step one – cut a hole in a box

We recently asked our readers what you want to see on Paperie this year. One of the requests was inexpensive packaging. So today we’re going to talk DIY boxes. The examples shown below are small Favor / Gift Boxes, but you can create virtually any size of box if you look around enough!

This particular (FREE!) template comes from Holiday Crafts and Creations. You can find the template used here on their site.




First I selected the cardstock I wanted to use. This allows you to get creative with your packaging because you select the colors and prints you want to use. You’re not limited to a small swatch-selection on a website. Michael’s and Hobby Lobby both sell cardstock in pads and looseleaf. (The glitter-swirl and black and white damask prints below were both purchased looseleaf.) Sites like Crafty Steals also have amazing “paper bundle” deals.

Next I used a paper trimmer to cut the 12×12″ sheet down to 8.5×11″ each, and printed the box template on the back of each one.

Then I cut out each of the templates and used a scoring board and bone folder – scoring each fold line allows you to have perfect, crisp folds and creases. If you don’t have a scoring board and bone tool, you can also create a similar effect with a metal ruler and plastic butter knife (using the non-serrated side).

When assembling the box, the directions say to use double-sided tape or glue to hold two of the tabs into place. I like to use Tombow Mono permanent adhesive.

The template includes an inside box-bottom liner, so I gathered a few stamps and ink pads to leave a cute message inside of each one.

After assembling the boxes, I decorated them with ribbon. The double-sided, reversible ribbon shown here is from Hobby Lobby.

One of the cardstock prints was too thick to go through my printer, so I took the box template, erased all of the interior fold lines, and used my Silhouette Cameo Cutter to trace and cut it out. This would work great if you plan to assemble several boxes at one time! I printed another template (with fold lines) on thin copy paper, and used that as my guide to score the thicker cardstock.

To remove the cardstock from the cutting mat without tearing, I used a Cricut Spatula Tool.

And here you see the final result using different ribbons and embellishments to decorate each box. The cardstock and ribbon combinations are endless!

Now the boxes I’ve shown are obviously too small for prints – they would work better for small client gifts. However, (FREE!) templates exist online in just about every shape and size. You just have to look! Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Gift box with lid:
http://homemade-gifts-made-easy.com/make-your-own…html

2. Felt folded gift box:
http://curbly.com/users/diy-maven/posts/…make-a-folded-felt…

3. Cardstock pillow box:
http://linesacross.com/2012/04/make-your-own-paper…html

4. Several DIY box templates:
http://mias-craft-ideas.com/free-gift-box-templates.html

5. Origami gift box:
http://homemade-gifts-made-easy.com/make-your-own…html

6. Square gift box with heart lid:
http://homemade-gifts-made-easy.com/free-gift-box…html




We have a winner in our photograp[her] tee contest…and it’s Elissa!

Thanks to everyone who entered and congrats to Elissa! We’ll be in touch this weekend with instructions on how to claim your prize!




If you haven’t already, please “Like” our new Facebook fan page! For the first time ever you’ll be able to directly tag “@Paperie Boutique” when you post!

Over time, our previous page will become inactive and eventually be phased out. So make the switch ASAP!




Don’t forget to “Spring Forward” on your clocks this weekend!
-Robyn & Todd

stuck like glue

Here’s another bow tutorial – also designed to survive the pack’n’ship process!

You will need to have the following items on hand:

1.   Wide ribbon (1½” or wider)
2.   Thin ribbon (½” or wider – light wiring looks best)
3.   Accent ribbon (½” or wider – optional)
4.   Glue gun
5.   Xyron 150 “X” Create-a-Sticker Machine
6.   Jolee’s Boutique Santa Hats (optional)
7.   Jingle bells (optional)
8.   Christmas buttons (optional)
9.   Holiday floral picks
10. HB Photo Packaging 5×7″ boxes (wedding white & kraft)

First, take your widest ribbon and cut at 14″ long for a 5×7 (½” wide) box. Wrap around the box and hot glue the ends together. (I insert a postcard under the ribbon before gluing to make sure the box is not damaged.

Next, take the thinner ribbon and also cut a 14″ piece. Run the ribbon, top side facing up, through the Xyron “X” Create-a-Sticker. (The Xyron machine allows you to take any embellishments – ribbon, paper, chipboard, etc. – up to 1½” wide and turn them into “stickers”.)

