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When Zazzle first started, they just printed posters.
After a while, they started printing T-shirts too. (Although the actual
printable area is a tiny fractal of the total surface area.)
A little while after that, they added the ability to print with opaque
ink, allowing you to print light colours on dark fabric.
Then they started printing greetings cards. Which is an entirely
sensible move.
Then they went slightly crazy. They let you print shopping bags, and
ties, and key rings, and a few other things.
Having visited in the last few days, they seem to have gone full-on
insane! Zazzle now print *everything*!
Some of the stuff they print makes a lot of sense. For example, they now
print wrapping paper. (Surely a much-requested feature.) I can't help
but feel that some of the designs on offer would have you spending hours
trying to make the picture wrap nicely around the box, but that's not
really Zazzle's fault. Some of the designs look damned fantastic, and
would be really hard to find in shops.
They also now print table cloths, place mats (either fabric or
laminated), tea towels, table runners (whatever they are), and even
chopping boards. (The naff textured-glass kind, with a picture on the
underside.)
Some of the stuff is more questionable. For example, they print plates.
But although they are microwave and dishwasher safe, they recommend you
use them only to serve "pre-cut food". Which leads me to believe the
design is likely to wear off. They also sell the option of a decorative
plate stand, which leads me to think they're expecting most people to
put these things in a display stand. (They also sell paper plates, which
I guess are gonna be much more popular!)
Similarly, they print tiles. But at £60 *per tile*, you aren't exactly
going to tile your kitchen wall with these things. Again, there's the
offer of a display stand. While I'm sure there's a bulk discount if you
buy enough of them, they're still *way* too expensive to tile a wall
with. At best, you could maybe have a wall of blue tiles with a single
picture tile in the middle or something.
They even print tattoos! Temporary tattoos, that is. Or "transfers", as
we call them. :-P
And then they sell some stuff which leaves me scratching my head. For
example, they print poker chips. I can only imagine somebody printing a
few for their stag night or something, with their name on them. Other
than that... I don't know why you'd bother.
But they also print... wine stoppers. As in, for £25 (!) you can get a
steel bottle stopper, with a tiny, tiny image printed on the top of the
handle. Um, why bother?
Also, you know how restaurants have those little stand thingies with the
pole and the hoop of wire, and you put your table number on it? Zazzle
print those. As in, they have the stands, and the base is a brick of
clear plastic, and they can glue a picture to the underside of it. Why
would you bother? And who the hell is even going to buy that? I'm sure
actual restaurants already have suppliers for such things. When was the
last time *you* threw a party large enough to require table numbers?!
They also print cheese boards. As in, you get a circular wooden board,
with a plastic lid, and when you take the lid out, there's a cutting
surface, with two recesses which hold a pair of cheese knives. And the
plastic lid is the only printable part. The part you're going to throw
away, in all likelihood. Worth it! (Who even *has* a cheese board anyway?)
They also print gym bags. Or rather, they print a tiny 1-inch square on
the side of an otherwise plain gym bag. (It's kinda cool that almost all
their fabric products that can be printed can also be embroidered though.)
They also print lunch boxes. But not a box that holds your lunch. They
print a paper insert into the lid of a huge plastic box that has a
complex set of inserts with boxes and compartments and areas and stuff...
They also print shoes, which is interesting. They can print flip-flops.
Or they can print canvas plimsolls. Which is interesting, because these
are the few products where you can print *everything*. If only more
stuff was like this! (Although I'm not sure I can think of much stuff
worth printing on the meagre surface of a shoe.)
They still print old tat such as key fobs, badges and fridge magnets.
I leave you with a question: Would YOU buy this tie?
http://www.zazzle.co.uk/orange_lightning_tie_tie-151189304400272900
Because this is actually one of my biggest sellers! I put the ties on
sale as a joke, and I've sold more of them than any other product. (!!)
