Print Model Guide
A free resource covering comp cards, measurements, and print modeling requirements
Overview
Print Model Guide is a resource that covers the essentials of breaking into print modeling, including comp card creation, measurement standards, and agency submission best practices. It provides foundational knowledge for aspiring print models.
The guide covers topics like what agencies look for in submissions, how to create effective comp cards, understanding measurement requirements, and preparing for go-sees and bookings.
How It Works
Print modeling encompasses catalog work, advertising campaigns, product packaging, and editorial spreads. Understanding the specific requirements and expectations of this niche helps models present themselves professionally.
The guide is freely available and covers the informational basics without charging for content. It serves as a starting point before investing in professional comp cards and portfolio development.
Who Uses It
Start here to understand the fundamentals before investing money in comp cards, test shoots, or agency submissions. Knowing what agencies and clients expect will help you make smarter investments in your print modeling career.
Pricing & Plans
Print Model Guide is entirely free to access with no registration, subscription, or paid features. All educational content — including guides on comp cards, measurements, agency submissions, and industry standards — is available without any paywall or membership requirement. The resource does not sell products, courses, or services, making it a genuinely free educational tool without hidden commercial motivations. There are no premium tiers or advanced content sections that require payment, and the information is presented straightforwardly without funneling readers toward paid upsells. The guide may include affiliate links or advertising as a revenue source, but the core educational content is not gated or restricted in any way. For aspiring print models researching the industry before making financial commitments, the completely free access ensures that foundational knowledge does not require any investment beyond your time.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
The guide provides essential foundational knowledge that helps aspiring print models avoid common and costly mistakes, such as paying excessive fees for unnecessary portfolio services, submitting to agencies with inappropriate materials, or investing in comp cards before understanding what the industry actually requires. Understanding measurement standards, comp card conventions, and agency submission practices before approaching agencies demonstrates professionalism and seriousness that can positively influence how agencies evaluate your potential. The content covers the practical, tactical aspects of print modeling that more aspirational resources often skip — the specific measurements agencies require, how to format a comp card correctly, what to wear to go-sees, and how the booking process works from initial submission through final selection. Having this foundational knowledge allows aspiring models to evaluate the advice and services of photographers, coaches, and agencies from an informed position, reducing vulnerability to the predatory operators that unfortunately exist in the modeling industry. The guide serves as a reality check that helps aspiring models understand the actual requirements and expectations of the print modeling industry before they invest money in development that may or may not lead to bookings. Free educational resources like this democratize access to industry knowledge that was previously available only through expensive coaching, mentorship, or trial and error.
What Could Be Better
As a general informational resource, Print Model Guide may not reflect the specific practices and preferences of individual agencies or markets, which can vary significantly across different cities, countries, and modeling categories. The information may not be updated as frequently as the industry evolves, and some conventions around comp cards, digital submissions, and agency practices have changed significantly in recent years with the shift toward digital portfolios and social media-based scouting. The guide provides foundational knowledge but cannot replace the nuanced, personalized guidance that comes from working with experienced agents, coaches, and photographers who understand the specific dynamics of your target market. Some aspiring models may over-rely on a single free resource rather than seeking multiple perspectives and staying current with industry changes through active networking and professional development. The guide's coverage of the print modeling industry may not adequately address the significant overlap and differences between print, commercial, and fashion modeling that affect how aspiring models should approach their development and agency submissions. Free educational resources, while valuable, cannot provide the hands-on experience, professional feedback, and industry connections that come from actually working in the field under professional guidance.
Our Recommendation
Print Model Guide is recommended as a starting point for anyone considering print modeling who wants to understand the basics before investing time and money in development activities. It is particularly valuable for people who are completely new to modeling and need a foundational overview of how the industry works, what agencies expect, and what the basic terminology and practices mean. After absorbing the guide's content, aspiring models should seek additional perspectives from working models, reputable agencies, and established industry professionals who can provide current, market-specific guidance. The guide works best as the first step in a learning journey rather than the only resource — use it to build baseline knowledge, then pursue hands-on experience through test shoots, agency submissions, and conversations with working professionals. If you are seriously considering a print modeling career, complement this free resource with investment in professional-quality portfolio development and agency preparation once you have confirmed that your look and goals align with what the print modeling market demands.
Pro Tips
Read the entire guide before taking any action or spending any money on your modeling development, as understanding the full picture of how the print industry works will help you prioritize your investments and avoid wasting resources on premature or unnecessary expenses. Take notes on the specific measurement requirements, comp card specifications, and agency submission guidelines, and use these as a checklist when preparing your materials to ensure you meet industry standards from the outset. Cross-reference the guide's information with the submission requirements of specific agencies you are interested in, as individual agencies may have preferences that differ from general industry conventions. Use the guide's knowledge to evaluate any modeling services, classes, or portfolio packages that are marketed to you — understanding what agencies actually require helps you distinguish between legitimate professional services and predatory operations that charge excessive fees for unnecessary products. Share the guide with friends or family members who are involved in your modeling development, as having informed supporters helps you make better decisions and provides an additional layer of protection against the misleading claims and high-pressure sales tactics that unfortunately exist in the modeling industry.