Comments on: Budget Marketing Materials: Large Format Postcards

By: eleen

eleen — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 03:37:39 +0000

I know this post is almost 3 years old now but it’s perfectly timely for me, so thank you so much for the info! I’ll be passing out postcards at local retailers to help promote a craft show I’m selling at later this month and was thinking of using the opportunity to slip in a postcard of my own stuff at the same time. =]

VistaPrint currently has a promo on 8.5″ x 5.47″ oversized postcards. I’m thinking of ordering 250 color front/grayscale back for $50.00 + $19.89 7-day priority shipping (it’s $8.79 if you want to wait up to 21 days). They’re terrible spammers in terms of the amount of promo emails they send you, but if you order with one of their promo prices which are almost always available, you can get a great deal! I’ve had great luck with them with my custom-design, matte double-sided business cards. Only thing is they don’t have the option of using recycled paper…

By: kim

kim — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 23:31:00 +0000

this company greenpostcards.com uses recycled paper and soy inks at a very good price. 500 oversize cards (6×8.5) 4/1 color for $195. not bad for “green”. i just tried them out and they look great.

By: Jess

Jess — Sat, 04 Feb 2006 16:23:01 +0000

MW, did you mean AIGA? http://www.aiga.org/ The website has design archives to look at, very inspiring!

By: LeAnna

LeAnna — Sat, 04 Feb 2006 03:03:09 +0000

Many companies also bring gifts for buyers that place orders over a certain amount. Usually this is either old stock (like one pajama company gave out last season’s pajamas) or the most inexpensive stuff in your line (like tees or tanks).

Does this mean as a personal gift for the buyer?
We do that alot with people who make large retail purchases from us when we vend at different events. I don’t think I would have thought of doing that at Market. It’s a great idea.
Thanks MW for taking the time to answer my question:)

By: MW

MW — Sat, 04 Feb 2006 02:22:46 +0000

About the publications:

There is a line of publications that I love, and the name just escapes me right now. But they produce these large volumes of work, illustrations, graphic design, product packaging, corporate identity design (business cards, letterheads, annual reports). I usually sit at the library for hours just looking at all of them. Once I can think of the name, I will post it.

http://www.dynamicgraphics.com/

this is one of my favorites, because they often include print projects that you can actually do yourself and list paper sources and all of that. Some people are extremely creative and handy, so that’s an option.

By: MW

MW — Sat, 04 Feb 2006 02:17:41 +0000

But the postcard ended up making everything look trashy, partly due to the models and the actual photography.

I have seen that too. Especially in categories where model quality can make or break you, like swimwear or lingerie. Most of the times, the heads get cropped off because of issues over image rights and releases. But sometimes, the models end up with the strangest facial expressions.

To answer your question:

You should always keep a binder or box with clean originals of your items in case you need to run to a Kinkos to print more. But you should take business cards (tons of them, you’d be surprised how many people forget them or run out), black and white line sheets, order forms, and whatever color materials you have.

Here’s the thing, don’t give your expensive color stuff out to everyone unless you just printed so many that it makes sense. But reserve that for people who have real interest in the line.

By: Jess Latham

Jess Latham — Sat, 04 Feb 2006 01:42:47 +0000

HOW and Print magazine are two good graphic design periodicals that I subscribe to. If you do a search for HOW at amazon some other good magazines come up too.

By: Natty Coleman

Natty Coleman — Fri, 03 Feb 2006 23:15:17 +0000

A good print resource is http://www.jakprints.com, which deals primarily with bands, but that is good, because they have crazy good deals, and they are really friendly and will help you out with anything you need, on top of being top-drawer quality.

By: LeAnna

LeAnna — Fri, 03 Feb 2006 22:47:25 +0000

Hi Kathleen,
I noticed in one of Miracles posts here there is another post about photographs of the line not working for or against you on line sheets. Actually on a postcard I have from another DE, I can see that. Her clothes are really cute in person, and very wearable. But the postcard ended up making everything look trashy, partly due to the models and the actual photography.
Anyway- in a weird long round about way it got me wondering ( because I am so so new to this) as far as line cards, look books and postcards, is there a list of these types of things that is standard to take to Market with you?
Like I said I’m really new, so this may be a very dumb question.

By: Leslie Freeman

Leslie Freeman — Fri, 03 Feb 2006 21:53:18 +0000

This seems like a really great, flexible marketing idea! Thanks for sharing it.

In your post you mention that you subscribe to some trade-oriented marketing and graphic design publicatins. Would you be willing to share their names? I’d be very intersted to look at this kind of resource.

Thank you,
Leslie