Show us your business Card! [Sitemap] - Page 4 - Digital Grin Photography Forum

Alex Nail

May-24-2007, 11:29 PM

love that card and the picture. I'm by NO means an expert on this, but just my own observation, the text on the top "alex nail PHOTOGRAPHY" grabs me. The text on the bottom doesn't. Wonder how it would look if you played with the darker gray text. Maybe draw my eye below the picture to see the website addy? :scratch

Thankyou, yes I can see what you mean. I have since unsquashed the below text a bit but I am happy that it is not contending for attention with the title. I think its inportant that "alex nail photography" is the first thing that is read. Thanks very much for your input.

Alex

Belg

May-27-2007, 04:08 AM

Front:

http://www.terrawolf.com/photos/147922978-S.jpg

Back:

http://www.terrawolf.com/photos/144851610-S.jpg

Photo's mine, Front's from a graphic designer buddy of mine :)

Cuties02q

Jun-05-2007, 01:05 PM

Here is mine...it is simple but that is ok :D

http://cuties02q.smugmug.com/photos/159891703-L.jpg

Mike Lane

Jun-05-2007, 01:41 PM

Here is mine...it is simple but that is ok :D

http://cuties02q.smugmug.com/photos/159891703-L.jpgThe text on the bottom gets a bit lost in the bright area on the right. You could add a simple 1 pixel black outter stroke in photoshop to make it stand out a bit more. Other than that, I like it. :thumb

Cuties02q

Jun-05-2007, 01:48 PM

I didn't know how to do that :dunno But they just came in the mail today and the writing looks better on the actual card. I really need to learn to use photoshop..lol.

scwalter

Jun-13-2007, 01:29 AM

Mike Lane

Jun-13-2007, 02:36 AM

Here's my first stab at it (note the black border is the trim edge)... lemme know what you think and please be honest, I can take it.

If I pick this one, I'll tweak my websit a bit to match...

Thanks,
Scott

http://scwalter.smugmug.com/photos/162436381-M.jpg
http://scwalter.smugmug.com/photos/162436375-M.jpgI just read the non-designer's design book by robin williams so I'm a veritable pro graphic designer now! :lol3

Okay, not so much, I know. But I can parrot a few things she talks about that I'm seeing on your card. Ready?

First off, I love the gray orange theme. I say go with it. Love it, love it, love it.

Second. There is a bit of a difference in the fonts on the text side. Your name is a wee smidge larger. But it's not large enough to create a contrast. Instead it's a conflict and it looks like you did it on accident. If you're going to try to have contrast, as Robin Williams - the designer not the comic - says: don't be a wimp! Consider making your name much larger, in a different (but complimentary) font - or a different form of the same font (italics perhaps?), and/or a different color. Remember, contrast is good and 14pt and 16pt fonts do not contrast, they conflict.

The same goes for the text at the bottom "portraits • events • weddings". It's the same size (or nearly the same size) as the rest of the fonts. So there isn't enough contrast with the font (despite the fact that it is sitting in an orange block). You changed the spacing, but again, it's still so similar that it comes off as a conflict and it looks more like a mistake.

Maybe consider changing the font of your name and the font of the portrait, events, weddings to be the same. That would then be repetition for your design. Nice!

See, I'm a veritable design pro now! :deal :lol3

Mike Lane

Jun-13-2007, 02:39 AM

Holy smokes. It's like I'm seeing this thread with a new set of eyes. Everyone, if you're going to design your own biz card go buy The Non-Designer's Design book right now.

Go.

Seriously, go get it.

Seriously. :deal

Angelo

Jun-13-2007, 04:45 AM

http://scwalter.smugmug.com/photos/162436381-M.jpg
http://scwalter.smugmug.com/photos/162436375-M.jpg

Scott: What are we looking at here? Does this represent a front and back of a card?

I like the color palette, a lot, but you have far too much text and you're repeating the URL unnecessarily and the words photo, photogrpaher, photography too much.

I dare you to use the beautiful image of the hands and the URL, period! stop! no more!

remember, you're an artist, not an insurance salesman. make your card support that notion.

scwalter

Jun-14-2007, 07:30 PM

Yes, that's front and back. Thanks for the feedback everyone, I really appreciate you guys taking the time to comment. I'll work up another version and post it later on tonight.

I agree with Mike about the non-designers design book. It teaches you to name what you see, which is half the battle of understanding design. In the first chapter, the author talks about how she was looking at a book about trees and read about Joshua trees, thinking she had never seen one before. Upon going outside, she found that nearly everyone on her block had one in their front yard and she continued to spot them all over town. So being able to name something and apply a label to it is empowering and this book does that with design.

I actually found a copy of it, and a few others on design which are not nearly as good, on my bookshelf, apparently I bought it back in about 1995 or so when I was more into this stuff.

