Personal Touch Products

FAQ

GENERAL QUESTIONS

What printer do you recommend?

A black toner laser printer is normally all that is needed to create beautiful PT gifts unless you desire print color text, add color photos or create Coat of Arms gifts. In that case, you should choose a color laser or color inkjet printer. Laser printers offer some advantages including: Print speed, consistent quality, lowest print cost, zero dry time, etc. But many inkjet printers work well too.

Remember that you will normally be printing the text only, (poems, name meanings, etc) on top of the pre-printer Personal Touch art backgrounds that we provide for you. This is the most cost effective, fastest (10 seconds upon pressing Print with many printers), and by far the highest quality way to create PT gifts.

Because printer models change so rapidly, we do not provide a list of recommended printers. Your current printer may work just fine, so we suggest testing your printer for quality and compatibility, and purchase a new one only if needed. If you do decide to purchase a new printer, we recommend purchasing a simple "printer" instead of All-in-One or Multifunction devices which are more prone to issues. Perhaps the most important feature is the ability to print on "card stock" paper. Personal Touch art backgrounds are pre-printed on acid-free, 65lb cardstock paper, which is a similar thickness to a thin business card.

A good way to confirm printer performance, compatibility and quality is to test print using actual PT art backgrounds. This can be easily be accomplished by bringing several PT art backgrounds to your local computer printer supplier such as Best Buy, Office Depot, Office Max, Staples, etc and printing a demo page using the PT art backgrounds as your test paper.

We purchased two "HP LaserJet Pro M201dw" wireless, duplex, monochrome printers and we are very happy with our purchase. Remember that Personal Touch will provide you with the pre-printed art backgrounds so a simple black toner printer is all you will need to create gifts.

Click on the printer images below to learn more:.

HP Laserjet Pro M201dw Monochrome Printer - Black Toner, Duplex, Wireless


Below are two Color Laser Printers designed to print on cardstock.


HP Laserjet Pro M452dw Wireless Color Printer

Brother Printer Color Laser Printer HLL8360CDW with Duplex and Wireless


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Does your company provide a website where I can sell your products?

Yes. Personal Touch does offer a subscription based retail web-store for our customers.

$39 one time set-up fee plus $19 (or less) monthly subscription fee. You can be up and running today. (Gifts on Art customers only, cancel at any time.)

  • Visit a Sample Web-store: APersonalizedGift.com
  • Frequently Asked Questions: Web-store FAQ
  • Register here: Web-store Registration
  • Great new Web-Store features: Create "Coupon Codes" to bring your customers back for more & for those of you that sell other items, you can now add them to your web-store with the "Other Gifts" feature!

Are there certain backgrounds you have to buy for the smaller frames?

All of the Personal Touch art backgrounds are 8.5x11 inches in size. You can however easily create smaller gifts using the Gifts on Art software, and then trimming your art background to size after printing.

Are these products seasonal?

The Personal Touch line of personalized gifts will provide you with appropriate gifts for selling throughout the year for every possible occasion. There are however peak seasons that you will experience increased sales for holidays such as Christmas, Valentines Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Graduation, and throughout spring and summer for wedding and anniversary gifts.

Can I purchase a package and then additional supplies at a later time?

Yes you can purchase the additional items at a later time.

Can I pay by check or money order?

Yes. When checking out you can select the payment option to Pay By Check. Upon processing your order, we will email you your invoice which you can print and send with your payment. We will ship your order promptly upon receipt of your payment.

Can I print my own poems?

Yes you can easily add and print your own poems, verse, quotes or prayers.

Can I speak to someone live?

Yes. You can call us at (909) 596-1166 during PST business hours.

Do you have to manually cut the artwork to create smaller gifts?

Yes. The software will allow you to print any text along with a "cut-line" any size that you specify. After printing the text with the cut-line, you would simply trim along the cut-line with a scissor or paper cutter to complete your perfectly sized print.

