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Business Cards

Last post 21 Aug 2007 by

carly

Page 1 of 1

edhall

Was curious if anyone knew of a online printer that prints square business cards?

Or better yet off size business cards. I've found a few but would rather go with recommended printers.

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Ed
i design things.

Reply 20 Aug 2007

carly

I have no idea of online printers or printers in America and how their quality would compare.

But a square Business Card would just be a regular size card with a cut on one side to make it square....unless they do custom sizes of however many up on the sheet. Make sure you tell them the size you want when getting a quote as they it may either be cheaper as it's smaller, or could cost more to have an extra cut. All print companies vary slightly in their standard sizes but generally are 90x55 or 85x50mm. I would suggest finding a printer first and then getting their print specifications from them, instead of going through the trouble of modifying your design incase you specs don't match up with theirs. Things such as how they want their files supplied and what kind of cost difference between PMS and CMYK printing. This can be a huge hassle sometimes.

In my personal experience I would recommend finding a printer that prints at at least 300lpi. For Business Cards especially this is good because people look at them close up. This will mean the detail in your cards is a lot more fine and you wont be able to notice so much the printing dots like in regular 175lpi printing. It makes a HUGE impact on how people view your cards.

I know of printers in Australia which I highly recommend and you can do everything with them online (through emails) though the cost may be more to other services you have found. You'd be looking at approx. $105USD for standard size cards, 300gsm stock printed 2sides full colour with matt or gloss celloglaze, bit extra for square....then about $25USD for shipping to US. The cost of shipping is a bit silly as it's not something they regularly do, but they can if you want it. They also now do 400gsm stock if you want something heavier but obviously the cost will increase some..

Hope that helps any

Quote 20 Aug 2007

edhall

Yeah that's what I would do for a local printer but I was trying to find something online for any freelance work that I do.

Getting a standard size business card is pretty common. But when you get into the ideal of using a card size that's not standard then prices in many cases doubles or even triples.

The square cards are a little larger than a standard card I'm looking for 4"x4" (101x101mm approx). Some places do this size and a step down with a 3x3inch card.

I most likely will be printing CMYK due to cost and it's funny you mention the dpi. I know so many people that go to the local print shops (not professional print just a copy place like Kinkos) to get their business cards. Then they ask me what I think of them. I return by pulling out my business card collection and show them how a business card should be printed.

:) But thanks
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Ed
i design things.

Quote 21 Aug 2007

carly

In that case it's not considered a Business Card but more like an A6 with a cut. No wonder you are finding expensive prices.

Are you still going to use these as Business Cards as such? Or something else? Because if people can't fit it in their wallet then they'll probably lose it.

It is also dependant on the size you want, the stock, 1 or 2 sides, and quantity as to whether CMYK or PMS is cheaper. It's always different in different circumstances.

Having worked as a printer in my previous life I never had the need to find an online printer. Sorry I can't help there,

Quote 21 Aug 2007

edhall

Yeah I've taken into consideration the wallet size. But the card is for a interior designer and it's supposed to resemble color swatch (which are commonly square).
----
Ed
i design things.

Quote 21 Aug 2007

carly

I would suggest contacting printers and asking if they will send you sample prints of the stock and finish you want. This way you don't have to spend any money to see what they are like. Most should be happy to...

Quote 21 Aug 2007

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