Weโre delighted to shine a light on Radnor Preserves in the Bluesdigital community. ๐ฟ
Their award-winning Chutneys, Marmalades & Conserves donโt just sound amazing โ they look beautifully crafted too. From the rich, deep colour of their Blackcurrant & Vanilla Preserve to the vibrant glow of their Blood Orange, Chilli & Smoked Sea Salt Marmalade, their products are pure eye-candy for preserve lovers.
If you havenโt already, take a look at their creations, which look every bit as impressive as their reputation. ๐โจ
Just a few of the Many awards that Radnor Preserves have won!
๐ Is your computer in a bit of a jam? We can help with that.
We love seeing local businesses like Radnor Preserves set the bar so high. While youโre enjoying their award-winning preserves, let us handle the ‘fiddly’ side of your tech, web, and print. Whether itโs a finicky PC, a website idea, or a high-res print job that needs a professional finish, weโve got the tools and the “detail-obsessed” eye to get it right.
Pop in for a chat or give us a shout: ๐ 01686 610 106 | ๐ฌ 0783 222 7823
That โBlack Fridayโ bargain can look really appealing. For any issues that arise, having access to local tech support can be a lifesaver. Donโt get me wrong โ I love a true bargain as much as the next fellah. But expensive tech requires extensive support.
Case 1: The โRefurbished Bargainโ
A client called about a refurbished laptop. They said they could get one cheaper on Amazon, but wanted me to set it up as usual. No problem.
A couple of days later, they dropped it off. The moment I opened the packaging, it was obvious: someone had replaced the screen, misaligned the bezel, leaving exposed backlight and blemishes all over the display.
On this model, the screen and bezel are glued in place โ itโs not a 10-second fix to clip it back in. And thereโs a real risk of damaging the screen while trying.
They began contacting the seller via Amazon. After many frustrating attempts, they were finally given a return labelโฆ which they had to pay for. Still waiting for their replacementโฆ over a week later.
Actual savings over a fully prepped similar model from us? ยฃ35 (minus the return cost).
Case 2: The New Laptop
Our second case is a customer who had some bad experiences with refurbished computers, so they were looking to buy a new machine. After some queries about requirements for the laptop, I gave a shortlist of manufacturers & machines that would suit the tasks nicely.
They dropped their laptop off for a data transfer, and we powered it up โ only to see warnings about the power supply. Several frustrating chat sessions later, they finally agreed to send a replacement. Luckily, the next one worked perfectly!
Here’s The Deal
The right support makes all the difference. Local support can save you stress, time, and frustration. We know finding the right product at the right price isnโt always simple. Wherever you shop, weโre happy to help you get it working perfectly โ and if you choose to shop with us, even better!
Today, I had a real treatโa VHS to DVD/Digital conversion job! Honestly, you donโt see many of these anymore, so it felt like stepping into a little time machine.
Thankfully, the customer had dusted off most of the dreaded mould that appears on these old tapes, and it did not ingress too badly on the tape itself, as that can mean a lot of clean-up time, of course.
After a few runs to get the tape moving smoothly again, I was able to capture another epic family adventure. The footage was converted to DVD and a universally compatible MP4 format, ready for playback on pretty much any deviceโor even uploaded to YouTube for the whole family to enjoy!
Another blast from the past preserved and ready to reliveโmission accomplished. โ
๐ฌ Got old VHS tapes gathering dust? We love helping people rediscover their memories with high-quality digital conversionsโready to share and enjoy for years to come. Itโs not always an easy process, but the smiles and stories that come from it make every job worth it!
Letโs be honest, we’ve seen it and you likely have too: Canva has revolutionised the way some of our clients design for print. It is both easy and accessible and it gives anyone the confidence to create. But when it comes to print? That confidence can quickly falter. Odd sizes, missing bleed, low-resolution imagesโsound familiar?
Designing in Canva is quick and intuitive. But when it comes to printing, a few common errors can turn a great design into a disappointing final product. Whether youโre creating art prints, stickers, packaging or business cards, the difference between good enough and professional often comes down to the details.
