Prints and Smugmug branding...

Lou Gonzalez

I've looked and I couldn't find anything on this. I have a personal website on SM (www.naynlou.smugmug.com). I recently ordered a number of prints for family and friends and was suprised to see how heavily Smugmug was marketed on all of the envelopes and packaging.

This concerns me slightly because this year, I will be offering my wedding clients the option of buying prints from my business site : www.steadfastdesigns.com

When they order prints via the web site, I'd rather they received generic packaging as opposed to packaging screaming the Smugmug name. Or preferably my business name on the packaging.

Is there any way to control this part of the process? This would be a great option for Pro account users. Or do I have to explain to my clients that I use a 3rd party vendor for prints (lame) ?

Also, when I submitted my order, the prints were completely jumbled. I added them to my cart in date order but the prints were completely out of order when I received them. What can be doe about this? I certainly don't want my clients to receive a group of scrambled images that they have to sort through.

Any help with this would be appreciated. Thanks.

Stustaff

If it were me Id have the prints delivered to myself, check them over put in order and repackage in my own branded stuff and post/deliver to customer.

Lou Gonzalez

Stustaff wrote:

If it were me Id have the prints delivered to myself, check them over put in order and repackage in my own branded stuff and post/deliver to customer.

In my wedding packages, they do receive prints from me (that I get done thru a lab). And I do a personal handoff. But for family or friends who order, they get the Smugmug branded prints. For a "pro", to me this seems a little cheesy. I wish there was an option in my control panel that says "Set print packing to : Generic or Smugmug."

Yeah I know, this option is probably a pipe dream. But it would certainly be nice Pro account users. Or even better, print the name of your account or web address on the packaging. Or maybe include a print insert with your account info so customers have it.

I can dream can't I???

Andy

Lou Gonzalez wrote:

In my wedding packages, they do receive prints from me (that I get done thru a lab). And I do a personal handoff. But for family or friends who order, they get the Smugmug branded prints. For a "pro", to me this seems a little cheesy. I wish there was an option in my control panel that says "Set print packing to : Generic or Smugmug."

Yeah I know, this option is probably a pipe dream. But it would certainly be nice Pro account users. Or even better, print the name of your account or web address on the packaging. Or maybe include a print insert with your account info so customers have it.

I can dream can't I???

Thanks for the suggestions, Lou.
FWIW, there's no "screaming branding" IMO. Yes, it says smugmug on the envelope and smugmug on the back of the prints. And there's a card in the envelope that says, email help@smugmug.com if they have any problems, questions, or concerns.

We're looking at ways of allowing backprinting which could include your name.

cwphotos

I have been here for about a year now and this seems to come up every now and again. I dont much mind but im sure those selling a ton of prints do. I like the idea of shipping to you then repackaging......though that could get pricey......

dogwood

my two cents
When I was married two years ago, the photog had the prints sent from White House, or something like that. To be honest, that was the last thing on my mind when they arrived-- I wanted to see what the prints looked like, not who printed them! But... I get where you're coming from.

And just an idea that's worked for me to really impress a client. Have the smugmug prints delivered to you, brand 'em with your own brand, and then hand deliver them with a line like this, "Do these look alright? I strive for quality and want to make sure you're happy." Yeah, it costs you more but I guarantee the customers will love it. And happy customers recommend you to others and also hire you again.

Of course, if the customers aren't in your town, this advice is worthless.

Cindy

How about including a pro print with every pro website order?
Since I've joined pro branding comes up alot but still there's been no way provided to allow this. What bothers me is that customers have absolutly no contact info included in orders other than how to reach smugmug. I'd really like a pro option to include a custom designed print with every single order coming from my website. Photographers could design the print (simalar to a business card in whatever size they wanted), upload and then each and every time something is ordered from that pro photographers website the custom print would be included with the order. (Such as smugmugs postcard goes into every order only included with pro account websites would be the option to also include the pros custom print also along with smugmugs).

