The whole PDF “thing” has become a bit of a big deal hereabouts. I know a lot of you struggle to find my patterns locally and others just want that instant gratification of a PDF: I get a lot of requests for PDF patterns. they are a “win” for the customer. On the other hand shops selling paper patterns struggle against the cheap cost of PDF’s and certainly can’t compete at price point. I have no idea how to keep everyone happy, and the whole thing has been festering away in my mind for a while.
For now I have added my new pattern Owl & Penguin & Duck to my craftsy store. This pattern uses wool or polar fleece primarily so it doesn’t really fit into patchwork shops (where obviously patterns are there to help sell fabric) so I am Ok with making this one a PDF. I have some others that will eventually become PDF’s, things are made with non-cotton fabrics or things that are just more suitable to the PDF format. (Underpants embroidery at last?)
(photo courtesy of Liz Mcmahon)
Do you have the answers to the PDF dilemma? Do you have the answers to keeping everyone happy?
No. It's hard for everyone to be happy at the same time! We have kids and grandkids visiting which prompts this pessimistic answer. There's eleven of us here and I'm sure there hasn't been one entirely happy moment ;)
ReplyDeleteBlah, its a pessimistic day here too....Need to kick myself up the clacka !
DeleteI'm not sure about the details, or who to ask about them, but Ravelry (for knitters and crocheters) has an instore scheme as well as the buy online scheme for pdfs.
ReplyDeleteI've also seen a 'buy paper get pdf free as well' option, for those that like their pattern on kindle/paddy thingamies, but maybe that doesn't apply to patterns that you cut out?
I'm rubbish at softies. I need that penguin. I need an instant download of that penguin ;-)
Unfortunately I don't think there is a one size fits all for patterns, I have PDFs and paper. I actually prefer paper, but the dearth of small stores carrying patterns means it's often hard to find what you want. Postage costs of course factor in as well, Australia post doesn't make it easy for small business. That said, I would nearly always choose a paper pattern for ladies wear first, whilst some PDFs are awesome, I've found that some are very lacking in description and instruction. Of course that happens with paper as well, but I've found it less likely for the patterns I've chosen. No easy answer is there?
ReplyDeleteI personally don't mind pdfs and think they are a great option but I don't own a printer and I like to work from a hard copy. And if you had to.scale anything up then that would be an extra hassle. I think it's good on a case by case basis as you are doing.
ReplyDeleteAnd Jodie, I'm just wondering, how do you stop people from buying a pdf and distributing it to all their friends far and wide. I'm sure this happens with printed patterns too, but pdfs are all a little too easy to forward en masse. I'm thinking of pdfs for other stuff, but it's the same dilemma.
ReplyDeleteLoving your little softies, as always...
xxx
Hey Jacinta, This is the kind of thing that can drive you bonkers..... Yes people photocopy patterns for their friends, or share files.... Thats just the way it is. I don't think there is a solution to that at all so I just cross my fingers and hope for the best ( or otherwise my head would explode)
DeleteHi jodie love your new design,i actually prefer to buy a paper pattern myself,i know it is hard to please everyone,maybe you could have both options for your designs then people can choose which way they would like to buy it,have a lovely evening.xx
ReplyDeleteHi Jod! I'm having the same problem myself and the issue is with pricing. There are so many reasonably priced PDF patterns that one needs to be reasonable, and I like to be. But I also want to sell paper patterns in stores and with print and postage costs and then the mark up from stores needing to cover costs and make a profit, the price inevitably needs to go up. I'd like to do both but don't want to undercut shops by selling cheaper PDFs. But by only choosing one option it limits your market. Your blog post is timely! If you get a magic answer please share! Xx. Ps love your softies - cute as ever! Vikki xx
ReplyDeleteExactly. To be competitive at PDF you might charge $8 . In a store that pattern would be $18.00.
DeleteLots of shopkeepers will not stock your patterns if you also offer them elsewhere as PDF. The question is, are instore customers and PDF purchasers the same customers? Or are there two markets?
