GCU Forum - Received my free sample card...

GCU Newbies
artist

Posts: 15

Received my free sample card...
Mar 15^th, 2007, 5:07am

I received the sample card offered to the artists.

It was top quality in reproduction. The image printed slightly closer to the edge than the template but shows the importance of leaving enough gutter all around the image.

Now that I have seen that the reproduction quality of the images on an actual production piece, I can begin to upload additional designs.

My only suggestion is to put on the back panel the web address of where the card was purchased. (www.greetingcarduniverse.com/idnamehere) while this site os to build up one of this company's brands (the calendar site) it can also be used to build artists brands which will benefit the artist and this site as an addition to their first stated goal.

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The Gumball Gang® Card Store:
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/gumballgang

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Corrie_131338

Gold Member

Posts: 1610

Re: Received my free sample card...
Reply #1 - Mar 16^th, 2007, 5:13am

One Photoshop tip to avoid getting designs cut off is to do a "stroke" around the outside of the card (I generally do a stroke of about 55) in a complimentary or contrasting color to the design. This will bleed off the edge. Of course, some designs - like photographs, for example - may not necessarily look good stroked, so this won't work for everything.

Perhaps GCU might consider providing templates for card design, both landscape and portrait, with clearly defined guidelines for those who have trouble with calculating the amount of gutter required before cut off. That would no doubt save some image problems.

Corrie

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Corrieweb Card Store:
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/corrieweb

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Shaun_131054

GCU Administrator
artist

Posts: 2596

Re: Received my free sample card...
Reply #2 - Mar 16^th, 2007, 12:55pm

Hi!

Jim:
We are happy to know that you are pleased with our reproduction quality

Corrie:
A template is in the works. This will likely include a trim line so people know what areas might be cropped. We do recommend keeping all fine detail 1/4 inch from the edge of your images.

For the moment, please take a look at our Photo and Image Guidelines for additional information:
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/help/photo_help.asp

Are there any other guidelines that you would like to see in a template?

Thanks,
Shaun

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Corrie_131338

Gold Member

Posts: 1610

Re: Received my free sample card...
Reply #3 - Mar 16^th, 2007, 1:20pm

For best results in a template, there should probably be two guidelines - a cut off or "danger" line to show where the card is most likely to be trimmed off, and a "safety" line. Any part of the design inside the "safety" line is safe and will never be affected. We use CafePress templates when designing for our shop; we can send you a sample if you like.

Corrie

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Corrieweb Card Store:
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/corrieweb

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David_131259

GCU Newbies
artist

Posts: 6

Re: Received my free sample card...
Reply #4 - Mar 26^th, 2007, 12:05pm

I didn't know we got a free sample card. I should read the fine print. LOL. I just added a card for one of my pieces of art I have done to see the quality. If the quality was high enough, I planned on actually creating some art especially for cards. I was blown away by how good the print actually was. I plan to submit many cards over the next few months, just because the quality is so good. Cheesy

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David Graham Colorado Artist:
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/ColoradoArt

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Nia_131347 GCU Newbies artist Posts: 5	Re: Received my free sample card... Reply #5 - Mar 27^th, 2007, 6:53am Ok Shaun and Mindy... I received 2 of my free card samples and OH YEAH!!! they look GREAT!!! I just wanted to let you know you guys are awsome! Hey and if possible I would like to also be one that tries out the Photoshop Template for test. That is if you all are still looking for people. Thanks Again!
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Mindy

GCU Administrator
Community Manager

Posts: 6537
Gender: female

Re: Received my free sample card...
Reply #6 - Mar 28^th, 2007, 1:40pm

Thank you for the positive and kinds words! Love to hear it to know that we're headed in the right direction.

I'll have Shaun send you the template.

Thanks!
Mindy

PS: feel free to post any "rave reviews" Cheesy

in our "May we Quote you?" thread under Feedback & Suggestions topic so we can use them on the site and in other marketing materials.

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Terry_131260 GCU Newbies artist Posts: 21	Re: Received my free sample card... Reply #7 - Mar 29^th, 2007, 7:38am May I also get a template? Thanks! Terry
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Shaun_131054 GCU Administrator artist Posts: 2596	Re: Received my free sample card... Reply #8 - Mar 29^th, 2007, 12:26pm Terry, I've emailed it to you the greeting card template, please let me know if you did not receive it. Nia, Your template was emailed on March 27th, please let me know if you did not receive it. Thanks! Shaun
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Tanya_131398 Senior Member artist Posts: 388	Re: Received my free sample card... Reply #9 - Mar 29^th, 2007, 1:37pm I'm looking forward to the new template. It will be great double check some of my images to make sure they are going to work okay for the cards.
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Shaun_131054

GCU Administrator
artist

Posts: 2596

Re: Received my free sample card...
Reply #10 - Apr 20^th, 2007, 4:00pm

Hi Everyone,

We've created a new card template based on all the feedback we received. Thank you to everyone who tested our first template and provided suggestions Cheesy

You can download the new template here:
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/images/gcu/GCU_card_templates.zip

The template is also available in the Images and Cards section of your Admin area, and on the Create a Card page.

If you have any questions, please let me know!

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Picture_131439 Full Member artist Posts: 118	Re: Received my free sample card... Reply #11 - Apr 20^th, 2007, 5:06pm I also got my free sample card (well, my husband did as I had it sent to him). I chose one of our photographs that has a lot of subtle colors and textures (light reflecting on water) and it is very true to the actual photo. We were both impressed.
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Mindy GCU Administrator Community Manager Posts: 6537 Gender:	Re: Received my free sample card... Reply #12 - Apr 23^rd, 2007, 2:13pm Glad you were pleased w/ the colors and quality An item on our wish list is to give you the ability to choose "Finish" on a card by card basis - glossy or matte. Mindy
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Ernestine_131365 Gold Member artist Posts: 853	Re: Received my free sample card... Reply #13 - Apr 24^th, 2007, 9:06am Mindy- I think that would be great to have an option of glossy or matte fininish on the cards. It certainly gets my vote.
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Lynne_131303 Junior Member artist Posts: 64	Re: Received my free sample card... Reply #14 - May 3^rd, 2007, 4:54pm I couldn't find anything about a free sample card. I'm sure it's really obvious... so, how do I get a free card so I can congratulate you on the quality too??? Thanks, Lynne
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