I recently purchased another book by the guy from "Before & After" called "Before & After: Page Design (http://www.amazon.com/Before-After-Page-Design-McWade/dp/020179537X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3/002-3701135-0673608?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181874236&sr=1-3)". In it, he says to signify your name, you can change size OR font OR boldness, but only one. That seems a bit contrary to the first book, but I maybe I didn't change it enough.

Anyway, thanks again and back at it...

Thanks,
Scott

F45

Jun-15-2007, 02:20 AM

Front:

http://www.terrawolf.com/photos/147922978-S.jpg

Hi Mark,

I couldn't help but notice you have "photograpy" on your card...
you also have it spelt that way several times on your website (when showing the same logo), so I wondered if you were doing so on purpose and I was simply missing something?

Nice photos though :nod

scwalter

Jun-16-2007, 02:06 PM

Thanks again for the feeback. Here's another pass, I removed a lot of the details. I made the image the new front of the card and simply have my URL on the back.

I really like the simplicity of this design.

Note: The black border represents the trim edge and I just created a layer to show the actual trimmed image, before submitting to be printed, I will turn off this layer and have full bleed so you an ignore that for now.

And here's a gallery link with a few more ideas I was playing with... any thoughts on any of these?

http://scwalter.smugmug.com/gallery/2996466

Old back is now the front:

http://scwalter.smugmug.com/photos/163494688-M.jpg

And the new back is just the URL.

http://scwalter.smugmug.com/photos/163494647-M.jpg

Angelo

Jun-16-2007, 03:48 PM

great job Scott :thumb

Diane S

Jun-16-2007, 04:19 PM

Thanks again for the feeback.

And here's a gallery link with a few more ideas I was playing with... any thoughts on any of these?

http://scwalter.smugmug.com/gallery/2996466

I like your clean sharp style.. makes me want to go and redo my cards with a cleaner graphic design. I looked at your gallery cards and for the back, I like the 3rd random style with the horizontal stripes, but instead put your url. in the middle of the stripes for the back, like u did above. Just my thoughts. Well done!!!

RayMangan

Jul-12-2007, 02:02 AM

Well I'm re-doing my business card. Would love to have some input on layout and design of the whole thing. I like where I'm at but think it could use a bit of tweaking.

edit:don't know how "default" got into the thread title. I posted this on POTN and it must have copied weird?

http://raymangan.smugmug.com/photos/172181452-L.jpg

dragon300zx

Jul-12-2007, 05:48 AM

Hey Ray no worries bout the title. I moved your post into our business card specific thread here so you could get better responses and be able to see other samples here. :thumb

Also is this the new version? Can you post a sample of the old version too?

dangin

Jul-12-2007, 08:14 AM

http://dangin.smugmug.com/photos/172233647-M.jpghttp://dangin.smugmug.com/photos/172233652-M.jpg
the card is 2-sided. front/back... i suppose it's all subjective.

Shima

Jul-13-2007, 09:38 PM

Finally decided to start designing a business card for myself...

thoughts?

http://shima.smugmug.com/photos/172726203-M.jpg

dangin

Jul-13-2007, 10:25 PM

your tagline under "Shima's Shots" might be hard to read at actual print size; the combination of a curvy seriff typeface at a small size is sometimes tough to pull off.

Finally decided to start designing a business card for myself...

thoughts?

http://shima.smugmug.com/photos/172726203-M.jpg

lynnesite

Jul-13-2007, 11:10 PM

Scott and Daniel, looking great! Both make me want to visit your sites.
Here's the 2nd gen of this card, just got the printed versions, this time the "photography" in the bottom right pops rather well.
http://lynnesite.smugmug.com/photos/172745859-L.jpg

Shima

Jul-14-2007, 12:27 PM

Changed the sub line text and made things larger. How's this?

http://shima.smugmug.com/photos/172881973-M.jpg

Mike Lane

Jul-14-2007, 02:16 PM

Changed the sub line text and made things larger. How's this?

http://shima.smugmug.com/photos/172881973-M.jpgHrm... I'm not a fan of your font choices, they are too much alike and therefore create a conflict. If you're going to choose a different font, choose a very different font. Even the main title font has too much in common with the hand-written style font below it. And the two hand-written style fonts are far too close to the same.

Shima

Jul-15-2007, 05:09 PM

Hrm... I'm not a fan of your font choices, they are too much alike and therefore create a conflict. If you're going to choose a different font, choose a very different font. Even the main title font has too much in common with the hand-written style font below it. And the two hand-written style fonts are far too close to the same.

