In the Community Spotlight: Radnor Preserves

Radnor Preserves - Bluesdigital Communtiy

Weโ€™re delighted to shine a light on Radnor Preserves in the Bluesdigital community. ๐ŸŒฟ

Their award-winning Chutneys, Marmalades & Conserves donโ€™t 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 havenโ€™t already, take a look at their creations, which look every bit as impressive as their reputation. ๐ŸŠโœจ

Just a few of the Many awards that Radnor Preserves have won!

https://www.radnorpreserves.com

๐Ÿ“ 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 youโ€™re enjoying their award-winning preserves, let us handle the ‘fiddly’ side of your tech, web, and print. Whether itโ€™s a finicky PC, a website idea, or a high-res print job that needs a professional finish, weโ€™ve got the tools and the “detail-obsessed” eye to get it right.

Pop in for a chat or give us a shout: ๐Ÿ“ž 01686 610 106 | ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0783 222 7823

โœ… Always happy to help.

When your tech misbehaves, Bluesdigital is just around the corner

That โ€œBlack Fridayโ€ bargain can look really appealing. For any issues that arise, having access to local tech support can be a lifesaver. Donโ€™t get me wrong โ€” I love a true bargain as much as the next fellah. But expensive tech requires extensive support.

Case 1: The โ€œRefurbished 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€” itโ€™s not a 10-second fix to clip it back in. And thereโ€™s 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 labelโ€ฆ which they had to pay for.
Still waiting for their replacementโ€ฆ 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 isnโ€™t always simple. Wherever you shop, weโ€™re happy to help you get it working perfectly โ€” and if you choose to shop with us, even better!

From Dusty Tape to Digital Treasure!

VHS to DVD/Digital conversion, Bluesdigital, Newtown, Powys

Today, I had a real treatโ€”a VHS to DVD/Digital conversion job! Honestly, you donโ€™t 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 deviceโ€”or even uploaded to YouTube for the whole family to enjoy!

Another blast from the past preserved and ready to reliveโ€”mission accomplished. โœ…

๐ŸŽฌ Got old VHS tapes gathering dust? We love helping people rediscover their memories with high-quality digital conversionsโ€”ready to share and enjoy for years to come. Itโ€™s not always an easy process, but the smiles and stories that come from it make every job worth it!

Canva Print Design Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them!)

Letโ€™s 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 imagesโ€”sound 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 youโ€™re 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 โ€œCrop 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 wonโ€™t 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 donโ€™t 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€” theyโ€™ll 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 โ€œless is more,โ€ especially on smaller items like business cards and labels
Leave breathing room with white space
Use Canvaโ€™s 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 shouldnโ€™t 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€” youโ€™ll create Canva designs that print perfectly the first time.

At Bluesdigital, we combine expert printing with built-in file checks so you donโ€™t have to second-guess. Itโ€™s not just print. Itโ€™s PRINT

๐ŸŽƒ No Tricks, Just Treats: Three of Our Secrets to Reliable PCs

As Halloween creeps closer, it feels only right to share a few of our own secrets โ€” but donโ€™t worry, these wonโ€™t haunt you.
Here are our top three secrets to building a reliable, low-maintenance PC thatโ€™ll 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 headacheโ€”and future maintenance a nightmare. Spend 10โ€“20% 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 isnโ€™t 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 whileโ€”bugs are usually ironed out, leaving you with a stable workhorse that performs reliably for years.

3. Donโ€™t Overlook the Power Supply

The PSU is one of the most overlooked components. Low-quality โ€œhigh powerโ€ units often run at 75โ€“90% load, stressing your components and failing after a few years. At Bluesdigital, we use top-tier power supplies running at just 10โ€“15% load, ensuring a lifespan of 15โ€“20 years while improving efficiency and reducing environmental impact.

Built to Last

A great PC isnโ€™t about having the newest partsโ€”itโ€™s about balance. By prioritizing reliability, stability, and ease of maintenance, you get a dependable tool that serves you for years with minimal fuss.

Build Your Story

Do you need reliable computer repair in Newtown?

Pop in to see us at Frolic House ( between Newtown Medical Practice and Newtown Driving Test Centre ) | Call 01686 610 106 | Message 0783 222 7823

A Furry Friend, a Sweet Book, and Lots of Love

Revโ€™d 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 Miloโ€™s 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 Miloโ€™s 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 Miloโ€™s 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.

A Little Letter, A Little Magic

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 weโ€™re 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 didnโ€™t have the special stamp, donโ€™t worry โ€” thereโ€™s always next time! Or, if youโ€™re feeling cheeky, pop in to see us and maybe we can make an excuse for a fancy stampโ€ฆ perhaps on an invoice letter, ๐Ÿ’

Small but Mighty: Meet the Dell OptiPlex 7060 MFF

Dell OptiPlex 7060 MFF compact business PC

Here at Bluesdigital, we get genuine satisfaction from bringing a refurbished machine like the Dell OptiPlex back to life. Thereโ€™s something special about seeing a once-corporate workhorse transformed into a creative tool, ready to be appreciated all over again.

Weโ€™ve been really enjoying getting to know this cool little PC โ€” the Dell OptiPlex 7060 MFF. Itโ€™s 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 โ€œsmall 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. Itโ€™s 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 youโ€™re 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

Weโ€™re looking forward to seeing who gets to take this PC home. Get in touch if youโ€™d like it to be you.

See more on our Refurbished Computers Page

Do you need reliable computer repair in Newtown?

Pop in to see us at Frolic House ( between Newtown Medical Practice and Newtown Driving Test Centre )| Call 01686 610 106 | Message 0783 222 7823

Could Refurbished Be Your Best Tech Decision?

Buying a new computer isnโ€™t 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 youโ€™re getting both quality and peace of mind.

A Smarter Choice for Your Budget

Refurbished computers deliver the same dependability youโ€™d expect from brand-new machines, but at a fraction of the price. Whether youโ€™re looking for a work-ready laptop, a study companion, or a dependable home PC, weโ€™ve got options to fit your needs without stretching your budget.

Good for You, Good for the Planet ๐ŸŒฑ

Every computer we refurbish and rehome helps reduce electronic waste. By giving great machines a second life, weโ€™re all doing our part for a more sustainable future. Choosing refurbished is more than just a purchase โ€” itโ€™s 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 youโ€™re looking for something specific, let us know your requirements and weโ€™ll happily help you source one that suits you perfectly.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Browse our Refurbished Computers