Sunday, April 18, 2010

Stampin' Up! Color Renovation

You may have already heard by now that Stampin' Up! is doing a color make over called Color Renovation!!! I have seen mixed reviews about this. I believe that it is because SU! has built up a great reputation for it's exclusive colors and let's face it...change is hard!! I'm personally very excited about this and can hardly wait! I think this change is long overdue.....but I can respect those who aren't so sure about this. The colors I will miss the most will be Blush Blossom,Creamy Caramel,and Close to Cocoa.
Not too long ago I mentioned that I don't have all of SU! colors. It takes time to build up your stamping supplies.It has taken me 6 years to have all I have now.....and I still want it all!!!LOL!!! (Don't we all!?!!?)
Anyways I wanted to share some info on this change. If you have any questions just let me know!!! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

New Color Chart * Coming Soon *
New Color Chart

Farewell Color Chart
Farewell Color Chart

Color Renovation Q&A


Q: Why have some of the carryover colors changed families?


A: While our new collections have similar names to our previous families, you’ll notice the intensity of colors in our collections is different from that of the similar family. The Brights, for instance, aren’t as bright as Bold Brights were. With the change in intensity, we found that some colors fit better in a different collection. We also organized our colors to be more complementary within each collection.

Q: Why are so many colors being discontinued, and why are there fewer colors than before?

A: We retired colors based on sales history and focus group feedback. Members of our focus groups indicated that they had some colors they didn’t use; for instance, they purchased a whole family of ink pads and then rarely used some of the colors in that family. In addition, sales on many colors were very low, and the cost to support those colors was not worth the return. We were careful to choose the most popular and up-to-date colors.

Another reason we reduced the number of colors is that we wanted our collections to be less overwhelming to new demonstrators and customers—we wanted it to be easier for new stampers to get started. And with fewer colors in each collection, demonstrators and customers can save money and use that money to purchase more of what they love—stamps, accessories, and other items.

Also keep in mind that in addition to our 40 core colors, we’ll have 5 new In Colors each year, and In Colors will have a lifespan of two years instead of one. That means after the first year, there will be 10 additional colors to mix and match and play with, for a total of 50 colors (5 In Colors the first year for a total of 45 colors).

Q: Are other card stocks outside the four color collections retiring?

A: We will continue to offer the following: Brushed Gold, Brushed Silver, Confetti Cream, Confetti White, Glossy White, Naturals Ivory, Naturals White, Shimmery White, and White vellum card stock, as well as White vellum paper.

Q: What are the new core colors, and what are the In Colors that are returning as core colors?

A: The five new colors are called Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Marina Mist, Cajun Craze, and Cherry Cobbler. The ten returning In Colors as core colors are Melon Mambo, Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango, River Rock, Soft Suede, Riding Hood Red, Rich Razzleberry, Wild Wasabi, Pink Pirouette, and Baja Breeze. Also, we’ve renamed Kraft to Crumb Cake, and it is a core color in the Neutrals collection. You’ll want to check out the color chart PDFs, as well as Stampin’ Success, to see these colors displayed in their new collections!

Q: Will I have to purchase all new Stampin’ Write markers, Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Stampin’ Pastels, and a new Color Caddy?

A: No. We are offering color kits, including Card Stock and Classic Pad, Stampin’ Write Markers, Watercolor Wonder Crayons, and Stampin’ Pastels New Color Kits, to help you make the transition.

There will not be a new Color Caddy; however the existing Color Caddy will hold all of the 40 core color Stampin’ Pads and up to 8 additional Stampin’ Pads. (After this year, you can still fit all of the In Colors with the extender kit.)

Q: Will ink and accessories be available in all 40 core colors?

A: Ink will be available in all 40 core colors. However, based on sales history, Craft Stampin’ Pads will only be available in Basic Black, Very Vanilla, and Whisper White. Craft Stampin’ Spots (available in collections) and Craft Stampin’ Ink refills (available individually) will still be available in all of the core colors to use for embossing, coloring chipboard, and scrapbooking.

