threepeat

I designed these cute 1.5″ circle stickers to add to my holiday correspondence and packaging. (HO)³ – a.k.a. “HO HO HO”. Get it? I had them printed at Zazzle. (They only print ‘glossy’ stickers by the way so if you don’t like ‘shiny’ you’re on your own.) Before any coupons, Zazzle charges $5 / sheet of 20 stickers.

→ download link ← (right-click, save as — this is not a layered file so what you see is what you get — I do not provide technical support for this download)

Select the 1.5″ labels from Zazzle: zazzle.com/custom/stickers. Check to make sure everything looks centered and how you want it to appear in their design-generator.

Don’t forget to swing by retailmenot.com before placing your order to see if there are any current coupon codes for Zazzle. If you’d like to create 1.5″ circle stickers with your logo to print at the same time, see this previous free download.

Merry, merry!

This Christmas-themed sticker template is ©Robyn Pollman, 2009. All rights reserved. It may not be copied, resold, made available for download or given away elsewhere, or redistributed without my written permission.

a few of my favorite things

1.   redstamp.com (shop) • stylishcorrespondence.com (blog)
2.   http://www.seejanework.com
3.   http://printpattern.blogspot.com
4.   http://www.spoonsisters.com
5.   http://www.smashingmagazine.com
6.   cardsandpockets.com (shop) • blog.cardsandpockets.com (blog)
7.   http://www.uncommongoods.com
8.   http://jennibick.com
9.   http://www.prettybitter.com
10. rockpaperscissor.com (shop) • rockpaperscissor.com/blog/ (blog)

Have a website you’d like to share with the class? Please post it in the comments!

blush and bashful

I am not ashamed to say that I begged and pleaded to do the following feature. I’ve been wanting to highlight boudoir photography packaging for quite awhile, and when I saw Stacey’s presentation for Goldapple Photography and Denton Boudoir Photography, I was simply blown away. I think you will be, too!

When my boudoir clients book, they receive (either in the mail or in person) a large presentation envelope from Paper Source that has their contracts, info form, and price sheets (all printed from my home on white cardstock). I always include a couple business cards (printed square at ProDPI on pearl paper), and an appointment card (printed as a folded business card on pear paper at WHCC) with their session date on it.

Generally I include a sample invitation or card (depending on the client’s plan for the final images). I have brides use their images to create bachelorette party invitations, lingerie shower invitations, or bridal shower invitations. Here is one I created recently.

I am a member of PT4P, and I used the wall design catalog to create my accordion wall design guide (inspired by Jen of Mesmerizing Moments Photography!).

Some girls aren’t too keen on purchasing large prints for themselves, but I always explain that prints are great for bathrooms (because that is where a woman generally feels the most vulnerable!) and for “man” rooms. My husband has a “man room” that has his guitars, drums, cigars and pipes stuff, books, etc., and that would be a great place for boudoir photos of me (if I ever found the time to do them!).

I also own Goldapple Photography, my portrait business, so I always throw some business cards for it into my booking envelope and offer $50 off their portrait session fee if they book a separate portrait session at the same time as their boudoir session.

My packaging for final prints is from Paper Source. I love their boxes, and they are the only place I can find solid pink boxes! But I also use DNL for black boxes for anything bigger than 8×10. I get shredded pink paper for filler in the boxes from Target, and ribbon from wherever I can find it! Mostly Hobby Lobby and Michael’s, but sometimes I’ll find something online. I don’t use one particular ribbon, but I always use pink and black.

I use clear bags from clearbags.com to protect prints, and my small round stickers of my logo are printed at zazzle.com. I also have stickers printed from Moo, but I don’t have pictures of them yet!

With my delivery of their order, I include a petal envelope in black from Paper Source with a 5×5 referral card (printed at WHCC on standard paper) and their 8 die-cut wallets (printed wherever I print their pictures at – usually ProDPI or Miller’s) tied with a ribbon. When I took these photos, I didn’t have any wallets printed so I just used a mini envelope from Paper Source. But I do have a photo of my Goldapple Photography referral card!

I got this idea from Robyn’s referral cards, and I love it!

So that is my Denton Boudoir Photography packaging! Thank you Robyn, for allowing me to share with your readers!