I can only imagine that somebody *really* wants to make a statement, or
else these are getting bought as joke gifts or booby prizes or
something... :-P
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As George Carlin once said, if you make a thing, some schmuck will buy
it. Even a left nostril inhaler monogrammed with the state logo on it.
But from a retail point, a sale is a sale, regardless of what people
bought it for. :)
Some people juggle geese, after all.
As for talbe number signs and so on - weddings are a thing, and some
people have huge ones. Most people also don't know that most restaurant
supply stores will sell to the general public. But if you want something
customized, they're usually not set up for that sort of thing.
Another thing that people buy stuff like this for is marketing - for
example, when I was teaching classes, we'd always have some giveaway for
the students, and it always had the company name/logo on it. So things
like wine stoppers and other things that seem silly have their place in
that market.
Jim
--
"I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and
besides, the pig likes it." - George Bernard Shaw
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On 06/12/2015 10:32 PM, Jim Henderson wrote:
> Another thing that people buy stuff like this for is marketing - for
> example, when I was teaching classes, we'd always have some giveaway for
> the students, and it always had the company name/logo on it. So things
> like wine stoppers and other things that seem silly have their place in
> that market.
Seems legit.
Some of the things they sell are surprising. For example, they sell gift
boxes. You'd think they mean like the ones I saw in TK Max; with a
design printed over the entire surface. But no, they mean a wooden box
with a *tiny* inset picture in the top. Which seems like a rather wasted
opportunity...
Maybe I should buy one of my own ties. Then again, I don't know how to
tie a tie, so...
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On 12/7/2015 6:05 PM, Orchid Win7 v1 wrote:
> Then again, I don't know how to tie a tie, so...
Well that is a plus. It is a most ridiculous fashion.
--
Regards
Stephen
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On Mon, 07 Dec 2015 18:05:03 +0000, Orchid Win7 v1 wrote:
> On 06/12/2015 10:32 PM, Jim Henderson wrote:
>> Another thing that people buy stuff like this for is marketing - for
>> example, when I was teaching classes, we'd always have some giveaway
>> for the students, and it always had the company name/logo on it. So
>> things like wine stoppers and other things that seem silly have their
>> place in that market.
>
> Seems legit.
>
> Some of the things they sell are surprising. For example, they sell gift
> boxes. You'd think they mean like the ones I saw in TK Max; with a
> design printed over the entire surface. But no, they mean a wooden box
> with a *tiny* inset picture in the top. Which seems like a rather wasted
> opportunity...
>
> Maybe I should buy one of my own ties. Then again, I don't know how to
> tie a tie, so...
Fortunately, there are videos on Youtube that show you how. :)
Jim
--
"I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and
besides, the pig likes it." - George Bernard Shaw
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On Mon, 07 Dec 2015 18:31:51 +0000, Stephen wrote:
> On 12/7/2015 6:05 PM, Orchid Win7 v1 wrote:
>> Then again, I don't know how to tie a tie, so...
>
> Well that is a plus. It is a most ridiculous fashion.
That is something I can agree with, though. I consider myself quite
fortunate in that I don't have to wear one very often at all (so far,
very rarely for work, and not on this job), and can work in my sleep
clothes most days. :)
Jim
--
"I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and
besides, the pig likes it." - George Bernard Shaw
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On 07/12/2015 06:31 PM, Stephen wrote:
> On 12/7/2015 6:05 PM, Orchid Win7 v1 wrote:
>> Then again, I don't know how to tie a tie, so...
>
> Well that is a plus. It is a most ridiculous fashion.
Hell yeah! Why not wrap a superfluous piece of fabric around my vital
organs. Can't see any way that could be a problem...
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On Mon, 07 Dec 2015 18:59:10 +0000, Orchid Win7 v1 wrote:
> On 07/12/2015 06:31 PM, Stephen wrote:
>> On 12/7/2015 6:05 PM, Orchid Win7 v1 wrote:
>>> Then again, I don't know how to tie a tie, so...
>>
>> Well that is a plus. It is a most ridiculous fashion.
