two-fer Tuesday

I apologize the winner in the Jamie Schultz Designs $50.00 gift code giveaway was not announced yesterday. A 4-day migraine turned into a 4½-hour ER visit and updating the site again simply proved an impossible task. But upward and onward…and I’m happy to announce the winner is…Pleasant Vonnoh of Pleasant Vonnoh Photography:

Because I didn’t get the winner posted on time, I’m going to donate your choice of one of the three new mini-book templates from Jamie Schultz Designs (shown below – “Little Cutie”, “Organic Goodness”, or “Vintage Floral”).

To be eligible to win this prize you need to have entered to win (but not have won) the original Jamie Schultz Designs giveaway. If you entered, please leave a comment on THIS POST and list your comment number(s) from the previous giveaway. All comments are numbered so look up your original comment number(s) and that’s all there is to it. Really. Simple as that. If you were comments #1 and #2 in the original giveaway, you would leave two separate comments on THIS POST (so you would have two separate chances to win now as well) – on one comment here you would say “comment #1″, and on the other you would say “comment #2″. Clear as mud? Good! Ends 11:59 p.m. EDT Thursday, May 20th.

UPDATE: The winner has been posted here – thanks again everyone!

Reminder: Jamie Schultz Designs is offering Paperie readers a $10 gift code off $50 or more with the code paperie10.

Last but not least — another really cute giveaway is going on over at Modern Magical today. Stop by for your chance to win a magical fairy door!

P.S. If you’re waiting on an e-mail from me, please be patient. I’m extremely behind right now due to this weekend’s / week’s events. I’m catching up as fast as I can!

Look around the sidebars and say “hi” to several of our new advertisers. If you are interested in advertising with Paperie Boutique, please contact todd @ this domain. If you are a photographer and are interested in having your packaging featured – or are a vendor and are interested in having your business packaging, marketing ideas, or photography-related products featured – please contact robyn @ this domain to be added to the posting schedule.

but Friday, never hesitate…

An incredible end to an incredible week – today an amazing giveaway / guest post from Jamie Schultz Designs. I’ve been a fan of Jamie’s work forever and I’m beyond thrilled to have her here at Paperie!

Jamie Schultz Designs is so excited to be featured as a guest on the Paperie Boutique blog. Let me take a moment to introduce myself. I was raised in a very small town in Nebraska where my passion for all things creative developed. My grandmother owned a charming flower shop and I spent countless hours watching her design works of art right before my eyes. As a child, I dabbled in art but didn’t find my niche until I picked up a camera. At that point it was evident that photography would serve as my creative outlet.

A childhood dream was realized when I opened my studio loft in the quaint downtown area of Hudson, Wisconsin. Inspired by the charming details in my grandmother’s shop, my boutique style studio offers the capability for unique custom photography. With that came a client base who came to expect a wide array of products to preserve and showcase the images from their session. As my photography business grew so did the number of inquiries from other photographers interested in purchasing my designs for use in their own businesses. Thus, Jamie Schultz Designs was born.

Using my signature style, I create templates that are clean and simple with a splash of defining detail that will undoubtedly impress your clients. These timeless designs include collections of holiday cards, birth announcements, graduation announcements and coffee table books for engagements, high school seniors, families, and babies.

As a token of our appreciation to the loyal Paperie readers, Jamie Schultz Designs is offering a $10 gift code off $50 or more to you just for reading this blog! (Enter code: paperie10)

In addition, one lucky winner will receive a $50.00 gift code to www.jamieschultzdesigns.com

See below for details how to win!

First become a Facebook Fan of Jamie Schultz Designs.

Then post this in your status…
I’m loving http://paperieboutique.com -and- http://www.jamieschultzdesign.com

Next come back here and leave a comment here where you’ve done so … and you might just be the lucky winner. Good luck!

UPDATE-EDIT: Contest ends at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, May 16th.

