News archive 2010
Beat the VAT increase
November 2010
VAT is going up to 20% on 4 January. (Thanks a bunch, George)
But there's a window of opportunity to beat the rise. If we bill you before then for an item which we will be designing for you sometime in the New Year, we are allowed to invoice you at the current rate of 17.5%.
Obviously, there are some constraints on what seems like a big loophole in the VAT regulations. This article on the Accounting Web site explains them well:
Charities: prepare now for VAT rise
(Don't forget that there's no VAT at all on many printed items.)
Graphic designer wanted
October 2010
Are you a graphic designer who wants to join a co-operative? Check out our job vacancy, but hurry, the closing date is Monday 15 November.
(Closing date now passed)
There is an alternative
June 2010
Co-operatives across the UK are celebrating the first Co-operatives Fortnight which runs from 19 June to 3 July.
Catch up with the videos on the Co-operatives Fortnight YouTube Channel
Also, our colleagues at mediaco-op are running a free film screening at the Glasgow Film Theatre. Co-operating on Screen, presented by Alison Peebles is on Friday 2 July 2010, 12 noon to 1pm. Three short films cover: the Scottish co-op that gave Sean Connery his first job; Crucial co-ops in Caracas; and a Young co-operative's drama on autism.
You don't always have to pay VAT
June 2010
The impending VAT rise to 20% is bad news for charities, who can't usually reclaim it. However, you can avoid needlessly paying VAT. See our VAT-saving tips for design and print.
Exhibitors beware
May 2010
Following our appearance on the exhibitors list for The Gathering, we received this rather nasty little scam letter which was apparently also sent to other exhibitors. It looks professional, and asks you to check and correct your entry in a publication called "Expo Guide". Hidden in the small print under the reply form is a legally-binding commitment to pay almost £1000 per year for the privilege!
If your organisation receives one of these, bin it immediately.
Banners at S2S
April 2010
It was great to see lots of beautiful banners when we joined Scotland's social enterprises at S2S Trade fair on 21 April (check the S2S website for some great videos of the event).
Many of our clients were there, proudly showing off our handiwork at their stands. Camphill Scotland are pictured, but we had a hard time choosing which client to feature.
These "Mercury" systems are a big hit, being clearly of better build-quality than some of the other display systems we saw. The real beauty of them is that the graphic panel can be quickly swapped, saving you from having to buy a new base unit when you want a different message.
More Than Recycling
March 2010
Next up on our conference circuit is More Than Recycling 2010 on 17 March. As well as the organisers, CRNS, some of our other clients are directly involved in recycling and will be attending, so we'll be catching up with them. We'll be on hand to demonstrate what's available in the field of recycled publicity and promotional materials - a lot more than just printing on recycled paper.
The Gathering
February 2010
We were at The Gathering on 18 and 19 February. This is the main bash of the Scottish voluntary sector and this year it was held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. We all attended by rota, but Elaine was there the whole time, making the most of the opportunity to meet many of our clients for the first time.
New people
January 2010
We're really pleased to introduce our two new team members.
Elaine Henderson (second right) is our new Print Accounts Manager and Chris Booth (right) is our new Web Projects Manager.
Elaine has lots of experience in account and production management at several well-known design agencies. Chris previously ran his own web design and development business for 8 years. They're going to be very busy as we have lots of projects in the pipeline.