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So you'd like to get in on the action and the fun of Special Runs?
Step Two: The artwork. The first stage is to request a template from us. We will send you templates for the following products: 40' boxcar, twin tub gondola, all four styles of woodchip car, any style of container, RoadRailer trailers and the 2 bay hopper. The articulated cars are not available for special run without a serious discussion, so we didn't prepare a template. The artwork is sketched for quotation. ANYBODY can do this, it isn't hard. Once you have a sketch, send it to DeLuxe. Dave will go over the art and decide if what you proposed is produce-able, then contact you about it. You'll approve the quote, and work will begin.
Step Four: You approve the final artwork. Whether you do it, or we do it, the art for the car is produced, and final decoration begins. At this point, the cars have been in the "production process" for a while with plastic ready to paint and print. When the artwork receives final approval, the project gets placed in the print queue. Step
Five: A test sample of the car is printed. We make sure it's going
to look right before the entire run is produced. After it meets approval,
your car is decorated. You have nothing to do here except quiver with
anticipation. You can call us and check on your baby, but it won't hurry
the process along any. As the cars leave final assembly, they are
inspected, evaluated, and packed with the special label and box prepared
just for your run. Step Six: We give you the cars, and we get the other 50% of the money. Each contract varies as to terms, and repeat customers build a relationship, but it is one variation or another of this for every special run. That's all there is to it! If you've chosen wisely, you will sell out quickly, and be jumping up and down to do it again. We will help your sales effort by posting the availability here on our website, and by submitting your release to the N Scale Collector. What can we make for you? |
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Here's How - Step One: Come up with a good idea. Really. This seems
obvious, but it isn't always. Special Runs are designed to help
clubs, stores, groups, conventions, or individuals to make money.
That said, they depend on a couple of things in order for all parties
to be happy. You, because you sold them all as soon as they arrived.
Us, because you are going to do it again. Your customer because
they have a unique car that means something. Therefore, come up
with something that is appropriate to what you are doing. Having
a convention? A prototype car that is unique to the area, or a fictitious
but plausible protofake always gives a commemorative value to the
car. Doing a Club car? Nice artwork of your club railroad is always
a good idea. Also your club logo presented nicely with prototype
data works pretty well. Offering an individual car for sale to help
pay for your railroad? Do something that would look nice in a train.
A real or simulated industry, a real or simulated railroad, or an
online customer are all good ideas. The overall concept is: come
up with something that people 
would
want to buy. The rest is pretty easy. 
Step
Three: Send in 50% of the money. Why do we do this? Well, in order
for us to produce your special run, we have to buy a lot of stuff.
Boxes, trucks, paper, ink, plastic and the like don't come for free,
and we have to pay up front. If you have a change of heart halfway
through, we have covered our expenses to date.