MERKO · THE PROOF · ISSUE 07 · SHEET 01 / 08 · PROOF v2
ISSUE 07 · SHEET 01 / 08
The Proof.
ISSUE 07 — AUTUMN 2026
A STUDIO JOURNAL OF BRANDS, TYPE & PRINT
PUBLISHED BY MERKO, HALDEN WORKS
FIG. 01 — Nordvik Coffee, retail bags on press. Shot at Halden Works, March 2026.
p.04
Cover story
How a coffee
roaster learned to
read its own label.
Nordvik had great beans and a bag nobody remembered. Six weeks, three press checks and one stubborn typeface later, the label sold out its first run.
WORDS NORA VALE · 6 MIN READ
The Proof.
ISSUE 07 — AUTUMN 2026 · A STUDIO JOURNAL
FIG. 01 — Nordvik Coffee, retail bags on press.
p.04
Cover story
How a coffee
roaster learned
to read its own
label.
Six weeks, three press checks and one stubborn typeface later, the label sold out its first run.
In this issue
FOUR STORIES · 16 PAGES · SET IN ARCHIVO & PLEX MONO
p.04
→
Selected work
Six identities from the last two years, with the proofs that shaped them.
p.08
→
Services
Identity, websites, packaging and campaigns — and how we price them.
p.12
→
The spread
Oro Hotels: treating signage like typography and a website like a lobby.
p.16
→
Studio notes
Short essays on type, print and the craft of keeping a brand consistent.
In this issue
p.04
Selected work
Six identities, with the proofs that shaped them.
p.08
Services
Identity, web, packaging and campaigns.
p.12
The spread
Oro Hotels: signage like typography.
p.16
Studio notes
Short essays on type and print.
THE SPREAD — ORO HOTELS
PAGES 12 — 13
(12)
Case study · Oro Hotels
Signage like typography,
a website like a lobby.
Oro runs three small hotels on the coast. Each had its own logo, its own website and a lobby that said nothing about either. We started with the room numbers.
The new system uses one condensed numeral set across doors, keycards, menus and the booking site. Guests now photograph the signage; the sites book 31% more direct stays.
“Guests notice both.”
— MARCO BELLANDI, CMO
THE SPREAD — PAGES 12–13
(12)
Case study · Oro Hotels
Signage like
typography, a
website like a lobby.
One condensed numeral set across doors, keycards, menus and the booking site. Direct stays up 31%.
“Guests notice both.”
— MARCO BELLANDI, CMO
PLATE C
PLATE C
1 / 4
140+
140+
Projects shipped
Projects
PLATE M
PLATE M
2 / 4
12
12
Awards & merits
Awards
PLATE Y
PLATE Y
3 / 4
7
7
Years of practice
Years
PLATE K
PLATE K
4 / 4
96%
96%
Repeat clients
Repeat clients
p.16
Studio notes
Short essays on type,
print and patience.
p.16
Studio notes
Short essays on
type, print and
patience.
p.20
Colophon
Commission the
next issue.
This issue was set in Archivo and IBM Plex Mono, proofed four times and approved on a Tuesday. Yours could be next — two slots open for Q1 2027.
PROOF APPROVED
ISSUE 07 · SHEET 08 / 08
SIGNED — N.V.
p.20
Colophon
Commission the
next issue.
Set in Archivo and IBM Plex Mono, proofed four times. Two slots open for Q1 2027.
PROOF APPROVED
ISSUE 07 · SIGNED N.V.
(04) Alternates
(05) Utility