Happy Halloween! Today we have a treat instead of a trick for you – a giveaway and vendor/guest post by one of our new multi-advertisers Rice Studio Supply!

While traveling in India, Scott Rice visited a village where the art of paper making has been practiced since 1590. Handmade paper is crafted from 100% recycled cotton fiber. The stock is acid free, archival quality, and simply beautiful. Scott knew this was the answer to your requests for stylish photo packaging that is safe for photos and safe for the environment.

The Artisan Portrait Case is an eco-friendly presentation package with natural deckle edges. The paper is handmade one sheet at a time, using natural products, so no two deckle edges are identical. The deep cocoa color is available in 5×7, 8×10, 8×12, 11×14, and 16×20 sizes. Rice Studio Supply will sell these handmade products from eco-friendly paper at the same cost as mass produced wood pulp papers.

For one week from the date of this post, Paperie readers can order the new Artisan Portrait Case at the 500-quantity price, regardless of how many you order (that’s a 30% discount off the each price). Shipment will begin the first week of November.

“We can’t brag enough about how wonderfully your product presents our photography! Our clients comment all the time about how beautiful our packaging is. Thank you so much for offering such an outstanding product and service.” -Leeann and Winnie Greer, Lexington, KY

And now one lucky Paperie reader will win a 12×12 album box stuffed with ECO CHIC goodies, value $120.00! Here’s how to enter:

1. Like Rice Studio Supply on Facebook and come back here and let us know (or tell us you’re already a fan)

2) Post on your Facebook account what your favorite product is from Rice Studio Supply (then come back here and tell us where you did it)

3. Post the following to Facebook or Twitter (then come back here and tell us where you did it):

Win a 12×12 album box STUFFED with Handmade Packaging goodies from RSS ( http://ricestudiosupplies.com ) at @PaperieBoutique – http://is.gd/nWIMrf

4. Leave a note in the comments here saying what Rice Studio Supply product is your favorite

Each entry requires its own separate comment here. (In simple terms: If you want FIVE chances to win, you have to do the FIVE separate things listed above, and then make five separate comments here telling us how you did them.)

Comment that you have liked their Facebook account(s), or already follow them – and / or posted your favorite product to Facebook – and / or posted to your Facebook or Twitter accounts about the giveaway – and / or list your favorite product in the comments here (in separate comments) to have multiple chances to win!

ATTENTION: All links you post must direct to public-access accounts. We cannot verify links on private, friends & family only, or passworded accounts and they will not be eligible to win this item. If we have to subscribe to your feed, a website, or forum – or request permission to see them – your entry will automatically be disqualified.

Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, November 2nd. You can enter up to FIVE times total. Post that you have met the individual requirements in separate comments here to have multiple chances to win!

You can enter / post up to five times total – one entry each for all of the options listed above. (PLEASE NOTE: Comments are held for moderation and may not appear immediately. Please be patient! They will show up eventually.)

You have FIVE chances to win, but only one chance PER OPTION – please do not post the same link multiple times. Duplicate links will be removed. Each entry requires its own separate comment 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 48-72 hours of the winner-announcement to claim their prize.

Good luck to everyone who enters!

And thanks to Rice Studio Supply for the wonderful giveaway!




Don’t forget we also have a contest going on right now to win the “Organic Bloom frames for the Photographer’s Wall Display Guides” set!

-Robyn & Todd

Paperie Boutique started on July 18, 2009, with this simple little post:

“Welcome to the new Paperie Boutique blog. This is an expansion on my popular “Fit to Print” set on Flickr where I have shared 3 years worth of new products, marketing materials, packaging, and how-to assembly demos for professional photographers…”

I never dreamed that in just two short years we’d have crossed the 1-million visitors milestone and have over 10,000 comments. Nevermind that just under a year after launch that we’d be featured in Rangefinder Magazine and I’d start writing for Professional Photographer Magazine (eventually being promoted to technical, then contributing editor and also tapped to write for the “Web Exclusives” section of the website).

There are so many people who have made this all possible – and without them, there never would have been a Paperie Boutique. First and foremost my amazing husband Todd who buckled up in his computer chair and learned his job on the fly. For over a year he has been handling most of the backend of the website communications and advertising. I would never be able to get through the volume of e-mail we receive without him! Stacy for taking this blog design’s code out back, showing it who’s boss, and keeping things afloat over on the technical side. And Hosting Matters, our host of almost 10 years now, for supplying the bandwidth and dedicated server space that makes it possible for us to stay online.

