Even wondered what goes into the making of a card range?
It’s easy to forget when we’re browsing a shop that hours of work has gone into everything we see. So I thought I’d give you a peek at how it all happens – where the inspiration comes from and the processes along the way.
This month: my new range of Yorkshire cards!
Step one: make a list!
All good things start with a list. I wrote down all the Yorkshire phrases I could think of, then ringed my favourites and tried to make sure they ticked various boxes for occasions: birthday celebration, congratulations, just-because, etc.
Step 2: Sketch!
Next comes the bit where I turn my list into designs, via some extended doodling. I knew I wanted the design to be mainly text with some splats to give them a bit of life, so I kept them really simple.
Step 3: Paint!
This is the bit I like best. Watercolour calligraphy is one of my favourite things to do ever - it's so meditative, calming and ultimately satisfying! Adding splats is sometimes stressful - I've ruined many a good painting with ill-placed splats - but fortunately these went ok.
Step 4: Scan in, tidy up and send to print
This is where I scan my paintings in and transfer them to my computer, where I tidy up any bits I'm not happy with, tweak bits and lay the designs onto the card template. This is how the card looks when I send it to the printer - the front and back are side-by-side and the fold is in the middle.
Step 5: Wait impatiently for the printing people to do their thing
This is the worst bit because it comes with ALL the emotions: I'm desperate to get my new cards back, but terrified that I'll have messed them up somehow!
Step 6: The cards arrive...
... and it involves the same emotional trauma as step 5! But THANK GOODNESS they're fine.
Step 7: Celebrate new card range!
It doesn't always go this well, but these came out brilliantly and I'm a happy Jules :)
You can buy my Yorkshire cards (and many other lovely and very reasonably priced designs) here.
