The Hive

What are these brands all about?

The Hive has designed a series of brands that make it easy for you to choose the look you want. There is a range of colours designed to complement your own logo, and we will continuously add to the brand range to give you more choice. By choosing a theme across your stationery, brochures and web site, your marketing and promotion looks consistent, attractive, professional and is compliant. You keep your own logo, and all content is custom-written, so every brochure, web site and piece of stationery is different.

We have our own distinct look. Can we get the design tailor made for us?

Yes you can. We offer a premium design service that can encompass brand workshops through to unique design briefs. Contact Rowena Murray to discuss your options and receive a tailored process and quote. We are all about getting you the look you want, at a great price.

I have chosen the brand I want to use for my practice. What do I do next?

When your stationery order is placed online, you are directed to another section of the site that allows you to directly upload your logo and contact details. They get to us immediately. The Hive then puts this information together in your design, and you are ready to approve your new stationery.

What about my logo?

We use your own logo at all times, and if you are a financial planning practice and need to dual-branded, we have specific layouts that take that into account. You can also stipulate their own PMS colours for colour-matching. All stationery is designed to a four-colour process, meaning there are no logo or colour restrictions.

How does the stationery process work?

The Hive takes care of design, content, logo quality, and compliance and client approval. You receive print-ready PDF files - ready to print.

What are some of the standard guidelines?

All stationery items are standard sizes. Business cards are both sided, and all other business stationery is one-sided. The presentation folder is both sided. The presentation folder is designed to a standard print die-cut. This means that the cost of a specific die cut - which can run to hundreds of dollars - is removed.

How do you go about our brochures?

When you place your order, The Hive will be in touch with you and arrange a phone interview. This interview will give us the information we need to write your tailored brochure copy. Your own logo and chosen look will be used, ensuring a streamlined look.

The items will be designed, sent to compliance for approval, and sent to the client for approval. The client receives print-ready PDF files - ready to print.

Can I mail them out?

All brochures are standard sizes. For Example, DL is the size of a business envelope and is standard. The larger brochures are A4.

Can I make changes to the text?

Yes, draft text is supplied for approval before we go to design, so you can be confident that your text will reflect your practice and showcase it professionally. To make sure we can adhere to our 30-day delivery guarantee, a maximum of two rounds of copy and design changes apply. Additional changes are charged out at $100 per hour. Please note that once text is approved by both compliance and the client, it is considered approved and no further changes are possible without incurring additional cost.

I've got a complex logo - will this be a problem?

Not at all. Your logo is your identity and we wouldn't dream of not using it. A four- colour print process applies, which means there are no restrictions on logos or colour use.

How can you offer such good prices?

A lot of the cost of printed goods is actually in setting up the printing machines and getting the print run right. Unusual sizes, paper stocks and finishes also add to the price. The Hive has selected high-quality paper, standard sizes, and processes a large volume of printing, which means we can keep our prices low for you. We've kept it simple and professional.

What are the specifications (sizes, weights, finishes) of my print order?

Letterhead / Follower
Standard A4 letterhead and follow on, printed on high quality paper stock.
Inks: CMYK (1 side)
Size: 297 x 210mm
Stock: 90gsm Opal Laser Bond
Finish: Trimmed & packed

With Comps
Standard-sized 'With Complements' slips printed on high quality paper stock
Inks: CMYK (1 side)
Size: 210 x 99mm
Stock: 90gsm Opal Laser Bond
Finish: Trimmed & packed

Presentation Folder
Glossy high-quality presentation folders to fit A4 pages, with business card slot, subtle gusset and full-colour graphics
Inks: CMYK + gloss varnish (both sides)
Size: To suit A4 insert
Stock: 300gsm Gloss Art
Finish: Forme cut includes business card slot

6pp DL Flyer
DL-sized glossy business flyer - ideal for product promotions, mailouts and other information. A4 folded down three times to DL
Inks: CMYK + gloss varnish (both sides)
Size: 297 x 210mm folded to 210 x 99mm
Stock: 129gsm Gloss Art
Finish: Folded, trimmed & packed

Business Cards
Standard sized business cards in a strong stock and attractive matt laminate finish, coloured both sides
Inks: SMYK + Matt Laminate (both sides)
Size: 90 x 55mm
Stock: 310gsm Lotus Artboard
Finish: Trimmed & packed

8pp A4 Brochure
High-quality, glossy and stitched A4 brochure to showcase your practice, team, services and more. Ideal complement to PDS's, SOA's and other business documentation
Inks: CMYK + gloss varnish (both sides)
Size: 8pp - 297 x 210mm
Stock: 130gsm A2 gloss
Finish: Saddlestitched, trimmed & packed

How can you guarantee quality?

