Scotlands Gardens Scheme

Scotland's Gardens Scheme supports over 250 charities each year with the opening of a fantastic selection of gardens across Scotland to the public. Belmont Press have worked with Scotland's Gardens since 2018 producing their flagship publication “Our Guide” to the Open Garden Scheme.

This handy A5 sized book contains details of all the participating gardens over 296 pages, and is packed full of quality horticultural imagery. With the importance of the imagery in mind, Belmont Press produced a full digitally printed and bound sample version prior to starting the main print run. This helped the team at Scotland's Gardens view the guidebook layout and photography.

With all Belmont’s printing presses also being equipped with impress bar technology, Scotlands Gardens felt reassured that the colour consistency of the guide would remain throughout the entire publication. This was achieved with automatic readings and adjustments made after every seven sheets that pass through the press.

With a regional contact based in the north of England, Belmont Press were also able to respond quickly, delivering proofs in person and attending face-to face meetings to discuss progress and keep Scotlands Gardens abreast of any new innovations that would add value to the project. Our expert team were always on hand via email, telephone or virtual link to help create a quality, fit for purpose publication.

Once printed, folded and PUR bound, a proportion of the completed guidebook needed to be collated with a covering letter and free admission card, then inserted into an environmentally friendly padded envelope and mailed.

All of these services were under taken in house which ensured brand consistency, a quality product and the most cost effective route to market. It also ensured the guidebooks arrived in good time for the opening season. Along side the mailing a total of 23 separate bulk deliveries were made across Scotland and delivered to schedule.

Liz Stewart, National Organiser, had this to say about using Belmont Press as Scotland's Gardens preferred print partner:

“Belmont Press gave excellent customer service for our 2021 book - we had a new team working on the project and due to lockdown, had to work entirely remotely and it was a complex process for our team as a result. Belmont helped us hugely with some technical problem solving and were very supportive throughout. The Belmont team is always very quick to respond to queries and problem solve as required. They also helped us to create a new distribution plan for our book and we made use of the fulfilment service for our direct mailouts. This has made life significantly easier, is cost-effective and something we have carried through into our 2023 book. Although Belmont is not in Scotland (we are based in Edinburgh) and I had wondered whether this might make things more difficult, the reality is that the service has been seamless - complete book proofs have been provided the next day. We have made use of video conferencing on occasion, and have had the opportunity to meet Paul in person on visits to Edinburgh. A great quality finish is important to us to ensure that our heritage and branding shine through. As a reference guide it has lived up to the wear and tear very well and it looks beautiful! We are using Belmont once again again for our 2024 book”.