Month: March 2021

Value Added Tax & Printing. When is it chargeable and when is it not? 

VAT rules relating to Print are a little complex at first glance, although the matter becomes clearer when checked against the HMRC guidelines.

Broadly speaking any printed items which are made to be written on have VAT applied at the standard rate. For example stationery, greetings cards or postcards.

If the items are promotional or information based they will often be zero rated for VAT. Examples of these products would be books, brochures and leaflets & flyers. Although leaflets & flyers are one of the tricky items, as they can under certain conditions move from zero rated to standard rated for VAT.

If a leaflet or flyer is designed to be written on, used to obtain a discount for goods or services or for admission purposes it will become standard rated for VAT.

Based upon the current information from HMRC we have put together a simplified guide version.

As always with VAT, if in doubt it makes sense to check the up to date position on the HMRC website. Or if you have a specific or unusual VAT question relating to your print requirements with Dynamic we will be happy to answer this for you.

Item	Liability
Acceptance cards	Standard-rated
Account Books	Standard-rated
Accounts (fully printed)	Zero-rated
Address books	Standard-rated
Advertising leaflets	Zero-rated
Albums	Standard-rated
Announcement cards	Standard-rated
Annuals	Zero-rated
Appointment cards	Standard-rated
Badges	Standard-rated
Bags, paper	Standard-rated
Ballot papers	Standard-rated
Bibliographies	Zero-rated
Bingo cards	Standard-rated
Blotters	Standard-rated
Book covers	Standard-rated
Book marks	Standard-rated
Book tokens	Standard-rated
Booklets	Zero-rated
Books	Zero-rated
Brochures	Zero-rated
Bulletins	Zero-rated
Business cards	Standard-rated
Calendars	Standard-rated
Catalogues	Zero-rated
Certificates	Standard-rated
Circulars	Zero-rated
Cloakroom tickets	Standard-rated
Colour cards	Standard-rated
Colouring books (children’s)	Zero-rated
Comics	Zero-rated
Compliment slips	Standard-rated
Correspondence cards	Standard-rated
Coupons	Standard-rated
Crossword books	Zero-rated
Delivery notes	Standard-rated
Engineers’ plans	Standard-rated
Envelopes	Standard-rated
Exercise books	Standard-rated
Flash cards	Standard-rated
Folders	Standard-rated
Football programmes	Zero-rated
Forms	Standard-rated
Games	Standard-rated
Greetings cards	Standard-rated
Index cards	Standard-rated
Instruction manuals	Zero-rated
Invitations	Standard-rated
Invoices	Standard-rated
Journals	Zero-rated
Labels	Standard-rated
Leaflets	Zero-rated
Letter headings	Standard-rated
Log books (blank)	Standard-rated
Loose leaf books	Zero-rated
Lottery tickets and cards	Standard-rated
Magazines	Zero-rated
Mail order catalogues	Zero-rated
Manuals	Zero-rated
Maps	Zero-rated
Membership cards	Standard-rated
Memo pads	Standard-rated
Memorial cards	Standard-rated
Menu cards	Standard-rated
Newspapers	Zero-rated
Note books, pads and paper	Standard-rated
Order books and forms	Standard-rated
Orders of Service	Zero-rated
Painting books (children’s)	Zero-rated
Pamphlets	Zero-rated
Paper, unprinted	Standard-rated
Photograph albums	Standard-rated
Photographs	Standard-rated
Picture books	Zero-rated
Playing cards	Standard-rated
Postcards	Standard-rated
Poster magazines	Zero-rated
Posters	Standard-rated
Prayer books	Zero-rated
Price cards and tags	Standard-rated
Price lists	Zero-rated
Printed pictures	Standard-rated
Programmes	Zero-rated
Questionnaires	Standard-rated
Receipt books and forms	Standard-rated
Record books	Standard-rated
Record labels or sleeves	Standard-rated
Registers	Standard-rated
Reply-paid coupons and envelopes	Standard-rated
Reproductions of paintings	Standard-rated
Road maps	Zero-rated
Score cards	Standard-rated
Sports programmes	Zero-rated
Stationery	Standard-rated
Stationery books	Standard-rated
Stickers	Standard-rated
Swatch books	Standard-rated
Swatch cards	Standard-rated
Tags	Standard-rated
Text books	Zero-rated
Tickets	Standard-rated
Time cards and sheets	Standard-rated
Timetables (in book or leaflet form)	Zero-rated
Toys	Standard-rated
Trade catalogues	Zero-rated
Trade directories	Zero-rated
Transcripts	Standard-rated
Vouchers	Standard-rated
Wall charts	Standard-rated
Wrapping paper	Standard-rated