What?! The store won't sell them if you sell pdfs? That is nuts. I believe that they are 2 markets. Lots of people are happy to spend more for a printed pattern. Forget about being "competitive". Price the patterns by what is realistic for you. If the paper patterns are $18, a pdf might be $14- or something like that- a bit less but not too much. If you limit yourself to printed patterns in retail shops, you REALLY limit your market- unless you are selling in some giant international store- not exactly sure what that would be ;-)
DeleteI prefer paper patterns too just so I can hold that little plastic envelope in my hand and sign over the pretty picture but having said that, getting good patterns & new ones I see advertised online here is Perth is impossible. I'm happy to buy a .pdf and have overlooked many patterns because that it not on offer. I think the biggest threat to designers not offering .pdfs is if we keep searching online eventually we find something similar in a free pattern or tutorial or are talented enough to make changes to be similar to the patterns we wanted in the first place. The positive is most crafters I know, when we find a designer whose style we like, we tend to stick by them & make multiple purchases. I buy all my patterns either online from Australia sellers, at the craft shows here in Perth or when on holiday East (like at Ballarat Patchwork). The new patterns are cuties & love the pics of the kids & their results from the Ballan workshop. Tracee
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought of that quilt kitty. Can see what you mean. If I don't offer a mouse pattern in PDF it is a simple search for people to find another mouse pattern in PDF rather than find a store to buy my paper version of the mouse.... I think I am getting more confused.
DeleteOh I'm a PDF pattern girl. So many pluses! + easier to buy + I can then just press print on my computer to produce them (instead of scanning and printing) + if I lose the pattern pieces I can just print them again!
ReplyDeleteI've never ever forwarded a PDF pattern on to anyone. If people ask them where I got it from I just send them a link to the pattern. I think people are more likely to be honest with them because they are so easier (and generally cheap) to buy.
Hi Jess !!!! Good points.The ease of PDF makes it really attractive. Can see something online and get started on the project within minutes....
DeleteI do prefer a paper pattern but in rural France it means I need to order most of the ones I want online and, of course, that involves postage costs. However, for dressmaking, I really don't think I could be arsed printing it all out from a PDF and taping it all together and, in any case, most of the dressmaking patterns I see that offer both, don't discount the PDF version very much so I usually go ahead and take a hit on the postage. Also, like lots of other people, I really do like to have a proper printed pattern in my hands - like I prefer to have a CD rather than a download but that might be because I am ancient - so I'm not sure it would affect paper pattern sales too dramatically on the dressmaking front. Having said that, craft patterns might be another story, as they are usually smaller, more manageable templates and therefore better suited to PDF. People buying from a fabric shop will often be doing it on impulse and I am sure will want to pick up the pattern, along with the fabric, at the same time as a complete package so, again, I'm not sure how big the impact will be. An interesting dilemma!
ReplyDeleteYou made me laugh !!!! I get heaps of emails from people in parts of the world that just don't stock my patterns..... iceland, South Africa.... PDF has to be the answer for those people or people who live in places with dodgy postal services...
DeleteI think dressmaking is different....I would hate to have to tape all those pages together !!!
I like buying craft patterns from shops - but they are so expensive now I'm not often tempted. Although quite a few designers now are featuring craft cards for smaller projects, which are less expensive. I must confess I'm a fan of instant gratification, so I really appreciate PDF patterns - cheaper, no postage, different choices, etc. I'm glad to see you on Craftsy, Jod; you shouldn't worry too much about keeping everyone happy because that will never ever happen, no matter what.
ReplyDeleteExcellent point (my retired friend) I'll never make everyone happy and might just explode trying to.
DeleteI am taping 30 pages together right now and I am not enjoying it, but postage has increased so much I couldn't justify buying the paper pattern. I do usually wait though til there is a few clothes patterns I want from a shop and buy them all together to save postage. I rarely buy a paper craft pattern anymore, too impatient usually to wait a few weeks for it.
ReplyDeleteHow about a list of the stores that regularly stock your patterns? It might be a win-win. Customers know who to ask and the shops that support you also benefit.
ReplyDeleteExactly, I do want to support the stores that support me, but the method of 'shops only' seems to make it so hard for so many people.
DeleteI do have a stockist page to direct people to the stores who have my stuff , I hope its helpful.
