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May 04, 2010
The Big Idea
BY VICTORIA T. VIZCARRA
Wild Cards
Besmirched by the prima donnas that have come to dominate the music business, the term ‘diva’ is getting a second chance to shine in a positive light, this time as an embodiment of youthful zest.
Charisse Tinio and Ther Galang, the dynamos behind the printing company Print Divas, share a friendship that has made them quite the professional tandem: “Ther and I have been the best of friends since high school in Assumption [College],” says Ms. Tinio. At 31, she takes charge of managing the venture, drawing from a wealth of marketing savoir-faire. A former preschool teacher, her co-owner Ms. Galang assumes a more creative role: supervising graphics design.
The startup firm has been in full swing since September 2008, carving its own niche in digital flat print, thermography and letterpress. “I have been in the wedding business for the past five years, so when we thought of [putting up a new venture, we made sure it was] also wedding-related,” says Ms. Tinio, who divides her time between the new firm and its sister company Niceprint Photography. With her entrepreneurial background spliced with Ms. Galang’s aesthetic know-how, Ms. Tinio was confident that they could come up with a product that was missing in the market.
Print Divas was meant to cater both to couples who prefer traditional offset designs and those with alternative motifs in mind. Outside of the “I do’s,” its services are open to debutantes and young birthday celebrators who might enjoy having their own themed packages.
Print Divas’ high-end templates are easily interchangeable, and at the client’s request, can be modified using their color palettes of choice. Store frontliners assist customers as they step through the door, after which they are assigned a graphic artist who will flesh out pattern and color scheme details. As the head graphic artist, Ms. Galang will check the designs as a quality control measure before these go to print.
A basic package includes the standard 100 main cards with matching sets of entourage lists, reception cards, envelopes and sticker seals. Prices range from P6,500 to P9,500 depending on the extent to which these cards have been customized: Clients can opt to jazz-up their invites with Glam Wrap packaging; or add gems, ribbons or flower embellishments from their ‘Diva-nized’ collection. The firm’s 'Fab Photo' package even throws a client’s picture in the invitation.
Following the launch of its 'The Write Stuff' line last Christmas, the company has begun branching out from specialty invitations to similarly personalized prints like stationery pads, save-the-date magnets and gift tags. Still in the pipeline are notebooks, monogram-bearing stamps and gift wrappers.
Building a presence in bridal fairs, Print Divas placed among the top ten bookers at last year’s Philippine Wedding Summit. So far, its biggest challenge has been to improve on its existing product lines. “We are always on the lookout for new ideas to give our clients, be it a new design, new shape or new paper.”
Their custom-crafted social cards come in an assortment of motifs: past concepts include newspaper and movie-themed invites—even ones resembling Meralco electricity bills. The Boarding Pass, patterned after the jet-setter’s passport and travel documents, is a favorite among bride-to-be’s. Says Ms. Tinio, “I think they’re in demand because there are more and more destination weddings.” Laying a fresh spin on the classic plain white wedding invitation, Print Divas has begun serving Filipino clients from as far as Australia, Canada, Europe and the US.
Their new Victorian-inspired office, where the Great Wall of Diva showcases some of its popular samples, is located at 301 Emerald Place, 604 Shaw Boulevard in Pasig City.
New Media Group
Raul L. Locsin Building I
95 Balete Drive Extension,
New Manila, Quezon City,
1112 Philippines
Trunkline: (632)535-9901
Extensions: 706, 709-711
Direct Line: (632)535-9923
Fax No.: (632)535-9925
Email: New Media Group
