We need a better way to help customers choose the right paper

[Cat]

I'm getting a lot of questions from customers about paper types - mostly for invitations, but for other paper products as well. I try to point them to the page that describes all of the paper choices in detail, but since it's a popup, not a standalone page, I can't just send them a link, so it ends up being this complicated back and forth trying to point them to the correct location - especially since directions on how to find it vary depending on the device that they're using.

Would it be possible to get standalone links to the pages describing all of the paper choices for various products?

AND, it would be really helpful if the paper descriptions could be a bit more descriptive in terms of the weight of the paper. First of all, the descriptions generally give a paper weight, but it doesn't say if that's a cover weight or a text weight, and there's a BIG difference. Most customers won't understand that jargon anyhow, but even for us designers, it's very confusing since it isn't specified.

Could the descriptions on paper sheets be modified to clarify if the paper is a cardstock or not? This is the main question customers have, and it's a source of great confusion. It really matters because some designs are supposed to be folded, and others are supposed to be flat, so the customer needs to know what they're getting. It would also be helpful if we had more granularity in specifying which papers are available for which designs.

The other one that's a big deal is the poster papers. People seem to assume that the canvas gloss will stand up without a frame, but I don't believe it will. It needs to be clear that none of the poster papers are sturdy enough to stand up without a frame - I believe that's accurate - that's what I was told from a Zazzle rep on the old forum anyhow.

Maybe Zazzle could do a video for each product, showcasing the different paper types? It would be easier for customers to see the differences in thickness that way.

Thanks for considering this... it would be really helpful if this process could be made easier for the customer.

[Emma]

Hi @Cat , 

Many thanks for the detailed suggestion here. I'll be sure to pass this along to our Team for review! ✍️

- Emma 🌻

[CreativeLeahG]

I have written a post to guide my customers along with a handy chart

Budget Wedding Invitation Range explained 

[Cat]

@CreativeLeahG Thanks for the info! Yanno, it sorta feels like you need a PhD in order to understand paper weights/thicknesses! My understanding is that the pound rating is calculated differently depending on the type of paper it is. It's the weight of 500 sheets of paper, but the size of those sheets varies depending on whether it's bond (text), index, or cover stock. So in practical terms, it's not a terribly helpful way for your average human to understand.

The points measurements is what I generally go by, because it is a measure of the actual thickness of the paper, and doesn't vary from stock to stock.

GSM is a new one for me - probably the standard outside of the US where measurements are actually based in some sort of objective reality rather than historic tradition! Anyhow, it's sounding like it's a measurement of the weight per square meter, and the method of calculation does NOT change based on the bond of the paper - so it's probably a good measure to use.

At any rate, I'm working on designing some paper demo products, just for myself, but it would sure be nice if customers could get some sort of samples before buying. I look forward to your video if/when you get around to making it!

[CreativeLeahG]

@Cat 

I've ordered the samples, so as soon as they arrive I will do a short and simple demo.

I'll wave them about, bend them and attempt to fold and stand them up and that should give them a good headsup on the very basics re 'thickness' and weight. 

Will be my first ever instructional /review video! And possibly my last! 😅

[CreativeLeahG]

@Emma 

Please can we get an update re this

Currently, the semi gloss SHEETS are IDENTICAL paper weight/thickness card type as for the semi-gloss standard 5x7 invitation. Having seen a sample they are as I would describe 'card' NOT paper, yet the semigloss sheets are described as 'budget paper' and the semi gloss invitations as semi-gloss finish. They were previously also referred to as paper. Unless I was sent the wrong samples, neither are 'paper'. My customers are now asking what the alternative is to semi-gloss sheet 'budget' paper in the cardstock type? I can't refer them to semi-gloss invites knowing they are identical aside from height and width dimensions. Not only are semigloss sheets NOT paper, they are not 'budget' paper, they are equivalent quality to standard 'twice the price' 5x7 semi-gloss invites. Both are 300gsm 2.5 pt thickness / 110 lb weight.

My updated FAQS re this currently for customers are here https://www.lowbudgetwedding.network/#faqs

Note re my earlier message re demo video, there were numerous errors with my 'samples' order, hence no 'video' was produced.