So, I have been looking at a lot of my photos, and I think that printing them as blank notecards would be a way to sell my work. So, I have been checking the prices on several on-line photo developers - from Exposure Manager (where I store all my photos) to Walmart and everything in between.
Basically, unless you want to purchase a full dozen of one design, the cost per card approaches $1.50 each. Now, if I want to sell 4 cards (with envelopes) for something like $6.00, there is really not enough profit to make it worthwhile - it is not like I would be selling hundreds of cards or anything!
I’ve been doing some searches trying to discover what other photographers and artists do to sell their work as notecards and I was somewhat surprised that many of them do it themselves with their good ink jet printers on good card stock. Hmmmm. I need to research this!
I think these photos would make nice notecards - what do you think? Honestly, now, don’t pull any punches!
Try www.vistaprint.com they are very inexpensive and do alot of things for free just pay shipping! then all you have to do is find the cheapest envelopes :)use them ALOT here :)
I’m not sure about ntoecards. Artwork on a notecard is just something you glance at, because the real stuff is what you write on it. The artwork would be secondary to the note. I do think these would be great in a calendar, though. Being available all month long would give a person the right amount of time to study them and really appreciate them.
I love the pic of the icy tree, and agree they would make nice note cards. I used to sell homecoming announcements (for preemies who were in the NICU), and was able to sell boxes of ten for $6.00 and make a profit. I had them printed as flat notecards at Vista Print, and was able to box them in clear plastic boxes with envelopes for well under $2 per box. I know they print glossy postcards, but I’m not sure about glossy folded cards, so I guess it depends on what style you’re looking for. Print quality was good, and the one time I had a problem (ink bled and smeared), they replaced the cards without arguing. They often have really good sales for free product, and I found good deals on packaging from a company called Clear Bags.
Have you looked at Zazzle or Cafe Press?
The bird on the iced tree is gorgeous!
Angela, thanks - I did not know that Vista Print sold note cards.
I use them for my business cards for my egg business and a magnetic auto sign, and the quality was pretty good.
Kristie, I’ll certainly look into calendars, that’s a great idea.
Terri, Thanks, that’s two for Vista Print, sounds like a good recommendation!
I like the horse. I would definitely buy that as a note card.
I’ve looked at a lot of cards at etsy… because frankly, I don’t send too many, so when I do I want it to be special. ;)
Beth
http://www.photographersedge.com is one way to go. Their notecards fold around your actual print so you get much better quality.
I do mine with my RollaTaq setup. At the art store you’ll find the handheld one for about $25. It lays down a 2.5 inch wide strip of glue so for a 4x6 you need to do two strips. Take a sheet of newspaper, put the picture face down and do the two passes. Set that picture glue side down where it goes and bray it down (rubber roller). Fold the sheet of newspaper in half and do another picture. Fold in half again (you don’t want to get glue on the front of the picture). You can get 4 pictures / sheet of newspaper by folding and turning.
For the card itself I get them at Thompson Envelope Supply on Southwest Blvd, near Manny’s Mexican Cafe. Just ask for the same 5x7 folders that Kevin Sink (http://www.kevinsink.com) uses. This is cheaper than the Photographer’s Edge cards but the picture isn’t matted, just sitting on the front of the card.
If you like this style of card and do enough you’ll want the next step up from the hand held gluer. Unfortuately you have to get it directly from Diage and it’s fairly expensive.
If you and John make it to the MissouriCarry (http://www.missouricarry.com) Christmas Party at Total Range tomorrow night (01/03) I’ll be happy to talk to you about it. If I know you’re coming I’ll bring a couple cards I have around.
Here is what Rachel Lucas is doing at Zazzle. Her prices look in line with Hallmark. I do not know what the underlying costs are.
The horse one is perfect! I would (will) buy it in a second. The second doesn’t grab me, although it’s an interesting perspective. The third, with the bird, is also a very good one.
perhaps I ought to concentrate on my horse photos - have a LOT of them!
Quick advice:
Keep the card sets in themes. They’ll sell as sets or you can sell them separately, but they’ll be easier to categorize no matter where you sell them.
Check local flower shops or craft markets to sell.
You may even check with the local drug stores — sometimes they like to support local artists
Beth - I have a comment awaiting moderation with links to resources.
I’ll buy all 3 :o) However, the 2nd one would be looking better in a calendar or as a framed photo that would look great in some hip office.
Beth, you truly have an eye. What about getting a Kodak Easy Share Printer and selling them at the Farmer’s Market? Making the envelopes on recycled paper?
While we are still dealing with our property in MO, I would love to come out when you are shearing critters and help you skirt fleeces!
Cricket, I’d love to have you come help out with my little goats.
Hi! Those are GREAT pictures!!! I LOVE, love the horse picture. It’s close up, clear & I love the blending around the edges! That would really sell I bet! Great job! I didn’t see a link to your zazzle gallery ~ drop by mine & we could be zazzle friends. I have almost 2,000. products & am a self confessed zazzleaholic … ha, ha!!! www.zazzle.com/tamathaa* hope to see you! Great job.
Everyone’s comments were valuable to me. I am trying to get started selling my brother’s pictures from Peru and Chile. He has a great eye for photography and has thousands of pictures. I have started with notecards and find I get good quality just printing it on my ink jet printer on card stock, folding it in half and inserting an envelope and putting it in a plastic sleeve. Now comes the task of selling, which I think will start at craft sales and other place that were suggested above. I am anxious to try out the Vista Print because of the recommendations. Thanks for making my day. The horse picture is beautiful!
Not sure if its been said or not, but have you tried http://www.etsy.com
This is a great site. I put a few pictures on a website that I made. I’m still learning, but I, like Beth, would also like to do some notecards.
If anyone had the time, could you take a look and see if one or two of the pics on this website would grab you to buy a notecard?
Thanks so much. I really appreciate any comments.
P.S. - Beth, I really dig the second photo, but I definitely would buy the Bird photo!!
I really love the horse photo. How may I purchase some notecards of it from you?
Rebecca,
Thank you! I will be relisting them on etsy.com on Thursday and Friday. I had let the listings expire.
My etsy.com store is here: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?userid=6703557&gasearchquery=thecastlesqueen&gasearchtype=sellerusernames&show_panel=true
Just curious, a year later, how did your venture of selling note cards go? I too would like to do the same thing. Would love any advice you have. Great pics, love the horse! j9:)
Ugh. I don’t want to talk about it. I may have been able to do it, but I got into a major, major funk last year and got little done of anything.
This year is a new start.
Use MPIX.com. Very professional looking cards and you can design your own card—-and add data to back of the card. Good luck! I too keep trying to sell cards with my photography and just have not found the right niche yet!
It is the blog that I have been checking systematically
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