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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Business cards on photo paper
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Showing posts 1 - 16 of 16, (reverse)
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 06/25/2006 12:05:41 AM · #1
Tell me if this idea is dumb :-)

I'm thinking of having my new business cards printed on photo paper. I'm thinging I could do 2 business cards on one file for 4x6 and have them printed. Total cost would be $20 for 200 business cards.

I could also do quite a few cards on a 8x10 print. Would probably cost more per card, but be less of a hassle to cut using a cutting board.

I just thought it'd be a novel idea.

So, dumb? And matte or glossy?


06/25/2006 12:09:18 AM · #2
You can fit 3 on a 4x6 print (each card is 3.5 x 2). I use matte so it doesn't show fingerprints as easily, but use glossy if you have a photo which needs it.

The advantage to this technique is you can print small batches of different cards for different uses or just variety, for about 5 cents/card. The disadvantage is you need time, a steel ruler, a cutting mat, and a supply of sharp X-acto blades.

Three cuts needed -- one down the edge to take off the extra 1/2 inch, then two transverse cuts to separate the 3 cards. Make the backgrounds different colors or leave a 1-3 pixel contrasting line to mark the cuts.

Message edited by author 2006-06-25 00:11:06.
 06/25/2006 12:24:59 AM · #3
I'm a fan of the idea, not from a practical standpoint, but from the standpoint of being able to give somebody a card that is unique and memorable.
 06/25/2006 12:36:55 AM · #4
Originally posted by klstover:
I'm a fan of the idea, not from a practical standpoint, but from the standpoint of being able to give somebody a card that is unique and memorable.


That's what I'm hoping. As you might have read in another thread, I'm seriously trying to go for a higher paying customer than I have before. I'm not ready to go after the $10k crowd yet, but making a huge jump in that direction.

Message edited by author 2006-06-25 00:37:17.
 06/25/2006 12:41:21 AM · #5
Print on Glossy card stock. If you print on photo paper, it will eventually warp. And you don't want to be more warped than ya already are, now, do ya??
 06/25/2006 12:43:58 AM · #6
Check out Vista Print.

I just ordered mine through them for $12 after or so for 250 matte photo cards. I have some friends who highly recommended them. They also have a photoshop format template that you can download for designing your own cards.

I have a coupon for $4.99 for 250 premium cards if anyone needs it, just give/send me your email address. It will cost $4.99 the first time you upload your own design so I am guessing it will be around $15 after shipping and handling for 250 cards.

Jenn
 06/25/2006 01:12:18 AM · #7
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
I'm seriously trying to go for a higher paying customer than I have before. I'm not ready to go after the $10k crowd yet, but making a huge jump in that direction.


Good luck! :-)
 06/25/2006 01:50:18 AM · #8
You might also want to look at using Avery Ink Jet business card stock. They make one called Glossy Clean Edge Business Cards. About $24 for a package of 20 sheets, 10 cards to an 8.5 x 11 sheet, for a total of 200 cards. They also have free template downloads on their site for designing your card. I use a Word template (a blank template with no design), insert a photo that I have sized to 3.5" x 2" for background and then put text boxes over that. Or I jsut include the text when doing the photo. I print only a sheet or two each time and then I can change the background photo whenever I want.

Good luck.

edit: forgot to tell you. It is Avery #8879 - not sure what the number is for the matte or linen stock but they have it.

edit 2: here is a sample of one I made up:


Message edited by author 2006-06-25 01:56:49.
 06/25/2006 01:56:55 AM · #9
//www.overnightprints.com

I buy cards in 1000 quantity for $40. They are excellent cards. I recommend this service highly.
 06/25/2006 05:00:01 AM · #10
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
Originally posted by klstover:
I'm a fan of the idea, not from a practical standpoint, but from the standpoint of being able to give somebody a card that is unique and memorable.


That's what I'm hoping. As you might have read in another thread, I'm seriously trying to go for a higher paying customer than I have before. I'm not ready to go after the $10k crowd yet, but making a huge jump in that direction.


I personally think cards, printed at home on photo paper, or even through a store on photo paper, oozes home-job.. not so professional. If you are going for the upper crust I would get a top quality printer in your area to print out some good color cards, on heavy paper. I am sure they would have a few other unique paper styles if you need something different. Printing on both sides is another unique idea you could use with a local high quality printer.

I have received some business cards from other photographers printed by themselves (i think they even laminated them which looked good), however it was easy to tell they cut them themselves. the little bit of a rough edge or slightest variation from 90 degree corners show. It is hard to match a professional cut card. The paper was also a bit thin.

My conclusion
It is awfully hard, if not impossible to make them NOT homemade when made at home. Go for a professional card printer.

Message edited by author 2006-06-25 05:00:57.
 06/25/2006 05:03:21 AM · #11
I agree with Leaf.
 06/25/2006 08:50:38 AM · #12
I've seen the cards done on kodak paper, etc. Always strikes me as a home made, non-professional way of doing it. I've seen it done at bridal shows and while the concept seems like a good one, in practice it comes off as cheap (and it acually costs more than regular cards)
 06/25/2006 09:04:29 AM · #13
I'll second that... I've got a bunch of cards that were done for me in and they got done on photo paper. I was thoroughly unimpressed with the look and feel when I got them

Now if you want something unique, there ARE a number of options out there... A friend of mine is getting some plastic cards made and some other ones done that have that 3d back and forth thing on them...
 06/25/2006 02:02:05 PM · #14
Thanks for the ideas and critiques guys. I was looking for something unique, but I can definitely see that there would be quality issues with having cards printed on photo paper.

Perhaps a good heavy card stock is what I need.
 06/25/2006 02:40:19 PM · #15
Plus, when I had photo paper business cards, any moisture would ruin the card, the inks or chemicals blead more on photo paper then the inks used for the card stocks which are used for traditional business cards. Just a heads up, cus it looks bad then a drop of water hits them.
 06/25/2006 03:16:47 PM · #16
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
//www.overnightprints.com

I buy cards in 1000 quantity for $40. They are excellent cards. I recommend this service highly.


I second them- evryone I hand my card to oos & ahhs over them, especially how you can include a front & back. Very professional outfit & you can download a template so you can fit exactly. I'm sure you can find an online coupon too.
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