Printing stuff

I was recently talking to a friend about where to get stuff printed. Here is a list of places I go to and what I use.

If you're looking for the best deals, go online. Printing is extremely competitive, and they're always trying to outbid each other. If you want to use a local printer, go online and get a quote and see if the local folks will beat it. Only use a copy shop (Staples, Kinkos, etc) if you are doing low volume printing (a small run less than what a regular printer will do. Like less than 250 business cards say). It doesn't matter which one you go to, they all use the same machines so the quality will be more or less the same. Always get a proof before they print your job, especially if color is important. And footnote, nothing you will have produced at a copy shop is archival; meaning the colors will fade and/or eventually it will look like crap. The paper itself may even disintegrate if it's not acid free. Keep that in mind if you're looking to have artwork printed or reproduced.

Ok! So one of the art forms I like to have produced for me is Giclée prints. I will create digital files (I'll do a blog post about how I produce them later, but essentially I draw something out and modify it in various ways. It's faster than painting, and I like the control and graphic quality when it's all done). I currently use http://www.giclee-factory.com, their prices are really good, there's no minimum quantity, and I've liked working with them so far. The only down side for me is that they're in Canada, I'd rather use someone closer but I haven't yet found a company that works for me yet.

For other types of printing, like business cards, stickers, banners, etc. shop around! Some companies may provide all those services, but they may specialize in one more than the other. So their business card prices may be great but their vinyl stickers may be more expensive than elsewhere. Here's a small list of places that I've found that have good prices, and I've liked the samples they sent me (ask them and most places will send you samples to review).

http://www.uprinting.com General printing
http://jimmybuttons.com/ Buttons
http://stickerobot.com/ Vinyl stickers

This list isn't conclusive, and not necessarily the best of what's out there. This is just what I have saved since the last time I've done a search. If you find something better, leave a comment or send me an email with what you've found. I'm always looking for better places to have stuff made.

I broke the internet

So I updated my website, and consolidated the various stores online that I have my stuff in, such as my Etsy store which houses anything I make or craft by hand, like paintings, prints, etc. By the way, I know I can sell paintings through my website but I don't want to have to manage several stores that house the same stuff. There's another store I have at Greeting Card Universe where people can buy individual cards and have them sent to them (there are wholesale options too for shops). Then there's the Skreened shop I have, which has items like American Apparel shirts and tote bags with my stuff on them. They're local to Columbus Ohio, and they're good people. Finally there's the zazzle shop I mentioned in the last post, which has some shirts also, but also has other goods like mugs, hats, buttons, etc. Once I have the book published there will be another URL that I'll add to the 'store' section on my website.

So I set all that up, as well as add links and just cleaned things up... I do all that, and then I decided to try something and messed around with my domain name info and I screwed something up and now my website is down. I'm currently away from home so I won't be able to fix it until tonight. Kinda frustrating. I create and manage everything at http://saraadrian.com/, I don't like to have to wait for someone else to do things for me and it's a heck of a lot cheaper this way. But sometimes, I have an oops... but usually it's not this bad. My website is pretty simple, but I think it works... well it does most of the time.

Anyway, that's what is going on. This is what I get for trying to be clever!

UPDATE: Website is back up. I'm working on my bio and statement as well, so if you're interested in such things check back soon. As far as the art updates go, I'm going to do a major one when the book is finished. I want to do a major -reveal' when it's all done.

Have a good one!

Stuff on sale!

I'm having a little Ebay sale (go here to see). I'm really marking stuff down so you should have a go look-see. The auctions are about to end soon, so yeah. Go look, right now!

and... I was messing around with some old images, and updated the Zazzle store I forgot I had.


Look for a personalized gift at Zazzle.

So yeah, check it out if you're looking for stuff.

... anyway. I'll do a more detailed update in a few days.
Until then:

Truckin'

Hey folks. Been under the weather for a day or so. But things are coming along (as things often do). The book is beginning to take real form, so that's something (sample on the right... I was going to add color, but maybe not). Coming up, if you're anywhere near Roanoke Virgina from the 11th thru the 16th, stop by the Marginal Arts Festival. I'd be there, but due to other obligations I have to miss it this year. However I've been getting lots of updates on what will be happening and it looks like fun. I look forward to seeing the video. Next, if you are or know someone who is an alumni of Fort Hayes here in Columbus Ohio, some of us are putting together an Alumni Arts Show in November-December. This will be a juried competition, and anyone from any of the departments can apply, including the general high school. We're putting together the call for entries now, so if you want to recieve that just email me or join us at our Facebook page to receive updates.

Well, it's been a minute since I posted a video.
So enjoy Lhasa de Sela, from her self titled album, Rising