At Printed.com, we’re lucky enough to help thousands of people boost their businesses with print. We work with brands and companies from all sectors – from business services to charities, creatives to retailers.

We’re passionate about print, and even more passionate about helping each and every customer succeed. So, each and every month, we’ll be talking to our very own customers, asking them the questions you want to know the answers to. Whether you’re just starting out, or you’ve already found your feet in the industry, get tips, tricks and inspiration from people just like you with our Customer Showcase series.

This week, we’re talking all things illustration with Charlotte Wood, of CW Illustrations…

Image Credit: CW Illustrations – Charlotte with some of her prints and pieces

Hi Charlotte, kick us off by telling us a little bit about you and your business…

After graduating from UWTSD (University of Wales Trinity Saint David) Swansea this year I have recently started up my own small business.

C.W Illustrations sells hand drawn prints, stationery and homewares.

I’m based in the lovely Brecon Beacons, South Wales, which is where much of my inspiration comes from.

How’d you get set up?

Since a young age I have always wanted to have my own business. Studying at university definitely helped me understand how to start up in illustration and pursue my career as a freelance illustrator. The tutors offered lots of help and brought other established freelance artists and small businesses to talk to us about going self-employed.

Image credit: CW Illustrations – Illustrated Recipe Book, using a Wiro Bound Notebook

What do you print with Printed.com?

I print all of my paper based products with Printed.com from Business Cards to Notebooks, they are fabulous! The quality is great, I’ve never had any troubles with my designs on their products and they look so vibrant and colourful. I have recently had some Notebooks printed with Printed.com and they prefect, I adore them. Also their website is so easy to use and they have helpful templates which you can download and fit your designs to.

How do you find being a creative in today’s industry and do you have any advice for creatives looking to start out on their own?

I think that being a creative in today’s industry is very competitive, however there are loads of possibilities out there for emerging creatives. Advice that has helped me was to enter as many competitions as you can and use social media to your advantage, blog as much as possible and keep your followers up to date with your artwork.

Image credit: CW Illustration – Cutlery Print

What does the future hold for you and your business? Where do you see your business going over the next year?

This year is the beginning for my small business, I am in the early stages of choosing suppliers for our products and continually designing new prints and ideas.  It’s a busy time for my business as I have been selected to exhibit at New Designers in London this year from the 4th-7th of July too, (I will be at stand VC46)!

Want to see more of Charlottes gorgeous illustrations? Follow CW Illustrations on Instagram and see more of her beautiful designs here.

 Don’t forget, if you fancy getting featured in an upcoming Creative Spotlight, just tag us on social using the hashtag:

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