Do you have suggested retail prices?

Yes, we do provide suggested retail prices. The Business Opportunity page lists a number of items with suggested retail prices and potential profits. You can also contact us for further suggestions based on your specific requirements.

Does your company offer a sample so I can see the quality?

Yes. You can request a sample first name meaning gift by clicking on this link: http://personaltouchproducts.com/sample-gift-request

Does your company offer training or help when needed?

Yes. We provide support via e-mail, site chat and phone.

espanol / Spanish?

Sorry but we do not speak Spanish. You can however easily create Spanish gifts with the Gifts on Art software.

How much does it cost to get started?

Personal Touch start-up kits are available starting at $249

Visit our Gifts on Art Start-up Kits page for more information.

Would I have to use your company name as mine or can I use my own?

You will need your own business name. Our business name and product names are trademarked and can not be used in connection with your business.

Do you offer financing?

Personal Touch Products does not currently offer to finance but we do accept all major Credit Cards, Debit Cards, PayPal, Check, or Money Order. 

Frame and paper sizes are different in my country. What frame sizes will fit the prints?

Here are suggestions for frames and mats if you are unable to find these frame sizes in your country:

 

Personal Touch Art backgrounds are 8.5 x 11 and our most common mat size is 11 x 14. Most common frame sizes are 8.5x11 and 11x14

 

1. Create custom 8.5x11 frames.

 

2. Create custom sized mats/ photo mats to accommodate the 8.5 x 11 art background with an outside dimensions equal to a standard frame size in your country.  Example 11 x 14 frame with an 8 x 10.5 opening for the art.

 

3. Find a local manufacturer to create the frames and or mats for you.

 

4. Create gifts that are smaller than our 8.5x11 paper but are equal to standard frame sizes in your country. Here’s an overview of how that works:

 

  1. Using Personal Touch software, insert the desired size “cut-line”. e.g.  5 x 7.
  2. Drag and drop the cutline to the desired location on the art background.
  3. Insert the desired text and drag and drop it into the cut-line.
  4. Insert the art background into your printer, and press PRINT.
  5. Trim out the perfectly sized smaller print with a scissor or paper cutter.
  6. Insert the trimmed print into the frame.

5. Provide the 8.5x11 prints in an 8.5x11 clear art-bag without a frame or mat. This is an inexpensive solution and perfect for most customers who have no desire to add a frame or purchase a more costly gift. 

 

This is the least expensive and most popular gift solution.

 

6. Create your own paper photo mats.  This solution is just like cutting a mat, but paper is much easier and less expensive to cut.  This is very common thing that Scrap-bookers / crafters do.

 

This would likely be the most cost effective alternative to framing or matting gifts, and provide you with the ability to create some very creative and unique gifts.

 

SUGGESTION: Search amazon.com or the web for “paper cutter” or “scrap booking paper cutter” to get you started.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Do you offer financing?

Personal Touch Products does not currently offer to finance but we do accept all major Credit Cards, Debit Cards, PayPal, Check, or Money Order. 

Can you ship to the Caribbean islands?

Yes

How do I know what price to sell the items for?

The suggested minimum mark-up is 300% to over 4000% based on the cost of your supplies, and your intended market.

Here is a link to view suggested prices for poem or name meaning gifts. Pet gift pricing would be similar to a poem or name meaning gift. 

 

Here is a link for suggested pricing if you intend to add a Photo Mat to an 11x14 matted gift. Scroll down to the description to see suggestions.

Is there a catalog or flyers that will help with sales.?

Personal Touch provides art background brochures and order forms to assist with sales.

Completed sample gifts along with the PT Art book and Poetry Books will be invaluable sales tools to allow your customer to select their gift.

The PT Art Book and PT Poetry Books are included with some of the start up kits or can be purchased separately.

