Bulletin Board for your Bright Ideas
2. Create a Pattern Packet or Kit:
•We consider many creative endeavors to be unique and worthy of self-publishing. Some ideas, however are not unique and you risk copyright infringement.
a. Copyright Your Pattern.
In many cases, simply signing your name and dating your original work protects you in case of infringement by others. To find out how to register a

A few examples;
Do NOT include advice, directions, patterns or images from...

• Seminars you have recently attended (unless the host or instructor has explicitly licensed you to do so).

• Books such as craft, health, home publications or how-to books. (In some cases you may sell the items you personally create but not the instructions for others to create.)

• Home or decorating shows (Broadcast or Convention).

Copyright.
Copyrights
b. Collect your materials...
Instructions:
Complete, detailed, step-by-step text instructions.
You want your instructions to be complete, to the point, neat, clean, and easy to read.

Type your instructions and be sure to use the spell check and grammar check.

Proofing, this is very important! Have someone else proofread your instructions. Everyone tends to know what they wanted to convey but your instructions may not be clear to someone else. Proofread your own instructions only if you have no other choice. If you proofread your instructions be sure to read them out loud. If you read them to yourself you will skim over the instructions and you may find other corrections in the text.

Does your product need any special tips or tricks to compete the project?

Did you or someone you know, complete your own project using your instructions?
Drawings (patterns):
(Detailed drawings such as scale plans, designs or step-by-step pictorial instructions.)
If you will be including a drawing you need to use a new fine point permanent pen. There are several in the art departments. One that is very good is MICRON. They come in many sizes choose one of these #05, #01 or #1 points..

Images & Photos:
(High-quality prints and/or files which can produce quality prints using the patrons printer.)
You need the very best pictures to represent your product.

The background should not compete with your product. Gray or a light blue is a good neutral color. You never want the background to be busy or be so close in color to your product; it will not be easy to view. Remember you will not be able to explain in person so the photo has to speak load and clear, for your product.

Photograph outdoors if at possible, on an overcast day (i.e.- in an area with diffused, reflected sunlight, from a variety of angles). Never photograph on a bright sunny day (i.e.- in direct sun).

It is important for the buyer to know the size of the finished product, place a yardstick on the edge of the photo. They will know instantly the size of the finished product.

Take your photos to a quality photo shop for developing. If you can't do that, then be sure to take them in early in the day for developing. The fluids are usually changed at the end of each day. You will have better print with fresh clean fluid. You can always ask when is the best time for you to bring your photo for clean fluids.
Materials List & Sources:
Complete and up-to-date list of material, tool and supply sources.
Materials & Sources List should include the object name and/or part number of the object referred to in the pattern. It should also include the name of the supplier, current address, current phone number and any other pertinent information such as E-mail, web site or FAX number.

Supplies need to complete the project may include;
Paint, varnish, wood, tools, sandpaper, brushes and etc.
Personal Information:
A short biography and/or list of your qualifications.
Providing a little background information can help build your reputation. Patrons feel safer buying from an individual who is prepared to share appropriate information.

Licence / Insurance / Tax Info:
Get the basics necessary to conduct business.
It is outside of the realm of PatternPost to provide information regarding business licensing, liability insurance and local tax information. Please educate and protect yourself on these issues.

c. Create a Pattern, Packet or Kit:
Creating a good pattern is like any other professional project. Regardless of the format that you deliver your pattern, you need to apply some basic principles.

Will your pattern have...

•A Cover page?
-Will it be a blank page?
-Will it be on special paper, to draw attention?
-Will you add artwork on the cover page for interest?
(Use double stick tape to attach your photo to the cover page.)

•Clean Packaging?
-Many buyers like to put the instruction packets in binders for easy viewing. They like to receive the instructions in plastic C-thru sleeves with a 3-hole strip on the side.
-Large, plastic 'zip' bags can also be use. However this will mean the instructions and the pattern may need to be folded.
Patterns:
Instructions, Materials List and more if necessary.
We consider 'a Pattern' to be a unique idea presented by an author or artist, in such a manner that it is obviously intended to educate and instruct for the betterment of the patron or student. In this interpretation you can even dispense your pattern orally, in a seminar environment or as a visiting artist or visiting Instructor. Patterns typically refer to physical materials provided to the student or patron to help them to create a specific project or learn a specific skill. See the following for common pattern formats.

Pattern Packets:
Scale Pattern, Instructions, Materials List, Color Photo of finished project, and more if necessary.
A 'Pattern Packet' typically has the minimum requirements to be a quality physical product. That is, it contains clear and detailed instructions, a scale drawing of the object design, a color photo of the finished project and a list if necessary, of where the patron or student can procure the proper materials.

Kits:
Scale Pattern, Instructions, Materials, Color Photo of finished project, and more if necessary.
Kits are very helpful because they contain some or all of the materials to create the project, relieving the patron or student from additional expense and inconvenience.

Digital Media, PDF, CD, DVD or Video.
Scale Pattern, Instructions, Materials List, Color Image of finished project, and more if necessary, saved and/or provided in common digital formats.
There are a number of suitable digital formats to deliver your instruction. Below is a brief description on the pros and cons of some of the most popular formats.

PDF:

Pros: Created using Adobe Acrobat software, .pdf format can provide a very high-quality product to your patron or student. Optionally you can create smaller (lower) quality .pdf files which take less time to download. .pdf formats can be viewed using a free viewer at www.adobe.com/viewer

Cons: You need Adobe Acrobat Software to create quality PDF files. You can check out the price of Adobes latest version at www.adobe.com/acrobat PDF files can be quite large if you include many high-quality (300 dpi or ppi) images. Large files may transfer more quickly with faster, high-speed internet connections (or simply require a longer download time).

CD:

Pros: CD disks are common, easy to send in the mail and can contain a good deal of information. You can include multi-media such as audio and video as well as images and instructions.

Cons: You must be able to burn CDs in a quantity which matches your sales. The CD must be clearly advertised as to it's Windows Version and/or Macintosh compatibility. Also, your patron must have a CD-ROM (computer CD player).

DVD:

Pros: DVD disks can hold a great deal of information and could include an entire video seminar or two!

Cons: DVD is not yet as common as CD format.

Video Tape:

Pros: Video can be a direct, easy way to instruct. It may still be the single most common digital accessory (around the world). Video requires only a TV and Video Cassette Player.

Cons: Video Tapes cannot contain printable images, instructions or patterns.
Visiting Artists, Speaking and Teaching Seminars
Your timely and professional appearance on location and ready to instruct. Seminars can be simple appearances or highly advertised events. Materials and tools may be provided or more if necessary.
You may also teach live instruction and use PatternPost to advertise those skills you are qualified to teach.