On the bottom the email address and the link *are* the same font, I did that on purpose... I'll try changing around the top fonts though so they're more different.

jonh68

Jul-15-2007, 07:59 PM

Mike Lane

Jul-16-2007, 03:48 AM

On the bottom the email address and the link *are* the same font, I did that on purpose... I'll try changing around the top fonts though so they're more different.yabut, the email address & the link are a different, conflicting font than the "Photography by Catherine 'Cat' Hoffman" part.:deal

Mike Lane

Jul-16-2007, 03:55 AM

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q164/jonh68/gifs/BusinessCardII.jpg

This is my current card. I almost left the number off, but sometimes I just need to give out my number for other reasons besides photography so i put it on.Your centering of the text over the thirds line is extremely distracting. The same for the letter spacing in your name.

Try lef or right alignment, going with the normal spacing, smallerize your web address for the contrast you're trying for, and maybe consider rethinking your placement of the parts of your card.

denisegoldberg

Jul-16-2007, 05:10 AM

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q164/jonh68/gifs/BusinessCardII.jpg

This is my current card. I almost left the number off, but sometimes I just need to give out my number for other reasons besides photography so i put it on.
Are you really set on using that particular background photograph? It's a beautiful shot, but I find that the streetlights draw my eyes away from the text. Seems like it distracts from the purpose of the card. (Of course, that's a very subjective comment, and I'm well aware that others may not have the same reaction.)

--- Denise

jonh68

Jul-16-2007, 10:43 AM

The card looks better actual size. I tried pretty much all the suggestions on trial print runs and the letters were underwhelmed.

In regards to the going over the thirds mark, I decided to fill in the sky to the right of the biggest pier light because there was a big void there.

The subject itself does not mean much to others, but around here, it does. It has been destroyed and rebuilt twice in about a 4 year span with hurricanes. It is one of the most romantic hotspots on the eastern shore and the background to countless family, prom, child pictures etc.

Shima

Jul-16-2007, 10:45 AM

yabut, the email address & the link are a different, conflicting font than the "Photography by Catherine 'Cat' Hoffman" part.:deal

Oh I thought you were saying that those two were a little different from each other, which confused me.

What about this one?

http://shima.smugmug.com/photos/173620510-M-0.jpg

com3

Jul-16-2007, 11:05 AM

What about this one?

you're never going to please everyone, and everyone is always going to say something different. personally, i liked your first one the best. before you made ANY changes.

make a card that makes you happy. don't make one to try and make EVERYONE else happy, cause it just ain't gonna happen.

i made my card strictly for shock value. i don't care if people like it or not, but they always go "WHOA!" when the see the front of it. :)

this is the front of mine (cept it doesn't have the copyright on the bottom)
http://www.seppes.com/photos/151896510-L.jpg

and the back. like it or not, it's pretty damned functional. it's got everything i need it to have.
http://www.seppes.com/photos/151896075-L-1.jpg

Mike Lane

Jul-16-2007, 11:39 AM

Oh I thought you were saying that those two were a little different from each other, which confused me.

What about this one?

http://shima.smugmug.com/photos/173620510-S-0.jpgNot quite. They're still both handwritten type fonts and are still in conflict. The should be the exact same or completely different.

Mind you, you can do different variations of the same font. Italics vs not, large vs small, etc.

Mike Lane

Jul-16-2007, 11:45 AM

you're never going to please everyone, and everyone is always going to say something different. personally, i liked your first one the best. before you made ANY changes.

make a card that makes you happy. don't make one to try and make EVERYONE else happy, cause it just ain't gonna happen.One can and should follow basic design rules. Your card does and it looks great.

...

and the back. like it or not, it's pretty damned functional. it's got everything i need it to have.
http://www.seppes.com/photos/151896075-S-1.jpgThe only thing I would do is to tie the "photographer" text and the "Joe Salas, 4theriders.com" parts together by aligning them all to the same place on the right.

Other than that, I think your card is outstanding. If you were to move that part over I'd say your card is easily in the top 10% of the cards in this thread.

com3

Jul-16-2007, 12:14 PM

One can and should follow basic design rules. Your card does and it looks great.

The only thing I would do is to tie the "photographer" text and the "Joe Salas, 4theriders.com" parts together by aligning them all to the same place on the right.

Other than that, I think your card is outstanding. If you were to move that part over I'd say your card is easily in the top 10% of the cards in this thread.

your signature is awesome! hahaha! how'd you do that?!

as for alignment... i did align it as you mentioned, but quickly discarded that as it looked too clean. i don't like stuff being perfect. i like small nuances. it makes it much more personable.

denisegoldberg

Jul-16-2007, 04:30 PM

your signature is awesome! hahaha! how'd you do that?!

I had the same reaction when I first saw Mike's signature, so I went looking for a tool to render upside-down and backwards text. Found one, and wrote about it in my blog at http://denisegoldberg.blogspot.com/2007/07/translation-needed.html.

