need a little Christmas?

Here is a FREE holiday-themed postcard download for print at MOO.com (check below for more FREE holiday minicard and sticker downloads):

→ download link – Christmas tree postcard ← (please note this file was designed in CS2 and you must have Photoshop or Elements and know how to edit a .psd layered file—I do not provide technical support for this download)

The font used is “American Typewriter“. Drop-shadow edge not included in download.

Christmas tree design is ©all rights reserved by another artist and is available for use when included in this free postcard design only. It cannot be copied, resold, made available for download or given away elsewhere, or redistributed. No exceptions.




Here are a couple of our previous FREE holiday-themed minicard downloads for print at MOO.com (check below for matching sticker downloads):

→ download link (HO)³ ← (please note this file was designed in CS2 and is a .pdf—MOO will print .pdf files—I do not provide technical support for this download)

→ download link candy cane ← (please note this file was designed in CS2 and you must have Photoshop or Elements and know how to edit a .psd layered file—I do not provide technical support for this download)

They are designed to be used as a bag-tag or gift tags. Just punch a hole in one end and run thin ribbon through it. (I also used a corner punch.) Instant cute!

The fonts used are Annabelle and Myriad Pro. You can change the background color but I don’t recommend it, as the candy cane graphic won’t appear properly. Drop-shadow edges not included in downloads.

The Paperie Boutique minicards available for download above – and stickers available for download below – were recently featured on The MOO Blog (“Too pretty to open – creative packaging with MOO“) in October 2012.




The stickers below match the MOO minicard template FREE downloads above:

→ download link ← “elf-inspected” sticker (right-click, save-as)
→ download link ← “(HO)³” sticker (right-click, save-as)

Please note this sticker .psd file was designed in CS2 and you must have Photoshop or Elements and know how to edit a .psd layered file to alter it — I do not provide technical support for this download. The background color may be changed. The text layer can be hidden and replaced.

And last year MOO asked me to create templates for their sticker labels and round sticker lines. I was happy to oblige and I’m sharing them here again as FREE downloads – they have now been updated for 2012.

Below you will find two FREE sticker label templates (one is a holiday-themed mailing label, the other a holiday themed gift label) and FREE coordinating round “postmark” stickers.

PLEASE NOTE: There are now separate links for U.S. and UK downloads for those of you who prefer the date (“25″) before the month (“12″) in the design postmark. The flag icons will help direct you to the download-version you prefer.

  → download link U.S. address label ← (please note this file was designed in CS2 and you must have Photoshop or Elements and know how to edit a .psd layered file — I do not provide technical support for this download)

  → download link UK address label ← (please note this file was designed in CS2 and you must have Photoshop or Elements and know how to edit a .psd layered file — I do not provide technical support for this download)

  → download link U.S. gift label ← (please note this file was designed in CS2 and you must have Photoshop or Elements and know how to edit a .psd layered file — I do not provide technical support for this download)

  → download link UK gift label ← (please note this file was designed in CS2 and you must have Photoshop or Elements and know how to edit a .psd layered file — I do not provide technical support for this download)

  → download link U.S. circle sticker ← (please note this file was designed in CS2 and you must have Photoshop or Elements and know how to edit a .psd layered file — I do not provide technical support for this download)

  → download link UK circle sticker ← (please note this file was designed in CS2 and you must have Photoshop or Elements and know how to edit a .psd layered file — I do not provide technical support for this download)

Don’t forget to check out our FREE downloads pages for even more goodies!




All templates are ©Robyn Pollman, 2010-2012. All rights reserved. Templates may not be copied, resold, made available for download or given away elsewhere, or redistributed without my written permission.




Hey guess what? MOO.com is offering 25% off Holiday Cards right now!

“We know what it’s like. You have all these good intentions of sending all your festive cards early, and then out of nowhere – you don’t. So perhaps a season-long Holiday Card sale will help get you organized… How about 25% off Holiday Cards?”