Here is an overview of a typical sale to create a name meaning gift:
  • Your customer selects any art background from your "Master Art Book."
  • Using the Gifts on Art software, you will choose the selected art background, and it will display on your monitor.
  • Search for your customer’s Name, and it will display right on top of the art background ready to print. (That is part of the fun for your customer.)
  • Add a sentiment if desired.
  • Insert the pre-printed Personal Touch “art background" into your printer and press the PRINT button.

That's it! Your Personal Touch Personalized Gift is complete and ready for framing , matting, or inserting into a host of other personalize-able gift items!

What is the best way to get started with this opportunity?

Without knowing more about your specific requirements, we recommend setting up in a low cost retail location such as flea markets, craft fairs, local farmers markets, gifts shows, etc. to get your business up and running quickly. These venues charge very little and generally provide many potential customers who come there prepared to make a purchase. These options also offer you the flexibility to get your business started without effecting your normal work-week.

You will also need a windows computer, a printer, a folding table, a sign or banner, and a Gifts on Art start-up kit to begin.

What is this business opportunity all about?

This is a simple and enjoyable business that is all about providing thoughtful, positive and inspirational personalized gifts. Plan on enjoying what you do while earning some great profits too!  Click here to view our start up kits

Click here to learn more: The Opportunity

PRODUCTS & SUPPLIES

Can the art book or poetry book be ordered separately?

Yes. But you will need to purchase one of our start up kits in order to purchase an Art Book or Poetry Book.

Can I buy art backgrounds from you?

Yes you can purchase art backgrounds from Personal Touch if you are in business or intend to start a new business.

Do your mat frames also fit 8x10 pictures?

The 11x14 Personal Touch mat frames are perfectly sized to accommodate 8.5x11 art backgrounds, so 8x10 pictures would not work.

What is the minimum order for supplies?

All supplies are wholesale priced:

Web-site Minimum Order: $25

Art Background Miniumum Order: $25

Mat Frames Minimum Order: 20 mats.

Frames Minimum Order: 1 Case

What kind of products and supplies do you offer?

Visit our Wholesale Supplies web page to review the Products and Supplies offered by Personal Touch.

Wholesale Supplies

I live in the U.K. and would rather not import frames. What are your art and frame sizes?

Here are suggestions for frames and mats if you are unable to find them in your country:

 

Personal Touch Art backgrounds are 8.5 x 11 and our most common mat size is 11 x 14. Most common frame sizes are 8.5x11 and 11x14

 

1. Create custom 8.5x11 frames.

 

2. Create custom sized mats/ photo mats to accommodate the 8.5 x 11 art background with an outside dimensions equal to a standard frame size in your country.  Example 11 x 14 frame with an 8 x 10.5 opening for the art.

 

3. Find a local manufacturer to create the frames and or mats for you. Here is a U.k. supplier of frames and mats/mounts offered in many sizes including 11x14, and custom sizes:  UK Frame Supplier

 

4. Create gifts that are smaller than our 8.5x11 paper but are equal to standard frame sizes in your country. Here’s an overview of how that works:

 

  1. Using Personal Touch software, insert the desired size “cut-line”. e.g.  5 x 7.
  2. Drag and drop the cutline to the desired location on the art background.
  3. Insert the desired text and drag and drop it into the cut-line.
  4. Insert the art background into your printer, and press PRINT.
  5. Trim out the perfectly sized smaller print with a scissor or paper cutter.
  6. Insert the trimmed print into the frame.

5. Provide the 8.5x11 prints in an 8.5x11 clear art-bag without a frame or mat. This is an inexpensive solution and perfect for most customers who have no desire to add a frame or purchase a more costly gift. This is the least expensive and a popular solution.

 

6. Laminate the art prints and affix a paper easle to the back. You can puchase laminating pouches and equipment on Amazon. 


7. Create your own paper photo mounts. This solution is similar to cutting a mat, but paper is much easier and less expensive to cut. This is very common thing that scrap-bookers / crafters do.

 

This is a very cost effective alternative to framing and matting gifts, and provides you with the ability to create some very creative gifts.

