News from Michael's Boxes
4Commissioning Limited Edition Boxes
Boxes on the web
Once we know who the box is for, and for what purpose, we start by agreeing with the client what shape they would like. It is much cheaper to adapt an existing mould for the purpose than to have one specially made and a lot less time-consuming as well.
For instance, the photo we show is of a suitcase, which the American School in London thought appropriate for the traveling nature of their pupils' families.
Next we agree on the design and colors to be used. In this instance a committee came up with the design, but normally we prefer to work with an individual, as design is a matter of individual taste. Three or more people on a committee can only compromise their preferences to achieve an acceptable result - or not, which is worse. Remember the camel is an animal designed by a committee.
There is also the small motif or design for the inside to be considered and space must be left for :
Peint Main
Limoges, France
MB 2001 1/100
AH
Where MB is for Michael's Boxes, 2001 is the year it is made (which doesn't have to be included if the client prefers). 1/100 denotes it is a limited series of 100 and this is number 1. AH is for the artist's initials.
With a limited edition we have to agree on how many the series is limited to, but the minimum order we accept is 25, and the maximum is up to how many the client think they can sell. However, we often recommend that the whole limited edition is not made in one go - for instance if the client would like a limited edition of 100 but is unsure of their sales, we recommend they have the first tranche of 50 made, and depending on sales the second tranche of 50 can be made later. It is important with clubs to bear in mind that with organizing committee members and friends it is easy to achieve sales of 30 boxes but it is the subsequent sales which are more difficult to fulfill.
The client also has to agree on the colour of the hinging to be used - silver, gold, or antiqued brass, as well as the shape of the clasp. The Junior League of London for their 2001 Boutique de Noel box had the theme of "Starry Starry Night" so a clasp in the shape of a star suited their purpose exactly.
It takes us about four weeks to instruct the artist and receive the first model, which we then show to the client. After agreeing any further changes we give the go-ahead to make the first run of boxes, which again takes about four weeks.
Obviously as we are producing a significant number of boxes at a time we sell them at a price so that the client can sell them on thus making a profit for their club or business. The suitcase in our example sold out very quickly and was such a success that the American School has ordered a subsequent but different limited edition suitcase.
If you would like to make preliminary inquiries about how to go about ordering a box for your own company or group please contact us at Michael's Boxes on +44 (0)207 629 5716. All our contact details are shown elsewhere in the News section on this Web site.