April 2009
Having launched just 4 weeks ago, Inkd has achieved over 1,000 new print designs submitted by contributors from over 20 countries. Inkd is the World's First Market for Original Print Design and is the first online site where graphic designers can upload and sell print designs used by businesses to include newsletters, flyers, brochures, business cards and letterhead.
Businesses now have a cost effective alternative for projects with short deadlines or very limited budgets. Additionally, graphic designers are able to generate recurring revenue from their design investment.
Each time a design is sold, the designer earns a commission on a basis that is very similar to the proven microstock photography model.
"We think that Inkd has grown so fast in our first month because graphic designers generally understand that there are advantages to designing something once and selling it over and over," says Inkd founder and CEO Kelly Smith.
"When designers look at the Inkd site they can see that we are designers ourselves. As such, we try hard to communicate that this marketplace is intended to provide a new revenue stream that supplements the traditional creative consulting practice.
When a print template is sold on Inkd, customers can contact the graphic designer directly for any associated services. This could include helping to customize the template, development of a new corporate identity or even designing a matching website."
"As graphic designers, we have to acknowledge that not every business can afford to spend thousands of dollars for every marketing initiative that they need to address," said contributing designer Adrian Montesoro.
"Our traditional creative practice will continue to thrive but we see in Inkd a sensible new way to develop incremental recurring revenue and reach customers in a different market than we traditionally serve.
Most other businesses have a recurring revenue component and the graphic design industry desperately needs something like this."
The Inkd print marketplace was launched and financed by online veterans who have seen these kinds of industry transformations before. Backers include Seattle venture capital firm Second Avenue Partners along with an impressive line-up of angel investors who are associated with game changing online ventures such as Expedia, Zillow, Corbis and Whitepages.com.
Mike Slade is an Inkd board member and founder of ESPN.com, ABCNews.com and the Go.com network - leading online destinations eventually sold to the Walt Disney Corporation.
"We look for opportunities where there is a real opportunity to disrupt and improve upon the status quo. Inkd could be a win-win for marketers, business owners and print shops but also for designers as well because they're able to earn recurring revenue in an entirely new way."
Business owners, print shops and marketers have provided valuable feedback on Inkd's new marketplace. "Traditionally, our printing customers range in size from small technology firms to some of the regions largest companies," says Luis Palau, founder of the Printing Connexions.
"Even Fortune 1000 companies have projects with very tight deadlines and limited budgets. We're able to quickly browse a wide range of creative content and then get multiple brochure or datasheet ideas in the hands of customers to review very quickly."
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This news message is supported by The Creative Finder, an online platform for photographers, illustrators, designers, and art directors to promote their portfolios towards new clients and collaborators. Creatives who wish to sign up for an account can save 10% off annual fees with promo code 'designtaxi'.
