Thursday, June 6, 2013

Vistaprint Addict!!

For those of you who have never heard of Vistaprint...you must check it out! Let me warn you though, you will probably get sucked in and addicted like me. I can spend hours on that darn site creating things to use in my classroom. This is a website where you can pretty much create anything and everything for your classroom...magnets, business cards, banners, t-shirts, hats, pens, and the list goes on! 

I try not to order unless there is a really good sale going in. They usually send e-mails about their latest sales..and they usually happen pretty often too. There are also groupons every once awhile. I feel that you can get extremely good deals on this site....but shipping (for me) is always the killer. Not sure if it's because I live in Hawaii...or if shipping is outrageous no matter where you live?! 

SO for those of you who are looking for some new Vistaprint inspirations or just curious to see how I use VP in my classroom...you are in the right place today, my friend. 











This is probably one of my most frequent orders. I will purchase return address labels for this order and use them to label all of the books in my class library. They have a ton of cute designs too!!


This is one of my most recent creations. I used a business card for this and plan on using it to send home or staple in students planners when we have a parent/teacher conference. I won't need to worry about printing anything or writing a note in students planners. All I'll need to do is grab one of these cards..write the date and time and students name.

I'm really not sure on the pricing of all these products because they always vary depending on what kind of sale and or promotion they are running. I will recommend to not ever buy things at regular price. Wait till there's some kind of sale or promotion going on. I believe you get about 250 business cards...and if I'm not mistaken I may have got a set for free before too. 


This is another way that you could use the business cards. On each child's birthday..they get a birthday lei, a pencil and a homework pass! 


These are address labels (I believe) or small stickers..can't really remember.
My class library has really grown over the past 3 years. I now have nearly 1000 books in my library. I have three tricks that have helped me. 
The first is shopping at garage sales. I was finding books in amazing condition that would range anywhere from 10-50 cents a piece. There were books that cost $1.00 but I was cheap and usually wouldn't get it unless it was a hardcover :P (Now I'm spoiled and think that even the scholastic warehouse sales are expensive!) 
The second way my library has grown has been ordering books through scholastic with points.
And the third way is with these bad boys up above. When students borrow books from my library they notice that some of the books have these stickers instead of my "This book belongs to: Miss Mizufuka" sticker. I'll usually have a few kids ask about it. I then tell them that they are welcome to donate books to our class library that they are no longer going to read (and if it's okay with their parents). Most of them get so excited because they really want to have a 'plaque' in one of the library books that will stay in my library forever. Most kids will bring in a few books...some even bring in boxes and bags full of books!



Here are two more that I have....


 Under this sign I write the kids' "what to do" list. Below is where all of their assignments and page numbers are normally listed. 



I also order small car door magnets that go up on my front whiteboard. These are for things that are written up on the board on a weekly basis and always have a 'spot' 

 You can also get personalized post-its. 

The options are really unlimited with Vistaprint...These are some of my favorites that I have created on the site and use all the time in my own classroom. I hope I sparked some interest and creativity for you...now go and check the site out.... You know you want to!!
Have a great day!

11 comments:

  1. I love Vistaprint! I just bought their Groupon that gives you $70 worth of product for $17. You given me some new ideas. I love the car magnet one!!

    Aimee
    aimee@vanmiddlesworth.org
    Pencils, Books, and Dirty Looks

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    1. Awesome!! I just used that groupon too. The only thing that I don't like about that groupon is that you can't combine it with any of their other specials or discounts :( BUT $70 goes quite a long way... Have fun creating!!

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  2. Great ideas for vista print! I'm ready to place an order! Thanks for sharing such great ideas!

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    1. Yes, Vistaprint has some pretty good sales running right now!! I can't wait to see what you create!!

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  3. I ordered last year from Vista Print, but the shipping is what is deterring me from doing it again. It was insane what they wanted for the shipping :( Hope you got a better deal!

    Aloha,
    Corinna

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    1. Yes, Shipping usually does cost an arm and leg :/ I usually order things when they are "free"..I'll stock up on all the free things and then just pay shipping, which is usually under $20. I figure since I didn't pay for any of the product, it's okay to pay that for shipping. haha.

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  4. Never thought to use VP in my room! GREAT idea for book labels!

    Leigh
    The Applicious Teacher

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    1. VP is fantastic in the classroom!!! I hope you can start using it :)

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  5. Hi Courtney, thanks for stopping by my blog and becoming my first follower!!! I'm loving all of your Vista Print creations, especially the birthday homework coupon!
    Short and Sassy Teacher

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    1. Hi Erin,
      Thank you for stopping by!!! I was so happy to become someones first follower!! :)

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  6. I totally love all of your Vistaprint creations. Last summer I had two posters made but that was it, I have a whole list of ideas for this summer now!

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