Photo Cards: creative possibilities

The holiday season is quickly approaching, which means greeting cards may be on your mind.

We get a ton of requests for printing folded greeting cards. Unfortunately, printing on card stock is a totally different printing process than photographic or giclee fine art printing, so we can't just print them up anytime we want. We've looked into finding a good partner to offer the services, but haven't found one yet that meets our criteria in terms of quality, turnaround & guarantee. Until we do, we'd be happy to help you make photo cards.

We've got some great ideas (that many of you are already using) that we think can make for some really attractive and high quality cards.

Combining Images and Text:
Using Photographic Paper to make your promo prints, invitations and greeting cards can help you cut through all the clutter and make something that really stands out.

I (Sara) got married this past August. Here are some examples of invitations I sent out for my "Save the Date", engagement party and bridal shower.

All of the images were created by combining a single image with text in PhotoShop. I created 5x7 images, ordered 5x7 prints from those images and then sent the prints to my guests in greeting card envelopes that I picked up from an office supply store. Easy peasy. :)

Because the photo cards are more than just invitations, because they feature actual photographs, people seem to save them. While greeting cards eventually get tossed, photographic prints are put on display.



For information regarding file preparation, please click here.

Premade Photo Mount & Frame Cards:
We have heard from a few different customers that they purchase photographic prints from iPrintfromHome.com and then insert them into premade photo frame cards.
You can purchase these types of premade cards from a variety of vendors. Here are two sources that we've heard good things about: Blick Art and RediMat.

DIY Photo Cards:
If you're the creative type (and, we know tons of you are!), you might be interested in a more crafty approach. click here to watch a video that we found on About.com where Rebecca Ludens gives step-by-step instruction for creating your own photo cards.

Best Practices:
We've included sample images in this article to give you some ideas. But, many of you have some great designs that you've been ordering that we would love to share with your fellow customers. We'd like to create a page on the site where people can share their ideas and tips about creating photo cards, invitations and posters combining images and text. If you have a design or tip that you'd like to share, please contact us to let us know.

Happy Creating!!

Thanks,
the iPrintfromHome.com team

Website Improvements

We launched a new version of our homepage! Check it out and let us know what you think.

Almost every decision that we make around here is based on customer feedback. If you have an idea or a question or some constructive criticism, please don't hesitate to contact us. We'd love to hear what you have to say.

Click here to send us an e-mail and let us know what you think.

Thanks,
the iPrintfromHome.com team

What, How & Why: A Closer Look - Featuring Jennifer Jackson

At iPrintfromHome.com, we work with artists and photographers from across the United States and Canada. We're inspired everyday by the images that they send to us and by the stories they share.

In our "What, How & Why" interview series, we take a closer look at some of these fascinating people.

We've asked each participating artist or photographer three simple questions:

1. What do you do?
2. How do you do it?
3. Why do you use iPrintfromHome.com?

Please read on to find out more about Jennifer Jackson.






Jennifer Jackson
Photographer
Chicago, IL

What do you do?
During the day, I teach art at New Trier high school in Winnetka, Illinois. We still have wet darkroom, which is really fabulous. I also teach drawing and painting, but my heart is photography. I love, love teaching what I adore to the future generations.


On the weekends and evenings, I create fine art photography primarily with my plastic cameras and my twin lens reflex. My photography documents places I have travelled and the aesthetics of architectural facades or evolving landscapes. I am an exhibiting artist and iPrintfromHome always has my back when it comes to printing outside the darkroom. I also own my own photography business called,

jennography is...
jennifer jackson photography (jennography.net)

I photograph weddings, portraits and events with my Nikon D700. I rely on iPrintfromHome for my printing because of their quality and efficiency.

How do you do it?
(re. teaching) I breathe. My husband reminds me to do so all the time; he teaches at New Trier too, so he knows the drill. I organize. I love color coded lists and calendars. Most weeks I'm working seven days a week so things can get a bit crazy. Two words: google calendar!

