WAHM Forums

Hi!
I'm thinking about starting a custom letter business (Santa, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, etc.) and I'm curious about the best way to get started. Should I buy a kit from someone or is this something I can do on my own? I'm thinking the kit would at least give me some templates and ideas.

Thanks in advance!

Leigh

Yes ! Dear I also need of it
I have also no idea about it. I request somebody to help us and give information about it.

I would love to do this as well. Would really like any suggestions on how to start.

Sorry I have no idea.Thank's for sharing.
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Yup!!!
It's a great idea.......but having no idea. If u get any please share it here.........waiting for this :confused:


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I had Santa letters as a side-line to personalization business a couple of years ago. My biggest comment to you is not to limit yourselves to santa letters, otherwise you will not make much money.
You can buy a personalization software kit for I think $149 that is good for life. Every time the software is
improved, or updated, you can download the updated program for free.
Not only will it do Santa letters, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, but there are many specialty poems, gift plaque sayings, and best of all it will research and print the meaning of anyone's name, or turn their name
into what I called Angel poems i.e.if name was Irene, it would say I is for inspirational - you certainly are
R is for .... you get the picture.
The program end products sell best on specialty papers you can buy from aanames.com
and the program comes from ksoft.com
Both are very reliable companies
The program brings up a screen where you just type in the persons name, m or female, birthdate
and click one button to print your choice of letter

They offer a free evaluation download on the website where you can play with the program before you
commit to buying it

good luck.. I sold these at craft shows and averaged $300 per day in sales

martin
www.aquagels.yolasite.com
www.puffpac.yolasite.com

:) Hello All,
I am new here, in fact I just joined. A few years back I was a member of another still popular website, that gave lots of hints and help on starting a personalized letter business for children. It was a lot of fun, and it is easy to get started.

There are letter packs that you can buy, but do not forget that you can have free clip art to use too. Of course, they have to be ready for print, and also use them on a web site if you will get one. If you are starting out with one character, say Santa, then you can have a graphic artist create you one. There are a lot of them on forums like this, and on scrap booking websites.

Please be aware that the graphic will have to be one that you can use that is all yours! Also, it will cost a little to have it created. Know too, that you can use old Christmas cards, like I do, to make the graphic. Check on the copyright, and make sure it is old enough that it can be used.

Postcards before 1921, as I understand the copyright issue, can be used. They are in the public domain, and a few old magazines with Christmas advertisements, articles, and illustrations are excellent to use.

A good graphics editor that can be bought in retail stores or online, is a must if you use older cards for the graphics. Some have damage in wrinkles, creases, or even some slight foxing, or water stains even. Believe me, it does not have to be an expensive one at all, just reliable.

You can find all that you need from online auction sites that carry these publications. I love the old world Santa, and find them very appealing. Of course, you can use whatever thematic Santa that appeals to you, like country, 1950s, etc. The nice thing about online auctions is that you can buy in bulk, or just a single magazine, postcard, greeting card at a time.

I hope this helps,
Old Mom:D

PS As I think of more helpful tips, I will write more on it.

OM

:D Told you I was old, or at least getting there!

About the paper issues for the graphics. There are many alternatives about where to purchase them. You can buy the paper at retail stores, like Wal Mart, or online at auction sites. Oriental Trading company will have some good deals on the paper, but unless I key worded wrong, I have not found a big selection.Another place is craft stores, it will be more expensive, but in the scrap booking section there is a lot of choice, at least I have found that to be true.

You can buy from scrap booking places online that are individual artists with their own websites. They usually require that you leave their copyright mark somewhere on the page. I have done that, but it is not my favorite choice. Kids can be inquisitive, but I do understand the artist needing to protect their product too. Also, they do ask that you link to their site, or even acknowledge their work somewhere on a website.

Another way to do it for paper, is to buy from a home office store, they sometimes have a good selection. You might find that some customers want a heavier type of paper,so a card stock that works with your printer is another option. You can use glossy if the printer can print that way, a lot of people will make the keepsake by either framing them, or putting them in a scrap book.

Side note about the folding of paper, if the customer wants to keep it unfolded, you might want to get larger file type envelopes to use. Again, think of the cost that it will add to your business. (Just thought I would throw that one in.)

With a good graphics printer and a graphics editor, you will not need any specialty paper with colored or pre printed designs on it. All you will have to do is to find a border the color coordinates with a theme and the primary graphics used. Again, make sure that it is one appropriate for print use, or for use on your web page.

Well, that is all that I can think of for now.

Old Mom:D

Interesting idea but I am afraid I have no clue about it.



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This is a great post.

kksoft is a great company, I got their software years ago and even do, I do not currently use it, i get to upgrade the software for free for a life time.

How about the service?

Hi Leigh,

Have you considered a more high tech method of creating and sending cards and gifts? If not, you may wish to check it out. It is working wonders for me.

Take care,

I do not have any thoughts about that :)
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This is a great post -- thanks OldMom and ybnegood for the detailed explanation. That's a great idea about using the pre-1921 post cards. I have seen graphics software that features the old fashioned Santas and reindeer, and they are really appealing.

Does anyone have ideas of outlets other than craft shows (and of course, a web site.)

I actually never thought about this until reading these posts and desperately trying to find out how to generate some income here at home....so....

I live in Bethlehem, GA. We have one of the, if not, the busiest post offices in the country on and around Christmas due to the city stamp. What do ya'll think and what kinds of ideas and suggestions do ya'll have for me to start up a 'christmas card' mailing service? I guess just right off the top of my head I could offer the card with the senders name in an envelope nicely hand written or printed to the recipient and best of all it comes from Jesus's birthplace...??

Any tips or ideas?

Thanks bunches, I appreciate your help and advice!!

Take care and God Bless!

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I sell a new toy that is impossible to find in the stores.
I advertise it as gift direct from the NORTH POLE

Package has my return address sticker (easily peeled off)
Main label says

SANTA'S WORKSHOP
Research and Testing Division
VIA ELF DELIVERY TO:

A new toy just for you

I put them in mail, they get package, peel off my return address sticker
and put under Christmas Tree. Kid thinks toy came right from NORTH POLE

you could do something similar
martin

This is interesting post. But i don't have any idea for now.