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VAT on Printing Explained

Are all printed products such as leaflets, posters and business cards subject to VAT? Some items are tax-free, but there are a few printed materials you will need to pay VAT on. This short guide will tell you how VAT and our printing services work so you’re never caught out!

What is VAT?

VAT is a consumption tax used in the EU based on the added value to goods and services. It was set up in 1973 as a result of Britain entering the European Economic Community. It stands for Value Added Tax and is the third-largest source of government revenue have income tax and National Insurance.

It is a general tax applied to all commercial activities involving the production and distribution of goods, including print, and is charged as a percentage of the price to the customer.

Why Do We Have VAT?

When the EU was formed, the original six countries used different forms of taxation. The VAT tax was made to create a level playing field across the countries in the EU, which needed a fair, neutral and transparent turnover tax system that worked across the board.

Like any kind of tax, VAT is a source of revenue for the government’s public spending.

VAT on Printed Products

Although most of our product prices include VAT on printing, it’s important to know which printed products are VATable and which are zero-rated. This table shows which printed matter has standard rated VAT and which products are VAT free. The standard VAT rate is 20%.

Zero-Rated VAT Rated

Books Business Cards

Booklets Calendars

Brochures Certificates

Catalogues Compliment Slips

Colouring Books (Children's) Coupons

Comics Delivery Notes

Directories Diaries

Flyers* Envelopes

Journals Exhibition Stands

Magazines Greetings Cards

Manuals Gift Vouchers

Maps Forms

Menus Invitations

Sheet Music Invoices

Newspapers Labels

Orders of Service Laminated Products

Pamphlets Letterheads

Price Lists (Without an Order Form) Manuscripts

Recipes Medical Records

Sports Programmes Order Books or Forms

Timetables Postcards

Travel Brochures Posters

Presentation Folders

Price Cards and Tags

Questionnaires

Roller Banners

Stationery

Table Talkers

Tickets

Vouchers

*Please note that there are certain criteria regarding VAT on flyers. Leaflets must meet for the product to be zero-rated. There must be a significant amount of text on at least one side of the leaflet to ensure it is being printed as something to be read hand-held, as opposed to posting on a wall. As well as this it must be no larger than A4 and printed on paper no thicker than 230gsm stock.

Are There Any Exceptions?

Some printed products in the zero-rated list may still be applicable for VAT if they have or can be used for any of the following:

1. Voucher of admissions

VAT on printing is chargeable if your print product is used for admission to an event. For example, using the words ‘free admission with this leaflet’.

2. Discount usage

VAT is chargeable if your print product is used to obtain a discount on goods or services, for example using the words ‘25% off with this poster’.

3. Writable area

VAT is chargeable if your printed product has an area designed to be written on. For example, invitations, certificates, postcards or forms. To be charged, this area must cover at least 25% of the artwork.

4. Writable booklets

All books and booklets are exempt from VAT charges unless they are designed and printed to be written in, like diaries, calendars and record books.

HMRC has a helpful guide with the full details of the VAT on printing services.

What Happens if I Need to Pay VAT on Printing?

If you are using our printing services and purchasing something in the exceptions list above with Aitken Design, our team checks every single piece of artwork for many different things and VAT is one of these. If you are required to pay VAT on your printing, we’ll be in touch to let you know how much you need to pay and how to do this, so there’s no need to worry!

If you have any more questions about VAT on printing flyers or our services, please get in touch with our team and we’ll be happy to help.

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The Importance of Professional Website Design

