photography note cards

[melfitz]

Hello everyone! This is my first post on these forums!

I photographed some leaves last summer and used these images for note cards that I gave as Christmas presents to most of our family and my kids' teachers. I had them printed through Vistaprint and packaged 12 cards (3 different photos) in stationery boxes. Everyone seemed to like them. My SIL owns a flower shop and asked me if I was willing to sell the boxed note cards in her store! (She sells other types of note cards, like from Papyrus.) Needless to say, I was thrilled! However, as I'm researching this, I'm realizing that the cost to print (even wholesale printing) and package would bring each note card to $1 at the VERY minimum. (BTW, I wouldn't have them printed at Vistaprint because I want a better quality card.) I'm beginning to wonder if it's even worth it. My SIL said that she would buy the cards at wholesale price so I have to figure out my cost. If each card is, say, $1, a box of 6 would be $6. I'd sell each box to her for, say, $8. And, my SIL would sell them for $10-$16. That seems very expensive for a box of 6 note cards. I don't know. I need some opinions! Thanks!

[Niresangwa]

welcome to DPS

How many printing-outfits have you looked at? $1/card seems pretty steep. What kind of cards are they? Enveloped? Postcard style? I guess until I picture it I can't give much more insight.

For example, the print lab I use has 5x7 photo greeting card w/envelope with a lustre finish for $0.65 ....postcards, pack of 25, lustre finish, about $18 ...folded cards w/envelope, 5x7 size, pack of 25 about $30.

I'm sure if the lab i use has those prices, other more commonly used consumer labs will be cheaper.

[melfitz]

Thanks for advising!

Do you use a local or online print lab? I'm trying to do small (about 4x5) folded note cards with envelopes. If you use an online printer, do you recommend any? Thanks!

[Niresangwa]

I use Nations Photo Lab.

I'm pretty sure other members all have their favourites. Just look over this forum, almost always when a thread about printing and prints comes up, people rattle off what they use, (MPix etc etc).

Doesnt sound like NPL does what you're looking for, but I generally find they don't as many consumer-ready type products as other places. Given I don't need that stuff, it's not a problem. Might be a place to start for you though.

Anyone else have a print site they can suggest for her?

[Saralonde]

mpix offers a set of 25 (4x5.5) with envelopes for $25.00. I've never printed notecards there but their other items are excellent.

If you're a member of Costco, they offer 41/4x51/2 inch cards for $7.99 for a set of 12. Again I haven't tried them.

It might be worthwhile to order a set from several places to see what their finished product looks like for yourself.

[Vicbowling]

You can get 250, 5x7" full color postcards at thinkwithink.com for $75. I like them for brochure printing too and they're good for giving advice on my design layouts also. I've found them to be pretty good so far.

[notecardartist]

Hello Melfitz! I wanted to know if you still make note cards nowadays as I am into note cards also I would like to know if we can help each other.

[melfitz]

I looked into a variety of printers to get note cards printed and I really don't think it's a cost-effective project. I'd never print them on an inkjet if I planned to sell them. The quality is hardly comparable. Also, thought about who would pay more than $15 for note cards when they can go to Target and get a 12 pack for $5. I think selling individual cards is a better option.

[lonni]

HI

I will start by saying my husband and i run a printing company and i am a graphic designer so i can help you out a bit.

You need to go to a local commercial printer, you will be able to get better pricing. You need to explain to them that you only need a small amount of each design but you will be printing x many designs and give them the total number for the firat run and then tell them that you will be reordering from them adn whan you expect that will be.

You will find that they are more likely to give youa better price due to the totalprint run and potential return business.

You also need to know that the higher the quantity of a single design the cheaper the cost will be as it takes the same amount of time to set up to print 100 as it does 1000 or even 10,000. Example we sell 100 panoramic post cards, full colour, gloss lamitanted for $1.03 each and 1000 for $0.43 cents each.

You will also be better off either having the printer make envelopes either plain or custom for you or buying them whole sale from a spe******t envelope printer. They should be more than happy to sell you blanks.

let me know if you have any questions.

[private]

Originally Posted by melfitz

I looked into a variety of printers to get note cards printed and I really don't think it's a cost-effective project. I'd never print them on an inkjet if I planned to sell them. The quality is hardly comparable. Also, thought about who would pay more than $15 for note cards when they can go to Target and get a 12 pack for $5. I think selling individual cards is a better option.

You should change your mindset. Yes, they can go to Target, but so can 10,000 other people. What you are selling is art that happens to be on a notecard. People will pay a premium for a one of a kind product.