Once you have run the entire length of ribbon through the Xyron, tear off paper / ribbon / plastic covering from the machine. Before removing the plastic covering, press down on the entire length of ribbon to make sure the adhesive “sticks” to the back of the ribbon. Then carefully peel off the plastic covering. Your ribbon will be adhered to the “sticker paper” and is ready to be removed. Essentially you have just created “ribbon tape”.

Determine the center of your ribbon tape and turn the photo box over, starting on the back. Center the ribbon tape from top-to-bottom and place on top of the wider ribbon, slowly and carefully wrapping it around the box. Go slow and keep it even! Turn the photo box back over and seal ends together on the top / center.

Now it’s time to start on the bow! Take your thinner ribbon and cut three additional strips – one 8″ long, one 6″ long, and one 4″ long. If using a separate accent ribbon as shown, cut that length 2½” long. You can also opt to make the entire bow with the same ribbon, and you would cut a fourth strip 2½” long.

Use your hot glue gun to join the ends of each individual ribbon strip, making a “ring”. Flatten the ribbon-rings (in the 8″, 6″, and 4″ sizes), seam side down, and put one small dot of hot glue in the inside-center of the ring and press together – essentially forming a “figure 8″.

Take the 8″ strip (now in a flat-8 shape) and put a dot of hot glue on the top center. Center the 6″ strip (now in a flat-8 shape) and press together. Put a dot of hot glue on the top center. Then center the 4″ strip (now in a flat-8 shape) and press together. Put a dot of hot glue on the top center. You will now press the smallest 2½” ribbon loop on the top-center of the bow.

I chose to hot glue a jingle bell in the center of the top loop on the bow (as shown). You could also use buttons, peppermints, mini candy canes, or scrapbooking embellishments.

Finally run a 2″ line of hot glue along the thin ribbon on the top center of your photo box. Center your bow and press. Remove the postcard once the glue has dried. If using wired ribbon, you can now “fluff” the loops on the bow. Voilà!

For this box, I cut the end off of a Jolee’s Boutique Santa Hat, making it into a “planter”. Before I hot glued the bow on, I hot glued a red berry floral pick underneath. I put a couple of pieces of craft-moss in the “planter” with the red berry “tree” attached inside the hat-planter (under the moss) – carefully using hot glue to adhere all of the pieces.

For this box, I hot glued a Christmas button in the bottom right corner, and then attached a Jolee’s Boutique Santa Hat on top. My business name is “Buttons and Bows Photography” so this incorporates both elements of that name.

Check out Shelly’s Buttons and More for more package-decoration inspiration! A few of my favorite items are the gingerbread men, holly buttons, snowflakes, and Christmas lights.




We have a couple of recent contest winners to announce! The winner in our WISE Holiday Mini-Portrait Event Sales & Marketing Kit by photoDUDS is…Toni M Photography!

And the winner of our Paperie holiday giftwrap prize package is…Tiffany Hendrickson Photography!

Thanks to everyone who entered, a special thank you to Beth Forester Photography and photoDUDS for the awesome prize, and congrats to both of our winners! We’ll be in touch early this week with information on how to claim your prizes!




Hey, guess what? Our Fit to Print store sale was featured on the Clickin Moms Facebook page on Sunday!

Right now Paperie Boutique is running their annual “Buy the Store” sale…every template “Fit to Print” sells, plus some templates, exclusive to Paperie-only, for $5.00!! Wait until you see everything that’s included in this amazing sale!! Don’t miss it!

http://paperieboutique.com/2012/10/07/fit_to_print_again/

From October 7th through Sunday, October 21st, 2012 (11:59 p.m. EST) the ENTIRE Fit to Print store is on sale again for just $5 – including templates available exclusively here at Paperie Boutique!

Included in the “Buy the Store” sale are:

1.   5×5 portrait care card with wording
2.   4×5 product guarantee card with wording
3.   5×5 referral program card with wording
4.   2½ x 3½ referral program wallet with wording
5.   referral program terms for your website
6.   10-panel pano Client Welcome Kit
7.   three 20×10 storyboards
8.   10×5 mini-storyboard
9.   5 × 3½ mini storyboard
10. Press-Printed Card Supplement Packet / Press-Printed Card Release
11. two Moo minicard templates
12. 5×7 wide format promotional piece / client information packet
13. “Special Delivery” tags
14. postcard birth announcement / mailers
15. 5×7 wide format promotional piece / client information packet
16. matching business card / postcard for “design five”
17. Moo sticker templates
18. Moo folded holiday / Christmas card templates
19. Moo business card promotion templates
20. press-printed paper sample kit
21. Zazzle custom ring binder templates

You can find more details—and the “Buy Now” button to purchase—here.

