Selling Templates

[Rick Ace]

I'm interested in selling some templates However there are a few legal issues I'm worried about.

1) PB Codes. Can I use them in my template? Usually you can add codes in your template unless it says no adding in a template. But when selling this?

2) Brushes, Shapes etc. I know there are many brushes online that say no selling or something. That's not really my concern. However can you use Photoshop's Default stuff for your template? I can adjust brushes to my needs using the defaults. But I'd like to know if I am allowed to use them for my template?

[Kami]

Honestly, if you want to sell your templates, I would stay away from pre-made coding. Or, if you can't code from scratch (I can't!), you can do what I'm doing, which is charging for the graphics I make (provided they're 100% original and don't use any pre-made stocks, renders, etc), and charging a small... say 'finders fee' for being the one to find the coding. =P other than that, if you really want to charge for the codes themselves, you'd have to ask the code creators or support admins.

for the second, you'd probably have to ask adobe. =]

[Rick Ace]

Ahh. Thanks Kami

What if I do this? I'll show an image preview(s) of the forum. Once I get a buyer, I'll direct them to links for the coding.

[Kami]

Oct 30, 2010 9:57:04 GMT -8 Rick Ace said:

Ahh. Thanks Kami

What if I do this? I'll show an image preview(s) of the forum. Once I get a buyer, I'll direct them to links for the coding.

that's up to you, honestly, and how you want to run your 'business' (as that's really what it is). i could see some potential issues from newer PB users who wouldn't know what to do with the coding you link them to. that could potentially drive people away, if the layout isn't a simple "download-and-install" type thing.

[Rick Ace]

Thanks Kami I think my main question is number 2.

I don't think there is a stressful way to offer and make free templates while selling the other. But your information really helped Incase I design a template too good for the pre-made database, I might consider selling the whole thing, including the ownership for a reasonable price Thanks again.

Would you by any chance know more about question two?

[Kami]

Oct 30, 2010 13:25:28 GMT -8 Rick Ace said:

Thanks Kami I think my main question is number 2.

I don't think there is a stressful way to offer and make free templates while selling the other. But your information really helped Incase I design a template too good for the pre-made database, I might consider selling the whole thing, including the ownership for a reasonable price Thanks again.

Would you by any chance know more about question two?

Well, I've branched out a little, I don't offer anything pre-made for sale (they're all free), though I do offer custom layouts for sale, you know? You might want to consider that. Things will be more beneficial for you, IMO, because you can charge based on how much work you'd have to do to complete the request, rather than try and judge how much people would pay for a completed work.

For the second question, I'm afraid I don't. It's a legal query, and I'm not qualified to answer it. Your best bet would be to try and ask Adobe.

[Rick Ace]

I'm considering now to charge for custom templates on my forum if they decide not to post.
Do you have charge for "labor" and not for the work itself? That might reduce the confusion with the brushes.

[Kami]

Oct 30, 2010 13:41:52 GMT -8 Rick Ace said:

I'm considering now to charge for custom templates on my forum if they decide not to post.
Do you have charge for "labor" and not for the work itself? That might reduce the confusion with the brushes.

Correct. I charge on an hourly basis. It's up to you what you charge, however, and how you charge. If someone requests a layout for me, I charge them for the time and effort, not the materials used.

[Rick Ace]

Can I do the same when I sell "as it is"? Price due to Labor: ##

[Kami]

Oct 30, 2010 13:47:24 GMT -8 Rick Ace said:

Can I do the same when I sell "as it is"? Price due to Labor: ##

like i said, it's up to you. =] personally, i wouldn't sell anything 'as is', since i've had some bad experiences with that, but that's just me.

ultimately, what you do and do not charge for, and the products you offer, is up to you. just keep the buyer's perspective in mind, however.

why pay for a premade, when they can get it for free elsewhere? your premades, the "as is" ones, have to have something that say, Caution 2.0 premades (which are free) don't have to offer, and that people would be willing to pay your labour fees for.

[Rick Ace]

AS for Proboards Templates I'm going to offer two situations. If you'd like to have a custom template done by me, you can pay me the estimate that I give you for everything you would like Otherwise, you can post on the forum daily. Mainly I'd like to earn some money for the forum, and make sure my work goes to people who care about receiving it. I like this idea since it provides an option for younger members. I agree with your advice. Always keep the buyer's mind in perspective. Thanks again ;D

I'll sell "as it is" web templates. I'll just put "You are paying for the labor for me to put this work together."

Comments on this idea? ;D

[xcessive]

I have never seen anyone make any sort of money selling PB templates.

[Kami]

Oct 30, 2010 16:40:47 GMT -8 xcessive said:

I have never seen anyone make any sort of money selling PB templates.

nice to meet you. xD i've sold a handful. admittedly not mindblowingly large profit, but hey, it was still money. xD

@ rick - if that works for you, then go for it. keep in mind you may have to alter your strategy in the future if you find it's not paying off. =]

[Rick Ace]

Well for the custom pb templates idea on my forum, I'm mainly focused on making sure, that in the future my templates go to people who care. If they care, they'd post or pay

As for my profit, I'm mainly focused on (very reasonably priced) smilie sets and web templates.

I'll tell you how it goes. Thanks again Kami. You have my imagination working in different ways now. ;D