About Me – Design & Biking:

 

In the five or so years since I set up this website my market has changed dramatically and I have you to thank for that!

Initially set up as a way of promoting and selling my art prints and photographs, a chance comment from a good friend regarding graphic wraps for his BMW luggage boxes spawned a brand new business! He gave me 'carte blanc’ and I created a set reflecting his passion for Belgium beers and WW1 battle history. Wherever he went, people asked him about his boxes and he thankfully passed on my details and requests grew and grew. I now ship orders worldwide and whilst the UK leaving the EU hasn’t helped, now EU sales are as good as ever. With over 30 years behind me as a graphic designer, I am proud to design and create the artwork for my decal sets. Occasionally customers ask me to replicate designs done by others, my response is to say that I can create something similar, but I will not copy - I respect other's ‘intellectual property’. Interesting that not everyone feels the same. On rare occasions I have seen and had to request other companies to remove blatant copies of my work - I suppose imitation is the sincerest form of flattery! 

I should mention that I am also a biker. Riding was initially a way to commute, getting me into London, where I worked over 30 years for several Marketing Agencies as a Graphic Designer. The biking ‘bug’ took over! I love to travel (especially by bike, with my wife), I am a CBT instructor (teaching learners to ride) and train those with full licences to become Advanced Riders through my local IAM RoadSmart group. Now here I am mixing graphics and biking! 

If templates are required (as they usually are for new boxes and panels), I need to source the product, measure and create accurate artwork templates, that’s before the designing of the graphics even begins! It’s a challenge creating designs to suit new models and new colours and whilst it’s near impossible to perfectly match paintwork with print, the results are very good (even if I do say so myself!). I relish the chance to create custom designs and I’ve done some great ones in the past; Beer crate, WW1 100 years commemorations, Just Jane - Lancaster Bomber (with full approval from Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre) and when sales of these latter 2 designs are made, I donate 10% of the sales back to their respective charities.

My decals are printed on Mactac vehicle grade bubble free self adhesive vinyl - 2 types, standard for the square, aluminium luggage and conformable vinyl, where more flexibility is required and surfaces more complex. My printer is very experienced is this type of printing and always advises on industry changes, techniques and vinyl cutting should they arise, meaning that I can promise you the best finish and the longest lasting product. The number of variations of designs and colours means that I don’t keep much stock (other than some of the smaller items). This means you get them nice and fresh! Generally speaking orders are turned around in four to five days (for the printing). Delivered back to be here they are checked for quality control, packaged up, in a rigid cardboard tube and shipped. UK orders are usually despatched for next working day delivery, orders further afield generally 4 - 5 days depending where you are. I get such a buzz to know that you are riding around the globe, all the continents of the world, proudly displaying my designs, for this I sincerely thank you.

Customer service is vitally important to me. On the rare occasion that there is a problem with your order, I will always strive to help in the most efficient way. If you have any queries about my work, I’d love to hear from you. I cannot put every option for size and finish on my website, so if there is something in particular you’d like, please drop me a line and I’ll see what I can do. I also take on commissions, so if you have an idea for something, please get in touch. Once again, I thank you for your support!