Cheap Business Cards

[colttrainer]

I use cardstock & laser jet. To many times the shop has made an error. SO I ask which is better a cheaper card that you always have on hand or do you tell that potential client that sorry but you are out of cards.

Al

[Suze]

I use cardstock & laser jet. To many times the shop has made an error. SO I ask which is better a cheaper card that you always have on hand or do you tell that potential client that sorry but you are out of cards.

Al

well you could always do purchased cards and have a little stash of homemade ones for "backup"

It would be better than saying "sorry, out of cards - let me scribble down my info for you"

[cdthayer]

I use cardstock & laser jet. To many times the shop has made an error. SO I ask which is better a cheaper card that you always have on hand or do you tell that potential client that sorry but you are out of cards.

Al

That reminds me of another benefit of producing your own cards.

When something changes in your contact information, the change can be implemented immediately. We print just a few at a time as we need them, and recently changed our web name. The new "dot com" was on our cards the same day.

It can be hard to dispose of a box of 500 expensive raised letter, embossed, 3-color cards, and when I used to buy that type, I would do as most do, and mark through the incorrect information and pen in the changes. I didn't realize how bad it looked until I got some of them from other people. A couple of them gave me their card and then immediately said "Let me have that back, that's not the right phone number anymore". After I got home and looked at the card again, they had scribbled the new number on the card, but I couldn't read it clearly (is that a "7" or a "1"?). Kind of ruins the effect of an elegant card.

CD in Oklahoma

thayerrags.com

[UKRay]

I don't think anyone has any doubts about the need for a business card, guys, but my question was about quality.

Let's say I produce a home made laser printed card myself or even order a cheapo business card from Vistaprint with all the right details on it, will people think that my business is potentially inferior to one that has its cards beautifully printed and presented? I think they might... what do you think?

Ray

[Johanna]

I don't think anyone has any doubts about the need for a business card, guys, but my question was about quality.

Let's say I produce a home made laser printed card myself or even order a cheapo business card from Vistaprint with all the right details on it, will people think that my business is potentially inferior to one that has its cards beautifully printed and presented? I think they might... what do you think?

Ray

Not the greatest picture, but here is the back and the front of the cards I got inexpensively from Vistaprint. The cardstock is heavy enough to proclaim "quality", and I love the "leatherish" design.

~J

[dirtclod]

When i get cards i get raised ink printing. It cost a little more but it sure does look nice. Homemade cards make me think that if the person is to cheap to get a better grade card they might be the same with with the materials and quality of their work. It's like a first impression when you meet somebody some you like right off the bat and others you don't. Plus you can take the cost of the cards off of your taxes.

[colttrainer]

I don't know about anybody else, but I DO NOT base my buying decision on the quality of there business cards. I want to see what they are capable of doing not their printer.

[dirtclod]

I said, they MIGHT be the same way when their materials and work when i was talking about the quality of their cards. Not that they WERE. I want to see something they have done to. But what do i know not much.

Edited March 13, 2010 by dirtclod

[UKRay]

I said, they MIGHT be the same way when their materials and work when i was talking about the quality of their cards. Not that they WERE. I want to see something they have done to. But what do i know not much.

I heard what you were saying, Dirtclod, and, as usual, am inclined to agree with you. Personally, I think you know a lot more than you let on... LOL

Equally, colttrainer's point is valid - of course it is my work that counts in the end not my printer's work. But first I have to get the customer interested enough to take a look.

As crafts people I would hope we would all take time to assess a person's work rather than make decisions based on their business card. Unfortunately we live in a world of conspicuous consumerism where people are judged by designer labels and by the car they drive. This extends to the way they brand their business and how they present themselves in a meeting.

Perhaps the US is different, but here in the UK a person is generally 'judged and hung' on first impressions. Seeing my business card is often the first time a potential customer 'meets' my business' 'face' so obviously I'm concerned that I present the best face possible and give myself the best possible chance of doing business ever time I hand out a card.

I have looked at Johanna's card and sure enough it is a very good looking piece of work and exactly what I would expect from someone who has achieved so much (some might say the impossible) and now has no need to impress anyone with business card bling. It is a good solid piece of business collateral and is not pretentious in any way. I should also add that she did a much better design job than I did!

However, I'm asking if bling has a value with customers that goes beyond a casual glance and a nod of approval. Does the look and feel of raised ink printing add value to my business offering? If it does then I want it. I want my business to look better than my competition in every way. What do you think about that?

[colttrainer]

Every one has a opinion, All I have seen so far on this site is every one trying to justify why their opinion is the right one. That is so sad to see.

You all have a good day, this was the last straw as they say. I won't bother with people that are that closed minded.