can i get a “now, that is what i’m talkin ’bout” for beautiful packaging?

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for inspiration for ALL KINDS OF PACKAGING… check out the lovely package... it features beautiful designs and out of the box thinking… one of my FAVS.

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get ready for mind blowing ideas… the dieline is where it’s at.

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oh, my goodness… i can’t tell you the depths of my love for packaging.  it’s so true.  i judge books by covers & products by packaging.  guilty as charged.

there is something so special about receiving a gift, or purchasing something that is wrapped with care… it makes your investment seem solidified.  you know, like your investment has value.

this is an important part of my business- while i don’t always do a great job- most of the time (did i really admit publicly to not ALWAYS doing this? yes, i did… sometimes clients are rushed, orders are rushed, and not every single detail is perfect… but , perfection is the goal)

2011 is going to be a really fun  year for Shauna Maness Photography- I will have been back in America for over a year and decided how exactly i want to nail down some really important business details- packaging is one of them.

i’ve been researching like a MAD WOMAN!!  i can’t tell you how many times i’ve googled things like Natural Corrugated-out Gift Boxes, Premium Gift Boxes, lay flat paper storage, print boxes, photography storage boxes, presentation folders, trifold folders….

the list goes on, and on, and on, and on… a long the way i’ve had to stop and send emails to photographer friends who’s branding would lend itself perfectly to some of my findings… still, no perfect match for me.

why is packaging so important.?? there are more reasons that could be shared in this small post… so i’ll share one of my favorite articles from Design*Sponge biz ladies: how to design the perfect packaging if you don’t follow the biz ladies series… and you are a biz lady, i would suggest you check out the archives, there is a HOST of information, and while it’s not geared specifically to photography it will help with any business.

DNL Photo

there products are beautiful and come in several really great colors!  they sale to everyone and offer wholesale prices to businesses… um… thank you, thank you DNL!

they make my mind race with possibilities!

another great industry packaging company is marathon press- they have custom design options, photographer designed options, and basic color pre-produced options… i love there square box options (they would be great for albums and float wraps!) their website is a bit confusing- you kind of have to hunt for products, but they are great when you find them!  here are a few of my favs!

there are a lot of really great websites that have endless assortments of boxes, tissue, cards, envelopes, raffia, and wrapping paper- a few of my favorites are:

http://www.paper-source.com

here are a few really great packaging ideas- i hope you enjoy crushing on them!  i’ll post a “how to customize your packaging post” soon.  for now… dream up the most beautiful gift you could receive… and then deliver it to your clients and friends!!

one of the FAVORITES i found was this green packaging option… complete with a vendor list for sale for $25! (and Caroline Ghetes is donating every penny to missions… how sweet is that?) so, don’t want to spend a month doing research? want to choose completely green options for your studio… CRUSH ON THIS!! there are more stunning images on her blog… thank you google for such accurate finds!!!  i love all the detail and information Caroline provides for her client… fantastic!

***the following is shared from the original post… but there are many more images there, so go check them out!

So here’s kind of an overall look of the finished product. The shopping bag is a 100% recycled Euro Tote.

A little peek at the envelope which contains the reproduction release & lab recommendations.

Inside the photo proof box. The box is 100% biodegradable.

Another look at the outside of the photo proof box all wrapped up.

I hand-stamped my logo on this really neat handmade paper.

beautiful packaging from Sweet Lala Photography down under in Melbourne soooo beautiful!! doesn’t it just ooze gentle, sweet, precious little babies?

would you like a gillion ideas? along with how to’s?

man, this CRUSH is going to rock your world!

photographer or just sweet gift giver…

check out paperie boutique for all the inspiration you could possibly take!

AS IF YOU NEEDED ONE LAST THING:

the mother of all things packaging…

and the father for that matter-

great colors, BEAUTIFUL BOXES…

and anything else you need without having to order 100 of them…

i know… so small… what can this one little click do? if you are looking for the thing you can’t find… it’s here… at least that’s where i found it!!