chrisyates.net : it may be good for you.

12/17/2009

Well, as of today, it's official. So I may as well spill the beans.

Six months ago, I was contacted by Ceaco, one of the largest jigsaw puzzle companies in North America. After six months of talks and prototyping, today I signed a three-year licensing contract.

What does this mean? It means I'll be able to get production Bafflers out to a much much broader market, for a very reasonable price, while maintaining the same aesthetic and quality you expect from my work. And quite possibly, I might make a buck or two.

Ceaco will handle the pre-press design, production, shipping, marketing, sales and distribution of it all.

There will be three initial production Bafflers, based on some of the existing abstract geometric pieces, with possibly 6-12 in production by the end of 2010. The production Bafflers will be made of heavy chipboard (thickier and chunkier than your average cardboard puzzle), which will still be in the inlaid-tray style I use. Each and every puzzle design will have a custom die created for the cut-lines, so this is hopefully truly something very different and innovative in the "puzzle scene".

I have a ton of confidence in Ceaco that they'll be able to create some real quality goods with my name (and faux-paint) splattered all over it, so let's give it a good go and in mid-to-late 2010, you'll wander into Target or Barnes & Noble or Walmart or It's Your Move or a hundred other chains and find some Bafflers by Chris Yates in the puzzle aisle. I'll certainly keep you apprised.

Oh and also if you like my awesome Photoshop tie, you can get one from Dr. Pixel right here!

Cheers, everybody!!! Without all your support for my art over the last five years, this may never have happened! *clink*