Category: What to expect

  • The False Economy of DIY Design: Why Canva Isn’t Always the Bargain It Seems

    The False Economy of DIY Design: Why Canva Isn’t Always the Bargain It Seems

    We do get it—Canva is quick, ‘free’, and kind of fun to use (in the beginning). For many small businesses, it can feel like a smart way to save money on design. But here’s the truth: Canva can also be a false economy.

    Time Is Money

    Here’s an example: Let’s say you need a flyer or a social media graphic. You’ll probably spend 2 or 3 hours (minimum) watching YouTube videos, choosing templates, adjusting fonts, changing colours, resizing bits… only to end up with something that looks “fine”. What if you have to do this three or four times a month? That’s over a day of your working time gone—time you could’ve spent actually on, or growing, your business. How much could you earn in that time?

    The Hidden Risks

    • Generic visuals: Do you really want your brand to look unmistakably ‘Canva’ed’?
    • Inconsistent branding: Canva templates aren’t specific to your brand, so every time you adapt them to your visuals, you run the risk of them looking higgledy-piggledy.
    • Licensing issues: Some Canva elements are not free to use commercially, so if you use the wrong one, you could face copyright problems.
    • Print disasters: Do you know your CMYK from your RGB? What are bleed settings? Does resolution matter? Canva doesn’t always output its files properly for print, so there’s a chance of needing reprints, or of having pixelated images.

    Longer-Term Value

    Working with a designer means you get branding and materials that are consistent, thought through and attractive to your audience. You’re not just paying for a pretty layout—you’re investing in how your business is seen.

    So yes, Canva might be ‘free’ now—but is it really saving you anything?

    Grafica by the Sea can help you get it right the first time—saving you time, stress, and money in the long run.

    Let’s create something brilliant together.

  • What to Expect When Working with a Graphic Design Agency

    What to Expect When Working with a Graphic Design Agency

    Your Creative Journey with a designer

    If you’ve never worked with a graphic design agency before, it can feel a little unknown—exciting, but maybe also a bit daunting. At Grafica by the Sea, we believe great design starts with great communication, and we’re here to make the process collaborative and genuinely enjoyable.

    1. A Friendly Chat (No Jargon, We Promise)

    First, we get to know you. What’s your business all about? Who are your ideal customers? What do you want your brand to say? This discovery stage helps us understand your goals so we can design with purpose, not just polish.

    2. Ideas and Inspiration

    Next, we’ll start pulling together initial ideas—moodboards, typefaces, colours, and design concepts that reflect your brand personality. You’ll start to see your brand’s visual direction taking shape.

    3. Creative Collaboration

    Design should be a two-way street. You’ll have the chance to give feedback and guide the creative process. Whether you’re hands-on or happy to leave it to us, we’ll keep you in the loop with clear, honest communication.

    4. Design That Works (and Looks Beautiful)

    Once the concepts are refined, we bring everything together into a final, polished design. Whether it’s a logo, or full brand identity, leaflet, packaging or website, the end result will be something that works just as well in the real world as it does on screen.

    5. Ongoing Support

    Our relationship doesn’t end when the final files are delivered. We’re here if you need updates, extra assets or a creative eye down the line. We love seeing the brands we help grow and evolve.

    At Grafica by the Sea, we make good design feel easy.
    Whether you’re starting from scratch or giving your visuals a refresh, we’re here to bring your ideas to life—with clarity, creativity and a dash of seaside charm.

    Let’s create something brilliant together.