It’s that time of year again when snow delicately blankets the world, the smell of freshly baked cookies wafts from the oven and tiny hooves pitter-patter on rooftops.
You’ve made a list, you’ve checked it twice, but you still can’t find that perfect gift for the print guru in your life. Well, you’ve come to the right place! Below are seven perfect gifts for the designer, colour expert, paper-enthusiast and press person on your list.
1. Pantone Mug (Pantone) – retail price: $12
This perfectly simple mug is ideal for mornings when it’s hard to get going. These officially licensed Pantone mugs (available in a multitude of colours) are available directly from Pantone’s website or a number of other retailers across North America. Heck, splurge for the whole office and pick up the collection of 10 original colours!
2. I Love Color T-shirt (Threadless) – retail price: $18
Do you wear your heart on your sleeve? Well now you can wear your “heart for colour” on your shirt. This playful t-shirt mimics a simple Ishihara colour blindness test, whereby individuals who can distinguish colours will see vibrant greens and oranges.
3. Deer Trophy Puzzle (Veer) – retail price: $28 – $52
As Veer so accurately states: “your hunt for décor is over.” This gift is perfect for your eco-friendly, tree and animal-loving friend. Each wall-mounted head is made from 100 percent recycled, non-toxic cardboard. It’s 100 percent awesome with zero percent guilt. This one’s for you, Blitzen.
4. TerraSkin Paper – retail price: varies per order (quantity and size)
Paper made without pulp…this rocks! TerraSkin papers are made from mineral powder and non-toxic resin, which result in a very eco-friendly stock (ie: no trees required). TerraSkin papers also have interesting characteristics, such as better ink hold-out due to their non-fibrous raw material. Individual sheets are available at fine paper retailers like Curry’s Art Store Ltd.
5. Typography Soap (Soapylove) – retail price: $10
This beautiful handmade soap showcases typographical elements through raised and wrap-around image detail to create a stunning piece of work…that smells nice, too! Soapylove cleaned up in the Handmade Olympics by capturing the award for “Most Innovative Design.”
Every typography buff will love to get fresh with this bar of soap in the morning. And let’s face it – it really is “the cleanest font ever!”
6. Paper: Tear, Fold, Rip, Crease, Cut (Black Dog Publishing, 2009) – retail price: $45
This book showcases over 50 amazing artists who choose paper as their medium. The history of paper and technological advances are also touched upon. From origami to contemporary paper artwork, this beautiful book is a coffee table’s best friend.
7. Feet First: Finish Line (Fred & Friends) – retail price: $32
Every printing project needs a finish line…why should you be any different? Fred & Friends has created this perfect doormat that reminds us all to take a break and relax once we cross our own finish line.
Have fun with your holiday shopping! There are so many retailers and e-tailers that carry amazing products, like the ones mentioned, to help get the festive season off on the right foot. Buy something unexpected and altogether entertaining for your printing expert this year! I wish everyone a terrific holiday season and a happy new year!
