If you need comp or zed cards for your modeling career, there's one place you should look: Olinda Gibbons Photography.
This is a photography and design studio, and on the design side they are experienced at designing and printing comp cards. Compared to other comp card printers, their prices are relatively cheap. You'll be hard pressed to find anyone that'll do this cheaper, and there's no telling what the quality will be like.
The cards they produce are 14 pt cardstock, with full glossy color on both sides. Shipping is free, and there are no hidden fees.
Best of all, the designs are customizable and you can be as involved or uninvolved as you want in the design process. Submit your images, and they'll get a proof back to you. Like it? Say ok. Don't like it? Ask for a change, and it's made. Over, and over, and over again... until you're happy.
You can't beat the service or the price. So, if you're looking for a comp card printer, head over to the order form and upload your images.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
What Resolution Pictures Do I Need for a Comp Card?
In order to create a professional looking comp card, you need high resolution pictures to give to your comp card printer. This doesn't mean, however, that you need an uber-expensive camera to take these pictures.
Print jobs typically call for a 300 dpi resolution - 300 dots per inch. Take the size of your image (8.5" x 5.5" for a full bleed comp card), and multiply each side by 300. That yields ~2500 x ~1700 pixels. In layman's terms, that's equivalent to about 4-5 megapixels.
Most phones today have a resolution that high. Pretty much every camera does, as well.
Certainly, there are other issues that set professional photography apart from your snapshots (especially lighting), but resolution is not one of them. On the other hand, this does preclude you from using a low resolution image that you have on Facebook. That will not look good.
Print jobs typically call for a 300 dpi resolution - 300 dots per inch. Take the size of your image (8.5" x 5.5" for a full bleed comp card), and multiply each side by 300. That yields ~2500 x ~1700 pixels. In layman's terms, that's equivalent to about 4-5 megapixels.
Most phones today have a resolution that high. Pretty much every camera does, as well.
Certainly, there are other issues that set professional photography apart from your snapshots (especially lighting), but resolution is not one of them. On the other hand, this does preclude you from using a low resolution image that you have on Facebook. That will not look good.
Where Can I Get InDesign Templates for Comp Cards?
If you do want to design your own comp cards instead of finding a comp card printer, you may want to look for some free InDesign templates to make your life simpler. You'll need InDesign, of course, but if this is a one time deal you can download and install the 30-day trial of Adobe Indesign from the Adobe Website.
Rockin Photogs has a collection of free InDesign templates. This includes several comp card designs including a four image comp card template and a standard five image design. Assuming you have InDesign, you can just drop in the images, export the PDF, and take the final file to a printer to get them done up.
That can potentially save you some money, if you find a nice digital printer to work with.
Rockin Photogs has a collection of free InDesign templates. This includes several comp card designs including a four image comp card template and a standard five image design. Assuming you have InDesign, you can just drop in the images, export the PDF, and take the final file to a printer to get them done up.
That can potentially save you some money, if you find a nice digital printer to work with.
Should I Print My Comp Cards Myself?
So you just got "signed" by a modeling agency. Hooray!
Except now you've got some expenses to cover - photography, comp card printing, etc. You'd be real lucky to get all of these things covered by the agency, so you may have to come out of pocket and invest in yourself a little bit.
Since a paycheck may be far off, you may be looking to pinch pennies. Is it a wise decision, then, to design comp cards and print them yourself?
This is likely to be the difficult part. Graphic design requires some expensive software and/or some technical knowledge.
If you're a skilled designer with access to Adobe Photoshop or Adobe InDesign, then you probably meet the requirements to design your own cards. If you're willing to learn but short on cash, you could try some free alternatives to Photoshop and InDesign.
But, consider this. Graphic designers invest hundreds of dollars and hundreds of hours into their software. Paying them a small design fee can be worth saving you the time and money of acquiring and/or learning that software yourself.
Then comes the printing. You can find some cheap digital printers online, but not all are created equal. Some, like Vista Print, look cheap but tack on fees later. Others short you on quality or require large minimum orders.
The only way to really know what your getting is to order a set of cards. And if you don't like them? Well, you're out of luck. Realistically, you might spend upwards of $40 on a set of 50 cards, and you're taking a crap shoot as to whether or not you really like them.