I also need to thank our loyal vendors who have kept the site stocked with amazing content in addition to supplying countless prizes and giveaways. They not only keep you coming back, but wanting “more! more! more!” This has been a place to share, showcase, window-shop, and educate. And then last but certainly not least, our loyal readers who have patiently stood by during the health-hiccups I’ve had along the way, and always came back to help us plow forward. You have always been there to teach and inspire, to “pay it forward” to your fellow peers, and you make this all worth it every day / week / month / year.

We can’t wait to see what the next year has in store!

And many more…
-Robyn & Todd

P.S. More giveaways will be posted tonight. Keep refreshing the page!




We have another new advertiser we’re excited to welcome into the Paperie family: Handmade Paper Album Boxes by Leah Gibbons Photography.

Handmade Paper Album Boxes by Leah Gibbons Photography – Shop my brand NEW Album Boxes for photographers page! Here, you’ll find handmade paper boxes that are eco-friendly and gorgeous! All boxes are quality made, sturdy & archival safe (acid and lignin free). Offered in two very versatile colors, they have a gorgeous natural look, and are earth-friendly! They’re quite lovely all by themselves but are also very easy to “doll up” with ribbons and/or accessories to match your branding!

The boxes are made with all handmade and eco-friendly papers, recycled board and organic glues. They are strong, heavy weight and perfect for book & album packaging. I’ve been searching for high quality and eco friendly album packaging myself for quite some time and am so pleased to offer these to other photographers! Visit them at: leahgibbonsphotography.com/albumboxes/albumboxes.html

And check this post for a birthday discount code from this vendor.

Click over here and see what you’ve missed. A special sale, a teaser of the great giveaways to come, and more were posted over the weekend!

P.S. Vendors, if you are interested in being a part of the birthday celebration, e-mail me at “robyn AT paperieboutique DOT com” ASAP!

A beautiful “green” packaging feature / guest post, and a special lab contest, on tap today…

My name is Brittany Langfeldt, of B. Langfeldt Photography, and I am a custom on-site photographer from the Chicago area.

I have always tried to keep my business as “green” as possible and had previously begun using organic and natural materials for my albums and CD cases. But once I saw Caroline Ghetes’ article featured here on Paperie Boutique I was truly inspired. I began trying different ways to package my products and quickly realized how difficult it can be to find organic or recyclable materials.

I bought a copy of Caroline’s resource list and felt like I hit the jackpot! I ended up using a lot of the same vendors or types of materials and ideas that Caroline uses but the only exact item we share is the CD box. I love all the natural products not only because they are eco-friendly but they also have such a unique and beautifully simple look to them.

My albums are made of all natural materials. They are packaged in this beautiful slipcover with a beaded closure.

For my prints I use black recyclable folders in various sizes wrapped in ribbon.

I tied up 2 tags in the ribbon; 1 stamped prints and 1 stamped with my logo.

My CD cases are made of all natural and organic materials not to mention they are gorgeous! I package them in the same box that Caroline uses and again tie them up with ribbon and 2 tags and add a sticker to the lower left corner.

I stamp my info directly onto the CD.

I include a hard copy of my print license printed on natural handmade paper in a matching envelope. I also have a secondary envelope containing proper storage information, business cards and my refer-a-friend program.

View of the print license.

Everything all put together!

Although I didn’t use a lot of the same items as Caroline, I did use a lot of the vendors provided to me through the resource list she sells. Therefore I can’t disclose my vendors, but I can tell you if you are interested in this style of packaging you should definitely buy a copy of her list! All the proceeds go towards funding for mission trips!

Thank you Caroline for the wonderful inspiration!

(And thank YOU, Brittany, for sharing such lovely packaging with our Paperie readers!)

We’d love to feature your packaging here as well! Please e-mail robyn @ this domain to be added to the posting schedule.




Color Inc. Pro Lab is having a Facebook Photo Contest. Photographers can send in their favorite image of a child / baby and they will add it to an album on their Facebook page.

The image with the most “LIKES” wins a $300 Color Inc. lab credit.

• Contest started Wednesday, March 9th
•  Entry deadline is Friday, March 11th
•  Voting Ends Monday, March 14th
•  e-mail to send images to:  contest@colorincprolab.com

Learn more about the Color Inc. Facebook Photo Contest here!

Well that was fun now wasn’t it? Sorry for the LONG gap in posting and returning Paperie-related e-mails! Juggling a business, a website, and magazine duties proved to be more than one person could handle in a holiday pressure-cooker (especially while my assistants were in finals) — and that meant this place was the first to give.