Lotsa Love,
Stacey

Stacey’s Client Booking Envelope:
★ Envelope – Paper Source
★ Wall Design Guide – Miller’s accordion 10 panel & linen finish
★ Sample Folded Card (specific to type of session) – ProDPI, Moo, WHCC
★ Business Cards – square & pearl finish/ProDPI, regular & linen finish/WHCC
★ Gift card promotion for friends – 5×7 flat card & linen finish/WHCC, pearl finish business cards/WHCC
★ Full Price List – printed at home on cardstock
★ Album Price List – 5×5 trifold & linen finish/Miller’s
★ Client info form – printed at home
★ Client model release – printed at home
★ Client contract & receipt form – printed at home
★ Round sticker to seal – Zazzle

Stacey’s Client Packaging Contents:
★ 4×6 & 5×7 boxes – Paper Source
★ 8×10 and larger boxes – DNL Photo Packaging
★ Photo bags – Clearbags
★ Canvas packaging – Paper Source
★ Round Stickers – Zazzle
★ Rounded Square Stickers – Moo
★ Ribbon – Hobby Lobby
★ Champagne & Chocolate bags – Clearbags
★ Petal Envelopes – Paper Source
★ Referral Insert Cards – 5×5 flat cards WHCC
★ Wallet Referral Cards – Depends on where I am placing the client’s print order, I order them through that printer
★ Small business card envelopes – Paper Source

Drop by and see Stacey’s work at Denton Boudoir Photography and Goldapple Photography—and thank her for sharing her amazing marketing and presentation “guest post” with the class!

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).

mocha with cream

Looking ‘expensive’ doesn’t always mean being expensive. In today’s guest post, Chelsea Stirlen of Chelsea Stirlen Photography shows how your packaging can look like a million bucks without breaking the bank (or even the piggy bank).

When I chose my packaging I had one thing in mind – COST. I knew the look I wanted, but as a new business I was, shall we say, poor. Very, very poor. I chose chocolate & ivory for my packaging because not only was it easily available from many different vendors, but frankly I loved the way it looked. I always have. I wanted to keep my branding very simple, inexpensive, and available so I had the option to shop for the best price.

This is everything I use to package (except my glue gun). Avery labels, ivory paper bags, ivory wrapping paper, white tissue paper, 1″ ivory satin ribbon, chocolate boxes, and 1″ chocolate satin ribbon. That’s it. Simpler was easier for me and had the added benefit of being less expensive. It still gives me the rich, special look I want, but it doesn’t break my bank book to package my orders.

All but the chocolate print boxes were purchased at Xpedx – a nationwide supply store. Those spools of satin ribbon & the wrapping paper come in 100′ lengths for $10 and $15 each (respectively). Much less expensive than a lot of online outlets and I don’t have to pay shipping. Unfortunately they do not have an online store, but they have retail locations all over.

The chocolate boxes are provided by my lab and my prints come pre-enclosed in clear poly bags according to size. I remove the ecru tissue paper and replace it with white, then seal with one of my thistle flowers. This flower appears behind my logo and I use it for sealing tissue in print boxes, thank you notes to my clients, and the info packets they receive at their sessions.

I’d show my info packet but you’ve probably already seen it… It’s Robyn’s Template #1 from her ‘Fit to Print‘ line. I personalized it with my own colors, included print prices & frequently asked questions. I also created a seperate 5×7 flat insert that contains my referral program and an area for order notes. My model release and photo contract are printed onto simple letterhead and are awaiting my clients the morning of their session – I do not send them ahead of time so they do not need their own packaging.

To cut costs in creating personal touches, like my thistle sticker, I opted to create my own. I created a page full of brown circles the same chocolate tone as my packaging, inserted my purple thistle flower and VOILÀ – an entire sheet of stickers for next to nothing. I print them onto full sheet Avery labels – available at any office supply store or large chain – and punch them out using a scalloped edged craft punch.

When everything is sealed up, I add ribbon. Brown boxes get an ivory ribbon and ivory wrapped items get a chocolate ribbon. Canvases, digital files, keepsake books, etc. are all wrapped in ivory paper to protect them, keep them clean and create that ‘gift’ look.

My ribbons used to be hand tied, but thanks to Robyn I now use the ‘uncrushable’ version! They hold up well, don’t come apart or become indistinguishable in shipping, and they’re quick & easy to make. When everything is sealed, wrapped, and adorned with ribbon I bag it.

