Introducing the Amaya XTS Embroidery Machine

It’s exciting times at Crystal Print at the moment as we we edge towards Christmas. Getting in the festive spirit has been incredibly easy this year as we scoured the market for new technologies and thought we would treat ourselves to an early Christmas present… or two!

As a business operating in Billericay, we are always looking for new ways to improve the service we provide to our customers, and this generally boils down to two things, the quality of product we provide, or some form of special offer. In this circumstance however, we have decided to improve the quality of service we provide by introducing 2 new embroidery machines to speed up our processes.

We bring you the Amaya XTS Embroidery Machine, Ta da!

It’s beautiful isn’t it?

Purchasing the Amaya XTS embroidery machines was an easy decision based upon how well they work and how even more efficient we will become as a business, once they arrive. Due any day now, everyone in the office is extremely excited and eagerly awaiting the arrival of revolutionary embroidery machines that are spearheading the market at the moment. The Amaya XTS embroidery machine is capable of delivering much faster results than the embroidery machine which we currently have, which means we will be able to increase our production and bring you your embroidered clothing much faster than ever before. With 16 needles and Auto Thread Tensioning, here’s what the Amaya XTS Machines have to offer:

- The largest cap sewing field in the industry
- Unique modular embroidery system
- Precise thread tensios with Acti-Feed thread tension technology
- Embroidery speed - Consistent speeds of up to 1500 stitches per minute irrelevant of machine configuration
- Precise laser tracking eye
- 16 colour backup system

For further information about our new toys, please head over to http://www.amayauk.com/ and read a little bit more about what they do and how they work!

Thanks for reading!

Chelmsford Canoe Club Makes a Splash for Cash

Crystal Print are always looking for new ways we can involved with the local community and help out with fundraising events such as the Annual Bell Boat Race which was organised by the Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower and hosted by Chelmsford Canoe Club.

The event saw hundreds of people come together to raise money for the global ‘End Polio Now Campaign’. The campaign was set up to eradicate the disease by immunising children across the world. Any money raised during the Bell Boat Race was donated to the campaign in an attempt to strengthen funds and broaden their research worldwide!

The day was fun-filled and packed with action as rowers splashed their way to victory in the annual charity race on the River Chelmer last month. Passers-by and everyday shoppers lined up near the Meadows Shopping Centre and Yates’ Wine Lodge to watch the eventful races. The races saw two canoes tied together to form Bell Boats which seat up to eight people.

Organiser, Barry Hower, a member of both the Chelmsford Canoe Club and the Billericay Rotary Club had this to say: “It’s events like these that make our Rotary Club such a vibrant and fun club to belong to”. - We couldn’t agree more Barry!

As a local business we help out where we can, which is why Stewart and Anita donated T-Shirts to the winners!! Hopefully the money raise will help ‘End Polio Now Campaign’ to move forward in their developments and take giant leaps in terms of finding the information they need to eradicate the disease!

Photos by: Chris Rushton

How can you use promotional products for marketing?

How can you use promotional products for marketing?

Promotional products and corporate gifts can be very effective marketing tools as they cultivate awareness of your brand when used appropriately. In an ideal world, you would conduct extensive research with marketing activity that you need to research and you need to think about the direction of marketing before you rush into it.

Why should think about using promotional items?

They will certainly provide you with the exposure that you need in the contemporary era. Eminent research which is conducted by the authoritative British Promotional Merchandise Association showed that the mean time that recipients will keep hold of a promotional bag is just under 9 months. This gives you a lot more exposure that the fleeting impression that a newspaper ad would receive.

Promotional advertising tends to go better then other forms of advertising like leaflets and flyers which are often seen as an irritation. Freebies such as pens or mugs are also less likely to be disposed if they are of use to the recipient.

Be different from your competitors, TV and press or online ads, which are great but they are not very original. You can let your creative juices flow with promotional materials.

Promotional products are less expensive than you think and are often quite cost effective than other traditional marketing methods. This is can align with almost any marketing budget.

How can you use promotional products for marketing?

Promotional products can spread the message about your brand. People love getting anything for free and if the item is appropriate, BPMA research shows that normally promotional freebies are kept for 6-9 months which can give people a reminder of your brand or services.

You can reward loyal employees, improve morale or employ a corporate gift to recognise outstanding achievements and accomplishments within your business.

Use promotional items to say thank you to your employees. Make sure that give you a customer a useful item like a branded umbrella or a desktop calendar. Instead of just sending a follow up email to a potential client that you encountered at an exhibition or trade, you could just simply send them a USB file which is full of company information or a printed pen containing your contact details so that you have information ready at hand.

You need to be creative, such as customising the message inside fortune cookies with a voucher code, competition or an announcement for a product launch. There is unlimited scope for your creativity with promotional items.

You could also use your promotional items as prizes in competitions. If you utilise your own branded goods this can generate some goodwill whilst simultaneously giving your own brand some exposure.

Selling promotional items could raise the cash you need for your charity or non profit organisation. Branded merchandise can encourage people to sign up to clubs and organisations. If you give customers an exclusive gift on sign up this may entice them to sign up to your club instead of another one.