But my last client cards and packages have finally been shipped and hand-delivered, so now I can get back to the fun stuff. Like the final entries in the “business packaging / holiday packaging contest“! I’ll be posting these as I can individually. Please make sure you scroll to the previous entry each time you visit so you don’t miss anything!

Up next is Lauren Shinn of Shinn Shots Photography…

After a year of having a “photography business on the side,” I decided to update and upgrade. The most important piece of this was branding. I chose colors, look, and a feel that I wanted to represent my business. When it came to packaging, I wanted to incorporate all those things. The challenge was that I also wanted to go green. It’s hard to go green without going kraft brown! But I managed to do it. (I hope to come back here to Paperie Boutique and post about it, but in the meantime, you can read a little bit about my regular packaging at shinnshots.com/blog/beinggreen/green-packages/).

This is my first year to have holiday packaging since it’s really my first year for packaging at all! For the holiday packages, I wanted to be consistent with my brand so that it would still be recognized as Shinn Shots Photography. I dropped the blue color and added in the red, but the look and feel stayed the same. I used red ribbon from Michael’s. (In future years, I hope to use recycled ribbon from Nashville Wraps.) I switched out my typical blue paper raffia ribbon for green paper raffia ribbon. I kept the quotes that I have on the tag in the middle of the ribbon, but I replaced the typical quotes with more holiday-type quotes. Then I added little white puff-balls to add to the holiday feel. (They are actually little pieces of giant chenille pipe cleaner from Michael’s…that way it matches the fluffy white stuff used to hold the ornament on the bag!)

I kept my regular bag for the holidays since it’s mostly green already. I am in love with these bags! They are made from jute. Very green and very reusable. I have a coordinating bag in a larger size for larger items as well. (They come from 1-800 Gift Box.) I replaced my typical gift tag with a wonderful holiday ornament. It’s a wood block with 6 photos covered in mod-podge. Beautiful, and non-breakable…a must in my ornament collection! I made the ornaments myself, but there are several crafty people out there who offer them (such as Live Simply and January Hart Designs).

I hope some of these packaging links can be helpful for anyone trying to go green. I’ve gotten a lot of great feedback from my clients!

Here’s to another great year full of beautiful portraits!

Thank you for being patient with me getting this posted, Lauren! I just love the quotes and the ornaments!

Merry Christmas everyone!
-Robyn

Busy Monday around here! We have a brand new entry in the best business packaging / holiday packaging contest and a guest post article on “The Savvy, Chic, Eco-Friendly Office” by Michelle Black.

First up are several beautiful packaging photos by Stacey Severt of Wild Hearts Photography.

Want to win $120 in gift cards to Paper Source and HB Photo Packaging?

Get wrapping and send photos to Robyn [robyn AT paperieboutique DOT com]! Submissions last thru Tuesday, November 30th.




The Savvy, Chic, Eco-Friendly Office
by Michelle Black

What’s affordable, and sleek, and GREEN all over? Pretty much everything in this article, and its all perfect for your studio or home office! Check out some of these cool items that you can bring into your workspace, while giving the environment a nice peck on the cheek at the same time. On average, environmentally sound supplies cost only 5% more, a small sacrifice that can help make a big difference.

CUTEST PENCIL CUPS EVER
These adorable Pencil Cups by See Jane Work are covered with 100% post consumer, recycled paper. A great find for keeping pens and pencils and sharpies handy, in a stylish little container! Very affordable, too, priced at just $10. Visit See Jane Work for more colors and patterns.

RECYCLED OFFICE PAPER
Next up we have recycled office paper, offered at your nearest Staples store in bulk. For just $50, you can pick up 5,000 sheets!

SIMPLE OFFICE STORAGE
The Container Store has a beautiful line of Bamboo storage for your everyday needs. Things like filing and organizing drawers couldn’t be more stunning with these simple, coordinated designs. Bamboo is easily renewable so it is an environmentally friendly material that just so happens to look modern, too.

RECYCLED FOLDERS AND ENVELOPES
ReBinder is my absolute FAVORITE site for finding affordable folders, cd/dvd sleeves, binders, presentation folders, and even notebooks…and the best part is, they’re all made of recycled material. Seriously, they’re the best deal you’re going to find!

ECO-FRIENDLY OFFICE FURNITURE
Buyenergyefficient.org has a really great variety of styles and suits any budget with desks ranging anywhere from $189 – $1500 depending on what you’re looking for. Here are some of their best designs…

Additional Suggestions…

RECYCLED PAPER CLIPS
Yes, even these exist. You’re really going the extra mile if you can take the time to make sure you’ve got recycled paper clips in your hands at checkout.

