Writing on Product Mockups

[albamarie]

Hi,

I have done some of my cover mock ups for my products with writing on them like you see in the following image.

I checked the original guidelines for mockups and I thought it encouraged us to add writing to our covers, but then I recently saw somewhere else (can't remember at the moment) that this is not allowed. Anyone know which is true? @Scott @James do you know if this is allowed?

Thanks,

Dawn

[idraw · Accepted solution]

@albamarie 

(Took a few minutes to locate the post from Scott/Mod)

idraw
Valued Contributor III
‎02-05-2023 05:03 PM - edited ‎02-05-2023 05:14 PM
I just checked the upload cover button, here’s what it says—-
Upload your own cover photo  
Your cover photo will be displayed in search results and your product page
✓Must be at least 1480 x 1480 pixels
✓You must have full rights to use the photo
✓Cannot include logos, marketing text, or website links

then more current====>
 Scott Community Manager   03-06-2023 07:49 AM
Unfortunately, we're providing some conflicting information in the "DONTs" section of that pop-up box. Marketing text is actually just fine. Hopefully we'll get this corrected soon. I would use this document for reference (link).
<https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1l5ewyw9d9k-rq9KPgd0raAXR1Yonxs8wrZieJccZ4UY/edit#slide=id.gd...>

[Connie]

That's sad. It ruins the look of Zazzle for sure, and turns it into a cheap marketing ad-fest!

But maybe that's a good thing for those of us who don't use text- it won't be long before customers "tune out" the text like they do all the other bombardment of marketing all over the internet, and then our products will stand out!

[chriiisss]

the only text i ever used was "or" but my store home page is already worthy of being photographed by martin parr 😄
I even have dogs in the mockups, don't worry there will also be kittens! I'm having so much fun, I'm glad I have "happy" in the store name, so all the funny things are on branding:))

[albamarie]

Thank you @idraw for providing those two references. Those were exactly the two things I had read, which is why I was confused. Glad to hear that text is ok to use.

@Connie I can understand your concern for marketing text if it is done in a salesy, obnoxious way. I think it is helpful if done judiciously and in a way that truly helps the customer understand the benefit of the product. I am in a rather small niche, and I solve a very particular problem for my customers, and I want them to understand that. The product description text is hidden away where many customers don't see it, so adding some text to the cover photo itself is useful for communicating with potential customers about how what I have created serves them. It is no different than using text on your Pinterest pins, which is a highly recommended practice.

[Barbara]

@albamarie  I totally agree with you about the problem that our descriptions are tucked away where customers are unlikely to ever see them. Adding a bit of text to our covers might mitigate this somewhat.

We've little room for text, and so it needs to be short and informative. For instance and for my postcards, I've indicated that ALL text can be personalized because the face of the card might appear as if the "title" is set in stone, which it isn't. When I get around to doing posters, I'll probably do something similar.

Anyone who thinks used-car advertising hyperbole is good has another think coming.

Colorwash's Home

[albamarie]

I agree completely @Barbara . As long as we are truly trying to serve customers rather than cajole them into buying something that they don't want or need, our businesses will thrive.

[Connie]

@Barbara Isn't that redundant when the Personalize button is right next to the image?

[JerryLambert]

The cover images show up in Google search and image search. They don't show up in google shopping though. Then there is social media sharing. 

Most of my stuff is obviously customizable. For example, I use 'John Q Public and Jane Doe' type placeholder names and my image placeholders have watermark. But for stuff that isn't obviously customizable, I am thinking about a little semi-transparent 'customizable' ribbon in one of the corners. I might have to sleep on it. 

[Barbara]

@ConnieHere's the kind of thing I'm referring to. In this one, it's not immediately apparent what the card might be used for:

Every Flower Counts for Reunion or Special Event
by colorwash

[Connie]

I suppose in a situation like that, where it isn't apparent at a glance what the card is for, it could be helpful. But if someone does that for wedding invitations, it would be pretty dumb!

[Barbara]

I don't do wedding stuff of any sort. Brides wouldn't like my ideas. 🙂

Maybe some folks are a tad too verbose, but a few words, if only to balance out the composition, is unlikely to chase away customers.

Colorwash's Home

[Connie]

@albamarieit depends on what it is used for, and how "in your face" the text is. I just think it's opening a can of worms, especially seeing some of the existing covers with text on them.

And also, it seems like it could start a whole trend of everybody adding their descriptions to their cover photos, and then customers will get sick of having to read all the text when they just want to see what the design looks like! I guess we'll see how it goes.

As far as Pinterest, everybody knows that's an advertising site, so they are used to all glaring marketing text, and probably most people tune it out just like I do!

