Poll-What is a fair price to charge for a box of Christmas cards

[Michael the Iconographer]

This year I think I am actually going to have Christmas Cards made with the icon of the Nativity on the front that I completed last year. The decision will be based upon whether or not I can get enough interest in such a project. I am wondering what everyone thinks is a fair price for a box of 10 cards with envelopes. Everyone, non-Orthodox included, is welcome to participate in the poll. Thank you for your input.

[Llauralin]

Could you by any chance post a picture of this icon?

[Photini]

It depends on the size of the cards and the paper quality.

[Michael the Iconographer]

The cards will be normal printed card stock, and the size will be the size of a regular greeting card. They will be professionally printed. Here is a quick picture of the icon, but definitely not the one I would use to have the cards made.

[Photini]

I'd say $10 a box is reasonable then. If it were a heavier and/or textured quality of paper I'd pay up to $15 per box.

[Michael the Iconographer]

I'd say $10 a box is reasonable then. If it were a heavier and/or textured quality of paper I'd pay up to $15 per box.

Thank you Heather. What about everyone else? What do you have to say? I really want everyone's opinion that I can possibly get.

[Llauralin]

I would say $10 or $12. I suppose you'd be also selling them online? In which case they'd also be a couple extra dollars for shipping in the end.

[Moros]

10 plus shipping.

[Llauralin]

Would you print anything inside them?

[aReformedPatriot]

ooh pretty. I would say $8.00 a box is a fair price.

[Michael the Iconographer]

Would you print anything inside them?

The Christmas Troparion:

Your Nativity, O Christ our God,
Has shone to the world the Light of wisdom!
For by it, those who worshipped the stars,
Were taught by a Star to adore You,
The Sun of Righteousness,
And to know You, the Orient from on High.
O Lord, glory to You!

[aReformedPatriot]

The Christmas Troparion:

Your Nativity, O Christ our God,
Has shone to the world the Light of wisdom!
For by it, those who worshipped the stars,
Were taught by a Star to adore You,
The Sun of Righteousness,
And to know You, the Orient from on High.
O Lord, glory to You!

:amen:

[Michael the Iconographer]

Judging from a very limited discussion with family and friends there seems to be ample support for such a project on my behalf.

[The Prokeimenon!]

The Christmas Troparion:

Your Nativity, O Christ our God,
Has shone to the world the Light of wisdom!
For by it, those who worshipped the stars,
Were taught by a Star to adore You,
The Sun of Righteousness,
And to know You, the Orient from on High.
O Lord, glory to You!

You should set up a poll also for the text- I would be more inclined to go with a card that has "Thy Nativity... to adore Thee... glory to Thee" etc.

That being said- you're never going to please everybody (with the myriad of translations we have in English) and one can go nuts trying- so it may be best to stick with plan "A."

I think $12.50 ($1.00 per card plus a bit more for the envelopes) is a fair price, but Orthodox people seem to be content to pay extra for Orthodox goods. There's really no reason that a CD should cost $20, but people pay it... You could probably get away with charging $15 or even $20 for a box of quality Christmas cards.

Moses

[alban]

I'd say $10, and if i lived in America i'd definitely buy some.

[Michael the Iconographer]

I'd say $10, and if i lived in America i'd definitely buy some.

I could always arrange shipping to the UK.

[Michael the Iconographer]

Anyone else have any insights?

[Michael the Iconographer]

You could probably get away with charging $15 or even $20 for a box of quality Christmas cards.

Moses

I am not out to soak people, just to get a fair price. That is why I am taking a survey to see what people think a fair price is. I want people to want to buy the cards.

[pjw]

just a question: how many in a box? 10? what currency? US$?? in that situation, i'd probably say $10 a box, plus postage, is a good price. i pay 1 or 2 australian dollars for a cheap birthday card, and would willingly pay $2 for a high quality card.

[Michael the Iconographer]

just a question: how many in a box? 10? what currency? US$?? in that situation, i'd probably say $10 a box, plus postage, is a good price. i pay 1 or 2 australian dollars for a cheap birthday card, and would willingly pay $2 for a high quality card.

10 per box, US dollars.