We personally visit the print machine to approve samples before they do the full run. We check that the colours are correct, and everything looks great, before they proceed. It's called a press check.

I really want to see what I am buying...

No problem. We can send you a stock sample upon request, so just send an e-mail or give us a call and we'll get it to you right away.

It's printed in Melbourne, and I'm in another state. How does that work?

The Hive offers free delivery in the Melbourne metropolitan area, and a small delivery fee applies to other areas. The final weight of your order will impact the cost, but we guarantee that it will be less than $50 (and likely to be a lot less than that!). If you don't want to use our printing services - such as if you already have a printer you work with - simply don't order the printing. The artwork is supplied to you in a print-ready format, which means all you need to do is e-mail to your printer and you are set to go.

What is the web site process? How does it work?

When the order is placed online, you upload your logo and contact details, along with your brand selection. The Hive will provide you with an information sheet that acts as the agenda for a phone teleconference. This information sheet provides us with the information we need to write the content for the web site.

The web site will be built as a test site (going through design, programming, testing, 3rd party testings, and sample site deployment), sent to compliance for approval (in the instance of a requirement of Dealer Group approval), and sent to you for final approval. Once the site is approved, the site is uploaded to the selected domain within 48 hours.

How does the Content Management System (CMS) work?

A content management system (CMS) is incorporated into every site, which means you can make live edits to your website independently and efficiently, without reliance on a programmer.

You can edit content, including updating text, images, links and events. When changes are made, a style guide will automatically be applied so you don't need to remember tricky things like font types and sizes, page margins and more.

You only require a basic internet connection to use the CMS, and will be provided with a user name and password.

Can I change the navigation structure?

The primary navigation menu, forms, and the overall site layout and navigation can't be changed. However, key sections - such as the Services sub-pages - are tailored for your business specifically.

If you would like a quote for a tailored web site that is designed just for you, contact Rowena Murray.

Can I have a client login section?

Yes, you can. If you don't already have one on your existing site, or this is your first site, it's easy to set up. A client login area can be purchased as an add-on, and will act as a file repository. This will be accessible via a link added to the front end of the site, with clients able to log-in securely. An administration system enables user access to be managed (eg to add new users), and manage the files on the system. Files can be added for general viewing, or limited access viewing.

But I've already got a client login section on my existing site? What now?

We can still integrate your existing system with your new site. The client login section has unique requirements, depending on the existing login systems in place. We will contact you and determine the technical specifications of your existing client login system, and your requirements. Once we have the information we need, a quote will be issued within five working days.

Do you offer web hosting?

Hosting is available at highly competitive rates and is recommended with every web site purchase.

What about domain names? I don't have one yet.

Domain registration is available at highly competitive rates, and requires that the desired domain name be available for purchase. You can do a quick search for no charge at www.melbourneit.com.au. If the name you want is not available, The Hive will research alternatives and provide a minimum of three alternative available domain names for you to choose from.

What is the eNewsletter process? How does it work?

You order your eNewsletter online. If you have ordered a web site as well, the design will automatically fit. If you have your own site, you make a selection based on the closet visual fit to your own web site.

The eNewsletter will be built as a test site (going through design, programming, testing, 3rd party testings, and sample site deployment), sent to compliance for approval, and sent to you for approval. Once the eNewsletter is approved, it is uploaded to your web site within 48 hours. If orders are placed at the same time, the eNewsletter will be available at the same time as the web site.

I already have my own website and want to order an eNewsletter - how does that work?

You can select a design from our existing brand library, or contact Rowena Murray for a tailored quote and design that matches your website perfectly.

This eNewsletter had better be easy to put together and send out....

It is very easy! Our eNewsletter let you self-publish your eNews content in an attractive HTML e-mail format. This content can be published easily and independently. You only need a basic internet connection and we provide you with your user name and password access.

When it's ready to send our, recipients can be added individually, or as a batch (eg importing addresses in a common CSV format from Microsoft Outlook).

You can use their own content, subscribe to The Hive's content service, or leverage Dealer Group or Fund Manager articles. Please note that all content must be vetted through your normal compliance processes and channels before it is released.

I don't have the time or inclination to write my own content on a regular basis. What now?

You can subscribe to The Hive's eNewsletter subscription service. Six articles are delivered to you on a bi-monthly (every two months) basis. Three articles will be derived from financial or market analysis, one will focus on legislative or Government issues, and two will be product driven. These will be provided according to a set of predetermined delivery dates and are for you to upload into your eNewsletter template and issue. This service also gives you the freedom to add some of your own news, product information and more. You have total flexibility over your eNewsletter content.