Then, several of Trish’s friends asked her to design their wedding invitations. And then Dauphine Press opened its doors in Petaluma in 1999. Trish learned her new craft with the help of renowned printer Pat Reagh who, upon hearing that she wanted to learn how to run a Windmill, asked “Do you want me to talk you into this or out of it?” Today, Trish lives across the country, and long-time Dauphine designer Erin Burns runs everything but the presses. Trish describes her own current role as “art director emeritus, regional account liaison, and big-picture strategist.” Trish and Erin have also co-developed private-label products for specialty retailers.
Trish still speaks daily with the team of designers who work upstairs, overlooking the marsh and bird sanctuary at Shollenberger Park. She reflects on Dauphine’s evolution: “In the beginning, it was all custom – every design from scratch. In 2005, we launched our Weddings Portfolio, which is now carried by over 200 retailers around the country – and a handful in exotic international locations.” The designs in the Portfolio are highly customizable – the client can select one design, but order it in another size, with a different typeface and a special graphic motif. Or, using the Dauphine Design Library, a bride can create an invitation that is truly unique to her.
Trish’s design premise {Just as no two occasions are alike, the same should be true of the invitation.} has found favor with corporate clients as well as with brides and hostesses. Trish comments, “When we design a logo to brand an event or campaign, the client frequently says, ‘You know, we would like to use this on the materials we print in-house,’ or ‘We are going to produce such-and-such a piece digitally. Can you design the cover for us, with the same elements you used on our invitation?’” Dauphine Design launched earlier this year to focus on B2B projects.
Speaking of invitations, senior designer Katrina McHugh wanted The Strathmore Show invitation to convey “sophisticated minimalism.” She says, “We introduced pearlized varnish as the ‘second color’ on an invitation in our new Coral line this past Spring. It was instantly popular. We used this effect for The Strathmore Show. It makes for a more complicated press wash-up, because the pearlized varnish tends to ‘glaze’ the roller – but we love the tonal variation and the sheen. I think it draws your hand and your eye to the paper.”
Visiting Dauphine for a design consultation or a press-check usually involves a lot of eye-candy. The A-for-Assembly Team sometimes migrates from the prep area to the conference space for envelope lining, ribbon tying, eyelet attaching. And the client meeting space, which I insist on referring to as the sample salon, offers a luscious library of components from projects past. Here are my current favorite Dauphine samples: labels and a harvest party invitation for McEvoy Ranch Olive Oil.
