Stamp Designing
 

Hi friends,

Does anyone know how hard it is to break into the stamp designing business? I've always wanted to try designing some but not sure where to start. Any tips and advice is welcome.

I know there are thousands of stamp designs out there so I guess originality is a must. hahaha. What kind of stamps do you stampers look for the most: flowers, food, birds, quotes, etc.

Thanks!!! have a most awesome day!

Marie

Hi Marie,
The best thing to do is draw in a style that reflects your personality. Then, when you have images that you would love to stamp with, find a company you love and ask them if they would like to see your work. The company may decide to pick you up as an artist and then you would be a stamp designer. :) Best of luck to you.
Hugs,
Gina K.

I am in the same boat (wanting to start a company) - my ideas are better than my artistic ability. I even have a quality company to make the rubber for me. But I am scared to fail lol - it would break my heart. But I have to say I haven't seen anywhere what I want to do, so that is a positive.

I use a lot of flowers, but I am always looking for robots, dinosaurs and monsters for boy cards. Those are very hard to find, in my opinion. At least, good, cute ones are hard to find. I'd love a robot with a heart. And cute dinosaurs and monsters!

Stampers are looking for just about anything and everything, when it comes to images. ;)

If you're interested in becoming an illustrator for a rubber stamp company, I'd do what Gina advises: contact one you like.

Big/major rubber stamp manufacturers often hire in-house illustrators full-time.

Smaller companies will probably contract with you to illustrate on a free-lance basis.

Good luck!

Suzy, Don't be scared. Well... actually I'm scared too. hahaha. But what do we have to lose? Even if I fail miserably... I think it would be a fun fun journery. Goooooo STAMPERS!!!

Thanks Gina
 

Thanks for your awesome advice. I will do that. But don't be scared if you see me with a stack of designs in front of your house in the rain someday. haha. j/k

But thanks and I love your stuff!

I've seen the level of commitment it takes to own and operate a (any) company with success, and I dunno that I personally would ever have the stamina or wherewithall to do that.

But, at the same time, nothing ventured, nothing gained. ;)

Could you fail? Sure.

But, you could also succeed. There are no guarantees either way.

There comes a time, with any dream or ambition you have, when you have to say, "I don't care if I fail. This is 'it'. I've found it. This is my passion; if I don't do this, I will never know what I could have accomplished."

And, then you develop a strong business plan, and go balls out for it. :D

What sort of "deal" do designers get? Is it like publishing where they are given an advance and then royalties on their sales? Or is it just a flat percentage of the sales of their sets?

Depends on the contractual arrangements between the illustrator and the manufacturer.

Thanks Julie - GREAT advice. :)

I once heard a great saying:

"Not trying is wondering your whole life if you gave up too soon."

I say GO FOR IT!

Right, but what are some examples? Is there an industry norm?

I don't know specifics beyond:

• If the illustration is not accepted, usually there is no compensation
• If accepted, it can be a flat fee for the illustration, or flat fee + royalties
• Some companies offer only royalties from sales

I have no idea what the "norm" is in this particular industry; most illustrators and companies, small or large, of course, are not inclined to disclose the figures. :)

Thanks Julie!

I dunno about how it works in the stamping world, but in graphics design, our base price for a single illustration is $175 and it goes up from there depending on the complexity of the illo, the number of illos requested at one time, and (if I am being honest here) the temperament of the client. (LOL) We have had some really nit-picky people come by our web-door for custom illustrations so they are charged extra. :rolleyes: (like can you color the green #38A948 instead of #38A940...NO LIE he wanted it changed that much)

I'd say go for it if that is something you really enjoy doing. *I* do not enjoy it. Not even one little teeny tiny bit so I admire those who do. :) :mrgreen:

Thanks everyone for the awesome info!

Taking a chance worked for me (I went ahead and did it before I had time to thinnk of the reasons why maybe I shouldn't LOL!!) good luck!! just do it!!