About
Hi there!
Thanks for visiting my site.
My name is Chris, and I’ve worked in the ever-changing print business for over 30 years. After 10 years as a printer (yes, an actual ‘inky’), I moved into sales and consultancy where I am proud to have helped develop and grow some amazing print businesses. I have always worked at the very top end of printing. Luxury, highly technical and creative. That’s what I have a passion for: making beautiful, memorable print but with an uncomplicated rationale. It’s what I know and what I love.
To me, print should always form part of the creative process. Having expert advice when a project is starting out is key to avoiding print pitfalls, keeping on budget and ensuring a truly stunning result. As such, an exceptional eye for detail and keen knowledge of the minimums, optimums and tolerances is fundamental to the success of a design. I bring this to the table in every print project I am entrusted to work on.
It’s my passion and knowledge along with my experience that my clients value most, and I’m proud to have been working with some of my clients for many years.
I have an extensive knowledge of all print processes, finishes and techniques. I’m an absolute paper geek too: Having used and worked with many paper brands and merchants (GF Smith, Fedrigoni, Gmund, Fenner Paper, to name a few) over the years, I know what will suit a project well. I love beautiful paper and often I find that the simplest of jobs are brought to life with a tactile, luxurious material. I’m highly creative, and I’ll always suggest a different approach or a new material or perhaps a process you haven’t considered.
I’m very happy meeting to discuss your projects. Often, a face to face meeting is so much more beneficial than email or telephone. I carry many samples and swatches and of course, a mind full of ideas and experience to exploit and inspire.
In essence, with the experience and knowledge I bring, I will add value to your work and give you total peace of mind throughout the process.
WHY WORK WITH THE PRINTSMITH?
The incredible Sir Don McCullin and yours truly, discussing and signing off images from his autobiography. (Designed and published by The English Group. Photo courtesy of Opal Print (Bath) Ltd)
Weddings are totally personal. When thinking about and planning your wedding stationery, you’ll find an initial individual consultation is always really beneficial. Consultation time is free with The Printsmith, and will provide a good platform to talk about colours, finishes, stationery items, budget, and so on. More importantly, it gives me a chance to get a true understanding of who you both are. This is so vital to ensure we create a ‘you brand’ and set the tone for your wedding; one that your recipients will know is ‘you’. The aim being: to ensure your family and guests are all as excited as you are about your big day.
From ‘Save the Dates’ and invitations, to menus, orders of service and table settings, you are in the very best hands - with so many years of experience, you’ll find The Printsmith reliable, honest and an integral part of your wedding team.
If you’d like a website for your wedding, we can help with this too - and ensure all elements tie together beautifully. This can also include guest data management.
Weddings
testimonials
“Since I’ve known Chris he’s always worked with us to provide the very best, most creative solution for our clients’ budgets and timescales. Chris appreciates the beauty of paper and ink, delivering exceptional results every time, however weird or wonderful the materials or the design! In reality, he’s not so much our consultant, rather our creative partner.”
Design agency, reading
“Chris is always on hand to help and has been incredibly efficient and dedicated throughout all our projects together. We have 100% confidence in him to deliver a fantastic product and without delay, which is so important for us as we are constantly working to deadlines. We are excited for the next challenge as our most recent project really blew us away!”
LUXURY Wedding Planner, london
“I have had the pleasure of working with Chris for a number of years on numerous projects and have always found him to be very professional and exceptionally creative with the brief.
Chris’s attention to detail is what separates him from other suppliers and his can do attitude is infectious - especially when working on tight deadlines.
I look forward to working with Chris on many more events and weddings in the future as I know our clients will always be impressed with what he delivers for their event.
I can’t recommend his services enough - thank you Chris for making my job a lot easier!”
Top Luxury Florist and Event visionary, London
“Having worked with Chris on a number of varied print projects, I have been very impressed with both the quality of the finished product and the ease with which the whole process is managed. As a designer I also find Chris's help invaluable in the idea development stage as his deep knowledge often allows us to identify and eradicate possible problems with the more experimental formats and techniques used. I look forward to working with Chris on any upcoming projects.”
design agency, southampton
“When a client of ours was disappointed in the printer that printed her wedding invitation, we knew we needed to speak to Chris from The Print Smith to help us with the On The Day Stationery.
We had seen the high standards of Chris's work before and knew The Print Smith would be the right fit for our client. We were not disappointed. With very little time to turn everything around, the team went above and beyond to produce beautiful stationery.
Overall the whole process was very efficient, the quality was great and the team at The Print Smith have such high standards. The finished products look amazing and it was far from a straight forward print, there were various different processes involved in the final product.
We can't thank Chris and his team enough.”
LUXURY Wedding Planner, london
“Jason DHL-ed some of the invites to me in Monaco - they arrived! Just wanted to say thank you so much again, they are fantastic, we love them!
Chris - Thank you SO MUCH for all your excellent advice and input and for facilitating our ability to bring some with us to New Zealand in a couple of days, I really appreciate it. You were totally right about having the names in script, I can't imagine them any other way now!
Thank you so much again.”
bride & Groom, monaco
“Our file copies arrived this morning Chris - stunning! Thanks so much for sorting these, what a superb job.”
design agency, bournemouth
“Fantastic work! Really pleased with the final outcome Chris, thanks a million. Look forward to receiving invoice. ”
lifestyle & events consultancy, monaco
“I just want to say a BIG thank you! We love love love the invites! If I wasn't engaged to Ollie, I'd marry my invites I love them that much.”
Bride & Groom, london
services
consultancy
The Printsmith is a specialist resource for all things print. Our consultancy service will ensure you receive the very best advice, project input and honest, informed feedback. Aimed at those who are planning a complex, large or multi-faceted project, we can help in defining materials and print specifications, along with providing quotes, samples and mock ups.
design
Whether for a suite of business or personal stationery or the creation of a personal branded look and feel for your wedding day, we will listen and help develop your ideas not only graphically but with materials, colours and with presentation in mind. We offer associated services such as copywriting, illustration and calligraphy to ensure we create the right impact.
production
With exceptional quality in mind, we know all there is to ensure the absolute best results. We only use trusted and loyal suppliers, who are fully on board with our ethos and exacting standards. We offer all print methods, processes and finishes, and will always advise you based on what’s best for the project at hand. We strive to uncomplicate this often daunting operation.
project management
If you’re tasked with a tricky print project, or if you’re suddenly a ‘man down’, The Printsmith will be pleased to help. We’ll discuss the project with you, agree the desired outcomes, schedule and fees, and happily be part of your team (whether remotely or within your workplace) to ensure a perfect and timely project is delivered.