So: check this out.
I've been making these buttons, right? over 10,000 of them this year. And I think that they are cool as-is, but I've been tring to find a way to "sell" them up a bit. So that people can sell them without feeling guilty or nickel and diming themselves (I'm lying: it's so I can sell them for more money)

Anyway, my idea is this: I'm printing out index cards with my band's logo and web address on the left third, then puncking holes in the right 2/3 and attaching four buttons on it. then I can sell it as something, more of an "item" than a throwaway.

If this makes sense to you, do you like the idea? Would you buy it? (from or for a band)

because if so, I'm going to need to get somekind of press or cutter, because I can't sit here and punch holes all damn day.

And if not, I'll just stop after this batch. well, I'll see if mine sell.

can you take a picture of your idea so we can get a better visualization?

This is a pretty crappy pic (I don't know how to use my digital camera yet)
But you get the idea: four buttons on a card with the logo and web address on the the card. this is my first attempt, so I have some issues to work out with placement and logo size stuff.

I'll post a better when when I have the time, or anyone can see them as we try to sell them at our shows this weekend (Launchpad Friday, Atomic Saturday).

Can you print off a hard copy of this picture of your idea so that we can get a better visualization? And a frame would be nice. But nothing too fancy.

Thanks!

What Jim is trying to say is sign us up! We would proably want to do something spactacular with that 1/3 that is not buttons, but we are in.

Lets talk.

Signed and numbered editions of this photo are available for 19$ cash. mail to this address: I am a sucker, sucker street, suckerton, North dakota.

here's the drawbacks:

1. you need four or five designs.
Now, my band is up to almost 60 different buttons, so this is a good way for us to move the weaker designs. Also, I've done the five buttons-spelling-out-the-band-name-with each-member's-face bit, and it's a pretty cool looking package

2. It'll cost more.
I'm going to have to go 1.50$ a pack, rather than the 80 cents those four would normally cost. At least until i can figure out a better way to punch the holes....some kind of press? i think you could charge 2$ a pack yourself, so you'd still be able to get your money if you were confident you could move them. I'm thinking I might make it a better deal for someone getting a package (logo design, shirts, web site, etc) off of me. Like a sweetening the deal kinda thing.

3. I need to find better paper.
This stuff dimples just a little bit, which kinda diminishes the classy-ish package I was going for. i need a heavier card stock, but that doesn't help punching the holes.

The advantages are these:

1.You can sell the buttons. I know most bands give them away, or charge a quarter, or make their own, less attractive packages. This way you can put them out on your merch table without feeling like a douche.

2. You can have four or five designs with a logo and web site or whatever on the paper.
Maybe even a design that covers more area, and the buttons can go on top. That might look pretty slick. And for things like spelling out the band name, or giving each member a button, you can keep them organized and move the entire set rather than, say, get rid of all of your Ellas if you are Unit 7 Drain.Much more opportunity to express you vision or whatever without having to fit all your contact info on each button.Would look pretty slick in a press kit.

In other news: i am now doing shirts. our first run of Romeo's sold out in one night, and the new batch should be ready this Friday for anyone wanting to check them out. I've got three orders workign right now from local bands and businesses that you should be able to see soon too. prices start at 100$ for 20 shirts, which is dirt cheap for small runs like that. (larger runs are probably better off going to a pro for the time being).

I'll have pics up of that stuff soon too. i am currently looking for HOT MODELS*. Model one of my shirts, get a free shirt!

*I mean it. i want them HOT.

I will model for you! Im HAWT! Does that work?

Also, put us down for a T-Shirt order. I will email you for details.

YESSS!!!! Make sure to pin them to that firm, hipster ass of yours!!!MORE DANDEE ASS!!!!

Yeah, I'd totally have to ask you to model the shirt pantless. But sure, you're in. I might get Rexx to be another guy, and now I just need lik 4 hot chicks. No- 15. 15 hot chicks.

If you need someone to take the pictures, I'm always game to take pictures of hot models. We need sexy pics of Dandee for the lousy robot site anyway

I'm not interested in ripping anyone off, but having given away around 1000 buttons and 2000 stickers I'm pretty sick of giving shit away anymore.The first thing that happened when our cd and shirts came out was 300 people asking for one and telling me, "hey man, I shouldn't have to pay because I'm your buddy!" the same people who only ever come to see us if they can get on the list... Only people who have their shit together can be our fans anymore!

Nah, I'm just feeling a little hostile today. i hope all those losers can accept my apology.

yeah i will need someone to take the pictures, but only if they can also work for t-shirts. If Lousy Robot would model and photo their own shirts I'd cut them a deal. Um....none of you are planning on being hot chicks anytime soon by chance?

Levi, are you doing stickers now? Put us down for sure!!!!!!!! What's the deal? Gimme gimme gimme! Now now now!

No, not stickers. If anyone has any tips on stickers, like an uncle in the vinyl business, please tell me.
We still do Sticker Guy like anyone else (I'll design them though. I have all their templates and do good color separations). Buttons and shirts I can get cheap enough to do ok (thanks Dandee and Ebay), and with web sites and design I really have no overhead but my time. Stickers require some economy of scale or some hook-up that I just can't find yet. Plus, I think I'd need to get the vinyl printing ink? and that's a whole new startup cost. I plan on looking into it more in the future, but right now my time is pretty much filled anyway and my money goes too fast for me to save up to go really bulk (my wife likes handbags, and the kid likes food). If I did do stickers my turnaround time would go to shit and I'd have a breakdown. That's why Sticker Guy takes 6-8 weeks. The only reason I'm as fast as I am is because I'm just too OCD to have that shit hanging over my head. Things seem to slow down in Winter, so I might try to look into it then when I'm all caught up.

I'll make some announcement if I ever do stickers, and I'll give first dibs to return customers.

quote:

Originally posted by Levi Eleven:
yeah i will need someone to take the pictures, but only if they can also work for t-shirts. If Lousy Robot would model and photo their own shirts I'd cut them a deal. Um....none of you are planning on being hot chicks anytime soon by chance?

Dunno about the sex change plans, but I'm down to work for tshirts

You are doing shirts, though? We need to get something going. Please email me at info@rageagainstmartinsheen.com if this is the case.

So I'm thinking of laminating the card.
Maybe it would hold a shape better. As it is they look all wilted after a couple of days in our merch bag.

I'll let you knoiw how it works out.

Thanks for the buttons Levi! They came out awesome! Fuck Yeah! I'll email ya in the next few weeks about another order, and those shirts mang! peace out!