Money - Money - Money - Has anyone heard of these products?

I ran across a 2 products online that I'm interested in offering but I have no idea how to start.

I've asked several clients if they like them. Their response was: "We love those! When will you start selling them!?"

Product #1 - Names from shapes

• Here's the link for product #1: http://web.mac.com …l/cellardoor/Sa​mples.html
  
• Do you know if there are photos (alphabet) like this available on disc? I'd rather spend $50 (or whatever) instead of spending the next 2 years trying to photograph the alphabet out of shapes.
  
• I'll have to learn to custom cut my own mats. Any suggestions on best supplier for mats and a good quality cutter?
  
• I'm guessing these are NOT custom frames. I'm hoping I could find a supplier for these ready-made frames - any ideas here?

• Here's the link to product #2: http://www.personaliza​tionmall.com …GoogleBase&utm_​medium=cpc
  
• How in the world do they cut a name into a mat? Obviously a machine....but do you have any ideas how I can get such a device?
  
• Looks like the only other piece to this puzzle is finding a supplier of ready made frames again.

A laser cutter could do the matting, but you wouldn't get the bevel and such that's normal for mats... and they are big $$$ and high maintenance to have your own. (But you can probably have it done locally, but again, may not be the final look you're after.) Look for a local laser cutter and have him do a few samples. (It may even be in some guys garage shop - a friend of mine has model rocket parts made in a neighborhood garage.)

As for the letter photos... you could peruse stock sites if you don't want to take the photos yourself. But to me, shooting those would be part of the fun, and your letter set would be unique and exclusive. Otherwise, why pay you to do it with stock pics, when they could do that... Not meaning to be rude. Offer them something more than what they could themselves...

snyper77 wrote in post #10257712
Product #2 - Names cut into the mat

• Here's the link to product #2: http://www.personaliza​tionmall.com …GoogleBase&utm_​medium=cpc
  
• How in the world do they cut a name into a mat? Obviously a machine....but do you have any ideas how I can get such a device?
  
• Looks like the only other piece to this puzzle is finding a supplier of ready made frames again.

Thanks for your help!
-db

I have a friend who is a picture framer, his mount cutter is CNC ( computer-controlled ) and is able to do this kind of work, although I dont know how small he could get the letters, but I guess this sort of thing would have to be reasonably big. I would say that the cost of owning such a machine yourself would not be economically viable, CNC machines tend to be rather pricey.

Why not talk to your local Framer and ask them if they could do such a thing?

Tim

#1:
Other people probably share your sentiment. Considering that, you could probably photograph alphanumeric a-z, A-Z, 0-1 sets of themed photographic fonts and then sell those, testing the price at $50 per set.

#2:
Scrapbooking machines for design, pattern, and die-cutting should work. They are typically priced between $100-$500:
http://www.amazon.com …76011&sort=-price-new-bin
There are also other neat machines like sticker makers.

Ive liked the letter idea for a while now, seen an example in a furniture store a couple of years ago. But when it comes to photographing the letters, I come up with a blank.

thanks for the link, at least it will give me ideas of what works.

I want to do one for a local town that has a nascar stadium. I wonder if it would be hard to get permission to take an aerial shot of it for the letter O. im guessing their answer is no.

CNC cutting is quite expensive...


you will need a CAD software to draw it
you will need a CAM software to enable the machine to interpret the drawing
a DIY cnc router (not a CNC mill) will go about $1000~$3000 pending size and setup.

there are places that can cut it for you.

now if they are paper... maybe it's easier to outsource someone with the setup?

if you're really interested in Computer Numerically Controlled router,go here...

the letter cutouts, are they cardboard, plastic or wood?

if cardboard... not sure if laser is appropriate...

die cutting will require you get a set of dies... so need 26 molds... and a press machine...
looks cool tho...

spuddevans wrote in post #10260271
...although I dont know how small he could get the letters, but I guess this sort of thing would have to be reasonably big. I would say that the cost of owning such a machine yourself would not be economically viable, CNC machines tend to be rather pricey...

they are pretty accurate... and i've seen folks cut computer waterblocks with a cnc mill/router setup.

they can also be quite small... they do have custom build desktop setups...

the cost is very expensive...

#1 - there's a business in Niagara Falls, Ontario that only does alphabet photography - that's their business name, Alphabet Photography. Their letters are all shot local, different locations in and around Niagara Falls where shapes form the letters. Really quite cool.

Rather than buy a set on disc why not shoot them for yourself using local areas? It may have more appeal to local customers than a generic set of images, plus over time you could effectively develop quite a catalog of letters and offer variety.

#2 - simple, find a local framer who uses CMC (computer mat cutting) and ask if they have the software for letters, and what the cost would be. Most custom framers will have the capability, especially those doing specialty framing such as sport memorabilia. It might be pricey but you just build it into your pricing. Offering such a unique and custom product will allow you to charge a higher price. Example of the software available for CMCs.

In the second web-page you posted you can order the custom cutting...