C_lawgik

Cindy wrote:

Since I've joined pro branding comes up alot but still there's been no way provided to allow this. What bothers me is that customers have absolutly no contact info included in orders other than how to reach smugmug. I'd really like a pro option to include a custom designed print with every single order coming from my website. Photographers could design the print (simalar to a business card in whatever size they wanted), upload and then each and every time something is ordered from that pro photographers website the custom print would be included with the order. (Such as smugmugs postcard goes into every order only included with pro account websites would be the option to also include the pros custom print also along with smugmugs).

very good idea!

JimM

Cindy wrote:

I'd really like a pro option to include a custom designed print with every single order coming from my website. Photographers could design the print (simalar to a business card in whatever size they wanted), upload and then each and every time something is ordered from that pro photographers website the custom print would be included with the order. (Such as smugmugs postcard goes into every order only included with pro account websites would be the option to also include the pros custom print also along with smugmugs).

This is a great idea!

cwphotos

Cindy wrote:

Since I've joined pro branding comes up alot but still there's been no way provided to allow this. What bothers me is that customers have absolutly no contact info included in orders other than how to reach smugmug. I'd really like a pro option to include a custom designed print with every single order coming from my website. Photographers could design the print (simalar to a business card in whatever size they wanted), upload and then each and every time something is ordered from that pro photographers website the custom print would be included with the order. (Such as smugmugs postcard goes into every order only included with pro account websites would be the option to also include the pros custom print also along with smugmugs).

I third that. Awesome idea.

digitalpins

Cindy wrote:

Since I've joined pro branding comes up alot but still there's been no way provided to allow this. What bothers me is that customers have absolutly no contact info included in orders other than how to reach smugmug. I'd really like a pro option to include a custom designed print with every single order coming from my website. Photographers could design the print (simalar to a business card in whatever size they wanted), upload and then each and every time something is ordered from that pro photographers website the custom print would be included with the order. (Such as smugmugs postcard goes into every order only included with pro account websites would be the option to also include the pros custom print also along with smugmugs).

Great idea this is a must!!!!

Lou Gonzalez

Cindy wrote:

Since I've joined pro branding comes up alot but still there's been no way provided to allow this. What bothers me is that customers have absolutly no contact info included in orders other than how to reach smugmug. I'd really like a pro option to include a custom designed print with every single order coming from my website. Photographers could design the print (simalar to a business card in whatever size they wanted), upload and then each and every time something is ordered from that pro photographers website the custom print would be included with the order. (Such as smugmugs postcard goes into every order only included with pro account websites would be the option to also include the pros custom print also along with smugmugs).

Fantastic idea Cindy! Andy and crew, please take note of this. "Pros" really do want these features!

athos

by the time i am ready to go pro there should be all these cool features enabled

georges

Additional perspective
To Cindy and others that have replied,

If the person ordering prints is only ordering from your galleries, I think this is a fine idea.

If I place an order that includes prints from each of your galleries will I also receive an identification print from each of you? How will I know which of my ordered prints is associated with each of your business cards?

I'm not trying to discredit your idea. I think think there are at least a couple of different types of customers out there. One type is a customer of a single photographer, another type is a general print buyer and a customer of smugmug in the whole.

Not sure what the answer may be, but backprinting with the photographer's ID in addition to smugmug's service information sounds like a good start.

See you later, gs

docwalker

Maybe the gang can chime in and tell us the order of magnatude... How many people buy from one photographer at a time and how many are print buyers?

My prints are segregated in the envelope by size and sometimes by paper type. The printer could easily seperate them by photog.

georges wrote:

To Cindy and others that have replied,

If the person ordering prints is only ordering from your galleries, I think this is a fine idea.

If I place an order that includes prints from each of your galleries will I also receive an identification print from each of you? How will I know which of my ordered prints is associated with each of your business cards?

Andy

docwalker wrote:

The printer could easily seperate them by photog.

Not true.

Andy

docwalker wrote:

Maybe the gang can chime in and tell us the order of magnatude... How many people buy from one photographer at a time and how many are print buyers?

