Business card Dilemma

[JaGWiRE]

I want / am getting to the point where I need business cards. I want some nice sleek professional looking ones.
I do not want to design them myself. I am way too lazy and busy processing photos, and don't really know how to anyway.
Moo.com has interesting business cards, but it seems that to make em with different photos on the back, I'd have to take my photos from my smugmug, upload them to a free flickr account, and then crop on the moo.com site, kind of seems like a pain in the ass, selecting different photos, etc.
I'd be willing to have someone to do this as a service for me in return for cash, but I'm not sure who would do it, how much it'd cost, and where I'd get it printed locally or online, and what I even want on my business card. The moo.com one is nice, I've seen it before, but I don't use Flickr making it kind of a royal pain in the butt to make the cards from their service, I don't know what photos I'd pick, how many (you can use up to 100) and then cropping would be annoying.
Shrug..

[JessCumbie]

I've designed a few business cards myself. I love mine and would be happy to help you out with yours as long as you tell me exactly what you want.

I like the ones with an entire photo on them and then your info on top of your photo... or photo on the left side the all info in white on the right. And Vistaprint.com is the BEST place to get cards printed. Delivered in days and i got 2500 cards for $65 delivered.

We can talk about the $$ and i'll send you the sample of my cards.... if you like

[JaGWiRE]

I've designed a few business cards myself. I love mine and would be happy to help you out with yours as long as you tell me exactly what you want.

I like the ones with an entire photo on them and then your info on top of your photo... or photo on the left side the all info in white on the right. And Vistaprint.com is the BEST place to get cards printed. Delivered in days and i got 2500 cards for $65 delivered.

We can talk about the $$ and i'll send you the sample of my cards.... if you like

Sure. I just have no idea what I want on mine and what photo(s) to use. The most I know is what info should be on it, lol.
My $$ budget is pretty low, I am not really expecting anything super exotic, just my info and I guess photo(s) would be nice, with a decent layout.

[rhys]

What kind of photography would you like to be paid to do?

[DocFrankenstein]

I got mine at staples. It was a 100 of them for 23 bucks. You have a choice of premade designs, some paper and the font can be either red, blue or black. The font is nicely raised.

[thekid24]

I would gladly design them but they arent going to be made at a store. I do it this way. Not sure if you would want it done this way and I understand if ya dont

Design my card layout (front and back)
Copy many of them onto one page (10per page)
Print
Laminate @ kinkos

[coreypolis]

aren't the moo cards smaller than regular ones?

overnightprints.com allows you to make a template online with ot without using your own images, or has a .PSD template to make in photoshop. I use them for all my cards.


I guess teh question is what are you going to be using them for? What do you want the receiver to convey about your services/images/purpose?

[JaGWiRE]

What kind of photography would you like to be paid to do?
None, I meet a lot of other photographers or people who would like to see my work or I would like to contact in the future, and I have no business cards to hand out.
Corey, they are smaller, pretty neat though.

Essentially, I will be giving them out to people I meet on the subway, or when shooting who approach me, other photographers, or friends. I would like them to look professional, and have a a few photos of mine (maybe 1, I don't know what will look better.)
The overnightprints pre-made themes or whatever I don't really like.
Kind of lazy to go making them myself though, I'm HORRIBLE at design.

[JessCumbie]

aren't the moo cards smaller than regular ones?

overnightprints.com allows you to make a template online with ot without using your own images, or has a .PSD template to make in photoshop. I use them for all my cards.


I guess teh question is what are you going to be using them for? What do you want the receiver to convey about your services/images/purpose?


overnightprints.com is a huge pain in the butt! I tried to use them and had nothing but problems.... plus they don't have the deals that other online printing companies have.

[Converge]

overnightprints.com is a huge pain in the butt! I tried to use them and had nothing but problems.... plus they don't have the deals that other online printing companies have.