NON-TOXIC CLEANING SUPPLIES
Nature Clean, Method, Ecover, Orange TKO, and Pink Solution can help you on your way toward a cleaner work environment, minus the toxins. Baking soda, borax, lemon juice and other simple ingredients are a natural way to clean without the expense of green cleaners. Choose your cleaning agents wisely!

Read more:
http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/green-cleaning-spring-cleaning-460303#ixzz13iUfyf51

Thanks for reading and remember, it only takes a few extra seconds out of your busy life to consciously do something good for planet Earth! Of course you can’t be perfect about it, but making an effort whenever you can will not go unnoticed.

Cheers!

Article by: Michelle Black
Michelle’s blog: Light-Traces.com
Resources for photographers: The Photo Professional




Thanks so much to both Stacey and Michelle!

Have a great week everyone!
-Robyn

I love the packaging feature guest posts! And today we’re particularly lucky because Michelle Black is stopping by to show off her new gorgeous ‘green’ rebranding. Without further adieu…

This year I decided to re-brand. I kept the same logo but changed the overall feel of my packaging and marketing materials, to better reflect myself as a person. With nature in my blood and having practically grown up in the woods (okay not really, but I was a major tomboy and spent a LOT of time outside, haha) I thought the change was only fitting, and I wish I’d started out with it from the beginning! With all eco-friendly, recyclable, and biodegradable materials, the new packaging just feels good, it gives off a good vibe. Less is more in my book, and keeping the packaging / materials simple, clean, and quietly sophisticated is something that now has a lot of importance to me. My first set of proofs went out the door wrapped in Earth last week and I wanted to share some photographs. I’ll be getting the remainder of the products this month (print folders, mailers, CD cases). I’m also looking for a new portfolio for my prints, does anyone have suggestions? I’ve searched far and wide and haven’t really settled on anything yet.

*Ink on the bags and boxes is acid-free and non-toxic.*

*Borders / frames on the proof image shown above are available for purchase at The Photo Professional [ here ] .*

Order deadline cards were printed at home on natural, recycled paper.

Recycled tissue paper from Nashville Wraps.

Cards with rounded edges from GotPrint who is a green company!

Beautiful soft twine from Hobby Lobby.

Logo on boxes and bags is a stamp I had custom ordered. (Stamp info now included in the comments.) I purchased both brown and black inks – they both look beautiful!

Tags are made at home, printed on recycled paper.

Tags are made at home, printed on recycled paper. *BAGS AND BOXES ARE RECYCLED KRAFT PRODUCTS.*

Thank you so much for sharing Michelle! Make sure you stop by her blog and website “The Photo Professional” to say thanks in person!

P.S. If you’re waiting on an e-mail from me, please be patient. I’m extremely behind right now and doing my best to catch 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.

[ Psssst... Read to the end for multiple chances to win a 5x5 tri-fold template! ]

Another guest post today, this time by Lizette Barbour of Peekaboo Studio Photography. I just adore her Boo logo and color scheme. Everything is so bright and cheery. If you have the winter doldrums, this post should definitely lift your spirits! Take it away, Lizette…

When I first started my photography business, I was completely clueless about branding. I was trying to do everything cost effectively and ended up buying 500 brown kraft paper bags. Years later, I still have a ton of these and was desperately wanting to get rid of them to make room for my new packaging created around my new branding.

After giving it A LOT of thought I finally figured out a way to incorporate these into my new look, in fact, it became the main idea of my packaging.

My little owl (nicknamed Boo) represents a nature earthy feel, so I decided to add in more recycled kraft products to tie in with the bags, meshed it together with my vibrant red and voila, my new look was born. I describe it as Nature meets Modern.

My bags and tissue are from Mayers Packaging.

The bag tags shown are what I use when I’m in a pinch. The rectangular tag on the small bag are mini Moo cards. The reverse has all my info so it also acts as my biz cards too. The owl on the large bag is printed on a 4×6 photo. I just cut it out, hole punch it, and tie it on. I have a few on hand at all times. (It is a bit time consuming, but it’s only used as “Plan B”.)

I usually use the tag shown in the center above. It’s printed out on a 4×6 photo as well, and I customize the name and pic to correspond with my client. Sometimes I forget to print one with my client’s order, and that’s where the other tags come into play.

All my press printed products are from my local printers. I’m so lucky to have them literally 5 minutes away from me! Shown below are my client reminder cards that I mail out the week before, my “what to expect next” tri-fold and my gift certificates that I package in a kraft envelope bought from Crystal Clear Bags and placed in a 5×7 red box. The sticker on the envelope is from Moo.

