artbabe
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,372 
|
Post by artbabe on Jul 1, 2024 15:44:32 GMT
This is in response to a rather *interesting* thread.
Lets discuss the paper crafting industry. What do the designers/manufacturers get right? What do they get wrong?
I'll start:
I think 49 & Market does a really great job with their lines. The weight of the paper is fantastic (the price, not so much), the papers are very versatile, and the variety of embellishments is new and interesting.
I think that there is a really good variety of styles (vintage, painterly, graphic, retro, etc.) and color palettes available right now. I'm not thrilled with that mustard yellow, but besides that, I am pretty happy.
I think Photoplay and Reminisce really try to cover some of the less popular and more niche themes, and that is appreciated.
I'm starting to see more cat paper that isn't pink, which is good. I've also seen pink dog paper. Again, good.
I think, as paperangel has said, the industry needs to knock it off with the flowers attached to every icon.
What are your thoughts? What is being done well? What needs to improve?
|
|
|
|
Post by Linda on Jul 1, 2024 16:08:08 GMT
I think the more independent brands seem to take more chances and make more variety than the big conglomerate of AC brands which get more same-same over time.
I like that some of the online scrapbook shops are selling some own-branded stuff - I love Scrapbook Generations designs and while I have't tried SBC's papers, I know they have some also.
I like when brands are recognisable as such but I think that there's a fine line between staying recognisable and becoming stagnant which can be hard for them to straddle.
|
|
Ryann
Pearl Clutcher
Love is Inclusive
Posts: 2,620
Location: PNW
|
Post by Ryann on Jul 1, 2024 19:21:10 GMT
Good: I love the variety of embellishments that are available - from the finishing touches to the stuff you build clusters with. Lots of options for different styles and looks.
Bad: This is not a new complaint from me. imo, the big manufacturers needs new graphic designers - and they need new designers that aren't already in the industry. They just regurgitate the same designs into new themes, collection after collection. How many collections have we seen from Lori Whitlock? Steven Duncan? Inna Moreva? Dozens upon dozens. To be clear, I am NOT saying they are bad designers - I'm saying the market is oversaturated with their work. Getting new art talent would be such a breath of fresh air for the industry.
|
|
|
|
Post by workingclassdog on Jul 1, 2024 20:04:48 GMT
Well I haven't bought much recently and went to a scrapbook expo and I was sad that there was nothing I haven't seen before from 10 years ago. There was one company called Elizabeth and those papers were pretty and different and I bought a little of that along with some GREAT two sided adhesive for a great deal. Then only one other company (I can't remember the name) but I think from Japan, and pretty, but expensive. Even a 6x6 pad was about $15. Otherwise, everything else just seemed old to me. I really really wanted to see some 49 & Market.
|
|
pantsonfire
Drama Llama
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 6,169
|
Post by pantsonfire on Jul 1, 2024 21:07:24 GMT
Done well: various companies that offer a variety of papers to fit most styles. While I am not a fan of 49 & Market, others are. I love Cocoa Vanilla and many others and they fit the style I like to work with.
Improvement: non kid paper lines and non realistic lines for sports, school, make generalized medical lines, embellishments for school like field trip and science night, etc. Gender neutral lines for sciences and dinosaurs.
Getting wrong: being inundated with a bazillion lines each release and then if you don't pre order and order right when it comes out you have a chance of not getting the items because companies no longer produce a large quantity and let it sit. You either have to get it now or forget about it.
Cut back on how many lines you release and make more of what you do make. Realize that people don't scrap in season and we need good holiday lines in April or June.
|
|
pantsonfire
Drama Llama
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 6,169
|
Post by pantsonfire on Jul 1, 2024 21:08:18 GMT
Good: I love the variety of embellishments that are available - from the finishing touches to the stuff you build clusters with. Lots of options for different styles and looks. Bad: This is not a new complaint from me. imo, the big manufacturers needs new graphic designers - and they need new designers that aren't already in the industry. They just regurgitate the same designs into new themes, collection after collection. How many collections have we seen from Lori Whitlock? Steven Duncan? Inna Moreva? Dozens upon dozens. To be clear, I am NOT saying they are bad designers - I'm saying the market is oversaturated with their work. Getting new art talent would be such a breath of fresh air for the industry. Paper lines are getting stale and before it is even released as a photo we know what color scheme or the patterns will look like. So I whole heartedly agree. |
|
|
|
Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Jul 2, 2024 1:36:21 GMT
I think there is too much "bandwagon" jumping.