And make sure you follow our Facebook page – we’re giving these templates away at random all week long! The next lucky winner could be you!




Have a great week and check in tomorrow!
-Robyn & Todd

I’m a cutter

Wanted to share one of my amazing recent finds – the i-magicut by imaginisce.

This handy tool cuts and heat-seals the ends of ribbon up to 3″-wide. No more fraying! You can cut straight edges, on the diagonal, and even the popular “Chevron” cut. It takes 4AA batteries and heats in under 5 seconds. Here’s a pop-up video to walk you through what this product does step-by-step:

I love mine so much, I now have two “just in case“. Amazon has them on sale for $15.77 right now. (Scrapbook.com is out of stock, but they also sell them for $19.99.)

Go. Buy. Now. You’ll thank me later!

(Or better yet – try and win it here!)

And if you missed our Moo Luxe business card post, scroll on ↓ down ↓ !




Check back soon for more great features and giveaways!
-Robyn & Todd

P.S. “Like” the new Panache Collective Facebook page!

so boss

Everyone getting ready for the 2nd annual Wrap Battle that kicks off on December 2nd? Here’s another great way to spice up your packaging – heat embossing!

I started the “habit” a couple of weeks ago and absolutely love it! Here are a few tips and tools of the trade to get you started…

And read ’til the end to find out how to win a heat embossing tool of your own!

Shown in the above photo: Martha Stewart Heat Embossing Tool, VersaMark Watermark Stamp Pad, VersaMark Dazzle Watermark Stamp Pad Frost, Martha Stewart Embossing Stamp Pad, and Tidy Crafts No Spill TrayMate

Shown in the above photo: Opaque White Embossing Powder, Ranger Rich Red Embossing Powder, Martha Stewart Crafts Scandinavian Wooden Stamp Set, VersaMark Watermark Stamp Pad, and HB Photo Packaging kraft 5×7 box

First take your stamp, press into the clear stamp pad (just like a regular ink stamp), and stamp the box or paper you will be embossing. I suggest a few trial runs first to get the hang of it! (Martha Stewart has more detailed instructions here.)

Then pour your embossing powder over the area you’ve just stamped.

Tap the item to remove the excess powder, and your stamp will have the powder covering it. You might need a small brush to remove excess powder – you don’t want to emboss it as well! Take the heat tool and cover the stamped / powdered area until you see it transform from a “powder” finish to a “slick” / embossed finish.

Let dry and repeat with additional stamps / colors!





For this heat embossed stamp: VersaMark Watermark Stamp Pad, custom logo stamp, Ranger Silver Embossing Powder, and Paper Source Pool A7 envelope

Shown in the above photos: VersaMark Dazzle Watermark Stamp Pad Frost, Opaque White Embossing Powder, Ranger Silver Embossing Powder, Paper Source button stamps, Martha Stewart Crafts Scandinavian Wooden Stamp Set, Tidy Crafts No Spill TrayMate, and Rice Eco Chic Peacock CD Sleeve

Used for this heat embossed stamp: Paper Source Bah Humbug Rubber Stamp, VersaMark Watermark Stamp Pad, Ranger Silver Embossing Powder, Martha Stewart Heat Embossing Tool, and HB Photo Packaging aqua/aqua 8×10 box

Shown in the above photo: Ranger Rich Red Embossing Powder, Martha Stewart Crafts Scandinavian Wooden Stamp Set, Recollections Glacier Opaque Embossing Powder, EK Success Martha Stewart “All Occasions” Clear Stamps, and Stampendous clear acrylic small rectangle Stamp Handle




And now one lucky Paperie reader will win a Martha Stewart Heat Embossing Tool (value $25.00)!

1. Go to your Facebook and Twitter accounts and post the following on either or both (then tell us where you did):

Win a Martha Stewart heat embossing tool just in time for the holidays at PaperieBoutique.com / @PaperieBoutique – http://is.gd/GSnxmU

2. Friend / Like / Follow Paperie Boutique on Facebook and come back here and let us know (or tell us you’re already a fan)

3. Follow Paperie Boutique on Twitter and come back here and let us know (or tell us you’re already a follower)

4. Share your favorite giftwrap / packaging photo on Pinterest – post the link here in the comments. (Here’s my packaging board to get you started!)

