GSM Blog - read more about print on paper.

Quick Chat Print – Provincial Print

Operating from two different sites in the upper region of New Zealand's South Island, Matt Costello talks to GSM about the unique printing operation he has built, and the pros and cons of being 'provincial'. Blenheim sits amongst the sunny wine growing region of Marlborough on the upper east coast of New Zealand’s South Island. A town of approximately 30,000–the local economy largely comprises of horticulture, wine making and farming. The nearby Lake Grassmere salt works is the only operation of its kind in NZ. It supplies approximately 50% of the nation’s requirements. An hour and twenty minutes drive north-west...

Continue Reading →

For The People

for the people

In this installment of Inspiration - GSM gets up close and personal with contemporary creative influencers 'For The People' - and ask the question...How did you get here? Creative agency For The People (FTP) was founded just eight short years ago in Sydney. The team has since grown—thanks in part to several high-profile projects (including the branding for Ball & Doggett), as well as winning some notable design awards. They now have a presence on both sides of the Tasman, and are one of the studios to watch. But, what has the journey been like reaching this point? GSM asked...

Continue Reading →

2022 Student Design Contest + 2023 Calendar

student design contest calendar

For 2022, the Student Design Calendar Contest was opened up to entries from both sides of the Tasman. The result was a fantastic range of dynamic submissions - and two great calendars. Here are the winning entries... For many years the BJ Ball Student Design Content was a mainstay for tertiary students studying visual communication in New Zealand. Not only was it an exercise in offering the students some real-life experience in the world of commercial print but the students also gained recognition as a Calendar Contest winner. After taking a brief hiatus in the 2010s, BJ Ball reintroduced the...

Continue Reading →

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,...

Continue Reading →

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...

Continue Reading →

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...

Continue Reading →

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...

Continue Reading →

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...

Continue Reading →

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...

Continue Reading →

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...

Continue Reading →