Thanks so much Jamie (and Natasha)! Don’t forget to stop by the site, the blog, and become a Facebook Fan to show your appreciation!

UPDATE: The winner has been announced here. Thanks again to Jamie Schultz Designs and everyone who entered!

Also don’t forget that the iPhone case template kit collection by Go{4}Pro is still up for grabs through 11:59 p.m. EDT on Saturday, May 15th – there’s still a chance to win!

Have a great weekend everyone!
-Robyn

P.S. Look around the sidebars and say “hi” to several of our new advertisers. If you are interested in advertising with Paperie Boutique, please contact todd @ this domain. If you are a photographer and are interested in having your packaging featured – or are a vendor and are interested in having your business packaging, marketing ideas, or photography-related products featured – please contact robyn @ this domain to be added to the posting schedule.

Good. Friday!

You might have noticed it’s been a little quiet around here this week. It’s spring break and between my ‘regular’ job, and hurricane advisories and tornado warnings occurring approximately every 15 minutes in my living room, something had to give! But to close off the week I have something to give…you!

Not only a new contest, but also a free download – so everyone wins!

This gift set for today’s contest includes:

• one Martha Stewart Crafts package of 8 champagne-tipped CD labels with 8 matching 5×5″ white and champagne envelopes (“includes handy alignment pad to ensure perfect label application”)
• one Martha Stewart Crafts 4.75×6.75″ photo-corner-accordion (cardstock construction with decorative front label and ribbon-tie – holds eight 4×6 photos)
• one baggie of 40 Paper-Source acid-free photo corners in Pool

How do you win? Easy-pleasey! Go to your blog, Facebook account, Flickr account, or Twitter account and post the following:

Win Martha Stewart Crafts & Paper Source accordion + CD label set – visit Paperie Boutique / paperieboutique.com by @shutterblog for more!

Please note: The link you post must direct to a public account. I cannot verify links on private, friends & family only, or passworded accounts and they will not be eligible to win this item.

You can enter up to four times total – one entry each per public, non-private blog URL / Facebook / Flickr / Twitter account. Post the URL(s) to your link(s) in the comments for THIS ENTRY. Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, April 4th.

You have four chances to win but only one chance PER LINK – please do not post the same link multiple times – duplicate links will be removed. And post your 1-4 separate links in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

Comments on this entry will be numbered in order of posting. The winning number will be chosen by Random.org, and the winner will be contacted within 24 hours of contest’s end to claim their prize. Good luck everyone!

UPDATE: The winner Susan B. Photography has been announced here!

In case you missed the free download for the 5×7 flat press card “baby girl birth announcement”, I now have a printed example of what they look like. I knew one day it would be the perfect fit for someone!

These announcements were designed for, and printed by, my favorite lab ProDPI.

And I’ve updated the post to include the template for the new card-back as shown in the photograph above. So if you’ve downloaded the front in the past, make sure to go back and grab the back too!

If you’ll scroll down in the right sidebar you’ll see a category called “free product downloads” with several links for more goodies!

To those who celebrate, Happy Easter weekend! See y’all next week!
-Robyn

If you’re interested in having your own business packaging, marketing ideas, or photography-related products featured please contact me (my e-mail is in the sidebar and is robyn @ this domain – or you can leave a comment).

If you are interested in advertising with Paperie Boutique, please contact todd @ this domain.

I want candy

Did you happen to catch the Moo blog last Friday? If so, you might have spotted someone you recognize!

There are more details in the blog entry, but recently I was asked to contribute to two workshop “swag bags”. This past Friday our home was turned into a make-shift assembly line of spouse plus sorority girls making sure everything got assembled and mailed out in time!

For one workshop, I had Moo MiniCards printed to top little bags of candy buttons, and also included 4×6″ Paperie Boutique promo postcards from GotPrint.

