We’re celebrating 20 years of iQ Digital House!
Starting as a small digital print operation in Farnham with just three team members, iQ Digital House has evolved into a leading provider of design, print and logistics solutions. Over the years, we’ve expanded, adapted and continued to deliver top-quality printing services to businesses across the UK and beyond.
From Small Beginnings to Big Growth
Back in 2005, we focused on mostly on-demand digital print, particularly for training documentation. As demand grew, we expanded into graphic design, large-format printing, signage, storage and logistics, offering a full-service print experience to clients from a wide range of industries.
Our client base grew quickly, leading us to move from Farnham to larger premises in Guildford before settling into our current base in Aldershot. If you ever come to see us (most of our work is delivered out to clients and only local businesses tend to come and pick things up from us directly) do have a little laugh at our very small sign on the outside wall! Considering some of the enormous signs we have produced over the years, we find it amusing that we’ve marked our territory with a sign no bigger than a ruler squared!!
We’ve worked with businesses of all sizes, from local companies needing a few hundred brochures to global brands requiring large-scale print solutions. We support many printers, print management companies, graphic designers and marketing agencies. From business cards to stickers, signage and exhibition stands, it has been incredibly rewarding to evolve our services to meet people’s varying needs.
We love bringing ideas to life, whether that’s wall cut vinyl expressing company values, wrapping lift doors to look like a secret entrance out of Jumanji, or translucent window graphics that give spaces privacy as well as branding flair. We’ve produced life-size cardboard cutouts of people and characters, personalised chocolate bars, colourful vinyls for ‘Spin the Wheel’ competitions, and cool custom-printed Lego boards for an interactive event. If you have a vision, we can help you create it in print!
Adapting to Print Industry Trends
The print industry has changed significantly over the past two decades. Digital printing has grown and grown, offering flexibility for short-run prints, personalisation and faster results. Businesses no longer need to order large quantities in advance – they can print exactly what they need, when they need it.
We started with just a couple of small presses. Today, we have a dedicated ‘colour room’, high-end black-and-white presses, flatbed and wide-format printers, cutting tables and an impressive range of finishing equipment, allowing us to provide high-quality, cost-effective solutions with speedy turnaround times.
Challenges and Resilience
The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on the printing industry, sadly forcing many businesses to close. Print runs shifted to digital alternatives almost overnight. By offering digital brochures and content, we ensured that our clients could still reach their audiences effectively. Brexit presented different challenges, especially tariffs imposed on printed materials being sent to clients in Europe. Over the years we have faced each issue with resilience, determination and good humour … well, most of the time!
We’re thrilled to be seeing a renewed demand for printed materials. Businesses are rediscovering the impact of high-quality brochures and marketing collateral. With TikTok’s planned launch of books in hard copy this, we expect to see further paradigm shifts back and forth between digital and printed options.
The Rise of Custom Packaging
With the growth of e-commerce, packaging has become a key branding tool. It’s no longer just about protecting products – packaging is now an extension of a brand’s identity. We’ve seen increasing demand for short-run printed boxes, personalised gifts and unique packaging solutions that help businesses stand out and make a lasting impression.
On the corporate side, several clients have pivoted from bulk-shipping printed training materials to a single address to delivering individually customised box wraps to home addresses. Companies who like their people to feel extra-appreciated often like sending bespoke gift boxes to staff. The ability to customise packaging in smaller runs has opened up exciting opportunities for businesses of all sizes.
Committed to Sustainability
Concerns about environmental impact are driving developments in the industry for more eco-friendly print materials. Over the years, we’ve made many changes to improve our sustainability efforts, including upgrading our van from diesel to electric and replacing our gas forklift with an electric model. Our printing paper is sourced from responsibly managed forests and we continually research and implement waste management solutions, such as reducing plastic in our packaging.
We’ve also partnered with Switch2Zero to offset our carbon emissions with initiatives which include not only tree planting but also removing plastic waste from our oceans. Recently we have joined Two Sides, an organisation dedicated to promoting sustainable practices in the print and packaging industry. By prioritising responsible sourcing and eco-friendly materials, we help businesses make sustainable choices without compromising on quality.
Through our selected paper merchants, we utilise their carbon offsetting schemes such as ‘Carbon Balanced Paper’ in partnership with the World Land Trust. The scheme offsets unavoidable emissions that are generated during the papermaking process.
Supporting Schools with iQ Cards
One of our most rewarding projects is the annual iQ Cards Christmas school fundraising scheme. Each year, thousands of children create their own Christmas card designs, which parents can then purchase to support their school.
We’re excited to be launching new products in 2025 to help schools raise even more funds. Education has always been an important sector for us as a business and many of our team members are parents, juggling school runs and holiday childcare, so we’re committed to making fundraising even more effective for schools.
Our Dedicated Team
Behind every successful business is a supportive team and we’re proud to have some of the best in the industry. We have 15 talented experts bringing years of experience and creativity to everything we do. More than half our people have been with us for over a decade, reflecting their passion, their dedication to helping our customers and the fact that they enjoy working here! We have established a reputation for being flexible, understanding and sometimes even quite good fun!
And, of course, we can’t forget our Chief Barketing Officer, Haggis! He joined us two years ago and keeps the team motivated (and entertained). Whether he’s greeting visitors or making sure everyone takes their well-earned breaks, he’s a valued – and very cheeky – member of the iQ family.
Looking to the Future
While we celebrate our 20-year journey, we’re always looking ahead. Print technology continues to evolve and we’re excited about innovations on the horizon. Two of our directors recently attended Drupa, the world’s biggest print trade fair that only takes place every four years (like the Olympics!), to explore the latest developments in print and packaging.
We’re keeping a close eye on trends like advancements in personalisation, increased automation and innovation in eco-friendly materials. As always, we’ll continue investing in the best solutions for our clients, ensuring we remain at the forefront of the industry.
Thank You for 20 Incredible Years!
Reaching 20 years in business is a huge achievement and we couldn’t have done it without the incredible support of our clients, partners, suppliers and team members. Your trust, collaboration and loyalty have been the driving force behind our success and we’re excited for what the next 20 may bring!
Here’s to many more years of delivering high-quality design, print and logistics solutions. If you’re looking for innovative and sustainable print services, we’d love to hear from you. Call our friendly and knowledgeable team on 01252 319691 or request a quotation.
Published March 2025
Categories: IQ Digital House, IQ Cards, Sustainability, Packaging, Small Format Digital Printing, Large Format Digital Printing, Graphic Design and Storage & Distribution