>My art making and business philosophy is simple. Document truthfully. Adapt to situations, don't force them to adapt to you. I shoot film as much as possible because I believe in traditions; I also embrace innovations and have enjoyed the marriage between film and digital. For post-process I want my b&w photography to look eloquent (even if the subject matter isn't), I keep my edits simplistic. I want my color photography to be bold so I tend to cross-process my film (accentuates the color). I always follow my intuitions and trust that all the years in art school and teaching art will lead me on the right path.

Why do you use iPrintfromHome.com?
I was first introduced to iPrintfromHome when I was in grad school. I needed digital slides for my day lab. I was making poloroid transfers and lifts and wanted to use some of my old negatives. I was blown away by the quality, price, and speed. I have been hooked ever since and spread the word about this amazing company whenever I get the chance. I have used iPrintfromHome for all of my printing. I trusted them to print my solo graduate exhibition, wedding photography, and portraits. I think I would cry buckets and buckets if they ever went away...so please don't!! I have tried other companies and they pale in comparison. Thank you for all of the years of amazing prints--you make my art sing!

Contact Information:


Jennifer Jackson
jennography.net
jennograph.blogspot.com

Understanding Resolution and DPI

Digital images are made up of dots (pixels). And, the more dots a digital image has, the clearer the image, which is why you want to use high resolution (lots of dots) images to make Photographic Prints and Fine Art Prints.

We have prepared an article titled "Understanding DPI and Pixel Dimensions" to help you prepare your digital files to get the best possible Photographic Prints and Fine Art Prints. The article provides information about the meaning of DPI and explains how the pixel dimensions of a digital file will impact the clarity and resolution of prints that you produce from that digital file

Please click here to download the article "Understanding DPI and Pixel Dimensions"

Printing Options - Paper Surfaces and Printing Processes

At iPrintfromHome.com, we offer 8 different types of prints. We're regularly asked to explain the difference between the various options. Please read on to learn more about the Printing Processes we use and the choices you have when you order prints from iPrintfromHome.com.

We use two different printing processes at iPrintfromHome.com: (1) Photographic Printing and (2) Giclee or Photo Inkjet printing.

Photographic Prints
Our Photographic Prints are traditional Photographic Prints. They are printed by exposing light sensitive paper with light and then running the paper through a chemical process. There is no ink involved in the process. These prints can be described as Silver Halide Photographic Prints, Chromogenic Photographic Prints or C-Prints.


We proudly use Kodak Professional Supra Endura VC Digital Paper to print all of our Photographic Prints. This paper offers an extraordinary color gamut and state-of-the art image stability. Photographic Prints are available in four different surfaces: Glossy, Lustre, Matte and Metallic.


Giclee or Photo Inkjet Prints
Our Giclee and Photo Inkjet prints are made by applying ink to paper. We use Epson Ultrachrome professional archival inks to produce our Giclee and Photo Inkjet Prints. These prints are available in Somerset Velvet, Canvas, Glossy & Lustre.

Cost Difference Explained
Many people assume that the higher price of the Giclee and Photo Inkjet Prints means a higher quality print. However, the answer actually has to do with production costs.

The Photographic Printing process has been highly optimized for a digital workflow, meaning that it takes a lot less hand holding to make a Photographic Print than it does to make a Giclee or Photo Inkjet Print. We also don't need to spend any money on inks because there is no ink involved in the Photographic Printing process. Whenever we save money, we always pass those savings on to you in terms of lower prices.

Archival Quality Prints
According to Kodak's website, you can expect Kodak Supra Endura Photographic Prints to last 100 years in typical home display, 200 years in dark storage, and 1 to 5 years in commercial display.

According to Whilhelm Research, you can expect our Giclee and Photo Inkjet Prints to last over 60 years in typical home display, over 100 years in dark storage, and more than 30 years if displayed unframed.

Choices, Choices
Choosing the best finish for a particular purpose is really a matter of personal preference. The best way to learn about the different finishes is to actually see them for yourself. That's why we include our Paper Sampler and Calibration Kit with every customer’s first order (unless the order is a drop shipment to a client!).

We also regularly see customers ordering the same image on a few different surfaces to see for themselves how their images are reproduced by the various printing processes.

For a full listing of Print Sizes and Surfaces available at iPrintfromHome.com, please go to iPrintfromHome.com/Pricing

Money Tree

This fall, while most businesses will be trying to entice you to send them your money, we’d like to offer you some of ours.

