Like many small businesses, we get asked fairly often if we’re able to offer a work experience placement, particularly to 15 year olds, though also to people at college or university, and those wanting to try a completely different career later in life.
I wanted to write this post as a realistic check in for those that are keen, and as a way to manage expectations. Most people we’ve had come to help have been utterly wonderful. Then there have been those that only managed one or two days as they “weren’t enjoying it”, meaning others that really wanted to had missed out (work experience for 15 year olds is often during the same week, so we can only accommodate one at a time).
If you are coming for work experience we want you to enjoy it!
Here are the realities of Meticulous Ink, who we are, what we do, and what you’ll likely be doing during your 5 days with us:
What is Meticulous Ink? We’re a luxury letterpress print studio and stationery shop. Primarily we create bespoke print projects for private clients. We also manufacture our own brand of letterpress stationery, available in our high street shop and online, alongside a curated collection of lovely stationery and paper goods. We wholesale our own brand stationery and kits to a select group of independent shops, plus we teach workshops in calligraphy, lettering and traditional letterpress printing. We also run the On Paper Festival in the summer, where we run 4 days of workshops, culminating in the Grand Fair. We do a lot of things to keep the wheels of this business in motion and we’re very busy! Retail, wholesale, manufacturing, teaching & events.
Who is Meticulous Ink? We’re a small creative team, made up of 4/5 on site. We’re all on a rota, so there is usually two of us at any one time in the shop. We’re a friendly, relaxed bunch and we work hard.
What would I be doing as part of my work experience? You could be quality checking cards, packing product, making notebooks and diaries, filling stock, tying ribbons, stock checking inventory, tidying the shop, refreshing price labels, dissing metal type, answering the phone, operating the till, tissue lining envelopes, drilling holes, eyeletting bookmarks, folding origami, packing wedding stationery, counting envelopes or scoring cards. If you like to do small, repetitive, meticulous jobs you’ll love it! These are all things that, as a manufacturer, we do all the time. If you aren’t happy doing this, then this environment won’t be for you.
Would I get to print? We have nine printing presses, the biggest are two Original Heidelbergs in the basement. You won’t get to operate these, as they require lots of training and they are literally our livelihood. Without these we can’t print.
What do I get out of it? We hope it’ll give you a taste of how a real life business works, particularly if you are interested in running your own shop in the future. I love talking about the business, plus am a trained business coach, so am happy to answer any specific questions you might have. Once you’ve completed 5 days we’ll give you a voucher so that you can join a workshop in the near future.
Accepting a work experience placement is quite an undertaking for any small business. We take the time to put aside specific things for you so that you have a variety of different things to do through the week. We put a lot into preparing for a placement, so it is a bit disappointing when someone doesn’t complete the week. I’m hoping that this explanation of the things you’ll be doing will help you decide if this is the right place for you. We want to be able to offer it to people that are as enthusiastic about stationery and hands-on things as we are, which I think it really important.
Work experience / volunteering for a week isn’t just limited to youngsters! If you fancy coming to help us out, to experience a week of Meticulous Ink, then do get in touch. We’ll consider everyone that applies, though we can’t say yes to everyone sadly.
If you’re interested in a placement, we’d love to know a bit about you! Please tell us:
• Why you’re interested in working with us.
• What kind of hands-on work you enjoy.
• Anything specific you’re hoping to learn at Meticulous Ink.
Feel free to email info@meticulousink.com