My boxes are from HB Photo Packaging. I went with HB for their prices, but I am definitely staying for their CS – so fantastic! I have them in sizes 5×7, 8×10, 11×14 and 4×6 proof boxes for announcement cards. I wrap the boxes in recycled twine that I purchase from my local hardware store. The “stickers” on the bottom right hand corner are actually my mini Moo cards. I cut off the orange part and use a glue gun to adhere them to the boxes. (So many uses for them.) I would love to be able to do foil embossing, but because of my multiple colors it just isn’t affordable.

I had to search high and low for these CD cases, and finally found them at ReBinder. In the left pouch is a copyright card, and printing instructions. Both are double sided press printed cards (once again from my local printers). The CD was printed at CD Print Express and I have to say their quality is awesome!

I really could go crazy with more printed brochures like welcome/info/pricing packets. I just love the look and feel of beautiful paper. But I am trying hard to stick with my nature / environmentally friendly packaging and instead have created a password protected online “client lounge” that I call the Tree House. It’s a great place for my clients to get all the 411 on what Peekaboo studio has to offer.

Not shown are my referral cards. I hand out 5 cards to each client, personalized with their photo. Also not shown are my thank you cards. I also like to personalize these with the client’s picture and a nice handwritten message inside.

Well there you have it. My packaging that seemed to take forever to create. It’s unbelievable to have this weight lifted off my shoulders of finally having everything put together AND to love all the elements. (I’m so indecisive sometimes!)

My inspiration for all this has definitely been the Paperie Boutique, so it was only fair that I share my packaging in return.

Thank you so much for sharing Lizette—your hard work has definitely paid off! For more info on Peekaboo Studio Photography please check out the website and blog.

And because everyone likes a little something for free, I’m giving away five (plus one) Fit to Print “design seven” 5×5 tri-fold templates (shown below).

How do you win? It’s simple… Cut and paste the following to either your Twitter stream or on your Facebook wall (two separate entries maximum per person, one per Twitter / Facebook account):

I start my day at Paperie Boutique by @shutterblog — you should, too! Visit and win a free trifold template: paperieboutique.com

Come back and post the link to your Tweet / post in the comments for this entry. The first five people to post will automatically win (so please leave a valid e-mail address). Never fear though! If you miss out on the “top 5″, tomorrow at noon (12 p.m. EST on Friday 02.26.10) I will use Random.org to select one more winner! So you’ll still have a chance to win!

UPDATE: Final winner is announced here – thanks for participating!

By the way, I highly suggest setting up a pop-up reminder or iCal appointment to come back to Paperie Boutique tomorrow. I’ve been holding something BIG for the end of the week, and you won’t wanna miss this one! Trust me. See you then!

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).

Last fall I put out the call for photographers who had “gone green” with their packaging, but unfortunately received no response. Since then I’ve had multiple viewer requests to feature a guest post by a “green” photographer. The problem was finding one, or them finding me. Until now.

Green or not, this packaging leaves me saying “WOW!” It’s simply perfection. So sit back and enjoy the eco-friendly packaging of Caroline Ghetes Photography.

Inside the photo proof box. The box is 100% biodegradable.

Another look at the outside of the photo proof box all wrapped up.

I hand-stamped my logo on this really neat handmade paper. Then I hand-stamped the word “photos” on these recycled chip-board hang tags. I’ve attached all tags & wrapped the boxes in 100% natural raffia ribbon.

Here’s a look at the CD my brides get. A photo is printed on a label and then adhered to the CD.

I use these natural hemp CD cases from Loktah. I LOVE their stuff!

The CD’s are placed on a bed of Natural Coarse Wood Excelsior, inside this 100% biodegradable black box.

Then the CD box is wrapped with Raffia ribbon and more hang tags are attached.

And there you go!

A little peek at the envelope which contains the reproduction release & lab recommendations.

An overall look of the finished product. The shopping bag is a 100% recycled Euro Tote.

Because of her extensive research into green boutique packaging, Caroline sells her vendor and product list rather than sharing it online. The cost for this collected information is $25.00 USD. You can read more of the details at her blog.

“100% of every transaction will be donated to support my missions trip to Romania in 2010, in support of my father’s evangelistic travels. It will involve church revivals, visiting & helping orphanages, remodeling for poor families, photography for the needy & of course some documentary photography as well…In addition to telling you the resources I used to make my own packaging, I will include some more names in there that I did not use, but may work for you.“

Thank you, Caroline, for proving it can be done—and that it can be done to perfection!

There’s much more in store for this week and we’re only half-way through. Don’t forget to check in daily!

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).