Using asset labels is a perfect way of tracking varying assets within your company. From recognising the assets that require frequent repairs, to giving you peace of mind that your property is secure, asset labels provide low cost technology for data collection.
Customark offer a catalogue of standard asset label designs which can be supplied on rolls or sheets, in a variety of materials and styles. As well as standard label designs we also offer the option of printing unique barcode and serial numbers, which offers an excellent way to track goods whilst being moved or shipped around in today’s busy workplace. But with so many barcode options available it is difficult to understand which is the right one for you and your business.
Code 39, code 128 or interleaved 2 of 5, are popular formats when it comes to choosing a barcode; knowing which barcode you require is down to the application and how they need to be scanned.
Code 39 barcodes tend to be the most popular choice as they are widely used in many industries for a number of applications, including: electronics, healthcare and government. This barcode is a 1D, alphanumeric code which can include all of the 128 ASCII character set, giving code 39 barcodes the ability to extend to any length. However, one of the disadvantages to using this barcode is that it is a low density code which takes up more space than a compact code such as code 128, therefore may not work as well on smaller labels. Although if space may concern you then a 128 barcode may be a better option to consider.
Code 128 is an internationally used barcode obtained from the ASCII 128-character set (0-9, a-z, A-Z and some other characters). This compact code is capable of containing multiple types of information, for example, a batch number and a sell by date, which is why it’s often used in applications where large amounts of data is encoded into a small space, thus making it slightly more complicated to decode in comparison to code 39. Code 128 works well for many applications and is often used in warehouse and distribution applications.
Interleaved 2 of 5 (ITF) barcodes are number only barcodes used to encode pairs of numbers. Commonly used in inventory, shipping and for tracking on forms, labels and other documents. As digits are encoded in pairs within this barcode, one of the downsides is that there must be an even number of digits to encode, however a zero is usually added to the beginning / end if there is an odd number.
As well as these popular barcode styles we can additionally print many other styles including EAN/UPC barcodes and QR formats. At Customark we have over 45 years of printing experience and we understand the importance of reliability, particularly when it comes to barcodes scanning accurately. We pride ourselves on providing a quality service at all times, thus eliminating any errors, minimising any disruptions to your company operations. Our in-house team of print experts are on hand to help with any queries you may have; if you have any specific requirements or require any advice please contact out team on 01384 264700 or email: sales@customark.co.uk
It has been found that screen printing techniques have been around since the start. During the Song Dynasty era in 960 AD, early artists have been using the screen printing methods; however, stencilling in its earliest form has been found in caves that date back to the prehistoric period. Several tools, materials and techniques are essential to create the diverse and interesting visual results that we see today. Now, artists, uniformed services and printing professionals use the screen printing method to create labels, posters, stencil graffiti, t-shirts and signs.
The earliest recognisable method of screen printing appeared roughly 1,050 years ago in China, The Song Dynasty which was credited a navy, stands as an era that saw the developments in painting and other forms of artist expression. Screen printing, which is a technique that uses mesh and ink-blocking methods developed after its ancestor stencilling. It was then adapted by other Asian countries like Japan and was furthered by creating newer methods. Roughly 40,800 years ago, early humans created hand stencils using a range of techniques. Stencilling and the screen printing method have much in common and the earliest form of artistic expression that evolved into the screen printing technique covers the wall of European caves.
Image from Google
Screen printing was generally introduced to Western Europe from Asia sometime in the late 18th century, but did not gain recognition until silk mesh was more available to trade from the east.
Several printers experimented with photo reactive chemicals in the early 1910s. They used the well-known actinic light-activated cross linking or hardening traits of potassium, sodium or ammonium chromate and dichromate chemicals with glues and gelatine compounds. Roy Beck, Charles Peter and Edward Owens experimented and studied with chromic acid salt sensitised emulsions for photo-reactive stencils. This trio revolutionised the commercial screen printing industry by introducing photo-imaged stencils to the industry, though it took many years for this method to be accepted, using sensitizers that are safer and less toxic than bichromates. Currently there are large selections of pre-sensitized and “user mixed” sensitized emulsion chemicals for creating photo-reactive stencils.