Sell promotional items and you could raise much needed funds for your charity or non profit organisation.

The methods of distribution for your promotional products

Trade shows and exhibitions are the ideal location to give away promotional products and network with people and source potential consumers.

Mail outs are also useful and providing a pen or sticky notes with a company brochure can give customers a constant reminder of your business. Company conferences and business meetings will enable you to liaise with customers directly, so that they remember you.

You could give away products at launches or opening events to reiterate your message and maybe print an exclusive discount for their next visit or purchase.

The Pivotal Nature of Signs in Business

Plenty of work goes into keeping a business afloat, ranging from how it presents itself to the public, to the refits that it has done. A shop that is well designed and in good working order will attract more consumers. Extensive effort is often put into web design and marketing, although people fail to realise the importance of proper signage and hiring a professional signs person.

When customers go to your premises, they get a first impression from the building that you have on display. People put loads of effort into getting their business listed on Google maps, but the same effort may not go into the upkeep and appearance of their building. Furthermore, clear signs on the street should direct a customer to your business so that it is easily accessible and avoids ill feeling festering.

It is essential to any business owner or marketing director to create a sign that lets people know about your business with few shops not having one. The flagship companies really do grasp the pertinent nature of having a sign and spend quite a lot of time and money making sure the sign is professionally designed and looks good.

The saying that first impressions count really is true. Like it or not, people will generally gain a feel of a business by its signage. Before they have even set foot in the door, they have their own ideas about what your business is really like. If you had unclean products and appliances you would make sure they were in good working order, so the same should go for faulty signage. It can really make a lasting impression on a customer.

Several people will invest in their signs to ensure that they look the part. Graphics and visuals play a part in this. This means that you should also put extensive effort into the printing and manufacturing stages of a sign. Photographers, reputable book printers and other staff grasp the importance of a quality product. How a sign looks and feels is also important. You should order from a reliable sign manufacturer to get the best deal for your work.

Crystal Print have experience in abundance and the skill-set to match. As you can see from our sign portfolio we have designed and printed signage for small businesses and large companies all over Billericay and the Essex area. If you are looking to rejuvenate your business and how it looks from the front, get in touch today and one of our expert printers will be able to discuss your plans with you and come up with new, innovative ideas for an eye-catching future. Thanks for reading and we hope to hear from you soon!

Summertime Madness

Crystal Print like to help out the local community in any way we can and by advertising other events within the Billericay area, we are doing our part in ensuring the word is spread and people know what’s happening in the not too distant future.

A quick reminder!

This week, The Fold Billericay plays host to the 2014 Schools Photo Exhibition which showcases photography from the children of Buttsbury Junior School, St Peters Catholic Primary and Quilters Junior School. If you’re into photography then make sure you get down to The Fold and don’t miss out on some fabulous pieces of art and skillful images.

12th - 19th July

If you get the opportunity on Friday 18th or Saturday 19th July then make sure you go to the Chelmsford Civic and view THE WIZ! If you’re lucky you might see me there, but what you will definitely get to see is my daughters performance as part of the Frances School of Dramas Production.

Is there anyone with sporting interest? Break the norm and have a game of rugby instead of football for a change! Billericay Rugby Football Club hold adult training sessions every Tuesday & Thursday from 7:30pm - Give it a go!

MAYFLOWER ROTARY CLUB

Another successful fundraiser for Mayflower Rotary Club as they raised over £1000 in the month of May for local charities at ‘The Magic Night’. Now, we turn our attentions to another fundraising event on the 19th July. Mayflower Rotary Club are hosting Music in the Garden to raise money for the NSPCC - hopefully you will all be able to go and show your support! We will surely see you there!

Another event to remind you of:

Mayflower Rotary Club are looking for teams to enter the Bell Boat Race in September, here are a few more details of the event -

Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower

Presents for its third year

The 2014 Bell Boat Racing Competition

To be held at the Chelmsford Canoe Club

Empire Walk, Chelmsford, CM2 0DE

(Just off the City centre, A1060/A1099 Heading to Springfield Road Superstore)

Date: Sunday 7th September 2014

“End Polio Now" campaign. Polio is a crippling and potentially fatal infectious disease. There is no cure, but there are safe and effective vaccines. The strategy to eradicate polio is therefore based on preventing infection by immunizing every child until transmission stops and the world is polio-free. Rotarians have helped immunize more than 2 billion children polio in 122 countries. For as little as 30p, a child can be protected against this crippling disease for life.

ALL PROFITS TAKEN ON THE DAY WILL GO TOWARDS THIS PROJECT.

For application forms to enter the racing, please contact either:

Barry Howe: barryhowe@yahoo.co.uk  mobile: 07775 998 662 or

Gavin Taylor: gavin.t61@iclould.com  mobile: 07545 981904.

Crystal Print support all the work Mayflower Rotary Club do and have worked closely with them over the years! We are sure the boat race will be a success for another year!

A couple more events to tell you about…

21st July - Afternoon Tea at the Sanctuary – Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary, Near Ingatestone

24th July - Wedding Open Evening at De Rougemont Manor. Pop in and see their wedding suites. Let us know if we can be of any help with your wedding stationery – invites / table plans / order of service etc. We would love to help you!