I use ivory paper bags in a variety of sizes, each with it’s own Avery label. (I should be an Avery label spokesman!) On my bags I use the 2″ x 4″ labels & just round the corners with a craft punch. It has a chocolate edge, my logo inside, and a space where I can write my client’s name. As I often have more than one order packaged and awaiting pickup in my home, it’s nice to label them so I know I’m giving the correct order to my client. I use more of the white tissue paper in the bags and top it all with a small chocolate ribbon to keep the bag closed.

My vendors are few, but I do love them.
WHCC
Xpedx
Perfection Distributing

I hope this helps other newbie photographers realize that they can do beautiful packaging without bankrupting themselves. It may seem expensive, but if you shop around for the best price you can get an expensive look for a very reasonable price tag.

Thank you so much, Chelsea! Please stop by her website and blog to thank her for her time and recommendations!

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).

it’s a Small world

It’s time for another guest post! Everyone say “hi” to Carrie Small of Carrie Small Photography in Fayetteville, NC. She has one of the cutest logos I’ve ever seen, and some of her ideas have really inspired me to step up my game!

This is the folder that clients get when they book with me. Right now it includes a price info sheet, business card, trifold brochure with the contract on it, and a client info sheet/model release/contract signing.

I bought the folders from paperpresentation.com.

UPDATE: My amazing logo and marketing design are by Tiffany at OTSS (onthespotstudio.com).

This is the Trifold brochure. I print this myself.

This is the price sheet and the client info sheet.

Here is a photo of all the things used in my packaging. The boxes are from WHCC, stickers from WHCC. I include a CD with web sized images, referral cards, a print care/copyright card, and a folded business card in each order.

On top is a 5×5 Pano Album from Millers.

Referral cards, copyright / print care, and business cards – all printed from WHCC.

This is a bound inspiration guide that I send home with my clients for them to get ideas for wall portraits. They are printed as 3.5×5 proofs and then hole punched and bound together with a ring.

The 5×5 Proof book from WHCC.

And last but not least, all my new baby clients get a gift of a bib, printed at cafepress.com.

Are those bibs seriously not the cutest thing you’ve ever seen? Kudos, Carrie—and thank you so much for sharing with the class! You can see her blog here, and even more of her amazing photography at her website.

Don’t forget to check out the special Moo business card promotion and pre-sale going on now if you missed the last post! And 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).

eye candy

This is part two (of two) of yesterday’s guest post by Kimberly Kyle Photography of Augusta, GA. You can find yesterday’s entry here.

“Why I chose my business colors…”

That question made me do some thinking. I began KKP using black, white and hot pink which I used for two years. I loved the combination but felt the colors limited me in some way to girls so I began the journey to find what colors really suited me best.

I began looking around in my life, paying attention to what colors caught my eye in stores, and looking at color collections using paint sample cards. I also contacted the fabulous Amy Grace with Candy Apple Studios. She helped pull the “new me” together. I asked her to use red, brown and blue or green when developing logos. I gathered those colors mainly from the colors I have painted our home. We have a red kitchen, brown living room and green dining room. I heart color.

I ended up being drawn to the logos using aqua…I’m guessing my love of the beach caused that. Something about aqua blue is calming yet so fresh.

So there you go… My colors are now red, aqua and brown which I am thoroughly enjoying. I love the “pop” the aqua and red give with my packaging. Choosing to use the two brighter colors for envelopes, ribbon and boxes give the packages a unique look. I use the natural wrapping paper mainly because it is easily found at the local craft store and is great for wrapping large prints. The aqua ribbons I use are found here and there.

Packaging doesn’t really have to be the same each time. It’s fun to make it personal just like we do with our photographs.

I also throw in a lollipop…sometimes three depending on how many kiddos are in the family…on each package to add to the fun. Who doesn’t like candy?!

Please drop by Kimberly’s blog and thank her for the amazing two-part guest entry!

As mentioned over and over and over again now…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).

bold and the beautiful

This is another “May We See Your Packaging, Please?” guest post. Showing off their amazing packaging today is Kimberly Kyle Photography of Augusta, GA.

