From Cold Email to Core Supplier: Fast-Turnaround Tap Badges for McLeod’s Brewery
We first connected with McLeod’s Brewery in early 2024, one of Northland’s most respected craft beer producers, known for their bold brews and award-winning IPAs. They were looking for a supplier who could match the pace of their production with high-quality, custom tap badges, and we were ready.
The challenge? Their previous supplier took up to 10 working days to deliver. That delay wasn’t cutting it anymore, not with their rapid release schedule and growing national demand. They needed a print partner who could move fast without compromising quality.
We stepped in.
Since that first cold email and trial order, McLeod’s has become a loyal client. In less than 18 months, we’ve produced over 30 separate orders for 69 unique beers, each one with its own tap badge. This is now part of their internal process and we’ve earned a seat at the table as a trusted print partner.
We produce their 73mm backlit tap badges using colour-calibrated settings that balance perfectly under both bar lighting and ambient light. The finished product glows beautifully behind tap handles, without being washed out or overly saturated. Each badge is kiss-cut to spec and supplied on weeded sheets—ready to go.
We’ve locked in a reliable, fast-turnaround system: 2–3 working days from file approval to dispatch. No drama. Just dialled-in quality, every time.
Like the sound of that? Let’s get your next batch sorted, request a fast, tailored quote today.
Specifications:
Finished size:
73mm diameter circle.
Stock:
Backlit Self-Adhesive Vinyl.
Colours:
Printed using eco-solvent inks on one side.
Finishing:
Kiss cut to shape, weeded and supplied on sheets.
First Impressions, Sorted: Retractable Pull-Up Banners That Travel Well and Look Even Better
Pull-up banners are the unsung heroes of trade shows, expos, lobbies, and one-off activations—and when done right, they leave a lasting impression. We produce these banners for a wide range of clients across Wellington and New Zealand, who are looking for a more polished, reusable solution than the cheap, one-and-done options floating around online. Whether it’s a one-off display or part of a broader branded rollout, our banners are built to be seen and reused.
We print onto a high-grade scrimless vinyl that gives a clean, smooth finish without the mesh texture of cheaper substrates. The colour output is vibrant and crisp thanks to our Roland XR-640 eco-solvent wide format printer, which delivers quality print with scratch and water resistance built in. The material retracts cleanly into solid aluminium hardware that’s tough, stable and ready to trave, each one boxed individually and paired with a carry bag for safe transport.
Because there’s no scrim in the vinyl, the banners roll perfectly without curling or creasing. That matters when your banner is the first thing your audience sees. These units are also easy to re-skin, giving clients the option to update messaging later without buying a whole new setup.
Want to make your brand stand tall? Get a fast tailored quote and see why NZ businesses rely on us for quality.
Specifications
Finished size:
850mm (W) x 2030mm (H)
Substrate:
Scrimless banner vinyl.
Colours:
Solvent printed in CMYK on one side.
Finishing:
Installed into silver pull up banner hardware.
Built to Travel: Custom Tap Badges & Keg Collars for Ground Up Brewing
Ground Up Brewing is a fiercely independent craft brewery based in Wānaka, founded by engineers who swapped schematics for hops, but kept their obsession with precision. Back in 2018, we reached out to introduce Colourcraft and they’ve trusted us with their tap badges and keg collars ever since. Like their beers, their branding is bold, technical, and always evolving—so they needed print that could keep up, both on-bar and in transit.
Smart structure, standout print
Each tap badge is printed on removable vinyl and kiss-cut to a clean 73mm circle. The keg collar? That’s where things get clever. Years ago we designed a folding structure that holds the tap badge securely to a beer keg during transport, no staples, no loose badges, no extra packing. Printed on sturdy 284gsm Formakote Natura board and diecut flat for easy storage, the collar locks onto a keg and presents the badge front and centre.
