Hi clearstream,

I've been going through a similar experience, i.e., trying to set up notecards on my website where customers can order them and I don't have to do any printing, stuffing, mailing, etc.

Unfortunately, no one wants a plain straight card with a print on one side. Not professional at all!

I did find out that MPIX does offer a greeting card that, when folded, is 4 x 51/2. The size is right and you have a print on the outside and can put a logo, or other information on the back. The print quality is top notch. The drawbacks are it is pricey, around a buck apiece for a minimum order of 25, the fact the minimum order is 25, and I'm a little concerned the type of paper used for the inside is a little slick for writing notes.

On the other hand, I wish Zenfolio would offer this MPIX product for us to use.  It might have something to do with the software, which you have to download on MPIX's site to be able to design the card layout.  On the other hand, if we as sellers do all of this and just offer the completed cards to sell, it should work.

In any event, the MPIX folded product is worlds above the straight card  Zenfolio has given us to sell. 

Hi Craig,

 I just received your note card in the mail today.  Many thanks for sending me that sample!

The card is great and I can see why people like them! It still looks a little too labor intensive to me - you know how photographers only want to spend time behind the camera :o)

I'm going to keep looking around for something I can have on my site and have the orders filled, shipped, and collected automatically.  There must be something that makes sense out there.

Thanks again!

I sent a PM to someone else who had inquired about being able to use their photography for note cards and greeting cards, the kind that fold. Back when I first joined Zen, that was one of the things I wanted to do, too, and wrote to support about it. I had been doing it for awhile on another products site (and still am), because I could create the cards and list them for sale (at my commission structure). The purchaser could customize the card with their own greeting if they wanted to or leave it as it is. It can be shipped directly to them or to someone else they want to get it. The creation process allowed me to put my branding on the back of the card that I uploaded to the site. The beauty of it is that all I have to do is upload the image and create the product. The rest is in the hands of the site. I have had some sales with this process, too, and like it a lot. That being said, there are a few downfalls. Depending on the commission percentage that you assign, your commission per card can be pretty low. Also, they allow bulk sales (site wide). So, if someone orders 100 different cards from several different artists, and only order a few from you, your commission is based on their price for the WHOLE purchase, not just what you would make if they ordered only a couple from you. I have seen the finished product of the card, and they are pretty nice. My mother has ordered some of the postage stamps that I created, and they look awesome.

My ultimate goal is to have everything that I sell done here on Zen. And I know eventually they will get there with all the things I need. Until the foldable note/greeting cards are available here, I will keep doing them on the other site.

I know there are several sites out there that offer the folding greeting/note card options. I didn't post the information here because I wasn't sure if that kind of thing is allowed in the forums. If you are interested in the information, email or PM me, and I will pass it on to you. That goes for anyone else, too, who is reading this. I know Zen will have it eventually, so this is just a workaround for me until that happens.

I am trying to figure out why all of Craig's posts are blank to me.  I see there is a post, I see the signature but the content of the post is blank?  Anyone got any ideas here?  It looks like valuable information I am currently searching for.

Thanks

BBrock:

I am trying to figure out why all of Craig's posts are blank to me.  I see there is a post, I see the signature but the content of the post is blank?  Anyone got any ideas here?  It looks like valuable information I am currently searching for.

 I am posting this again to see if I can get an answer.

Hello Barbara,

Sorry for the confusion on my postings.  I originally posted information on "How to set up Note-Cards on Zenfolio."

While I had struggled with the formatting I thought the information might be helpful, however by most of the responses posted it appears that most of the questions and dialog is centered more on the type of Note-cards offered by Zenfolio and MPIX, and/or other marketing questions on cards.

I deleted the original postings after receiving some frustrating emails, I think someone should start a new posting/thread that deals with Note-Cards and the types offered by both Zenfolio, other outside sources and also the homemade "from scratch" cards.

Thanks for responding Craig; I kind of thought I was going nuts.  I am interested in creating note cards smaller than the greeting cards that Mpix offers.  I want to do 3 or 4 different photos over 9-12 cards in a box.  I am finding resources for the cards and envelopes but am stuck at this point on finding a resource for the box.  I would eventually like to create serveral "collections" of notecards for sale not just on Zenfolio but at various venues.  Any leads would be welcome from anyone.  This is all new to me.

 Clearbags.com has clear plastic boxes of all sizes, and also 2-piece boxes (plastic lid).

I have used their clear plastic boxes, and they're great.

Good luck! Linnet

 I'm sorry, Craig, that you deleted your original posts. I thought they were helpful. I think the divergence was a natural expansion of the topic, rather than any negative reflection on the helpfulness of your information.

Thanks for clarifying (and thanks for your original posts! - they helped me find some direction).

Regards,

Linnet

 Hello Barbara,

Thanks for your question on Note-Cards.  Creating your own note cards from scratch rather then using an outside company is both challenging and rewarding.  You do get to decide what size, color, design and cardstock is the right "look" for you, the obvious drawback is your own will be a bit more labor intensive.

Linnet pointed out  CLEARBAGS.COM as a resource for your boxes, I use them a lot, they have a huge product line of the boxes with flaps on each end (the type I use) and they also have the ones with clear lids.  After deciding on your cardstock and size, you might want to check Clearbags for the size they will fit in.  I use 2 sizes, one deep enough to hold 6-7 cards, the other holds 12-14.

In putting together an "assortment" of several different cards in one box, you might want to consider creating a flyer card to show the contents of the box in either the front or rear side of the box.  I created a template in Photoshop and just change the name and thumbnails for each assortment created.  I then can fit 2 on a 8 1/2 X 11 inch sheet of photo paper, print and cut to size for the box.  You can see a sample of what I use by clicking on....   Note Card Flyer  

The flyer in your assortment box is nice as it keeps the customer from opening the package to see what cards are included, and also provides your information for possible reordering and your website information.  Again, this is a bit more labor intensive, but once you have the files saved for each assortment it's just a matter of printing and inserting for a nice personal presentation, include a business card in the box.

Good Luck, Craig

Craig (and Linnett) thank you for your valuable information.  This has given me the the final pieces I need to put together my own photo notecard packages.  I had planned on making labels for the bottom of the boxes with thumbnails as you describe but I think I like the idea of the insert in the all clear box instead.  Thank you again.  The people on this site are so incredibly helpful.