Being an illustrator I'm constantly on the hunt for an affordable artist supplies store as I'm always going to need new markers and marker pads. Graphics Direct came up on a Google search a few weeks ago and I couldn't get over how fantastic their extensive product range and their prices were. 

Recently I stumbled upon Printed.com when googleing business cards for my new business Sjillustration.bigcartel.com . Printed's website really caught my eye as their branding is ultra modern and the pink logo stood out to me straight away as pink is one of my fav colours and I am easily biased like that. 

I ordered the Free sample pack from printed.com straight away and I was so pleased with the samples when they arrived very soon after I ordered them. The samples include the different paper options and finishes as well as how different colours look on each paper. I think this is an awesome idea for samples as It really gave me more confidence in ordering with them as I could set my CMYK colour codes on my computer as the same as the sample cards and I could trust that the colours would look how I wanted once printed. This is always a worry of mine when getting anything printed as the colours you see on the computer can look totally different when printed.

Printed give you the option to use your own design or use one of their deign templates which is perfect for people who haven't been able to design their own logos or branding just yet. They have tons and tons of great designs and variations for different style businesses. I had made my own card design and logo so all I had to do was fit my design to one of their business card format templates which you can download free to ensure your card design fits and wont be cut off when they trim your cards. 

There's some formatting to figure out including the bleed areas etc but its pretty straight forward and once you've done it once its so easy.  I had a little trouble with my formatting but the team at printed where so helpful and supported me 100% to achieve the best format and spacing for trimming. They have a live chat help so if your stuck with anything you can quickly chat to the team and they will assist you so there's no stress involved in ordering your cards. 

I ordered 50 of the LUX 810gsm Double sided Business cards with square corners and with a fascia pink core colour. I also had them finished with a Velvet lamination which feels amazing! 

From the moment people have held this card in their hands you can tell they are impressed with the quality. I've even had gasps of 'ohhhhs' and 'awwwws' from a customer recently who asked where I had my cards made. Which is always a plus when people notice the quality of your business cards. The LUX cards I think give an incredible first impression of any business and I highly recommend them. They are a little more expensive than the others in the range but your getting exactly what you pay for with these. Real Luxury which is worth the extra cost if it brings in more orders. 

I also ordered 50 of the Double Sided Conqueror gold business cards which are 350gsm in weight and again with square corners as opposed to the rounded corners option. I went for the standard size of 85mm x 55mm business cards and used the same design as on my LUX cards. These have a beautiful gold sheen to them which catches light perfectly and looks super pretty. These are a lot thinner than the LUX cards but still feel great as they are a nice thickness comparable to most regular business cards, the LUX cards are just special. 

And lastly I also ordered 50 of the Folded Landscape Double sided 150mm x 55mm business cards on Silk 400gsm paper with velvet lamination again on both sides. The Folded business cards are new to Printed and are such a great idea for businesses who would like to showcase what they have on offer as well as use the card for contact details. You can also use a side for loyalty stamps which your customers can use for rewards and offers. 

I chose to use my previous design on the inside of the cards and for the outside I designed a mini portfolio style strip of images so that potential customers can see my previous work and what I have on offer on my website.

If I'm being totally honest (as i always am), I wouldn't have ordered the folded as I wouldn't have seen a need for them but as Printed.com had asked me to review their folded cards especially, I'm glad they did as I love the folded cards much more than I expected too. 

Printed.com offer such an immaculate service at such a low cost. The prices are cheap but their products do not feel cheap at all. Also the higher quantity of cards that you purchase reduces the overall unit cost per card, so your better off ordering a few hundred at once. For example 50 of the folded business cards with lamination on both sides would be £15.90 inc VAT so that works out at 32p per card which is awesome. BUT if you where to order 250 cards you'd be paying £55.87 / 22p per card. 

They even offer a Printed Promise, therefore if your not 100% happy with your order once it arrives, let them know and they will reprint for you or offer a full refund. There where a few sizing issues with my folded business cards but Printed where sure to send me another 100 of the cards as part of the printed promise. 

I cant express to you enough how pleased myself and my customers have been with the quality of my business cards. Personally the whole design, order and delivery service from Printed.com was a really positive experience and I highly recommend them. From start up businesses needing help to order their cards to the business card expert, I honestly think Printed.com are the company you need to print with. 

What do you think of my cards? Will you be ordering from Printed.com?

Fashion illustrating is one of my many passions! I started posting my fashion illustrations on my instagram page @sj_illustrations back in 2014 and I've had such an overwhelming response to them and huge support on my page with over 3300 followers. It's unreal to me that people like, comment and request my Illustrations so I thank you all for supporting me! Ive been asked by a few brands and celebs if I could illustrate for them , So I've decided to start selling custom Fashion illustrations. If you are interested in purchasing one of my fashion illustrations feel free to contact me via my email or Instagram page! 

I was recently asked to if I wanted to be a featured artist for the website Cowling & Wilcox which of course I accepted and I loved answering all their questions, so feel free to check out my feature here. You can find out my main inspiration for illustrating and also some handy tips and tricks that may help any aspiring fashion illustrators! 

My Illustrations often get liked and reposted by celebs or people in the public eye like the gorgeous Zoella, Jodie Marsh, Ferne McCann and many more! I also run giveaways so that my followers can enter for the chance to win a personalised fashion Illustration. My latest competition winners where Mollie from ModernMollie.com and Lauren. Mollie asked if I could combine two pictures shown below. The short hair and pose taken from the first image and the outfit from the second. I loved creating this illustration as it pushes me to mix photographs and I'm really pleased with the final Illustration .