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

Comment that you have posted to your Twitter and/or Facebook account(s), with a link to where you did it – or that you’ve liked the us on Facebook and/or Twitter – or your favorite Pinterest giftwrap photo – in separate comments here 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, a website, or forum – or request permission to see them – your entry will automatically be disqualified.

Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Thursday, November 17th. You can enter up to FIVE times total. Post that you have met the individual requirements in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

You can enter / post up to five 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 FIVE 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 48-72 hours of the winner-announcement to claim their prize.




Speaking of contests, we have a winner to announce in the THEIT camera bag contest…it’s Paola Pinto!

Thanks to everyone who entered, congrats to Paola, and a special thanks to THEIT for the amazing giveaway!

And we have THREE winners in the Artsy Couture giveaway…Jennifer Alvi, Troy Branch, and Tammy Ali Photography!

Once again thanks to everyone who entered, congrats to the three winners, and a huge round of applause times three for one of our favorite vendors Artsy Couture!

If you’re one of the winners listed above, I’ll be in touch in the next couple of days with details on how to collect your prizes, so watch for it!

Stay tuned this week – more giveaways / fun on the way!
-Robyn & Todd

here we go loopty-loop

Like me, many of you are packing client orders like crazy right now or are about to… In the past I’ve shared a demo on how to make a “flat bow” for shipping.

Now I’m sharing a demo on how to make a “loop bow” that will also survive the pack’n'ship process.

First, you need to have 1 – 1½” ribbon on hand and a hot glue gun. Wired ribbon is optional, but will hold a prettier shape. Cut four strips approximately 8½” long, and one shorter strip approximately 3½” long.

Take your hot glue gun and put a line of glue down the ribbon’s edge on one side – then press the other side down on top of the glue to create a loop.

You will end up with five ribbon loops – four large and one small.

Divide the four larger loops into two pairs. For each pair you will want to glue one loop on top of the other making an “X” shape as shown. All this takes is a dab of glue in the center of one loop, and then pressing the other loop on top of it to make an “X”.

Now take your two “X” loop pairs and keep one as an “X”, and turn the other to make a “+” sign as shown.

Put a dab of hot glue in the center of the “X” and place the “+” on top of it – gluing the two loop pairs together as shown.

Now take the small loop that remains and run a line of hot glue down the seam on the back side. Attach it to the center of the larger loops already glued together.

If you wish, take additional ribbon to wrap around the package length-wise and width-wise and hot glue into place. (I place a business card under the areas I’m gluing so that no glue accidentally gets on the box.)

Now glue the bow to the ribbon around the box, or the box itself. Puff up each of the loops with your fingers and voilà!

Here are a couple of other examples showing wired ribbon and grosgrain. You can also hot glue embellishments to the center of the bows.

And there you have it – a pretty loop bow in ten steps or less! Just in time for the upcoming annual packaging contest…

Have a great weekend!
-Robyn & Todd

P.S. We have two awesome giveaways right now, so don’t forget to scroll down and enter!

haute couture

Remember the amazing packaging contest we had last year? Well it’s back this year and it’s going to be even more amazing!

Don’t forget when you’re busy wrapping up your client and / or holiday orders to stop for a minute and take photos of your beautiful creations before delivering them. The second annual business and holiday packaging contest kicks off on Friday, December 2nd!

Don’t know where to start? Paper Source always has great video tutorials! And with just one of the prizes being a $500 store credit to HB Photo Packaging, it will definitely be worth your time!

Watch this space for more updates in the coming days! And happy wrapping!




New week, new deal for Paperie readers! Today we have a vendor / guest post by Beth Forester of photoDUDS!

“Be Artsy!”

Beth Forester of photoDUDS has just released a new line of templates created just for Artsy Couture Gallery Blocks.

Let’s face it, Artsy Couture Gallery Blocks are one of the hottest items this year. With these designs you’ll be able to impress your clients by offering these upscale custom designed items in your studio.

There are SEVEN different templates designed to work specifically with the Artsy Couture Line. These fully-layered templates are super-easy to customize so you can change the colors to match your photographs.

Not using the Artsy line yet…well look no more because all of these templates also include files for deep Canvas Gallery Wraps.