To distinguish the artistic application of screen printing from the industrial use if the process, a collection of artists who later formed the National Serigraphic Society created the word Serigraphy in the 1930s. Serigraphy was from the Latin word ‘sēricum’ and the Greek word ‘graphein’ which means to write or draw.
Andy Warhol is credited for popularising screen printing/serigraphy in the United States in the 1960s. Warhol is particularly identified with his 1962 image of icon Marilyn Monroe.
Marilyn Diptych 1962 Andy Warhol 1928-1987
American entrepreneur, artist and inventor Michael Vasilantone started to use, develop and sell a rotary multi-colour garment screen printing machine in 1960. The original rotary machine was manufactured to print logos and team information on bowling garments but soon directed to the new craze of printing on t-shirts. The Vasilantone patent was licensed by multiple manufacturers, the resulting product and boom in printed t-shirts made the rotary garment screen printing machine the most popular device for screen printing in the industry.
In June 1986 Marc Tartaglia, Marc Tartaglia Jr. and Michael Tartaglia created a silk screening device which is defined in its US Patent Documents as “Multi-coloured designs are applied on a plurality of textile fabric or sheet material with a silk screen printer having seven platens arranged in two horizontal rows below a longitudinal heater which is movable across either row”
Graphic screen printing is widely used today to create many large batch produced graphics such as posters or display stands. CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow and black (‘key’)) can be used to create full colour prints.
Here is what CMYK looks like
The screen printing technique involves mesh covered frame, or screen, and a stencil. The stencil created from shapes, letters or words, blocks a portion of the screen. The screen sits atop the item that will receive the image, a shirt or poster, for example. The item is usually called a substrate. The artist or print person places ink on top of the screen and stencil. They then squeegee the substrate to create a sharp image on the substrate.
Multiple forms of stencilling exist and are limited to an artist’s imagination. One popular stencilling technique is direct photographic emulsion which involves stencils, mesh screens and light sources. Stencilling techniques have evolved substantially throughout history, from red ochre cave prints to aerosol graffiti. Today, artists and print makers use airbrush, micro-stencilling and photographic emulsion methods to create a wide range of interesting artwork.
The screen printing process requires a number of materials, supplies and tools. Inks, screens, glues and squeegees are the basic materials required to create screen printed images. Multiple types of inks are available, including plastisol, water based and discharge inks; and they provide a range of effects and colours saturation that give different artistic projects a distinctive twist. In addition to coloured inks, there are metallic and glosses that can create different yet interesting finishes.
Today, electronic screen printing (a recent innovation) provides manufacturing and the environment a number of benefits. Electronic screen printing techniques with the removal of particles and solvents, produce lint-free surfaces and are eco-efficient. Electronic screen printing requires a number of semiconducting materials. Screen printed solar cells, solar photovoltaics and solar wafers are used to produce electronic screen printing components.
Screen printing offers itself well to printing on canvas. Andy Warhol, Rob Ryan, Blexbolex, Arthur Okamura, Robert Rauschenberg, Roy Lichtenstein, Harry Gottieb and many other artists have used screen printing as an expression of creativity and artistic image.
Over time screen printing has evolved into many things, one of which is Industrial. This means that the prints purpose is not to carry a promotional message, like a t-shirt, but is part of a manufacturing process that either permits the function of the product or enhances its appearance or decoration.
As you scan your desk you might find a couple of industrial screen printed objects scattered around. Your keyboard for example, or even your calculator. These objects have been printed to help you use them, not to promote a certain message or have an artistic design on them (Well, apart from the logo)
If you think about it, many electronic items would be useless without industrial printing; unless you have studied and memorised your keyboard. The printed sections show you vital information that is essential for the use of the equipment.
Here at Customark we offer a direct printing service onto panels and chassis that are supplied by you. If required, we can also source panels on your behalf, this provides a complete turnkey operation that helps you avoid unnecessary logistics in dealing with multiple suppliers.
Our level of knowledge and experience lets us work to extremely particular productions and a high level of quality as well as detail.
We are also able to produce multi-colour panel prints on unusual shapes and can print onto almost any surface.
