Archive for August 24, 2012

NEW Status Updates!

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We’ve been busy little bees in Finaoville working on new and exciting updates that streamline procedures and help our customers save time and increase sales! Our latest convenience-adding feature is the addition of more detailed status updates each item in an order!

Although there are far too many steps in the hand-crafted process to scan everything at every station, we’ve been able to set up a scan at some milestone stations along the way so you can see that your album order is moving along.  Keep in mind that once an order has been scanned out of one station that there may be multiple steps it has to go through before it gets to the next scan.  So although it may say your prints have been done for the past 3 days, no worries, your order is still moving along, it is just showing you the last step that happened where there was a scan point.

To see your order history, simply log in at www.finao.com and access your account information by clicking your user name in the top left of the page.  Select “Order Info”.

Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:

Print QC (Pass/Fail) – Images have been printed and coated. If a fail status shows, it means that the inspector found something they didn’t like that will need to be addressed or redone.

Block QC (Pass/Fail) – Images have been mounted, bound and trimmed.

Join QC (Pass/Fail) – The album’s page-block and cover have been joined to form a book.

Album QC (Pass/Fail) – The album has gone to final inspection and, once passed, it is ready to be packaged and shipped.

We know this is a feature that you’ve all been looking forward to and we’re really happy to be able to provide this little extra service to you!

Jamie Westman

Jamie Westman

Jamie is Finao's resident Guidance Guru and Marketing Assistant to the Queen of All Things Finabulous, Christine Perry-burke.

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Introducing the Addiction Collection

Finao Addiction Collection of fabrics.

We’re ecstatic to present you with amazing new fabrics for use on your Finao ONE, artONE, playBOOK, Elements and Rave albums!

Just one taste of these tempting textiles and you’ll be hooked. A mélange of textures and hues to fix any craving. Silk, mohair and linen. Go ahead, get addicted.

We know you don’t like to wait, so some good news! These fabrics are available to order on your albums now!  Swatch cards will not be released quite yet.  Patience please, we have more amazing additions in-store for you and will be releasing a single swatch kit update that will give you everything you need all at once.  This is just a tiny taste!  You’re going to FREAK over the Finabulous finds and custom-crafted Finao exclusive materials that are still to come!!

*These materials are scanned samples and are for approximation purposes only.Finao Addiction Collection of fabrics.

 

Finao playBOOK photo books in new fabric cover materials "Bookie" and "Narcism".

Finao playBOOK photo books in new fabric cover materials “Bookie” and “Narcism”.

 

Finao playBOOK photo books in new fabric cover materials.

Finao’s photographically printed playBOOK is the ultimate in a luxury album feel at a press-book price.

 

Jamie Westman

Jamie Westman

Jamie is Finao's resident Guidance Guru and Marketing Assistant to the Queen of All Things Finabulous, Christine Perry-burke.

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PARENT ALBUMS: Finao has your answer!

Mom Heart Tattoo

Many of you can say that you have had no bigger fans in your life than your parents (even though sometimes they show it by embarrassing you in front of all your peers LOL).  How many people in your life can you think of that would be beaming with joy to pass around photos of your milestones to friends and strangers alike?  Not many is my guess; but parents, that’s a different story!

From a photographer/business-owner point of view, these proud parents make fantastic marketers for your brand!  And what new bride or new mother wouldn’t want to provide their own parents with the gift of sharing in their most special moments?  Parent books are key, and being able to offer an affordable parent book option that doesn’t compromise quality will put you heads above the rest.

The Finao playBOOK is the perfect parent album solution!  Press printed books have been the standard on the market for too long.  Now you can offer a higher quality book photographic album with a much more substantial feel for prices that would shock you!  The playBOOK is priced* the same as or less than most lesser quality press books on the market!

*Finao strictly services professionals in the industry and you must have a valid account in order to view pricing information.

The playBOOK features real photographic prints, just like the flush mount ONE which would typically act as your main album.

Finao playBOOK photo print seamless lay flat

The same high quality, professional prints your clients expect in their main album are also in the parent albums, rather than lesser quality press prints which have inherent limitations to color and clarity. Also, unlike the fast delivery books on the market that are not coated, we take the time to coat your prints and ensure that your getting the quality that best represents your brand.

The playBOOK also beats the other books with it’s cover options!  Gone are the days of “photo cover only”.  People want choice, and parents and grandparents would love to display a beautiful fabric bound book on their coffee tables. By offering the largest array of gorgeous silks and linens, fine woven fabrics, faux leathers and tantalizing textures you are able to offer parent albums that coordinate with your client’s main album.  Coordinating or complimentary colors and textures will add that extra polish and sophistication to your packages. (and speaking of fabrics….watch for a special announcement soon! ;)  Of course, photo wrap covers are also available, and at no additional cost!

Finao playBOOK photo books in new fabric cover materials.

Finao’s photographically printed playBOOK is the ultimate in a luxury album feel at a press-book price.

