Thanks ladies (Janice and Sherice) for the compliments on my tags. I tried the mass-produced little flocked ones, but my earrings always hung too low and it just looked generic. I want people to know and have a way to remember who made their jewelry and a way to contact me if they want more. I thought about stickers (you know, the Moo stickers), but again I was shackled to the size of the pre-fab plastic ones. Have to keep both stickers and cards on hand. No freedom there and it would run me more money, which until business picks up, this unemployed duck just doesn't have.
So, after working with someone to come up with my logo, I thought that the easiest way to print tags myself was to produce a graphic that is business card sized so I can use sheets of the kind available in home office stores and not have to go to the extra expense of having them printed special. Now I can slide them into a little card rack on the counter, or punch a hole in the top to hang on pegs...whatever is needed. It's flexible. I could even fold over the top in a little box fold and hang them like the traditional earring cards if I wanted to. I can fold them and stand them for a flat counter display. Whatever.
Of course I have to manually poke the holes in them for the earwires, so I use a small jewler's awl and a ruler on some cardboard. It's probably not the best, but at this volume, it's OK. I also write the inventory #, price and materials on the back of each one. I don't think anyone will mind that. It's handcraft after all.
The tags for bracelets and necklaces were less obvious, but after a few minutes thought and some trial and error, I figured it out. The full sized card is just too big with those pieces, but I still needed cardstock and I've never seen cardstock smaller than that...even in terms of sheet perferation. I still use business cardstock in my inkjet, but instead of using one whole graphic, I use part of two. 1/2 of two of my normal vertical hang tag graphic on each end of the business card. Then I print them and cut them in half. I tried another way, but the type was too small to read (my Etsy address is on there). Now it's normal sized, readable and still has enough real estate on the back to list information and pricing.
I'm thinking that I might...might...try double sided printing on them as well. Genereic information that could go on any piece attached, like what Argentium silver is etc. Not sure.
In the meantime, I need to put together an information sheet on me as an artist and the materials I use. The consignment agreement is all done...two pages, nothing too intricate, but it sets out the rules and expectations. Proper and businesslike. The initial inventory list is in the works and will be attached and initialed by both of us on receipt of goods.
Anyway...I hope this is helpful and gives you some ideas if you're looking to sell retail. As things come up, I'll post again. I'm sure it will be interesting to see how things pan out.
So, after working with someone to come up with my logo, I thought that the easiest way to print tags myself was to produce a graphic that is business card sized so I can use sheets of the kind available in home office stores and not have to go to the extra expense of having them printed special. Now I can slide them into a little card rack on the counter, or punch a hole in the top to hang on pegs...whatever is needed. It's flexible. I could even fold over the top in a little box fold and hang them like the traditional earring cards if I wanted to. I can fold them and stand them for a flat counter display. Whatever.
Of course I have to manually poke the holes in them for the earwires, so I use a small jewler's awl and a ruler on some cardboard. It's probably not the best, but at this volume, it's OK. I also write the inventory #, price and materials on the back of each one. I don't think anyone will mind that. It's handcraft after all.
The tags for bracelets and necklaces were less obvious, but after a few minutes thought and some trial and error, I figured it out. The full sized card is just too big with those pieces, but I still needed cardstock and I've never seen cardstock smaller than that...even in terms of sheet perferation. I still use business cardstock in my inkjet, but instead of using one whole graphic, I use part of two. 1/2 of two of my normal vertical hang tag graphic on each end of the business card. Then I print them and cut them in half. I tried another way, but the type was too small to read (my Etsy address is on there). Now it's normal sized, readable and still has enough real estate on the back to list information and pricing.
I'm thinking that I might...might...try double sided printing on them as well. Genereic information that could go on any piece attached, like what Argentium silver is etc. Not sure.
In the meantime, I need to put together an information sheet on me as an artist and the materials I use. The consignment agreement is all done...two pages, nothing too intricate, but it sets out the rules and expectations. Proper and businesslike. The initial inventory list is in the works and will be attached and initialed by both of us on receipt of goods.
Anyway...I hope this is helpful and gives you some ideas if you're looking to sell retail. As things come up, I'll post again. I'm sure it will be interesting to see how things pan out.
Very good information...great ideas...thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing your secret!!! hahaha, sometimes people horde there ideas and don't want to share!! I'm so very new at this jewelry game and I need all the help I can get!!
ReplyDeleteso thank you again for your info... what a great idea I never would have thought preferated business cards, great thinking and affordable,, now I just need to figure out a logo and where I can get one made??? any tips on that?
sherice