>
> Hell yeah! Why not wrap a superfluous piece of fabric around my vital
> organs. Can't see any way that could be a problem...
Years ago, I worked for a company where the CFO got his tie caught in a
paper shredder - before paper shredders had an auto-shutoff mechanism.
The way he described it sounded like a wholly terrifying experience. He
was able to get it unplugged or turned off before it started to tighten
the tie too much. The aftermath on the tie itself was pretty impressive.
Jim
--
"I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and
besides, the pig likes it." - George Bernard Shaw
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On 12/7/2015 6:59 PM, Orchid Win7 v1 wrote:
> On 07/12/2015 06:31 PM, Stephen wrote:
>> On 12/7/2015 6:05 PM, Orchid Win7 v1 wrote:
>>> Then again, I don't know how to tie a tie, so...
>>
>> Well that is a plus. It is a most ridiculous fashion.
>
> Hell yeah! Why not wrap a superfluous piece of fabric around my vital
> organs. Can't see any way that could be a problem...
What ever turns you on.
Perv. ;-)
--
Regards
Stephen
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On 12/7/2015 6:55 PM, Jim Henderson wrote:
> On Mon, 07 Dec 2015 18:31:51 +0000, Stephen wrote:
>
>> On 12/7/2015 6:05 PM, Orchid Win7 v1 wrote:
>>> Then again, I don't know how to tie a tie, so...
>>
>> Well that is a plus. It is a most ridiculous fashion.
>
> That is something I can agree with, though. I consider myself quite
> fortunate in that I don't have to wear one very often at all (so far,
> very rarely for work, and not on this job), and can work in my sleep
> clothes most days. :)
>
The mind boggles, Jim. Thank you for sharing. :-)
I generally wear one on the first day just to show that I can be
presentable. Then keep it in a drawer till I leave.
--
Regards
Stephen
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On 12/7/2015 7:15 PM, Jim Henderson wrote:
> On Mon, 07 Dec 2015 18:59:10 +0000, Orchid Win7 v1 wrote:
>
>> On 07/12/2015 06:31 PM, Stephen wrote:
>>> On 12/7/2015 6:05 PM, Orchid Win7 v1 wrote:
>>>> Then again, I don't know how to tie a tie, so...
>>>
>>> Well that is a plus. It is a most ridiculous fashion.
>>
>> Hell yeah! Why not wrap a superfluous piece of fabric around my vital
>> organs. Can't see any way that could be a problem...
>
> Years ago, I worked for a company where the CFO got his tie caught in a
> paper shredder - before paper shredders had an auto-shutoff mechanism.
>
> The way he described it sounded like a wholly terrifying experience. He
> was able to get it unplugged or turned off before it started to tighten
> the tie too much. The aftermath on the tie itself was pretty impressive.
>
I once caught a ring in a door handle and nearly gloved my hand. I've
never worn jewellery (nor ties) since.
--
Regards
Stephen
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On Mon, 07 Dec 2015 19:51:12 +0000, Stephen wrote:
> On 12/7/2015 6:55 PM, Jim Henderson wrote:
>> On Mon, 07 Dec 2015 18:31:51 +0000, Stephen wrote:
>>
>>> On 12/7/2015 6:05 PM, Orchid Win7 v1 wrote:
>>>> Then again, I don't know how to tie a tie, so...
>>>
>>> Well that is a plus. It is a most ridiculous fashion.
>>
>> That is something I can agree with, though. I consider myself quite
>> fortunate in that I don't have to wear one very often at all (so far,
>> very rarely for work, and not on this job), and can work in my sleep
>> clothes most days. :)
>>
>>
> The mind boggles, Jim. Thank you for sharing. :-)
>
> I generally wear one on the first day just to show that I can be
> presentable. Then keep it in a drawer till I leave.
Yeah, I've got a few that I got for interviews when I was interviewing,
but otherwise, I avoid them like the plague.
