I am trying to figure out what types of designs people would like to see, or if they'd rather do fully-custom designs. I find that sometimes fully-custom is a bit scary for some people, because it's hard to envision the end result, but other people may like having the ability to make the saddle pad one-of-a-kind.
If I had a selection of pre-designed options, what kinds of designs would you like to see? I did a batch of these pads for a summer camp once for the owner to give to the camp counselors. For that order, I did a whole bunch of different designs, including flamingos, dolphins, fish, flowers, and stars. The kids loved them.
I am also wondering if customers would rather select the pad that the design is painted on, or if they wouldn't care what kind of pad it is. These were all painted on Riders International (the Dover brand) A/P pads because they are easy to wash, fairly inexpensive so that keeps costs down, and they hold up really well.
Any feedback would really help!
I love what you have posted. I generally like the horse related ones or just a design, I don't like ducks or dolphins but then I am not a kid (I have two of the Animals to Ride saddle pads). I would think that you need to offer a variety that you can probably cut back on as you see what sells and what doesn't. For custom work, what if you just offered an existing design in the buyers choice of color and color of pad. That way it is individual but you don't have to try to come up with an acceptable design. You can always offer that too. I wouldn't do custom designs for cheap - it could go back and forth a dozen times before you have an acceptable look.
ReplyDeleteI think color selection would mean more than brand. I'll buy pretty much anything if it's in pink/green. I know Erin loves blue/gold. LOVE your designs.
ReplyDeleteThose look classy. I like.
ReplyDeleteHow durable is it? I'm no artist and I've never painted anything that didn't have numbers, so I have no idea. Does it last well? How does it wash? Does it need special care?
:) Will you paint the Phish logo on one for me? How much are you charging? Such a good idea!
ReplyDeleteLove this idea! I'd totally buy one. I think not only do you need to offer a design selection, though, but a pad color selection too.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, everyone. Barbara, that's exactly why I hesitate to do the custom designs. I also do pet portraits and sometimes the "can you fix this one little thing?" turns into hours of extra work and it's nuts.
ReplyDeleteGreat call on the colour selection. Dover is right down the street so I can go pick up whatever colour someone wants easily. These are the pads I'll probably use unless someone wants a specific pad: http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-1997&ids=745592732
Karen of course! That would look awesome. I'm thinking $45, including shipping anywhere in the US. Email me to let me know what colour pad/paint you want. axford.k@gmail.com
Sprinkler, the paint is really awesome. It's a pretty heavy-duty fabric paint that I heat set and then it is washable. I haven't had any problems with the paint coming off of pads I've painted in the past, and I've had some of them for 5+ years. That being said, I don't wash them a lot and I rotate pads regularly. One thing I wouldn't recommend is putting one of the painted pads in the dryer.
Wow those are great! Maybe you should make some designs that are a little more masculine for the geldings/ stallion out there? I have a gelding and i hesitate to put him in anything girly even if it gorgeous like your pads-- i just feel to bad! And perhaps you should offer both custom and pre made designs too. That way people can see how much they like your work before they pay extra for a custom!
ReplyDeletePeople really like getting their horse's name on their saddlepad, maybe you could come up with a few fancy fonts and have some fancy squiggles as embellishes around them?
ReplyDeleteI second the horse designs over flamingos etc. Although something like a shooting star might be popular?
I love those dover saddlepads!
I was going to say what Jessica said - horse's names and barn names are great, and make a really nice gift.
ReplyDeleteTerry at Moondance
So pretty! What a great idea. I have no artistic talent whatsoever (even my stick figures look lopsided) so if I had a horse, I would be buying one pronto. I think it is a great price as well. I can't even imagine coming up with a custom request, other than a horse's name, but if you have 10 designs or less, that would probably be enough for people like me. Maybe you could make a dressage-y and a hunter/jumper-y option?
ReplyDeleteLaura Wright
Hi Laura, great point; I can't forget about my dressage friends :) Are the Dover dressage pads as nice as the A/P ones?
ReplyDeleteI LOOOOVE them, and I have a total saddle pad addiction, so...yeah, look out:) I like the idea of names, or initials even, and also having a choice of color for pads. The ones you've already done look great!
ReplyDeleteThey are so pretty! I love them! I think that a good design idea would be names, initials, and other simple things. A lot of times simple is better! The ones already done are amazing!
ReplyDeleteThose are great! I really like the horse designs and I think that the idea of names or initials is great as well.
ReplyDeleteYou'll make a bunch of eventers happy! I love the ones with the horses!
ReplyDelete