Tuesday, July 16, 2013

POD Giveaways

Here are all the giveaways I could find from various print on demand services and POD shops (whether they're sponsored by the POD or by individual artists who work through them.) If you know of any others, please let me know!



Artist/Shopkeeper/Blogger Sponsored Giveaways

These giveaways are sponsored by artists who work through PODS.   They are usually for specific items from the artist's shop.  (I haven't found any yet this week...so if you know of any please share)

Yam Yam Giveaway (Winners Chosen Every Friday Until July 30) - Zazzle

I Love My 2nd Graders Hoodie (6/12) - CafePress




POD Sponsored Giveaways
The following giveaways are sponsored by various print on demand services.  I list the blog it's posted on as well so you can better keep track of which ones you've entered.

CafePress Cassette Tape iPhone Case (7/24)

$25 CafePress GC at Sweeps 4 Bloggers (7/27)

$25 CafePress GC at MommyFactor (6/3) - Low Entry

$25 CafePress GC at Elitemama (6/6)

Retro phone case from CafePress at Hip Mama's Place (6/8)

$25 CafePress GC at Just Us Girls (6/11)


$25 CafePress GC at Savings in Seconds (6/16)

$50 CafePress GC at A Little Umbrella (6/19)











Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Design Tips and Tricks

Various articles to help you get your designs looking their best.


Testing Fonts and Dark Stroking on Dark Shirts
Article shows a test of various font sizes, and the difference between color areas with a tiny dark "stroke" (1 pixel outline) and without (on CafePress Dark Shirts). VERY USEFUL!
CafePress Color Swatch Test
Shows a color swatch and font size test on various CafePress shirts. I like this one because you can download the original color swatch so the you can sample the colors.
Kerning
A technique for good looking text designs.
CMYK vs. RGB - Things You Should Know
Helps you learn how to best use color so that your designs look the same printed as they do on screen.
List of Cool Color Tools
Helpful resources when picking out your colors.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Pod Reviews

Trying to find a good print on demand service?  These review sites may help.



My POD Reviews
A detailed comparison of the four print on demand services I've used:  CafePress, Zazzle, Printfection, and ArtsNow.   

Which POD Gets Your Nod
This article by Tees in a POD (my new favorite POD blog) gives a detailed comparison of six major PODS: Zazzle, Skreened, CafePress, Printfection, Redbubble, and Spreadshirt. They compare print size, printing method, affiliate programs, payment, and more. I highly suggest this article!
CafePress vs. Zazzle
A squidoo lens comparing Zazzle and CafePress.
CafePress vs. the Competition
This lens compares Cafepress to Printfection, Zazzle, and Spreadshirt. It's a good comparison, but some of the information on it is old (like, it says on Zazzle you can not set your own mark-up, which now you can.)
T-Shirt Printers Review
This site reviews 10 different t-shrit printers. While most of these aren't print on demand, they do cover most of the major print on demand prodiders.
What's the Best POD Service
This lens does a very good job of reviewing the major POD services (though a few items he mentions are outdated): CafePress, Zazzle, Printfection, Spreadshirt, RedBubble.
Selling Art on CafePress, Zazzle, RedBubble
This lens shares one artists experience with several PODS and opens a discussion about how these sites use your images and whether they misuse them.
CafePress vs. Zazzle
A short comparison of CafePress vs. Zazzle - written in March, 2012. It includes some stats on traffic and earnings as well as the shopkeepers personal experience.

Monday, July 8, 2013

POD Giveaways

Here are all the giveaways I could find from various print on demand services and POD shops (whether they're sponsored by the POD or by individual artists who work through them.) If you know of any others, please let me know!

Artist/Shopkeeper/Blogger Sponsored Giveaways
These giveaways are sponsored by artists who work through PODS.   They are usually for specific items from the artist's shop.

Set of 5 x 7 Pretty Poison Prints by Elvenstar Art (7/12) - Possibly Zazzle


POD Sponsored Giveaways
The following giveaways are sponsored by various print on demand services.

Spoonflower Fabric and Collete Pattern (7/9)

$50 Zazzle Giftcard at the Mommyhood Chronicles ( 7/10)

CafePress Gremlins Bag (7/11)


Where to Find Free Graphics to Use Commercially


The following places have free graphics which you are allowed to use on CafePress. Each site may have specific restrictions on this, so make sure to look for site rules and read them.
Anita Vallle Art
Some fun graphics, free to use, even commercially.
Graphics Fairy
She posts free public domain images. She asks that you not use any more than 6 on a page or single project.
Open Clip Art Gallery
Free clip art that can be used commercially, no strings attached.
More Places to Find Free Graphics
Theres some more places to find free graphics here...but not all are to be used commercially, so review their terms carefully./
Free Commericial Use Resources | BedazzledByZazzle.com
Bedazzled by Zazzle has a bunch of graphics free for commercial use which can be used POD products: Calendars, Backgrounds, Clock Faces and More!

Free Calendar Graphics - 2013
Calendar graphics free to use in print on demand shops.

Free Clock Graphics
Useful clock faces free for commercial use!