 

SUGGESTION: Search amazon.com or the web for “paper cutter” or “scrap booking paper cutter” to get you started.

HELP?: What is the best way remove the lint from the picture frame acrylic?

 

The static charge that results after removing the protective blue sheets from the Acrylic can be frustrating.

 

Here are a few things to consider and ideas for dealing with static:

 

FYI, the acrylic that we use in our larger frames is real Acrylic as opposed to the less expensive styrene that is typically used in low-cost picture frames. While acrylic is considerably stronger and more durable that styrene, we do not recommend using any paper products or harsh chemicals which can scratch the surface.

 

Removing the protective sheet quickly can increase the amount of static.

 

Wipe the surface with a soft cotton cloth, lightly moistened with water (not sopping wet) is recommended to wipe away minor lint and debris.

 

With regard to dealing with heavy static, there are inexpensive "anti-static cloth’s" and more expensive “anti-static guns” that you can find on the web.

 

I would consider purchasing “anti-static brush” which costs a bit more than anti-static cloth’s but may be a more effective solution. (The brush bristles should not be too hard).

 

Click on the image to learn more about this highly reviewed anti-static brush:

 

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How can I add a customers photo to a gift?

Personal Touch photo-mats provide you and/or your customers with a simple, do-it-yourself method to add a pre-printed photo to any gift. We suggest showing your customers how easy it is to add their favorite photo to their personalized gift at home with a simple glue stick. You can optionally sell glue-stick for convenience, or just include it as part of a little take home kit with printed instructions and a photo-mat.

 

Photo Mats

If you intend to print your customer's photos as an added service, you will need a photo-editing program to import, resize and crop the photos. You can purchase photo paper locally or online. After printing the photo, trim it to size with a scissor/paper cutter.

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SOFTWARE

Can I install my software on more than one computer?

Yes. Unless specified otherwise, each software license allows the purchaser to maintain the software on 2 computers. You can also purchase addtional licenses at a reduced cost if you desire to maintain the software on more than 2 computers.

Do I need a special computer to run your software?

Our software is compatible with Windows XP, 7, 8 and 10

Mac customers can run Windows software using a 3rd party program called "Parallels for Windows."

I purchased a Budget Kit, can I upgrade to a higher kit?

Yes, customers who purchased a smaller Gifts on Art startup kit can upgrade one time to a higher Start-up kit within 6 months of initial purchase.

Are the backgrounds trimmed in the software or do you need to cut them yourself?

The Gifts on Art software provides a cut-line tool that will allow you to easily create smaller gifts. After you print the text and cut-line on the art background, you can trim along the cut-line with a scissor or paper cutter to create your perfectly sized smaller gift.

Can I print in color?

Yes, if you have a color printer, you can print in color. You can print text, small photos and Coat of Arms in color. It is important to understand that you will not actually be printing the art backgrounds. You will be only be printing the text and or photos on top of pre-printed PT art backgrounds.

How will I know if the text will line up properly with the art background? Is there a print preview with the selected background or is it hit and miss until you get it right?

Yes there is print preview. The software allows you to view the text together with the art background as you are creating the gift.

How do I unlock my software?

Call or email us with the following:

  • Your Name
  • Software Title
  • Software Serial Number

What is Gifts on Art software?

Gifts on Art software is the most comprehensive and most flexible personalized software available. Gifts on Art is actually 5 popular software packages integrated into 1 simple to use program, including all of the following: First Name Meaning Software, Personalized Poetry Software, Popular Bible Verses Software, Famous Quotations Software, and Family Tree Software. Everything you will need to provide your customers with appropriate gifts for every possible occasion. Visit our Business Opportunity web page for more information.

Can I resell or transfer my software to someone else?

Personal Touch Software cannot be resold or transferred to someone else. Software licenses include installing and maintaining the software on two of the purchaser's computers. For the purposes of software licensing, Personal Touch Products recognizes the individual purchaser and therefore does not recognize partnerships or business entities as the license holder. 