Here's a link to the tool that I found (don't know if it's the same one that Mike used, but it has the same effect): http://www.revfad.com/flip.html

--- Denise

Mike Lane

Jul-16-2007, 04:40 PM

:agree

That's exactly where I did my sig. You can see all the cool stuff I find on my delicious.

http://del.icio.us/lanemik

:thumb

Shima

Jul-17-2007, 03:47 PM

I decided to change it up a little, and go back to a script for one of the lines...

http://shima.smugmug.com/photos/174131580-M.jpg

jdryan3

Jul-17-2007, 07:14 PM

I decided to change it up a little, and go back to a script for one of the lines...

http://shima.smugmug.com/photos/174131580-M.jpg

But now you have a formal serif font, an italicized san serif script, and a san serif handwritten casual font. It is now less consistent than it was before with the similar but mismatched fonts Mike was talking about.

There is not enough contrast between the orange background and your primary contact information: e-mail and website. Also, many people do not have easy access to a computer. I'm not sure you want to exclude them as customers.

davidweaver

Jul-17-2007, 09:01 PM

http://davidweaver.smugmug.com/photos/174238726-M.jpg

http://davidweaver.smugmug.com/photos/174238726-M.jpg

here is mine. I don't use a pic on purpose.

cheers

Mike Lane

Jul-19-2007, 12:14 PM

http://davidweaver.smugmug.com/photos/174238726-M.jpg

http://davidweaver.smugmug.com/photos/174238726-M.jpg

here is mine. I don't use a pic on purpose.

cheersNice :thumb The only thing I would do is to right justify the block of text at the bottom rather than center it.

kara*

Jul-19-2007, 01:15 PM

jdryan3

Jul-19-2007, 07:18 PM

What do you think of mine? I just made it today while on a road trip and I think it suits my personality (though it doesn't match my website!). Please critique if you will!

:):

Front:
http://rkhudson.smugmug.com/photos/174803734-500x500.jpg

Back:
http://rkhudson.smugmug.com/photos/174803741-500x500.jpg

I'm thinking of darkening the petals on the first one where they are under the text. I'm also thinking of printing it on metallic... can anyone recommend the best paper for this from whcc?

I may be missing something :dunno on various business cards I see here, including this one. IF the purpose is to drive people to your website, and only your website, then I guess it is OK. IF the purpose is to have people contact you because they like what they see on the card, why is the only way to reach you the website address? Do you print your phone number and/or e-mail address there? I know there is no SMTP service on smugmug sites, so they would then have to open an e-mail program to send you a message. And lots of people don't have e-mail or can't get to it as fast as a phone. Shouldn't you give the client/buyer choices in reaching you?
:soapbox

:whew OK now that that is off my chest, on to your actual card. I'm not sure why you have 2 fonts. It isn't too bad since they are both san serif and relative style, but they are different. Maybe do your web address in all lower case of the one your name is in. On the side with the flower, I would move your name further into the lower right hand corner so the flower is unobstructed. Otherwise I like it very much. The images are good and transfer to B&W well. The pink draws your eye but isn't garish. Overall I like it very much.

com3

Jul-19-2007, 09:56 PM

What do you think of mine?

MUCHO GUSTO!

dangin

Jul-20-2007, 07:05 AM

i agree w/ your rant. :) you're absolutely right. from a marketing perspective, if you're trying to get people to contact you, you need to have some contact information on your card. now on the other hand, if you're just looking to showcase your work and not necessarily looking for bookings, this is probably fine.

if there's anything i'd add while stepping atop the soap box is to get your own doman name. at $9/year it's cheap and shouldn't even be a blip on the financial radar if this is a business for you. email hosting can be essentially free via google. so your net cost = $9 for a recognizable Internet domain name... a smugmug pro account costs way more than that a year.

okay, i'll get off of my soap box now. didn't intent to come off as mean, just puzzled. :soapbox

I may be missing something :dunno on various business cards I see here, including this one. IF the purpose is to drive people to your website, and only your website, then I guess it is OK. IF the purpose is to have people contact you because they like what they see on the card, why is the only way to reach you the website address? Do you print your phone number and/or e-mail address there? I know there is no SMTP service on smugmug sites, so they would then have to open an e-mail program to send you a message. And lots of people don't have e-mail or can't get to it as fast as a phone. Shouldn't you give the client/buyer choices in reaching you?
:soapbox

...

kara*

Jul-20-2007, 11:14 AM

Mike Lane

Jul-20-2007, 11:51 AM

Thanks for the advice! I do agree with you both for a business card - it needs contact info! I did forget to mention this, sorry... this is just for giving to people I know when they ask for my website address, not for a business at the moment. :-)

I will definitely add the other info when I make a business card sometime in the future (after I get a nice domain name, business phone number... and a real business of course!:D)

The font I used is called "Agency FB" - I used the regular and bold versions. Maybe I should have just used one version?

