MicrostockGroup

Microstock Photography Forum - General => General Stock Discussion => Topic started by: jsmithzz on January 17, 2012, 01:50

Title: Etsy, Zazzle, Cafe Press
Post by: jsmithzz on January 17, 2012, 01:50
In your opinion, which one of the three has worked best for you?
Title: Re: Etsy, Zazzle, Cafe Press
Post by: helix7 on January 17, 2012, 07:41
I've been at Zazzle for over a year and I've earned enough to trade in my earnings for a t-shirt. So if I were in the business of earning t-shirts I'd say I'm doing well. But since I'm in the business of earning money, so far zazzle hasn't worked out for me.

I have heard that some people do very well there, though. I guess it depends on your work, your products, and how much time you're willing to spend on your store.
Title: Re: Etsy, Zazzle, Cafe Press
Post by: Karimala on January 17, 2012, 08:23
I've also been with Zazzle for about a year (see my Vintagerie Ephemera link in my signature).  Spent a solid month creating 2200+ products and was earning a payout every month until they doubled the payout level last month.  Due to life's ups and downs, I haven't been able to work on it since that time, but I'm nevertheless encouraged that once I can return, I'll be able to reach the new payout level in no time.   
Title: Re: Etsy, Zazzle, Cafe Press
Post by: borg on January 17, 2012, 16:55
I've also been with Zazzle for about a year (see my Vintagerie Ephemera link in my signature).  Spent a solid month creating 2200+ products and was earning a payout every month until they doubled the payout level last month.  Due to life's ups and downs, I haven't been able to work on it since that time, but I'm nevertheless encouraged that once I can return, I'll be able to reach the new payout level in no time.   

What is now payout level?
Title: Re: Etsy, Zazzle, Cafe Press
Post by: helix7 on January 17, 2012, 17:02

I think it's $50. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, though.
Title: Re: Etsy, Zazzle, Cafe Press
Post by: Karimala on January 17, 2012, 17:13

I think it's $50. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, though.

Yep...it's $50.  It was $25.  Just need another 2200 products to reach the new level, which isn't difficult at all when using your own Quick Create templates.  Takes me about an hour, hour and half, to create 100 products with a single image using my templates.
Title: Re: Etsy, Zazzle, Cafe Press
Post by: luissantos84 on January 17, 2012, 19:42
I have heard that some people do very well there, though. I guess it depends on your work, your products, and how much time you're willing to spend on your store.

exactly I have spent a few days at zazzle, something like 3 or 4 weekends while watching TV, it is worth the time for sure (too bad no IPTC import)

848 products (2/3 of it with quick create)
2011 = 240$ for 86 sales

they were actually my 6th best agency for 2011
Title: Re: Etsy, Zazzle, Cafe Press
Post by: luissantos84 on January 17, 2012, 19:52
I've also been with Zazzle for about a year (see my Vintagerie Ephemera link in my signature).  Spent a solid month creating 2200+ products and was earning a payout every month until they doubled the payout level last month.  Due to life's ups and downs, I haven't been able to work on it since that time, but I'm nevertheless encouraged that once I can return, I'll be able to reach the new payout level in no time.  

What is now payout level?

50$ or you need to pay a fee, sales need 30 days to be cleared too
Title: Re: Etsy, Zazzle, Cafe Press
Post by: microstockphoto.co.uk on January 18, 2012, 10:05
I'm at Zazzle only, with very few products and already had some sales. So I guess it could work with a bit of effort. But they should import IPTC to make things easier!
Title: Re: Etsy, Zazzle, Cafe Press
Post by: madelaide on January 18, 2012, 11:21
Ive been making more at Zazzle than at any of the micros, and on a good month even all micros together, but that doesn't mean a lot of money. My only real issue with them is that they take 30% of my earnings in all sales, not just on those from USA.

I don't use quickcreate because I don't like the results, but I do use previous products as templates for new ones.

I have only a couple of products at Cafepress, because their system was so complicated. I don't know if creating products has become any easier, but they offer a wider range of products than in the past, though not as many as Zazzle.

Although I've heard of Etsy, I have never used it.
Title: Re: Etsy, Zazzle, Cafe Press
Post by: WarrenPrice on January 18, 2012, 11:24
@madelaide;
Do you know if there is a connection between Cafe Press and Imagekind?
Title: Re: Etsy, Zazzle, Cafe Press
Post by: stockastic on January 18, 2012, 11:38
I burned out on Zazzle.  Creating products was slow and tedious.   I'm picky about the cropping and placement of images, and the web interface was crude and clunky.  For things like coffee cups and t-shirts the prices were too high.   I guess the  way to make money is to create very large numbers of low-cost products like cards and stickers, but it seemed like that would take forever. 

Maybe I gave up too easily.   
Title: Re: Etsy, Zazzle, Cafe Press
Post by: Pixart on January 18, 2012, 12:03
Yes Warren, I think one owns the other.
Title: Re: Etsy, Zazzle, Cafe Press
Post by: WarrenPrice on January 18, 2012, 12:12
Thanks, Pixart.  That does reduce a little confusion. :)
Title: Re: Etsy, Zazzle, Cafe Press
Post by: Karimala on January 18, 2012, 15:12
Ive been making more at Zazzle than at any of the micros, and on a good month even all micros together, but that doesn't mean a lot of money. My only real issue with them is that they take 30% of my earnings in all sales, not just on those from USA.

I don't use quickcreate because I don't like the results, but I do use previous products as templates for new ones.

I have only a couple of products at Cafepress, because their system was so complicated. I don't know if creating products has become any easier, but they offer a wider range of products than in the past, though not as many as Zazzle.

Although I've heard of Etsy, I have never used it.

You can make your own quick create templates, instead of using your other products as templates.  I made a separate, hidden folder to hold all of my templates.  When I go to quick create, I open up that folder instead of using Zazzle's templates.  Works great! 
Title: Re: Etsy, Zazzle, Cafe Press
Post by: madelaide on January 18, 2012, 18:22
Karimala, thanks for the tip. I may try it one of these days. I haven't been uploading anything there lately, but maybe I should.