Do you have more information regarding the Pet keepsake software?

Here is a link to review the Pets on Art Software features and samples:

http://personaltouchproducts.com/pets-on-art-software

 

Suggestged pricing:

The lowest cost pet keepsake will include the 8.5x11 art background personalized with the breed details or a poem and inserted into an 8.5x11 clear art bag. Suggested retail value $10 to $15.  The art backgrounds can be quickly be inserted into an 8.5x11 document sized frame or inserted into an 11x14 mat. Suggested retial value for 11x14 matted pet keepsake:  $19.95 to $24.95

11" x 14" Personal Touch Mats:

Personal Touch art backgrounds are designed to fit perfectly into our 11"x14" Mats #1 - #23 http://personaltouchproducts.com/wholesale-supplies/mat-frames.html

 

PLEASE NOTE. The premium pet keepsake shown below was created utilizing a 12”x20” Personal Touch mat and 12"x20" Personal Touch frame. Suggested retail value:  $59.95 to $69.95

The 12"x20" Personal Touch mats accommodate a standard 8.5x11 art background (“Dogs” art background shown in sample). The right side photo opening accommodates a standard 5”x7” vertical photo which your customer can easily insert into their keepsake at their convenience so you do not need to print your customers pet photo.

The art background and photo can be easily inserted into the quick-load mat and held in place with one inch piece of scotch tape.  It’s that easy.

12x20 Pets on Art Sample Gift

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When I print a photo on the art background, the art shows through the photo and distorts the picture. How can I fix that?

When you print a photo on top of an art background you are essentially putting one image on top of another image which will naturally allow the dark areas of the art to show through the light areas of the photo.

 

Here are additional options when adding a photo to a gift:

 

  • Instead of printing the photo on top of the art background, purchase photo-mats to insert your customer's photo. Using this method, you could print your customer's photo on white paper or your customer could insert their own photo into the mat when they get home. This is the suggested method. 
  • Minimize the issue by printing the photo in a white or very light area of the art background.
  • Glue-stick the photo directly on the front of the art background. Very easy to do.
  • Purchase a circle-cutter to cut out a circle on the art background and affix the photo to the back with scotch tape.
  • Purchase a mat that has a separate opening for the photo. Using this method, you could print your customer's photo on white paper or the customer could insert their own photo into the mat when they get home.  

Do you have a software that I can use to create African Names?

Personal Touch "Gifts on Art" software includes names from around the world, but I assume there will be many African names that may not be in our database.  

 

You can however easily create name gifts for any name. Even if the name is not found in our database, your customers with unique names will be exceedingly happy that you can create a name meaning gift for them too.

 

When searching for a name, if that name is "not found" in our database, you can simply click a button to add that name to the database. In that case the name is considered "unique" and the program selects a complimentary meaning and eight virtues associated with that name, and the origin will display as "unique or given".  

 

If however you know the meaning and origin for a name that was not found in the database, you can easily edit the meaning and orgin for your customer.

 

With regard to African names specifically, you can search the web for ""African baby names" and easily add those names with the meaning and origin to the database.

Can I create gifts smaller than 8.5x11 with your software?

Yes, you can easily create smaller gifts as follows:

 

  • Click on the "Insert a Cutline" tool and select the desired gift size. 
  • Move the inserted Cutline to the desired location.
  • Insert the desired text object.
  • Resize the text object and move into the Cutline as needed.
  • Insert the art background into your printer and press print.
  • Trim along the cut-line with a scissor to complete your perfectly sized print.
  • Insert the trimmed to size print into a frame or specialty gift item.  