I bought the candy buttons after seeing a blog entry at Bake it Pretty. (In addition to the idea of bagged candy, they also provide free download templates for print which I later modified for my own use.) Shortly after buying the candy buttons, I received a sample candy bag from “the designer concept” (recently featured here on Paperie) and instantly knew how I wanted to package my own.

I’m extremely happy with how they turned out, but I wouldn’t expect any less from Moo!

For the other workshop, I used ProDPI for the printing.

In included 4.5×5″ Paperie Boutique postcards using their “press promo packs“, heart-punched a hole in the top corner, and attached mini toy cameras (with working shutter button and viewfinder). I also used two separate designs / sets of their “press tent cards“. One was the button candy bag topper – with two surprise photography-related quotes inside. The other was a business / promo card with my photography business card on the outside, and a mini-promo for Paperie Boutique on the inside. Everything was printed on their incredible, thick smooth matte paper.

If you’re interested in making candy bags of your own (they would be perfect to tuck in client orders!) check out the “Confections of a Secret Admirer” sets over at theDesignerConcept.com.

Recently I was also asked to test out the new ProDPI accordion booklets. I modified a new 2010 Pinkle Toes 4 Photographers (recently featured here on Paperie) CD / photo box design into an accordion template.

I ordered the Silk Upgrade Sapphire and Sea Green covers, and the Chrome Upgrade Platinum cover. I think Sea Green is my favorite although I keep changing my mind. It’s definitely the closest to my business colors. (You can view the second accordion photo larger here.) My favorite part about these accordions? They offer something no one else does – ProDPI’s smooth matte paper. In my opinion, it simply cannot be beat. These little books are going to make clients very happy!

Stay tuned this week…more great giveaways planned!

UPDATE: I found my candy at The Rosemary Company. Check them out for themed-candies and client gift-goodies – they even have eco-friendly products!

If you’re interested in having your own business packaging, marketing ideas, or photography-related products featured please contact me (my e-mail is in the sidebar and is robyn @ this domain – or you can leave a comment).

what happens in Vegas

Yet another guest post from WPPI in Las Vegas last week. I love getting all the different perspectives. So many neat things to look at, and it seems something different caught each attendee’s eye. This next amazing summary is provided by Lydia Shannon. I’ll let her take it from here…

(The photos submitted with this entry are so good, I didn’t want you to miss any detail. So each one can be clicked on for a larger pop-up!)

Wow! If you didn’t go to WPPI this year, you CANNOT miss out next year. Start saving up, it is so worth it. I’m going to give you a rundown of some of my favorite items at the tradeshow. Make sure you check my blog for some fun photos from WPPI.

In no particular order…

Planetjill Jewelry
What a great investment for your business. For only $20, you can be a wholesale retailer, and they give you a sample, brochures, and a jewelry holder. It is super chic that they use only B&W images! Love it. Also, I met Jill, the owner and designer, and she is wonderful too! Make sure you tell them Lydia Shannon sent you!

MPixPro
Of course, I had heard of them before, but after looking at their products I was much more impressed. I especially loved this larger accordion book.

Oh and I loved the fact that their new mini accordion albums have magnets to close them up tight and you can buy just one if you want!

WHCC
I’ve always been a big fan of White House. This year I was especially impressed with their new Stainless Steel Standouts. It gives their old standouts a super modern, high end feel. Love it!

ProPhotoBlogs
I don’t have a picture to go with it. But I have to tell you how much I LOVE mine. I bought it last year at WPPI and I couldn’t be happier. Best, easiest way to blog, EVER! You can use my promo code for $10 off, LYDSHA432. I think there was a WPPI code floating around, but I don’t know it.

Kelly Moore Bag
It is even more beautiful in person then it looks online!

Canvas on Demand Pro
This is just such a brilliant idea! What a modern twist on a traditional signature frame.

H-B Packaging
These custom boxes are prefect for branding. You can either get your logo put on them or you can create a huge statement by custom designing your entire box.

