BRITISH DESIGNER BRAND GILLIAN ARNOLD CONTINUES TO EXPAND WITH HP TO BRING WALLPAPER PRODUCTION IN-HOUSE
“As a creative team, Gillian Arnold realised early on in their business plan, that managing production in-house would give them absolute control of their supply chain. A decision that has served them well and continues to unlock new product opportunities and to expand their business organically into new market sectors.”
The Gillian Arnold brand was founded back in 2011, with a stall on Greenwich market, London.
Their brand is now just over 11 years old and their business employs twenty people and along with two permanent retail outlets, sells wholesale and retail worldwide. It’s been an incredible journey powered by creativity, technology and a lot of hard work.
As a husband-and-wife team, they have built and nurtured their business by harnessing creativity, a love of textiles design, interior décor, practical print experience and a strong management team. As a creative team, they realised early on in their business plan, that managing production in-house would give them absolute control of their supply chain. A decision that has served them well and continues to unlock new product opportunities and to expand their business organically into new market sectors.
Over the years and importantly as technology has advanced, the “Gillian Arnold” management team have constantly innovated their production technology in-line with market growth. Switching to the HP Stitch – dye sublimation technology a few years ago ensured that they were equipped to meet the growing demand for printed textiles during and post pandemic.
As an independent business managing inventory is critical, having in-house printing technology has allowed the business to reduce lead-times and fine-tune and control their product stocks. Also, and importantly as a creative brand, they have been able to react to trends and sales in real-time, all of which has further enhanced their close relationships with their loyal client base.
In fact, production couldn’t be closer to retail with all production onsite in their premises. Gillian Arnold explained:
“The Darlington store was opened in April 2018, as we needed a large retail space to expand as a retail brand, with an in-house workshop and production office. We chose Darlington to establish ourselves as a central destination location for interiors for our products in the North-East. This also means that we can offer more training for young people in the region and offer workshops to adult artists and creatives looking to expand their skill base and knowledge.”
Gillian and Tim are also championing young designers pairing with local universities to offer post-graduate experience to young designer creatives.
Using this platform, they have been able to expand their business, whilst educating the next generation. Giving graduates valuable insights, first-hand design experience and behind the scenes access to real production and the realities of retail and manufacturing.
Offering Smart manufacturing is inherent to the creative culture of the Gillian Arnold brand.
A boutique brand, that’s fast becoming a home-grown British design empire where digital print production is powered by HP technology.
Customers can choose from in-house retail stock or commission a customised, personalised product using any of the Gillian Arnold designs – custom printed and sewn to client specification. Their products now include: Botanical inspired interior furnishings, gifts & jewellery in floral & tropical designs. Floor lamps, cushions, lampshades and deck chairs all manufactured using HP dye sublimation equipment. Gifts for the home & garden, such as sets of stacking mugs & glass coaster sets.
Textiles are also sold by the metre for customers who wish to craft their own products using the “Gillian Arnold” textile collections all of which are printed on demand using HP Stitch dye sublimation technology.
The Gillian Arnold collections are created with a biophilic focus in-line with their founding principles, therefore, manufacturing wherever possible, must follow the same path. For this reason, wallcoverings manufactured and printed in-house are now available by the roll or offered as personalised murals, giving customers the ultimate freedom and creativity to design and install bespoke Art using Gillian’s designs.
Gillian Arnold has offered wallcoverings across her design collections for some time, but recently looked to re-equip to further streamline manufacturing.
They decided it was also time to bring production in-house and for the same reasons as their fabric workflow (which they manufacture inhouse using the HP Stitch S300). Those being: creative control, ease and speed of production, customised design and importantly to meet requirement to their company’s sustainability ethos – and offer print-on-demand. R A Smart have been a valuable partner in their previous investments into digital technologies and it was time to seek their advice once more knowing that they also held extensive experience in the wallcoverings sector.
It's an exciting time with a new technology and a new production line.
Gillian Arnold have great plans for the HP Latex 570 machine and the freedom that if delivers for new applications and design flexibility. Gillian is also looking forward to exploring new materials, staying true to her eco-credentials and responsible sourcing principles.
Watch this space – in the hands of the powerful Gillian Arnold design and production team we can expect exceptional design and sustainable, smart manufacture using the HP Latex 570.
Explore the variety of new applications and flexibility that the HP Latex and Stitch Series can offer here.
