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mixin visuals · Jun 9, 2003, 05:07 PM

i am looking at getting some more business cards printed and i am thinking about going the online route this time instead of locally.

any recommendations on some that have worked out good for you?

thePurpleGiant · Jun 9, 2003, 06:26 PM

I assume you mean in the US?

mixin visuals · Jun 9, 2003, 06:39 PM

Originally posted by thePurpleGiant:
I assume you mean in the US?

yep the US

andi*pandi · Jun 10, 2003, 10:07 AM

I haven't actually used them, but www.4by6.com always is sending me postcards. They do cheep 4/c postcards and bcards.

Dogma · Jun 10, 2003, 01:34 PM

Always had mine done by whatever company I worked for - but now I'm freelance, I'm saving my pennies for some metal cards - possibly with or without the holographic stickers.

I was thinking "Is that too much?", "Maybe it'll be horribly tacky and naff", "Is that not a bit expensive for a business card?" - but then i thought - "Can you imagine if someone gave you a business card made out of etched aluminium, with a custom hologram of the corporate logo? That would be one of the most kick ass business cards ever - and no-one would ever throw it away!

Well, that's my 2cents, just don't be copying me - I ain't having everyone starting doing it!

I saw somebody elses that was printed on transparent plastic, and another guys was like a small business card 4-colour print brochure. Lots of nice ideas - and thats the plan - keep it in people heads. i don't know about the US, but standard simple business cards are seen as a bit sleazy over here - if you want to have business cards, then you don't just hand them out to anyone, and it's gotta look "special".

1) Your card reflects your business and your opinion of your customer
2) It provides important information about your services (is it design - then make it a worthwhile portfolio - not easy for a 4 x 6 piece of card)
3) It should last as long as you want your customer/business relationship to - hence, el cheapo business card R us, will not last long.

You can have this one for free. I was designing a sleeve for a band last year, and was looking at different materials to print, but at last minute they went with standard 4-colour. A week later I got samples from a paper importer of this Japanese handmade paper stuff. It was fantastic, all ragged edges, smooth finish, slight off white colouring. Anyway, this stuff would be great for business cards, it's absolutely high quality, and maybe you could combine it with whatever design you think appropriate - seriously, this paper had the warm and fuzzy factor!

andi*pandi · Jun 10, 2003, 02:25 PM

and then there's budget considerations. Etched aluminum is trade-show talk.

Dogma · Jun 10, 2003, 03:13 PM

Originally posted by andi*pandi:
and then there's budget considerations. Etched aluminum is trade-show talk.

Yeah man, but class. You're not handing them out to girls in bars, just your clients. Maybe if you're very successful you can give them out to everyone, but if you're charging enough for your work, I reckon it's a good investment to have a good card.

It's advertising, and the most personal kind.

arclight · Jun 10, 2003, 05:20 PM

Originally posted by andi*pandi:
and then there's budget considerations. Etched aluminum is trade-show talk.

ditto.

trade shows give me a craft store migraine.

mixin visuals · Jun 11, 2003, 11:22 AM

Originally posted by Dogma:
Always had mine done by whatever company I worked for - but now I'm freelance, I'm saving my pennies for some metal cards - possibly with or without the holographic stickers.

I was thinking "Is that too much?", "Maybe it'll be horribly tacky and naff", "Is that not a bit expensive for a business card?" - but then i thought - "Can you imagine if someone gave you a business card made out of etched aluminium, with a custom hologram of the corporate logo? That would be one of the most kick ass business cards ever - and no-one would ever throw it away!

Well, that's my 2cents, just don't be copying me - I ain't having everyone starting doing it!

I saw somebody elses that was printed on transparent plastic, and another guys was like a small business card 4-colour print brochure. Lots of nice ideas - and thats the plan - keep it in people heads. i don't know about the US, but standard simple business cards are seen as a bit sleazy over here - if you want to have business cards, then you don't just hand them out to anyone, and it's gotta look "special".

1) Your card reflects your business and your opinion of your customer
2) It provides important information about your services (is it design - then make it a worthwhile portfolio - not easy for a 4 x 6 piece of card)
3) It should last as long as you want your customer/business relationship to - hence, el cheapo business card R us, will not last long.

You can have this one for free. I was designing a sleeve for a band last year, and was looking at different materials to print, but at last minute they went with standard 4-colour. A week later I got samples from a paper importer of this Japanese handmade paper stuff. It was fantastic, all ragged edges, smooth finish, slight off white colouring. Anyway, this stuff would be great for business cards, it's absolutely high quality, and maybe you could combine it with whatever design you think appropriate - seriously, this paper had the warm and fuzzy factor!

that sounds cool, do you have any places on the web that you have seen them available?

Dogma · Jun 11, 2003, 12:17 PM

What ones?

If you want it stateside, I would start off at http://www.cards-unlimited.ca for a start. As for the holograms and japanese paper you'll have to do a search - I'm dealing with UK importers only, so never really looked. I'm sure you can get hologramic prints at afair price - My logo is circular and was to be 3cm diameter - to be stuck on by myself - A hardy task for a dull night in, but I'm not paying someone to do that! Total cost does vary - anywhere between �50 - �1000 for a run of a couple of thousand - depends what you want - size - and quality. Shop around.