New Collections Types questions

[TAngelone]

Is it possible to set our collections to HIDDEN while we work on developing and building our stores? I ask this because I have searched exhaustively on the Zazzle Forums and elsewhere and could NOT find an answer to my question. 

May I also suggest that ZAZZLE please add categories such as FASHION and ACCESSORIES. I myself am designing for leggings, bags, jewelry, electronics etc. I DO NOT see a CATEGORY or COLLECTION  TYPE for these items. As was stated in previous posts we really need CATEGORIES and COLLECTION TYPES that are NOT niched down to certain occasions or events. Zazzle presently has a category for EVERYDAY/SHOPPING when one creates a PRODUCT using SELL IT. 

Also please rethink the “OTHER - NO CLEAR PURPOSE OR INTENT”. There are loads of products that can be given as gifts for all occasions and should NOT be relegated to some obscure CATEGORY or COLLECTION TYPE with “NO CLEAR PURPOSE OR INTENT” in the title. This only serves to dissuade prospective customers from browsing and purchasing items from this category. 

Again this is a CATEGORY or COLLECTION TYPE that could be renamed EVERYDAY/SHOPPING. 

Finally please provide more detailed and less vague, canned and surface information about new features such as the NEW COLLECTIONS TYPES. A detailed chart or sitemap would also be helpful. Again I am NOT posting this to be critical of Zazzle. 

Thanks in advance to anyone who responds to this post. 

[TAngelone]

OTHER - NO CLEAR PURPOSE OR INTENT should be renamed. This could be an all encompassing CATEGORY or COLLECTION TYPE. Again please omit “NO CLEAR PURPOSE OR INTENT”. Also please add FASHION and ACCESSORIES as a COLLECTIONS TYPE. 

[Scott]

I’m going to lock this thread as a duplicate. These are topics that have come up several times already.

• Please do not use ALL CAPS in the discussion thread title. I’d also recommend that you avoid using ALL CAPS in your post, too. It can impact the readability of the post.
• Adding a Hidden and Direct Only status is a suggestion that we’ve received.
• There’s an existing discussion thread for suggestions for additional Categories.
• The “other - no clear intent or purpose” feedback has been shared.
• We’re working on additional documentation. When it’s available we’ll link it in this forum.

[TAngelone]

Before I begin to even attempt to create collections I need clarification on a couple of New Collections related topics. 

Let me preface this by stating that though I have posted this question in a previous post I still do NOT have the answers that I need to proceed with creating collections for my multi niche online store here on Zazzle. 

Can one set collections to private or hidden while we are in the process of creating them with our products, media (i.e. collections promotional banners and product photos and finally our tags and descriptions)? 

If so how does one set their collections to PRIVATE or HIDDEN and how does one make them PUBLIC AGAIN once they are ready to be seen by potential customers. Step by step instructions and screen captures would be appreciated. 

This is a topic that needs some clarification. Let me apologise to anyone who might be annoyed by my posing this question, however I am still learning. I cannot and will not proceed with collections until this is clarified. The replies I received regarding this topic in an earlier post were confusing and did not answer my questions. 

I am still working on my titles, tags, descriptions and media for my individual products and product lines. I am not comfortable with anyone seeing my store, my products, product lines and collections until they are ready for launch. All will be set to private or hidden until they are ready. 

I do NOT want anyone shopping my store while it is still in development. 

The idea of making anything public before it is ready does NOT sit well with me at all. 

My next question is regarding products. I myself am intending to sell (Apparel - T-shirts, Hoodies, Leggings, Capri Leggings, Bags, Cases, Mugs, Pillows, School and Office Supplies etc.) that are niche based and have the same or similar designs and the same or similar aesthetic for all of the aforementioned products. 

There are many styles of T-Shirt (s) (i.e. Regular, Basic, Bella Canvas in Women’s and Men’s), Hoodies (i.e. Pullover and Zipped and Sweatshirts) that artists and designers (I myself  am both and artist and designer) can design for. 

Should we feature all of the various styles of T-Shirts in our collections or select one or two to add to our collections while allowing our customers to transfer the design to the style of their choice? Will new customers know that they can actually transfer our art and designs to other styles of T-shirts or Hoodies? Please see screen capture. 

This also applies to cases and skins. As everyone knows there are literally over 50 some odd cases and skins. Please see sitemap screen capture. Should we add just one or two of a certain style of case to a collection or do we need to add all styles to a collection? Will potential customers know that they that can get the same designs/art on all cases if we only feature one or two in a collection? Wil they know that there are several Samsung Galaxy cases not just the ones featured with in a collection. 

