GCU Forum - option of putting copy on cover

GCU Newbies
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Posts: 21

option of putting copy on cover
Jan 29^th, 2010, 12:09pm

I would like it if there was an option where we could put copy on the cover of our cards. I know that it is now necessary to use Photoshop (or similar program) to put whatever copy we want on the photo first, before importing here. I know that doing that allows for more creativity, etc. But, I think it would be time-saving to be able to put copy on the cover while creating the card on this site--when all that is needed is a line of copy and not something more elaborate.

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Mindy

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Re: option of putting copy on cover
Reply #1 - Jan 29^th, 2010, 12:26pm

Quote from Gina_139917 on Jan 29^th, 2010, 12:09pm:

I would like it if there was an option where we could put copy on the cover of our cards. I know that it is now necessary to use Photoshop (or similar program) to put whatever copy we want on the photo first, before importing here. I know that doing that allows for more creativity, etc. But, I think it would be time-saving to be able to put copy on the cover while creating the card on this site--when all that is needed is a line of copy and not something more elaborate.

Please see here:
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/forum/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1264700646/0#0

Are you asking the same question or something different? Huh

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Gina_139917

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Re: option of putting copy on cover
Reply #2 - Jan 29^th, 2010, 2:33pm

Yes, I saw the reply to my question to other card creators that I had posted before. This was a suggestion to Greeting Card Universe specifically--to create an option for us to add copy to the cover of our cards. I do know that I can do it in photoshop, but my suggestion would save us that time, if all we wanted to do was add a line or two of copy to the cover. Just a suggestion to you...Thanks.

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Mindy

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Re: option of putting copy on cover
Reply #3 - Jan 29^th, 2010, 2:49pm

Quote from Gina_139917 on Jan 29^th, 2010, 2:33pm:

Yes, I saw the reply to my question to other card creators that I had posted before. This was a suggestion to Greeting Card Universe specifically--to create an option for us to add copy to the cover of our cards. I do know that I can do it in photoshop, but my suggestion would save us that time, if all we wanted to do was add a line or two of copy to the cover. Just a suggestion to you...Thanks.

Ok, thanks. It has been on the wish list, thanks for adding your vote

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Eve_138255 Ex Member	Re: option of putting copy on cover Reply #4 - Jan 29^th, 2010, 7:27pm I would like this feature to, so could you add me to the vote please.
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Eva_135867

Full Member
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Posts: 191

Re: option of putting copy on cover
Reply #5 - Jan 29^th, 2010, 11:01pm

Hi,
I am personally against this option for all greeting cards (especially for my cards - appearance and layout of the text and selection of fonts are an important part of the design of a card) - mybe for a special Card Category "insert the text yourself" (by artist or customer) for those among us who wish this option for their cards. Personally I want to have complite "design" control over the final appearance of my greeting cards. This is best achieved by using appropriate programs for that.
Eva

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Eve_138255

Ex Member

Re: option of putting copy on cover
Reply #6 - Jan 29^th, 2010, 11:13pm

Quote from Eva_135867 on Jan 29^th, 2010, 11:01pm:

Hi,
I am personally against this option for all greeting cards (especially for my cards - appearance and layout of the text and selection of fonts are an important part of the design of a card) - mybe for a special Card Category "insert the text yourself" (by artist or customer) for those among us who wish this option for their cards. Personally I want to have complite "design" control over the final appearance of my greeting cards. This is best achieved by using appropriate programs for that.
Eva

But surely, there would be a choice to use it, or not, as on zazzle.

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Eva_135867 Full Member artist Posts: 191	Re: option of putting copy on cover Reply #7 - Jan 29^th, 2010, 11:31pm Hi, for me - Zazzle is a "mart" and GCU is a "boutique". I use and like both of them, but they are different. It seems to me important to keep gcu unique and that builds on this. This is of course only my personal opinion. Eva
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Monica_138175 Full Member artist Posts: 118	Re: option of putting copy on cover Reply #8 - Jan 30^th, 2010, 12:04am I think it would definitely be an enhancement to give artists the option to do it the way they like... and while some may prefer to continue like before, many others (like me) would appreciate this enhancement very much!
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Penny_134243

Gold Member
artist

Posts: 1337

Re: option of putting copy on cover
Reply #9 - Jan 30^th, 2010, 6:49am

Quote from Eva_135867 on Jan 29^th, 2010, 11:31pm:

Hi,
for me - Zazzle is a "mart" and GCU is a "boutique". I use and like both of them, but they are different. It seems to me important to keep gcu unique and that builds on this. This is of course only my personal opinion.
Eva

Greetings!

Very nicely stated,, Eva. There is already a Frazzle, so I don't see the sense in creating another one.

Adding the text to my designs, from choosing the font, color and placement, takes some time. I really want to get it right. You can't get it 'right,' using the editing program that Frazzle offers, though it is very good, you can only get your text to be, well, good.

Online cover text editing would mean that I get a choice of 2 or 3 nice fonts that will work for me, and a lot of crappy ones that won't. Frazzle has tons of fonts, most of them are less than ideal.

Online cover text editing would mean that I get to choose from a limited color library, maybe I can find the pink that I want, but most likely I have to settle for one that I don't. When I add the text in the creation process, I have a world of color at my fingertips!