Ive used overnight prints before and never had a problem. Always fast and always great prints. I know other photographers that have nothing but good things to say about their experience with them.

What was the problem you ran into?

[rhys]

None, I meet a lot of other photographers or people who would like to see my work or I would like to contact in the future, and I have no business cards to hand out.
Corey, they are smaller, pretty neat though.

Essentially, I will be giving them out to people I meet on the subway, or when shooting who approach me, other photographers, or friends. I would like them to look professional, and have a a few photos of mine (maybe 1, I don't know what will look better.)
The overnightprints pre-made themes or whatever I don't really like.
Kind of lazy to go making them myself though, I'm HORRIBLE at design.

Then perhaps something simple with just a name, web address, throwaway email address (hotmail, yahoo etc) and a throwaway phone number (Virgin, onetel etc). I specify throwaway because you never know what you might get as a result of those cards. I used a throwaway phone number for employment agencies in Britain and a throwaway email address. When they started to be a pestillential nuisance, I abandoned the throwaway email address and tossed the sim card in the bin.

[coreypolis]

overnightprints.com is a huge pain in the butt! I tried to use them and had nothing but problems.... plus they don't have the deals that other online printing companies have.
like what? read teh business card thread here, the majority use them with no problems. If you select any shipping but the slowest, they print overnight literally and you get it right away.

deals? they're as cheep as any other, and usually have discounts going too. My first few sets were only 3.95 + shipping because of the coupon codes. for that, vista-prints prints their logo on the back of their cards.

[JaGWiRE]

Then perhaps something simple with just a name, web address, throwaway email address (hotmail, yahoo etc) and a throwaway phone number (Virgin, onetel etc). I specify throwaway because you never know what you might get as a result of those cards. I used a throwaway phone number for employment agencies in Britain and a throwaway email address. When they started to be a pestillential nuisance, I abandoned the throwaway email address and tossed the sim card in the bin.

I'll be using my real e-mail and real phone #. I won't be giving this out like candy. It'll be more like if I meet another photographer, or happen to walk by a music video set or something and begin shooting, and the director comes over and asks for my business card.
I'm guessing 100 of em would do for like a year or so.

[JessCumbie]

Ive used overnight prints before and never had a problem. Always fast and always great prints. I know other photographers that have nothing but good things to say about their experience with them.

What was the problem you ran into?

uploading my files, and the color they wanted to use.... I had to redo my jpeg almost 4 times till I finally said screw it. I tried all other forms and spent at least 45mins on the phone with customer service

[JaGWiRE]

uploading my files, and the color they wanted to use.... I had to redo my jpeg almost 4 times till I finally said screw it. I tried all other forms and spent at least 45mins on the phone with customer service
Doesn't sound like fun :(.

[JessCumbie]

Doesn't sound like fun :(.

no it wasn't fun. If you PM me your information or email jesscumbie@bellsouth.net I'll throw something together for your card to see how you like it.... did you get my sample link?

[rhys]

I'll be using my real e-mail and real phone #. I won't be giving this out like candy. It'll be more like if I meet another photographer, or happen to walk by a music video set or something and begin shooting, and the director comes over and asks for my business card.
I'm guessing 100 of em would do for like a year or so.

Always use a separate email/phone for business. Business and personal does not mix well.

[JaGWiRE]

Always use a separate email/phone for business. Business and personal does not mix well.
These cards will be used mainly for personal though.

[JessCumbie]

These cards will be used mainly for personal though.

I use all my reall cell phone number but I have a business email address

[JaGWiRE]

Bump, if anyone else wants to give the cards a try :P.

[JaGWiRE]

So do any of these places send them with something to carry them in? I want to keep them i ny bag, a box or something would be nice.
And do any of these sites accept paypal?