Black River Imaging is offering a special giveaway for Paperie readers. The Grand Prize Winner will receive a $250.00 Black River Imaging gift code! The two runner-ups will each receive a $100.00 Black River Imaging gift code!

You can also win a $100.00 gift card to Prairie Sweet Boutique – just click here!

The Prairie Sweet Boutique website is running a 75% off sale until 12 p.m. CST on Monday, November 19th – just use the code THANKS75!




We’re just getting started this week! Check back soon…
-Robyn & Todd

you’ve been carded

I’m so excited to have our newest advertiser Beyond Red and Green on Paperie today for a fun giveaway / guest / vendor post!

Since 2006, Beyond Red and Green has been designing templates for professional photographers. We like to keep things fresh and modern, and pride ourselves on our hand-drawn elements and simplicity of style.

One thing that sets us apart is that we always sell our Christmas templates individually so that our clients can choose their favorites, and invest in something they know their clients will love.

In addition, we do our best to sell our designs only to professional photographers, so that you can truly offer your clients something unique.

And now one lucky Paperie reader can win one of these Beyond Red and Green baby sets of their choice (La La Parade – or – Fishie & Me) – PLUS – ten Christmas templates of their choosing.

How do you win? It’s easy! All you have to do is post in the comments here and tell us what your favorite Beyond Red and Green product is! That’s it!

You can have an additional – optional – “bonus” entry if you “like” the Beyond Red and Green Facebook fan page – just comment that you’ve done so, or that you’re already a fan.

And another additional – optional – “bonus” entry if you follow @bragtemplates on Twitter – just comment that you’ve followed or already follow them.

Each entry requires its own separate comment here. (In simple terms: If you want THREE chances to win, you have to do the THREE separate things listed above, and then make three separate comments here telling us how you did them.)

Comment with your favorite Beyond Red and Green product here – or that you’ve liked Beyond Red and Green on Facebook – or that you’ve followed @bragtemplates on Twitter – in separate comments here to have multiple chances to win!

Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Saturday, September 29th. You can enter up to THREE times total. Post that you have met the individual requirements in three separate comments here to have multiple chances to win!

You can enter / post up to three times total – one entry each for all of the options listed above. (PLEASE NOTE: Comments are held for moderation and may not appear immediately. Please be patient! They will show up eventually.)

You have THREE chances to win, but only one chance PER OPTION – please do not post the same link multiple times. Duplicate links will be removed. Each entry requires its own separate comment to have multiple chances to win! See official rules for more details. Please note that Paperie Boutique hosted events are open to U.S. residents age 18 and over only.

Comments on this entry will be numbered in order of posting. The winning number will be chosen by Random.org, and the winner will be contacted within 48-72 hours of the winner-announcement to claim their prize.

Good luck to everyone who enters, and thanks to Beyond Red and Green for the fantastic prize! (See below for even more current giveaways!)




We’re giving away two subscriptions to CLICK – go here to win one!

We’re also giving away choice of the Shoot & Sell iPad App – or – their choice of one Wall Guides set from Photographer’s Wall Display Guides! Win here!

The goodies keep on coming – check back soon!
-Robyn & Todd

P.S. Moo is running an awesome business card special on Fab.com right now! You can get a pack of 50 business cards for $13.99 (30% off).

You’ve got two more days to take advantage of the offer so don’t miss it! This includes Moo’s classic matte and new glossy finishes – your choice!

hurry Christmas – hurry fast!

As promised yesterday (TWO posts here and here if you missed them), we’re kicking things into holiday-gear here at Paperie over the next few weeks. Today’s FREE downloads will help you do the same!

I recently tweaked a free holiday / Christmas card template from last year for the new ProDPI Mod Card line.

This design is for a flat 5×7 “Mod” holiday card (front and back for “Roundedcorners01″) for print at ProDPI. (The ProDPI Mod Card flat 5×7 “Roundedcorners01″ crop / bleed guide is included as a hidden layer — in addition to the regular ProDPI flat 5×7 crop / bleed guide, also included as a hidden layer.)