This is the new front because too much would have been cropped off, though I'm not sure if I like it as much. I definitely agree about the petals; I shouldn't have put the text over them. :( It's too bad that I sent the order already... next time I will post it long before I order!! Thanks again for the critique; I very much appreciate that you took the time to reply!

http://rkhudson.smugmug.com/photos/175092578-500x500.jpgI was going to say. I thought they were the same font just that one was bold and the other wasn't. I personally like the use of your font in your card. There are two things I would change. 1) Leave off www and replace it with http:// and then add an extra / at the end. So you'd have http://rkhudson.smugmug.com/. 2) On the back of your card, line up the bottom of your name and the {photographer} text with the left of the web address.

:thumb

kara*

Jul-20-2007, 02:12 PM

I was going to say. I thought they were the same font just that one was bold and the other wasn't. I personally like the use of your font in your card. There are two things I would change. 1) Leave off www and replace it with http:// and then add an extra / at the end. So you'd have http://rkhudson.smugmug.com/. 2) On the back of your card, line up the bottom of your name and the {photographer} text with the left of the web address.

:thumb
Thank you! I did line that text up in the final draft before I sent it. I guess I like how the www looks instead of http:// but I would change it if needed - is it just personal preference or is there another reason? Your suggestion would probably go well with the grungy look of the card though!

kara*

Jul-20-2007, 02:21 PM

Thank you com3! I'm assuming that's a good thing lol! :D

Llywellyn

Jul-22-2007, 07:19 PM

Thank you! I did line that text up in the final draft before I sent it. I guess I like how the www looks instead of http:// but I would change it if needed - is it just personal preference or is there another reason? Your suggestion would probably go well with the grungy look of the card though!

In general, people's attention span wanes after the first "dot." Most folks out there are used to two "dots": www"dot"domainname"dot"com. Add a third "dot" as you have in the example above, and you risk losing a person's attention. Sounds silly, I know, but it's true. Give them two "dots" to deal with and they will be more likely to remember the address. :D

The above is a general editing/web guideline, not a rule. In the end, it's your card! :thumb One less "dot" makes it a bit more user-friendly, is all.

com3

Jul-23-2007, 03:54 PM

then add an extra / at the end. So you'd have http://rkhudson.smugmug.com/

por que? i agree about the http:// aspect, however, the trailing slash is redundant and it'll muck up the clean look that that font already has.

com3

Jul-23-2007, 03:56 PM

In general, people's attention span wanes after the first "dot." Most folks out there are used to two "dots": www"dot"domainname"dot"com. Add a third "dot" as you have in the example above, and you risk losing a person's attention. Sounds silly, I know, but it's true. Give them two "dots" to deal with and they will be more likely to remember the address. :D

The above is a general editing/web guideline, not a rule. In the end, it's your card! :thumb One less "dot" makes it a bit more user-friendly, is all.

reg a domain name for $7 on godaddy, and simply use the CNAME feature that the SM pro accounts offer... that's what i do... seppes.com points to 4theriders.smugmug.com makes life much simpler, especially since CNAME allows you to append DIRS and the likes to the end, such as seppes.com/kittypics

it's also not fickle about caps vs non caps. :thumb

I Simonius

Jul-23-2007, 04:01 PM

I haven't really got a'proper' one yet ( just a vistaprint job that I'm not showing you!) but here's one I mocked up a while ago just to get more photoshop experience

Looks simple but I had to do a lot to the background to clean it up as it was taken in a junk yard, extended the shoulder on the right, and put a camera in his hand etc ( yes I know the 5D doesn't hae a flash:lol:), get the lightingon the hand right ( nearly) etc

Llywellyn

Jul-25-2007, 04:20 PM

Five variations later, and I finally settled on this one. :D

Front
http://blackcatphoto.smugmug.com/photos/177067202-M.jpg

Back
http://blackcatphoto.smugmug.com/photos/177067192-M.jpg

Shown actual size, as I was designing to spec in InDesign.

[EDIT: Updated images to be legible (hopefully!).]

dangin

Jul-25-2007, 04:29 PM

Five variations later, and I finally settled on this one. :D

Front -----------------------------> Back
http://www.theoriginalblackcat.com/photos/177033963-M.jpg http://www.theoriginalblackcat.com/photos/177033959-L.jpg

Shown actual size, as I was designing to spec in InDesign.

neato! very clean and easy to follow. no phone number though?

W.W. Webster

Jul-25-2007, 04:31 PM

Shown actual sizeDepends on the monitor you are using. It looks tiny (2.5" x 1.5") on mine. What are the actual dimensions?

Llywellyn

Jul-25-2007, 06:17 PM

3.5" x 2", standard business card. :huh I'll try exporting again at a higher resolution.

Llywellyn

Jul-25-2007, 06:30 PM

neato! very clean and easy to follow. no phone number though?