So, what are you waiting for? Get your studio sample now at 25% off and start making those other moms your biggest fans too!

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Jamie Westman

Jamie Westman

Jamie is Finao's resident Guidance Guru and Marketing Assistant to the Queen of All Things Finabulous, Christine Perry-burke.

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Boudie-licious!

A lot of people think that we pretty much just work with wedding photographers to make wedding albums, and although that is a big portion of what we do, it’s definitely not the only thing we’re into.  Boudoir photography has really been growing in recent years and many of the photographers that work with us sell a wide range of Finao and Seldex products to their boudoir clients.  Nothing sexier than a little book of secrets….maybe a BIG book of not-so-secrets >=)

Here’s a selection of our steamiest albums and boxes that could really give a rise to your boudoir business ;)

 

Elements

Finao Elements self mount albums are perfect for portraits and boudoir.

Finao’s seductive collection of tantalizing textures.

Elements albums are fantastic books by Finao that fall under the category of “self-mount” which means exactly what it sounds like (hey, get your mind out of the gutter!) – there is adhesive on the pages so you can mount your own prints to the page.  It’s super easy to do, we’ve even got video instructions, but we also offer a Print & Assembly option if you’re of the “do it for me” mindset.

Elements come in super sexy silks, linens, fabrics and fauxs, or upgrade to incorporate sultry leathers and suedes.  Guest book “TXT” versions are also available.  Studio samples are 25% off and available through the Sample Order Form.

 

playBOOK

Finao playBOOK photo books in new fabric cover materials.

Finao’s photographically printed playBOOK is the ultimate in a luxury album feel at a press-book price.

playBOOK is the hottest new photo book on the market and will make you kiss press-books goodbye!  playBOOK features photographic prints, skinny page styling, and seamless, lay-flat binding for breathtaking panoramic spreads.  The playBOOK comes in TONS of gorgeous fabric, silk and vegan leather cover options as well as image covers at no additional cost.  This is THE book for the boudoir client who wants a higher-end, magazine style, designed book without going all the way for a flush mount.

Get some more play with a playBOOK! Studio samples are 25% off and available through the Sample Order Form.

 

Seldex Gallery and Twin Sets

Seldex Gallery matted album available in US at Finao. Perfect album for portraits - seniors, boudoir, babies and families as well as guest books.

Gallery albums come with tons of cover options and make gorgeous portrait albums and guest books.

Gallery albums are gorgeous matted albums that are perfect for portraits and guest books.  They come in either a 9″ or 12″ square, have TONS of cover options from linens to fauxs to fine leathers and even image wraps, capacity of up to 30 mats in your choice of 4 styles and numerous mat configurations.

Gallery albums are a breeze to assemble yourself with your own prints – here’s a short video so you can see how it’s done – but if you don’t want to, we offer a print & assembly service as well for a low price per page (software required for P&A).

 

Portrait Suite

Portrait Suite by Seldex available in US at www.finao.com

Seldex’s Portrait Suite is the total package!

If it’s the total package you’re looking for, the Portrait Suite by Seldex provides you with an all-around presentation to your clients. A matted album wrapped in a photo cover is nestled inside a matching photo-covered box.  Hide a little CD button and coordinating printed disk on the inside of the lid, and you’ve got yourself a “suite” deal!

Just like the Gallery albums on the inside, the Portrait Suite albums are easy to assemble yourself with your own prints – here’s a short video so you can see how it’s done – but if you don’t want to, we offer a print & assembly service as well for a low price per page (software required for P&A).

 

Portfolio and Preview Boxes

Seldex Portfolio and Preview Boxes shown in "Boudie Call" templates by Design Aglow.

Design Aglow provides “Boudie Call” boudoir themed templates for albums, boxes and more. Visit www.designaglow.com. Image courtesy of Design Aglow.

For those who are into something a little different, a Portfolio Box or Image Preview Box by Seldex may be the remedy.  The Portfolio Box has been made popular lately by revered portrait photographer Sue Bryce, and with their simple sophistication, it’s easy to see why she sells so many!  Try a custom image cover, black buckram fabric or “Black Pearl” silk brocade.  A Natural Blend Linen is also available and quite popular for child & family sessions.  Simple white or black frame-mounts showcase your prints inside the box and make for the perfect way to add-to over time, or highlight various prints on an easel.  Styrene mounted prints are also available for both box types instead.

The Seldex Image Preview Boxes are smaller boxes that keep loose prints (or styrene mounted). Available in a variety of sizes to accommodate many needs, the Image Preview Box is perfect for anything from a sneak peek to the full Monty!

A 25% Studio sample discount is available for the Portfolio Box when you order through the Sample Order Form.

Like what you see?  Want more?  We’re happy to please!  Just ask and we’ll make sure all your needs are satisfied… ;p

Jamie Westman

Jamie Westman

Jamie is Finao's resident Guidance Guru and Marketing Assistant to the Queen of All Things Finabulous, Christine Perry-burke.

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