Just venting

[grafXthings]

I'm constantly surprised by your product prices. I seriously wonder how this is justified? Take the mugs, for example—the prices are outrageous! You can get brand-name porcelain for that. I could understand it if it were full-surface printing. But the design placement is so limited, and sometimes you can't even use the entire surface. On the Favor Jars, the print band doesn't even go all the way around. There's a gap. It's incredibly embarrassing! And the scented candles, $40? Seriously? That's a cheap glass jar. You can get them at any discount store for $3. Even if the personalization argument is valid, and maybe that's why they find buyers, the price is still completely exorbitant because the printer doesn't care whether it's a name or just a pattern. So, there are cups, including espresso mugs. Great! But where are the saucers? Or even porcelain plates? That's so sad. But that's just a side note. My real concern is the prices and how low our earnings have become. What I love about Zazzle is the enormous product variety. You won't find that anywhere else, and that's what makes Zazzle unique for me. That's why I'm still here. But it's becoming very worrying when prices for buyers keep rising while commissions for designers plummet. Especially considering the current economic and political situation in some countries. I hope you still have a good time, stay creative, and don't let the madness of this time get you down.

All the best

grafXthings

[Cat]

Having lived in the "starving artist" category for the majority of my life, I do admit that I shudder a tiny bit when I see the prices. But I think you have to take into account the "on demand" aspect of "print on demand" when you compare prices.

A mug that you purchase at the store was likely manufactured in bulk, so the costs associated with setting up the printing etc. are incurred once and spread over tens of thousands of items created with the same design. With print on demand, there's only one (or however many were ordered) of each item being printed, so there are going to be setup costs that cannot be spread across a large number of items. Plus, when you print a run of thousands, you probably run a few test items before doing the whole bulk amount, but with POD, you can't do that - so that means you have to be more precise in your setup, and/or you have to throw away any that don't come out right on the first try. And don't forget the timing factor. POD means that you have to create the thing immediately with a strict time deadline. That's always going to be more expensive than something that has more "wiggle room" in terms of production cost. 

I think when you factor all that in - plus the need for customer service, and the cost of maintaining the design tools and digital marketplace, the prices seem downright reasonable.

[grafXthings]

Thank you so much for your reply. Of course, I'm aware that other manufacturers can set their prices based on the quantity produced. Perhaps my main point wasn't entirely clear. Regarding the high prices, I was also concerned that design placement on Zazzle products is very limited, and especially on the really expensive items, the print border isn't even closed, creating a gap. That was somewhat disillusioning. I'm now adjusting my design accordingly so that the gap is no longer noticeable.

Thank you for listening.

[Cat]

I hear you that it's frustrating when the design area doesn't cover the entire product, but I think those are the limitations of the print on demand system. I try to avoid full frame designs or backgrounds on those products and instead use artwork that can be placed in the center of the design with the text around it like this: 

Best of luck with your designs!

[grafXthings]

Very nice design. A very good alternative for products that don't have a closed printing band.

[Susang6]

Not following the “starving artist” comment. You are a Gold status, that means you earned over $100,000 in royalties. That’s not starving that’s successful, sends out the message to the rest of us that you are doing “everything right”   But who  knows maybe sales dropped after that, and if that is the case,  maybe it’s time to reevaluate product designs or royalty settings. But calling yourself a starving artist after hitting six figures? That skews the whole conversation. Most of us haven’t hit $1,000 yet. If that’s starving, what does that make the rest of us?

[Cat]

Wow. Why the need for personal attacks? I'm not going to discuss my Zazzle status with you or anyone else. 

I'll simply say that as someone who has supported themself through art and music for the better part of 40 years, without the benefit of a "real job" or anyone else's income (or insurance benefits) to fall back on, I know a thing or two about being frugal and living without much in the way of expendable income - so I can fully understand the sticker shock one might experience when looking at the prices here. That was my only point - I was not comparing my "artistic success" or making a statement about anyone else's earning experience on this platform.

Sheesh!

[Barbara]

$100,000 over just 10 years averages out to be what's considered poverty-level. Regardless, you were rude to Cat.

[Susang6]

Z candle doesn’t compare to a dollar store candle. Zazzle jar candle is 100% soy, paraffin-free, clean burning, and made in America not China with a 36-hour burn time and a warm, balanced scent. Dollar store candles are often synthetic, chemical-based, and burn unevenly or quickly. Yes, it costs more, but quality products made in America usually do. Plus, each candle features original artwork or a customizable label you can personalize for gifts, events, or seasonal décor something you won’t find on a $3 shelf. It’s not just a candle, it’s a clean product that is better for your health and wellbeing.

[grafXthings]

Thank you so much for your reply. I expect the wax to be high quality at this price. I'm not familiar with candles from China. I always try to avoid buying potentially harmful candles. What do you mean by the candles having an original artwork and a customizable label? I'm speaking here as a designer, and I'm simply wondering whether a higher-priced product will even be bought if it has flaws in the print placement. And yes, it is a flaw, there's no way around it. Zazzle, or the company that prints the products, should consider whether double-sided printing is possible.

[Susang6]

I am not following you on the double sided jar candle...as you can see by the peony jar candle the print goes all the way around the candle.  I bought this candle for my MIL and normally she "re-gifts" everything, but kept this candle and loved it.  Said it was a high quality soy candle and the fragrance was lovely.   

[grafXthings]

Sorry, I realize now, I'm afraid I didn't express myself correctly. I meant these products that don't have a closed band:

Regarding the candle jar, I objected to the extremely high price; one really has to think very carefully before buying it. I can completely understand why buyers use their own printed designs for the glass and don't buy from us designers.

[Susang6]

I agree with you , it never made any sense to me why it stopped short like that.   I wonder  if anyone ever brought this up to Zazzle I guess merchandising would be the department.