If you want to find out more then please get in touch, we are always happy to help. Call us on 01384 264700 or email us sales@customark.co.uk
We’ve hit a rather nice milestone this year and are proud as a UK manufacturer to have been around the printing industry for 50 years. Whilst Customark may have changed alot since its founding year in 1968 , we have always been driven to supply the :
“Best quality products and services at a fair price”
So lets raise a glass to the next chapter of our journey in the ever changing Print sector.
The World Cup is fast approaching (14th June), which is why now is an ideal time to begin thinking about your point of sale opportunities. With retail and hospitality sectors thriving during these popular sporting events, it is vital to stay ahead of the competitors, but how?
Floor Stickers
The Floor is your canvas, offering a unique opportunity to get creative with your environment; floor stickers can be a perfect way to gain customer interactivity by adding QR codes which can link with your website or special offers, with attention grabbing 3D floor graphics that offer a unique interactive concept, or even with simple footprints, leading footfall directly to your door.
Our floor graphics can be printed with almost any design for almost every floor type. These are produced on vinyl and laminated with a non-slip, safety rated laminate, covering up to an R12 rating.
All of our floor stickers can be customised and ordered directly online at: floorstickers.co.uk
Shelf Wobblers The point of purchase is where 80% of buying decisions are made, making this the prime advertising spot. Using shelf wobblers and shelf edge strips to promote an offer or product is an extremely cost effective marketing technique; their versatility allows them to be produced into almost any shape with almost any design.
So make potential customers aware of the offers and promotions you’ll be running during the world cup; with prices starting from as little as £0.26, can you really afford not to invest?
Branded Products Printed promotional products are a perfect way to keep your name and logo in your customer’s eye; why not take advantage of this year’s world cup, by branding a variety of football products to use as a promotional giveaway or at company events. From custom printed ice buckets or swizzle sticks to fisbees or bottle opener keyrings. Customark can personalise almost any product to suit your business campaign or marketing activity.
Our UV digital flatbed machine has the ability to print high resolution and superior quality directly onto irregular shaped objects, which allows us to print almost anything you may require. Other printing services we offer for direct branding is pad and screen printing, both of which are perfect for keeping the cost down for larger quantity orders.
Gel Badges
Turn your lifeless 2D labels into a quality 3D branding tool; we apply clear resin to printed graphics giving them a highly visible 3D look, in turn making them hard wearing and weather proof. Our selection of dome labels are ideal for POS displays and promotional branding.
With an in-house artwork department, Customark can give you tips and design advice to maximise the impact of your point of sale displays. Here at Customark we strive to produce quality printing at cost effective prices, therefore if you find a like for like product at a cheaper price we guarantee to try and match or beat it.
So get on the ball this spring and organise your world cup 2018 point of sale displays.
When it comes to your labels, window stickers or your floor stickers you want to make sure that they get your specific message across. When choosing typography you want to make sure that they are legible, noticeable and complement the design perfectly; here are a few handy tips from us at Customark:
Fewer fonts make more impact
Using more than 2 fonts can make any design look too cluttered and hard to read; we find that sticking with a bold design for the main attraction and then a simple type of typography for anything else makes the design look cleaner.
Font types
The most common forms of fonts are Serif and San Serif. Serif fonts include little embellishments (serifs) at the end of each stroke (Bookman Old Style, Georgia, Times New Roman). San Serif (meaning “without serif”) fonts are the ones without (Calibri, Arial, Gill Sans). Serif fonts like Times New Roman are seen as more traditional, whereas San Serif fonts like Arial are seen as more modern.
SerifSan Serif
You can also use Handwritten and Script fonts for effect. Using them sparingly is always the way to go and avoid using them with large bodies of text as it can become very illegible and quite cramped very easy.
Good example of handwritten / scriptBad example of handwritten / script, depending on the situation
Size
Getting the size right with text is very important; too small and it can become hard to read but too big can also overpower and outbalance your design.
Tracking, Kerning and Leading
Tracking is the spacing between each letter of one work, too small and it can blur into one; too much and it can become too spaced out and hard to read. Kerning is sometimes confused with Tracking as they are both to do with spacing, but instead of one word it is between two letters. Set too closely together, letters are unclear; set too far apart and they are awkward to read. Leading is the spacing vertically in lines, so between the lines in a paragraph. Like Tracking and Kerning getting the balance right is crucial for the legibility of the text.