The files are .psd files (front, back) and the layers can be hidden. However, the text and colors were not designed to be altered.

If you choose to have these printed at another lab, please check the design in that lab’s template guidelines first!

→ download link – front ← (please note this file was designed in CS2 and you must have Photoshop or Elements and know how to edit a .psd layered file — I do not provide technical support for this download)

→ download link – back ← (please note this file was designed in CS2 and you must have Photoshop or Elements and know how to edit a .psd layered file — I do not provide technical support for this download)

Templates are ©Robyn Pollman, 2011. All rights reserved. Templates may not be copied, resold, made available for download or given away elsewhere, or redistributed without my written permission.




And just in case you missed the original FREE 5×7 flat card posted last year…

This was designed as a flat 5×7 holiday card (front and back) for print at ProDPI. (The ProDPI crop / bleed layer is included as a hidden layer.)

The files are .psd files (front, back) and the layers can be hidden. However, the text and colors were not designed to be altered.

If you choose to have these printed at another lab, please check the design in that lab’s template guidelines first!

→ download link – front ← (please note this file was designed in CS2 and you must have Photoshop or Elements and know how to edit a .psd layered file — I do not provide technical support for this download)

→ download link – back ← (please note this file was designed in CS2 and you must have Photoshop or Elements and know how to edit a .psd layered file — I do not provide technical support for this download)

Templates are ©Robyn Pollman, 2010. All rights reserved. Templates may not be copied, resold, made available for download or given away elsewhere, or redistributed without my written permission.




While we’re on a trip down memory lane, don’t forget that Moo is having a 25% off sale on EVERYTHING and the sale ends today. (No codes needed – prices already marked down on the Moo website.)

@overheardatmoo recently Tweeted: Stickers, Business Cards, MiniCards, Postcards and Greeting Cards – 25% off until Sunday (in case you didn’t hear) at http://www.moo.com.

This is a great time to use all of these FREE Paperie holiday sticker and mini-card templates to be ahead of the game for your holiday packaging!

→ download link ←  ¤  “elf-inspected” sticker (right-click, save-as)
→ download link ←  ¤  “(HO)³” sticker (right-click, save-as)
    Both stickers above are flat .png files sized for print at Moo.com.

Please note this sticker .psd file was designed in CS2 and you must have Photoshop or Elements and know how to edit a .psd layered file to alter it — I do not provide technical support for this download. The background color may be changed. The text layer can be hidden and replaced.

The stickers above match these Moo mini card template FREE downloads. They are designed to be used as a bag-tag or gift tags. Just punch a hole in one end and run thin ribbon through the hole. Instant cute!

→ download link (HO)³ ← (please note this file was designed in CS2 and is a .pdf — Moo will print .pdf files — I do not provide technical support for this download)

→ download link candy cane ← (please note this file was designed in CS2 and you must have Photoshop or Elements and know how to edit a .psd layered file — I do not provide technical support for this download)

The fonts used are Annabelle and Myriad Pro. You can change the background color but I don’t recommend it, as the candy cane graphic won’t appear properly.

Templates are ©Robyn Pollman, 2010. All rights reserved. Templates may not be copied, resold, made available for download or given away elsewhere, or redistributed without my written permission.

Don’t miss our current contest/ giveaway from Crowned Embellishments!



One lucky Paperie reader will win the the crown of their choice!

Ad rates are now up to 50% off (and more!)…get it while the gettin’s good!

Paperie is featured today at the “See the Light!” International Portrait Competition by Jessica Price. We’ve donated a a “Buy the Entire Fit to Print Store” package. Check it out!

Drop by again soon – more goodies on the way!
-Robyn and Todd

it’s Friday – I’m in love

Jamie Schultz Designs is back again for another vendor / guest post! (And if you missed our latest camera strap giveaway, be sure you read on to the end!)

