When a USB memory stick just won't do...

The 44 page instruction manual! No-one said it would be easy.

A completed model along with the sticker set and assembly instruction booklet.

Studio shot used for the outer packaging.

The printed boxes during assembly.

Completed and all ready to go!

 

 

It's not everyday we get to plan and build 200 drillships, however a recently completed project saw us do just that! We were in conversation with our client who wanted something different to hand out to delegates at a recent engineering conference. They felt the usual t-shirts, USB memory sticks and jackets, whilst useful, were not really what they were after, as they wanted something that reflected the engineering nature of the event.

 

The conversation turned to Lego and so started the process of producing their flagship vessel "Stena DrillMAX" made entirely from the famous coloured bricks. We enlisted the services of a professional builder, who working from photographs and other reference material, created the prototype. Initially it was hoped it would incorporate around 400 parts, however the extensive detailing involved with the model soon saw the brick count increase to over 800. We must say however that he did a fantastic job in creating the correct overall look of the vessel.

 

In the meantime, our own design team worked on producing the 44 page assembly manual, together with the self adhesive sticker sets and the outer packaging, all of which were bespoke and unique to this model. Trying to work at the smaller scale and yet keep everything looking proportionally correct took a bit of time and effort from our design team. However the end result was most satisfactory once applied to the finished kits.

 

Over 160,000 small coloured bricks duly arrived from our supplier, and thankfully were already sorted into their kits. All that was left for us to do was assemble the box and insert the assembly instructions, sticker sets and the model itself.

 

Following delivery, the feedback that we've received from our client has been extremely positive. The first batch of kits were recently handed out and were very well received. An inter-office competition quickly developed to see who could build their's the quickest, with the fastest time currently sitting at 3 hours and 28 minutes.

 

Completed model, built by Gareth Falls.

Completed model, built by Geir Johnny Eide.

 

For information on our extensive range of corporate gifts, see www.printagraph.co.uk or telephone +44 (0)1224 893900

A truly interesting project...

 

 

A few weeks back, I mentioned a really interesting project that we were working on, which involved developing a unique corporate gift for a client to present to its VIP guests at a recent event.

 

Once we had created the initial idea, we worked closely with a specialist acrylic company to produce something really special.

 

Hand made from pewter and crystal clear acrylic, it underwent a couple of specification changes throughout its development, which can be seen in this video, however all concerned were truly were delighted with the end result.

 

They are now sitting on desks and display cabinets througout the world.

 

And it all started as a little sketch...

 

Of course, we also offer a huge range of personalised corporate gifts which are available to view on our promotional products web site.

 

 

Professional Illustrator...

 

Received some really nice feedback this morning from a supplier. We've been working on a new publication and his illustrations have been instrumental in its development.

 

It has recently been sent to print and is due shortly. However he was kind enough to offer the following feedback:

 

" I must say I thouroughly enjoyed working on this job, you're a great project manager. Cheers, Graham"

 

We're all really looking forward to having the book ready to deliver to our client later this week.

 

To contact Graham and for details on his talents, you can click here>

The Crown Jewels...

It's been an interesting couple of days hasn't it!

 

It seems all the talk is either about Prince Harry and his crown jewels or the decision by Aberdeen City Councillors not to proceed with the Union Terrace Gardens (UTG) project.

 

It really has split opinion throughout the city and opened up an amazing opportunity for  open debate. There didn't really seem to be any in-between: you were either for it (as most people seemed to be) or against it, however despite the public referendum showing the majority of Aberdonians wanted it to proceed, there really wasn't much in it at all. Likewise, with the council vote, it went 20:22 against, with one person abstaining (a disgraceful decision on such an important debate).

 

But should we be upset that they voted the way they did, or should we applaud them for actually voting and putting it out of its misery once and for all?

 

What is now clear however, is the £50m donation from Sir Ian Wood has now been withdrawn. And whatever way you look at it, that is particularly disappointing.

 

But who can blame him? Really, he's trying to give something back to the city that has rewarded him so well, and he's had it spat back at his face. I even read someone referring to him as a bully and a "oil pri*k". Hmm, seems a tad harsh but I guess that everyone is entitled to their opinion.

 

So really, there have been no winners. UTG will continue to decay as it has been for many years, the heart of the city being stangled like a slow and pain full heart attack.

 

It's a sad day all round.

Is it really over...?

We were having a discussion in the office the other morning, in which we were trying to decide if the golfing season was over.

of course we all agreed, that it's getting towards the end of summer (hahaha) and the evenings are beginning to draw in faster.

And yet, this morning, in torrential rain, players continue to tee off throughout the country.

Is there really a 'season' any more?

Well if you are carrying on playing, no matter what the weather, you should probably check out our new golf only web site, offering some fantastic deals for golfers of all ages and abilities.

www.printagraphgolf.co.uk

Go TeamGB...

The achievements of TeamGB in London are fantastic. They have held us by the seat of our pants as they set World Record after Word Record on their way to Olympic Gold.

However one of the other fantastic achievements is the speed at which the Royal Mail have created and released their Gold Medal Winner stamps!

The print technology available today is fantastic and generates lots of opportunities for short run, fast turnaround print.

Our Xerox iGen4 is a perfect example of how state of the art technology can turn around important print orders extremely fast (perhaps not as fast as Sir Chris Hoy & Co but nevertheless...) making the seemingly impossible deadline seem possible after all.

For details of our digital facilities, give us a call on 01224 893900.

In the meantime...GO TeamGB!!

Some water, some cookies and a rat named Roland...

It's been an interesting week so far.

Most weeks are interesting, however this one is really going to town.

With the seemingly never ending rain taking a toll on our roof, it finally gave up the brave fight. And on Monday night the sales office floor took a liking to all the water. Fortunately damage was minimal and disruption to the delivery process was zero. Just don't mention the smell.

To cheer everyone up, we thought it would be great idea to overdose on mini-muffins from those Fabulous Bakin' Boys. So far, it's fair to say that's it's working!

However the highlight of the week (cue Harry Hill Style music) "It's the Printagraph Highlight of the Week" was the unexpected visit from a furry little rodent that wandered in through the back door and decided to make it's presence known! Affectionately nicknamed Roland (you could certainly never refer to us as un-original), our latest recruit obviously felt quite at home in the Office Products Office and appeared nonplussed at the numerous attempts to remove him.

Eventually he was captured and released unharmed back into the wild.