Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Animal-inspired Merchandise

block printed tablecloths with tortoiseshell cats
Tortie Girls Tablecloths!

Originals, prints and unique merchandise featuring my fine art and photography

Most of my fine art, even if the original is sold, is available as a print in various sizes. In addition, I create unique handmade items such as block-printed textiles, or I have printed mugs or tiles imprinted with an image.

I have individual greeting cards made from my paintings and photographs as well as varied boxed sets of notecards—full color, ink sketches, pencil sketches and more, all blank inside with matching envelopes. Most of the sets of notecards have matching writing paper and 3.5″ x 8.5″ memo pads to match.

When I lost several cats in the space of two years, I received many sympathy cards. I noticed that most were not animal-oriented and decided to use my photographs and my ideas, combined with healing the grief of my losses, to create a line of animal sympathy cards intended for those who have lost an animal companion. In some cases, they can also be used as elegant greeting cards.

Where to find the merchandise

Visit these pages on The Creative Cat to learn more:

Commissioned Pet Portraits

My Etsy Shop of Handmade Goods

Ordering Custom Artwork

Great Rescues Day Book

Calendars

Visit the Marketplace on my website, my Etsy shop and my Fine Art America profile. To see new releases, features and specials, visit my Marketplace blog or sign up for my monthly preview e-newsletter, below.

Subscribe to The Creative Cat e-newsletter for specials on exclusively feline-themed art and merchandise.

 


custom note cards
"Purple Cats, Red Blanket" note cards created from a daily sketch.

Custom Greeting Cards and Prints of Artwork on The Creative Cat

Aside from a very few things that I decide I need to keep close to me, everything I create is for sale or available for reproduction. I create my art to share with others, it does no one any good for me to hoard it all here. In fact, after a while I am overwhelmed by it all and I stop producing, a very sad state of affairs. I actually need to move images on to new homes so that I can move forward as a creative person.

But I can’t possibly post and reproduce every image I create. My choice is usually made by what I like and what others remark about, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a reproduction of any image, or even the original itself. I’ve been framing art and creating custom gifts for nearly 25 years, and I’ve been a commercial artist for over 30 years and making reproductions of images, whether in print or on a mug or on a piece of glass to display in a window.

I do not print my own prints or greeting cards; I found that owning and maintaining a printer that produced the quality I needed for these was actually more expensive than having one of the “real” printers I work with every day make prints and cards for me, and I let them deal with the equipment! I just enjoy making and preparing the art, although I do various amounts of finishing, like packaging, sometimes trimming and folding, and stretching canvases on wooden stretchers.

I work with one printer to make my greeting cards and digital prints, and another to make my gicleé and canvas prints. I’ve worked with both small businesses for years for both my own prints and printing design projects for my commercial customers. Each item is ordered individually and can take up to five days to complete before it is ready for me to pick up.

I can have a print made of any image you see on my site as a:

  • greeting card
  • digital print on matte-finish cover
  • giclee print on acid-free paper
  • canvas print, giclee print on primed canvas stretched on wooden stretchers
  • and, of course, photographs

I have limits on sizes below in order to make pricing easier, but I can accommodate any size or shape within reason. Sometimes the art won’t fit well into a certain shape, or won’t enlarge well without a hi-res scan, which would cost extra, and sometimes an image is too small to accommodate larger sizes. Most of the time I prefer to keep my paintings and sketches at about the original size or smaller because enlarging too much can distort brushstrokes and pencil marks. Photos are another matter entirely and many can enlarge to wall size.

Wherever possible I’ve priced items individually or by the square inch or whatever so that you can calculate a print or item that fits your budget by adjusting medium or size.

If there is something you don’t see on this list that you would like, or if something is unclear, just ask.

To order a custom image on one of these products, please use any of the order forms at the end of each section.

Prices below do not include shipping, which is usually $5.00 and sent by Priority Mail; prints larger than the 9.5” x 12.5” mailing envelope are shipped flat in cardboard up to 11” x 17”, larger sizes rolled in a mailing tube, for $10.00. Canvas prints and framed art larger than 8” x 10” also cost a flat fee of $25.00 to ship.

USE THIS FORM TO REQUEST A CUSTOM ITEM OR ASK A QUESTION

[contact-form subject=”The Creative Cat Animal-inspired Merchandise” to=”[email protected]”] [contact-field label=”Name” type=”name” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Email” type=”email” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”General Question” type=”text” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Describe what you\’d like or ask a question.” type=”textarea” required=”true” /] [/contact-form]

 


greeting card
"A Sunny Room" greeting card, by request.

GREETING CARDS

5” x 7” (A-7) with envelopes

I have most cards made at 5” x 7” and always have white and cream envelopes on hand, so any order of 5” x 7” cards comes with an envelope for each card.