Tracking:
This is where will change if you adjust the TrackingThis is Tracking being too close together. It will make words merge into oneThis is an example of the Tracking being too far apart, depending on the situation this can be used and look quite modern and presentable
Kerning:
This shows where you will find Kerning
This is when the Kerning between two letters is too close together, as you can see certain letters do become hard to readHaving the Kerning too far apart can make words look too spaced and awkward to read
Leading:
Here shows you where Leading is in a paragraphThis is an example of Leading being reduced too muchMaking the leading too wide can make reading paragraphs very frustrating
Colour
There are many things to think about when choosing colours. What is your background colour? Will it clash? Will it blend in too much? Is it too bright? Who is your audience? Are they affected by colours like colour blindness or are they partially sighted?
A simple black and white theme is always a safe choicePeople with sight problems will have a hard time reading this coloured font on a bright backgroundIf you have a bright background like yellow a dark coloured font we find is best as it stands outPicking a colour that is too close to your background colour can affect the legibilityThis is a good example of fonts standing out on your background colour
What space you have to work with
If you have got limited space to work with you do not want to overfill it with text and risk compromising the legibility of the writing, make sure you think realistically with the sizing and the amount of information you want on it.
The amount of text has not affected the readability or legibilityThe first thing you notice about this example is that there is too much text and it is far too small. Here we would try to minimize the amount of text on the graphic
We hope you found our Typography tips helpful; remember for any design advice we have an in house Artwork department to help with any questions.
Portable appliance testing, also known as PAT, is the examination of electrical equipment and appliances to guarantee that they are safe for use. Visual inspections will find most faults but a few types of defects can only be found by testing. As important as actual testing is, it is also essential to know that visual examinations are just as important as there are faults that cannot be found by testing alone.
By law, do I need to have my electrical appliances tested every year?
Any electrical equipment that has the potential to cause harm should be maintained in a good, safe condition; this is part of The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. Nevertheless, the Regulations do not specify what needs to be done, by whom and how frequent it needs to be done. They do not make inspections or testing of electrical appliances a legal requirement, nor do they make it a legal requirement to do it annually.
As it isn’t a legal requirement, how often should I test my appliances?
This all depends upon the type of equipment and the environment it is used in. For example, a piece of machinery in a busy factory needs to be tested more frequently than a desk fan in one of the offices.
Do I need to keep records and should I label any appliances that have been tested?
As testing the equipment is not a legal requirement, neither is keeping a record or labeling the equipment that has been tested. On the other hand, a record and / or labeling can be useful for monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of any maintenance scheme that you may have in place and to show that said scheme exists.
Do I need to get an electrician to do any portable appliance testing?
The person that is doing the testing needs to be knowledgeable to do it. In many low-risk environments, a sensible member of staff can undertake visual inspections if they have enough training and knowledge. However, when undertaking combined inspections and testing, a much greater level of knowledge and experience is needed. They will need:
The right equipment
The ability to use said equipment correctly
The capability of understanding the test results
Does new equipment need testing too?
No this should not require a portable appliance test, but a simple visual once over is always recommended.
Where can I buy the relevant labels?
You can purchase different type of Portable Appliance Testing labels from us at Customark Ltd.
Here at Customark, for some years now, we have been designing and manufacturing Capacitive Touch Keypads and we are finding it to be a developing market, this is due to them being an alternative to traditional interfaces like Membrane Keypads. The production of a flexible Capacitive Keypad is less complicated than a Membrane Keypad therefore the end result is more cost effective. They rely on detection of sensitivity in pressure rather than a simple open/closed membrane switch with a traditional keypad.
Tactile feedback is something you don’t get with a Capacitive Keypad alone. This is usually solved with an audible or haptic feedback device driven from the electronics themselves. We can also embed LED’s into the keypad shining through clear windows or ‘hidden til lit’ windows.
The applications are also varied, such as a simple cap circuit adhered to the back of a moulding, an example of this could be plastic fronted microwaves with touch sensitive areas or a more decorative front mounted application. As the thickness of the front graphic has little effect, this allows us to use 3mm acrylic with the circuit adhered to the underside making a robust decoratively appealing switch.
