GSM Blog - read more about print on paper.

Print Brokering – more than just print

Print brokering has been part of the print industry for decades. However, in more recent times, it is making something of a comeback. GSM talks to Melbourne-based print broker, Simon Fitzgerald, to understand why> GSM: What is ‘Print Brokering’—and how does it work? Simon: In a nutshell, print brokering in any industry is a value-added service connecting customers with suppliers or products. A good example is insurance or mortgage brokering. The brokers in these sectors do not lend money (mortgages) or provide policies (insurance). Their job is to secure the right product, at the right price, for their clients. Specifically,...

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Indigenous Design – People & Processes

idia indigenous design

GSM talks to Dr Johnson Witehira about Indigenous Design Methodologies - and discovers that; whilst having Māori working on 'Indigenous' work is undoubtedly a step in the right direction, having a fuller understanding of process - will result in a more meaningful output beyond simply achieving the 'right' aesthetic> Design companies throughout New Zealand are scrambling to hire Māori designers. For some, this investment is merely superficial; having a Māori designer means they can win the work they couldn’t get before. Sometimes this is to the detriment of Māori design organisations. For others, though, there seems to be a genuine...

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Uncle Charlie’s Brand, Packaging & Values

uncle charlies

Being 100% aboriginal-owned & operated, Uncle Charlie's is a brand with a difference. For designers working on The Tastes of Country popcorn packaging - this meant respecting, and working with, the cultural values behind the business to create something as unique as the brand itself. Traditional Aboriginal principles of sharing stories, food, and caring for country are the foundation of Uncle Charlie's Tastes of Country. In addition to this, the new Tastes of Country popcorn range only uses ingredients sourced from native foods and botanicals. These are sustainably grown, harvested, and sourced from Wiradjuri Country through long-established trade relationships dating...

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Synthetic Paper – Tear & Moisture Resistant

syntheetic papers

The most commonly used substrates for commercial print methods - both digital & offset- are wood-based papers and boards. But what if you have a print project that needs a more robust  solution? Something that won't tear and is moisture resistant? This is where synthetic papers come in. GSM investigates... Synthetic Papers The term ‘synthetic papers’ (sometimes shortened to ‘synthetics’) is a broad category of printable substrates made from materials other than wood pulp (the base material used to make most papers & boards). Synthetic papers are extruded from polypropylene or Polyester pellets to form smooth white sheets ready for...

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Love Paper

love paper

In a world becoming more digital by the day - where does paper fit? Perhaps, the answer lies in simply being something worth appreciating —For it's perfect simplicity> Here are some reasons why we should love paper... Paper and print are with us from an early age starting with our first book and the newsprint we scribble on at kindergarten. We send and receive birthday invitations and love letters. We write in diaries, and earn pieces of paper that say we graduated. When you marry the love of your life—we record in the eyes of the Law—on paper. It’s sometimes...

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A Tongue in Cheek Label – Good George!

We all handled the Covid situation in different ways. For NZ-based brewery and distillery, Good George, the answer was simply to be tongue in cheek and say: "For F*cks Sake". How Good George came to be - Beer & Cider Good George came to life when a bunch of friends got together and decided, after years in hospitality and brewing, it was time to create their own beverages. The primary motivation was to show people how great beer can be, to convert drinkers from the norm, and to have a bit of fun along the way. The idea is that...

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Australian Print Apprentice of the Year 2022

print apprentice of the year 2022

One of the highlights of the Australian National Print Awards is the Apprentice of the Year - celebrating emerging industry talent. The team at GSM donned our best threads and went along to catch up with the two finalists> The Australian National Print Awards provide an opportunity to recognise the skill and craftsmanship of the Australian Print and Visual Communications industry. The Apprentice of the Year is an auspicious, highly regarded and coveted award bestowed only on those who display the highest level of skill in their field. Having achieved the top echelon of performance within their State before vying...

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A Career in Illustration – Drawing on Design

Bron alexander illustration

Continuing our series on starting out in the creative sector - GSM talks to Kiwi Creative Multidisciplinary Bron Alexander> Reading Greg Straight’s article (see GSM18) was captivating. Of course, no two career paths are ever the same—but his story of building a career in illustration off the back of lucky breaks and hard work really resonated. Speed Bumps & Lucky Breaks Creativity was in my blood from an early age. In high school, I made a great decision; I swapped my typing course for art. However, the same year, I  found out I was pregnant. Becoming a Mum at 15...

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Trust in Australian Wool

australian wool

The Trust in Australian Wool brochure is a short-run digitally printed project. Initially sent to us as an INPRINT submission, it's tactile look and feel caught our eye. So much so that we decided to take a deeper dive. This editorial-style, limited-run brochure was produced as part of the ‘Trust in Australian Wool’ campaign. This joint undertaking, between Wool Producers Australia and Animal Health Australia, showcases the Australian wool industry as a leading global supplier. It provides extensive information about production practices and sustainability, animal welfare, and biosecurity practices. Design Designed by the team at Inklab (Canberra), the art direction...

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New Zealand Print Apprentice of the Year Awards 2022

AOY 2022

One of the highlights of the annual Pride in Print Awards is the Apprentice of the Year - celebrating emerging industry talent. The team at GSM donned our best threads and went along to catch up with the five finalists. Pride in Print 2022 was held in the newly opened Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre—a stunning venue for this prestigious event. As always, one of the most anticipated awards bestowed on the night is the BJ Ball Apprentice of the Year— propelling a select group of emerging industry talent into the limelight. For the Apprentice of the Year awards—one finalist...

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