp which is Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF). All pulp is sourced from sustainable forests, where trees are farmed as crops – just like wheat.

What’s more, every order you place contributes to our great big goal of planting 25,000 trees with David Bellamy and Tree Appeal.

Our management systems have been assessed by BSI Management Systems and we’re pleased that they fulfill the requirements of the Environmental standards ISO 14001: 2004.

If you think there’s anything else we should be doing to act responsibly, please email lovething@printing.com.

If you want to design your job yourself, download a copy of our Direct from Disk Guide (or we can post you a copy). Setting up a file for print is a complicated thing though. We want to make sure you don’t screw up and end up having to bin your print. Our low-cost Handholding Service is your guarantee that your file will print right, first time. And once you’ve correctly supplied a few files the printing.com way, we may even let you become a “Disk Risker” – see the Direct from Disk Guide for the full story.

The latest software has really clever wizards which let you knock up a design in no time. But design isn’t about knowing which buttons to press. It’s about creating the mood, delivering the message and making the sale. Forgive me for sounding rude, but, if you want to look professional, leave it to the professionals. Good design sells. Fact. Bad design – or even just average design – may do more damage to your business than you might care to think. Trust us. We’d recommend you invest at least a third of your budget in sorting out some decent artwork. After all, it’s not about how many items you distribute, it’s about how many responses you get. Our design fees are probably a lot lower than you think.

We also printed and designed some of the same show cards for Wood You Like (the market leading suppler & fitter of quality wooden floorings). Its their 5th anniversary this year and have some great promotions on and have used a fantastic idea of posting out an acorn stuck onto their show card demonstrating the quality of their products beautifully.

We have printed plenty of the Premium Silk flyer's many of which are to the trade, IE other printers and designers.

Scratch cards, they are one of the best ways of getting your clients to embrace your marketing, lets face it, can you resist the opportunity of scratching off those panels and reading what you won? I can't...

More updates to come, next month will be an old favorite, I'll keep you posted.

Half price offers gallor! Business cards, Show cards, Leaflets and Mini-Brochures, follow this link for the low low prices. What has really pleased me is that other printers in Ashford and indeed Kent are buying from us, which proves that we are the keenest on cost, but the quality remains as ever first class.

This month we have our Wall Planners reduced by a third.

What better way of reminding your customers you care for them, than giving them a practical gift - which has all your contact information in front of them all year!

I use mine for holidays, special events, birthdays and things like tax returns and end of our financial year.

They cost as little as 20p each, how many orders will it take to get a return on that?

I have some samples if you would like one and will be happy to post one straight out to you.

In January we have THE sale! Just like all the high street shops do. This the sale I look forward to! There is something for every business and a great opportunity to try a different product. Normally we have around 9 or 10 items which are drastically reduced from their normal costs, so if you run the marketing in your company or know some one who does, this is the time to get your printing done - you will save a packet! Unfortunately I cannot divulge the products which are going to be reduced but if you want to be the first to know drop me a line on ashford@printing.com and I will make sure you get on the mailing list.