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 a few 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.)

3. Now I use H-B Photo Packaging for their great color selections and high-quality boxes.

4. 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.

5. I secure my prints for delivery inside bags from Lumiere Photo, clearenvelopes.com, and clearbags.com.

6. Read my November 2010 Professional Photographer Magazine column on “personalized packaging options”.

Other vendors that I’ve seen mentioned about*…
http://www.dnlphoto.com
http://www.bagsandbowsonline.com
http://rebinder.com (cardboard CD sleeves)
http://www.ricestudiosupply.com
http://www.bellagrafica.com
http://www.nashvillewraps.com
kraftandjute.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.paperpresentation.com
http://www.envelopperinc.com
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. Loktah – albums, CD / DVD cases, folios and more.

4. My September 2010 Professional Photographer Magazine “digital media packaging and storage options”.

5. <CENSORED> – a girl’s gotta have her secrets. I can’t share everything now can I?

Other vendors that I’ve seen mentioned about*…
GP Albums
Cypress Albums
KISS: The Books
The Dream Album
Finao
Pinhole Pro
Kolo Photo Albums and Books

⚇ Frames:
My August 2011 Professional Photographer Magazine column on “Frames”

⚇ Props:
My May 2011 Professional Photographer Magazine column on “Props”

⚇ Royalty-free, rights-managed and stock music for your website:
My February 2011 Professional Photographer Magazine column on “Music”

⚇ Product catalogs:
My January 2011 Professional Photographer Magazine column on “Product catalogs”

⚇ Photo Jewelry:
My December 2010 Professional Photographer Magazine column on “Photo Jewelry”

⚇ Camera bags and camera straps:
1. My July 2010 Professional Photographer Magazine column on “Camera Bags”

2. My August 2010 Professional Photographer Magazine column on “Camera Straps”

⚇ Marketing Materials:
1. Check my mini-store Fit to Print. Ta-da! I launch many products there on Paperie first.

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

3. Read my June 2010 Professional Photographer Magazine column on “Marketing Kits”.

⚇ 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

And you can check out more info on my shooting space and workspace here:
1. http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterblog/tags/shootingspace/
2. http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterblog/tags/workspace/
3. http://paperieboutique.com…..vol-2/ (scroll to bottom of entry)

Don’t forget to read my monthly Professional Photographer Magazine columns – and – Professional Photographer “Web Exclusives” columns for even more resources!

You’ll also discover more vendor-finds in “my favorite things” and on Facebook.

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…