Design Inspiration
If you need inspiration for what to put on a solo postcard mailing, look no further.
You can of course use the sample galleries at postcardmania.com, and now thanks to our valued member Steve, you can also check out Getmembers.com for TONS of postcard inspiration with both back and front designs for pretty much all the markets we target. (you can view steve’s forum post here).
For business card design inspiration, I highly recommend browsing the contests at 99designs.com
If you see something that catches your eye, simply screenshot it and send it to your designer to follow a similar design! Easy.
Bleed Templates
Here you can download templates that you can give your designer to meet the specs for printing various projects.
(Right click and ‘save as’)8.5×11 half-fold brochure OR flyer/postcard
Also keep in mind that any design that will be printed should be in a minimum of 300dpi resolution and CMYK colorspace. The final file format should be either in PDF or TIF, although I can accept JPG, PSD, AI as well.
Recommended Designers
Finding a designer is obviously a critical element of our success. We can’t get our card printed if we don’t have it designed. Fortunately, finding a good designer isn’t too difficult. You can search odesk, warriors for hire, or fiverr to hire a freelance designer, or you can use one of the ones we’ve screened and have had success with.
Inexpensive, basic design:
Professional, screened designers:
• $20 per ad for 12×9″ postcards (2 revision limit, $10 additional fee per revision beyond that)
• $65 for full color postcard design (2 revision limit, $20 per additional revision including logo re-creation if need be)
• $25 per hour for other jobs including fliers, website graphics, etc
• $75 for full business stationery kit (biz cards, letterhead, envelope all with 2 revisions)
• $95 for logo design (2 mockups and ONE revision, $15 for each additional revision)
• Has great availability and are seasoned designers
• Available ASAP
Gary H.
http://www.hummel4design.com/Export2.htm
email: garyhummel@verizon.net
Joe B.
http://www.acgnetworking.com/website-portfolio
email: joe.biaselli@gmail.com
Ron D.
http://www.rondowdesign.com/branding.php
email: rondow_design@yahoo.com
Be respectful to them and introduce yourself when emailing. If you wish to hire these guys, email them and explain who you are…..what you want….and reinforce the payment structure and your deadline. Keep in mind these guys have pretty much cut their prices in HALF….and MORE than half in some cases. They ALL require half up front to begin, the other half upon completion. I am NOT the middle man in this equation, no commissions or finder’s fees either. This was 100% for you guys and I hope this leads to lasting business relationships. Good luck and happy designing! – Gregg
Valpak Downloads
Valpak Venom (Article)
This is an article I wrote on how to get around valpak issues when pitching.
Here is a valpak ratecard that I uncovered.
Apparently valpak gives better pricing for restaurants. This is their “food” pricing rate card.
Valpak Suggested Offers (thanks anthill)
This a guide that valpak produces, which give what they feel are optimal offers to use in ads. Considering they do more direct mailing than we ever will combined, it’s a great resource!
Valpak Media Kit (thanks localbiz)
Valpak Design Resources (thanks to “anthill”)
http://vpgrfx.com/adguidelines/2011/05/ … items-etc/
http://vpgrfx.com/adguidelines/2011/06/ … templates/
http://vpgrfx.com/adguidelines/
Forum posts: ValPak Exposed