Jim
--
"I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and
besides, the pig likes it." - George Bernard Shaw
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On 07/12/2015 07:15 PM, Jim Henderson wrote:
> Years ago, I worked for a company where the CFO got his tie caught in a
> paper shredder - before paper shredders had an auto-shutoff mechanism.
Pfft. My dad tells a tale of one of his school buddies getting his tie
caught in a 4-tonne lathe...
Those things have an emergency stop button for a reason. Fat lot of good
it does if nobody within reach of the button notices the problem.
Fortunately for this guy, somebody pushed the button. Then they just had
to find something to cut the tie with...
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On 12/7/2015 9:10 PM, Jim Henderson wrote:
>> >I generally wear one on the first day just to show that I can be
>> >presentable. Then keep it in a drawer till I leave.
> Yeah, I've got a few that I got for interviews when I was interviewing,
> but otherwise, I avoid them like the plague.
I've got a few, two of them were owned by Tommy Cooper. My wife bought
them for me at a church fair. His wife donated them. I also bought a
couple of silk ties in Hong Kong one of them with the Happy Mac icon
with arms and legs.
I always use a full Windsor knot if I have to wear one.
--
Regards
Stephen
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On Mon, 07 Dec 2015 22:10:51 +0000, Orchid Win7 v1 wrote:
> On 07/12/2015 07:15 PM, Jim Henderson wrote:
>> Years ago, I worked for a company where the CFO got his tie caught in a
>> paper shredder - before paper shredders had an auto-shutoff mechanism.
>
> Pfft. My dad tells a tale of one of his school buddies getting his tie
> caught in a 4-tonne lathe...
Ouch. That would suck.
> Those things have an emergency stop button for a reason. Fat lot of good
> it does if nobody within reach of the button notices the problem.
> Fortunately for this guy, somebody pushed the button. Then they just had
> to find something to cut the tie with...
Heh, yeah, that was the problem that CFO had as well - he ended up in a
position where he couldn't reach anything that could shut it off until
after 2/3 of the tie was chewed up. This was an industrial shredder, not
the kind of thing like I have in the corner of my home office. :)
Jim
--
"I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and
besides, the pig likes it." - George Bernard Shaw
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On Mon, 07 Dec 2015 19:55:29 +0000, Stephen wrote:
> On 12/7/2015 7:15 PM, Jim Henderson wrote:
>> On Mon, 07 Dec 2015 18:59:10 +0000, Orchid Win7 v1 wrote:
>>
>>> On 07/12/2015 06:31 PM, Stephen wrote:
>>>> On 12/7/2015 6:05 PM, Orchid Win7 v1 wrote:
>>>>> Then again, I don't know how to tie a tie, so...
>>>>
>>>> Well that is a plus. It is a most ridiculous fashion.
>>>
>>> Hell yeah! Why not wrap a superfluous piece of fabric around my vital
>>> organs. Can't see any way that could be a problem...
>>
>> Years ago, I worked for a company where the CFO got his tie caught in a
>> paper shredder - before paper shredders had an auto-shutoff mechanism.
>>
>> The way he described it sounded like a wholly terrifying experience.
>> He was able to get it unplugged or turned off before it started to
>> tighten the tie too much. The aftermath on the tie itself was pretty
>> impressive.
>>
> I once caught a ring in a door handle and nearly gloved my hand. I've
> never worn jewellery (nor ties) since.
Ouch.
Jim
--
"I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and
besides, the pig likes it." - George Bernard Shaw
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On Mon, 07 Dec 2015 22:24:00 +0000, Stephen wrote:
> On 12/7/2015 9:10 PM, Jim Henderson wrote:
>>> >I generally wear one on the first day just to show that I can be
>>> >presentable. Then keep it in a drawer till I leave.
>> Yeah, I've got a few that I got for interviews when I was interviewing,
>> but otherwise, I avoid them like the plague.
>
> I've got a few, two of them were owned by Tommy Cooper. My wife bought
> them for me at a church fair. His wife donated them. I also bought a
> couple of silk ties in Hong Kong one of them with the Happy Mac icon
> with arms and legs.