Michael Chinn
I was in love with these exquisite folios the second I saw them. They are so classy looking. Also, there albums and DVD folios are beautiful too.

Pixel2Canvas
I know they have been featured on here before, but I have to tell you, Roxanne {the owner and creative director} is absolutely one of the sweetest and most enthusiastic people you will meet! They just came out with the most beautiful new product, ChromaLuxe Storyboards. AMAZING. Not only are they fabulous, but the price cannot be beat. I will be ordering a bunch of these.

Snaptotes
When I was going in to a class, I saw the coolest purse ever, and it happened to be Roxanne’s from Pixel2Canvas. Roxanne is teaming up with Snaptotes and creating incredible designs to go on their purses. Here’s the one that caught my eye on my way into class.

This is her personal purse, with an adorable picture of her son. I can’t wait for my clients to be carrying around amazing purse with wonderful designs.

Well there you have it, my favorite items! WPPI was absolutely amazing and I encourage everyone to go next year! I will be speaking at a tradeshow booth, I’m just not sure which one yet! hehe

Thanks! Lydia

Thank you so much for the amazing recap, Lydia! For more on her trip to Vegas, go here.

All of the 2010 WPPI Vegas recaps on Paperie Boutique can be found here.

Contest winners in the Photographer Cafe promotion and Hello Kitty Photographer window decal will be announced shortly on Thursday morning so stay tuned! I’m about to fall face-first into my keyboard so I’ll be on it first-thing when we’re up and around in the AM – promise.

If you’re interested in sending reviews / photos of WPPI 2010, or in having your own business packaging, marketing ideas, or photography-related products featured please contact me (my e-mail is in the sidebar and is robyn @ this domain – or you can leave a comment).

the dotted line

(Psssst…read to the end of this post for a chance to win fabulous prizes!)

Last fall I featured an amazing guest post by Heather James Photography. In it she shared her accordion price guide. She’s now designed that guide for you to use as well, and provided an amazing discount to Paperie readers. I’ll let Heather do the talking from here…

Last summer I found myself with a dilemma: I had an inquiry from someone who didn’t have internet. I found myself scrambling as I had built my business on an eco-friendly format and had nothing to send the potential client. I needed something that showcased my best photography, my pricing and most of all my passion for my work. I also needed a product that wouldn’t break the bank and was easily reproduced in small quantities. And so, the accordion price guide was born!

I love this piece and have had so many compliments and inquiries on what’s exactly inside that I’ve decided to release it as my first template in my shop for my new project, Brand by Heather James. This 10- panel accordion offers places for you to showcase images, provide information about you as an artist and your sessions, as well as a large section dedicated to pricing, packages and products. The photoshop template is both a fully editable and multi-layer and includes sample text direct from Heather James Photography’s guide that we currently use to help you get started.

I love this product so much that I want you all to have it as a part of your business brand. That’s why from now through March 31, 2010, take $10 off the purchase price of the template with offer code pbmarch2010. Be sure to visit our design site at thebrandproject.com and our shop at thebrandproject.com/shop for more details on this template and all of our other design offerings!

Thank you so much for sharing these, Heather! They look fantastic!

Today’s giveaway is a “Pink Boutique Packaging Set” courtesy of Paperie Boutique & HB Photo Packaging. Read on to see what’s included and details how to win!

The “Pink Boutique Packaging Set” includes:

• two sets of 2 still-shrinkwrapped 9×9x3″ boxes (4 total) by Making Memories (includes photo corners on top to hold 4×6″ photo – you can see it in use in my own packaging here – great for announcements, prints, and session albums 8×8″ and smaller)
• one 5×7 1/2″-deep Paragon Brown photo box from HB Photo Packaging
• one 5×7 1/2″-deep Pink Pearl photo box from HB Photo Packaging
• one 5×7 stretch ribbon loop in brown from HB Photo Packaging
• one 1.75×2.75″ photo frame by All Tied Up
• three 24″ strips of brown ribbon with pink polka dots / gold edging
• 1.5-yards of Martha Stewart Crafts decorative ribbon tape
• three .5-yard strips of 1/8″ stitch grosgrain ribbon in deep-brown/white, beige/brown, and white/chocolate
• one 25-yard roll of 1.5″ Bella Terra paper ribbon in chocolate from HB Photo Packaging
• one HB Photo Packaging “Professional Photography Presentation Packaging” guide