[JerryLambert]

I took the wording about logos and marketing text to mean that we aren't allowed to have mockups with IP branding in it. I have seen free mockups for download that have IP in the images themselves. For example, when I was doing vanity plates I noticed some mockups had the BMW and AUDI and Shelby logos on the grills of the car mockup. I saw one that was a desktop with an apple and a pepsi. I've gotten to the point now where I just make my own mockups.  I never thought of what you are doing here.

What you have done here looks professional to me. It's not a bad idea if done properly. 

[albamarie]

Thank you @JerryLambert . Not only do people do this on Pinterest, designers on Etsy do it too.

[Connie]

I get very annoyed on Etsy when I'm trying to find something, looking on the search pages for what I need, and have to visually sort through all the noise to see the actual products!

[chefcateringbiz]

I hate the covers. I looked for a towel just now and it's so confusing, with all the different angles and backgrounds, I have to sift through the "noise" and try to find what I'm looking for. Very tedious.

[Barbara]

What's interesting to me is that I sell items, but I haven't sold a single product for which I've created covers. Only the ones that have remained straightforward Zazzle mockups. People have reported that covers have boosted their sales. I can report nothing.

Colorwash's Home

[Fizzy]

Well, it's called a cover photo, not a social media ad, isn't it? I find adding text to it unnecessary. If the image isn't self-explanatory, then what's the point? That said, I do add text to my pins or Instagram posts, but that's just because I've found that people tend to just look at the image and not at the text in the post below 🙄. Everyone seems to have the attention span of a gnat these days.  

[albamarie]

Just want to add to this discussion that best practices on Pinterest is to definitely use text when possible, which is why it is an excellent idea to use it on your cover photo, especially if you will be sharing it to Pinterest. You are creating an advertisement every time you create a product on Zazzle, whether there is text or not. Text HELPS the customer WHEN DONE PROPERLY, especially given short attention spans (most customers will NOT read the product description and most won't even be able to see it since it is buried).  So why not use text to explain to customers why your product is the solution to a problem they have? All marketing is just one person offering a value proposition to another. You can choose to be short-sighted and spammy or truly value your customer and explain to them how you can help them.

[Barbara]

That's the precise thought I had concerning the covers being great for Pinterest. Short bit of text on the image itself, which is the way ad companies do it, a decently descriptive title, and then a slightly more in-depth description.

I seriously doubt a couple words on a Zazzle cover will make a customer leave in a hurry. It does, however, depend on the product being displayed. Posters, for instance, should be more than obvious in all their aspects. Same for clocks.

Colorwash's Home

[CreativeLeahG]

I want to start by saying that I completely understand and respect your perspective if you're not a fan of text on cover photos. When it comes to marketing, I follow a simple principle - if it leads to more sales, then it's effective and good. But I also recognize that what works for one person may not work for another, and that's totally fine. It's worth considering that the people who are seeing success with text on cover photos might have some helpful tips to share, so it's always a good idea to keep an open mind.

Zazzle's largest competitor has every product cover created by the Designer and they're all quite varied and they clearly have no issues regarding 'lack of sales' because it is a hugely successful site. And let's also not forget Amazon which also has a shop front presenting products uniquely to the store holder. Hence I feel, it is reasonable to assume, text on covers is not going to be detrimental for Zazzle given it is not detrimental for the other providers. BUT as with all things, time and sales will reveal all. In the meantime, it's always worth experimenting with different approaches to see what works best for you and your customers.

Lately, I've been noticing some comments that are a bit derogatory towards other designers and the choices they make, not just regarding cover photos but other things as well. Personally, I prefer to focus on my own efforts rather than worry about what other designers are doing. I don't believe that other designers' actions have a significant impact on my sales. Additionally, if anything anyone does negatively affects sales on Zazzle, the platform will take measures to prevent it from happening.

I hope this message provides some reassurance to those who may be feeling anxious about cover photos and the different choices designers make in presenting their products. My only concern is with covers that are misleading, such as those featuring multiple product types or incorrect product information. As long as the cover accurately represents the product being sold, I believe that designers should have the freedom to present their products in a way that works best for them.

[albamarie]

You have summarized the point to perfection Leah. Your posts are always so balanced, thoughful and helpful Thank you.

I wanted to mention something with regard to some designers uploading cover photos with multiple products. I have seen one popular designer with dozens of covers containing multiple products. I think this is not only unfair to designers playing by the rules but also extremely misleading to customers. I hope Zazzle will take appropriate action.

[CreativeLeahG]

Thank you,  

re the multiple products, I'd report them when seen, because I have asked about this previously and it is definitely not allowed at this time.

[albamarie]

I have had to report the person in question THREE TIMES over the past several weeks. Zazzle told me today that they have reached out to the designer again to explain what is appropriate for cover photos. I hope that it will finally sink in that this is NOT allowed.