Well I think I did it! (update)

[ChristopherCoy]

Long story short, the place where we board our horse is a rescue and they are having a 'Farm Day' to benefit the rescue and raise awareness. I knew it was happening, I just didn't know the scale of it all. I figured it would be a few hundred people from the local community showing up for a few hours, etc. WRONG~! I found out last night that over 25,000 invitations for the event were mailed, and they are expecting 1000+ people to actually turn out. HBO, the movie channel, got word of the event and they are sending the star of the sequal to My Friend Flicka (the movie with Tim McGraw), to make an appearance and promote the movie. (Sadly its not Tim). They are having like 3 bands playing on a stage, food, vendors, pony rides, games, and kids will plant a garden.

Ok, so this is a little longer than planned....

Anyway, I was 'forcefully volunteered' to give chicken keeping demonstrations all day, since I'm the only 'chicken person' out there. And I also gave them a free session to give away for door prizes or raffles or whatever they are doing. HOWEVER.... I DID NOT know that they were setting me up with a booth for my biz, and was surprised with the news that I only received LAST NIGHT! So now I have to get a 12x12 booth together, complete with table, prints, and information before next Saturday!!! Hello mass chaos!

My first question is, how many of you have used VistaPrint? They normally wouldn't be my first choice for any kind of printing, but I can get 500 folded business cards for half the price of my regular lab. The reason I'm thinking about this is because they can contain lots of information on the inside, thus doubling as a brochure, while reducing my cost since I'm on a strict budget for a one week setup time.

My second question is, if you do or have done shows, how many large prints do you generally show? To squeeze everything out of this budget, I'm thinking about 3 16x20 metallic prints mounted on triple weight artboard, instead of 16x20 gallery wraps. They'll be on easles behind the table, and I'll probably put at least 2 framed 11x14's on the table. I'm going to print some informational 8x10's that will be on the table as well.

And my third question is, do you have any creative ideas for promotional items on a budget? Someone suggested a roll of Smarties candies attached to each card.

Ugh! I've only got 2 days off from my 'joe' job this week.... its gonna be a long week.

[TheFantasticG]

All I can do is.... ....well, good luck!

[Jeff_Green]

I've used vistaprint a couple of times and have been fairly pleased. I had one bad experience with them but I believe it was my fault in the uploading of the image. They worked with me quickly and got everything corrected with no problems. My last order was two sided business cards with images on both sides.

I would use them again.

[slallen]

My non-profit uses GotPrint.com The service has been great and I have never been disappointed in the print quality for my full color trifold brochures and cards. We used vistaprint years ago was not a bad service, just found gotprint to be a little easier on the pocket book.

[CaptainTom]

I've had no experience with vista print except for business cards.

It seems like the investment should be worthwhile if you can market to so many people.

Good luck. Be prepared for wind. Have your camera on a tripod, and
if it isn't windy, put up a softbox. It will fill up your space and notify them that you are a photographer.

[picman]

I used Online Color Printing Services for Brochures, Postcards, Catalogs to print 4k two-sided cards last Christmas. I was very happy with the quality and turn-around. I chose paper proofs and the real product was in my hand the next day.

Brian

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

Good luck. Be prepared for wind. Have your camera on a tripod, and if it isn't windy, put up a softbox. It will fill up your space and notify them that you are a photographer.

Good idea Tom!

Only problem is that I'll be giving chicken keeping demonstrations so I'm hoping to find a friend to help me man the booth. And even when its NOT windy, its windy at the ranch! The pastures are up on a hill, and the wind doesn't quit. Thats a good idea though, I'll see what I can fill it with.

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by picman

I used Online Color Printing Services for Brochures, Postcards, Catalogs to print 4k two-sided cards last Christmas. I was very happy with the quality and turn-around. I chose paper proofs and the real product was in my hand the next day.

Brian

OOOH!! That company has business card magnets at 500 for $81. Magnets stick around longer... LOL

[Redneck]

I've used Vista Print for a couple of different products (business card, magnet, ...) and I wouldn't do it again.
The products were cheap, but they really looked cheap, too. Not a good thing when you want to leave a positive and professional impression.

[Jeff_Green]

I found that the "free" cards obviously looked pretty cheap because they were. Even the cheap ones you paid for looked cheap. I did find that if I ordered the better, more expensive cards that the quality reflected it... as it should.

If I hire a photographer because they are the cheapest, what should I expect them to return to me? Cheap looking photographs... er... snapshots.

[debbry531]

For my booths, I have a bunch of easels with 16x20/24s, some 20x30s, a few 12x18s - I've also on occasion used a couple 24x36s but they're a little too cumbersome. I sprinkle in smaller framed shots, and I tend to also set out mounted 8x10/8x12s (just loose). [I err on the too much side rather than the too sparse.] I also have an album and/or book on display (like a mini-portfolio) and some mini-accordians. I set out business cards and 5x7 postcards, and my promotional items have been custom post-its (and I also usually have dog treats and blow-pops to give away). If you're supplying your own tent (if you need one, try Sam's), I'd recommend putting at least a couple of the sides down to help with the wind. It doesn't take a whole lot to knock over a mounted print on an easel.

When picking out prints to use, I'd recommend trying to show a variety - large goofy dog and smaller purse dog; black & white and color -- basically broad enough that at least one hopefully will appeal to just about everybody (it's fascinating to watch which shots certain people gravitate towards - I have a handful that are always popular, but they are very different from each other).

I ordered postcards through GotPrint - I'm pretty happy with them.

[ChristopherCoy]

I think I'm going to go with the Vista Print folded business cards with a glossy finish. Its like $80 for 500, I can put an image on the front and the back, and fill the inside with inforamation. I'd love to have trifold brochures and business cards, but with such short notice and slim budget I've got to make lemonade... and in a hurry.

I'm also ordering a 4x2.5 foot vinyl banner from Vista Print with my logo, to hang on the front of my table. I wont have a tent unless I can borrow one from a family member.

Debbie,
Thanks for the tip about the variety. I'll definitely take that into consideration when I'm picking my prints tonight and tomorrow. The prints will be metallic and they are coming from WHCC so they should look nice. I just haven't decided if I want to pay extra for them to mount the pics on foamboard, or if I want to try and do it myself. The cheapo in me says to DIY it, but the 'wanna do it right' person says to let them. So I dont know. I thought about the dog treat thing, but people shouldn't be bringing their dogs and I doubt the treats would make it home.... the last thing we need is horses overdosing on dog treats that are dropped in the pasture.

[iCe]

I'm just glad you're just a chicken keeper...

[J Eddington]

4 Over is MUCH less expensive!

[miffed67]

I've bought business cards from Vistaprint and they're fantastic. Great quality, excellent printing. That said, I've also ordered door magnets (the kind you put on your car), and was less than happy with them, but they were cheap, so there you go. All in all, have had really good experiences with Vistaprint.

And good luck!