To win, it’s simple! Go to your blog, Facebook account, Flickr account, or Twitter account and post the following:

I NEED the “Pink Boutique Packaging Set” from Paperie Boutique & HB Photo Packaging / h-bphoto.com – visit paperieboutique.com for more!

Please note: The link you post must direct to a public account. I cannot verify links on private, friends & family only, or passworded accounts and they will not be eligible to win this promotion.

You can enter up to four times total – one entry each per public, non-private blog URL / Facebook / Flickr / Twitter account. Post the URL to your link(s) in the comments for THIS ENTRY. Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 a.m. EST on Thursday, March 11th.

Comments on this entry will be numbered in order of posting. The winning number will be chosen by Random.org, and the winner will be contacted within 24 hours of contest’s end to claim their prize. Good luck!

UPDATE: The winner has been announced – check the comments for details!

If you’re interested in having your own business packaging, marketing ideas, or photography-related products featured please contact me (my e-mail is in the sidebar and is robyn @ this domain – or you can leave a comment).

totally sweet

Since The Album Cafe did their last feature here at Paperie, I get multiple hits in my stats daily looking for their products and coupon codes. So I contacted them again to see if they’d be interested in doing another guest post / promo. Luckily we all win because they said “yes!” Read on…


Hi everyone! We just wanted to share with you a SUPER CUTE new product we recently announced – Accordion Mini Book templates! These little books are the hottest thing out right now, and I can certainly see why – they are adorable! Our mini book templates are designed for printing at White House Custom Color, and we’re offering 20% off the entire store until Valentine’s Day so that you can try them out!

While you’re over checking out the new mini books, why don’t you grab our newest freebies!!

Don’t forget to grab the code at the bottom of each image to receive your “20% off entire order” through Valentine’s Day! And huge thanks to The Album Cafe for this promotion!

If you’re interested in having your own business packaging, marketing ideas, or photography-related products featured please contact me (my e-mail is in the sidebar and is robyn @ this domain – or you can leave a comment).

P.S. Paperie Boutique was featured in the latest moo.com February 3rd “Photography special: Ideas to fall in love with!” Moosletter. Did you catch it?

put a ring on it

(Originally posted to Flickr forums in June 2009. Announcement template design shown below is by Diana Hall.)

Since I’m only taking packages at this time, most include either a holiday card or birth announcement selection. I have online galleries of the designs I offer, and each "client welcome kit" includes a paper sample packet. I use this card design to print on five different paper types (when my lab runs its annual press-printed sales, I stock up in bulk):

I’ve found that red changes the most between the paper types (because not all paper is “true white” before printing). This gives them a pretty good example of the color-shifts between their available choices. Two envelope paper selections are included as well. The back of each sample has the paper type listed:

I bring accordion albums along with me to the newborn (or holiday) sessions – they are filled with samples of previous clients’ flat and folded press items so they can see paper types and styles with the other designs I offer for their own birth announcements and Christmas cards:

Quick tip if you’re on a limited budget to start… Design your sample template with 3-4 identical “strips” either horizontally or vertically. Like basically fitting 3-4 bookmarks on a card — instead of designing an announcement or card here, you’d be designing a bookmark and then printing multiple ones uncut on one flat postcard. When they arrive, take a paper cutter and slice into your bookmark-sized strips. Voilà! Paper sample pack for clients, with 3-4 more times the samples for you to give out. (If you don’t know where to begin, I now offer a template for this at “Fit to Print“!)