Thanks for the compliment! :D

I plan on using the "Andy" technique and writing my phone number on the back (the back isn't UV coated for just that reason). :wink

dangin

Jul-25-2007, 06:43 PM

Thanks for the compliment! :D

I plan on using the "Andy" technique and writing my phone number on the back (the back isn't UV coated for just that reason). :wink

although if i may make 1 suggestion; and it's my soapbox suggestion... change your email address to use your domain name. email hosting and email forwarding services can be found for free and practically free. :soapbox :D

Llywellyn

Jul-25-2007, 06:51 PM

although if i may make 1 suggestion; and it's my soapbox suggestion... change your email address to use your domain name. email hosting and email forwarding services can be found for free and practically free. :soapbox :D

LOL! Believe me, I tried. GoDaddy's e-mail thing just flat out sucked and would not cooperate. After three hours futzing with it, and with an urgent need to get cards ASAP, I slapped the functioning addy on there with a personal promise to get the domain one up and running when I'm not ready to strangle my keyboard. :rofl

jdryan3

Jul-25-2007, 07:28 PM

LOL! Believe me, I tried. GoDaddy's e-mail thing just flat out sucked and would not cooperate. After three hours futzing with it, and with an urgent need to get cards ASAP, I slapped the functioning addy on there with a personal promise to get the domain one up and running when I'm not ready to strangle my keyboard. :rofl

I have looked at and dealt with most of the major registars and a number of regional ISPs. I know smugmug likes others, but I recommend Network Solutions. Yeah, only 1 mailbox (not 5) for about$20/year, but you do get 3 aliases with that. But their customer service is fantastic :clap :clap .

I have never been on hold for more than a few minutes, no weird 'advertising' stuff tied to name registrations, their online domain & e-mail tools are fairly intuitive, and you can understand the tech support people.

No, not as in non-native English speakers - as in they don't expect end users to be UNIX gurus with degrees in PHP scripting or to understand the 7 layers of the IP stack to understand what they are saying.

Not sure how to do a CNAME change to point your domain name to smugmug? They'll do it for you! And their browser based e-mail tool is fairly decent and robust - no need to use a desktop mail program unless you want to.

BTW - Great cat image on the front!

dangin

Jul-25-2007, 07:43 PM

LexPhoto

Aug-06-2007, 12:28 AM

This thread hasnt got much attention lately, but I thought I would throw mine in here for any ideas....Thanks!! :D

dangin

Aug-06-2007, 08:15 AM

This thread hasnt got much attention lately, but I thought I would throw mine in here for any ideas....Thanks!! :D

methinks that the typeface size of the contact info and services is a bit small and may be hard to read at actual print size. i wonder if increasing the opacity of the rings would add or detract from the overall look of the card?

Julia

Aug-07-2007, 03:34 PM

Loving all the cards in this thread... makes me wish I had an actual business to promote. :D

I'm extremely hesitant to post this in here, but I'm open to feedback. My site is mainly for family and friends who I shoot for fun, and they order prints. I don't promote myself, but so many friends and friends of friends and friends of family members ask if I have a card so they can remember my site...

I'm not interested in putting my name or phone number. Just the site. And I prefer simple over ornate.

I've done it in CMYK and the colors don't pop as much on my screen as the actual photo in RGB does, but I'm going to assume the final printed product from OvernightPrints will look better. :dunno (Unless someone can tell me if I've done something wrong? Original image is here: http://www.saltygrapes.com/photos/163114778-S-1.jpg )

Anyway, I've also followed their specific full bleed, crop, and safety marks, so while my logo looks a little off, I'm assuming it will look better as I accommodated the crop marks.

FRONT
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1224/1039195009_1674f15521.jpg

BACK
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1071/1039195069_94604b694e.jpg

Be gentle! But criticism is most welcome... :wink

The back colors are direct from my site design, and it sort of bugs me that they don't match exactly to the blue and green in the photo. Do you think that's a flaw? My husband thinks it's fine and that I'm nitpicking. :rofl

Thanks!!

com3

Aug-07-2007, 03:38 PM

Be gentle! But criticism is most welcome... :wink

love it. it's perfect in it's simplicity.

I Simonius

Aug-07-2007, 03:40 PM

Be gentle! But criticism is most welcome... :wink

Brilliant - Love it!

largelylivin

Aug-07-2007, 03:41 PM

Julia, I love it. Its even better than some here so there's nothing to be ashamed of!

Did you know that there are several places like www.vistaprint.com (http://www.vistaprint.com) that will print 500 business cards for free? Of course thats for one of their pre-canned designs. They charge a bit for downloading your own graphics.

Go ahead and do it. Makes you feel like a 1,000,000 bucks!

Diane S

Aug-07-2007, 03:59 PM

good grief girl...awesome!! That is an eye catching design and a clever way of displaying your website address. Are you sure you weren't a graphic designer in an earlier life? :clap Simplicity is Queen! Makes me want to re-do mine!

