How and why did Noble Fine Art begin?
My husband and I have always worked together and have been together for more years than I dare say, he prints the most beautiful photogravure’s which is a photographic process for clients at exhibitions all over the world, exhibiting in Cork Street, Harrods and Florence. We were asked by one of these clients to produce a wedding invitation for them using this beautiful traditional letterpress process about 3 years ago and the rest is history, I was a full time artist until we started printing invitations, so now clients can have the best of both worlds: beautiful letterpress stationery with drawings of client's businesses, venue, church in fact anything that’s special to them.
Are you married?
Yes, I met David when I was 16 years old, a holiday romance and now in our 40’s are looking forward to our 25th wedding anniversary in a couple of years time. We didn’t make our invitations, we had a small civil ceremony and a reception at Dryburgh Abbey in the Borders, it was a lovely day but not very traditional.
What designs are available to order?
We have a number of standard designs, most on the website and all on display in our studio, however most of our orders are from clients that want something a bit different, with a personal touch and that’s what we do. All produced on lovely stocks with all the finishing touches you’d hope for. We want our clients to feel special when they come to us.
Do you have any new designs for 2011?
Yes the Royale, inspired of course by the Royal Wedding. So new its not yet on the website. Using a cotton stock it leaves the most beautiful impression on the text.
Can you do bespoke designs?
Yes as mentioned above, we work with clients all over the world, from Hollywood actors to local farmers all looking for us to create something that reflect their personalities, it’s lovely – we get so much feedback as their guests receive the invitations and know exactly who sent them before they read it.
What is your favourite design and why?
The Florence Invitation, it’s just so versatile. A pocket for all the useful info and the invitation, a flash of colour with the ribbon, easy to add a drawing on the pocket if required and simply very stylish.
What is your most popular design and why?
Again the Florence invite for the reasons mentioned, you can change the feel of it so easily, from Art Deco to traditional it just works. Viaggio luggage tags too, just a bit different and easily within most peoples budget.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Everywhere, the garden, a book, TV to museums, we’re artists so work and pleasure mingle it’s so difficult to keep it under control sometimes as we get so excited by new ideas.
What products are available in each design?
We make all items in all ranges and you can mix and match, knowing that we will follow the theme from fonts, ribbon and colours to make sure they all look similar. We make Save the Dates, Invitations, RSVP Cards, Information Cards, Order of Service, Reading Cards, Menu’s, Place Cards, Thank You’s and Seating Plans. We don’t just do Weddings of course, we print for Partys, Business and Funerals.
Who would be your dream client, and what sort of design would you envisage for them?
We already have them! We work with some fantastic Wedding Planners throughout the UK and some wonderful couples who clearly appreciate what we do. The ones that have no budget are really fun as we get to be so creative, we don’t get too many of those.
What design would you suggest for the Royal Wedding?
Something classy and tasteful as they represent a younger generation, it’s good to mix traditional with contemporary. I would have chosen an engraved invite (as they had) but perhaps a square, maybe a soft grey card with a white raised text and a sunken square border.
What would be your top tips when choosing wedding stationery?
Give yourselves plenty of time to chat to stationers: 6-12 months, so you can decide on the right design and price. Don’t be afraid to tell your stationer your budget, most will be able to offer some suggestions to help save cost. Timelines are very important, your RSVP date should be 6-8 weeks before your wedding, and invitations sent to your guests 6 weeks before your RSVP date. Most stationers in busy times can take 6 weeks to produce the final design so that means stationery needs to be ordered at least 20 weeks prior to your big day.
How far in advance should save the dates and then wedding invitations be sent out?
Save the Dates can be sent out as early as 2 years in advance, especially if it’s a Christmas wedding although most are 8-12 months before. Wedding invitations should go out 3 months before and earlier if you have many travelling from abroad.
Does all the stationery have to match?
Definitely not, although it’s nice to follow a theme through as I touched on before.
Where are you based and where can you supply?
We’re in North Yorkshire, so why not pop in for a cup of Yorkshire Tea?! We ask clients to make appointments so we don’t overlap. We are preferred suppliers to a lot of venues and there is always a list of Open Days on our Blog which we attend and events, from the Designer Wedding Show in London to Wynyard Hall's Fayre. I think it’s really important to see and touch stationery.
What are your prices, are you doing any special offers?
Invitations start from £3.50 each and remember all our invitations are printed Letterpress, most are in the region of £5 and we do have other clients that pay a lot more for very specific requirements. Clients marrying at the venues we work with benefit from perks such as my drawings of the venue free of charge, usually these are £75. We try and offer the most cost effective solutions at all times.
How long do you take to turn around an order?
Usually 6 weeks although we do offer an express service which is 2 weeks for those who feel it necessary.
How can I get in touch to discuss my requirements or place an order?
Call, email, Tweet or follow us on Facebook
http://www.noblefineart.co.uk/
Why do you like to work with Simply Bows and Chair Covers?
Sarah is an inspiration, and has so much energy its infectious. We have very similar values, providing a very beautiful product which has been created with care and offering a very high standard of service, we like happy customers.
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