If programming time and expense is going to be allocated for anything text related, I'd much rather see the inside verse editing capabilities enhanced. It's really a challenge to align different lines of text, especially when creating invitations, when you're trying to make it easy for the customer, but, give a neat look, too.

Like this birthday invite:

http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/shopping/zoom.asp?pid=554770&w=1&ref =cb_large_view

It took a long time, and many tries to align the text, and the date and time line are still off!

So, no, GCU please don't give us another feature.

Just my 2-cents!

Penny

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Catherine_136771

Senior Member
artist

Posts: 290

Re: option of putting copy on cover
Reply #10 - Jan 30^th, 2010, 7:13am

I would like the option of allowing customers to put text on the cover of our cards. I don't think most customers would use this option, but it would be very useful for name-specific cards.

Artists often complain in the forum about the dozens of almost the same cards that appear in the new cards slideshow. We wouldn't have to make multiple versions of the same cards, but would make a template for Happy Birthday or another occasion, leaving a space for the customer to add a name. Once they understand they can do this, customers might find shopping easier, particularly when they are looking in a particular artist's store. A customer may buy a card if they see one right away they can adapt, rather than having to contact an artist to make the change to add a name, which can add to the time.

GCU prides itself on providing a vast range of cards. This text on the cover option certainly would increase this range. I love the option of being able to add a photo to the inside of the card, btw. Thanks! Grin

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Monica_138175

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Posts: 118

Re: option of putting copy on cover
Reply #11 - Jan 30^th, 2010, 7:18am

@Penny:
It sounds kind of intolerant to say "no, GCU please don't give us another feature", as there are other artists who would appreciate this feature. You wouldn't have to use it, but could just go on like before. And by the way, at Zazzle you can insert the exact hex value for the font color, just like in Photoshop. I would be happy to have the option here!

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Penny_134243

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Posts: 1337

Re: option of putting copy on cover
Reply #12 - Jan 30^th, 2010, 11:55am

Quote from Monica_138175 on Jan 30^th, 2010, 7:18am:

@Penny:
It sounds kind of intolerant to say "no, GCU please don't give us another feature", as there are other artists who would appreciate this feature. You wouldn't have to use it, but could just go on like before. And by the way, at Zazzle you can insert the exact hex value for the font color, just like in Photoshop. I would be happy to have the option here!

Greetings!

I wasn't aware that having a differing opinion to yours is 'intolerant.' I believe that all opinions should be heard, not just the ones that we agree with. Perhaps 'intolerant' was not the word that you meant to use.

Since Mindy did open the door for opinions on this issue, I thought that I would add mine, and that people would read it, and choose to agree or disagree.

As for the hex code at Frazzle, yes, this is true. For people like me who use Pantone colors, design in CMYK then convert to RGB for uploading, it still is a bit of a crap shoot as to how the actual colors will look, but, enough about that.

My point is that I like GCU for what GCU is. I don't think that it makes sense to try to chase other PODs or to try to become like another POD. And there are existing issues with the inside text that I would like to see tweaked before more features are added.

Penny

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Doreen_137017

Gold Member
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Posts: 5273

Re: option of putting copy on cover
Reply #13 - Jan 30^th, 2010, 12:22pm

I agree Penny, well said.

My 2-cents...

In order for GCU to add the ability to add copy to the front of a card, it would be a significant change and cost issue whether they hire someone to generate software that will allow the copy, the fonts, the colors, the sizes and of course the ability to move it around on the front of the card, or buy the licenses to use something that exists...its going to be expensive. To me, this just isn't worth the effort or the cost when artist's can open another free store at Zazzle and sell their cards in two places instead of one, having the benefit of both worlds. I have used, or attempted to use, software at other sites which allows me to add copy and they all are horribly hard to work with in comparison to Zazzle...but that is Zazzle's thing, they developed software and made themselves a nice niche in the marketplace for a unique ability. Comparing GCU to Zazzle is like comparing walnuts and watermelons, they both have a shell, but other than that they aren't even in the same food group Grin

If GCU has the funds and manpower to improve card text, I would much rather see improvement on the inside of the card. Additional font choices with improved accuracy in the preview and layout. This would also benefit customers.

My personalized designs, with the exception of a few photo cards are on Zazzle and not GCU. I am not willing to put myself through the creation of cards with different names or ages on them, instead I create a lovely card for GCU and then upload the card to Zazzle and offer personalization and benefit from sales at two stores.

Just my 42-cents Grin

p.s. I know that the original discussion was to save time to add copy on-site, but there isn't a computer on the market today that doesn't come bundled with Photoshop Elements or the equivalent. How much time are you really saving adding it here or adding it there? Of course I'm a Photoshop geek so I guess that's why I can't see the benefit.

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Catherine_136771

Senior Member
artist

Posts: 290

Re: option of putting copy on cover
Reply #14 - Jan 30^th, 2010, 12:31pm

I'm doing what Doreen is doing, putting cards on Zazzle that can be customized. I prefer to buy cards at GCU, though, and so do my friends and family, so I would like them to be able to customize the front of the cards with names, at least. They love customizing the inside text and would like to be able to do so on the cover. Even though they know I would gladly add a name on the cover for them, they also realize the amount of time for personalizing each one so they hesitate to ask me to do it. But I agree that I'd first like to see more font offerings for inside text. Cheesy

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