Solopress is turning its attention to adding design services having successfully launched Soloflo as an API integration between a printer’s website and its online print services.
The revamp of its design service spans the range from tweaking a submitted file to make it press ready to a full redesign according to a brief including logos and style guide. This is a long way from working with online print applications such as Canva which promise to enable inexperienced people to produce creative designs. However, this is not always successful, nor do all users want to engage with the online applications, preferring a third party company to take on design responsibility.
The service starts with a check to ensure that the PDF is produced correctly for print and making the amendments that are necessary. For Solopress this avoids disappointment of running poor quality files, applying a £10 charge for a service that many handle free of charge.
In all there are five levels that customers can select. Layout production from assets and a concept provided comes in at £30; recreating an existing hard copy file has a starting price of £45 while production of a ground up design from a concept to print ready PDF is a charge starting at £55. The Design Plus service involves a consultation with experienced designers at Solopress to develop up to three concepts culminating in a set of brand guidelines and a print ready PDF. This is priced to start at £120.
Solopress has created a design team from designers in its own ranks and from a specific recruit under senior designer Richard Kemp. The understanding is that even with online tools there is a demand for commercial graphic design.
Kemp says: “Customers who aren’t used to procuring design work are often apprehensive about the process. What assets would they need to provide? How do they brief the job in? Most importantly, will the costs spiral out of control? The Solopress Design Service takes away those worries, with a straightforward briefing process and a transparent pricing structure.”
