I'm Dumb/Biz Card Typo

[gregpphoto]

Who misspells their own phone number? For that matter, can you "misspell" a number? Anyway, I got these way killer 5x7 promo cards made up intended for art galleries and the such. I always proof before I print, twice on different days even, but somehow, inexplicably, at the worst moment, I completely missed it. 9419 instead of 8419. God. At a dollar a pop w/ a minimum run of 200, and being a gift, and being printed in Taiwan, there is no option of a reprint. So I have two recourses:

Send em out as is, since my website, flickr, and email addresses are right.

Or,

Since a 9 in the font I chose is extremely close an 8 with the bottom left part chopped out, I'm thinking about getting a 1pt sable brush and some white paint (white letters on brown background) and going in there and making each 9 into an 8. Time consuming, maybe, but worth it if it fixes it.

Whatchyall think? If you have better ideas hit me up at 908 217 8419 (Yes I proofed it this time :))

[polarbare]

if i got your card and you had to tell me the phone number was incorrect, I'd immediately assume you didn't have good attention to detail and that would influence my decision to hire you.. but that's just me. :)

[gregpphoto]

if i got your card and you had to tell me the phone number was incorrect, I'd immediately assume you didn't have good attention to detail and that would influence my decision to hire you.. but that's just me. :)

No, I totally agree, which is why I'm gonna do my best to correct it. In either case I probably wouldn't mention it, so I could have changed numbers and you wouldn't know the difference..;)

[dreamcatcher23]

Hmm. I think painting over is probably the better option. Another thing to try would be to put a sticker over the while number with the new number on - that way people will just think you've changed your number since having the cards printed.

[gregpphoto]

Hmm. I think painting over is probably the better option. Another thing to try would be to put a sticker over the while number with the new number on - that way people will just think you've changed your number since having the cards printed.

That's option 2, let's hope it doesn't come to that!

[mutau052]

I've thrown away cards due to this. If your serious about your business you'll pay to have them reprinted correctly.

[Lightworks Imaging]

Yep, I agree with the second poster. if I get a card from a professional, and I see a typo in the phone number, straight to the circular file. I would eat the $200.00. The stickers are about the only option that I see, as painting the numbers looks less then professional. But, I also spell check my e-mails and forum posts too. Not prefect, but as was stated it comes down to the "attention to detail".

[dreamcatcher23]

prefect, heh.

[Mark Anthony]

I made a similar mistake.. missed a dot out of my web address.. i can remember typing it too so i can honestly say miss hit the key or something equally annoying.. only did a quick spell check so only have myself to blame.. i'd have to say re print every time as it reflects on your whole business i think.

[AliinDXB]

I believe this would be the difference between a pro and a amatuer photog. I would consider it if I were your client.

[dreamcatcher23]

is $200 significant to you? Do you think you'll miss out on getting $200+ of business beause of the error? If you will, reprint. If you won't, or have real trouble affording the $200, why not just do a shorter run of reprints?

[gregpphoto]

$200 is the world to me at the moment. They don't offer runs less than 200 and it was a gift from the photographer who I shoot weddings for/with. She gets her printing done in Taiwan to save on cost and the printer doesn't work with just anyone, you have to have an account. So I'm down to the two options I listed above, and I truly think that painting in the missing part of the "8" will work. If I didn't I wouldn't try it. And if it doesn't work out, yes, I'll probably scrap the cards, but again, unlike words, no one would know its a typo until they call, and in that event, they can't email me?

Once I make the fix, I'll post some before and after shots, and you can all be the judge.

[gregpphoto]

Yep, I agree with the second poster. if I get a card from a professional, and I see a typo in the phone number, straight to the circular file. I would eat the $200.00. The stickers are about the only option that I see, as painting the numbers looks less then professional. But, I also spell check my e-mails and forum posts too. Not prefect, but as was stated it comes down to the "attention to detail".

But how would you know theres a typo? People do change phone numbers.

Also, how is a sticker any better? To me its worse, because you would clearly see it. All I need to do is add a tiny bit to the bottom of the 9 and it becomes an 8. Trust me, you would never know.