By Stuart Aitken • 30 Mar, 2023

The Importance of Professional Web site Design What is Web Design? Web design is the process of creating the look and feel of a website. It involves designing the layout, visual elements, and user experience of a website. This may include selecting colours, fonts, and other visual elements such as images and graphics. Web designers use various tools and techniques, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, to create the front end of a website. Web design is a critical aspect of web development because it determines how a website looks and functions for users. Good web design should be visually appealing, easy to navigate, and optimized for different devices and screen sizes. It should also align with the overall branding and messaging of a business or organization. And in order for ecommerce businesses to have a professional web design, Web designers often work closely with web developers to create functional and aesthetically pleasing websites. While web developers focus on building the back-end functionality of a website, web designers are responsible for creating the user interface and user experience. Why is Professional Web Design Important? Professional web design is important for several reasons: Improved User Experience - A well-designed website is easy to navigate, visually appealing and provides a seamless shopping experience for users. This can lead to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty. Increased Conversions - A good website design can help to convert visitors into paying customers. By making it easy for users to find products, view product information, and complete transactions, you can increase your conversion rate. Better Search Engine Rankings - A well-designed website with a good user experience is likely to rank higher in search engine results, which can lead to more organic traffic and sales. Increased Credibility - A professional-looking website can help to establish credibility and trust with customers. This is particularly important for small or new businesses that may not have a physical storefront or well-known brand. Greater Flexibility - A well-designed ecommerce site can be easily updated and modified to meet the changing needs of your business. This allows you to quickly make changes to your product offerings, pricing, or marketing efforts as needed. Stages of Web Development Web development involves a number of stages, which may vary slightly depending on the specific project and the technologies being used. Here is a general outline of the stages of web development: Planning - This stage involves defining the goals and objectives of the project, determining the target audience, and establishing a budget and timeline for the project. Design - During this stage, the look and feel of the website are developed. This may involve creating wireframes, mockups, and prototypes to visualize the layout and user interface of the site. Development - This is the stage where the actual coding and implementation of the website take place. This may involve writing HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create the front end of the site, as well as developing any necessary back-end functionality using languages such as PHP or Ruby. Testing - Before the website is launched, it is important to thoroughly test it to ensure that it is functioning properly and is free of any bugs or errors. This may involve conducting user testing, debugging, and performance testing. Deployment - Once the website has been tested and is ready to go live, it must be deployed to a web server. This may involve transferring the files to the server, configuring the server, and setting up any necessary databases or other back-end resources. Maintenance- After the website has been launched, it is important to continue maintaining and updating it to ensure that it remains functional and secure. This may involve fixing any issues that arise, adding new features or content, and keeping the site up to date with the latest technologies. Characteristics of a Professional Ecommerce Website Design There are several characteristics that a professional ecommerce website design should possess: Responsive Design - A professional ecommerce website should be designed to be responsive, meaning it should be easily navigable and user-friendly on any device, including desktop, laptop, tablet, and smartphone. Easy Navigation - A professional ecommerce website should have a clear visual hierarchy and logical navigation structure, with categories and subcategories that are easy for users to find and access. High-Quality Product Images- Professional ecommerce websites should showcase high-quality product images that accurately represent the products being sold. This includes using clear, well-lit photographs that show the products from multiple angles. Product Descriptions- Professional ecommerce websites should provide detailed and accurate descriptions on product pages that help customers understand the features, benefits, and specifications of the products being sold. Search Functionality- A professional ecommerce website should have a search bar that allows users to easily find specific products using keywords or phrases. Secure Checkout Process - A professional ecommerce website should have a secure checkout process that protects customers' personal and financial information. This includes using secure payment gateways and encrypting sensitive data. Customer Service- Professional ecommerce websites should have a dedicated customer service team that is available to answer questions and resolve any issues that may arise during the shopping experience. Trust Indicators- A professional ecommerce website should have trust indicators such as customer reviews, a privacy policy, and secure payment icons to help build trust with customers. Final Thoughts The initial impression of a website is critical in the world of web design. Your website must not only be visually appealing and functional, but it must also provide the right information and features to your visitors. Many business owners make the mistake of opting for cheap online templates without realizing the consequences. Such templates may seem cost-effective and attractive, but they are often poorly designed and lead to user difficulties, causing potential customers to leave the site. Moreover, the use of cheap templates can end up being more costly in the long run as modifications are required for the website to function effectively. To avoid these problems and ensure online success, it is crucial to invest in professional web design from the outset. A professional web designer will handle all aspects of your website's design and development, saving you time and money in the long run. When considering the cost of your website design, it's essential to factor in the time and effort required for a developer to make the necessary changes to a cheap template. Hiring a professional graphic designer from the start is often the more cost-effective option.

What is Graphic Design?

By Stuart Aitken • 15 Feb, 2023

What is Graphic Design? Composing and organizing the visual components of a project is the profession of graphic design. Graphic design includes various activities, such as designing a magazine’s layout, a play’s poster, and product packaging. Communication is streamlined through good graphic design. Imagine a spreadsheet that incorporates data analytics. To make it simpler for the viewer to comprehend what is going well and what needs to be corrected, a graphic designer may use various colors to show which metrics are increasing and which are decreasing. An adequately created graphic design may also move the viewer’s emotions or inspire them to act. Graphic design has grown to be rather diverse throughout time. The overarching idea is made up of several disciplines and specialties. Some of the most typical forms of graphic design are listed below: Corporate architecture : Corporate design concerns a company’s visual identity. Utilizing pictures, forms, and colors, this kind of graphic design is used in brand marketing to convey brand values. The corporate strategy may describe any optical components contributing to a brand’s identity, such as a logo (created with logo design software). Most people think of marketing and advertising design when they think about graphic design. Design for marketing and advertising is arguably one of the most well-known subsets of graphic design. Examples of this often-used graphic design style include social media visuals, magazine advertising, billboards, brochures, email templates, and content marketing. Publication design : Traditionally referring to print media, publication design has migrated to digital publishing due to our generation’s digitization. Publications, including books, newspapers, newsletters, magazines, and eBooks, are examples of graphic designs for publications. To guarantee that layouts, typography, and images are tastefully blended to provide the greatest possible outcome, publication designers must collaborate closely with editors and publishers.