Here are some advantages to using Capacitive Touch Keypads:
Increased durability due to no moving parts, this also reduces the number of components helping with cost
There is no raised surfaces or button openings which helps with keeping them clean
These interfaces can be incorporated into products that have curved surfaces
Can be integrated into In-Mould Electronic applications
Can be used with interactive toys, point of sale displays and many other things
Whichever way you go with your keypads, we have a very useful level of experience and we are happy to help with any questions you may have.
If you have any ideas or would like to chat things through, why not get in touch with Rob Bromley at Robert.bromley@customark.co.uk or 01249 822 010
As one of the UK’s leading print specialists, we understand that colours play a fundamental part in successful marketing campaigns, typically down to the way colours can evoke consumer emotions.
Most marketers and graphic designers will use this as a tool to tailor product packaging & campaign promotions to achieve optimum engagement with their target customers, thus motivating purchases.
We have put together a list of how popular colours and they can be used to increase sales through stirring up emotions.
Red – Tends to be the most popular colour when it comes to marketing, the main colour that grabs people’s attention and holds it. This makes ‘Red’ a powerful promotional tool when it comes to brand identity and marketing. However, moderation is key when it comes to the using Red, too much can appear off putting for customers representing negative connotations such as danger.
Yellow – Evokes a pleasant, cheerful feelings and is especially effective when it comes to promoting children’s products. Yellow is best used in moderation as an attention getter and often used to highlight important elements of a design. Similar to red, avoid over using this colour as over use may have a disturbing effect.
Orange – Adopts the energy of red and the happiness of yellow generating high energy, powerful attention grabbing properties. Orange is symbolic of strength and endurance and when used within branding will give the cutting-edge impression.
Blue– Tends to be a popular corporate colour as it helps a brand appear trustworthy, professional and dependable. Best used when mixed with a complimentary colour such as green.
Purple – Wealth, Magic, Mystery, Creativity and Royalty are all associated with the colour purple. With so many positive associations purple is an ideal colour to add a touch of elegance to a brand or campaign.
Green – Universally associated with nature; this versatile colour gives off an inviting feel, allowing customers to experience a pleasant open feeling. Commonly associated with health, environment, serenity.
Shelf Talkers are extremely effective in point of sale promotions; often used when advertising products seen in: Supermarkets, pharmacies, hardware and telecommunications shops, fridges in cafes, shops and bars.
Often over looked and under estimated; here are 3 reasons why we believe shelf wobblers are the perfect point of sale products:
Highly Visible Shelf wobblers help to bring attention to your product at the point of purchase; where 80% of buying decisions are made. Their versatility allows them to be produced into almost any shape with almost any design. Brand marketers should capitalise on this selling opportunity by combining unique designs with shelf signs.
Great Value For Money
In comparison to most point of sale items, shelf wobblers are relatively cheap to produce and distribute making them great value for money. No matter the order quantity, Customark offer quality products at competitive prices. For this reason, if you find a like for like product at a cheaper price we guarantee to try and match or beat it.
Easy application
Leave the hard work to us, all of our shelf wobblers are delivered fully assembled, allowing for a simple application. Shelf Wobblers appeal to many shop owners as they are simple to install and leave minimal residue.
POS shelf wobblers are one of the most effective, low cost & easy to use retail marketing tools, get the edge over your competitors and order today! Quick Links: Circle Wobblers, Square Wobblers, Custom Shape Wobblers.
Need design ideas? Customark have an experienced team who offer a design service for an additional fee – See more online at: www.Shelf-Wobblers.com
Today customers are bombarded with companies competing for attention; typically done though decorating walls, windows and shelves with eye catching advertisements.
But could the future be looking down?
Naturally when walking, we look down – so why not take advantage? The floor is often over looked as an advertising method, but conventional floor signage has actually been used by leading corporations such as Pepsi and Nestle.
Floor Stickers are an affordable, fun and unique way to promote your brand or direct foot traffic. Many shop floors are blank canvases, so why not capitalise on this opportunity with your own innovative point of purchase promotion.
At Customark Ltd we source the top materials in order to print high quality attention grabbing advertisements. Our products are made from varied vinyl and laminated with a non-slip coating, allowing us to print durable floor graphics with almost any design, for almost every floor type.
For more information, inspiration or to create your own floor sticker online, visit: floorstickers.co.uk