Those sound particularly silly. I always personally have liked the ties
Neil DeGrasse Tyson wears.
> I always use a full Windsor knot if I have to wear one.
I have heard the name, but I honestly don't know which knot I use. :)
Jim
--
"I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and
besides, the pig likes it." - George Bernard Shaw
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On 12/8/2015 5:02 PM, Jim Henderson wrote:
> On Mon, 07 Dec 2015 22:24:00 +0000, Stephen wrote:
>
>> On 12/7/2015 9:10 PM, Jim Henderson wrote:
>>>>> I generally wear one on the first day just to show that I can be
>>>>> presentable. Then keep it in a drawer till I leave.
>>> Yeah, I've got a few that I got for interviews when I was interviewing,
>>> but otherwise, I avoid them like the plague.
>>
>> I've got a few, two of them were owned by Tommy Cooper. My wife bought
>> them for me at a church fair. His wife donated them. I also bought a
>> couple of silk ties in Hong Kong one of them with the Happy Mac icon
>> with arms and legs.
>
> Those sound particularly silly. I always personally have liked the ties
> Neil DeGrasse Tyson wears.
>
I could go with those. :-)
>> I always use a full Windsor knot if I have to wear one.
>
> I have heard the name, but I honestly don't know which knot I use. :)
>
The Windsor knot is the one that is symmetrical and looks as if you can
tie a tie properly.
This is a good example
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/JuOgaFnpTB0/maxresdefault.jpg
This is a sloppy one
http://images.askmen.com/1200x600/video/fashion/how-to-tie-a-tie-the-windsor-knot-1083096-TwoByOne.jpg
--
Regards
Stephen
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On Thu, 10 Dec 2015 18:35:50 +0000, Stephen wrote:
> On 12/8/2015 5:02 PM, Jim Henderson wrote:
>> On Mon, 07 Dec 2015 22:24:00 +0000, Stephen wrote:
>>
>>> On 12/7/2015 9:10 PM, Jim Henderson wrote:
>>>>>> I generally wear one on the first day just to show that I can be
>>>>>> presentable. Then keep it in a drawer till I leave.
>>>> Yeah, I've got a few that I got for interviews when I was
>>>> interviewing,
>>>> but otherwise, I avoid them like the plague.
>>>
>>> I've got a few, two of them were owned by Tommy Cooper. My wife bought
>>> them for me at a church fair. His wife donated them. I also bought a
>>> couple of silk ties in Hong Kong one of them with the Happy Mac icon
>>> with arms and legs.
>>
>> Those sound particularly silly. I always personally have liked the
>> ties Neil DeGrasse Tyson wears.
>>
>>
> I could go with those. :-)
>
>>> I always use a full Windsor knot if I have to wear one.
>>
>> I have heard the name, but I honestly don't know which knot I use. :)
>>
> The Windsor knot is the one that is symmetrical and looks as if you can
> tie a tie properly.
>
> This is a good example
> https://i.ytimg.com/vi/JuOgaFnpTB0/maxresdefault.jpg
>
> This is a sloppy one
> http://images.askmen.com/1200x600/video/fashion/how-to-tie-a-tie-the-
windsor-knot-1083096-TwoByOne.jpg
That's probably not the knot I use. :)
Jim
--
"I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and
besides, the pig likes it." - George Bernard Shaw
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So I ordered some Christmas cards from Zazzle.
They now print them in two sizes - a normal one, and a slightly larger
one. So I ordered most of the cards in normal size, and a couple in
large size.
OK, wow. I had *no idea* the large ones would be so utterly huge! I now
kinda have a problem, in that if anybody sees me give out the super
ultra mega huge cards, they'll be wondering why they only got a regular
size one!
Seriously, this thing is bigger than A4. (That's *before* you open it.
So the opened card is larger than A3.) Wow... I guess you _can_ have too
much of a good thing?
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