I found out about Zazzle after looking for some notecards to print my abstract photography. I’ve been designing since 2008 — that first year was a complete learning experience. I love designing for business cards — it’s my niche. I would describe my style as: elegant, professional and stylish. It’s mostly understated, but with a bold touch of either color or design.

Here are my top 10 tips for other designers and sellers on Zazzle:

1. Love what you do.

This is mandatory.

2. Be patient and persistent.

Understand it will not happen overnight.

3. Only post your best work.

In time your inventory will grow as you continue to sharpen your skills. If you have a store that only displays great designs, then the customer will have more trust and confidence in you as a designer.

4. Be true to yourself.

Always strive to be better….never stop educating and inspiring yourself. This is a constantly evolving industry. Surround yourself with great talent, read books, take a class, join great blogs and visit museums.

5. Be original.

Be known for what makes your work stand out.

6. “Know when to put the brush down.”

Every fine artist understands this. For me, the same goes with designing business cards. I try to keep my designs simple, yet memorable – not busy or overdone.

7. Find a niche and stick with it.

The longer you are with it, the better you will become. In time, you will be known for your talent and skill.

8. Create a smart and professional header.

Every single time your customer clicks on one of your Zazzle product pages, they will see it. It sets a stage and is an extension of your professionalism. It’s almost like an online business card in itself.

9. Get feedback.

If you’re not sure if it’s good enough, ask other designers on the forum. The forum is a wonderful place — very supportive and resourceful in so many ways. Make sure to visit it often.

10. Balance your life.

Balance keeps everything in perspective and keeps us from becoming stagnant, burnt out or stressed. It keeps you fresh.

Here are some of my favorite products:

Cosmetologist Elegant and Simple Blue Lotus Business Card Template by sm_business_cards

This was a variation of an older lotus illustration that I wanted to give a more simple, elegant feel. Healing arts and cosmetology are a huge inspiration for many of my designs.

Chic Boutique Gold Circle Motif Faux Black Linen Business Cards by sm_business_cards

This circle motif was a design I created out of complete spontaneity. I only knew that I was going to do some kind of mandala design…so I began with one circle and “the rotate tool” in AI.

Chic Faux Gold Leaf Circles Pink Linen Look Business Cards by sm_business_cards

I love to incorporate texture, pattern and light into my designs.

Pink Cherry Blossoms Branch Fashion Boutique Business Card by sm_business_cards

I wanted to create something soft and feminine with a hand drawn style. I’m trying to add more hand-drawn work to my designs.

Event Planner Circle Wood Modern Business Card by sm_business_cards

I love using the circle motif in my designs. The gold and wood texture gives warmth to this bold, mod design.

As part of our Father’s Day series, we wanted to include a salute to all grandfathers, who can act as second fathers or the best of friends. Doting, devoted, seasoned, sarcastic: they’ve seen it all, and have the best stories and advice (or, perhaps, dated advice that’s still entertaining and unforgettable).

We sometimes associate grandfathers with free time (assuming they’re retired), and therefore a lot of coffee. We all know how much they can like their chair, their paper, their mug, so why not give him another one that’s unquestionably his — that he can add to “my collection”? With the “We Love Grandpa” Mug, you can add your favorite photo and a special saying — an inside joke or sentiment of love:

Father’s Day “We Love Grandpa” Mug with Photo by red_dress

Has anyone else’s grandfather grown slightly forgetful? Odds are, he could definitely use something to help him keep track of things and make life easier – like the “Best Grandpa Ever” Father’s Day Keychain, which you can personalize with all of his grandkids’ names:

Best Freakin Grandpa Ever Keychain by CelebrationZazzle

For the cinephile or wise-guy grandpa, our “The Grandfather” Trucker Hat is a seriously funny nod to a classic that, odds are, he reveres as the pinnacle of movies:

The Grandfather Trucker Hats by babyfactory

Coming up next, we end our Father’s Day series with a round-up of our favorite gifts to make your father’s day.

In the spirit of taking ourselves not at all seriously, this “Reserved Parking” Card is the perfect vehicle (so to speak) to express your love and appreciation — or verbally shake your fist:

Reserved Parking Cards by Worlds_Greatest_Dud

If your dad is the bankroller type (lucky you), he’ll love the tongue-in-cheek “First National Bank of Dad” Mug to hold his gold-flecked coffee or tea:

1st National Bank Of Dad Mug by christmasmuggifts

And for the kind of dad who has “his chair” (think: the unforgettable Martin Crane from Frasier), get him a Mr. Lazy Trucker Hat in honor of the lovable book series that he may or may not have read, but definitely fits into:

Mr Lazy Classic Trucker Hat by littlemissandmrmen

We love a funny dad, and this Father’s Day, he’ll love the kind of gift that says, “You deserve a laugh, today and all year round.”

If you could customize anything in the world, what would it be? We’re looking to Maker Faire attendees and Maker Movement fans to participate and answer this question.

We’ll be giving away 3 prizes to 3 winners. Prizes consist of a package: RickShaw ® bag, Dawson™ pillow and DODOcase™.

To enter, just submit your answer to this prompt: “If I could customize anything in the world, it would be___” and include the hashtag #MakeYourOwn in the entry.

Participants can use:

Instagram: Snap a picture of the response and Instagram us (@zazzle) using #MakeYourOwn.

Twitter: 

• Picture: Tweet us (@zazzle) your answer as a tweet or as a picture using #MakeYourOwn
• Vine: Tweet us (@zazzle) a Vine video with your verbal answer using #MakeYourOwn

@zazzle’s Twitter handle will be retweeting best answers throughout the event. We’ll be gathering your answers at the event, but if you can’t make it to Maker Faire – feel free to participate using one of the methods above!

