Invitations in qty: 1

[klstock]

(I've split this conversation out from the Digital Downloads discussion. -Scott)

I think allowing customization on the order of ONE invitation needs to be addressed. Stopping that, or tweaking it could work well in conjunction with the digital downloads.

Allowing people to fully customize and order just ONE invitation is enabling them to steal. And as long as that policy continues, there is less incentive for that "customer" to opt for the digital download when they can simply order one invitation.

I do some wedding invites - I get that some customers order one as a sample to see how it looks in print and then they do come back to place a full order later. They would have been able to see what it looks like in print with the placeholder names and details. Or by allowing customization but adding a watermark. 

The type who would order one invitation to have it printed elsewhere is not the type who is going to do the right thing when presented with an option to purchase a digital download. They will most likely just do what they came to do: order the one invitation. Unless that option is removed. IF ordering just one fully customized invitation to print/use elsewhere is no longer an option, then a digital download would be an appealing option. 

[MargPhoto]

I recently had someone order just one invitation. I actually never thought that people would be that cheap to photocopy them. Wow. I'm surprised Zazzle allows just one invitation to be sold. That's not good for business. - Marg

[Brownielocks]

Marg,  I just had someone buy one QSL post card.  (They are a Ham Radio contact verification.)  I seriously doubt this Ham had one contact.  It's obvious he'll take that one card he bought to a printer and have them scan it and reprint it for him cheaper.  Grrr!   So, this happens to us Sellers who aren't selling invitations too.

[MargPhoto]

Maybe they did but I'm wondering if there should be something with a copyright symbol should be placed on a single ordered card so at least the printer may question copyright ownership

[klstock]

I brought it up because it is, or will be, closely related to the digital download discussion in that digital downloads would likely prove to be more successful if the option to buy only one invitation (and customize it) is removed. 

[Cat]

I often get people ordering in a quantity of one. I think it's usually for a sample, but I suppose some folks are doing it to scan it. Sometimes they order one copy on 3 different papers, so those are clearly samples. Honestly, I think that the digital download will probably be cheaper for them than buying one invite, plus we'll make a decent royalty, so I see that as a win/win, and I think that people who are ordering for the sake of scanning will probably do that instead.

In terms of restricting quantity-of-1 orders to the template and not a customized version - I think there are numerous issues with that. What if the design includes a sample photo that's set to force the customer to replace it? What about seeing how their names look in the chosen font? The sample name undoubtedly uses different letters - and some fonts have a pretty "S" but an ugly "W" etc. And many of my customers do extensive editing to the template - moving fields around, changing fonts, adding their own content... A sample of the template just doesn't cut it.

I'm sure there are some folks who are ordering one invite so they can print it locally, but I really think that's the exception rather than the rule. I mean, think of the work involved... you have to order the thing, wait for it to arrive, try to get a decent scan or photo of it, then find a print shop that will do it locally, all to save a very small amount on the printing. I think the folks who will go to that trouble are few and far between, and I'd rather have a sale of one copy (which still bumps you up in Zazzle's search algorithm) than no sale at all.

I know some designers feel strongly about this, but I just think it's a non-issue. So, I guess if Zazzle was going to set a higher minimum quantity, I'd like an opt out so that my customers can still order samples because in the long run I'm confident it leads to more sales.

Just my 2 cents, YMMV.

[klstock]

I just had one of those where they ordered 1 each on different papers, so in a case like that it seems likely they will place a full order in the future. 

I have had people request a digital download of my artwork and when I said I didn't sell it digitally, they ordered 1 invitation. I asked them if they were printing it elsewhere and they said yes! Perhaps there could be a disclaimer somewhere that makes it clear that reproduction is illegal or something tactfully worded and to that effect. Because while some people are fully aware that they are being shady, others are genuinely clueless about it. 

It happens often enough there are several threads on it and comments about it in related thread. Overall, it may be the exception and not the rule, but things should still be done to mitigate it as much as possible. 

The customer can type their name in and view what the lettering looks like on the screen - they don't need a physical copy to make sure the lettering looks ok. I wish there was a way they could order a physical copy and personalize the name field ONLY and have the details such as venue and date remain as the placeholder text.

I suggested an either/or scenario...if they must order just one and there is a need to customize it, then a watermark or something printed on there so that they can't just make copies/have it printed elsewhere would be useful. 

I don't think it would be cheaper to buy a digital download than to buy an invitation. That would be terrible for business! Depending what they are doing with it, they may also still need to have it printed locally. 

Most of these issues have been gone over in multiple threads so my comment wasn't to rehash the why's and why nots. But just giving my opinion as it related to the digital download topic. 

[kashmier]

I am not yet aware of what the digital upload is. I have had a few one wedding invitation purchases. All you can do is either keep an eye out for upcoming purchase of that invite by the buyer or just ignore it. You are not able to email the buyer and say thank you. I guess it is less frustrating to just ignore it. 😞    

[MargPhoto]

Will it be the same price for any digital upload all the way across the board? For example, will downloading a digital upload of a poster be the same as the cost of the same file from an invitation?

[Cat]

According to the information page (https://www.zazzle.com/creators/playbook/learn+about+instant+downloads) the prices vary according to product:

[Roberta]

Hi @klstock 

Thank you all for taking the time to share your thought and suggestions with us. I'll pass this along to our team for further consideration. 📝

Roberta 🌷

[MargPhoto]

Is scrapbooking paper considered under the posters and prints?

[Connie]

This suggestion could only possibly benefit those who are offering digital downloads. Since I use purchased graphics, I have to opt out, so I'd rather get a sale of one physical invitation, than no sale at all!

[klstock]

They could still buy one invitation, just not fully customized - or if fully customized, then with a watermark or something printed on it to make clear it is not for reprint. 

I am not ok with someone buying just one fully customized invitation. There is no need, even with wedding invites, for them to have a fully customized invitation with no watermark. Are you really ok with someone being able to take your design and go have it printed elsewhere while you earn a couple cents? Not me! I do most all my own artwork and my hard work and creativity is worth more than a couple cents!

I am someone who absolutely could make a good amount on digital downloads. I am opted OUT of it because they have plainly stated that the "customer" can cancel and be refunded AFTER they have downloaded the artwork! I do not want that type of "benefit" of giving my art away for free.