Not so many ...

docwalker

Ok, maybe not easily. But it could be done. The backprinting would help even if the photos could not be segregated. That way if taken to Wal-mart for copies, we might have some protection.

Not Many? Of what? I take it that there are more customers who buy from one photographer. If that is the case then segregating would be only of value to a few.

Either way, something is needed and we know you guys will do what is right.

Cindy

Andy wrote:

Not so many ...

Not so many what Andy? (buyers from one site per order or several sites per order).
Sorry but I'm not a mind reader

From what I've gathered reading other photographers posts here at dgrin it seems most sales are generated via events, etc. when the buyer has personal interest in the prints... which if that's true than surely most all orders are generated from single sites???

Unless I'm hugly mistaken I think most pros are customizing their sites to reflect their own branding without external links to other smugmug sites. I would think custom pro prints would serve to enhance the pro customization process.

When looking at my stats the only people who ever leave my site to visit other smugmug sites are those generated from dgrin or those who actually have their own smugmug sites. A few times customers specifically looking for their photos on my site have been directed to other sites via search... but they eventually make it to my site or call me for a link.

Pamela

Cindy wrote:

Not so many what Andy? (buyers from one site per order or several sites per order).
Sorry but I'm not a mind reader

From what I've gathered reading other photographers posts here at dgrin it seems most sales are generated via events, etc. when the buyer has personal interest in the prints... which if that's true than surely most all orders are generated from single sites???

Unless I'm hugly mistaken I think most pros are customizing their sites to reflect their own branding without external links to other smugmug sites. I would think custom pro prints would serve to enhance the pro customization process.

When looking at my stats the only people who ever leave my site to visit other smugmug sites are those generated from dgrin or those who actually have their own smugmug sites. A few times customers specifically looking for their photos on my site have been directed to other sites via search... but they eventually make it to my site or call me for a link.

Cindy
Great Idea!

Andy

Cindy wrote:

Not so many what Andy? (buyers from one site per order or several sites per order).
Sorry but I'm not a mind reader

I quoted the part of Doc's message I was referring to. Not so many buy from multiple pros at the same time. But the inverse of "not so many" is gettng larger each day, as we have more and more buyers on the site

From what I've gathered reading other photographers posts here at dgrin it seems most sales are generated via events, etc. when the buyer has personal interest in the prints... which if that's true than surely most all orders are generated from single sites???

not true for all pro sales, no

Unless I'm hugly mistaken I think most pros are customizing their sites to reflect their own branding without external links to other smugmug sites. I would think custom pro prints would serve to enhance the pro customization process.

I've had the idea of this in my pro feature list, we're listening!

dogwood

cool

Andy wrote:

I've had the idea of this in my pro feature list, we're listening!

Keep that list nearby and keep on pushin' this feature, Andy. It would be a nice touch to be able to customize pro print ordering, as many others have pointed out. Thanks for listening (reading?).

Cindy

Andy wrote:

the inverse of "not so many" is gettng larger each day, as we have more and more buyers on the site

I've had the idea of this in my pro feature list, we're listening!

I would LOVE it if people would just browse by and buy some prints that would be super fabulous... but then again most of my photography is geared towards a specific audiance (or just practice and playing around stuff). however... with that said & the ever increasing potential for people to just browse by and buy... I think that's even more reason that something should be included with the orders showing where the prints came from (site specific). If more and more people are buying from muliple users than more and more people need to be able to locate where it was they purchased the prints. Who knows maybe just someday I'll have a print great enough to hang in some really rich dudes house and people will ask him "Wow... where'd you get that print? I'd really like to buy one too" I'd really like it if his answer didn't have to be one such as: "Oh just browsing smugmug I happened across this site and found it... can't recall the web site but I know it's at smugmug somewhere" :uhoh

I wouldn't mind abit if smugmugs card had some info stating something to the effect that 'smugmug is the pro lab/printer and that the photos ordered & enclosed came from one or more photographers websites who've signed on with you to fullfill print orders. Please see any possible enclosed Photographer(s) business cards for contact info, blah, blah, blah. I know this wouldn't be the right way to word it but you get the jest of it I'm sure.