Julia

Aug-07-2007, 05:24 PM

I Simonius

Aug-08-2007, 01:11 AM

Oh thank you com3, Simon King, Blue Dog and Diane! :bow You are all way too kind... :lust

I feel so much better. :roflI can't wait to get them on order! Not ordering just yet though, in case anyone else has any comments... :D

Those cpolors are just great so.. the only thing i would be careful about is making sure woever prints them gets the colours spot on.

FWIW I had some done with Vista print and the colours were off (too light or too dark .. from my own uploaded design ( for Xmas cards) but they redid them no probs

Julia

Aug-08-2007, 07:12 AM

Angelo

Aug-08-2007, 08:19 AM

Thanks Simon!!

Yes, I am quite concerned about the color representation, but I guess I'll just have to order them and see... hit or miss. :dunno I'm viewing it in the color profile they suggest, and it looks ok. So we shall see. :D

I love your card!

If your monitor (which is RGB by-the-way) is not calibrated you won't get a true color match representation to your CMYK blend. To ensure your final product you'll want to reference a Pantone color match.

Julia

Aug-08-2007, 09:21 AM

Thanks Angelo! Yeah, I'm not officially calibrated with any purchased software... So it is a concern!

Frog Lady

Aug-14-2007, 11:38 PM

both my boys are playing for teams in the same soccer club, so I figured I'd set up a table at their opening ceremonies and see what happens. I've got a real job that I generally like, so I'm not looking to really go full time, just support my L-fever. So, I've read (and generally agree) w/ all the comments about the domain names, etc, but figured I'd wait and see how this season goes before I go full out. But I'd love your feedback on this card.

tx,

C.

http://froglady.smugmug.com/photos/184138168-M.jpg

com3

Aug-15-2007, 11:29 AM

But I'd love your feedback on this card.

your phone number seems to be kinda blurry and i think people might have a hard time reading it.

*giggle*

dangin

Aug-15-2007, 12:09 PM

http://froglady.smugmug.com/photos/184138168-M.jpg

i like the image; everything else is kinda blah. i think a start would be changing up the typeface for the business name. i'll give my usual spiel about a registered domain name... it's only $8.95 @ godaddy. web and email hosting can be found for free these days.

i moved a couple of things around and changed the typeface and color:
http://dangin.smugmug.com/photos/184273239-S.jpg

Jzazzi

Aug-16-2007, 02:44 AM

This is a great thread, thank you for the samples and critiques of all your work. In particular, I like W.W Webster's comments on page 6 regarding angelo's card on page 5.

Here is my attempt at building strong lines and letting the card speak for itself; my goal is to make the intent clear without having to read the words.
(yes, the website is bogus for the time being)

Zazzi
(http://www.dgrin.com/member.php?u=3660)

com3

Aug-16-2007, 10:36 AM

Here is my attempt at building strong lines and letting the card speak for itself; my goal is to make the intent clear without having to read the words.

first thing that came to mind was videography when i saw your card.

dangin

Aug-16-2007, 10:46 AM

first thing that came to mind was videography when i saw your card.

first thing that came to my mind was, damn, that contact info is going to be hard to read at print size.

Julia

Aug-16-2007, 01:58 PM

Hi all!

Had to report back that I received my cards from OvernightPrints and they are terrific... :ivar The color is just PERFECT. I'm glad I trusted my instinct and my color profile even though I don't have any expensive calibration gadgets.

I know some people have had issues with them, but I heartily recommend OvernightPrints. (Especially with a coupon code. :rofl )

Thank you all for your feedback!

Now, who do I give them to? :scratch :wink

Julia

I Simonius

Aug-16-2007, 02:59 PM

congrats anfd hurrah!
Glad they came out OK!
:wink :D :D :D Hi all!

Had to report back that I received my cards from OvernightPrints and they are terrific... :ivar The color is just PERFECT. I'm glad I trusted my instinct and my color profile even though I don't have any expensive calibration gadgets.

I know some people have had issues with them, but I heartily recommend OvernightPrints. (Especially with a coupon code. :rofl )

Thank you all for your feedback!

Now, who do I give them to? :scratch :wink

Julia

Jzazzi

Aug-16-2007, 05:25 PM

first thing that came to mind was videography when i saw your card.

first thing that came to my mind was, damn, that contact info is going to be hard to read at print size.

Thank you both for the comments. Image is resized to be more realistic, with the contact information larger. I see what you mean about videography, but I'm really hooked on the design : )

Here are two more ideas, with and without the film border.

Zazzi

binghott

Sep-06-2007, 10:48 PM

i know this thread seems kinda dead, but i finally have a business card design that is worth showing. please tell me what you think, good or bad!

http://binghott.smugmug.com/photos/192624547-M.jpg

I Simonius

Sep-07-2007, 01:39 AM

Thank you both for the comments. Image is resized to be more realistic, with the contact information larger. I see what you mean about videography, but I'm really hooked on the design : )

Here are two more ideas, with and without the film border.

