In need of Business Cards and How to design

[bryanpritchard]

Any online places that will allow you design an awesome Photography business card to advertise my business?
Thanks

Bryan

[Light Currents]

Originally Posted by bryanpritchard

Any online places that will allow you design an awesome Photography business card to advertise my business?
Thanks

Bryan

Do whatever is right for you. Personally, my three attempts at working with an (online) graphic designer were disasters. I shoot pics for magazines. I eventually approached one of the graphic artists on a (local) magazine staff and asked her to design one for me. She did a fantastic card for 50 bucks.

I suggest you: (1) work with a local designer, (2) consider approaching a graphic designer who works for a local magazine, newspaper or publisher, or (3) go to a local college and get the help of a graphic design student. The student's price will be low and they will appreciate the work and extra money.

LC

[Reekon]

I can design you one for $35, I'm trying to buy a waccom tablet so I really need the money. you don't pay if you don't like it, no up front money or risk.

[bryanpritchard]

Sure.can I pay pal you? I need to think what I want first or an you help me with that
Here is what I do Models etc...

SmugMug Photo Sharing. Your photos look better here.

[Reekon]

yes I do have pay pal, i would rather you have a ballpark ideal of what you want cause designing in the blind is tough. What I may think is a 10 you may consider a 5, just like photography everyone has there own taste. I will check out your site to get some ideals but I want you to do the same.

[bryanpritchard]

NOw once you design it what then?

[jason.young]

Business Cards, Postcards, Flyers, Brochures, Letterhead , Greeting Cards & Envelopes Overnight ~ by OvernightPrints.com

this is where I get mine. they have a template for whatever software you use! upload your design and pay and in a week you will have them!
good quality!!!

[Reekon]

Originally Posted by bryanpritchard

NOw once you design it what then?

I e=mail you the card stamped with SAMPLE cross the front and if you like it you Pay pal me $35 and once money is received I send you a unstamped version. If you don't like it I'll re do it or you tell me no thank you and shop else where, like I said no risk to you at all.

[Light Currents]

I've tried both overnight prints and vista prints. In my personal experience, the service and quality of vista prints is a little better, but all around they're basically the same. Vista prints has all the same templates, interactive-driven design options, etc., etc.

[jason.young]

Originally Posted by Light Currents

I've tried both overnight prints and vista prints. In my personal experience, the service and quality of vista prints is a little better, but all around they're basically the same. Vista prints has all the same templates, interactive-driven design options, etc., etc.

thank you i will keep that in mind!

[euglan]

cheap business cards at vista print
online i would try the thelogocompany.net they are very reasonable and can do great stuff

[clarebear]

ive been very happy with Vista Print online! easy to use online or offline template designing.

clare

[katzendrek]

Good Day ,

You can do this easily in photoshop . No need to use outside printers for this. Use your own images and set your own type. 2 x 3.5 inch template . OpenOffice 2.4 is a free office suite . Paper , use Hahnemule Smoothe pearl . A rotary cutter . Free templates from avery software . Providing your printer can handle it.

Best Regards,
A. G. aka Katzendrek

[Light Currents]

Originally Posted by katzendrek

Good Day ,

You can do this easily in photoshop . No need to use outside printers for this. Use your own images and set your own type. 2 x 3.5 inch template . OpenOffice 2.4 is a free office suite . Paper , use Hahnemule Smoothe pearl . A rotary cutter . Free templates from avery software .

Best Regards,
A. G. aka Katzendrek

Or use a publishing program like pagemaker or quark to gang your own.

Unfortunately, the problem with this suggestion is the printing. Many people have printers that will not handle stock thick enough to be business cards. Even the more expensive epson r2400 has problems handling some thick papers such as Hahnemule.

And you certainly don't ever want to hand out a business card printed on anything other than standard, thick stock. VERY unprofessional.

[LLoyd]

I use PsPrint,easy down load templets and set up, great pricing & qualilty

[00silvergt]

My advice is not to get too caught up with the business card. It is something that most people would be filing or throwing away. I don't know of a vendor we use that we use strictly for their business cards. It should identify you and the nature of the business and how to contact you. No more, no less. What you should really work on is the portfolio, since that is what will bring in the business, not some fancy business card.

BTW, I didn't mean to playah hate there, Reekon, my post is not meant to interfere with your dealings...sorry if it accidentally has.

[Light Currents]

Originally Posted by 00silvergt

My advice is not to get too caught up with the business card. It is something that most people would be filing or throwing away. I don't know of a vendor we use that we use strictly for their business cards. It should identify you and the nature of the business and how to contact you. No more, no less. What you should really work on is the portfolio, since that is what will bring in the business, not some fancy business card.

BTW, I didn't mean to playah hate there, Reekon, my post is not meant to interfere with your dealings...sorry if it accidentally has.

I am going to disagree with this, at least in part. I shoot for various magazines. I contracted with the art director of one of the magazines to design my business card for me (on the side - independent, personal contract - not thru the magazine).

While communicating back and forth about drafts, changes, etc. this very subject came up and this is what the art director said: they have so many different photographers approaching them who all seem the same, often the only way (for the magazine) to evaluate the talents and proficiency of an (untested / unknown) photographer is via the professionalism of his/her presentation which is communicated via their business card, info packet, brochure, rack card, etc.

A business card contains your business contact information. But it also can represent your degree of professionalism. This was from the mouth of an art director of a major magazine who also functions as assignment editor dispensing assignments to photographers. Your image, your business card, IS important.

To be perceived as a professional, you have to appear as one.

[00silvergt]

Originally Posted by Light Currents

I am going to disagree with this, at least in part. I shoot for various magazines. I contracted with the art director of one of the magazines to design my business card for me (on the side - independent, personal contract - not thru the magazine).

While communicating back and forth about drafts, changes, etc. this very subject came up and this is what the art director said: they have so many different photographers approaching them who all seem the same, often the only way (for the magazine) to evaluate the talents and proficiency of an (untested / unknown) photographer is via the professionalism of his/her presentation which is communicated via their business card, info packet, brochure, rack card, etc.

A business card contains your business contact information. But it also can represent your degree of professionalism. This was from the mouth of an art director of a major magazine who also functions as assignment editor dispensing assignments to photographers. Your image, your business card, IS important.

To be perceived as a professional, you have to appear as one.

In a way, we are sort of saying the same thing, maybe I am not communicating my idea very well. I guess what I really intended by my post is that moderation and control is mandated when you want to communicate your professionalism via your business card. People tend to get pretty radical and "go off" on their designs when designing their business cards. I've seen photog's cards with pictures of their camera, their lenses, etc. Bottom line is to keep it moderate and control the clutter and fight the urge to get too artistic with your cards. Your portfolio will communicate that, your cards will get you the phone call.