[e=mv^2]

What is your capability to mass produce these? What is your tolerance for risk? How much effort are you interesting in devoting to this? Have you thought about selling rights to the artwork to a larger card mfr?

There is no question you are a talented artist.

[Michael the Iconographer]

What is your capability to mass produce these? What is your tolerance for risk? How much effort are you interesting in devoting to this? Have you thought about selling rights to the artwork to a larger card mfr?

There is no question you are a talented artist.

I am looking at a first run of 2500. I have a moderate tolerance of risk. I have no intentions of selling the rights to my work to a larger card manufacturer unless they pay me very, very well for my work-AND they would have to be Orthodox. I have sold the rights to make prints of my work to a friend, but I get alot of return business from that agreement. There would be a conflict of interest if I were to sell the rights to my work to another company. I more like the idea of me being paid for my work than someone else making money off my talent.

[seashale76]

Oh, how cool is that? You're very talented. I'd say $10 per box, plus shipping is reasonable.

[HandmaidenOfGod]

Maybe checking out the competition (http://conciliarpress.bizhosting.com/icon_christmas_cards.html) will help you determine what price you should set for your customers.


God bless!

In XC,

Maureen

[Michael the Iconographer]

Maybe checking out the competition (http://conciliarpress.bizhosting.com/icon_christmas_cards.html) will help you determine what price you should set for your customers.


God bless!

In XC,

Maureen

I have checked out what counciliar press and the others are charging for their cards. However, this is my own personal work that I am presenting and I am not getting a HUGE quantity of cards made, so I am not sure how much of direct competition they are to me. Also most of the people buying the cards will either know me personally or know of me, and that does have an effect on the price.

[Michael the Iconographer]

Anyone else want to get their $.02 in before I leave for a week?

[e=mv^2]

Given that the "big guys" are charging ~$.87 per card I think that given the rarity and "neat factor" of having your limited production artwork it is totally reasonable to charge $1.00-1.25 per card for yours. Some would call it a bargain. (Where exactly do we all get to order these? You are going to give us a crack at buying some right?;))

[Michael the Iconographer]

Given that the "big guys" are charging ~$.87 per card I think that given the rarity and "neat factor" of having your limited production artwork it is totally reasonable to charge $1.00-1.25 per card for yours. Some would call it a bargain. (Where exactly do we all get to order these? You are going to give us a crack at buying some right?;))

It looks like the consensus is $10-$12.50 for a box of ten is fair. Now I need to get working on this project, as soon as I get back from California. I spent Monday evening taking photographs of the icon, both digital and film, so I am sure I have a good photo of it. Of course I will give you all a crack at buying them. You will be able to order them directly from me. I will also be preparing color order forms to send out to various people and parishes. I really need to get my own icon website set up to work in conjuction with the page I have on Come and See.

[Shubunkin]

I think these cards would be wonderful! Even though I said $10 would be a fair price, the $12.50 would too. Perhaps $10 would be with discount? :D **joking**

[Michael the Iconographer]

I think these cards would be wonderful! Even though I said $10 would be a fair price, the $12.50 would too. Perhaps $10 would be with discount? :D **joking**

I could probably give a volume discount for people who want to order more than a box or two? I guess I have to think this thing out more completely.

[Shubunkin]

I have always appreciated the boxes that come with an extra envelope. I always manage to mess up at least one address per box. :P

[Michael the Iconographer]

I have always appreciated the boxes that come with an extra envelope. I always manage to mess up at least one address per box. :P

I have noticed that most of the icon Nativity cards out there come with an extra envelope so I was planning on doing that myself.

[Photini]

I'm looking forward to buying a box or two from you Michael! :)

[Michael the Iconographer]

Thank you to everyone who has offered their input. As soon as I return from California I will get to work on getting these produced.

[Michael the Iconographer]

bump

[Rusticus]

I voted 15, but then I now realise that I am thinking in australian dollars. This would probably work out at around $11.50 US.

I'm not Orthodox, but I would use the cards nevertheless. Good work.

[Michael the Iconographer]

Ok all, thank you for all of your votes. I will get the order forms created tomorrow afternoon, so if any of you want an order form, pm me your address and I will get one sent out to you promptly!