P.S. Don’t forget the Moo.com code exclusive to Paperie Boutique viewers expires on August 25th, 2009!

showcase showdown

This is another guest post by Heather James of Heather James Photography in Princeton, NJ. I’m beyond excited that she’s sharing these here. The idea is nothing short of brilliant and the presentation is absolutely fantastic!

I have quite a long price list as most of us do. Typically, I’d email a potential client a few hyperlinks to various web pages that showcased my work, what my sessions are like, and what my pricing is. It has been a great way to get my information out quickly and in an eco-friendly way. Then I had an inquiry from someone who doesn’t have an email address. WHAT? I was completely in shock mostly because the person sounded much younger than my 75 yr old grandmother who ichats on a regular basis. I needed a way to sell myself, my work and get all 5 hyperlinks into 1 envelope without breaking my bank account. So the accordion price guide was born. The following was a must to have on:

1. get all of my pricing in.
2. share a few of my best images.
3. most importantly: share who I am and why I am a lifestyle photographer and get them excited about scheduling a session with us.

Once I set the guidelines in place, designing it was a breeze for me. I just went with my gut and created something I would enjoy looking at every day – and I do look at it just about every day! The entire front side is all about the session. The only pricing is my session fees and each panel discusses who we are and what we’re like. When I say we, I mean my husband and I, as we truly are a team in every sense.

The back is the nitty gritty stuff. All of my print packages, special collections and premium à la carte pricing. There’s a few photos scattered around both sides that showcase most of the types of sessions I offer. Its neatly sealed in a white envelope with a round 1.5″ sticker from zazzle.com with my logo on it.

I find now that I not only send this to potential clients who don’t have access to the internet, but I also give this to my clients with a thank you notecard and a business card at the end of each session. Now that their session is complete, it gets them thinking about the next step in the process and excited about their proofs coming!

Every 3 months, or when I run out, I update the photos on the card based on the season and am always introducing new sessions into my marketing. And I always send along a sample of any marketing piece I use a client’s images on to them. They get super excited and show all of their friends and family their 5 seconds of fame which is instant free marketing for me!

Thank you so much for sharing these Heather! Drop by her blog and say “hi“!

As mentioned previously…I’m working with a handful of photographers to add more guest posts to this site so it’s not filled with my ideas and photos/demos only. If you’re interested in having your packaging, marketing ideas, or products featured please contact me (my e-mail is in the sidebar and is robyn @ this domain – or you can leave a comment). It’s always fun to share and “pay it forward“! Not to mention improve your SEO in the process… Win / win!

boxy, but safe

Photographers are always on the lookout for proof boxes, and these were recently shared on Flickr. The “Semikolon; Photo Box” can hold up to 5×7 proofs (or even birth announcements or holiday cards).

“An exterior window displays a favorite photo, while the interior holds photos, stationery or greeting cards. It also includes a coordinating grosgrain loop for easy opening and an interior band to hold the lid open.”

And best of all, right now they’re on sale at the Container Store for $8.99! You can choose from a larger color selection at jennibick.com. Sam Flax has several colors on sale for $10 as well.

You can even hunt for matching frames and accordion albums.

know when to fold ‘em

(Originally posted to Flickr forums in June 2008.)

I sell accordion albums but it had always been difficult trying to help clients visualize what photo would go where. My ordering software allows them to pick the position of each photo, but without being able to “see” the layout it was difficult to translate from thought to order.

So instead I made the template above to help them understand what the numbers mean (click here to download it in full-size). Much less Advil required all around.

I also include the following text:

The top row is a flip-image of the bottom row.

I’ve also put in the fold lines for you on the images that will “face” one another in the accordion folds — so #2 and #3 face each other when wide open — #4 and #5 face each other when wide open — #7 and #8 face each other when wide open — #9 and #10 face each other when wide open — and #11 and #12 face each other when wide open.