Helpful Notes:


  • When selling smaller gifts, it will be helpful to create completed samples so your customers will know exactly what their gift will look like.
  • If you intend to create smaller gifts for your customers, saving them as a template will allow you to re-create them in less than one minute.
  • When you have a name meaning textbox on screen, you can double-click on the "name" to open the Name Search Window, and quickly search for a different name.
  • To create a Cut-line for a 2x3 keychain, select Size: Custom, 3 x 4, Landscape. After printing and trimming to size, fold the print in half, and insert into the keychain.

How can I create key-chains or mugs?

You cannot create ceramic mugs with our system. You can, however, create specialty

gifts that allow you to insert a photo or paper cut-out such as acrylic snap together

mugs and key-chains.

 

In summary, after printing and trimming to size, you will insert the cut-out it into the

key chain or mug or any smaller item that accommodates a photo or paper insert.

 

To assist with creating smaller gifts our software includes a Cut-line Tool that will allow

you to specify the cut-out size to insert into any specialty gift item.

 

Here is an overview:

 1. Select the desired art background and it will display on the screen.

 2. Insert a Cut-line (you specify the size of the cut-line. )

 3. Drag and drop the Cut-line to the desired location.

 4. Insert the desired text such as a "name meaning".

 5. Shrink the text to the desired size, and move it inside of the cut-line.

 6. Insert the art background into your printer and press print.

 7. Trim along the cut-line with a scissor or paper cutter.

 8. Insert the cut-out into your key-chain, frame or other specialty-item.

 

Below is an example showing a cut-line intended for a 2x3 key chain with a name

meaning and a textbox to the right of the name meaning. After trimming to size fold the

cut-out in half, then insert it into the keychain.

 

Can I create name meaning gifts for unique names?

Yes, you can easily create name meaning gifts for unique names and uniquely spelled common names.

 

Unique Names: If a name is not found, simply press the + Plus Sign that displays to the right of the name that is not found, and that name will be added to your unique name database.

 

Uniquely Spelled Common Names:  You can also associate a uniquely spelled name with a common name by doing the following. Enter the commonly spelled name in the "First Name" field. E.g. "Karen" and enter the uniquely spelled name in the "Nick Name" field. E.g. "Karenn". Doing this will allow you to create gifts for uniquely spelled common names and associate them with the true meaning of their name.

 

 

START UP KITS

Do you offer financing?

Personal Touch Products does not currently offer to finance but we do accept all major Credit Cards, Debit Cards, PayPal, Check, or Money Order. 

Can I choose the art backgrounds that come with start up packages?

Yes. Each kit includes a pre-set number of the top selling art backgrounds but you can provide us with a list by art name and quantity when you place your order if you prefer.

Can I upgrade my start-up kit at a later date?

Yes. You can upgrade one time by paying the difference between your initial purchase and the upgraded start-up kit within six months of the initial purchase.

Can you ship next day delivery on start up packages?

Yes we can usually ship next day.

How much does it cost to get started?

Personal Touch start-up kits are availble starting at: $249

Visit our Gifts on Art Start-up Kits page for more information.

What is "best column pricing" that I see listed on some of your start up kits?

Best Column Pricing, also known as Platinum Pricing pertains to the lowest art background price. Platinum customers always pay the lowest available price of 45 cents each regardless of quantity purchased.

WEB-STORE QUESTIONS

Can you provide more details about the Personal Touch web-store?

1. What are Personal Touch Products (PTP) Retail Web-Stores?

Personal Touch offers an optional subscription-based retail web-store designed exclusively for our personalized gift retailers. As a web-store subscriber, you can customize your online store with your own business name and contact information and select from several color schemes. You can also Activate or Inactivate products based on your current inventory. Additionally, you can set your own standard price and run sales if and when desired.

2. Do I have to purchase the website, or how does this work?

PTP provides you with a subscription-based web-store that will allow you to sell Personal Touch gifts to your customers. You do not actually purchase your web-store. PTP is the owner of the website and will act the web-host, and maintain your web-store on its servers.

3. Can I host the PTP Website myself or transfer the website to another web host?

PTP maintains the web-stores on its own servers. Doing so allows PTP to manage features, intellectual property and security.

