University of Plymouth

The University of Plymouth is a cutting-edge, vibrant institution with a long history in education going back to 1862. The university is well known for its first class, cutting-edge research, education, and innovation. Plymouth is one of the top ten UK young universities, according to the Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2021, with a mission to advance knowledge and impact lives.

Prior to Belmont securing a place on the official framework in 2022, the university had enjoyed a very long term relationship with a trusted local print partner. So when the time came to go out to formal tender and switch suppliers, understandably there was apprehension. This wasn't lost on our team, we were mindful of making any transition as smooth as possible, offering support, advice and ensuring the trust placed in us paid off for the university print team.

At contract commencement we immediately assigned a dedicated expert team of two contacts, internal and external, to project manage all requirements, and nurture the beginnings of a supportive and robust relationship. With the first project being one of the institutions flagship publications (the PG Prospectus), it was an opportunity for the Belmont team to prove our worth!

The University of Plymouth Postgraduate Prospectus 2023 needed to be a sector leading publication, which added stature to the message of promoting Masters education. The marketing team delivered a design concept for the outer covers to represent the elevated status of education at Masters level, using the contrast of soft touch matt laminate with high-build spot UV varnish on specific wording.

The tactile distinction between the raised gloss finish wording ‘WITH A MASTERS’ and the flat, velvet like finish of the laminate, gave the postgraduate cover a real physical prominence. The specialist finishes on the outer covers were set upon a bright peacock feather background. The colour management of the project was achieved using our Heidelberg presses equipped with impress bar technology that records and recalibrates colour every seven sheets, ensuring colour consistency throughout the entirety of the print run.

Finally, the prospectus was PUR bound with 232pp inner text pages, trimmed to a finished size of 230 x 175mm, and packed in bespoke perfect fit, fully recyclable cardboard boxes. It was delivered on schedule to Plymouth and further copies held in Belmont’s own warehouse ready for fulfilment and mailing to students.

Kat Keay, the University's print team manager, had this to say about our new relationship and her teams first impressions of Belmont Press: -

“The undergraduate and postgraduate publications are the university’s flagship publications, and the most important tools in our recruitment of new students.

In moving to Belmont away from an existing supplier, who we had used for many years, it was important that we had a supplier who could deliver the quality we required, particularly the finish and presentation of the covers, as well as providing a fulfilment service we could trust. 

My team have found Belmont's customer service to be very good, we always get prompt replies to our enquires and the staff are incredibly helpful in offering advice when required.

Despite being quite a distance from where Belmont are based, we have regular visits from them and feel that there is already a strong working relationship in the relatively short time we have been working with them. We are really happy with the first projects we have worked together on and would not hesitate to recommend them.”