Should we alternate styles and colour variations with in collections? Meaning should we add a Bella Canvas T-shirt to one collection and a V - Neck to another collection for the ladies. 

This is also true for mugs and even home, office and  school supplies where in there are different styles, sizes and colour variations for all of the aforementioned products. 

Also please consider the fact that when a design is transferred from one product to another such as mugs, pillows  cases and skins in particular adjustments need to be made for the art and designs to correctly fit the actual products. I have noticed that when one transfers the art and text fields from one style of product to another there are issues with how the designs and art look and fit on the actual products. 

Collections Media Sizes. Are the media sizes the same as they always were or have the dimensions for product photos and collections banners changed? 

A list of media sizes for collections banners and product photos would be appreciated. I do have screen capture of Zazzle media sizes but that is dated and I am NOT entirely sure what sizes my collections banners and product photos should be. 

I hope my questions do not seem trite, newbie or vague. 

Being armed with this information will help me and others who use this forum and these threads to learn. 

Thanks in advance. 

Please see screen captures. 

[Badeesie]

For the shirts, customers will be able to tell that your designs can be transferred to other styles of shirt if you enable that:

If you select ‘sell on all options’ for any product, the same options you see on the product page when you go to design the product will be visible to the customer when they come to buy.

[TAngelone]

Thanks for answering at least one of my questions. I will wait to see who replies to my other questions. 

[TAngelone]

I am not sure if this is the appropriate place to post this question. When can we expect new collections categories/types? Having scrolled through the Event or Occasion list I still do not see a number of requested categories or types. This means that most of what some of us have to offer will end up in the Other category by default because there are no Events or Occasions listed that appropriately match our respective niche(s).

Once again having a broader range of categories and types will make it easier and less frustrating and daunting for those of us who like myself create art and designs that simply do not fit under any of the Events or Occasions listed. 

I myself have all original art, poetry and designs that comprise my product lines that are multi niche:

Women’s Empowerment Inspirational Poetry and Art 

Anti Bullying Poetry and Art 

Socially Conscious Poetry and Art 

*I have written 5 original poems with accompanying art that have a very clear and deliberate purpose and intent that should not end up under the Other category. 

Salem Massachusetts souvenirs. Again I have several collections of custom Salem Mass souvenirs. Salem Mass is a major tourist hub I am based out of. No category for souvenirs. 

Finally women’s fashion and accessories. I have also designed curated sets of women’s athleisure (leggings, yoga pants, yoga mats, t - shirts, bags and even some beauty products) for all seasons and occasions. 

So I am baffled as I could just check off birthdays as these can be given as gifts. They also could be Mother’s Day gifts. They were designed to be year round not just seasonal pieces for all occasions and no specific event per se. 

The only type I  found that fits what I have to offer is Political and Election as I have a series of patriotic American art and designs including one poem. Thanks for including this category as we need more of them. 

I sincerely hope that Zazzle developers will consider what’s been stated here. 

My apologies if this post is not in the appropriate spot on the forums or if it seems redundant. 

I would like to proceed with collections once Zazzle provides a broader range of categories and types and does not force me to place the majority of my collections in the Other - no clear purpose or intent bin. 

Thanks again for everyone’s continued patience with me and my stream of questions. 

[Cherie]

I sincerely hope that Zazzle developers will consider what you have stated here as well!!!

[TAngelone]

Cherie Thanks for your reply.  I do hope Zazzle considers this as well. Here is an afterthought. I just searched “inspirational” on Pinterest and Google. This would be a great category or collection type for Zazzle to consider as an option. It is widely searched and SEO friendly. 

[TAngelone]

Subcategories for Inspirational could be “quotes” “poetry” etc. I have performed a number of searches on Pinterest and Google. My browser is Google Chrome. All of the aforementioned are SEO friendly and will generate traffic for Zazzle and Zazzle Creators/Shopkeepers respectively. I myself test the integrity of all of my keywords and tags on Zazzle, Pinterest (a search engine) and Google before including them in descriptions or using them in my SEO marketing strategy. I have tested and tried what I am suggesting. 

[Scott]

Hi @TAngelone , I’ve moved all of your posts into your original discussion thread. If you have a question that has not been answered the best action would be to simply bump the same discussion thread. Creating multiple new discussion threads on the same topic can make it difficult for other users to find the information they’re looking for here.

[Scott]

“When can we expect new collections categories/types?” - We’re working on this, but I haven’t been able to track down any detailed information. Building things out takes time. When there’s more to share we’ll be sure to let everyone know.

We’re hoping to offer the ability to set collections to Private very soon.

Media image sizes are mentioned in our latest FAQ doc here: https://www.zazzle.com/creators/playbook/collection+types