I love the option of paper patterns so that they are all there without having to worry about printing them out. However, the cost of postage - even for a paper pattern from an international source is a lot to add to the price of a pattern that I may only use once. Therefore, I prefer to buy my international patterns as a PDF and my local patterns as paper patterns.
ReplyDeleteI think I would still buy a paper pattern from a shop even if a PDF was on offer because that way I can either get the kit (like Ballarat Patchwork's kits of Ric-Rac patterns) or I can choose the fabrics that are going to work for the pattern I am purchasing.
Finally, I think that quilt shops need to stock paper patterns as they encourage us to try something new - and therefore we buy new fabrics, like doctor's flannel or a print we wouldn't normally choose because it looks so good in the picture.
So in a very long winded way I am saying that I think you should offer both. For a side comment, at Quilt Market just gone a pattern designer who has only ever offered PDF patterns was asked by a number of people when she was releasing paper patterns and she is now in the process of doing this because the demand is there. SO I think that paper and PDF can work side by side and in perfect harmony!
I like the idea that they can co-exist Mhairi. Patterns in Australia retail so much higher than other countries so international purchasers are already paying a lot for one of my patterns, before the ridiculous postage is added.
DeleteOh the dilemma! My Dad told me one can never please all of the people all of the time.So do you best with what your integrity and ethics tells you is fine. Personally, I buy paper patterns, I enjoy the process of finding a pattern I love the look of and buying the fabric etc there and then. I can see how PDF works for some people, especially international customers. I never loan or photocopy my patterns, I let people know where I got it from and remind them that it is where the designers income comes from. It is quite possible I will purchase PDF, just haven't done so far. Keep up the good work, I love your softies, and your view of the world helps keep me sane..
ReplyDeleteGee whiz Chriss if my world view keeps you sane you'd better be careful.My grip on the real world can be tenuous at best (just the way I like it).
Deleteto comment on the worry about pdf sharing/stealing. I have been relieved that this has not been a noticeable problem for me. I had one person posting my (and a few other artists' too)patterns to a European Etsy type site and someone told me about it. It was taken down quickly. The eyes of the internet police these things! On the other hand, I had someone send me a payment because she was going to do a project with a group of friends, she was going to make multiple copies of the pattern and she wanted to pay me for the patterns. Most people are honest I think. And as you say, it'll make you crazy if you worry too much.
ReplyDeleteExactly Mimi, there is enough to worry about I the world without worrying about people with their fingers on the copy button!
DeleteI think you need to think selfishly, Jodie.
ReplyDeleteWill YOU earn more by selling kazillions of PDF patterns direct, or by selling however many paper copies you sell to the stores?
Whatever the answer is, is your answer. Nevermind trying to keep the rest of us happy, you're trying to build a career.
xo
and that my friend is the sixty four thousand dollar question. You know, not just in monetary terms but I find that the "shop stuff " seems far more time consuming than the online PDF stuff, and time is so finite. I am happy to be poor but time is precious.
Deletealso- I'd love it if you had pdfs- your beginner patterns are a gift to the world! I would love to be able to recommend them to people in my neck of the woods.
ReplyDeleteI love PDF but only for smaller stuff. No good for A3 as it will require either surgery to fit the bits together for large pieces, or finding someone with a printer with capacity.
ReplyDeletePaper patterns are great, but I see the point about stockists when the fabric the item is made from is not stocked by a store : neither will the pattern.
I don't envy you.
Oh Robyn, I don't want to be a princess -lets be honest, it is a reasonably nice problem to be facing: The problem of keeping shops and customers happy.
DeleteAlso there is the distribution company to keep happy and jodie to keep happy....
More cups of tea needed on this one.
I love them both, but since there aren't too many quilt shops near me, I end up shopping online a lot and if I can order a PDF pattern and get it the same or next day AND save on shipping, I'm happy! I'm OK with printing out my own copy. I would love if you offered PDFs of all your patterns, Jodie, because no one here seems to stock them. And I want to own ALL of them! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are exactly the people I feel that miss out Susan. The cost of a paper pattern plus shipping (if you buy from Australia) can end up being $24. Ridiculous !!! I will slowly add some PDF to craftsy and maybe even some of my older paper patterns..... any requests ?