If one company or designer does something a little or a lot different >> prima flowers, farmhouse, owls, vw bus and motel signs, a roller skate, words >>cherish-blessed-best day ever-dream, vintage, etc...then a lot (but not all) of companies and designers follow and do their own version and collections of whatever it is.
I think, sometimes there's too much of a good thing.
Very similar collection and style, just different colors.....every time. Echo Park does this.
Some companies and retail stores, only stock what the owner likes or scrapbooks personally.
Example: Years ago, a now closed local scrapbook didn't carry Basic Grey or Daisy D's....because the owner didn't like "that kind of product"...so she wouldn't stock it.
Disclaimer: I am a themed based scrapbooker.
I like companies, like >>Reminisce, Hobby Lobby (Paper Studio) and scrapbook customs because they cater more to specific themes.
Back in the day, I love Karen Foster designs, Creative Imaginations, etc... because they had a lot of theme based products.
Scrapbooking is such an individualized hobby, that has so many different styles of scrapbooking.....it would be near impossible to please everyone.
What I like and do, another may not.
Scrapbooking is "to each, their own"....and that is very okay.
|
|
PaperAngel
Prolific Pea
Posts: 7,920
Jun 27, 2014 23:04:06 GMT
|
Post by PaperAngel on Jul 2, 2024 2:27:31 GMT
Regarding the overall industry:
Positive: It still exists & continues to offer new product monthly!
Negative: It is formulaic/repetitive/predictable/"copycat," resulting in the same tired sentiments/icons/colors for the same themes on a loop (with few exceptions). I especially dislike the continued feminine, floral, & yellow (mustard to neon) domination.
|
|
breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,455
Location: PNW
|
Post by breetheflea on Jul 2, 2024 2:56:54 GMT
When you can't tell a paper collection apart from the one last year (times 10 years) you need to do something new.
Using the same exact words/phrases/icons on every sticker, washi tape, emphemera, embellishment, and cut apart is boring.
My kids don't go to school in 1890, more modern school lines!
Happy birthday to ME instead of YOU would make it easier to scrap about my own birthday.
|
|
|
|
Post by lg on Jul 2, 2024 8:14:54 GMT
What I would change/add:
Something for short escapes - not every trip is a life altering event involving a plane trip. Sometimes I don’t want to make my mode of transport the main focus of my title pages (road trip, up and away etc)
Something for food on holidays - this is when I try new things and take photos of what I’m eating and there aren’t a lot of options to document this
Change the quotes - there are many quotes on the internet that you can easily google (if you have to!) about travel and spring and Christmas etc. Why are the same quotes used all the time for all the collections? (the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step…)
More generic book and movie collections with lots of cut aparts/ephemera so I can document a lot of smaller stories
Disney lines that represent the other Disney parks around the world, not just the USA parks (I would love to go to the USA parks but they are 20 hours away so I settle for the Asian parks instead!)
I want smaller sized ephemera as I use smaller albums (6x8 or tn size) so I would definitely love smaller everything!
Recently I have been loving:
- the mixed media, side b styles of 49 and market
- the different take on Disney park documenting that have been recently released (not just red/yellow/black)
- doodlebug stickers as they release cardstock as well as smaller sized stickers that are the same icon but in two distinct sizes. I also love their bits and pieces packs with titles and tags etc.
