Merch question for fans - Postage stamps?

[janisian]

We are starting to think about merchandise for this year's holiday sale. There won't be a lot of new because (frankly) I just don't have time to deal with it and tour this much. However, I'm looking for opinions about a few things, so here's the first:

We're playing with the idea of ordering postage stamps with the Rude Girl logo on them. Would anyone be interested in those? You'd have to purchase them in sheets...

[DaveM]

I'd certainly be interested in a sheet for my collection at the very least! Perhaps non-postal stamps (like "Christmas Seals" or anything of that sort) would be cool too--and usable even after the Postal Service raises rates early next year, as I believe it plans to.

[ponytail]

I love the idea of stamps -- postal or non.

[saxman]

i went to post a reply to this question and a bolt of lightning hit and shut my computer down. for real. so this must be it.I would buy lots of stamps. with the logo . the us post office used to make private stamps . is that an option anymore . no matter what i would buy lots of stamps. i think its a great idea

[mixtymotions]

Great idea! I'll buy some, if they are self-adhesive.

Lots of folks are rabid about scrapbooking now and can't have enough rubber stamps to embellish their pages...

Then there's those who like to use wax seals on the backs of their personal correspondence...

[marjan]

I would love to have a sheet of stickers with your logo and name on it, just for using that sticking on every letter or card I send. That's only because I can't use US stamps.

[Oak Kitten]

I would buy either stamps or seals.

Oak

[janisian]

Well, I should have clarified - I meant postage stamps... now, what are "seals"?

[mixtymotions]

Seal...the metal stamp used to make an impression in melted wax, to seal an envelope...perhaps popularized when the wealthy used messengers?

Or...

Seal, a small removable sticker used to embellish envelopes at holiday time, usually sent out by Boys Town, humane societies, etc, in exchange for a donation.

Postage stamps would limit your sales to US Rudies...so stickers may be the answer.

[Dar]

Huh? They wouldn't be actual stamps for postage though would they? Only the USPS can create those, yes? Janis, don't you mean more like stickers, Easter Seals ish?

Hey, what about a rubber stamp of your logo??!!!! OOOH, now THAT would be fun!!

Whatever you decide you know we'll all buy them!!

[marjan]

I will scan an example of a sticker sheet asap and send it to you.

[hoops]

there are new programs coming out where you can create your own postage stamps, you buy the paper from the usps and then add your own picture whatever. i think postage stamps are a great marketing tools...imagine havign all your fans sending out all of their mail with your logo on it janis. seals, plain and simple are small stickers and they are also a great idea cause we can stick some one everything we own, your logo would always be with us.

[MadMusician]

I'd get the postage stamps. When I go to the post office, I'm always looking for interesting stamps to use. Friends and family notice the stamps and I'm guessing the folks at ComEd are just as entertained (ha).

[Melba]

Seal...the metal stamp used to make an impression in melted wax, to seal an envelope...perhaps popularized when the wealthy used messengers?

Or...

Seal, a small removable sticker used to embellish envelopes at holiday time, usually sent out by Boys Town, humane societies, etc, in exchange for a donation.

Postage stamps would limit your sales to US Rudies...so stickers may be the answer.
LOL....one more seal
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-6/1193195/seal.jpg

And Janis, stamps are a great idea.....a little exposure for people we send letters and cards to. Makes a neat little conversation piece, really.

[GodSistah]

I love the idea. I'd definately buy stamps.

~Andrea~

[DaveM]

Non-postal "seals" do have an advantage in that everyone, regardless of location, would be able to use them. But yes, it is possible to have custom postal stamps printed--no idea on the surcharge for the service or, conversely, how much it might cost to have plain old stickers/seals printed. The American Cancer Society and the DAV can afford to have huge quantities printed, which is not possible here.

I think the Rude Girl would look great on a stamp, along with the web site URL if it would fit. Could be a bit more publicity....and there's no such thing as too much...

[david uk]

sounds like a great idea... and as DaveM said, with the website address on them too

[snakegrl]

Yes, I would buy those stamps.

[Oak Kitten]

As Mixty posted, I was referring to seals in terms of the little stickers that one can place on the back flap of an envelope.

Oak

[Cardiffgal]

I like the idea of the "seals" as well as the postage stamps.
The seals would be easier and less expensive to order so we
could BUY MORE!

[KarenSews2]

You can get personalized postage stamps. Whether a Rude Girl logo, your cat, grandchild, or your Mini Cooper, I think you can get just about anything, now.

And, YES! I would buy them! Anything...stamps, stickers, rubber stamp, sealing wax thingy, FAKE tattoos! I'm in!

[Dee]

Non-postal "seals" do have an advantage in that everyone, regardless of location, would be able to use them.

Definitely agree Dave! Considering I doubt that Canada Post would be willing to entertain such an arrangement. :p :cool:

[Amy in Vermont]

Postage stamps would be cool, as would "Pearl Foundation" seals.