Alternatively, you could just have someone else print comp cards for you. If you find a cheap comp card printer that will deliver a set of 50 cards for $60, you're pretty good off.
You might be spending $20 or $30 more than if you designed/printed them yourself, but that's a small price to pay for design expertise and guaranteed print quality. An established designer will have a relationship with a quality printer, and you can be fairly confident that you'll get something good.
Except now you've got some expenses to cover - photography, comp card printing, etc. You'd be real lucky to get all of these things covered by the agency, so you may have to come out of pocket and invest in yourself a little bit.
Since a paycheck may be far off, you may be looking to pinch pennies. Is it a wise decision, then, to design comp cards and print them yourself?
Designing the Cards...
This is likely to be the difficult part. Graphic design requires some expensive software and/or some technical knowledge.
If you're a skilled designer with access to Adobe Photoshop or Adobe InDesign, then you probably meet the requirements to design your own cards. If you're willing to learn but short on cash, you could try some free alternatives to Photoshop and InDesign.
But, consider this. Graphic designers invest hundreds of dollars and hundreds of hours into their software. Paying them a small design fee can be worth saving you the time and money of acquiring and/or learning that software yourself.
Printing the Comp Cards
Then comes the printing. You can find some cheap digital printers online, but not all are created equal. Some, like Vista Print, look cheap but tack on fees later. Others short you on quality or require large minimum orders.
The only way to really know what your getting is to order a set of cards. And if you don't like them? Well, you're out of luck. Realistically, you might spend upwards of $40 on a set of 50 cards, and you're taking a crap shoot as to whether or not you really like them.
Have Someone Else Do It
Alternatively, you could just have someone else print comp cards for you. If you find a cheap comp card printer that will deliver a set of 50 cards for $60, you're pretty good off.
You might be spending $20 or $30 more than if you designed/printed them yourself, but that's a small price to pay for design expertise and guaranteed print quality. An established designer will have a relationship with a quality printer, and you can be fairly confident that you'll get something good.
What Is a Comp or Zed Card?
A comp card or zed card is like a model's business card. It features pictures of the models, important stats, and contact information. Models typically take these to casting calls and leave them with the casting directors.
What Goes Into a Comp or Zed Card?
First, there are pictures. A typical layout involves a large headshot on one side of the card and three to four smaller images on the other side.
Then, there are the stats. Typical stats include chest, bust, and waist. You may wish to include your hair and eye color, as well as your shoe size.
Finally, there's contact information. You need to decide the best way to make yourself available - telephone, e-mail, etc. Do you have a portfolio page or a Facebook page? You may wish to include those as well.
What Type of Paper Is Used?
Comp or zed cards are printed on thick card stock. Standard thicknesses range from 12.5 to 14pt. Think the thickness of a business card or so. Thick and durable; not flimsy like a piece of paper.
The size is usually 8.5" x 5.5". This is of a standard size piece of paper - 8.5" x 11". Some printers may create a slightly smaller size, since this makes it easier to print a "full bleed" card.
Where Do I Get Comp Cards Done?
If you're real lucky, your agency may do it for you. Most people, however, will need to look for a comp card printer and designer. If you search for "comp cards" or "comp cards printing" on the 'net, you'll find tons of options.
A high quality, but low cost, option is Olinda Gibbons Photography. They are a photography and design studio, handling photography locally and print design nationwide. They design high quality, full color comp cards at a great price - $60 per 50 cards or $85 per 100 cards. The designer (Brian) is helpful and patient, and he will literally go through dozens of design iterations if you aren't sure of what you want.
What Goes Into a Comp or Zed Card?
First, there are pictures. A typical layout involves a large headshot on one side of the card and three to four smaller images on the other side.
Then, there are the stats. Typical stats include chest, bust, and waist. You may wish to include your hair and eye color, as well as your shoe size.
Finally, there's contact information. You need to decide the best way to make yourself available - telephone, e-mail, etc. Do you have a portfolio page or a Facebook page? You may wish to include those as well.
What Type of Paper Is Used?
Comp or zed cards are printed on thick card stock. Standard thicknesses range from 12.5 to 14pt. Think the thickness of a business card or so. Thick and durable; not flimsy like a piece of paper.
The size is usually 8.5" x 5.5". This is of a standard size piece of paper - 8.5" x 11". Some printers may create a slightly smaller size, since this makes it easier to print a "full bleed" card.