Some of the products / vendors Kimberly has used to tie her look together:

♦ Envelopes – Paper Source
♦ Proof box – Paper Source
♦ Ribbon – Michael’s
♦ Natural wrapping paper – Michael’s
♦ Stickers – Moo
♦ Thank you cards – WHCC
♦ Logo – Candy Apple Studios

I’ve invited Kimberly back to discuss how she chose her business colors and overall “look” to brand herself. Make sure you drop by her blog and tell her how great this all looks, and thank her for sharing!

UPDATE: You can view part two (of two) of this guest post here.

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).

(don’t) bend it like…

(Originally posted to Flickr forums in July 2007.)

This (FREE!) .doc file will print out Avery 1.5″ circle lables (product # 8293). I bought them at Staples – Office Depot, Amazon, etc., carries them as well.

The “photos do not bend” circle labels will print like this:

→ download link ←

This template is ©Robyn Pollman, 2007. All rights reserved. It may not be copied, resold, made available for download or given away elsewhere, or redistributed without my written permission.

You can find previous Paperie Boutique free downloads here.

over the MOOn

My most recent batch of Moo client thank you cards arrived today. Being the photo-geek I am, I took photos of the unboxing. Love their presentation!

For more on the cards (and the templates to make them) visit this previous post.

a cow says

I just released a new set of “Fit to Print” templates on Monday. This time it’s six Moo Greeting Card (thank you) designs to compliment the Moo stickers I released last week.

There’s even a bonus 7th template that can be purchased separately.

The cardstock is the same substantial Moo paper-weight you’ve come to know and love – thick and satin-smooth. It’s never too late to give thanks!

(If you have additional questions about Moo Greeting Cards, please visit their Greeting Card FAQ.)

merci beaucoup

Today marks a week over here at paperieboutique.com — so to celebrate I’m putting this thank you card template up for (FREE) download. I use these photo cards to send a personalized note of thanks to clients for booking with me inside of my welcome packets, or tuck them inside client orders.

This template is designed to print as a 5×8 photo with lustre finish. Make sure your lab prints this non-standard size! The template is sized at 8¼ “×5¼” to allow for standard cropping in-lab.

You will need to insert your logo, an image, and customize with the background and border colors of your choice.

I have the background set to white, the inner border set to grey, and the bottom solid-stripe set to pink right now — but you can change these by clicking the color fill layers for each section — just double-click each box and you can change to any color you’d like. (Some of the content to alter is located inside folders. Make sure to open them.) The pink arrow in this image shows where you click to change the colors.

Don’t forget to hide the logo and main image placeholder layers before printing! The font I used for the contact information section is News Gothic MT.

→ download link ← (please note this file was designed in CS2 and you must have Photoshop or Elements and know how to edit a .psd layered file — I do not provide technical support for this download)

You can write on the photos easily with a super-fine Sharpie. To finish the look, I use Paper-Source A9 envelopes sealed with Moo stickers.

Thanks again for all of the well-wishes, comments, ReTweets and link-backs during this first week. I look forward to watching this place grow up!

This template is ©Robyn Pollman, 2009. All rights reserved. It may not be copied, resold, made available for download or given away elsewhere, or redistributed without my written permission.

sticky sweet

It’s no secret I’m addicted to sticker books from Moo.com. My latest batch, shown above, just arrived today.

People have asked me to design Moo templates for Fit to Print for quite awhile, but since I don’t resell the stickers, I include art on mine that I’m not licensed to resell. (A lot of the cute images are actually dingbat fonts.)

But I finally put together a collection of three templates that are totally my design. You can customize these by color, change the wording, and add your own logos. See Fit to Print for more…

And check out these past Flickr entries that will give you more of an idea how you can Moo, too!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterblog/2093600451/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterblog/2131193638/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterblog/2450414547/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterblog/2538113140/

Happy sticking!

UPDATED to add: My stickers were featured by Moo.com at Photoshop World.

(Have questions about Moo stickers – like, “are they acid-free“? The answer is “yes”. And you can read more at their StickerBook FAQ…)

here’s the mail-it never fails

Did you know that you can get free USPS Priority Mail shipping supplies online? They make it so easy you don’t even have to leave the house!

In addition to boxes, envelopes, labels, stickers, receipts and forms being FREE – the shipping is FREE as well.

The only thing you have to do is go online and pick the box sizes and supplies that are best for you.

Then once your supplies have arrived and your packages are sealed up nice and pretty, you can print your postage online, and even request a free pickup at your door.

It’s as simple as that.