Basic accessories will be available in a selection of core colors from each collection, including all of the colors in the Getting Started collection. All ribbon types will be available in the colors from the Getting Started collection. Ribbon in other colors may show up in mini catalogs. Also, a blank Craft pad will be available in an upcoming mini catalog, so those who regularly use Craft pads can create their own by purchasing the blank pads and Craft ink refills.

Q: When can I tell customers about the color renovation?

A: You can begin telling customers about the color renovation immediately. For details about what you can show customers and what images you can display online, see “Use of Stampin’ Up! Photography and Graphics for Advertising Policy” and “Internet/Web Site Policy” in chapter 6 of the Demonstrator Manual.

Q: How much is this going to cost me as a demonstrator?

A: Cost is a factor that we heavily considered in our decisions because we recognize the need for you to keep your costs down as a demonstrator as much as possible. We encourage you to invest in the new color products at a rate that works for you—you don’t have to get everything all at once! However, if you want- to purchase the new products for all the new colors, including the returning In Colors, your total cost would be under $200 US (not including tax and shipping). This cost includes all of the new Classic pads, card stock assortments, Many Marvelous Markers, Stampin’ Pastels, and the Watercolor Wonder crayons. All of these “color kits” include the new core colors, the returning In Colors, and any colors not previously offered in those products, such as the Crumb Cake ink and marker.

Remember that you can pick and choose what you would like to invest in up front, and what you can fit in at a later time. And don’t forget the recruiting incentive for April and May—you can receive some of these products for free! See the Products & Promotions section of the Demonstrator Web Site for more information.

Q: Will Stampin’ Up! offer any discounts on the new color products to make the transition easier?

A: We will not be offering any discounts on the new color products, however, there is added value built in to some of the color kits. When you purchase one of the Classic pad and card stock kits, the card stock actually comes free! And if you recruit in April or May, you will receive some color products free, which can be a significant benefit in this color transition.

Also, we encourage you to not discount the new color products. Having exciting, new products is a great incentive to buy from you, and a great opportunity for income from your sales. Why not let your sales on new color products pay for your personal investment into the new colors?

Q: When will the new color kits be available, and will they be available to customers, too?

A: The new color kits will be available for your customers starting July 1, and several will be available to demonstrators during the demonstrator preorder starting June 1. These kits will be

available through the catalog year, and will be shown on a downloadable flyer that you can share with your customers.

All other new color products will be available with the new catalog on July 1, with select products available for demonstrator preorder on June 1.

Q: Will the stamp pad cases be redesigned? If so, when?

A: Yes, but the new packaging will be phased in over time, so there is no exact date when each ink pad will be changed. The new packaging will not have the dot indicating the color family.

Q: Why is the free sample of card stock that comes with Stampin’ Success 8" x 10"?

A: We really wanted you to see the new colors up close and personal as soon as possible, and sending it with the magazine was the quickest way to do that. Because of size and mailing constraints, we had to trim the paper to be 8" x 10".

Q: What about my new recruits? If they sign up between now and the end of June, will they still receive old colors?

A: Remember that the Starter Kit is mostly customizable, so you’ll want to make sure your new recruits only add colors that will carry over into the next catalog. We realize that there are some cases, such as with Stampin’ Pastels, which will result in the new recruit receiving colors that will be retired at the end of June, but you’ll want to encourage her to still use those products, and eventually purchase the updated color bundle when she is able.

Q: What should I do with my color products that will retire at the end of the year?

A: Promote them! Featuring them in your workshops and events through Make & Takes and samples should help you deplete any stock you currently have of those colors. You can also give retiring products away as door prizes or hostess gifts. And remember, retiring products are a great reason to contact your customers so they can get what colors they want and need while they’re still available.

Q: Will colors be retired in My Digital Studio?

A: We do not retire colors or products from My Digital Studio. All retiring colors will stay in your color palette.

Q: Will the new colors be available in My Digital Stuidio?

A: Yes. A download will be available on July 1 to add the new colors free of charge. Watch for additional downloads for accessories in new core colors after that time.

1 comment:

e.mel said...

thank you thank you thank you for these detailed Q&A's!!!!