[dreamcatcher23]

If you can do a good job of correcting it and you'd be happy with the result, go for it. You don't need our opinions on your business if you'd be happy to have the flyers representing your brand.

You could always correct half of them and see how that goes... does most of your work comet thru calls or email anyway?

[gregpphoto]

If you can do a good job of correcting it and you'd be happy with the result, go for it. You don't need our opinions on your business if you'd be happy to have the flyers representing your brand.

You could always correct half of them and see how that goes... does most of your work comet thru calls or email anyway?

I'd say 90% is from emails, and I'm guessing thats close for most people starting out. Not everyone wants to take the time to call, nor should they in today's world.

[alabama1980]

I have it!! Just change your phone number! :)

If it's any consolation, the first run I ever made I made in photoshop. Of course I was editing it much bigger than actual size...but after I had them printed the font was so small that you needed a magnifying glass to read the web address and other vital info.

Personally, I would reprint. Trust me, this is coming from a poor guy, so $200 is a ton of money to me, but it would drive me nuts and I would be afraid it would reflect on me and the service I offer.

[jloehle]

$200 for 200 5x7 postcards??? That is crazy high. Your friend isn't doing you any favors with that vendor. I pay less than $100 for 1000 and they are super high quality. I'm a graphic designer and very picky about my offset printing.

Joe

[gregpphoto]

$200 for 200 5x7 postcards??? That is crazy high. Your friend isn't doing you any favors with that vendor. I pay less than $100 for 1000 and they are super high quality. I'm a graphic designer and very picky about my offset printing.

Joe

"Super high quality." No offense, but I wouldn't trust anything or anyone's opinion with those words ;) When it comes to printing, I've found that 99% of the time, you get what you pay for. Sure, you may have found the killer deal, theres always a few out there. But are you trying to tell me that a printer who sells their cards for 10 cents each can offer the same quality as one who sells each card for a dollar?

Care to see mine? PM me your address. I'll bet you start drooling when you see them hahah.

[jloehle]

"Super high quality." No offense, but I wouldn't trust anything or anyone's opinion with those words ;) When it comes to printing, I've found that 99% of the time, you get what you pay for. Sure, you may have found the killer deal, theres always a few out there. But are you trying to tell me that a printer who sells their cards for 10 cents each can offer the same quality as one who sells each card for a dollar?

Care to see mine? PM me your address. I'll bet you start drooling when you see them hahah.

Well, I am not on a graphic design forum where we can discuss the technicalities of offset printing. We can discuss the types of paper, dot gain, spot varnish and bleeds if you want.

Yes, in this case I do believe that "a printer who sells their cards for 10 cents each can offer the same quality as one who sells each card for a dollar." Actually I believe it is much better quality. If they are only printing 200 of them, my bet is that they are digitally printing them and not doing them offset with a varnish on top. That's the only way to do 200 cost-effectively.

No need for a PM. My business address is on my web site anyway.
EOJ Inc.
415 Magnolia Street
St Simons Island, GA 31522

I'll return the favor when I receive your cards (be it business card, postcard, multi-page brochure, etc).

Thanks,
Joe

[RolyRatman]

But, I also spell check my e-mails and forum posts too. Not prefect, but as was stated it comes down to the "attention to detail".

Now please tell me you slipped that in on purpose......:D

[ief]

I'd do this, if i did not want to throw them away: I'd burn the edges of your cards slightly, drip some ink / paint spatters over them , scratch out the wrong digit and correct it with a ballpoint - go wild but keep it readable. With a bit of luck it might look like some real fun, original, crazy Bizz card that reflects your artistic- experimental- out of the box merits ( and the typo was ment on purpose ), who knows. Then i'd keep these cards for your more 'experimental' clients /assignments and shell out the cash for corrected ones for your more serious clients. :)

[gregpphoto]

I'd do this, if i did not want to throw them away: I'd burn the edges of your cards slightly, drip some ink / paint spatters over them , scratch out the wrong digit and correct it with a ballpoint - go wild but keep it readable. With a bit of luck it might look like some real fun, original, crazy Bizz card that reflects your artistic- experimental- out of the box merits ( and the typo was ment on purpose ), who knows. Then i'd keep these cards for your more 'experimental' clients /assignments and shell out the cash for corrected ones for your more serious clients. :)

I did think of that, might give it a try.