4. Will my customers' transactions be secure?

Yes. Online payments will be processed through PayPal. PayPal uses the latest in Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology as well as other security features to process payments.

5.  Can I display my own website name in my online store?

Yes. And this is recommended so you can maintain your own website name indefinitely. This can be performed any time after you complete the web-store registration process. This option will require that you acquire your own domain name (URL) from a Domain Registrar. Because of the flexibility and support they provide, we recommend godaddy.com. Your Domain Registrar can assist you with redirecting your URL to your web-store, but it is important to follow the instructions provided in your web-store administration: Redirect URL Info.

6. Will you advertise my Online Web-Store or submit it to the search engines?

PTP does not advertise or promote web-stores. It is also our belief that ranking high in the search engines is a significant challenge and search engine placement has become more about dollars to the service providers. In the past, the majority of search engines ranked websites for particular keywords and listed them at the top. That is no longer the case, however, and marketing low-cost products such as gifts using Pay Per Click advertising would be difficult to be profitable. For that reason, we suggest driving traffic to your store by notifying your friends, family, past customers via email. And of course, utilize your social media such as Facebook to drive traffic directly to your web-store. Prior to each of the upcoming holidays email your past customers, and use your social media to post photos of real people receiving thoughtful personalized gifts and link them to your store.

7. How do you recommend that I promote my Online Store?

Merchants can promote their online web-store address in a variety of ways including business cards, email, advertising to existing customers, online advertising at related websites, referrals, word of mouth, and social media. Additionally, we recommend affixing a return address label with your desired contact details on the back of every gift that you sell. This will serve as a permanent business card. Existing online merchants can link from their existing website to their PT web-store.

8. How soon will I start to get orders from my customers?

You can be up and running the same day. Your web-store will be ready to accept orders after successful registration and setting up your PayPal and Shipping Methods. The level of web-store sales you achieve will, of course, depend solely upon your efforts to market your store. For customers to find your website, you need to let them know that you exist. Rolling out a new website can be an exciting event so be sure to let everyone you know when your store is up and running. And be sure to ask them to visit your web-store and share their thoughts with you. Marketing is a fundamental step to the success of any business or website so we suggest that you develop and follow through with a plan. Try different approaches and build upon the methods that work best. With consistent effort, you can build your own list of happy repeat customers. And be sure to stay in touch with your customers by e-mail, and let them know when you're running a special. Send reminders and notices to your customers prior to the upcoming holidays.

9. How do I receive payments from my customers?

Via PayPal online payments. A PayPal account set as a "business" account is required to register your web-store and accept payments from your customers. Your customers, however, do not need a PayPal account to make a purchase from your store. They can make online payments using their credit cards through PayPal. Much like an online bank, PayPal provides your web-store and your customers with the state of the art security so don't have to concern yourself with that all important requirement. When your customer pays for their order, PayPal takes their transaction fee (approx. 3%) and deposits the remaining funds into your PayPal account. You can use your PayPal balance to pay for other purchases or transfer any available funds at any time into your checking account without incurring additional fees.

10. How does the Web-store calculate shipping charges?

Your web-store administration control panel will allow you to set flat-rate shipping fees for domestic and international orders. You can decide to ship domestic only or allow international orders. We recommend using the United States Post Service flat rate priority mail boxes and envelopes which will save you on shipping supplies and provide you with predictable rates.  What's really nice about the USPS, is that you can request a pickup the next day at your residence or place of work. Open a no-cost USPS account at any time. usps.com


11. How long will it take me to set-up my store?

Your on-line web-store can be set-up as quickly as 1 business day from completing your web-store registration and payment. Upon completing the registration you will receive a confirmation email with a link to access to your web-store admin panel.

