by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
Writers are frequently advised to ‘go wide’ with their books. It’s advice that I’ve followed: my books are in about every known format (paperback, hardcover, translations, digital, audio) and with as many distributors reaching every market that I possibly can.
Another way to make more income with your books is to offer something for your biggest fans (or for the family members of these readers who want to buy gifts for them). CafePress is an easy way to set up a store for book or series merchandise.
First set up your profile on the site, including your bio, picture, your payment details, notification preferences, etc.
The design process is pretty easy. You can either select a product (tee shirt, keychains, bags, etc) and then create a design specifically for that product, or you can upload a design and CafePress will show you the merchandise that your design will work on. I’m no designer (far from it, obviously), but I knew that what I was going for was a simple design that would work well on a tote bag or a coffee mug…that was really all I needed it for. You’ll want to make sure that your cover licenses allow you to use the designs for commercial use.
I used the cover (by designer Karri Klawiter) for an upcoming release and added some text by using the free program Canva. My image ended up looking like this:
Then I uploaded the design to CafePress (by clicking the arrow next to my name and selecting My Designs and then Add Designs).
When you add the design, you name it, give it tags (sort of like keywords), and write a line or two about it. Then the products that work for the size of your design pop up. It will be tee shirts, pillows, dog clothing, lunch bags, and everything in between. You can edit the selections and remove some…some weren’t good matches for my audience. On the design page for each particular design, you click the X in the top right corner of any product you want to remove. I probably removed 10. I did like the tote bag, however.
You’ll also want to design your shop on the site. If you click the arrow next to your name again, you’ll see the option for shops. Click ‘open a new shop,’ then name it and choose an ID that will become your web address. You’ll also want to add keywords and meta-tag descriptions.
You can also customize your shop’s background colors, fonts, etc.
My shop ended up looking like this: https://www.cafepress.com/cozymystery
You can see there isn’t a ton of variety in terms of design in my shop. :) When I have some time, I’ll try to mix it up a little more.
Be sure to list your shop on your website and in your newsletter. I’ve stuck it in my book’s back matter with no problems to date, but I know that it could be flagged at some point as a competitor link and need to be removed.
It’s the kind of thing that I just set up and then promptly forgot about. Sales have been surprisingly steady and it’s the kind of thing that I haven’t had to be involved in at all…it’s between the reader and CafePress. But a couple of times I have been asked if I could sign a tote bag. Now I keep some handy at home (and CafePress does seem to run sales).
For more detailed help and information, see these CafePress pages:
Product Templates (use this if there is a very specific product you want and your image doesn’t seem to be the right dimensions. This page lists a standard image size that will work for most of their products.
Do you have any book or series merchandise?
Creating Book Merchandise with CafePress: Click To Tweet
Photo on Visualhunt
That’s cool.
I have a playing cards featuring one of my books. And a mousepad.
Those both sound like fun options for merchandise!
I’ve not looked into Cafepress. We use Zazzle and with free shipping and many 50% off promos, they have great prices and quality products.
I’ve done some stuff with Zazzle, too! Another good option for writers.
You know what, Elizabeth? I never thought of doing this! What a great idea. And I can see how readers would really find this appealing. Thank you for suggesting this. Now I’ll have to start thinking of ways I might use this…
There are so many options! And no upfront cost. :)
I’ve been thinking about doing this. This may be the motivation I need. Thank you, as always :)
You’re so welcome! Good luck with it. It’s super easy.
Hi Elizabeth – can quite see the reason you decided to set it up … especially as it appears to be reasonably easy. Great to read about …
What’s the difference between Zazzle and Cafe Press … is CP more for book promotions, while Zazzle is for general purpose promotion?
Cheers Hilary
I think they’re very much the same, although they offer different products. I think at first that Zazzle was more for buying swag for events (although now they offer storefronts like CafePress). Both cater to any type of store you wanted to open…they don’t have to be book-related.
Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for the tip! I’ve been looking at Zazzle and Printful — now I have another option. :-)
Hope it helps! It’s pretty easy to set it up.
I’m an illustrator who has been selling through Cafe Press since their beginning. Don’t expect much profit *from* Cafe Press sales, but if you buy your own items directly from them or Zazzle they are both fairly easy to set up. As I illustrate my current assignment (about a dog) I’m giving a lot of thought to images specifically for marketing giveaways or sales. Very timely article!
Thanks for this, Terry! I agree with you about ordering direct (and readers seem to like signed totes, etc.). Good luck with your current project!