Can anyone give me advice on starting up a digital imaging business? I would like to offer a variety of services, such as customized portraits (Photography), photo restoration, digital scrapbooking and birth/graduation/engagement announcements. I'm also considering transferring VHS to dvd's for a fair price compared to the commercial prices out there.

I'm looking for advice on the best programs out there for digital manipulation and an explanation as to why.

I also have a HUGE burning question about using digital kits to design scrapbook pages and printing them for a client....can I only use those that say I am allowed to use them for commercial use? If they say for personal use only, does that mean I can't design a page, print and sell it to another individual? How about digital images on disc....can I do that if I flatten the image so that it can't be reused by the individual? Any advice is welcome, as I do NOT want to do something that is wrong or illegal. I have read the thread in this forum, but still feel confused on this issue. Also, if I can only use commercial kits, do you know of websites that offer a decent amount of them for sale? I really can't seem to find a whole ton out there.

Links to sites with answers or info that could help me would be appreciated.

Thoughts on pricing would be welcome as well.

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You may only use kits that say for commercial use, even then most require you contact the designer. Best bet it to ask first.

You still have to make sure the kit is available for commercial use, anytime you are earning $ this is considered commercial use. I know most designers require that the final product for client is a jpeg or print.

There is a list of designers that allow commercial use at p4d forum
some designers do not advertise but if you ask you might be given permission, others require a one time fee. So doing a little leg work might be required on your part.

sorry if i rambled, best of luck to you!

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Dani B.

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The program that most consider the "best" I think is adobe photoshop. Latest version I believe is CS2. I'm in the same boat right now as you. So I'll be interested to see what others have to say.

To high jack for a moment in the paper scrapping world how does it work when people custom make scrapbooks?? Do the same copyright laws hold true?? Should someone assume that the items they purchase should not be used commercially unless otherwise stated?? To me those items are the exact same as the digital paper the I use, KWIM?!?!? The paper stuff is just the printed version of a digital design. Did that make any sense??

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Missy

I'm new. What is the p4d forum?

Photoshop is definately the best to use for professional applications if you can afford it!

P4D is a website that is short for promos4digiscrappers. It is known as all ads all the time... . Designers from all over the web can advertise there. Great Resouce on what is out there.

Scrapbook-Elements has a whole section on commercial use products.

I know that ScrapGirls just came up with a great solution for small business owners like yourself, they are templates that help you make your own papers, tags, alphas etc. They are fully customizable to whatever project you might be working on. They are also available with a commercial liscense for 10$ more.

Some other sites offer Commercial Licenses as well for their collections. I think there is just beginning to be a greater market for these type products and that Digital Sites will really be offering a lot more. There are so many small businesses in this area and I know that people want to honor the designers TOU's but they also need quality designs to do their work! I did a quick search for Digital Scrapbooking Commercial License and got quite a few sites that I am familiar with, so hopefully you will find what you need to get started!

Hope that helps!
Have FUN!

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Melissa Renfro

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I've been wondering the same thing, as I've been tempted to enter the realm of digital scrapper for hire. I would have thought that 'commercial' means that a large company (like a greeting card company) can't use the designs for mass commercial production. In the world of tole painting practically all designers allow use of their patterns & designs for a bit of pocket money, just not for mass production. I would have thought it would be the same in the digital scrapping world. So what does 'commercial' mean anyway? Thoughts? Dawn

commercial means anytime where you are making a profit by using the product, this also applies to the land of fonts

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Dani B.

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