  • Minimum order 6, $2.00 each, total $12.00
  • Dozen cards, total $20.00

Other sizes, sold without envelopes

I can also have other common sizes made that fit well in available envelopes, but I don’t stock envelopes in these sizes:

Notecards

  • 4.25” x 5.5” (A-2)
  • 4” x 6” (A-6)
  • Minimum order 6, $1.00 each, total $12.00 (no envelopes)
  • Dozen cards, total $12.00 (no envelopes)

Oversized Greeting Cards

  • 5.5” x 8.5” (A-8)
  • Minimum order 6, $2.00 each, total $12.00 (no envelopes)
  • Dozen cards, total $20.00 (no envelopes)

Square Cards

Square cards are really cool, but they cost extra to mail. I suggest a 5” x 5” card, mailed in a 5” x 7” envelope, and I offer this as a regular product if the art accommodates it—in fact, I love that square format so much of my art fits well on square cards.

5” x 5” with A-7 envelopes

I have most cards made at 5” x 7” and always have white and cream envelopes on hand, so any order of 5” x 5” square cards comes with an A-7 envelope for each card.

  • Minimum order 6, $2.00 each, total $12.00
  • Dozen cards, total $20.00

Other sizes, styles and papers

Card pricing is based on how much paper is used, basically determining how many cards can be trimmed out of a 12” x 18” or 13” x 19” sheet of paper, which is why the notecards are about half what the greeting cards are. But if you have special envelopes you bought on closeout, or the cards aren’t for mailing at all but are teeny-tiny gift inserts, table tents or hand-delivered announcements, or if your design is for a special multiple fold, let me know the size you have in mind and I’ll do the math.

I prefer matte-finish cover stock because it’s less expensive than the greeting card stock that is glossy on the outside and unfinished on the inside (C1S), the art has a perfect finish which I prefer to gloss which always has a glare, but you can still write on the inside without it smearing. My printer carries a variety of gloss and matte cover and text weight stocks; if he needs to purchase special paper it’s an extra charge depending on how expensive.

Sorry, no die-cuts—I have to do those by hand for small quantities!

USE THIS FORM TO REQUEST A CUSTOM ITEM OR ASK A QUESTION

[contact-form subject=”The Creative Cat Animal-inspired Merchandise” to=”[email protected]”] [contact-field label=”Name” type=”name” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Email” type=”email” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”General Question” type=”text” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Describe what you\’d like or ask a question.” type=”textarea” required=”true” /] [/contact-form]


print of pastel sketch
"Kelly in Warm Colors", pastel, print of original.

DIGITAL PRINTS

All prints are made on 100# matte-finish white cover, and I sign each one next to my original signature. The paper is acid-free and the inks are archival and fully waterproof, but of course it can warp, fade or have other horrible things happen to it if you let it get wet or put it in direct sunlight or bright lighting.

Daily Sketches

Daily sketches range between 6” x 6” and 8” x 10” so I have the prints made actual size and center them on 8.5” x 11” matte-finish 100# cover stock. Because they are so small, they don’t enlarge well unless I do a really hi-resolution scan, which would cost extra.

  • Print of daily sketch, $5.00.

Other Images

I can have digital prints made up to 11” x 17”. Image size is stated below; a white margin of at least 1” is allowed on all sides.

  • Up to 8” x 10”, $5.00
  • 8” x 10” to 11” x 17”, $10.00

USE THIS FORM TO REQUEST A CUSTOM ITEM OR ASK A QUESTION

[contact-form] [contact-field label=”Name” type=”name” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Email” type=”email” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Product” type=”text” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Describe what you\’d like or ask a question.” type=”textarea” required=”true” /] [/contact-form]

 


black cat peeking around curtain
Mewsette peeks from around the curtain.

PHOTO PRINTS

Digital prints of photos

I can have photo prints made as digital prints up to 11” x 17”. These have a white margin and have the name of the image and my signature on the white area beneath the image as well as my signature on the image in metallic ink. This also means that photos can be any size or shape necessary up to 12” x 18”, centered on the paper. The pricing and sizes are the same as the digital prints, above.

Prints on photo paper

All photo prints are made on luster-finish photo paper with no white margin, and I sign each one in metallic ink in the lower right. The image may have a minimum amount of cropping to fit standard sizes, or I may add white around the image and trim it to the appropriate size and shape when I get the print.