That’s right, we want to give you money. :o)

When you refer your friends and family to iPrintfromHome.com, you will be eligible to receive "Thank You Dollars," which you can then apply towards future iPrintfromHome.com purchases.

How to Earn "Thank You Dollars"
You will earn $2 in "Thank You Dollars" when your friend creates an account at iPrintfromHome.com and enters your name in the "Referred by" entry box. You will receive another $10 when they place their first order. As you earn "Thank You Dollars," they will be automatically deposited into your account and you will receive notification by email.

We're also running a New Customer Promotion that you are welcome to share with your friends. For more information, go to www.iPrintfromHome.com/NewCustomerPromotion

Thanks in advance for spreading the word about iPrintfromHome.com!

Thanks,
the iPrintfromHome.com team

iPrintfromHome Workshop

iPrintfromHome Workshop:
The Nuts and Bolts of Digital Photography
taught by Mary Lou Frost

Have you noticed that your digital camera has many features that you’re not using? Here’s a chance for hands-on assistance.

Bring your camera and manual to class to learn how to access the features of your digital camera and improve the quality of the images that are printed, emailed or uploaded to a website.

Example of low contrast image
and corresponding histogram:



Example of better contrast image
and corresponding histogram:



You will receive hands-on assistance in class, receive printed notes for review between classes and have the opportunity to share images in class so that everyone can increase his or her skill as a digital photographer.

The instructor, Mary Lou Frost, is a retired teacher who has been presenting digital photography workshops in the Buffalo area and in Colorado during the summer. She is known for her skill in meeting students at their level and helping them to become more skillful photographers.

The course will run over two meetings: September 20th & 27th from 6-8pm.
Contact us at (800) 736-8652 or info@iPrintfromHome.com to reserve your spot. Class size limited to 12 people. Cost: $25 (both nights included). Each student will receive $25 in iPrintfromHome credit to carry out assignments.

Put Your Walls to Work

Well, what are you waiting for?

Put those walls to work!


The walls in your home are the walls of your own private gallery.

You are both curator and artist.

Seize hold of every opportunity you have to show the world what you can do.

You've already done the hard part. Now it's time to show off.


Click here for a full list of print sizes offered at iPrintfromHome.com.

What, How & Why: A Closer Look - Featuring Shelley Zatsky

At iPrintfromHome.com, we work with artists and photographers from across the United States and Canada. We're inspired everyday by the images that they send to us and by the stories they share.

In our "What, How & Why" interview series, we take a closer look at some of these fascinating people.

We've asked each participating artist or photographer three simple questions:

1. What do you do?
2. How do you do it?
3. Why do you use iPrintfromHome.com?

Please read on to find out more about Shelley Zatsky.




Shelley Zatsky
Photographer
Melrose, MA

What do you do?
I have been taking pictures for almost 20 years. I have a BFA in Photography from CalArts and an MFA from Tufts University/SMFA, Boston. I photograph library materials for Harvard University for my day job and I photograph historical architecture for my current personal project.

How do you do it?
I use a Hasseblad medium format camera with a 60mm lens. I travel to various sites that have been listed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation's 11 Most Endangered lists to take pictures. I'm interested in impermanence as how it relates to architecture. I've been working on it for 6 years and I'm currently trying to raise money on Kickstarter to continue with this project.

Why do you use iPrintfromHome.com?
I started using iPrintfromHome to turn digital files into slides, I continue to use them because of the great customer service and awesome product they deliver. I'm hoping my Kickstarter Campaign is successful so I can get all of the editions printed with iPrintfromhome!

Contact Information:

Shelley Zatsky
shelleyzatsky.com
Kickstarter Campaign
veganfavorites.com

Ordering Non-Standard Sized Prints

Although we may not explicitly offer the print size you need, as long as it fits within one of the sizes that we do offer, you can get exactly what you want.

All that it takes is a little file preparation. We've provided step by step instructions for you here.

Once you have downloaded the article, please reference the section titled "Ordering Non-Standard Sized Prints" (pg. 7).

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us here.

Thanks,
the iPrintfromHome.com team