How do you get your business cards?
 

I'm gonna be needing some business cards very soon, so I'm wondering what avenues people go through to acquire theirs. I'm talkin' like raised lettering, textured stock, maybe even imprinted stock. And don't just google up a printing service, I would like to create a little directory of companies people have experience with.

i use a local print company so i don't think i'll be of any help - however - i designed my own and and used textured stock, slate in color & print in red...

i tried to make mine unique so that it would stand out from the norm

I just fill out a little form, that I keep in my bottom left desk drawer, and give it to HR. A week later I have new business cards. :D
Somehow...I don't think that's gonna help you, though. :(

Halx, I hope you don't hate me...but I just couldn't resist ...

http://images.ibsys.com/2000/0901/62107.jpg

.......

seriously tho - my only advise is choose a damn sexy font.
(which I know you would anyways,..just sayin...)

ahaha, american psycho....great movie, even better book!

www.vistaprint.com - I know a few people IRL who have purchased cards through this company, and all of them had good feedback.

I like to actually see what I'm getting before I order, so internet ordering for business cards and other printing needs is not an option for me. My local jewelry store which handles orders for wedding invitations also does business cards. Samples are provided so that you can compare and actually see what the final result will be. I have also ordered business cards through a local office supply business, but the jewelry store had the best quality and the most options.

Ours actually are printed on a translucent card. The logo is really heavy on the back and comes through on the paper to be seen lightly on the front. The rest of our print is on the front of the card to the right of where the logo is.

If you would like to see what I'm talking about, feel free to pm me and I'll send you one. Or I could just take pictures of it I suppose.

Cards need to be unique to be noticed.

Most local office supply places either can do or have suppliers who do business cards.

I print my own.

I would refer these guys. They designed my cards and everyone is always saying how cool they look. Plus when ever I order a new batch we always get them in a timely mannor. Hope that helps.

Merrill corporation
www.merrillcorp.com
800.626.1447
4110 Clearwater rd.
st. Cloud Mn 56301

When I started my own company I designed my business card in Photoshop. I fit three on a 4 x 6 card. Took it to Costco and had 260 printed up for 20 bucks.

Kinko's!!


http://www.fedex.com/us/officeprint/...tationery.html
:icare:

They did mine and I loved them. Inexpensive too.

http://www.m3printing.com rock.

I design and print my own all from the comfort of my own home. You can buy any type of stock (almost) at the Business Depot (Canada) and make your own. Give it a try.

I designed my Dad's business cards. He has a large printing machine in his basement. (I forget what it's called) and can do raised lettering. He can't do embossing and stuff though. He did get some embossed stuff from a local printer in Wausau for one project he did. Since he does printing himself for part of his business I've personally never used any other company for things. I designed and printed our own wedding invitations, programs, and thankyou cards.

I'm really happy with the cards I made through vistaprint (http://www.visaprint.com). They have an online designer thing where I layed out a card that matches my business website. They have all kinds of options for stock and finish, and the box of 500 cards cost less than $20, before shipping.

I own a major franchise printshop and I will give you my advice for cards.

Couple things,
First you have to decide how much you want to spend.
Copying is the cheapest (Kinko's, Office Max)
Thermography (Raised) is the next cheapest (mom & pop printshops, Sir Speedy, Alphagraphics)
Flat printing can be the most expensive but is the most professional. You also have the most choices.


Second, your design dictates how you produce your cards.
If it is just B&W with some text you can take it about anywhere and have them run them on there copier
If it is two or less colors you can use 'Raised' printing to get you a quality card at a reasonable price (you need to stick to standard colors to keep you cost down)
If it has full color pictures, graphics, or 3 or more colors you have 2 options, you can run them on a color copier and get a decent looking card at an affordable price or you can send them to a broker printer, for about 100 dollars
If you are looking for the cream of the crop on great paper talk to your local printer about paper and colors and see what kind of creative ideas they have.


Third I always think business cards printed on someones little home printer with perfed edges look like crap, when I have a sales rep come in with something like that I give him 15 seconds and tell him no thanks, it is unprofessional.


Fourth the current trend is thick paper 100 lb or more, only certain places will carry that type of stock and it will not go through any home printer. Even most commercial copyshops can't run that type of stock through their printer.


Let me know if you have anymore questions, PM me I might be able to help you.

Not to keep rattling on but if you are going to design them let me give anyone some advice

First a card is 2 x 3.5
Leave a 1/8" margin on ALL sides unless you want to get charged quite a bit more.
Programs to design your card in (best to worse) (highest learning curve to elementary)
InDesign
Quark
Pagemaker
Illustrator
Photoshop
Publisher

Try to NOT use Word or Powerpoint for any item that is actually getting printed they work ok for things that are being copied but most printers including us either refuse to work with Microsoft software, will reset the file (charging you of course) or just charge you a flat "Microsoft" fee.

Finally unless you really want to get fancy cards be flexable with the colors you have in mind.

Ex. Choose a dark blue or a light blue don't choice a specific CMYK value or a specific PMS color it will cost you quite a bit more unless you just get them copied.

Edit SP

Mine just always seem to show up.