DeleteAs librarians we worry about copyright but people who love and respect your stuff, really probably won't do that . Also a great artist once said that if people try Ito COPY your stuff and such, the universe will not bring them success. Anyway, if people all over the world Didnt love your atuff, you wouldnt have this problem!! : D be careful what you ask for lol! love the Craftsy idea!!! A PDF way over here in Florida, USA works for me too!
ReplyDeleteElaine, that's exactly right. I am not complaining about having to think about this stuff, just sharing the load a bit and getting some new thoughts to add to my brain-mess. Craftsy is awesome !!!
DeleteI get why people like the whole PDF, instant gratification thing but it is still so much fun to get a parcel in the post with lovely bits inside!
ReplyDeleteI know - there is nothing like a 'present' in the mail even if we bought and paid for it...
DeleteGreat question no real answer. For the computer savey PDF's are fantastic, BUT shops are doing it hard constantly fighting the Internet.
ReplyDeleteabsolutely, people in the US find it hard to believe the prices we pay here for fabric and patterns. Shops really struggle to compete.
DeleteIn a way isn't this standard capitalism? I have found I now only buy PDF. I like the idea that the designer will receive the full value of her creativity and I get my purchase immediately. Here the price is the same in the quilt shop or as a download so as the customer it saves me the travel time and cost of gas. Reinventing the way quilt shops stay current and profitable is a challenge but a good one. Hopefully this will direct their energies into innovative ways to bring customers in and provide new/ different products and services. Rarely do I get paper patterns and when I do I scan them in and throw them away. Maybe it's like books; there will always be a place for hard copy but increasing a smaller place.
ReplyDeleteBravo!
DeleteI am in agreement with Igna on all counts.
Additionally, being from the United States, I only buy pdfs from your part of the world. Shipping costs are a huge consideration of mine.
:0)Thank your for the conversation.
As a sewist, I love instant gratification but I don't love spending an afternoon with a roll of sticky tape and scissors trying to stick a pdf together.
ReplyDeleteI see both sides of the argument and can't say that I have an answer.
Meanwhile though I am going to have to get myself a copy of that pattern. They are so cute and such a great size!
Well….. Since you're "over there," and I'm "over here," PDFs are an incentive for me to buy a pattern. As a rule, I'd prefer to spend my pattern budget on patterns rather than on shipping. Money talks….sigh. Lower carbon footprint and all that stuff too.
ReplyDeleteI love the option to buy PDF patterns and I don't mind if I have to tape them together. Could you offer the PDF for the same price as the paper pattern (the price stores sell it for) so that the stores would not be at a disadvantage? Maybe it would be pricier than you would like but customers who don't live in the same country as you could at least save on shipping. Also, I think you would sell more patterns than if they were only available in brick & mortar stores, even if the price was higher than the "average" PDF.
ReplyDeleteGood luck in making the decision! :)
Hi gorgeous! I've been in a situation just recently where I had to make a decision really quickly. I have decided to sell my paper patterns to shops at wholesale price, but to offer the PDF pattern for the retail price. So I'm not competing with stores. I really want to get paper patterns in to shops because so many patchwork stores near me have closed down recently, and I think it's so important to have new designs and patterns available in shops. I'll let you know how it goes. My retail priced pdf's might not go down so well. There are two markets but you are absolutelly right in that if you want to go down one path then you cut off the other. To be honest, I think the only way to proceed is to sell both PDFs and paper patterns at the same retail price - and for shops to open up to that situation as it's no different from the scanario where a shop in the next state sells the same paper patterns. This is the only solution I can come up with Jod, but it's still not a win-win because of the competitive PDF prices out there. It only works if the majority of designers stick to similar retail prices, and I don't see that happening. But hey - it keeps us all on our toes hey?!!! x
ReplyDeleteWhilst paper patterns must be nice, they're also a bit exclusive. I don't have a LQS and I'm sure I'm not alone. Some people sell PDFs and paper patterns as some people don't have access to a computer/printer or would prefer to have their patterns ready printed
ReplyDeleteI like both options Jodie! I think the PDfs should be at the most only a couple of dollars less than what the stores sells them, that way they are not losing their market, the price is not an issue but the bonus to the customer at home buying a PDF is saving on postage and packaging.
ReplyDelete