Why you need Zed Cards... aka Comp Cards... The comp card is one of your greatest tools in getting work. Basically, it’s a card, around 5.5 x 8.5 inches in size, printed on both sides.  The front side of the card is usually the models’ headshot along with the model’s name.  The backside of the comp card usually has multiple shots of the model, usually four in number.  The actual size and design of the card isn’t always standardized. The front side “head shot” is by far the most important of the five images.  It’s the biggest in size and should definitely show the model in his or her best light.  This is the image that will be seen first.  There is no other way to make a first impression.  Just keep in mind that when a client is shopping for a model, they are usually sitting at their desk leafing through a pile of these cards.  Yours should stand out and be informative.  No super “high key” shots where you can’t really see what the model really looks like.

Custom Design Zed (Front)

The backside of the card is used to communicate information about the model, visual and written.  Somewhere on the back of the card is usually listed the height and measurements of the model.  As far as the images go, the key word here is versatility.  Even though the agency has sort of pegged you for a “category” of modeling, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t other jobs that you would be appropriate for.  You can’t always guess what the client will be looking for. They may want a short, flabby, middle-aged Indian woman.  You just never know.  Just concentrate on communicating versatility.  Here are a few suggestions.

Show a wide range of expressions.  The client might not need a smiling person.  Maybe you’ll need to look sexy, or concerned, or surprised.

Show some skin.  Sometimes the client needs to know what you body looks like.  Nothing ticks off a client like having a model show up that isn’t what they expected.  If you sow some skin on the comp card, they’ll know what they’re buying.  If you have a six-pack, show it off.  A word of warning though…  Don’t get carried away.  If you look too sexy, it could turn some people off.  They wonder just what kind of modeling you do…  If you know what I mean.

Try not to have any images of yourself wearing the same outfit or in the same location or background.  It makes you look inexperienced.  When I see this, I just assume that the model has just put together a portfolio and has little, if any, real modeling experience.  It’s even good to have different photographic styles on your card.  It helps subconsciously, to tell people that you’ve “been around”, and that helps clients think that they are not taking as big a risk selecting you for their project.

Choose from many layouts we have already designed or together we can design your own layout. 

For Zed Card pricing please click here