philspectrum Posted October 4, 2009 Report Share Posted October 4, 2009 As a minilab we have used a work envelope that has not changed much in over 20 years even though the services we offer are radically different. We need to record client name and contact details, job info, collection time and price as always..... We used to put film(s) inside at the start, end finish with envolope(s) of photos. Now there is often no media, maybe a reciept from a kiosk, or a memory card, cd, or print that needs scanning, and the finished job might not fit in the work envelope because it could be a mug, canvas, poster, t-shirt, or stack of 500 prints! The work envolope can get so messy by the time a job is complete that I feel it is detremental to the great work we have done. Is there another way? Maybe just a sheet of paper, or a plain envelope? The gusseted sides, sticky closing tab, perforated tear off, and barcode and unique numbers make work envelopes an expensive bit if packaging and wonder if there us a better way? Suggestions, or images of your solutions much appreciated. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Deverill Posted October 4, 2009 Report Share Posted October 4, 2009 What about a5 ncr pads and clear bags? That way it could be customised to suit all job requirements! Can be numbered as the job bags are! You are right about the current system, we have the same problems! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philspectrum Posted October 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2009 What sort of things would you include on your A5 sheet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilT Posted October 4, 2009 Report Share Posted October 4, 2009 When I had the shop/s we did away with the work envelope years back. We had A5 With order form on the front, the top had a perferated tear of strip, with job number on it, the back also had additional order form. We used Grip Seal bags, that we used over and over again. It saved us money, the actual form was easy to adapt, and change, and printing was done by a local firm . I was always suprised that people had not changed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Posted October 5, 2009 Report Share Posted October 5, 2009 We use an A4 order form with tear off top & job number. We then put this in a A4 plastic filing pocket, for normal photo work we use as tradition envelope. Kiosk work is stapled to the order form. Prints etc are returned to customer in filing pocket with work sheet inside. If the work is too big, say canvas wrap, mug or enlargement we just tap the work sheet to the wrap, mug box or enlargement envelope/tube. We are lucky as we print these inhouse so can put just what we like on it including a small coupon like ad. "£5.00 of next pair of binos or scope" at present. Often the customer will leave A4 pocket at counter and we will reuse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philspectrum Posted October 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2009 Great idea. Any chance you could post a copy of your form on the forum so I can get ideas and you can maybe get some positive feedback too? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colopt Posted October 5, 2009 Report Share Posted October 5, 2009 I also use an A5 sheet that I print myself and clear self sealing plastic bags. I use normal print envelopes for prints and boxes for larger quantities. I don't bother with numbered reciepts, most people just lose them anyway. Customers name and phone number is how the work is identified. I would really like to see a different print envelope design that has a secure pouch for memory cards that you could see, and when the customer picks up the work you can point to it and confirm that yes your memory card is HERE. I have had customers lose their cards after leaving the shop and then try to blame me. Like most things in photo labs, the design of envelopes is based around film, which stopped being relevant years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Photographis Posted October 6, 2009 Report Share Posted October 6, 2009 hi every one, been away for a while, but noticed this thread. we have been using this for 4yrs now with clear polly bags, and seems to work. We still use work envelopes for film, however. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Photographis Posted October 6, 2009 Report Share Posted October 6, 2009 as you can see, it is an A5 form, doubled up to an a4. very Heath Robinson, i just print up 50 sheets a time on the old photocopier, guillotine, hot glue gun along the top. two pads of 50 forms,sorted. just doing 1k at the moment, waiting for work,,, yawn !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magenta Posted October 6, 2009 Report Share Posted October 6, 2009 What makes a perfect work envelope? Basically anything that doesnt need filling in by hand, Having seen details that look like Latin, when even the guy that wrote it can not understand what it says, No wonder it doesn't look professional when the work is finished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Photographis Posted October 6, 2009 Report Share Posted October 6, 2009 LOL !! yup, with you there entirely, Magenta, trouble is, the text to support the tick boxes could take several pages...lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 Our work docket. We use it for film, digital, wraps and mugs etc Kiosk receipt is stapled to the docket for work to be collected later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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