Jamie Schultz Designs is proud to partner with the Paperie Boutique as a new vendor. Jamie has an array of templates available including coffee table books, cards, CD cases, image boxes and much, much more. With the holiday card season quickly approaching be sure to check out Jamie’s fabulous new holiday card collection.

About Jamie:
Jamie Schultz Designs was created by professional photographer, Jamie Schultz, who started creating cards, books, and other photography products for her clients. As quickly as her portrait business grew so did the demand for the templates she was selling to her clients. Thus, Jamie Schultz Designs was born. Jamie’s designs are best known for their timeless features with just enough defining detail that allow your client’s photos to take center stage. As a professional photographer, Jamie knows that no two clients are alike which is why she offers a wide variety of designs from traditional to contemporary.

There’s always something for everyone at Jamie Schultz Designs!

And now Jamie is offering an exclusive discount to Paperie Boutique blog readers. Simply enter code: paperie10 at checkout to receive $10 off your next purchase of $50 or more. (Valid through 12/31/2011.)

Here are some of the latest holiday card designs from Jamie Schultz Designs:

Be sure to fan Jamie Schultz Designs on Facebook to receive special offers and to keep up with all the latest product releases.

Thanks so much to Jamie for stopping by, and for the great offer for our readers! I’m a huge Jamie Schultz Designs fan and have been for quite some time. I just bought this announcement template set and I can’t recommend it enough!




My latest “Web Exclusives” column went live yesterday on Professional Photographer Magazine’s website.

It’s titled “Hot Stuff: Bad Sass Backdrops” and features a favorite Paperie vendor Bad Sass Backdrops, Inc.. Make sure to read it all the way through because there’s a big discount for Professional Photographer readers!

Have a great weekend everyone -
-Robyn & Todd

(don’t) paint it black

It. Just. Got. Interesting! If you’ve been thinking of entering your packaging photos in our best business packaging / holiday packaging contest, now’s the time to start “doing“.

In addition to a $20 Paper Source gift certificate as a prize – now HB Photo Packaging has also kicked in an additional $100 gift certificate to their store!

Have no idea where to get started? Check this old Paperie entry for inspiration!

Get wrapping and send photos to Robyn [robyn AT paperieboutique DOT com]! Submissions last thru Tuesday, November 30th.

[ And a tip from Robyn: If you have a Michael's near you, go raid their $1 bin. You'll find dozens of holiday-themed goodies to stick, hot glue, or tie on your packaging - some in multi-packs making the cost of a little "spice" less than a gumball! ]




I’ve known Justyna Nielsen of Funky Monkey Photography for years now and I’m so excited to have her here for a guest post on Paperie!

Creating whimsical easels

If black isn’t a part of your branding, why use black easels? Spice things up with your favorite colors or even use special effect such as distressing or crackling. Match up colors to your branding or room décor.

Creative uses:
I used one as a menu holder for my leather-bound price list I keep in my studio. A few other ones hold colorful frames with product descriptions. I also used a few for gifts for my clients when they purchased storyboards. Here are some other creative uses:

1. Price list. Place a price list or brochures in one of these easels for a beautiful display in your studio or at an auction, expo or event. For best results, your price list can be in form of a fabric/leather bound menu or mounted on a sturdy backing. Choosing the correct easel size is important so items don’t fall out or cause the easel to tip over if too big.

2. Collages. Provide your clients the whole package. If you offer styrene or board mounted collages, offer easels for “display ready” option to your clients. Perfect for mantels, desks, shelves, tables. You can look into wholesale easel purchasing and make sure you add the cost to the item price. This is called “value adding” in pricing.

3. Smaller frames fit in easels too. Place a cute 5×7” birth announcement (or a photo) in a matching color frame and display it on an easel. We recommend using a different shade or a complimentary color for the easel. Can make a special product or a gift.

4. Album or press book display. Instead of laying your albums on a table, create a more visible display by placing albums in easels. Especially impressive if your albums open up flat and have seamless spreads. Open it to your favorite panoramic image and place in the easel. Your clients can create different displays each month by opening to a different page.

