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Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Getting Clever with Business Cards























I can’t resist an OvernightPrints.com FREE business card promotion. Sorry for the late notice, but they are still running one now through Thursday, October 16. Use code CARDS08 once you’re in the checkout. I receive these promos through email because I order so much through them, next one I’ll try to post sooner. Even without the promo, they are quite inexpensive to order.

I decided that my blog cards should probably look more like my actual blog and I am almost out of my earlier ones anyway. If you’d like to see how those were done, click HERE. And for some other good uses of OvernightPrints.com cards, click over to my other blog HERE.

This time around, I again wanted a unique shape for my blog cards, and was able to get 2 price tags from each card. I designed the cards as two-sided and created little tag sections at the top. Always be sure to print out your design and trim prior to ordering to make sure you have your cut areas lined up and in this case, enough room for hole punches in the tags. You will have to follow the instructions on the site for 2-sided cards, so they align top-to-bottom correctly. If you’re not as well versed in design software or designing in general, you can still use this basic concept and possibly print beautiful patterns or photo images on one side and your name or business on the other. Just be open to all the possibilities these little cards hold. Overnight prints has the best, heaviest and smoothest card stock I have found. They offer a thick UV coating at no additional cost, just be sure you don’t specify that on the side you may be writing your prices on or the ink will certainly smear.
Once I received the cards, it was over to the paper cutter. I have 3 different size cutters. All found second hand. So keep an good eye out, these are great tools to have. Older ones tend to be a little out of alignment so once you find the best place to cut, mark it with tape.
{photo one} I build up my tape a few layers and it makes lining up a card mistake proof as I just slide the card over until it hits the tape then cut. {photo two} With this little raised edge, you could almost cut these blindfolded, (but for obvious reasons, please don’t!)
{photo three & four} Once the tops were trimmed, {photo five & six} I cut the tags sections in half, hole punched with a punch tool (regular hand held hole punches work also, if you have the very tiny hole ones.)

I found some great thin, shiny black elastic string in the bead/jewelry making section of Michael’s Crafts, but any thin string will work, though I prefer elastic.

Now I have cool new streamline calling cards and a whole bunch of tags for pricing my craft show items.


UPDATE:
Next day I made a leather card case for my blog cards, to see it, click HERE!

28 comments:

High Desert Diva said...

Exceedingly clever

Little Lovables said...

Fantastic, as always!

Lisa Jo Perdue said...

Awesome solution! I am VERY happy to hear of the OP promo...I need cards! Thank you! And I must say I was VERY pleased with the order I placed with them...crazy fast and excellent quality. And all because of your little ole blog!

Sew Gracious said...

WOW! Very clever! :-)

Anonymous said...

Another nifty idea. I just put your blog on my blogroll so I be sure to remember to check you out more often.

Robin Lynne said...

I am just so amazed at you and your papercutting/business card deconstruction skills! Another fabulous project. I need to get one those paper cutters.

Good job! :)

-Robin Lynne
www.robinlynne.org

Anonymous said...

Beautiful cards!

PUMPKIN PETUNIA said...

Genius!

Heather Hyatt said...

Love the idea - and you execute it so well - your tags look fabulous.

Jennifer said...

What a great idea!!

TidyMom said...

What perfect timing I was just thinking I'd love to get some cards!!

~Tidymom

Ama said...

I love your design, and using the whole card like that is cunningly clever =^x^= Thanks for the idea!

Lindsey Michelle said...

What a great way to maxmize your printing and create a unique card at the same time! The design is great...I'm impressed!

{ Lindsey }
www.coveiter.com

Elizabeth @ My Life, Such as it is... said...

really cool idea! and more bang for the buck which is always nice.

Terri Pezzullo - Handmade said...

What a great idea!! Everything looks so beautiful!

Stacey @ The Blessed Nest said...

I LOVE this idea!! Way to go!

Beki - TheRustedChain said...

You are so smart and those are GORGEOUS!

I've used them and was very happy with their product and service, but I had a really hard time figuring out how to get my image exactly right. :( I would need help if I ordered from them again because my cards came out with white edges, which was my own fault, not overnightprints's.

The heavey glossy double sided cards are awesome though!

Learning Spanish at 41 said...

These are not only clever but such a wonderful design. Thank you for sharing the idea and pics with us!

BeckyKay said...

You are so stinkin' smart!!! I love this idea!

Melanie - Everything Etsy said...

Great Idea! Love it.

Anonymous said...

They look so beautiful and well designed however used, you really have got yourself a bargain!

Anonymous said...

I was so disappointed this morning, I had an awful run-in with the Overnight Prints.com staff. Probably some of the worst customer service in a long time. They blamed their inadequacy on a recent "expansion", just curious if you've ever had trouble with them before. You are not the only blogger to have recommended their services and I was so excited to try them out. This just put a real damper on the experience. I was so inspired by what you've done with their products, just might need to find a different printer to apply them.

Cathe Holden said...

Tiffany, I'm so sorry to hear you had a bad experience! I have had to deal with customer service before a few times, over quality control-ink coverage, and they always came through. I hate that a company I recommended is falling short. Thanks for bringing it to the table and I hope they can make it right with you.

Cathe

Anonymous said...

Thanks Cathe, but no worries about making a recommendation. I would never blame the recommender for the recomendee's issues. :) Their customer service reps most definitely have not come through but I'm giving them one more shot. The problem for us was with shipping, not the production value. Hoping this was just one little blip in the system and that next time it will go more smoothly. Just was curious if you had noticed a change in their service since their "expansion".

Unknown said...

THis is so brilliant! I got my regular business cards from them, but I never thought about making price tags! I agree with you, if you get the shiny side on both sides you will NEVER be able to write anything on them. :) Thanks for the wonderful idea. I'm going to wait for another promo code and do this!

Anonymous said...

Veeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrry creative indeed. Do stop by my blog sometime & say hello!

~Amber
http://cloud9designstudio.etsy.com

Mom O Matic said...

Not just a great idea but very well executed! Pretty designs!

shopPOPKO said...

great idea! ive been meaning to do somethign like this but your detailed instructions make it so easy THANKS!