report design, printing,
and fulfilment

St Hilda's College, Oxford

development report design, printing,
and fulfilment

St Hilda's College, Oxford

After issues with printing ordered online, St Hilda's switched to Holywell Press to ensure its Development Report met quality and sustainability standards.

St Hilda’s is one of the University of Oxford’s ‘newer’ Colleges. Founded in 1893 by Dorothea Beale, Principal of Cheltenham Ladies College, it was recognised in 1896 by the Association for Promoting the Higher Education of Women as a Women’s Hall. In 1926, it was granted its Royal Charter and became St Hilda’s College. As the last women’s college to be established in Oxford, St Hilda's was also the last to admit men (as both students and fellows) in 2008.

working with an oxford printer

Holywell Press has printed various items for St Hilda’s over the years, but the value of using a local printer was only fully realised after an unfortunate incident in 2023. Michael Belcher had just joined the College as Head of Communications and, mindful of budget, ordered the College Christmas cards from an online print supplier. The result was disappointing.

While the cards were broadly acceptable, some specifications didn’t turn out as planned, and Michael found it frustrating not to be able to get them just right – particularly the lack of clarity around the sustainable finishing options available. As a result, the cards didn’t fully reflect the College’s brand or its commitment to sustainability.

“From that point, we decided to use a local printer with whom we could discuss our exact needs, and who could provide constructive challenge on our choices”, acknowledges Michael. “I was aware of Holywell Press and knew they were well-regarded and used by several other Oxford Colleges.”

development report design and print

When it came to producing a Development Report for the College, Michael reached out to Holywell for help.

“Once I’d met the Holywell Press team, I felt really comfortable about working with them. They demonstrated great listening skills and understood what I was looking to achieve from the outset.”

Michael Belcher, Head of Communications, St Hilda's College

Michael’s production choices were informed by showing him examples of similar brochures and reports that had been designed and printed for other clients. We explained the pros and cons of different paper stocks and the results he should expect from digital and litho printing.

creative design and collaboration

The Development Report format was new, and with the content being drafted by several different people, Michael was keen to work collaboratively on the brochure design. He supplied images and sections of text as they became available, and Holywell’s creative team worked them into the template over several weeks as the report took shape.

“Having direct contact with Holywell’s designer was like working with my own in-house resource. We used placeholder text initially to get an idea of the document flow and bounced ideas off one other about the flow and brochure design.”

Michael Belcher

St Hilda’s Development Office wanted the report to clearly articulate the different ways in which alumnae could support the College. Their idea was to create a roundel for each ‘giving circle’ using elements within the College crest. Holywell’s creative team developed some design concepts, and this simple stepped diagram was formulated.

Round icons developed for St Hilda's College Oxford

Arc of circular icons showing donation levels for St Hilda's College alumnae

brand ambassadors

As part of the creative process, Holywell’s design team identified a small issue with St Hilda’s brand guidelines. The logo crest supplied by the College used a slightly different blue to the CMYK colour specified in their guidelines. This allowed Michael to review and resolve the discrepancy, avoiding any future issues with brand colours.

campaign printing and fulfilment

St Hilda’s 2024 Development Report was designed, printed, and fulfilled by Holwell Press. The mailing campaign included a personalised letter that was folded and mailed with a brochure in a C5 window envelope. The surplus of printed reports was delivered to the College for use at in-person events.

“Knowing that Holywell could handle all aspects of the campaign printing and fulfilment was a bonus. It was much more efficient than having to coordinate with and organise multiple suppliers.”

Michael Belcher

Front cover of St Hilda's Development Report

St Hilda's Development Report folded out

the power of sustainable printing

Michael is a firm believer of the power of printed communications. “Print is a different medium to digital, and some communications work far better in print”, he explains. “Our fingertips are incredibly sensitive, so the textures and finishes of printed materials can have a real impact on a reader’s engagement and perception. Print still holds a unique place in how people absorb and connect with information.”

“Sustainable printing is very important to us, from the paper to the ink. Holywell helped us create a novel format for this printed report – we selected a design that folded and unfolded in an interesting way because we felt would increase engagement.”

Michael Belcher

If you need help with report design or brochure printing, we’d be delighted to help. Get in touch on 01865 242098 or contact us using the button below.

report design, printing,
and fulfilment

St Hilda's College, Oxford

development report design, printing,
and fulfilment

St Hilda's College, Oxford