[cdifoto]

Another thing to try would be to put a sticker over the while number with the new number on - that way people will just think you've changed your number since having the cards printed.
I did this to business cards. I did legitimately change my number but carrying a Sharpie around got old fast. lol. I put a strip sticker across the entire number since the only constant was the area code. I made sure I pointed it out and explained it to everyone I gave my card to and they said they would never have noticed if I hadn't said something. The Sharpie, on the other hand, was pretty obvious. :D

An alternative is to lie through your teeth - blame it on the lab and say they were jerks and wouldn't reprint despite their own error. :p

[Karl Johnston]

200 $ on business cards? Good god where did you print? That's heinous ..they must be some business cards. I could order 1000 plastic cards for that price.

http://www.5000cards.com

GO! Be enlightened! The advantage of buying in bulk!

[Nathan]

Take a photo of the cards... we'd like to seem them.

Depending on the font and the color of the card, the paint fix could do it. If you have a macro lens, that'd be even better.

[gregpphoto]

200 $ on business cards? Good god where did you print? That's heinous ..they must be some business cards. I could order 1000 plastic cards for that price.

http://www.5000cards.com

GO! Be enlightened! The advantage of buying in bulk!

I wish people knew how to read. My OP states they aren't business cards but 5x7 promo cards. And remember, real printers, not online "bargain" printers, charge real money, not six million cards for $50.

[Nathan]

I wish people knew how to read.

Before you slam us, your topic thread says two things:

1) You're dumb
2) They're "biz" cards

That dumb thing was a joke... the set up was easy... hope you have some thick skin.

[gregpphoto]

Before you slam us, your topic thread says two things:

1) You're dumb
2) They're "biz" cards

That dumb thing was a joke... the set up was easy... hope you have some thick skin.

I do. I haven't had one problem with what anyone said about my error. But when I have written in the OP what kind of cards they were and what size.. Maybe the comment was written without fully reading the op?

[Nathan]

I think the difference between a business card and a promo card are mere semantics. People have cards of difference sizes, shapes, and messages. The purpose is the same: marketing design with contact information. A business card is just a miniature billboard you can hand out to people... a promo card is a larger version of that.

Post some photos and maybe I'll take back my words. :p

[gregpphoto]

I'm working on getting a finer tip brush. So far the brushes ive used are just too thick. That and I need a loupe. I am now considering a reprint because I am meeting w/ a potential wedding client this week. If they make a deposit I can reprint the cards.

[dekalbSTEEL]

First Rule of Proofreading:

Never proofread your own work!

Ask someone else to do it. They will see things as they are,

you see things as you think they are.

Good luck with your attempt to correct:)

[gregpphoto]

First Rule of Proofreading:

Never proofread your own work!

Ask someone else to do it. They will see things as they are,

you see things as you think they are.

Good luck with your attempt to correct:)

You got that right.

[Nathan]

Except it's hard for someone to pick up on the fact that there's a wrong phone number.

These sound like amazing cards since you're so intent on fixing this or getting them reprinted. Still anxious to see what they look like.

[gregpphoto]

Except it's hard for someone to pick up on the fact that there's a wrong phone number.

These sound like amazing cards since you're so intent on fixing this or getting them reprinted. Still anxious to see what they look like.

Picture a 5x7 silky matte card w/ rounded corners and beautiful thickness. PM your address and I'll send you one. A photo of them wouldn't do justice. And hey, maybe you could find cheaper stuff for the same paper, but I'm really big on these.

[Nouks]

I'd probably try to correct a few of them by painting over or using stickers just to have business cards available for the time being, and reprint good ones as soon as possible.