I checked out GotPrint.com tonight.

They've got a boatload more backgrounds!

But they INSIST cmyk is used, while the other sites merely suggest it.

For those who don't have high end version of programs, getting cmyk can be a limitation.

Just a thought,
Tod Torrent

Well,

IF you use their design templates no problem. But if you send the a jpg or pdf with your file all things are fine.... I get most of my printing done at at gotprint!

Curtis, so are you saying that in your experience with GotPrint, cmyk files are not actually required? That you've used rgb's instead?

Tod,

I send a jpg image of a pdf file of my art work to gotprint.com and I have had no problem.

Guys if you want to see some of my postcards from got print
PVT me a mailing address and I will send you a few!

Here is a photo of my mailings for today..... OFF to the post office to get stamps!

I have sent off all the request for my postcards yesterday!

Click here to view attached image.

I have to agree with Curtis on the prices at GotPrint.com

I just placed an initial order, so we'll see.


Chris

With so many online printers out there, you really can get great oprices on full color double-sided printing of almost anything. This is a huge change ion say what was out there 5 years ago. As a designer, I have seen a switch of even my own clients going more for digital printing because the quality is still good and the cost savings are huge for certain runs. You can also get much smaller minimum runs with digital printing.

The only thing you really want to be aware of is that all online printers are NOT the same. You really must watch out for certain things and test them out before you decide to have them print your work. This is why I always ask for samples of printed peices to be sent to me so I can check out quality of the printing and of the paper. I also check out their file formats and how they like to receive the files. This makes it much easier for me or your designer to set the files up the correct way saving you time and money.

Kyle

Curtis
You must do about 5,000 jobs a year, and your mailing has got to be as time consuming as a full time day job, so my question to you is when do you sleep?

I would be more curious as to Curtis' success rate. I !@#ume you are tracking your rsults of your mailings? If so I would be curious to see what the results are from the mailing. That is if you do not mind sharing it with me.

Kyle

Hello guys,

Here some answers to your questions.

My results vary on the postcards.
I find postcards a great success with casting agents, talent agents, and entertainment buyer agents. It is quick and tells them who you are.
Al, no I do not do 5000 shows a a year. I would not want to do that many. I am picky about which shows I do. I do not accept every job that comes in or I am not the right fit for every job request. I like to do about 4 to 10 jobs a month, accept for the end of Nov and Dec which I do about 30 to 45 holiday shows, and I usually take Jan and Feb off to travel.

For companies I have landed some big whoppers....
Also, my PO box is full of returns about 1000 a year.
Al, I spend about 4 to 6 hours a month on the postcards... I also have a small staff that helps me the mailings and other promotional things.

Networking events have been a great success for me as well.... check out ISES, NACE, MOIP and since I am living in LA I attend the red carpet events, launch parties, etc which leads to a lot of possibilities.

Cheers

Kyle
I think you should do it the way that Curtis does it, and feel free to send me all of the jobs that you can't do. With those kind of numbers we both should easily be able to make six figures a year. Recession what recession?

Curtis
I do about 3 to 4 jobs a weekend, but I only get paid 3 figures for each job.

Al,

I could easily do 10 jobs a week. I actually I have four this week and 5 other gigs spread out the month of June.

I do past about 10 job leads a month to other magicians in the area or to agents I work with.

The postcards I send out are for television shows, agents, producers and other projects I work on... Last year or so, I was on 7 major shows and in some major publication as well as smaller ones.... Plus as some know, I have been working on my own reality show which is already produced and edited..... Which does not lead me lots of time to do smaller gigs unless they are last minute and I feel up to them. Hence why I have not been posting that often on TMC...

When I send postcards out for " regular shows" they go to HR departments of major companies, country clubs, brides to be, PR companies and talent buyers..... I tend to buy and make our own list.

Al, you brought if price, I do try to go for the four to five figure shows when the budget allows. But, price is not always the main factor for me.

A. if they have seen me before or referral
B. if it is good for the resume
C. if the project is cool or a typical job
D. IF I like the client
C. if I am not over worked at the time....

But, my goals are differnt than many others on this board. In the begging of my career I use to try to do every show... But now I am trying to break into Hollywood.
Which is an entire new ball game....


Cheers

Only thing I have to contribute is Expresscopy.com .

They do 100 full color jumbo postcards for $69.

That includes printing, addressing, Barcoding, and first class postage as well as lamination. Full color printing on both sides Zip sorting, and delivery to the post office.

Not sure if this is or is not a good deal. In "general" they cater to the real estate market.

Danny,

Gotprint.com does 5000 cards for like $106. Full color on both sides and coated.... But they are not jumbo....

Just checking. I am completly ignorant of that sort of thing, which is why I asked.

Thanks.

Curits:

Do you only use regular 4x6 sized postcards, or do you ever use the larger sized cards, which of course cost more in postage?

Chris

Chris,

I use the regular size postcards. I try to keep the cost down as much as possible.
Gotprint.com does have a great rate on oversize postcards too.... They are located in Burbank Ca and I have been to their location a few times... The place is works like clock work and a huge building and staff.... They process about 4500 orders of b-cards a day and about 5500 orders of postcards.... I see this on their little goal board in their office...

p.s.
thanks for the scanned article from magic mag....

http://www.clubflyers.com

Has some pretty good deals.

I haven't compared the prices with the

other companies that have been mentioned.