A Maker's Guide to Starting a Business
Page 1: Welcome to Prest Pages
Prest Pages is your go-to guide for starting and running a creative business, by me, Callum Dawes. I’m a graphic designer and bookbinder, based in Manchester.
Full disclosure: I don’t know anything about running a business… yet.
So, what exactly is PREST? In short, it’s a stationery brand. Think of the exercise books you used in school—but better. I’ve been building it over on Instagram for the past few months, but the idea really started about 8 years ago while I was at university.
It all began when I made my first book in a workshop. I was instantly hooked. I even designed the branding for a stationery business as my final major project. But, after graduation, I took a full-time job at an ad agency. I put financial stability above my passion. I pushed my side project to the side, and I still regret that.
Since then, I’ve tried my hand at other creative pursuits, from digital fonts to concrete pots, always designing or making something. Nothing excites me quite like paper and bookbinding though. Now, even though I still work at the ad agency, I’m carving out time to get back to my passion. I’m finally starting to make my dream a reality.
Through this newsletter, I’ll be documenting the whole process of starting up and running a business. We’ll be covering topics like brand identity design, sourcing materials and finding suppliers, and even how to stay motivated when life gets hectic. Maybe, one day, Prest Pages will serve as a guide for others who want to start their own thing.
So, are you in?
Brilliant work! Very inspirational to hear your story!