- Elizabeth designs dies for tn sized album pages and inserts - check them out peas, they are AMAZING
- my new rainbow of citrus twist tn albums, there may be a picture of my collection on their fan page 😁
- the doodlebug world travel and day at the parks collections - there’s something about the tags page and the postcard pages that I love, I’ve used soooo many of them as journaling spots in my latest travel albums and would buy a full other collection for upcoming trips in a heartbeat!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by mrssch on Jul 2, 2024 13:17:16 GMT
i appreciate the diversity that i’m seeing.
i’d like to see more products featuring US travel especially largest major cities New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, etc.
i can usually find a product for any theme i want to scrapbook. sometimes i have to be willing to go a little bit outside the box.
the price of supplies concerns me; but really it is a deterrent from mindlessly over spending. i’m more thoughtful about my purchases than i was back when paper was $0.25 per sheet.
|
|
|
|
Post by hoopsfn on Jul 2, 2024 13:34:42 GMT
It does seem that some mfgs (AC,Echo Park...) put out very similar lines every season but I'm just glad that they're still making sb supplies. And (esp with Echo Park) their collections coordinate well with each other so that's a plus for me. And even though AC has made a lot of questionable decisions when they buy up competing companies, it does seem that they are giving a little more creative control to some of their designers (Shimelle, VB). And it's nice that some companies are keeping their own identity (Bella Blvd, 49 & Market...) amid all the "sameness". Great question artbabe. |
|
|
|
Post by nicolecardella on Jul 2, 2024 14:55:50 GMT
I’m mostly a B side scrapper. I prefer to have more basic designs…not so many florals. Tone on tone. I use embellishments to add ‘theme’ to my layouts. I scrap a lot of bowling, golf, DIY projects and food/drink with friends. I use my silhouette and cricut joy to make embellishments as I don’t find many theme ephemera or die cut packs useful.
I guess I just miss the old days when we had more manufacturers and options.
|
|
artbabe
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,372
|
Post by artbabe on Jul 2, 2024 15:13:28 GMT
Using the same exact words/phrases/icons on every sticker, washi tape, emphemera, embellishment, and cut apart is boring. Yes! Why do the stickers have to have the exact same thing as the die cuts? And I don't want to use the same words twice on a layout so that narrows down my choices. Happy birthday to ME instead of YOU would make it easier to scrap about my own birthday. Yes! I live by myself. I do a lot of things by myself. It is always "we" instead of "I". I want smaller sized ephemera as I use smaller albums (6x8 or tn size) so I would definitely love smaller everything! Did you see that 49 & Market now makes laser cuts in both small and large sizes? i’d like to see more products featuring US travel especially largest major cities New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, etc. Yep. More Chicago, less Eifel Towers. More beaches that aren't tropical (although the new 49 & Market fits the bill). And as several people have said- why do all of Echo Park's releases look the same? They release 20 things at a time and they are all boring. I have had a few Echo Park lines that I've really liked in my life but they have been few and far between. I feel like I already have every new release already in my stash. Lines that usually get it right for me: Vicki Boutin (although the new Christmas release is uninspired), 49 & Market (except this Christmas release is also uninspired- what is up with the Christmas lines this year?), and Simple Stories. I am also a fan of a lot of Doodlebug stuff but they need to take the smiley face off of every inanimate object. The past two Shimelle lines have been hits for me, too. |
|
craftymom101
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,787
|
Post by craftymom101 on Jul 2, 2024 17:51:58 GMT
There is so much that I love about the scrapbooking/cardmaking/paper crafting industry. I started scrapbooking in 2001 (when I was 16!) and 23 years later, I love it more now than I did then!
I know there are a lot of complaints about the American Crafts and/or Echo Park collections all feeling the same, and I totally get it. There are several collections out right now that do have a similar look and feel. However, I don't mind the sameness of these collections when I mix in other designers (49th & Market, Doodle Bug, Simple Stories, etc.). I also like the variety of embellishments out right now. I felt like the embellishments offered in 2017-2019 were not unique and I was uninspired. Shimelle's Box of Crayons collection had some fun and new embellishments, but a lot of the other AC collections had paper, stickers, Thickers, die cuts, and not much else. The introduction of the paperie packs, stamps and dies (even lesser quality stamps), multiple types of die cuts, washi die cuts, etc. keeps the collections fresh and fun!
