Awesome Alternatives - Five UK based merch companies for Artists

Where do we go to now our trusty “awesome” manufacturer is in Everyone’s bad books?
Here are a few companies I use in the UK.

For Art prints -

PRINT.WORK - A planet friendly printing company based in Leeds, UK. Their products are printed on a range of part and 100% recycled papers.

I have used this company a lot, and I am ALWAYS happy with the turn out. I tend to print on the Unicorn White or my new favourite Perlino Cotton (see below for the texture).

Close up detail of my ‘Morel Mog Motel’ print by Print.work

alternative - Printed.com

I’ve had some great greetings cards printed by this company - fast and lots of choice of papers, including recycled. I do have a problem with their uploader though. I recently got some business cards back and they were cut badly. I didn’t realise I had to have a 3mm bleed - a rookie move on my part but also, there should be some kind of prompt on their website? Anyway, you live and learn.

Screen Printers - t-shirts, totes and more

Vino Sangre

A small screen printing company based in Norwich, UK. Super friendly and helpful team, quick turnaround and great quality printing.

They use environmentally friendly water based inks & have loads of options of eco and ethical t-shirts.

Acrylic and wooden printers - pins, Jewellery, keyrings & Stickers

Zap Creative

Based in Stockton-on-tees, UK, come here for stickers, badges, keyrings.  They offer a lot of eco options - recycled acrylic, responsibly sourced wood, and great quality digital printing on these materials.

Printed on pastel acrylic (backing cards by someone else).

laser cutter and engraver

Laser Babes

Quick, high quality laser cutting and engraving services. I have recently had some lovely test pieces made and I was blown away! Really reasonability priced and they were so helpful when I no idea what I was doing on illustrator ;)

Here’s a necklace of my Kitty Moon design

That’s it for now. Comment below with any other UK small biz manufacturers!

And don’t forget to support small biz this Christmas!

Love from Jess xx

Jessica Jumpers

Comic adventures - with Gabrielle Bell

Comic Camp

I get so nervous going to new places that most of the time I’d rather they not happen. But I know that when I’m there I’ll have the best time! And you can always rely on clothes to do the talking for you…

Alas, my clothes didn’t show up! But at least I did! (Sweaty and a bit stressed).

5 days of exploring the inner depths of our psyche, and the Pyrenees.

Comic Camp with Gabrielle Bell. Set in the dreamy location of Aulus-Le-Bains in the Pyrenees & ran by two lovely northerners James and Sarah. I knew it was going to be amazing. I’d booked this a whole year ago, so I had plenty of time to prepare, but nothing actually prepared me for doing autobiographical comics - the Gabrielle Bell way. Exploring embarrassment and big life events was pretty overwhelming. I went in too deep at first and then instantly regretted it. So then played it safe and made a comic about peeing on my cousins hand and one about my cat Mimi. I guess I’m not ready to process deep shit in front of new people. heheh?

Everyone was super sweet and lovely though, even after all of the oversharing. I couldn’t have wished for a nicer group & teacher!

Our trip coincided with the annual festivities of Couserans Transhumance, a tradition which involves the moving of cute little sheep up into the mountains. I did panic thinking there was going to be some kind of public sacrifice of a wooly pal, but instead we just saw the happy heard heading past the local drinking establishment to cooler pastures.
After sunset, 10 comic nerds let their hair down and showed our party side. Some more than others (hello my hangover the next day). We drank and danced around the wickerman style bonfire to Daft Punk and other traditional hits!

Feeling inspired…

I really wanted to give illustration one last kick up the arse. And being surrounded by 10 other artists was really what I needed. Even though I wasn’t very prolific at Camp. I’ve been buzzing with ideas since I’ve been back. Now I just need to get down to business. Like, I’ve got an actual business mentor now (for Greater Manchester residents) & I did a great course with Small Fry - Manchester based arts collective, last month. Which was ‘The building blocks to being a freelance illustrator’, and it really made me realise that I have been winging it the past few years. I started Jessica Jumpers on a rocky foundation and I feel like i’m just going to start all over again! PIVOT! So through August and September 2022, no more applications to job-jobs.
And I’m just going to be drawing, working on my portfolio, learning about SEO, looking for clients/wholesalers, and planning a relaunch for October! Yeah baby. AND I am definitely limiting my phone usage! I (almost) had a full day off instagram today. Clap for Jess :) The new algorithm makes it no fun now. Reels my arse.

Anyway, thank you for sticking around for my waffle! If you liked it maybe consider donating to my ko-fi, and if you didn’t like it, please consider donating to my ko-fi :)

BIG LOVES TO YOU ALL!

xxx JJ xxx

Support me on my KO-FI