ABOUT THE IMAGING CENTRE

Here for you from
thought to finish…

Our Story

INTRODUCTION

As greeting card publishers, you may have already heard of us… or maybe this is your very first introduction to

The Imaging Centre

– either way, we’re so glad you’re here!

This is our story: born from a love of print and a deep respect for the creative world, we’ve grown into one of the UK’s leading specialist printers for greeting card publishers. We’re not just here to press ‘print’ – we’re here to be your creative partner, your behind-the-scenes magic makers, and your go-to team for turning brilliant ideas into beautiful products.

From humble beginnings to presses powered by passion (and a lot of coffee), everything we do is to support you and help your cards shine.

Our Story

The Imaging Centre is a family-run business with print in its DNA – founded back in 1998 by Bob Short, who swapped his long-standing career at Kodak for a dream of running his own company. In the early days, The Imaging Centre supplied the print industry, but Bob, with his sharp eye for innovation, saw the potential of digital print long before it hit the mainstream.

So, he took the plunge and invested in a digital press… then realised he needed people to use it!

As fate would have it, one of our very first customers was a greeting card publisher – ABC Cards. When their agent kept placing big orders, Bob assumed business was booming… until he discovered they thought they had to order in bulk. Once Bob explained they could print in smaller, on-demand quantities, the lightbulb moment hit – and a whole new way of working was born. Bob soon took over ABC Cards himself, drawn in by a passion for design, and just like that, The Imaging Centre’s journey into the world of greeting cards began.

We did the trade shows, we met the publishers, and naturally, they asked, “How are you doing all this?” When Bob explained, they started asking, “Can you do it for us too?” And we did.

Nearly 20 years later, we’re still printing for some of those very first customers!

Fast forward to 2025, Bob has passed the reins to his children, Adam and Jess, who are continuing to build on his original vision. Today, The Imaging Centre is home to an incredible team with years of experience in greeting card production. We now print over 15 million cards a year, work with more than 800 publisher members, and send cards all over the world. Not bad for a little idea and one digital press!

Environment

Our commitment to the planet:

At The Imaging Centre, doing things the right way is just part of who we are. As one of the UK’s leading greeting card suppliers, we believe we all have a part to play in protecting our planet—so sustainability is always front of mind. Our biggest impact? Print on demand. We only produce what’s needed, when it’s needed—dramatically reducing waste and removing the need for stockpiles of unsold cards gathering dust in warehouses and eventually going to landfill..

Printing with Purpose

We deliver direct to retailers, cutting down on unnecessary transport and carbon emissions. Our state-of-the-art warehouse is supported by solar power, our presses are carbon neutral, our inks are vegan-friendly, and our company cars? All electric.

We make sure every sheet of paper is used wisely, and any leftover scraps—plus press consumables and foil offcuts—are responsibly recycled.

We work closely with trusted suppliers to ensure everything from paper and envelopes to packaging materials is responsibly sourced. We’ve slashed our use of plastic, and even invested in packaging that protects your products without the need for bubble wrap. Yes, we still offer recyclable cello wraps—but we also provide a range of eco-friendly alternatives so you can choose what’s best for your brand.

We’re proud to be FSC® Certified (C001869) and even prouder to be doing our bit—because great cards shouldn’t cost the Earth.