gimme the goods

Originally posted to shutterblog.com on 02.06.08:

I get at least a couple dozen e-mails a week that ask “where did you get your packaging?” After months of trying to answer each and every one individually, I’m going to make it simple on myself. One URL. Cut and paste. Voilà.

So run and grab your handy dandy notebook and a writing utensil because it’s time to take notes kids. Ready? Set. Go!

Boxes and Bags:
1. If you want my square boxes, I’m afraid you’re about two years too late. I bought them literally by the SUV-full during a Target-clearance in 2006. They ended up being just under $1/box and I hit every stinkin’ store within a 30-mile radius and raided every last shelf. However, if you want to try and find something similar (and good luck to you if so), the manufacturer is Making Memories.

2. If you’re looking for more ‘traditional’ photo boxes, you can order them in small quantities from NPD Box Company. (You might need a tax ID to register with them. It’s been awhile since I used this vendor so I honestly don’t remember the registration policy any longer.) Now I use H-B Packaging for their great color selections and high-quality boxes.

3. Some of my mini boxes, bags and tissue come from Paper-Source – although I am in the process of securing alternate vendors for my supplies from them because they are always out of everything. They do have a sister-company for wholesale orders called Waste Not Paper, but the opening minimum order is $250. Yeah, that’s not a typo.

4. I secure my prints for delivery inside bags from clearbags.com.

Other vendors that I’ve seen mentioned about*…
http://www.bagsandbowsonline.com
http://www.ricestudiosupply.com
http://www.bellagrafica.com
http://www.nashvillewraps.com
http://www.dnlphoto.com

Envelopes:
1. Once again, a plug for Paper-Source. However, the site is quite addictive. I am not responsible for any excess-purchasing that might result.

2. When stocking up for holiday cards, I hit envelopemall.com.

3. Envelopments – they aren’t cheap – but then again, nothing good ever really is.

Other vendors that I’ve seen mentioned about*…
http://www.katespaperie.com
http://www.actionenvelope.com

Albums + CD / DVD cases:
1. Perfection Distrubuting – ask for Dave and tell him Robyn Pollman sent ya’!
2. Albums Inc. – they have a great selection of mini-wallet albums.
3. <CENSORED> – a girl’s gotta have her secrets. I can’t share everything now can I?

Other vendors that I’ve seen mentioned about*…
http://gpalbums.com
http://www.kolo.com

Marketing Materials:
1. Check my sidebar on shutterblog.com under the “ATTN. Photographers!” heading in Blogads and click. Ta-da!

2. photo lovecat has a nice collection all neatly typed out in one place. One-stop shopping. Gotta love that!

Bonus Round:
My cute little buttons and magnets come from CafePress.com and my stickers come from Moo.com (featured at the top of this December 2007 blog entry).

*you will have to check each vendor individually for their registration process

So now that you’ve got all this stuff, what do you do with it? Well the first rule of thumb is don’t look like me. You’re you. Find your style. Grab a glue gun, some permanent adhesive, a pair of scissors, a straight-edge trimmer, a roll of ribbon and get creative. Watch video tutorials and look through websites online that will walk you through presentation assembly step-by-step. Comb through the various websites listed above for inspiration.

Still can’t figure out your identity? Well then hire someone to create it for you. The key phrase there is “for you“. If your heart and soul isn’t in this, your clients’ won’t be either.

“I don’t believe in Beatles. I just believe in me.” —John Lennon

-Robyn

P.S. In case you missed it last week, I’m Twitter‘ing now. More links, product recs, and tips can be found there…