We custom design all of our own and got rid of mounts entirely. I just ordered some 10x13 mounts for Graduation Composites and found that 2 of the 3 suppliers I used to deal with are out of business. Tells you something.
It was simple for us: add up the cost of 5x7, 4x6 or 3x5, time to tape into mount vs. one 8x10"
The secret for us was dynamic artwork that made the MM something special. BTW, once you go the digital route, now you can add league logo, team name, player name - whatever. Fast & easy, but you need the software to make it simple. PS is not the answer for this. We use Express Digital but there are lots of other options. ED comes in one version with a built-in database so the names, etc are all automatic.
It sets you apart.
Doug
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
I'll echo what Doug has said. I approach it the same way just using different software to achieve the end result. I use Kodak DP2 and much like ED it's all about variable data printing leveraging a database. One design for the page mate background and then each is personalized and customized with league logo, etc...on the fly. An added bonus is packaging time, one print is easier to handle then two single prints plus assembly.
I've also incorporated a different paper type. I print via a Noritsu 3202pro and print all specialty products (trading cards, plaques, mag covers, bag tags, magnets, pagemates, etc...) on Kodak Metallic paper. This helps the product standout from the rest while offering the benefits of silver halide and robustness of the media.
I use photographic paper (Kodak Metallic) on all of my personalized products. I have an in-house designer who creates all of our templates and works over the logos from our accounts. As for the bag tags, they are a slip-in type from Neil Enterprises. Now the plaques are a different story...I use a lamination process to secure the image to the metal plate and rosettes to secure the plate to the board, no slip-ins. The trading cards are printed on photo paper then dry mounted together and die-cut (I use an 8up wallet template). They are a bit laborious but in the end its about customer satisfaction so I feel it's worth it.
I would imagine that you should be able to produce your own traders on an inkjet or color laser printer. It just a different medium thats all. I could see using a 100# card stock duplexed then die cutting. It all depends on volume and $$$.
Nothing special with either printing or mounting (RA4 and traditional dry mounting methods). Two pieces of photographic paper, one piece dry mount tissue, one dry mount press and one die cutter. The bonding (heat) of the two pieces of photo paper and tissue creates a "stiff" card. You could also use a double sided adhesive (cold mounting) to achieve the same results. I just happen to have both and prefer dry mounting for tc's and cold mounting for plaques.
Or
You could say screw the dry/ cold mounting and find yourself a nice looking durable cardstock and print with what you have.
Linear Mode
