Made to Order

Choosing a bespoke item from Ruru Artisans is not merely a purchasing decision, it is an investment in craftsmanship, identity, and the story of creation for your unique piece—qualities that off-the-shelf products can never truly possess. When you opt for a handcrafted piece from our collection, you are choosing a permanent antidote to the generic, mass-produced world.

Why make to order

The most compelling reason to have work made to order by Ruru Artisans is the guarantee of uniqueness and deep local relevance. Off-the-shelf items are designed for global anonymity; they are interchangeable goods found in thousands of stores worldwide. In contrast, Ruru Artisans offers products rooted in the vibrant culture and nature of New Zealand, often featuring iconic subjects like the Ruru (Morepork), Huia, or Kōtare (Kingfisher).

  • Exclusivity: A mass-produced print or notebook is one of ten thousand; a bespoke piece, or one of our screen-printed and hand-finished items, is often a one-off design or a limited run. This exclusivity ensures that the gift you give, or the piece you display, is truly singular and reflects a discerning taste.
  • Narrative Connection: Every item, from an Artist Journal to a Unique Art Piece, carries the narrative of its creation, connecting the user directly to the artisan and the Northland environment that inspired it. This deep story is entirely absent in a factory-made item.

You can have that very unique thing, designed and created for you, your customers, your company, are for whoever or whatever else.

Mass-produced items prioritise speed and volume, often sacrificing material quality and structural integrity. Ruru Artisans products, however, are made to be heirloom quality. Our commitment to traditional methods ensures unparalleled durability and finish.

  • Superior Finish: Our process includes hand-painting onto prints, specialized creasing of gift cards, and careful binding of Hand Crafted Journals. This attention to detail means edges are cleaner, colours are richer, and the overall construction is more robust than any machine-fed alternative.
  • Longevity as Value: While the initial cost of a hand-crafted piece may be higher, its longevity makes it an exceptional investment. You are not buying a consumable product that will need frequent replacement; you are acquiring a timeless piece of art or a durable, well-made tool, such as a journal designed to hold cherished memories for years to come.

Choosing to have a bespoke piece from Ruru Artisans means making a powerful socio-economic statement. You are directly supporting local artisans and contributing to a sustainable creative ecosystem in New Zealand.

By choosing to have something special made, you ensure that skilled artists can continue their trade, preserving traditional techniques like screen printing and mixed media work. This direct support fosters the local arts community, allowing new, high-quality, regionally inspired products to flourish. This profound connection and positive impact are benefits that the purchase of any off-the-shelf, global-supply-chain product can never deliver.

You choose bespoke because you value legacy, artistry, and personal meaning over fleeting convenience.

Made to Order Stories

Reworking Existing Iconic Children’s Book

The Boy and the Taniwha: This reworked book design was exhibited at the Bodleian Library at the Oxford University, United Kingdom, and is catalogued in the feature publication Heroic Works, for the Designer Bookbinders International Competition 2017, edited by Jeanette Koch.
Custom Print Order

Building relationships with Wholesale Buyers

Engaging with our client companies and selling at wholesale prices offers Ruru Artisans a powerful strategy for growth and sustainability.

Ready to Make To Order