The stuff there is so cheap, indeed. The only problem is that I can't find a single thing that I can actually use. Business cards? I have a job, and everyone knows where I work. Hats? T-shirts? That's what Old Navy is for. Anything else I can make with my printer. In addition to being a first grade teacher, my hobbies are cycling, photography, and swimming. What could I possibly use their stuff for?
I've ordered a lot of stuff for school--postcards and sticky notes to replace those notes I write over and over again. stamps to quickly stamp the top of forms I need signed at home and then returned. I also ordered postcards with "A Note From Home" on the front to send to my son when he goes away to university next year. Would I have gone out of my way to order and pay "big bucks" for any of these items, no, but they will be convenient. As far as producing them on my own--I know that I could do it (but I'm lazy) and by the time I purchase supplies and ink for my printer I wouldn't be any further ahead than paying for shipping. In fact, the shipping for all of my products (and there are quite a few) was about the same as replacing all 4 ink cartridges on my printer.
Well, I use the business cards/magnets to give to parents in case they need to email me or something, and forget the email address. We are only allowed to wear school themed T-shirts on Fridays unless there's a special occassion, and I created to T-shirts with my school's name on them. As a teacher you can never have too many note pads and such. I collect pens so of course I'd want one with my name on it.
Stamps - I have them that say Mrs.---, one with a star that says Awesome, a penguin that says COOL!, and one with first and last name Postcards - Thank You note post cards for parents and other teachers/staff that do something nice for our class or donate something, I made one like a business card to give to parents Business cards - I staple them to take home folders (one is a daily folder and one is a guided reading folder) so that they are returned to me if lost and parents have easy access to contact info. I also have a diamond themed business card that says "I really shined at school today" From: Mrs.- to give out to students who do something special at school. I also have some that are for conference reminders - one side has the reminder with space to write who/when and the other has contact info for rescheduling and a space for parents to write their questions so that they are prepared ahead of time. Business card magnets: Has a stack of books and says "Look what I learned in kindergarten today: with the school and year. I will give these out at the beginning of school with our note to parents that explains how important it is to show an interest in school work with your student. Pens: Just have my name so that I can leave them out when we have parents coming in that have to sign things and I will get them back (probably ). Address Labels I made a set with the school name/address and my name to put on things I mail out for school related things. One set just had my name for labeling furniture and things at school. I may make some that just say something like "Please check my folder" for times that parents aren't emptying folders or haven't signed something in their folder.
It's just something that's fairly inexpensive, even with shipping, and it's a fun creative outlet. People have posted a lot of ideas, especially for elementary students. If you don't like it or would rather print the stuff out yourself, there's nothing wrong with that! If you'd like to share your original design ideas that you print yourself, those are welcome too, of course. ETA: I ordered some checks because I can always use more checks, a rubber stamp with my address on it, some business cards because I've been meaning to get some for a while, and a bunch of personalized stuff for my son. He's sitting in the living room pretending to be the President of the U.S. right now with his new personalized office supplies. :lol: Now that I've done some practical stuff, and I've found that their products are pretty decent quality, I'm thinking about more creative uses for their products. I don't have a high quality printer at home, and ink is so darn expensive anyway that I'd prefer someone else does the printing.
My main thing about VP is that, even as cheap as these products are turning out to be for us, the quality is fantastic! The only thing that I have done that someone else hasn't mentioned is a return address sticker on which I put: From the Library of my name Please return when finished. It was the suggestion of another teacher, and I like it!
That's a great idea! I plan on bringing in some of my own reference books that students can borrow for research projects, and I can definitely use those!
I'm using a different return address sticker with the same information for my professional books. I'm actually hoping to build a classroom library! LOL
If you do freelance photography it would be nice to have business cards advertising that. Also, I'm not sure if you have seen all the things people have created with VistaPrint but I have an entire page dedicated to it. http://www.msjensenclass.com/Teacher_Resources/vistaprint_ideas.htm I can honestly say, my parents LOVE when I hand them a business card and magnet with my/school information on it. I'm told this every year and even teachers at my school have begun to order them too. And at my last school, the principal planned on ordering cards for everyone.
Ok, I must be stupid, I cannot figure out how to do an original design on the stamps! People kept mentioning those cute penmanship pixie stamps, and I would LOVE to make one, but don't know how. BTW-sorry for hijacking this thread!!
Sarge, Check out http://www.realclassroomideas.com/203.html. Jem has posted some great ideas for Vista Print orders. Also, check out http://forums.atozteacherstuff.com/showthread.php?t=59363. It was all about things people are using Vista Print for. I'm fixing to brainstorm some ideas for first grade. I can't stand the thought of someone NOT using VP!
I was thinking of buying some word family stamps for the writing center. They would be great for first grade I was thinking something that just had at, for example, and the kids would stamp it on their paper a few times and fill in the blank to make words.
I like Vistaprint because it gives me new ways to communicate with students and parents. Kids and parents will love to receive a postcard that recognizes the students accomplishments. I have made 2 postcards to send home. One for general good behavior, and one for 100% homework. I ordered business cards also. THey have my website on them so parents know how to get in tough with me. I know that I'm not the only one with business cards from 2 years ago still in my wallet, so I figured it will be something that parents will be able to keep up with.