12. Are there any requirements and how do I get started?

This offer is available to Personal Touch customers who purchased a Gifts on Art start-up kit. Gifts on Art Start-up Kits

13. Can I sell all of the products on the website or am I limited based on the start-up kit that I purchase?

 

The web-stores are not designed to sell all of the products. The sample web-store will give you a good idea of the gift types and supplies that you can offer. You will notice that the web-stores are designed to allow your customers to interactively design first name meaning gifts and poetry gifts step by step. As well as design family tree and last name history gifts. It is, however, possible to sell any other type of gift using a feature that we call “Other Gifts”. Other gifts do not permit interactively creating personalized gifts, but you can easily upload a photo, give it a description, set a price and a shipping price for anything else that you may desire to sell.

 

14. How much does the web-store cost?

Our subscription-based web-stores require a one-time $39 set-up fee and a $19 (or less) per month subscription fee. Additional incentives for quarterly, semi-annual and annual subscriptions can be selected during the registration process.

 

15. How Long does it take to open a web-store?


You can open a PT web-store today.


With 78% of 1,000 consumers surveyed nationwide saying they prefer to shop with a small business or boutique website, that's great news for us. Be sure to drive traffic from your social media accounts such as Facebook directly to your web-store. Prior to each of the upcoming holidays, you can post photos of real people receiving thoughtful personalized gifts and link them to your store.

 

When a sufficient number of customers begin asking for your website address, it may be a good time to open a web-store. Keep in mind that you can be up and running in a day so there's no need to rush.

 

Brand your web-store with your business name and redirect your own URL to your web-store so it will appear to your customers as if they are at your website.

 

PT web-stores are available to "Gifts on Art" customers only, cancel at any time.

 

    Visit a Sample Web-store: APersonalizedGift.com

    Register here: Web-store Registration

 

16. How will I be notified when I receive a website order? 

 

When someone places an order, you will receive two emails. The first email is sent from PayPal to notify that you received a payment. The second email is sent from your web-store notifying you that you received an order. After receiving that email, you can login into your web-store administration to view the order details. It is a good idea to change the order status to SHIPPED after shipping your customer's order so you can keep track of completed vs. open orders.  

How much should I charge to ship gifts to my customers?

You need to decide how you plan to ship or mail the gifts to your customers. It would likely be too costly to ship via FedEx or UPS so we suggest shipping via the United States Postal Service Priority Mail or First Class Mail. 

 

Your web-store control panel will allow you to set flat-rate shipping fees for domestic and international orders. If you are in the United States, we suggest shipping to the U.S. only.

 

United States Postal Service flat rate priority mail boxes and envelopes are provided by the USPS and will save you on shipping supplies as well as provide you with predictable rates. A major benefit when shipping via USPS Priority Mail, is that you can request a pickup the next day at your residence or place of work. Open a no-cost USPS account at usps.com 

 

Flat rate priority mail shipping costs the same amount to ship to your next-door neighbor as it does to ship anywhere else in the U.S.

 

You can also choose to ship First Class mail which can be less expensive. In that case, you would need to purchase stay-flat shipping envelopes and determine the cost to ship to the furthest distance from where you live, for example to New York, or California, or Hawaii. 

 

On the web-store administration Shipping Details page, the term 1st Gift in the shipping calculations refers to the cost to ship the first print (without a mat).  You could, for example, charge $6.95 to ship the first print/gift via Priority Mail, plus .50 cents for each additional print/gift your customer may order as you can fit many prints in one flat rate envelope or stay flat envelope. The shipping cost should cover your actual costs, though you could charge less, for example, $5.95 for the first print/gift with the understanding that you have enough profit with the cost of the gift to cover any excess shipping cost.

 

To set the cost to ship matted gifts, you need to determine how much more (in addition to the print shipping cost) it will cost you to ship an 11x14 matted gift. Then enter that amount into the 1st Mat shipping cost field. By doing this, the web-store will add the cost to ship the 1st Gift (example $5.95), plus the cost to ship the 1st Mat (for example $7.00) to arrive at the total shipping cost for a matted gift of $12.95.