Biz Cards & Mail Labels

Here is another How-to from my way.

I ran out of business cards and it was time to change anyway. 

Here is what I did/do.

I design and print my own and it is really pretty simple.  I know it would probably be easier to just order them but I'm usually not that far ahead of myself, if you know what I mean.  When I'm out, I'm out and need more yesterday.

One thing about my way is, I'm not committed to hundreds and can change them up whenever I want to.

Basically, I print 10 per sheet of card stock all nudged to the center and touching.  Then I use my paper cutter to cut them apart.  If I'm careful, I can get them all cut exactly the same.  But really who will know if they are ever so slightly different.

I know there are products available to eliminate the cutting and all but who has time to fetch.

I do the same for my return address label.

Instead of using plain paper or card stock, I use Avery Sticker Project Paper.  This is like one big sticker and then I cut is apart. It is a peel and stick product.

Of course Avery offers many many label and free templates to set up and print your labels, name tags, stickers, business cards, etc.

Might as well show you how I address my orders.  This is really time saving when I have a lot of orders to fill at one time. 

First, as I receive orders via Paypal, I send them all to my "Paypal transaction folder" in my GMail.

Here on the monitor you can see this folder opened and minimized. I have also opened a new word document and minimized it on the same screen.

I open the email, copy the address and then paste it over in the word document.

Copying and pasting the address removes me from making mistakes.  After I get them all pasted I edit if necessary things like caps and lower case stuff and then I highlight the whole string of addresses and change the font size to 16.  Print the page and take it to my cutter and cut them apart. 

As you can see, I use clear mailing tape to adhere the addresses to the envelope.  This protects the label. 

I take these steps: print instead of hand writing; enlarge the print;  and use clear tape all to make it easier for the USPS to get it right. 

I have a stack going out today and thank you all for the orders. I am thrilled to pieces with the results of my little online shop sale.  Don't forget to use the code INEEDTHIS to get a 10% discount.

OK, just one more thing, would you be interested in a tutorial of how I actually design the cards using Photoshop Elements 5.0?

♥ Sharon

Do you wonder how to make prints?

Occasionally, I get questions about how to make prints.  I will tell you what I do and what I use and what my resources are; however, understand that my way is not the only way.  It just works for me and I have made the investment to do it this way. 

As you see above, I have an Epson Stylus Photo R2400 printer.  Actually, I'm not sure this model is available now but a similar  one is.  This is a large bed printer and will print up to 13 X 19.

So, if you are going to print "in-house", you should research printers to see which fits your needs, as well as budget.

It uses 8 different Epson Ultra Chrome K3 Ink cartridges  which are fairly expensive and I will tell you that it does seem to suck down the ink. 

As you can see above, when a cartridge is running low, it tells you each time you print until you finally have to change the cartridge.  I always keep extra on hand.

And so happy that I do because today was the day I had to change those two low ink levels before I could print this beautiful print of Circus Day.

There is more to it than printer and inks.  I have experimented with all of the Epson papers. I am now using the Epson Ultra Premium Photo Paper Luster  which gives a beautiful print. 

Another consideration if you are going to market your prints and will be shipping them, is weather or not to mat them and what you will mail them in.

I don't know if  "matted" prints are more desirable to the consumer or not; but, I assume that it is matters to some and not to others. Having said that I, consider the mats as part of my shipping and handling cost and do not adjust the print price. I get mat supplies from Redimat. They have "25 pre-cut mat boards, backing boards, and Clear Bags in a kit. Available in 8x10, 11x14, 12x16, 16x20 and 18x24." Note:  the
kit includes the mat, backing board and clear bag and the price is very reasonable. 

I stopped selling prints about a year ago because of other obligations and needing to edit my time.  I am very excited that I am now back in business with prints.     I still have a small supply of the 8 x 10 (for 5 x 7 prints) mats and will offer them as long as my supply last.  I have decided to discontinue including the mat.

This beautiful print is available for the first time.  I just added it today. 

I will now ship in a White self-seal Stay Flat envelope that is said not to bend.  I can recommend this company for their service.  I placed my order one day and it was delivered the next. 

For more on the subject of selling your prints you might want to read this from a very talented and successful artist, Kristna Laurendi Havens.

That's it for now.
Oh, One more thing, don't forget you will get 10% discount on anything in my shop if you use the special code: INEEDTHIS  when you check out.  Sale will continue until December 15th.

I've had this on my mind to share for a good while now. Hope it is helpful.
Sharon