[JaGWiRE]

Here is the current design.
Let me know what you think. I feel something is missing with the overall design and contact info, it's lacking something that is making it kind of dull.
I'm not sure if the contact info needs to be repositioned or what. The text seems a little boring for the contact info, but it does need to be clear to read I guess.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d149/greeneyesmoothie/140296664__MG_6970wipsample.jpg
Ignore the phone #, I don't want the whole forum knowing my real phone #.

[red hot sheep]

Sorry, but that card doesn't do it for me. You'll be giving these cards to people in the street, so why not have a picture regarding street photography on?

[JaGWiRE]

Sorry, but that card doesn't do it for me. You'll be giving these cards to people in the street, so why not have a picture regarding street photography on?

None of my street photos of people I have premission for.
Are you suggesting one of these first photos in this gallery?
http://brianstar.smugmug.com/gallery/2445912
You think any of them would work? If so, which one?
How's the layout?

[CannedHeat]

Vista Prints vs. Overnight Prints

Don't be fooled by VistaPrints slick marketing. They are NOT necessarily lower cost as some say. VistaPrints is a "gotcha" company. A "gotcha" company is one of those companies that offer low, low prices to attract your attention but then add sneaky little "gotcha's" to the price. Although not necessarily unethical, to me it is manipulative and I personally won't do business with sneaky, manipulative companies.

COMPARE:

- Overnight prints, 250 single sided business cards, gloss = $24.95

- VistaPrints, same order, normal price $19.99 but with sale price $14.99. A lower price, right? Wrong! After the "gotcha's" it's more expensive:
- Most people design their own business cards. For the "privilege" of uploading your design file, vista prints charges $4.99. The price is now $19.98. Gotcha!
- Gloss finish? That's an extra $9.99! Total price is now $29.97. Gotcha!
- Want to see a proof? An extra $1.99. Total price is now $31.96. Gotcha! (Neither service offers a "match color proof" because of the RGB/CMYK problem. The proofs are only for checking your layout and spelling which, of course, you should have done before uploading the file.)

The "gotcha's" don't end there either.

SHIPPING (to my zip):

- Vista Pirnts - 21 days - $5.55. Overnight prints does not offer a comparable, slow service.
- Overnight prints - 5-8 days, $8.66. VistaPrints - 14 days - $9.25 (slower and more expensive.) Gotcha!
- Overnight prints - 3 day - $15.06. VistaPrints - 3 day - $25.29. A big $10.00 gotcha!

Etc., Etc.

The lesson here is not just about business cards. It's about any purchase. When comparing prices, compare the bottom line value. There's a lot of manipulative companies out there (such as on ebay) that catch you with low prices but then they "getcha" with added charges. /Dan

[Pinto]

Vista Prints vs. Overnight Prints

Don't be fooled by VistaPrints slick marketing. They are NOT necessarily lower cost as some say. VistaPrints is a "gotcha" company. A "gotcha" company is one of those companies that offer low, low prices to attract your attention but then add sneaky little "gotcha's" to the price. Although not necessarily unethical, to me it is manipulative and I personally won't do business with sneaky, manipulative companies.

COMPARE:

- Overnight prints, 250 single sided business cards, gloss = $24.95

- VistaPrints, same order, normal price $19.99 but with sale price $14.99. A lower price, right? Wrong! After the "gotcha's" it's more expensive:
- Most people design their own business cards. For the "privilege" of uploading your design file, vista prints charges $4.99. The price is now $19.98. Gotcha!
- Gloss finish? That's an extra $9.99! Total price is now $29.97. Gotcha!
- Want to see a proof? An extra $1.99. Total price is now $31.96. Gotcha! (Neither service offers a "match color proof" because of the RGB/CMYK problem. The proofs are only for checking your layout and spelling which, of course, you should have done before uploading the file.)

The "gotcha's" don't end there either.

SHIPPING (to my zip):

- Vista Pirnts - 21 days - $5.55. Overnight prints does not offer a comparable, slow service.
- Overnight prints - 5-8 days, $8.66. VistaPrints - 14 days - $9.25 (slower and more expensive.) Gotcha!
- Overnight prints - 3 day - $15.06. VistaPrints - 3 day - $25.29. A big $10.00 gotcha!