Winners announced at the end of the event, Sunday, May 19th.

Full Sweepstakes Guidelines

Admirers of the animal kingdom can find their favorite snap here:

Great White Shark Rows of Teeth 2 Notebooks by NationalGeographic

Chimpanzee Postcard by corbisimages

Mule Deer buck , Yellowstone National Park Posters by NationalGeographic

History buffs rejoice! We’ve got the perfect iconic moment captured in a photo, just for you:

Illustration depicting inventor Thomas Edison Postcard by lifestore
Browse more Record Postcards

First manned mission to successfully land on moon mousepad by lifestore 

Traveler at heart? You don’t need a passport to see some of the best from Iceland to London:

Iceland. Poster by NationalGeographic

Spirit Island, Maligne Lake, Jasper National Print by NationalGeographic

Houses of Parliament & the London Eye Postcard by prophoto

Brooklyn Bridge & Manhattan’s financial district Greeting Card by lifestore

Take a look at more stunning photography by going to the Corbis, National Geographic, LIFE and Getty Images stores on Zazzle.

As we kick off our series for Father’s Day, we honor all the New Dads in our lives. Each of them deserves a special, meaningful gift, whether it’s practical, touching or funny.

For starters, every dad can use a new t-shirt — remember how much laundry a new family has to do? The “This Is How I Roll” Tee is a stylin’ choice for walks through the neighborhood, the park or the mall, or even lazing at home:

Baby Stroller – This is How I Roll Tees by iloveyourshirt

For a more personalized homage, give him the “1st Father’s Day” Photo Card with a priceless pic of your little one:

1st Father’s Day – Photo Card by ryckycreations

And for the babe of honor, the “I’m your Father’s Day gift!” Baby Tee is an adorable memento for everyone:

Cute Father’s Day shirt for baby to wear by mollybhappy

Your baby is the ultimate gift, of course — and the umpteenth reason to celebrate your beloved new dad.

Don’t just say “I Do” outloud — say it on custom postage and even makeup clutches:

I Do Diamond Stamp by hallmarkwedding

I Do Diamond Makeup Bags by hallmarkwedding

Fans of carved initials on wood will love this rustic design:

Rustic Wood Initials Invite by hallmarkwedding

“His & Hers” silhouettes are always popular:

His & Hers Silhouettes Postage Stamp by hallmarkwedding

His & Hers Silhouettes Custom Invitation by hallmarkwedding

Here’s our pick for vintage lovers:

Vintage Map Custom Invitations by hallmarkwedding

Vintage Postcard Postage Stamp by hallmarkwedding

And organize every last detail of your big day with this “Mr. and Mrs. Right” binder:

Mr. and Mrs. Right Binder by hallmarkwedding

First, scratcher postcards for a “gender reveal” baby shower. 

Is it a boy or a girl? Turn an ordinary baby shower into an occasion to announce your baby’s gender with family and friends.

Gather everyone and have them participate in an interactive game, where they’ll have to scratch a card to find the answer.

Supplies: 

1. Gender reveal postcard (this is a template product, so feel free to include the messaging inside the balloons).

2. Silver acrylic paint

3. Dish soap

4. A plate

5. A paintbrush

6. A coin

Step 1: Personalize the scratcher postcard with the correct gender.

Step 2: Pour three parts acrylic paint and one part dish soap on a plate.

Step 3: Mix the paint and dish soap together.

Step 4: Paint inside the balloons to cover the answer, using 2-3 coats of paint. Let the paint dry between coats and repeat until you can no longer see the text.

Step 5: Let dry. (It might take up to an hour to dry).

You’re done!

Provide the finished scratcher postcards to your guests and hand them coins. Have them guess the gender and scratch to see the answer! Whomever gets it right can get a special treat.

Check out some more products for gender reveal parties:

1. Pink & Blue Gender Reveal Cake Topper

2. Gender Reveal Baby Shower Custom Announcements

3. Gender Reveal Cast Your Vote Business Cards

4. Team Girl Baby Gender Reveal Party Buttons

5. Team Boy Baby Gender Reveal Party Buttons

6. Envelope Note Gender Reveal Postage

In our next DIY Baby Shower series: how to make a unique Flyer Candy Bar Wrapper to cover tasty chocolate party favors.

Photography & Collage by: Aaron Calestar and Nicole Pittman
Concept & styling by: Jenny Wagner
Business card design by: Zazzle Templates 

Celebrate Your Designs!

Who doesn’t love a good celebration? We’ve got tons of great products to celebrate every milestone, and your designs make them truly memorable!

Birthdays. Bar Mitzvahs. Quinceañeras. Graduations. If it’s worth celebrating, it’s worth designing for! Trend tip: glitz, glam, animal print, photo templates, calligraphy and humor are always “in.”

Also, don’t feel like you have to limit your creativity to just one product. Your designs would be perfect for stickers, buttons, banners, cake toppers, plates and more!

Show us your best designs!

FanMerch Updates!

Following our recent successful FanMerch program partnerships with the U.S. Army, Randall’s Honey Badger and Frida Kahlo, we’re excited to announce our new U.S. Marine Corps Store on Zazzle! With Memorial Day coming up quickly, supporters of the United States Armed Forces, including the U.S. Marines, can now submit amazing designs to be featured in the new store!

Remember to create original designs and refrain from using official images or logos you’ve found online. We’re excited to see your creations! Click here to create. Click here to learn more.

USMC The Few The Proud Logo Stacked – White Stickers by usmarines