One idea, many beers
What began as a one-off solution is now a production staple, used by 30+ breweries across New Zealand. We now offer two keg collar styles: the folding version used by Ground Up, which locks the tap badge in place during transport, or a simpler flat collar that’s more cost-effective if you don’t need that extra hold. Both are fully customisable, printed on the same durable board, and cut with precision dies we’ve developed in-house. That consistency means sharper pricing, faster turnarounds and fewer headaches, no matter how wild your graphics get.
Want a print solution that scales as well as it sticks? See why NZ breweries rely on us get a free quote.
Specifications
Finished size:
Folding Collar: 103 x 200mm
Tap Badge: 73mm diameter circle
Stock:
Folding Collar: 284gsm Formakote Natura Carton Board
Tap Badge: Removable vinyl
Colours:
Printed in CMYK on one side.
Finishing:
Folding Collar: Diecut to size and supplied flat.
Tap Badge: Kiss cut to shape, weeded and supplied on sheets.
Other Projects for Ground Up Brewing
The Pleasure is in the Details: Printing Underlena’s Premium Coasters
At Colourcraft, we understand the importance of making a lasting impression. When Maxine from Underlena, the renowned Wellington-based lingerie brand, approached us to create premium coasters that reflected their brand’s elegance, we saw an opportunity to craft something special.
The coasters were printed on premium felt-textured 298gsm stock, providing a refined look and feel. Our computer-controlled die-cutting process then cut them to shape with precision. This process allows us to cut stock to any shape without the setup costs associated with traditional cutting die production. Ideal for rapid, cost-effective smaller production runs.
At Colourcraft, we take pride in delivering projects that mirror our clients’ dedication to excellence. These coasters not only reflect Underlena’s commitment to quality but also showcase our ability to produce remarkable printed products. We hope these coasters leave a lasting impression, just as Underlena’s products do.
Like what you see? Get a fast, tailored quote with no pressure.
Specifications
Finished size:
95mm diameter circle
Stock:
298gsm Mohawk Bright White I-Tone Felt
Colours:
Digitally printed in CMYK on both sides
Finishing:
Diecut to size with digital diecut process
Other Projects for Underlena
Built to Engage: Custom Playing Card Game for The Salvation Army
When The Salvation Army’s Next Gen team approached us, they were developing Tino Taonga - a kaupapa-led, nationwide initiative recognising tamariki and rangatahi as their greatest treasure. As part of that programme, they needed a physical engagement tool: a custom educational card game that felt professional, durable and meaningful enough to be used repeatedly across youth programmes throughout Aotearoa and the Pacific.
The brief evolved as the project progressed. Artwork and packaging files arrived in stages, quantities shifted late in the process and material decisions needed to balance budget with longevity. Our role was to guide the client and their design partner,Genre, through those decisions while keeping everything moving smoothly once approvals landed.
We printed 300 complete custom card deck sets, each consisting of 54 full-colour, double-sided playing cards plus an instruction card, housed in a custom tuck-in carton. The cards were digitally printed on our Konica Minolta AccurioPress C4070, chosen for its pinpoint colour accuracy and consistency across the entire run. Cards were produced on 300gsm Pro Digital Silk, finished with a durable, scuff-resistant matt laminate on both sides before precision die-cutting.
For the cartons, we used Tiger FBB 260gsm carton board with a matt laminate applied to the outer face, delivering a premium finish while maintaining structural strength. Each carton was die-cut, weeded, glued and hand-packed with the cards before couriering nationwide.
The final result was a high-quality, personalised playing card set that matched the depth and care behind the wider Tino Taonga initiative, and the confidence in the finished product led the client to increase quantities just before print.
Have a project that needs careful guidance from file setup through to final delivery? Reach out for a personalised quote and clear, practical advice.
Specifications
Finished size:
Cards: 63 x 88mm
Cartons: 188.50 x 162mm
Stock:
Carton: 260gsm Tiger FBB board
Cards: 300gsm Pro-Digital Silk
Colours:
CMYK
Finishing:
Matt Laminate cards and carton, diecut to shape, glued and assembled.