Here are the most common Canva print mistakes we see at Bluesdigital โ and how you can avoid them like a true Print Sorcerer.
Ignoring Bleed and Margins
The mistake:designing right to the edge of your canvas, or placing text too close to the trim line. The fix: In Canva, go to File โ Show print bleed and extend background elements past the bleed line Keep important text and logos at least 3mm inside the trim edge This prevents unwanted white borders or cropped content Adding bleed ensures your design trims cleanly and professionally.
Exporting in the Wrong Format
The mistake: exporting as PNG or a standard PDF with no crop marks or bleed. The fix: Always export as PDF Print Tick โCrop marks and bleedโ before downloading Bluesdigital automatically converts RGB to CMYK, but supplying a high-res file ensures sharp, accurate print
This one step avoids the most common file rejection issues.
Using Low-Resolution Images
The mistake: dropping in screenshots or web images that look fine on screen but print pixelated. The fix: Use 300dpi (high-resolution) images wherever possible Avoid enlarging small graphics โ Canva wonโt warn you if quality is too low Zoom in to 200% in Canva before downloading. If it looks fuzzy, it will print fuzzy
High-resolution files are essential for art prints, photography and any design with fine detail.
Choosing Colours that don’t print well
The mistake: relying on neon tones or highly saturated blends that donโt translate to print. The fix: Use more muted, print-friendly tones where possible Avoid screen-only colours like electric blue or lime green Bluesdigital converts RGB to CMYK automatically, but it helps to design with realistic colours in mind
Remember: colours on your screen are lit pixels. Print is ink on paper โ theyโll never look identical.
Overcomplicating the Layout
The mistake: packing too many elements into one design, leaving it cluttered and hard to read. The fix: Follow โless is more,โ especially on smaller items like business cards and labels Leave breathing room with white space Use Canvaโs alignment tools to keep everything consistent
A clean layout prints better, looks more premium, and is easier for customers to engage with.
Avoid the Guesswork
Print shouldnโt be trial and error. By applying a few simple rules โ add bleed, export correctly, use high-res images, choose realistic colours, and simplify your layouts โ youโll create Canva designs that print perfectly the first time.
At Bluesdigital, we combine expert printing with built-in file checks so you donโt have to second-guess. Itโs not just print. Itโs PRINT
As Halloween creeps closer, it feels only right to share a few of our own secrets โ but donโt worry, these wonโt haunt you. Here are our top three secrets to building a reliable, low-maintenance PC thatโll stay alive and kicking for years.
1. Invest in a Quality Case
Sure, a cheap case will get you started, but poorly machined mounts, tight spaces, and chaotic wiring make assembly a headacheโand future maintenance a nightmare. Spend 10โ20% more on a quality enclosure, and putting the machine together becomes a breeze, leaving extra time to create a clean, beautiful wiring layout.
2. Choose Mature Components
Cutting-edge isnโt always best. Think of it like a sports car: fast and exciting, but high-maintenance. We prefer parts that have been on the market for a whileโbugs are usually ironed out, leaving you with a stable workhorse that performs reliably for years.
3. Donโt Overlook the Power Supply
The PSU is one of the most overlooked components. Low-quality โhigh powerโ units often run at 75โ90% load, stressing your components and failing after a few years. At Bluesdigital, we use top-tier power supplies running at just 10โ15% load, ensuring a lifespan of 15โ20 years while improving efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
Built to Last
A great PC isnโt about having the newest partsโitโs about balance. By prioritizing reliability, stability, and ease of maintenance, you get a dependable tool that serves you for years with minimal fuss.
Revโd Maggie Rich of Sarn, Kerry and Newtown Baptist Churches contacted us for some book printing. She has been doing amazing work supporting older people in her community. The idea for Miloโs Diary came about when she was planning to adopt a cat from the RSPCA. A lady with a love of dogs and cats wanted to know all about him. Maggie decided to capture Miloโs adventures in a small book. This could bring joy and companionship to those she cares for.