Etc., Etc.

The lesson here is not just about business cards. It's about any purchase. When comparing prices, compare the bottom line value. There's a lot of manipulative companies out there (such as on ebay) that catch you with low prices but then they "getcha" with added charges. /Dan

CannedHeat, excellent post!

[JaGWiRE]

Vistaprint is probably in the end several times more expensive then overnightprints. They killed it for me by not responding to my e-mail and not taking paypal. However, they probably offer the highest quality prints with some neat options.

[Lorem]

I want / am getting to the point where I need business cards. I want some nice sleek professional looking ones.
I do not want to design them myself. I am way too lazy and busy processing photos, and don't really know how to anyway.
Moo.com has interesting business cards, but it seems that to make em with different photos on the back, I'd have to take my photos from my smugmug, upload them to a free flickr account, and then crop on the moo.com site, kind of seems like a pain in the ass, selecting different photos, etc.
I'd be willing to have someone to do this as a service for me in return for cash, but I'm not sure who would do it, how much it'd cost, and where I'd get it printed locally or online, and what I even want on my business card. The moo.com one is nice, I've seen it before, but I don't use Flickr making it kind of a royal pain in the butt to make the cards from their service, I don't know what photos I'd pick, how many (you can use up to 100) and then cropping would be annoying.
Shrug..

I'm a graphic designer! I can help you make a killer business card. But I'm expensive.

[JaGWiRE]

I'm a graphic designer! I can help you make a killer business card. But I'm expensive.

Don't worry about it. Manipula helped me, he did a fabolous job.

[manipula]

<blushes>

Cheers Brian! ;)

[MikeMcL]

Moo.com also has pictures that you can use.

The moo cards are cute, but super lame IMO. They are more of a novelty than anything... i was thinking about them for a while, but they are pretty limited as far as what you can put on them. Simple might be good though.

I did an event and was asked for cards (the event was a favor that ended up making me a ton of sales) anyways, i sent a cheapy little card out as a one-time thing to let the parents know my name and number.

I did this, and printed it on 4x6's. I put a "promo code" ad on the back, and directed them to my site. They cost me like a nickel each, but the small batch ws cool. I had like 5 of these different designs, for a total of 20 individual images... I let the kids choose which ones they wanted for their moms.

Prolly not what you want, but just throwing an idea at you. They were a HUGE hit by the way... people freaked out about them, and were asking for a second one. I got quite a few 8x10 and 11x17 sales out of it too. (of the stock images on the cards that caught peoples' eye)

They are 2"x3" so if small is what you want, then they are like the moo cards in this way.

[acousticvibrations]

Vista Prints The Greatest !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even Better The Free Deals ;)



I've designed a few business cards myself. I love mine and would be happy to help you out with yours as long as you tell me exactly what you want.

I like the ones with an entire photo on them and then your info on top of your photo... or photo on the left side the all info in white on the right. And Vistaprint.com is the BEST place to get cards printed. Delivered in days and i got 2500 cards for $65 delivered.

We can talk about the $$ and i'll send you the sample of my cards.... if you like

[NBEast]

Check this (http://dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=10223&highlight=business+cards)thread.

[manipula]

Page one of that thread has some of THE worst cards I've ever seen. I clicked the red 'X'. it's not difficult, if it looks like it would go with your tie die backdrops and soft focus filters that you used in your 70's photography, your business card needs a fresh overhaul! lol!

<Smacks. Head. Against. Brick. Wall.> :p :rolleyes: :p

[dbvirago]

I use these people for mine http://www.printbusinesscards.com/ordering/Darryl-Brooks-Business-Cards.php

The top image layout is the one I use for my personal cards. You can use your own images and the will do the cropping, layout etc.