So, you get two products for the price of one!

And as an introductory offer, these designs are on sale in the photoDUDS store for 20% off. Or you can save 50% off and buy the bundle!

Plus, Beth Forester of photoDUDS is offering Paperie Boutique followers an additional 20% off* the already reduced items or anything else in the photoDUDS store. So not only can you get the special introductory prices but you can save an additional 20%. So head on over to the photoDUDS store and use the exclusive Paperie code: paperie20

*Offer expires November 9, 2011.

Thanks to photoDUDS for stopping by with this incredible offer for our readers!




Earlier this year we featured MamaThredz maternity portrait ensembles from The Art of Pregnancy and Newborn. (TAoPaN)

Yesterday I was lucky enough to photograph a maternity session for Buttons and Bows Photography using the “Sassy – All Mama” gown. You can see the results above (click images for lager pop-ups). To purchase, visit MamaThredz.




Have a great week everyone and check back soon!
-Robyn & Todd

in living color

Today is jam-packed full of “pretty” and creativity! First up, we have a guest / vendor post and giveaway from Vintage U Creations. And don’t miss the color-inspiration discussion at the end of this post!

Looking for some goodies to add to your prop collection? Here they are! Vintage U Creations is your one stop shop for photography needs! From vintage inspired headbands, to camera necklaces, actions, tutorials and more you won’t be disappointed while browsing through this site. This darling little shop was started by Shannon, a fellow photographer herself. She wanted to add some fun to her sessions with some cute headbands, they were a big hit!

Each piece is hand crafted and made with love. The headbands are SUPER stretchy, so instead of buying the same headband in different sizes, you can save you money and get a variety with one headband and use it for a newborn and adult!

Every headband is different, each one has it’s only style so it fits the needs of every customer.

That’s not all Vintage U Creations offers… Want to be the envy of all your photographer friends? Then you need to pick up one of these “Vintage Camera Necklaces” with your choice of center gem in red, purple, soft pink, and clear.

We love these necklaces SO much that one lucky reader is going to win their very own camera necklace with choice of center gem!

So what do you need to do to win?? Head over to the Vintage U Creations shop at vintageucreations.bigcartel.com and comment here which piece in the shop is your favorite.

Then for a second chance to win “like” Vintage U Creations on Facebook – tell them that Paperie Boutique sent you – and then come back here and let us know you did so.

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

Comment(s) must be posted here by 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, March 18th. You can enter up to two times total. Post that you have met both requirements in separate comments to have multiple chances to win!

You can enter / post twice – one entry each for 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 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 24-72 hours of contest’s end to claim their prize.

Good Luck!!

Thanks to Vintage U Creations for stopping back by with another incredible giveaway for Paperie readers!




One of the hardest parts about deciding what ‘branding’ look you are going for is picking out a color scheme.

I recently ran across a site colorschemedesigner.com that will help you do just that with ease.

First you select a color from the color wheel and then it will show you similar coordinating colors.

Here I’ve selected another color from the wheel, and clicked the compliment tab – it will add in additional color families that go together well.

You can also view your color schemes (another complimenting set shown above) how they would look together on a webpage – in both light and dark combinations.

Web page demos are also offered in light (and dark) when more than one color group is selected. You just have to play around with all the dials and have fun!

The Colors Palette Generator allows you to upload any image and view a color palette based on the image’s primary colors. I uploaded one of my recent photos as an example. It even gives you the hex # to duplicate colors in web designs.

Similar color generators of note:
1. kuler.adobe.com
2. colorhunter.com
3. colorcombos.com

These color sites would work great in conjunction with “inspiration boards” on Pinterest to design an entire brand and web presence around the things (and colors schemes) you love!




Quick reminder – you have until 11:59 p.m. EDT tonight to win a maternity session ensemble from TAoPaN.

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.

(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.

welcome mat(erials)

Recently on an entry by Courtney Reece Photography, we had a couple of requests to show how to put together a “client welcome kit” (and to list what typically goes in one). Although I can’t speak for everyone, as photographers and photography-genres can all vary quite a bit, I did recently take step-by-step photos of what goes in mine…

First I include a paper sample kit (featured previously on Paperie here and here). Most of my packages include announcements or holiday cards (or the ability to purchase cards as an add-on) so I like to give each client a better idea of the paper and envelope choices available from the various print labs I use. Every card a client sends has my logo and URL on the back, so they are wonderful advertising for my business, and a ‘status symbol’ of sorts that Buttons and Bows Photography was their photographer. As such, I want them to select their personal preferences for the product rather than me just choosing the paper and envelope types for them.

