Offset printer - reccomendations for UK client please!

[Scrawled]

Hi, just wondering if anybody can help me out on this one. The design is pretty much done and dusted and has been sitting around whilst myself and the client try to source a suitable printer.

It's for an UK indy record label, and it's a pretty small run, but it's been a problem sourcing printers prepared to print on the kind of stock we want for a small run. A couple of pressing plants have offered a "reverse board" option, but it's not really what we're after. The few printers I have found who were able to do it no problem were too pricey for the numbers needed...

The plan is to release a run of 500cds and 300 double LPs (though this could be adjusted if it was cost effective).

Haven't got a specific template together, but it needs to be a properly assembled die-cut gatefold LP, and corresponding CD package.

----------------------

LP components:
Gatefold sleeve (using 3 spot colours) on plain kraft/chipboard (4 panel design)
Grayscale printed insert (2 sides)

CD components:
Gatefold CD sleeve (using 3 spot colours) on plain kraft/chipboard (4 panel design)
Grayscale 6 page fold out booklet

----------------------

Straightforward enough you'd think. Or if someone can even help me out with UK/European paper suppliers who do plain Kraft / chipboard for decent price that'd also be great.

Cheers
Glyn

[Switch]

Dude try key productions. Mute and other labels across here use them a lot. Friendly people from what I have heard.

[DRG]

I was just about to recommend Key!

I know a guy who works there and they press/print lots of stuff from DIY labels (including the label my old band were on) -- all pretty small runs. They're worth a try!

http://www.keyproduction.co.uk/

[Scrawled]

Thanks guys! This looks like they'll be able to do something suitable given by the samples. Came across them before but couldn't remember the name!

On a side note, anybody sourced cheap but decent coloured paper in the UK yet?

[B-DROID]

3d got a good deal on some killer black paper. Ask him.

[3d glasses]

yeha that was with a printer in kings x, but i dont really know what offset is to be honest..
is it when th eprinting is done with plates?

*edit*
oh i see, the reason i got the paper cheap was thru my old job, so i dont think id get mates rates anymore

[DCM]

KEY! We used them for a CD gatefold on chipboard. Really good.

[B-DROID]

PAY ATTENTION!

So....can anyone give an explanation as to why paper is so frickin' expensive here?

[Scrawled]

PAY ATTENTION!

So....can anyone give an explanation as to why paper is so frickin' expensive here?

Everything is expensive here. I can't find ANY decent paper suppliers in N.Ireland / Ireland...then have to order bulk heritage bookwhite (only heavyweight affordable paper I can source in UK) from London. Even when I buy the equivalent of 300 sheets at a time, I'm still paying 50p a sheet!

Don't get me started on pigment...

[B-DROID]

What do you mean everything is expensive here?!?!?