This blog is brought to you by Colour Time Printing & Digital Imaging, downtown Vancouver's leading provider of printing and marketing solutions with international award-winning clientele. Established in 1978, it has a long history of providing a wide range of services from web design to beautifully printed bound books. With FSC certification and a strong commitment to the environment, Colour Time develops environmentally-responsible solutions that can match the details and demands of any project.

2013 Calendar Designs

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Colour Time

The new year is just around the corner, and it's no doubt that calendars are one of the first few things we change, be it at the office or at home. A downright necessity, it is either hung on a wall, sitting on top of a desk or even magnetized to a fridge.

Whether we admit it or not, most of us are rather picky with the style and design of the calendars we choose to have. Some like to have lots of space for writing important dates or events, some like calendars with themes or photos, while others may prefer simpler styles with all the statutory holidays in place.

So while you discern amongst the myriad of calendars available at this time of the year, here are some ideas to help you choose the right one for you.

Continue reading →

33 Creative Business Card Designs

Posted on July 20, 2012 by Colour Time

To wind up another week, here are some refreshing samples of very unique business cards for your viewing pleasure.

If any of these cards give you some inspiration for your next design – don't forget to to drop by or give us a call so we can help you get started.

Continue reading →

23 Inspirational Print Brochures

Posted on June 29, 2012 by Colour Time

Today we feature a marketing piece that everyone on the face of this earth has heard of – BROCHURES. At Colour Time, we have the great pleasure of printing hundreds of these every single day.

Why do people print brochures?

As you would know, brochures are used in all sorts of promotions. They're a great sales or marketing tool and are easy to give away outdoors or keep on rack displays indoors. For those who have a ton of information to share, a brochure conveniently allows you to segregate data into different categories in different panels. They can also be relatively inexpensive and there are several finishes you can choose from. Brochures are a useful and cost-effective means of promotion for any organization or individual in any industry.

How do I stand out?

Ask us about having unique folds, die-cut shapes or using eye-popping colours that will help you stand out from the boring norm. Try to avoid getting too crazy or you might forget the marketing basics of designing and printing brochures – make sure they're still a portable size and not too bulky to keep. Gone are the days of appalling clip art and overwhelming bodies of text. Clean typography and design are the name of the game, and an added flair of creativity can certainly go a long way and make an enormous impression.

So before you start your next brochure project, why don't you give us a call or visit us – our experienced team can help give you some creative ideas to get you started.

In the meantime, here's some inspiration!

Disclaimer: The images on this page are not owned by Colour Time and are used solely as design examples. Please click on the images to see their original sources.

Continue reading →

30 Creative Packaging Designs

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Colour Time

Monday is here and we've decided to send a little inspiration your way to help jumpstart your week!

At Colour Time, when it comes to printing and packaging, we'll spoil you for choice with more than 2,500 substrates to choose from. We can print in short runs on heavy weight stock, die cut and even add personalization to each package. Short run packaging is perfect for special events, VIP gifts, promotional items, specialty food products and much more!

Here we've compiled 30 examples of attractive and communicative packaging which you could use for any of your upcoming projects. Remember, great packaging designs have the ability to not only attract and inform, but also provoke feelings and communicate emotions to the consumer. First impressions are critical and the design on your product is what will make it stand out from the rest and influence the buyer's decision.

Disclaimer: The images on this page are not owned by Colour Time and are used solely as design examples. Please click on the images to see their original sources.

1. Nike Stadium Shoe Box

Advertising Agency: Publicis, Singapore

2. Tea Hangers

Continue reading →

5 Print Finishes To Spice Up Your Design

Posted on June 15, 2012 by Colour Time

Finishing is the value-added process that takes place after printing. It is the general term used to define anything done to a product after it is printed. In fact, the most critical element of the printing process is the finishing because it can help turn "common" into "unique", and "ordinary" into "extraordinary". At Colour Time, we offer a wide selection of finishing options, ranging from UV coating, embossing and foil stamping to special folds, die cuts, and glueing.

Today we focus on 5 common finishes that you can apply to your designs:

1. Varnish

This is one of the most used finishes in printing. A varnish finish is a colourless coating of either gloss, matte, silk or satin – it is applied to enhance the look and feel of a design and can also protect the paper from wear-and-tear. It can also be applied to a selected area of the design (referred to as "spot varnish") to highlight or emphasize specific elements.

Gloss – Great for enhancing photographs. Gives a more vibrant look.
Matte / Dull – Ink colors appear softer on a matte finish. Text can be easier to read.
Satin / Silk - In between gloss and matte – not too glossy, not too dull.
UV Varnish – High shine finish applied with ultraviolet light – appears "glossier" than typical varnish.

uv varnish

Continue reading →

Receive our Email Newsletter