Each paper and envelope choice is clearly labeled. I purposely use the color red in the card samples because not all card stocks start off as “pure white”. Some can have a blue cast, and others yellow. Red really highlights the differences in the final products. They can easily see how the same images change hues when printed on different papers.

Since my clients order online, I feel the only way to guide new parents through this process is to give them something to hold and feel when picking out announcements and cards. It’s simply too much to remember from the prior in-person consultations, and easier on them also means easier for me.

You can purchase my paper sample kit template at my site “Fit to Print“.

Next I include a “wall design” mini-booklet. You can see this featured previously on Flickr here.

I designed my wall gallery booklet with the help of a Pinkle Toes 4 Photographers template. If you are not a member of PT4P, other options are:

1. Photographer’s Wall Display Guide (featured on Paperie)
2. Gradybug Designs (set 1, set 2)
3. Design Aglow (Portraits I, Portraits II, Canvases)
4. Melissa Davis Designs (Wall Display)
5. The Savvy Photographer (Savvy Size Guide)
6. Simply Walls
7. Jamie Schultz Designs (Ordering – Wall Display Brochure)
8. Kori and Kate (Portrait Wall Displays)
9. Pink Ink Studios (Order Form with Wall Displays)

The pages of my mini-booklet are 4×5 photo prints that I adhere back-to-back with Tombow MONO Permanent Adhesive. The final page is a press-printed card and includes a ruled-lined page for client note-taking. I hole punch the top left corner of each page, place them together on a binder ring, and hot-glue my trademark button & bow on the ring-top. The completed booklets are placed inside envelopes from Paper Source.

I also tuck in my 2010 Client Information Kit. You can see the 2009 version here on Flickr. (And you can purchase the 2007-2008 “wide-format 5×7″ version here on “Fit to Print”.)

The 2010 accordion-version includes a pocket with business cards, cards for my referral program, and any promotional items. Each panel of the accordion provides information and tips for the various types of sessions included in client packages, and also explains my shooting style and business philosophy. The kit also has a section that gives each client their username and password for their personal Buttons and Bows Photography website.

I print these accordion cards at Miller’s. The outer envelope is from Paper Source, and the card pocket envelope is from Action Envelope.

At the end, everything is gathered into a 2-pocket folder by Envelopper Inc. (You can see an older photo of this posted to Flickr here.) In the left-side slit, I include a self-addressed, stamped #10 business envelope (printed at Vistaprint). In the right-side slits, I include “appointment reminder” business cards with the dates of their scheduled sessions. The left pocket includes everything that needs to be returned to me (and this is noted in a sticker placed on the pocket) — this includes all contracts and adult / minor model releases. The right pocket includes their copy of the contract (to keep), relevant session information ‘tip sheets’, and four envelopes (paper sample kit, wall gallery booklet, information kit, and a handwritten thank you card for booking with me). Envelopes are sealed with my cute little Moo stickers – new Moo.com customers can get 10% off their orders through 9/30 with the code W9K55V.

I add my signature button & bow to the outside of the folder, and then place these inside of an outer presentation envelope from Paper Source, ready to mail. My clients love having everything organized in one folder for quick access and reference. I shoot primarily maternity and newborn sessions, so life is chaotic enough preparing for a new arrival. I don’t want to add to the clutter and confusion if at all possible.

Other photographers have featured their welcome packets here on Paperie in the past. Make sure to look through the archives for ideas and inspiration! A few of note are:

1. Julie Rollins Photography
2. Carrie Small Photography (and a follow-up post)
3. Heather Garland Photography
4. Denton Boudoir Photography
5. Stylized Portraiture
6. France Photography
7. Gail Werner Photography
8. The Captured Life Photography

You can find more vendors I use and recommend here. So what are you waiting for? Get started on yours! (And then send us the photos and share with the class!)

And totally unrelated…but In Character Costumes are on SALE at HauteLook right now. The sale ends at 8:00 a.m. PDT on Monday the 20th. Don’t miss it!

The Kotori Photo Jewelry giveaway ends Saturday, September 18th, at 11:59 p.m. EDT.

Happy (almost) weekend!
-Robyn

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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.