[Marcia Drummergal]

I would LOVE to have JI postage stamps. Whenever I go to the post office, I ask to see the latest selection.

For our non-US Rudies, maybe you could have a similar design as the stamps that are just seals so that no one is left out!

Marcia :)

[Eva]

I like the idea of the seals. I can't use US stamps here, but I can use seals. Like little stickers. Your logo would certainly look better on them than the hamsterface of Dutch queen Beatrix who is on all our stamps...

Eva

[Kath of the Guitar]

Janis, DITTO.... everything Karen said...we're in.:D

[saxman]

when the lightning hit i thought about Return address lables with the Janis logo on it . i would buy lots of return address lables self adhisive. along with the stamps. i still mail ,letters

[saxman]

when the lightning hit i thought about Return address lables with the Janis logo on it . i would buy lots of return address lables self adhisive. along with the stamps. you all know the lablels im talking about? the ones that you stick on the top left of a letter . if i didnt have to write my name and address it would be good. Janis logo on it

[MARILYN/GEMINI]

Yes.....I would definitely be interested in JI POSTAGE STAMPS......Cool idea !!

[jetcityhawk]

Print up "Holiday" stamp/seals imprinted with the logo from the winner of the "Design a Holiday Rude Girl Logo" contest. We can place one on the back of all of our Christmas Cards!

Marko

[Kathleen Brogan]

I would buy them. I had stamps made of my best friend's first granddaughter and they were wonderful! She now lives in Vancouver, Canada so she is just keeping them as a collector's item. I remember that they were pretty expensive, but I think there was a price break if more were bought. I didn't care, though, because they were a great gift. I would buy a sheet for my collection and I would absolutely buy quite a few and use one for each CD I mail out, and for gift packs I send to other fans. Could you use the "Advocate" magazine cover as the picture? ;)

[DaveM]

Now that Janis has the proper lovely silver hair, how about an (obviously fake) clip-on beard and a red hat? It might bring giggles even from the "who in the h*ll is that?" people.

[janisian]

Kathleen, any memory of where you ordered them?

[Kathleen Brogan]

Yes, Janis you've got mail!

[Bryan]

That about sums it up.

[Anna from Dublin]

Stamps are fine as a gimmick but no good for us over here as stamps. Stickers; embossed seals would be great, but I really like Dar's idea of a rubber stamp for use with a ink pad!! Yes, now we're talking!!

[dragonlady]

I'm in but aren't I always :D !!! I'd use rude girl stamps just as easily as I'd use regular stamps..I probably would be less likely to lose em' :o .

-di

[DaveM]

From my sometimes-efficient friends at the local Post Office:

1.Go to www.usps.com

2. Under "Shipping Tools" click "Print Online Postage"

3. Select endicia.com or stamps.com

Supposedly, entering the word "Spring" in the Offer Code space at stamps.com will get you free shipping.

[JEENEY]

JANIS, THIS IS A GREAT IDEA AND COST EFFECTIVE DUE TO THE WEIGHT OF THE STAMPS. COUNT ME IN, ILL BUY !!! PEACE, JEENEY :cool:

[janisian]

Unfortunately, they're really expensive, as Kathleen noted. And we'd have to mark them up even further, and make them available only with Fedex shipping so we could track them easily, since stamps are essentially the same as money.
But we're going to investigate Cafepress.com and see if we can just do it through them. We won't make much money, but it would be fun!

[Fridays Child]

I'd like a bumper sticker myself. I'd display it proudly between PFLAG and "My Fat Cat Can Beat Up Your Honor Student."

[saxman]

we can create stamps that are legal tender by buying them from the usps i just checked online and i can still buy and put a picture on a stamp to send via the usps what im saying is that if someone wants to continuew this effert to create a stamp that has Janis on it / it can be done i see a stamp that has the janis logo or the the gitare black is the ? kind of thing i see it and i know for a fact that ths can be done there is a way to get stamps that are leagle, sorry about the spelling. but think about it. putn a stamp on your envolope it will be sent like the wind to anyone. i just think that i can buy stamps via my post office. i trust the post office, why would i not except this idea? pay to put Janis on a stamp

[wormwoman1951]

Stamps count me in!! Read about it, think u can even print from home on own printer. Really kewel idea!! Let's see - 1 sheet 4 r/l , one 2 hide away in the archives , 1 to hang on wall, maybe get autographed. Oops! This should work.
Charlene

[Kathleen Brogan]

I'm in the process of having some made right now! I've chosen a picture of Janis and me from a Las Vegas shoot, circa 1996. I chose the .24 cent route because they're less expensive and I use them all the time. If I use one per package, and regular stamps for the others, they should last me awhile! I think my Janis fans & customers will get a kick out of them and they'll be well worth the cost!