  • 5×7, $2.50
  • 8×10, $5.00
  • 11×14, $10.00
  • 12×18, $12.50
  • 16×20, $15.00
  • 20×30, $25.00

USE THIS FORM TO REQUEST A CUSTOM ITEM OR ASK A QUESTION

[contact-form] [contact-field label=”Name” type=”name” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Email” type=”email” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Product” type=”text” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Describe what you\’d like or ask a question.” type=”textarea” required=”true” /] [/contact-form]


pastel painting of calico cat with peonies
"Peaches and Peonies", pastel, 23" x 16", 2008 © B.E. Kazmarski

GICLÉE PRINTS

Giclée is a type of 8- or 12-color inkjet printing using fade-resistant, archival inks and archival papers and other printing surfaces such as photo paper, watercolor paper, cotton or linen canvas and textured vinyl in a variety of finishes. The giclée prints I’ve had made of my paintings on both cotton rag and hot-press rag paper have been so astonishingly like the original paintings that even side by side it’s hard to tell one from the other. For a high-quality lasting print that’s as clear and detailed and accurate in color as the original, only a giclée will do.

The small business which makes my giclée and canvas prints is actually a father and son working in their home with an amazing amount of professional equipment. They also make the original digital images of all my larger paintings which I use for everything from full-size prints down to greeting cards. Both are artists, the father a long-time commercial photographer famous for his images of Pittsburgh and panoramic landscapes, and his son also a photographer and digital illustrator. I know my art is in the best hands with them, and they look at their finished prints with an artist’s eye; I have never been unhappy with the quality of anything they have produced, where, until I found them, I was constantly disappointed at the quality of the image and the print from other companies.

These prints can be as large as six feet wide, and the roll of paper is about 50 feet long, so size is not an issue. They have a 2” or 3” white margin depending on the size of the print. All prints are signed in pencil or pastel pencil next to my original signature and also have the name of the image and my signature on the white area beneath the image.

Prints of watercolors are on archival rag paper, a little rough as watercolor paper often is; prints of pastels and sketches are on archival hot press paper, smooth with a matte finish. Both are substantially heavy stocks.

Giclée prints are 20 cents per square inch— multiply (width x height) x .20, but with a minimum of $25.00. Here are a few examples:

  • 8×10, $25.00
  • 11×14, $30.80
  • 12×18, $43.20
  • 16×20, $64.00
  • 18×24, $86.40

USE THIS FORM TO REQUEST A CUSTOM ITEM OR ASK A QUESTION

[contact-form] [contact-field label=”Name” type=”name” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Email” type=”email” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Product” type=”text” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Describe what you\’d like or ask a question.” type=”textarea” required=”true” /] [/contact-form]


cropped version of illustration
A Day for Dreaming

CANVAS PRINTS

My canvas prints are actually giclée prints on canvas, and made by the same two people as my giclées on paper. When the print is done, I purchase the canvas stretchers and stretch the canvas myself.

These prints can be as large as six feet wide, and the roll of canvas is about 50 feet long, so size is not an issue as long as I can find stretchers to fit the canvas. Depending on the image I either extend the background around the sides of the canvas, or I simply add black so that the sides are covered. All prints are signed next to my original signature.

Canvas prints are 25 cents per square inch— multiply (width x height) x .25, but with a minimum of $25.00. Here are a few examples:

  • 8×10, $25.00
  • 11×14, $46.20
  • 12×18, $64.80
  • 16×20, $96.00
  • 18×24, $108.00

Canvas prints larger than 11×14 also cost a flat fee of $25.00 to ship.

USE THIS FORM TO REQUEST A CUSTOM ITEM OR ASK A QUESTION

[contact-form] [contact-field label=”Name” type=”name” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Email” type=”email” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Product” type=”text” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Describe what you\’d like or ask a question.” type=”textarea” required=”true” /] [/contact-form]

 


matted framed sketch of cat
A Dozen Shades of Gray, matted and framed © B.E. Kazmarski

FRAMED ORIGINAL DAILY SKETCHES AND OTHER ART

I learned the art of picture framing years ago and keep all the equipment and a stock of quality acid-free mat boards on hand. In addition, I purchase custom molding from a local supplier, premade frames at various stores and even at yard sales, often adding my own finishing touches. I frame most of my own artwork aside from the very largest originals.

Each month I choose certain daily sketches to mat and frame with either a custom molding or a frame I’ve finished to complement my art; these are usually placed in my Etsy shop for easy browsing. I can also mat and frame any daily sketch you choose with a mat and frame of my choosing, or a custom frame of your choosing.

Sketches vary slightly in size when framed, but are rarely larger than 14” x 16”.

  • Framed daily sketch (my choice mat and frame): $100.00
  • Custom-framed daily sketch starts at $100.00 and is determined by your choice of materials.

I also offer custom framing of any image in my gallery, just describe your idea to me.

Framed art costs a flat fee of $25.00 to ship.

USE THIS FORM TO REQUEST A CUSTOM ITEM OR ASK A QUESTION

[contact-form] [contact-field label=”Name” type=”name” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Email” type=”email” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Product” type=”text” required=”true” /] [contact-field label=”Describe what you\’d like or ask a question.” type=”textarea” required=”true” /] [/contact-form]

 

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