More on Model Comp Cards

Combining a small collection of high quality photos and basic stats on a card stock or rigid paper is a good approach to creating a successful comp card. The overall goal is to create a relatively inexpensive and versatile sales tool for modeling skills similar to a resume.

Why is a comp card so important?

In most cases, a model's comp card is the one and only opportunity to make a good first impression. Think of it as a model's business card. Modeling agencies and models send comp cards to photographers, art directors, and others to advertise new talent or to show updated looks or expanded capabilities of an established model. Modeling agencies maintain a talent file composed of model portfolios and comp cards for future projects. This makes it easy for them to quickly scan their talent pool. Of course the comp cards also make it possible for a modeling agency to show prospective clients a selection of talent available for their project.

Comp Card Design

Generally speaking for the layout of a comp card, a model can do whatever he or she wants. Though our experience has shown that the front or at least one side of the card should have the best headshot filling most of the side. This large-size photo allows for model's photo to be seen when clients review several models' comp cards. The back side should have the rest of your photos showcasing your best features, versatility and skill set. The comp should also include model's name, stats, contact information, and representation if provided.

The most important point to keep in mind that the photographs included in a model's comp card should be the absolute best and nothing less. Also keep in mind that the printing and reproduction quality is very important. Professional images in poor reproduction will make a model look bad no matter how good the model may be.

Our Comp Card Printing Process

We custom design all our model comp cards to fit the standard of a two sided comp card offset printed on a quality 5.5" x 8.5" stock. Which means that our studio prints on a traditional printing press and a high quality stock and not as a less expensive method with a laser printer on lightweight paper.

Overall, you lose control over the final outcome of the layout and print quality when sending your photos separately to a printer. Having your comp card prepared digitally and then printed by our studio insures you the best possible quality. We have created many comp cards with various designs for our models. The price of a set of comp cards includes any scanning, retouching, and actual design of a comp card for both front and back.