BTW: I'm not saying I don't want backprinting. I still very much want backprinting, etc also... just trying to generate some additional ideas for these needs.

Thanks so much for listening Andy and the entire smugmug crew.
You'll are the greatest and I know you'll come through. :

smhs.images

I agree that it would be nice if when people buy "fine art" prints from us pros with intent to display, that there would be some way to credit the photographer. That way they can also remember the name of the amazing artist's work who they are displaying!

Mik

Need branding in the packaging for Pro accounts
I just received my first order to myself to test what a customer would see.
The prints are pretty lovely.
However, though the packaging may not "scream" SmugMug, that is all that it does say. There is no reference what so ever on the packaging or anything internal to it to my site! That is extremely disappointing. And while the back printing has come about since this thread started, quite frankly it isn't much. It was so faint it could hardly be read.

Just because some customers order from multiple sources on SmugMug does not mean it can not be done. Include a print with thumbnails and the "business card" of the Pro from each source. I don't even mind paying for this, but its a gotta have!

Cindy wrote:

Since I've joined pro branding comes up alot but still there's been no way provided to allow this. What bothers me is that customers have absolutly no contact info included in orders other than how to reach smugmug. I'd really like a pro option to include a custom designed print with every single order coming from my website. Photographers could design the print (simalar to a business card in whatever size they wanted), upload and then each and every time something is ordered from that pro photographers website the custom print would be included with the order. (Such as smugmugs postcard goes into every order only included with pro account websites would be the option to also include the pros custom print also along with smugmugs).

Andy

Mik wrote:

I just received my first order to myself to test what a customer would see.
The prints are pretty lovely.
However, though the packaging may not "scream" SmugMug, that is all that it does say. There is no reference what so ever on the packaging or anything internal to it to my site! That is extremely disappointing. And while the back printing has come about since this thread started, quite frankly it isn't much. It was so faint it could hardly be read.

Just because some customers order from multiple sources on SmugMug does not mean it can not be done. Include a print with thumbnails and the "business card" of the Pro from each source. I don't even mind paying for this, but its a gotta have!

I love the idea of a Thank You print. Hope we can make it happen

KDunlap

Is the Smugmug logo part of the backprinting?

Andy wrote:

I love the idea of a Thank You print. Hope we can make it happen

Those of you who have used the printing service since the backprinting has been available- does the backprinting look better now? I heard in another forum somewhere that the smugmug logo appears on the back of the prints as well- is that in fact true or not? If it is true, is there a way to turn that off, or alter it? I have no idea- I've just joined so I haven't been able to test the printing for myself.

Kristi

Andy

KDunlap wrote:

Those of you who have used the printing service since the backprinting has been available- does the backprinting look better now? I heard in another forum somewhere that the smugmug logo appears on the back of the prints as well- is that in fact true or not? If it is true, is there a way to turn that off, or alter it? I have no idea- I've just joined so I haven't been able to test the printing for myself.

Kristi

No there is no logo of ours on the backprinting, no logo on Backprinting at all.

There is a Kodak watermark on the back of the paper.

What forum did you here this on, got a link by any chance?
Thanks!

KDunlap

Andy wrote:

No there is no logo of ours on the backprinting, no logo on Backprinting at all.

There is a Kodak watermark on the back of the paper.

What forum did you here this on, got a link by any chance?
Thanks!

I saw it here:
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=28405&highlight=backprinting+logo

I realize that's an old forum, but when I did other searches I couldn't find a confirmation that that was either still happening or not happening anymore.

Thanks!

mbellot

Andy wrote:

I love the idea of a Thank You print. Hope we can make it happen

How about a bump for this (year and a half old) idea.

I wouldn't even mind eating the $0.19 to get the extra 4x6 included in the package.

Andy

mbellot wrote:

How about a bump for this (year and a half old) idea.

I wouldn't even mind eating the $0.19 to get the extra 4x6 included in the package.

I love it, still. THanks for the bump.