Bluesdigital was delighted to be a part of this project. With just a few emails, Word documents, and photos from her phone, we got Miloโs Diary print-ready. As a result, the book printing process was smooth and efficient. It is ready to delight readers of all ages!
Even better, proceeds from the book will go to the Anna Chaplaincy. This supports the vital work they do in offering pastoral care to older people.
We feel so lucky to get to meet such lovely people and help bring their ideas to life!
If you would like to purchase a copy of Rev’d Maggies lovely book, give her a call on 01686 670 947.
Here at Bluesdigital, we love doing things a little differently. This September, we started a small, whimsical project: reaching out to local businesses with an old-fashioned letter, delivered right through the door.
What makes these letters extra special? The stamps! We adore the unique stamp collections from Royal Mail, and weโre sending each letter with a carefully chosen stamp. The very first batch, sent out on the 5th of September, featured the mythical creature stamps โ and they looked absolutely magical. If you were lucky enough to receive one, we hope it brightened your day just a little.
We wish we could include these beautiful stamps on every letter we send, but for now, only a handful of businesses are chosen at random.
If your letter didnโt have the special stamp, donโt worry โ thereโs always next time! Or, if youโre feeling cheeky, pop in to see us and maybe we can make an excuse for a fancy stampโฆ perhaps on an invoice letter, ๐
Here at Bluesdigital, we get genuine satisfaction from bringing a refurbished machine like the Dell OptiPlex back to life. Thereโs something special about seeing a once-corporate workhorse transformed into a creative tool, ready to be appreciated all over again.
Weโve been really enjoying getting to know this cool little PC โ the Dell OptiPlex 7060 MFF. Itโs one of those machines that just gets on with it. It is compact, quiet, and efficient. Yet, it is full of power when you need it. It is the kind of kit that fits seamlessly into any space. It makes you wonder why computers ever needed to be any bigger.
When we say โsmall but mighty,โ we mean it. The Dell OptiPlex 7060 Micro Form Factor (MFF) is quietly confident โ efficient, powerful, and perfectly sized to fit anywhere. Itโs literally small enough to sit in the palm of your hand, yet built to handle serious work.
A New Home for a Business-Class Powerhouse
Originally designed for business-class computing, this compact machine has been fully refurbished. It is now ready to take on creative projects and everyday multitasking with ease. Whether youโre editing in Photoshop, managing multiple apps, or running dual monitors, it handles it all. It does so without the noise or bulk of a full-sized desktop.
Power your way through your working day โ without some beast growling away under your desk.
Specs at a Glance
Processor: Intel Core i5-8500T CPU (compact power and reliability) Memory: 16GB RAM (upgradeable to 64GB) Storage: 256GB NVMe SSD (upgradeable to 4TB+) Display: Supports dual monitors with ease Size: 182mm x 36mm x 178mm โ fits in the palm of your hand Operating System: Windows 11 Pro Warranty: Full 12-month warranty
Price: ยฃ350.00
Ready for Its Next Chapter
Weโre looking forward to seeing who gets to take this PC home. Get in touch if youโd like it to be you.
Buying a new computer isnโt the only way to get reliable, high-performance tech. Our refurbished laptops and PCs are carefully restored, fully tested, and come with a 12-month warranty, so you can be sure youโre getting both quality and peace of mind.
A Smarter Choice for Your Budget
Refurbished computers deliver the same dependability youโd expect from brand-new machines, but at a fraction of the price. Whether youโre looking for a work-ready laptop, a study companion, or a dependable home PC, weโve got options to fit your needs without stretching your budget.
Good for You, Good for the Planet ๐ฑ
Every computer we refurbish and rehome helps reduce electronic waste. By giving great machines a second life, weโre all doing our part for a more sustainable future. Choosing refurbished is more than just a purchase โ itโs a positive step towards lowering the environmental impact of technology.
What You Can Expect
Fully tested and restored laptops and PCs
Genuine Windows installed
A 12-month warranty included with every machine
Friendly support whenever you need it
Explore Our Collection
Our refurbished computer listings are always changing, with different models becoming available regularly. If youโre looking for something specific, let us know your requirements and weโll happily help you source one that suits you perfectly.