Patricia Stoltey

Author

Online Companies for Promotional Materials

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Most authors have their favorite companies from which they order bookmarks, postcards, and other promotional materials. I’d like to share three of my online favorites with you, and hope you’ll add your favorites to the list by leaving a comment.

The first is PrintingForLess.com. In 2007, I designed my bookmarks for The Prairie Grass Murders, and this fine Montana company did a top notch printing job at a price I could afford. The bonus in the deal was the excellent follow-up from the team that handled my little project. I was kept informed by e-mail, and after I my ordered was shipped, I received a phone call to find out if I had received the bookmarks as scheduled and if I was happy with the company’s work. Most definitely. I’ll be giving them a bookmark order for The Desert Hedge Murders soon, and I may purchase postcards this time as well.

The other company that delivered an excellent product was zazzle.com. I didn’t know about this business until my son-in-law cleverly designed a coffee mug with my book cover on it and gave it to me for Christmas. I ordered more mugs to give as gifts and to include in auction donation packages for a couple of the mystery conventions I attended.

The third company I’ve used is VistaPrint.com. This is the place to go for free business cards. Choose from over forty designs, fill out the online form, and place your order. You pay for shipping and processing. For a reasonable price, you can expand the design choices. I chose the free option and was quite satisfied.

Have you used any online companies you would recommend?

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Comments

  1. Super post, Patricia. I use Vista Print. My CIG to Preserving Food book cover is on it, along with blog and website info. I chose the glossy finish, so I paid a little extra but it’s well worth it.

  2. Hi Drue, I answered your question in more detail via e-mail since we have the same publisher. In each case, authors need to know their publishers’ rules and their contract provisions. In our case, we don’t own the rights to cover art, but we have permission to use the cover art for certain promotional activities and products.

  3. Pat, I needed this info too–so I’ll add my thanks here. I have used VistaPrint and been happy with them.

    I do have a question about making business cards and postcards with your bookcover art. Do you need to buy or receive permission to do so? Or as the author do you inherently have the right to use the cover on promotional business materials? Muchas gracias, amiga.

    Drue
    http://www.drueallen.com/

  4. Oooh! Thank you for this – I need a good source for bookmarks! I also use VistaPrint and have gotten both the free business cards and paid the $3 or whatever it is to have my business cards match my website graphic. I have also gotten postcards for free from them which come in handy for submissions. They also will give you a free tee shirt and sometimes a baseball cap – I think I may get one of each printed up with the bookcover. Haven’t gotten the mugs yet – that is a great idea!

    Nancy, from Just a Thought…

  7. I’ve had mixed reports about Vista Print. I swear by Printing For Less, and I think their quality is much higher than VP, and their customer service is phenomenal. I can offer a referral code for $25 off to anyone who wants to place an order with them.
    There’s an e-mail link on my website.

  10. Dang if we don’t get what we need just when we need it. This was an item high on my to-do list and wasn’t sure where to start. THANKS.
    Karen Walker

  11. I love VistaPrint, but this first one I hadn’t heard of. Thanks for the suggestion, since I know I’ll eventually need postcards for my book!