What method do you use for a receipt?

Until now I just made my own custom receipts, and printed them either onto a full sheet of paper or two per sheet of paper and cut it in half.

I recently had the idea of getting postcards made up or something the same size of a 5x7 and having a receipt in the top 3/5's of the card and on the bottom 2/5's have two business card sized coupons. On the back would be a thank you in the top 3/5's and maybe additional information letting them know I do passports, etc. And on the bottom 2/5's would be the back of the coupons just have a business card type thing, with at least name and contact info.

What do you all do for a receipt for those that buy your service? Im guessing some do an invoice type method?

The contract is the receipt for services and products purchased at that time. A packing slip/invoice is the receipt for products ordered post-session.

I don't do anything fancier because nobody cares. They usually toss those things in the trash or store them away until tax time. I may even start to mail PDFs instead as part of my effort to "go green".

I think CDI is correct. Receipts are not an item that a lot of design time should be spent on. Receipts are more of a functional item.

For functionality, I use Excel because it offers a number of advantages. Templates can be created to automatically do calculations such as add line items, apply taxes when applicable, etc.. The spreadsheet can also easily be integrated into accounting. As to the receipt, the spreadsheet can easily be converted to a pdf and emailed. The customer then has an electronic record and an easily printable receipt if desired. Plus, it saves the time and cost of stuffing and stamping envelopes.

I also just use my Contract. Some customers like a receipt when they send me payment and I don't have their copy of the contract to sign, so for that I just bought a little receipt pad from Walmart for 1.97

Im about to photograph a Church Directory, so theres no contracts involved, no purchase even required. One thing I really want to focus my marketing on is senior portraits. I was thinking of offering a coupon on the receipt for senior pics, that way they will know I do them, and they may pass the coupon on to someone that is looking to get them done. This is my thinking behind this. The other coupon could be a referral coupon letting both parties know what they get for being referred/referring someone.

Why not just print business cards with what you do stated on them? Perhaps even a small run of them with a discount named on the back. That way you're not limited to giving them to current customers only.

I don't put coupons out but I give a small stack of business cards to my clients each time we "interact" - be it a meeting, a product delivery, etc.

I also give a card to everyone who will take one.

Business cards are much more useful than a fancy receipt, IMHO.

Oh and what good is having a fancy receipt post card made up for the church thing if no purchase is required?

Business cards can be given to folks whether they buy anything or not. If you really want coupons, just print up coupons.

well most people do buy something at a Church directory. and hopefully that will continue this time.

def worth thinking about the business card route though.

$2 pad bought at the stationary store. Most people pay electronically so not an issue.

I have a green thumb and e-mail everything. Faster, efficient, records kept automatically, greener, cleaner.

I heard a rumor that In 1 year our college uses tens of thousands of $$$ in paper supply between only two computer labs.

Not everyone has an email address, but def something to consider. Im pretty sure I can access the church wifi, and if not, perhaps my new cellular internet card for the laptop will work. Didn't think of that.