Business Cards, Ads & Stationary

by **Schuyler** » 6 Sep 2006 19:04

I figured reviving this instead of starting a new thread would be the better route.

OK - I'm getting a very small run of business cards done, to give 1 card to 1 person (and maybe send some to my Mom

). I'm trying to get some basic re-keying and repair work with my former landlord, as I know he, nor anyone at the realty agency, have a locksmith they rely upon.

So, I've made up some cards, I just want to look fairly professional when I approach him with the proposal, and I'd love to get some opinions:

by **Schuyler** » 6 Sep 2006 19:05

oi, those pictures are kinda small, I can do larger if you want to see detail.

by **Raccoon** » 6 Sep 2006 22:06

True-color doesn't work well on business cards. They're either too expensive to print, or customers feel you make too much money. That's my opinion anyway.

I'd stick to CYMK true colors (if you're using Photoshop or the like). True red, True Blue, True Green, True Cyan, True Cyan Blue... etc. They show up more vibrant and solid than they do on your screen-- where things that look good on the screen tend to look muddy in print.

by **Raccoon** » 6 Sep 2006 22:07

Edit: In my first paragraph, I refered to "True-color" when I really meant "full color graphics" as opposed to "solid true colors".

by **devildog** » 6 Sep 2006 23:20

Does anyone think any of those online services that do business cards do a good job, or should I go see a good local print shop???

I want something simple but elegant--black and white, maybe some raised print or water mark, very good quality material, etc. and I've seen these things advertised with online sites but I'm not sure how they'll come out. Has anyone used an online service they've been impressed with that they could recommend, perhaps??

Oh, and the best article EVER on business cards: http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/2006/07/05/business-card-best-practices/

by **alex20005uk** » 9 Sep 2006 16:01

For all UK based Lockies - heres a great company that does dirt cheap printing at fantastic quality:

solopress .com

1000 business cards - full colour double sided, in matt finish or silk 350gsm thick Â£50!!!!!!!!!!!!!! these are very nice cards BTW.

AND leafltets - 20k for Â£300, again double sided thick card for A6 size.

My company i work for at the moment buy off these guys and the yare top top quality, plus design is like Â£30 i think

hope im allowed to post this but i thought it may help people entering the business. We had to do ALOT of research and these guys came up top.

OH also for your other staitionery check out 'monster print'. These guys do a nice start up pack of 1000 cards, letterheads and compliment slips, designed for you for about Â£130 odd - again the quality is cracking!!

They will even send you free samples.

by **bobc** » 9 Sep 2006 17:03

You can get 250 free business cards at the following link

http://www.vistaprint.co.uk

Ok you pay the postage costs and you don't get much choice on the design but can pay extra to upload your own logo if preferred.
Anyhow just thought that I would point it out for anyone who may be interested.
Nothing to do with me personally by the way so I'm not in any way shape or form trying to promote business for this company

bobc

by **devildog** » 9 Sep 2006 17:48

Yeah, I've seen those, but I really want to know where people get their business cards and what kinds of experiences people have had with the online ones--anyone?

by **alex20005uk** » 9 Sep 2006 18:35

Yes mate they are free, but have you seen them? i ordered some b4. they are low quality. Im talking about exceptionally good quality stuff mate. You pay for what you get i guess! I bet you wont find these qulity cards anywhere else for even double that price though

by **alex20005uk** » 9 Sep 2006 18:40

Devildog im not sure abou tthe US but these 350gsm cards are pretty much the best you can get. The next step up is plastics or metal cards.

The online companies are the best IMO as they save you money but you need ot know what you want and buy accordingly. If you just want cheap any old cards, then yeah you can get em anywhere free, but quality cards are usually very very expensive and these are just at a very good price cos they operate out of a wharehouse. food for thought.............

They may even deliver abroad? but postage may kill you.
Online companies will send you these out so you can test how good they are. Best thing is ask for samples always before you buy.

by **devildog** » 27 Sep 2006 22:12

Ok, just got my cards today from these guys: http://www.printsmadeeasy.com/

They were just what I ordered, pretty good quality, and I really liked the way they let you design them on their website, very cool. Next time I'll get a different type of paper and won't get glossy, but those were my choices and they did just what I wanted. 3 colors plus an image you can upload, glossy, quantity 100--about $16.00 plus shipping. Pretty good I think.

by **Romstar** » 28 Sep 2006 1:10

These are my cards:

They have been printed by two places with decent results, but I frequently print them myself and that seems to work well.

Romstar

by **parapilot** » 28 Sep 2006 9:55

Does anyone give out free keyrings? Put one on any keys you cut etc. Load of people use keyrings and wont throw them away like business cards. I'v got all sorts of key rings knocking about.

So the customer gets a free keyring, and you get constant advertising and if they see anyone locked out they have your number to hand and wont bother looking up yellow pages etc. Obviously wont work if they loose their own keys!

These blank keyrings can cost next to nothing, Â£4.99 ($9) for 50

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/50-BLANK-PROMOTIONAL-KEYRINGS-FANTASTIC-PRICES_W0QQitemZ220029331464QQihZ012QQcategoryZ3628QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Or even go up market and get some blank bottle opener key rings, be used when people are drinking and loosing keys then

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/50-Clear-Blank-Insert-Plastic-Bottle-Opener-Keyrings_W0QQitemZ230030476484QQihZ013QQcategoryZ75576QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

by **Romstar** » 28 Sep 2006 10:53

I used pens for a while. Can't remember when I got them though, but they were bloody cheap. Still have a few kicking around here somewhere.

There are lots of great promotials that have been used over the years, and the keyrings are one of the better ones.

Romstar

by **Raccoon** » 28 Sep 2006 11:19

I turned my business cards into key chains. They've become immensely popular. I'm always out of business cards.

I punched a 1/8" hole in the cards, and attached a life-size colored plastic key (sold as a parrot chew toy), with a 2.5" length of chain. The women are always asking me if I have a certain color, and if they could have 2 or 3.

My logic behind doing this, is mainly so I can give the card out to businesses (gas stations, hotel clerks, etc) and the card wont get lost in their desk drawer but rather every employee will remember "that goofy locksmith card, hold on -- let me find it for you".

Business Cards, Ads & Stationary

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