Sarah - an idea you may want to consider - that many others have posted about previously is making your own lapboards by cutting the front and back cover off 3-ring binders. It's cheaper than purchasing the ones from Merrill (esp. at the beg. of school sales) People say they serve the same function.
Just an idea! If you need more info. you might try searching the archives. I know I've read several posts about this before.
Jen

 

I love the ones from merrill and they are super nice and clean and very professional looking.

 

I just use the dollar store clip boards.

 

Yes, you can make them cheaper, however, you are right, it is like comparing apples to oranges. The home made ones aren't going to look as nice, logo, edges, etc.

 

Office depot sells a box of 12 white 1" binders (view) for $13.99. When you cut them apart, which I do carefully with a box cutter or x-acto knife right down the spine of the notebook (I use a ruler as a guide for the edge), you get 24 for $.60 apeice (roughly). I do a new batch about every 2-3 years. If you are careful you can cut them easily. If you miss an edge you can touch it up by gluing a small bead of elmers along the edge.

 

you should also consider the time it takes to make them. I hesitated for 3 years on buying the lapboards - so glad I did, I love them! They are heavy though

 

My customers appreciate the lapboards. I used a 2 pocket folder before with brads in the middle to put fliers in. I got tired of shifting the fliers around. I ditto: the boards are heavy to tote around.

 

I have 15 of them and love them! I bought the Merrill ones after doing some looking around. They are very professional looking and work great. I had tried to cut my own from binders but wasn't satisfied with the results. Too sloppy and not very professional. They only thing I wish that Merrill offered were black ones. I had a 4 year old write on mine twice at two different parties. I tried taking it off with a Magic Eraser but it hasn't worked yet. I use the cranberry tote we earned last year at conference to carry mine. Perfect for carrying them and all my other paperwork for my parties.

 

Based on what I'm reading I'm going to go with the Merrill lapboards...I'm talking myself into it by reminding myself that instead of the car decal I'm getting a car magnet from Vista. Moms can rationalize anything, lol

ETA: I know Merrill was having a 10% off sale but was that in April or is it May? I can't remember where I read it.

 

I think it was a CC email...hang on Sarah, let's see if I can find where I read it for both of us!

 

Merrill had 10% off personalized items for April only. They are offering free shipping with an order over $75 right now.

 

Thanks WG! Bummer tho....

 

i don't know why they came out with the white lap boards....mine are black i bought them 3 1/2 years ago off a consultant who was getting out of the biz... I love them...they are heavy i have 12 but my customers do appreciate them especially when you have a big show and people are using their laps to write on...i bring extra cattys and leave them on the tables were people have an obvious place to fill out their orders..I don't think you will regret the purchase...

 

I made mine when I started nearly 4 years ago - they are black - I get plenty of compliments and they don't show dirt. I know I got the binders for around $1 a piece at the time so I feel they have been money well spent (and it was easy to cut them into two lapboards from one binder). I definitely like having lapboards for my guests especially since they often don't have a table in front of them to write on.

 

Here's where I orderd mine...and other goodies
Specialty Items
Don't like white...gets dirty

nancy

 

I did this in the past and looking at them now I realize how I really wasted money b/c of how unprofessional they look. I have started back up and am pretty sure I'm not going to use them b/c of how they look

I would say if you can make the investment go for it! If down the road you don't want them I'm sure they would be picked up by someone super fast :thumbup:

 

I think mine look very professional and get lots of compliments!! I did buy white (only in the biz 6 months, but they still look great). I usually slide in a flyer of some sort in that back pocket and they look great!

 

You must be much better at cutting that I am :blushing:

 

You could announce the "special" lapboard at your shows and whoever is the lucky user gets free shipping!