You've got someone starting in two weeks. Here's what they'll need printed so they look like part of the firm from the first handshake, how to get all of it in one email, and the one thing almost every firm forgets until the new person has been there a week.
What goes in a new-starter kit?
For most firms, two things. A box of 250 business cards with their name, title and contact details, and 50 with-compliments slips, the small sheet that goes with anything they post or hand over. Both come off your existing design, so they match everyone else's.
For a clinic or a practice, two more. A run of 250 appointment cards with the new practitioner's details on them, and referral pads, the tear-off pad they use to send a patient on to someone else. Same idea: your template, their name.
Do we need to design anything?
No. If we've printed for your firm before, your design is on file and a new starter is a template job: we drop in the new name and details, you get a proof to check, and it prints. No design fee. If you're new to us, send us your existing artwork or the printer who has it, and it's on file from then on.
How do we order it?
One email to Heather with the new starter's name, title, phone and email, and a line saying which items. "Cards and with-comps, same as the others" does it. You'll get one proof covering the lot, approve it, and everything prints together.
How far ahead should we order?
Every item in the kit runs on the same 3 to 5 business days from the day you approve the proof, so an email a week before their start date puts the whole kit on the desk for day one. Collect from our South Perth shop or we deliver.
The thing everyone forgets
The rest of the team. A new-starter order is the moment to check who else is running low on cards or slips, because otherwise the new person's box gets raided in their first fortnight and you're placing a second order anyway. Tell us who else needs a top-up and we add it to the same run. One order, one proof, one delivery.
What about referral pads?
Pads come in runs of 50, each pad 50 sheets, and a new practitioner rarely needs 50 pads to themselves. So we split the run: 20 for the new doctor, 15 each for two colleagues who are running low, every pad with the right name on it. Ask for it when you order.
At a glance
| Item | Usual quantity | Who needs it |
|---|---|---|
| Business cards | A box of 250 | Everyone |
| With-compliments slips | 50 | Everyone |
| Appointment cards | 250 | Clinics and practices |
| Referral pads | A run of 50 pads of 50 sheets, split across staff | Clinics and practices |
Can it all go on one invoice?
Yes. Firms that order regularly set up an account with us, so the new-starter kit, the top-ups and the reprints all land on one invoice at the end of the month, and whoever's sending the email never has to touch a card payment. Here's how that works.
Someone starting soon? Email Heather their details, or call 08 6107 6756, and we'll have the kit ready for day one. If it's cards for the whole team you're after, start here.