Thanks for reading the latest edition of our blog and hopefully you will have a few things booked into your calendar for the next few weeks!

June at Crystal Print

Good morning everyone, we hope you are enjoying the summer and the World Cup too! Just thought we would pop in and keep you up to date with what we have been doing!

As we are sure you are all well aware, Barleylands Showground played host to the South Essex Armed Forces Day over the weekend. This is a massive event which allows people to show their support for the Armed Forces and allows the Armed Forces themselves to showcase their skills.

The weekend saw high quality performances in the air and on the ground, which included spitfire and hurricane shows as well as the Great War Display, which everyone from Crystal Print enjoyed!

We were lucky to be involved with the event this year as we had the privilege of completing a job for a client who is heavily involved with the Benin Bronzes. The client returned the work we done to the King of Benin (Oba). Oba is a direct translation for the word “king”.

His job was to take a descendant of one of the thieves (British military operation raiding a royal palace in 1897, where most of the booty is still in the British Museum) and return the two bronzes to a descendant of the original owner (great grandsons).

The president of Nigeria wanted them himself as a show of power/hierarchical symbol but our clients job was to oversee the return to the descendant!

All in all the weekend and Barleylands was an enjoyable one, which Crystal Print had the pleasure of attending.

This is the picture of the work we completed for our client.

Essex is always a busy place to live in and over the last few weeks there has been lots going on. In terms of working matters, Crystal Print have always got something to do and more recently we have been printing Rotary funded Kids Out 2014 T-shirts for Thriftwood School Day Out, which you can see below…

We think they turned out great, and everyone seemed more than happy with how they looked!

Another project we have been working on recently which you may have seen on our Social Media pages is the new S6 cars which we completed! It’s always nice to show off the work you do and S6 are over the moon with how they are looking too!

In terms of more personal matters, we have all been doing our own things and enjoying various different activities which includes, Anitas visit to the Capital Summertime Ball over the weekend, Stewarts Water Skiing antics and Sally-Anne’s visit to the Albert Hall for a Romeo & Juliet production. Andy’s been enjoying the football in the pub, regardless of England’s early departure, and Tony has been getting up to some DIY at home, working on all those niggly jobs that build up over time!

We’ll call it a day for now and get back to work, but hopefully you have enjoyed reading our blog this Tuesday morning and we hope the rest of the week is a pleasant one for you all!

The importance of first impressions for businesses

Hello and welcome to another edition of Crystal Prints blog.

As time goes by we are working hard in an attempt to keep up with your printing needs! This is a good thing though - we aren’t complaining!

We know the weekend is going to be a busy one with Leyton Orient playing in the playoff final and the Hoop Beer Festival too. Amidst all the mayhem however, we have found a little bit of time before the weekend starts to give you some business advice, in terms of printing of course.

After all, printing is something we know a great deal about!

So what are we going to talk about today then? I assume most of you have read the title of this blog, which is why you have chosen to read it, so the answer to that question doesn’t really need an answer. But what do we mean by first impressions?

In business day to day life, it can be easy to forget where you are and who you work for, especially in busy environments or outdoors. This is why we feel that having personalised clothing is a key factor in raising brand awareness. you don’t always get the opportunity to speak to someone, and if you do, it might not be about work. Having your company logo on your clothing is something I feel all small businesses should look into. Most larger corporations have already gone down this route, and have got to where they are today - it can’t help to copy the things they do, can it?

There’s 2 ways you can do this, through embroidery and through direct printing. We tend to find that embroidery gives a smarter finish and a more professional look. Especially for those of you who work with clients on a regular basis. Printed workwear tends to be cheaper, but won’t give as much of a crisp finish as embroidery will. We aren’t writing printed workwear off though, in fact we highly recommend it to anyone who works outdoors on a regular basis. Construction workers or self employed tradesmen should always consider printed workwear to get the company name out there. You’d be surprised how many people will remember your company name just from walking past a construction site.

Remember, when you are working you are representing your company, so for all those lone traders or one man bands out there, it’s important to make a good impression, and you can do this through printed workwear or embroidered clothing. In the mind of the customer, it’s easier to make a connection between a person and a company, rather than just having the vision of a person in their head.

Business cards are another great way to make a first impression. In fact, from a strictly business point of view, it’s probably the most renowned way of making a good first impression. That initial meet with a potential client is crucial, and the first impression doesn’t stop until the end of the conversation. It’s not just about the first few seconds. Waiting until the end of the conversation to hand your business card to them has always been a great way to gain business, but you need to make sure your business cards are ready to be passed out.

Something we know we are good at is designing. By working closely with you, we gain a better understanding of who you are targeting as a company and what you hope to achieve. We can design you business cards based on your personality and your companys image. This will give a good first impression and attract new clients.

Well I could go on all day but there’s plenty of work to be doing - Right now  we are working on printed mugs for a local church which should be ready to go this afternoon!

Thanks for reading, and as always, give us a call if you want to ask any questions!

Enjoy your weekend and have a great bank holiday!

Come on Orient!