Gift Vouchers and what are the standards

[Ngaire Winwood]

I remember seeing one voucher here on the forum, but I was wondering what are some of the formats/designs to use and what is said on them? How does the client redeem them, how long do they have, is it stipulated on the voucher or given verbally? Do you use the same for Auctions or do you have a couple for different situations, presents. prizes?

Do they get placed on a waiting list with your schedule, what if you don't meet it on time? What are inherent problems when giving these out? Is there any legalities attached to them? What other promotional material works? How many sittings are involved with a gift voucher? How do you word it that you don't get caught out with the time/delays, life sittings etc, needed to complete the portrait?

[Terri Ficenec]

Hi Ngaire!

I got the idea to offer a 'gift certificate' from a post here on the forum as well... Wasn't able to find boxes as nice as I'd seen posted here, but I did find some 'Treasure Boxes' with greeting card tops at the local Hallmark store. I've adapted these to serve as presentation boxes for a portrait gift certificate by removing the greeting card and substituting it with something appropriate to the occasion of the gift. (PaintShop Pro, an inkjet printer, and card stock from Staples came in handy here.) Similarly, I customize the text of the gift certificate card itself.

The gift certificate that I've used is more of a notification to the gift recipient and does NOT specify a dollar amount, although I guess it could specify portrait size or something along those lines. I will provide the gift certificate only when I have a signed contract and deposit in hand... (although the terms of that contract... size/dimensions of the portrait, etc. may be 'soft' until the actual photo shoot, and image selection). The flexibility of offering a gift certificate can turn an inquiry with conditions into a signed contract. (For example, if they want a portrait for a special occasion and you can't accomodate with your schedule, or they want the gift to be a surprise, but you need the subject's cooperation for a photo shoot.) It did for me in the example I've shown!

Haven't yet done an auction certificate, but am planning to offer something at a local charity auction event this Spring. Haven't figured out yet whether it's better to offer a specific amount off, or a percentage discount? I think in any case for an auction, what's being offered (and any limitations, time to redeem or otherwise) should be very clear on the face of the certificate to avoid issues down the road... I'll be following this thread with interest to hear what people who've been there/done that have to say!


Shown below are the exterior and interior of the gift box as well of the (folded) gift certificate card. The 'Treasure Box' , 'To:', 'From:' and '...because memories are timeless treasures of the heart' text on the inside lid of the box were glued on, but seemed reasonably appropriate to the portrait concept, so I just went with it...

[Ngaire Winwood]

They are really nice Terri. I realise I am going to have to spend a fair amount of time putting something together like this.

When you give one as a gift voucher that turned into a signed contract, how did you handle that. Do you do a %off, $ off or a size stipulation? How do you follow this up, phone calls 2 weeks later or how? Schedule Booking?

[Terri Ficenec]

The fellow called inquiring about commissioning a portrait as a Christmas/Anniversary gift for his wife... this was just a couple of weeks before Christmas. I like to allow a minimum of 2 months turn-around, as I am only able to get in 20 - 30 hours per week painting...and don't feel confident enough to work with a tight 'deadline'. So, with Linda Nelson's gift certificate post fresh in my mind -and as if this was something I did all the time (Ha!), I suggested that I could give him a gift certificate to present to his wife on Christmas. So the 'gift' would still be a surprise and we could arrange the photo shoot after the holidays. I sent him off a blank commission contract, ran all over town trying to find an appropriate looking box, mocked up a gift certificate card and e-mailed him the next day with photos (like those above) of what the gift presentation looked like.

I had a signed contract and initial deposit in hand before getting the actual gift certificate box to him.

I guess I expected to hear from them sometime in the week or two after Christmas. I did start to get a little nervous when they didn't call, so finally around the third week of January, I sent a quick little e-mail asking if his wife was excited about the gift and with suggestions of things they might want to consider with relation to the portrait (indoors or outdoors, formal or more casual, etc.) -- just to open up a dialog. That seemed to do the trick! They had scheduled the actual photo shoot within a week.

We finalized the specific terms of the contract (i.e. half length figures/ and canvas size) at the tail-end of the photo shoot.


Note: I was looking for any appropriate sized box with a lid that opened on a hinge similar to what Linda had shown. Felt lucky to find what I did on such short notice, so I bought several just to have on hand... They were fairly expensive...$20 apiece and apparently they were a new item for the Hallmark shop, so I'm not sure if I'll find them if I go there again. There is information on the bottom of the box about the company that makes them, if that's helpful to anyone I could post it?

[Leslie Ficcaglia]

Ngaire, I've put together a write-up for auctions which details what I'm offering:

"Create an heirloom:* commission a portrait of your children, grandchildren, spouse, parents or other loved ones, painted in oils, for your family to cherish for generations. Artist Leslie Ficcaglia works from her own reference photos, spending time with the subjects to learn characteristic movements and expressions, and then consults with the client to produce a painting which will be a work of art as well as an excellent likeness of the individuals portrayed.

Ficcaglia recently had the honor of being asked to paint a portrait of New Jersey's Governor McGreevey and his wife, which hangs in Drumthwacket.

The Artist will donate a $200-off coupon for an original oil portrait; the sum paid by the successful bidder will go to ----. This is a unique opportunity to benefit a wonderful cause while at the same time obtaining a priceless original portrait of a special person or people, to be enjoyed forever.

Currently, prices for the Artist's work begin at $xxxxx for a 16x20 oil painting of a single subject with a simple background. Following the auction, arrangements may be made with the Artist to include additional* subjects or to order a larger size; please note that 50% is charged for each added subject, including animals. Copies of the completed portrait can also be made available for purchase: these can be a special holiday or birthday gift for relatives and other loved ones or simply an addition to your office.

Samples of the Artist's work can be viewed at ---."


And here's a certificate that I use to sew things up:

[Ngaire Winwood]

Being a fledging is hard at times, but not when you get the answers you look for so thank you.

Do you have gift vouchers that you can change to suit the occassion for presents etc? What do you write on them?

[Leslie Ficcaglia]

Originally Posted by Ngaire Winwood

Being a fledging is hard at times, but not when you get the answers you look for so thank you.

Do you have gift vouchers that you can change to suit the occassion for presents etc? What do you write on them?

You can write up a fancy certificate which says something like

"This certificate entitles the bearer to the equivalent of one 16x20 single subject portrait with plain background painted by Artist Ngaire Winwood. This certificate can also be upgraded to include a larger size or more subjects at an additional cost. Please contact the Artist for details."

It can be customized to reflect that it is being presented on the occasion of a birthday or anniversary or whatever.