5. Holder for product shots. Colorful holder for product shots to make an appealing price list.

6. Sign holder. If you participate in any expos or auctions, you can have your logo printed and mounted on a styrene or foam board and then placed in a matching color easel. Ideal for the expo tables. Place any other display items that may fit in them to create more interest.

7. Holiday card display. Choose this standard easel or one of the photo/note holder trees, paint in your chosen color and attach holiday cards.

8. Props. Have a lot of paint left? Sand a kid chair or another wooden prop and use the spray paints to give them a new look. Spray paint an ordinary garden tub or a planting pot to transform it into a new prop. Spray paint cans or small buckets for pen holders.

9. Uniform frames. If you’re like me, you have a collection of empty mismatched frames. Pick 6-7 of your favorite and spray paint them the same color. Perhaps a distressed or crackled antique white for the shabby chic look. You can use 2 colors such as hot pink and black to split amount frames. Hang them up empty on your wall for a creative wall decoration if you feel you can’t fill them with photographs right now. You can also cut corkboard to fit a frame for a creative reminder board or frame a chalkboard for a funky message board.

You will need:
- Metal easel any color
- Spray cans of primer (optional)
- Paint spray cans in desired color
- Cardboard and gloves recommended to keep your area and hands clean

Time:
The paint in spray cans is pretty fast drying but you will need multiple coats for best coverage.

Process:
1. Prepare a metal easel. Easels can be purchased online or in most craft stores (mine are from Michael’s Craft Store). Wipe clean and dry. Place in a well-ventilated space on a cardboard or newspaper. The spray paints will have a big reach so avoid spillage by protecting the area. I sprayed mine outside but I had to watch out for wind blowing any leaves my way.

2. For best coverage, spray the easel with a primer. This step is optional. I made most of mine without the primer.

3. Find your favorite color in spray paint from a local hardware store. I found mine at Home Depot, Menard’s and Ace Hardware. I picked these colors because they fit my logo colors (orange, lime green and purple). The rest were fun shades I found for chairs and other props.

4. Shake the can vigorously before each use. Spray from about 1 foot away in thin coats. Let dry in between multiple coats. For best coverage, avoid getting too close or going over in the same spot multiple times without letting it dry. Once the paint gets pretty thin and starts running, remember to shake the can again. I tend to start with the bottom so I flip the easel upside down. Spray. Wait. Flip on the other side, repeat the process. Inspect from all sides when dry. If you mess up, wait until it dries, sand with fine sand paper and re-paint a larger area.

Versions:
- Use one color (such as turquoise) for under coat and a different
  one (such as green) for the final coat. Wipe off the outer coat
  in a few spots with a dry bristle brush to reveal the under coat.
- Use sand paper to rough up the edges for a distressed look.
- Try a crackle or other special effect paints.

Justyna Nielsen is the owner and photographer of Funky Monkey Photography with a tale. She specializes in baby and children photography in Madison, Wisconsin.

[ Note from Robyn: Easels can also be purchased inexpensively onllne from Display Collections and Easel Moments. ]

Thanks so much for stopping by Justyna! I think I have some painting to do now…

Happy, merry!
-Robyn

P.S. If you are interested in advertising with Paperie Boutique, please contact todd @ this domain. If you are a photographer and are interested in having your packaging featured – or are a vendor and are interested in having your business packaging, marketing ideas, or photography-related products featured – please contact robyn @ this domain to be added to the posting schedule.

very vintage

FREE downloads, a giveaway, and a prize-winner announcement…crazy Monday on tap!

First up, it’s beginning to look a lot like… I’ve been busy getting my 2010 Holiday card collection together for my clients. And now here’s a FREE one for you.

This is designed as a flat 5×7 holiday card (front and back) for print at ProDPI. (The ProDPI crop / bleed layer is included as a hidden layer.) If you choose to have these printed at another lab, please check the design in that lab’s template guidelines first!

The files are .psd files (front, back) and the layers can be hidden. However, the text and colors were not designed to be altered.