 

We were very happy to be featured in Bride Magazine showcasing our Wedding Stationery ideas. From our seeded paper to hot foiled invitations – Dynamic Certificates Online offer such a vast array of options to create the most perfect wedding.

Read the full article here

Writing a Letter

Giving the new times we live in, sending a letter or a chosen card is a genuine way of giving sincere thought to our communications and a personal touch, especially when so many of us can not meet in person. Whilst technology affords us a good number of ways to stay in instant contact, there is still something special about taking the time to hand write your message. It is also heart warming to receive this style of correspondence, as a contrast to the constant flow of digital information that can seem overwhelming at times.

Recent research from the Royal Mail has found a significant increase in letter writing since the beginning of the pandemic and found that 74% of people experienced a positive effect on their mental health from the experience. The benefits are shared by the recipient, there is a sense of excitement and gratitude that someone has taken the time and trouble to sit down and write to them, instead of firing off a quick message on their mobile.

As we evolve further into our automated futures there is still place for hand written thoughts and feelings to sit alongside our other modern forms of communication.

The next time you have a message to send to a close friend or family member consider doing it with a letter or card and discover the positive outcomes it brings.

Calligraphy

For those wanting to take the written word to a new level, the visual art of Calligraphy is a great way to enjoy not just the words but the materials we use to create the letters. From the types of pens, inks, papers and cards there is an infinite number of combinations to explore. You can use an established font or dream up your own unique style.

Whilst the roots of Calligraphy are ancient they sit nicely alongside modern technology. The internet provides us all with access to a plentiful source of learning and demonstrations from people all over the world, who love to pass on their knowledge and enthusiasm for the art form.

Colouring in

Whether you are 4 or 44 or 84 colouring in can be relaxing, the type and intricacy of the patterns we colour may change over time but the joy can be constant. It is a personal and relaxing way to switch off and focus on the task in hand. It can boost your mood and when you are done it provides a satisfying and physical reminder of what you have taken your time doing.

Writing a Diary or Journal

How about writing down your thoughts or feelings? Either of these written forms of recording our lives can bring great comfort when dealing with the stresses and strains of everyday life. Downloading your thoughts on paper can help you gain perspective and control, enabling you to focus on what really matters both in your past, present and future. Taking the few minutes each day to do this can bring real benefits for many people.

Origami

The ancient art of paper folding can be difficult to master but extremely rewarding. Although as children many of us made paper aeroplanes to launch from the back of the classroom or paper boats to float in the bath!

Beyond these designs there is an infinite number of folds and designs to master and even the associated art of Kirigami, which also incorporates cuts in the paper.

These are again ancient arts that with the help of modern technology are more in reach of everyone than ever before. Dive down the rabbit hole on youtube and you will be making more than just paper rabbits very quickly!!

Papier-mache

This is another technique that many of us left behind in our early years. However it is surprising how much fun it can be and the level of finished effect that can be achieved when returning to it as an adult. Alternatively it is a great way to spend time with the young ones in your family, after all what child will not enjoy making a mess with paste and then decorating it once dried!

All you need is torn up paper and a paste mix and of course and an area to work. Along with some paints to complete your masterpiece.

You could try blowing up a balloon and covering in layers, then decorate with a face once dried. Or, for a more complex project, you could create bowls, animals, castles, cars… the possibilities are endless and a google search of paper-mache images will give you all the inspiration you could need!