Where Do I Get Comp Cards Done?
If you're real lucky, your agency may do it for you. Most people, however, will need to look for a comp card printer and designer. If you search for "comp cards" or "comp cards printing" on the 'net, you'll find tons of options.
A high quality, but low cost, option is Olinda Gibbons Photography. They are a photography and design studio, handling photography locally and print design nationwide. They design high quality, full color comp cards at a great price - $60 per 50 cards or $85 per 100 cards. The designer (Brian) is helpful and patient, and he will literally go through dozens of design iterations if you aren't sure of what you want.
How to Become a Professional Fashion Model
As a young girl or boy did you dream of becoming a fashion model one day, of walking the famous cat walk on the fashion runway as photographers take countless photographs of you and the fashion designers seated quietly observing every detail of that cloth you are wearing and the moves you make to display it? Moreover, do you still have the same desire and dreams even today? Because if you do, you still have a chance to live your dream, to enjoy and be part of that breath taking moment. The fashion industry is one of the most competitive sectors in the world; you must have the passion, love as well as be very persistent when it comes to looking for and getting an opportunity. As an industry that has become very professional, it requires professionals and therefore, you it is imperative that you know how to become a professional fashion model.
Becoming a professional fashion model is not as easy as some might be thinking but that does not mean it is impossible to become a fashion model, the key is to embrace hard work and the use of effective strategies. There are some important steps that can really help you in your quest to become a fashion model. To begin with, make your own good portfolio. You can do this by having some of your photographs taken by a professional photographer or a friend. You should have ranging from a face close up photograph, a fully body photograph and a three quarter waist shot taken. Apart from taking photographs for making a portfolio, you can also your portfolio by use of TFP or the Trade For Print.
The second step is by forwarding your photographs to modeling agencies around you. It is good that you also consider submitting your portfolio to even the smaller agencies, where you have a greater chance of getting a job since competition is not as high as in big models. Take advantage of open calls, this is where some agents take time to see potential models. Attend as many fashion model castings as you can.
Make and take advantages of connections in the modeling world. Take time to know influential people in the industry. This is because networking plays a crucial role in the creating opportunities. Be a part of an online modeling community, this is another way of networking as well as keeping up to date with the on activities going on in the modeling industry. Finally, how to become a professional fashion model is about keeping with the fast pace and being very professional no matter what the challenges.
About the Author
Models Connect your connection with
modelling agencies
We provide free service to wanna be models, giving free model evaluation.
http://www.modelsconnect.net/Become-a-model/be-a-model.html
How Modeling Agencies Work
Modeling agencies in UK will normally hire models on contractual agreements. This is to mean that the models will normally sign a contract that varies in the number of months or years. They will normally be paid in salary or commission basis according to the work that they have done. Their pay will also depend on the model's experience. A modeling agency may take a model from a client where the model has already been trained to gain skills in modeling. If they do this, then the agency will bill the client for booking the model on a certain percentage.
Modeling agencies will normally work with different models all the time due to the contractual methods used. Therefore, they have auditions most times of the year. The number of times they have open calls and auditions will depend on the time of the year, the agents bringing in new models or if they want to introduce new fashion urgently. There are times of the year that some clothes do well than others. Woolen and fur like clothes are normally in demand during the winter season. In summer, people buy less because the best way to survive is through having fewer clothes on your body. Modeling agencies will normally advertise on local directories in the UK. It can also be done through cable TV. Model screening process in UK will vary from agency to agency although most requirements are the same.
One of the most common requirements in modeling agents is that the models be tall. Height will normally range from 5 6 inches and 5 11 inches for women. Men require a bit longer height than for women. The modeling agencies will see to it that they get the right models for the job.
Models will be tested to see if they are eligible for the fashion show that will be held. They will be developed where need be and they will be taught the tiny but important details to make them the best models for the job.
A fashion show is then organized. This is a runway event that enables a designer or several designers to showcase their clothes. A fashion show will normally use between ten and sixty models for this. The models will then cat walk on the runway dressed with the different designs. Fashion shows in UK are normally competition based, and the designer with the most unique and creative designs will most likely win.
About the Author
Models Connect your connection with
modelling agencies
We provide free service to wanna be models, giving free model evaluation.
http://www.modelsconnect.net/modelling_agencies/index.html
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