My one gripe with collections is the lack of originality with travel themed collections. The travel part of a trip is often limited to a long car ride or a plane ride. The rest of the trip is about spending time with family, visiting new places and landmarks, or eating at new restaurants. Somehow, travel lines fail to connect with me, and I don't find them super useful.
|
|
|
|
Post by 950nancy on Jul 2, 2024 18:13:37 GMT
Well I haven't bought much recently and went to a scrapbook expo and I was sad that there was nothing I haven't seen before from 10 years ago. There was one company called Elizabeth and those papers were pretty and different and I bought a little of that along with some GREAT two sided adhesive for a great deal. Then only one other company (I can't remember the name) but I think from Japan, and pretty, but expensive. Even a 6x6 pad was about $15. Otherwise, everything else just seemed old to me. I really really wanted to see some 49 & Market. When you are in the Springs, stop by Simple Pleasures. She carries a bunch of different lines from 49 and Market. She isn't cheap, but I love to smell and touch it all. In a non creepy way.  |
|
|
|
Post by grammadee on Jul 3, 2024 21:51:49 GMT
I think there is too much "bandwagon" jumping. I suspect they all get together before the parade even STARTS! How is it that every manufacturer suddenly has penguins? Or some other image. Why suddenly are we getting all the vintage look lines? There are comedians who have done skits about how manufacturers choose a new product or design in fashion, and sometimes it seems like they apply to our industry, too. As to the good: I love that over the years I have been able to collect so many different patterns and colour combo's. When I see a new line that looks really fun and different I snap it up. And I am drawn to new collections that will work with the dregs of well loved past lines. I just wish there were not the pressure to Buy NOW or forever hold your peace! Re-runs should be more than possible in this digital age. Could manufacturers not use past sales data to set the size of a reprinting? |
|
|
|
Post by melanell on Jul 3, 2024 22:12:35 GMT
Done Well: I really appreciate companies who create some lines that can work together in terms of colors. Not that every line they produce has the same colors, but if Line A and Line G each have an orange and a blue, that those orange and blue papers and elements can work together. I also appreciate when embellishments are not are 100% matchy-matchy to the papers in a collection. So perhaps a packet of tags, where some of the tags only have a solid color border and nothing else. Or frames that are done in the more neutral patterns from a line. Perhaps there is a weathered wood paper in a line, and they make a weathered wood frame, as long as they don't go attaching a dog or a flower or an anchor to that frame, then I can use it with the coordinating line, but also with many other things. So definitely versatility earns points from me. A. Because I have limited space. So give me an extra reason to decide YOUR embellishments are the ones I should make room for. B. Everything costs more and unfortunately, scrapbooking supplies are not the only thing I spend money on. So again, I appreciate lines that feel like they are giving me extra value. Needs to Improve: I seriously get that we are decades into this hobby now and so it's hard to keep coming up with fresh ideas. BUT, companies can at least do us the favor of looking back over the most recent years' offerings and trying not to repeat those again so soon. Running low on ideas? Go back and look at what you offered in 2010 and give us something similar to that. Some companies even put out multiple lines at a time that feel the same to me. Also, the opposite of my "doing well", the companies where every single embellishment and paper feels like it has only one very specific purpose. Not only can you only use it with this one line, but it also requires a very specific page/card/project. So a violin kit where both sides of each paper are 100% violin, and every embellishment is 100% violin. Because even when I do make a violin page, I need some elements to be a break from violins, violins, violins, kwim?
|
|
|
|
Post by riversong1963 on Jul 3, 2024 22:48:45 GMT
What they're doing well: I really like the variety of options in a collection that some companies are offering. For example, 49 and Market have great papers and designs, and you can choose rub-ons, stickers, tags, card kits, ephemera, etc. to go with the main papers. You can choose to buy everything or cherry-pick what you like. I'm also loving the heavier papers and different sizes (12 x 12, 6 x 6, 6 x 8).
What needs improvement:I wish that every collection included alphabets and numbers, including multiple sizes. I would also like to see fewer releases that are farther apart. It would also be nice if the stores ordered more, so that by the time I got to the store (brick and mortar and online stores alike), they weren't sold out of just about everything I wanted. And please, please, please: Enough with the rainbows (Paige Evans), the gnomes (blech!), the same positive words (thankful, blessed, best day ever, be kind, paradise found), and repetition. Oh, and $1.49 for a sheet of paper is outrageous!
|
|
|
|
Post by lg on Jul 4, 2024 11:24:43 GMT
I have another one!
Although I don’t like the shiny paper, I need photoplay pampered pooches 2.0 - I am not a collection person but it was so perfect for our dogs that I bought the whole thing!!!
|
|