→ download link – front ← (please note this file was designed in CS2 and you must have Photoshop or Elements and know how to edit a .psd layered file — I do not provide technical support for this download)

→ download link – back ← (please note this file was designed in CS2 and you must have Photoshop or Elements and know how to edit a .psd layered file — I do not provide technical support for this download)

Templates are ©Robyn Pollman, 2010. All rights reserved. Templates may not be copied, resold, made available for download or given away elsewhere, or redistributed without my written permission.




Next up is a vendor / guest post by Shannon of Vintage U Creations.

My name is Shannon Johnston, I am a full time mommy, wife and photographer. My daughter Angelina is 2 years old and inspires me everyday to try new things and put my ideas to creations. My husband is amazing and definitely supports my every dream. I have been a photographer for a little over 2 years now and I just love it.

I’m inspired by so many amazing people. Like many photographers I am a PROP FREAK! I love the hats, pods, diaper covers, headbands – EVERYTHING! I decided to start making my own vintage inspired headbands. My style of photographer is different, I love the vintage look with the old stacked suitcases and damask backdrops with that vintage tint to the picture.. What better to top off that sweet newborn then a vintage headband!

I have been open for business for about a month or so and really wanted to get the word out about my new creations at “Vintage U Creations“.

I will have several different styles of headbands along with how the actual rosette looks. Some are wrapped, some are twisted, and others are layered and bunched. I like having a variety of looks.

You are welcome to browse my shop on Etsy at VintageU.etsy.com if you’re interested in purchasing one for your upcoming photoshoots! On my Etsy site, photographers who purchase my headbands and send me their photos will get a 20% discount off the price of their next purchase! How awesome is that? Just make sure you send me a message PRIOR to check out so I can adjust your pricing.

And one Paperie Boutique reader is going to get lucky today and win a headband of your choice! You can choose from any one of the pictures posted here. Here’s what you need to do – you have two chances to win:

1. Become a fan of Vintage U on Facebook. This is where I will post some fan only giveaways and promotions.

2. Go to your blog, Facebook, or Twitter account and post the following:

I want to win a free vintage headband by Vintage U Creations / VintageU.etsy.com over at PaperieBoutique.com by @paperieboutique

Then come back and comment here that you’ve done so – each entry requires its own separate comment. (In simple terms: If you want TWO chances to win, you have to do all two of the things listed above, and then make two separate comments telling us how you did them.) U.S. residents only, please.

Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, September 15th. You can enter up to two times total. Post that you have “liked” the Facebook fan page – or post the links to your Tweet, Facebook entry, or blog post – in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

ATTENTION: All links you post must direct to public-access accounts. We cannot verify links on private, friends & family only, or passworded accounts and they will not be eligible to win this item. If we have to subscribe to your feed or website – or request permission to see them – your entry will automatically be disqualified.

You can enter / post up to two total times – one entry each for the options listed above.

You have two chances to win, but only one chance PER OPTION – please do not post the same link multiple times. Duplicate links will be removed. Each entry requires its own separate comment to have multiple chances to win!

Comments on this entry will be numbered in order of posting. The winning number will be chosen by Random.org, and the winner will be contacted within 24 hours of contest’s end to claim their prize.

Comments are moderated and may be slow to be added today but they will be added by late afternoon or early evening.

UPDATE: The winner has been announced! Check it out!

Thank you so much for such a fun giveaway, Shannon!




And we have a winner in the *emera bag giveaway—it’s Heather-Dailey-Photography!

Congrats to Heather, huge thanks to Nathiya and *emera for the perfect prize, and thanks to everyone who entered!

Stay tuned this week for more surprises ahead!
-Robyn

P.S. If you are interested in advertising with Paperie Boutique, please contact todd @ this domain. If you are a photographer and are interested in having your packaging featured – or are a vendor and are interested in having your business packaging, marketing ideas, or photography-related products featured – please contact robyn @ this domain to be added to the posting schedule.