Zazzi

like the version with the film border best myself ( but hey what do I know?:wink )

I Simonius

Sep-07-2007, 01:43 AM

i know this thread seems kinda dead, but i finally have a business card design that is worth showing. please tell me what you think, good or bad!

]

o first view I really like it but...

on closer inspection I don't like the font for 'Photography' it really jarrs with the clean 'modern' lines of the rest

also .. a silly quibble .. but most orf the text is 'bingetc.' but there's one 'barryetc.. just seems abit odd, If I was scanning quickly I would be thinking .. 'make your mind up'' or 'which am I supposed to contact' sorry .. don't mean to be rude.. just honest about what went though my head (probably because I'm a grumpy old git:wink )

on another tack.. might it be worth experimenting with red for the 'Hott part? Very obvious and horribly cliched, but then that probably describes me! :lol:

D.Rodgers

Sep-07-2007, 05:48 AM

could have found the file but it was easier to take a snap :dunno
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f371/fishnutham/card.jpg

I Simonius

Sep-07-2007, 06:43 AM

could have found the file but it was easier to take a snap :dunno
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f371/fishnutham/card.jpg

quite like it....

com3

Sep-07-2007, 11:56 AM

quite like it....

+1.

Dizzle

Oct-20-2007, 12:21 AM

I figured I would join the fray...this is what I am working on currently:

http://TiffanyNicole.smugmug.com/photos/210403635-M-1.jpg

I Simonius

Oct-20-2007, 01:44 AM

I figured I would join the fray...this is what I am working on currently:

http://TiffanyNicole.smugmug.com/photos/210403635-M-1.jpg

needs something else IMO

not sure wat.... an image perhaps ...60% opacity or something?

Stella Bella

Oct-20-2007, 08:38 AM

Here are mine. Very simple.

http://katherinelynn.smugmug.com/photos/210488647-M.jpg

http://katherinelynn.smugmug.com/photos/210488650-M.jpg

DirtRacin

Oct-20-2007, 08:04 PM

Mike Lane

Oct-20-2007, 08:18 PM

I made it to page 17, from what I have read the card needs to be clear and to the point, so from what I have read here is my card, I just made it tonight, any suggestions will be taken very seriously

Thanks

Rick

BTW this is my first post so go easy :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Dirtracin.com/dirtracinfront.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Dirtracin.com/dirtracinback1.jpgHi rick! :wave

Even at the big size on my screen the black text is difficult to read. It'll just get worse when it's printed. I'd take the bevel off of there and probably change the font.

Love the logo though!

DirtRacin

Oct-20-2007, 09:43 PM

Mike, thanks for your honest opinion, my first card had white fonts with a black stroke, but it is way to busy, too bad I can't find file on my computer, I deleted a bunch of stuff trying to make more room on it and I guess it didn't make it thru. I'll try and find a different font and post back.

Thanks

Rick

Glory2Jesus4Photography

Oct-24-2007, 01:55 AM

here is my first try @ a business card please tell me what you think
http://glory2jesus4photography.smugmug.com/photos/212342319-O.jpg

bham

Oct-24-2007, 02:52 AM

here is my first try @ a business card please tell me what you think
http://glory2jesus4photography.smugmug.com/photos/212336057-O.jpg

Where to start. First a couple questions. Why did you choose yellow and is that purple? The colors clash to me. Secondly you have a lot of extra space and then small text. I am having a hard time reading it on the computer screen due to size and the font. If you looked thru this thread you will have noticed that most people recommend, simple, clean, cards. That in no way means ordinary or boring. Lastly 2 reflections on the name, too much. Also if it wasn't for you website address in your post I wouldn't have understood the .smugmug.com at the bottom all by itself. Also that is a long name, pretty much a sentence rather than a name. I might reconsider something shorter. Most printers will print 2 sides on the card. If they give you this option, consider doing something for the back. In short, start over. Sorry to come off harsh. You did keep the font consistent which is good, but it is a hard to read font. I for the life of me can't figure out what letters are after Iowa, an St maybe Sr.

I Simonius

Oct-24-2007, 03:36 AM

I agree with these comments:
That in no way means ordinary or boring. Lastly 2 reflections on the name, too much. (ditch the one directly under the text keep the bigger one)Also if it wasn't for you website address in your post I wouldn't have understood the .smugmug.com at the bottom all by itself. Most printers will print 2 sides on the card. If they give you this option, consider doing something for the back. In short, start over. Sorry to come off harsh. You did keep the font consistent which is good, but it is a hard to read font. I for the life of me can't figure out what letters are after Iowa, an St maybe Sr.

and disagree with these:

Also that is a long name, pretty much a sentence rather than a name. I might reconsider something shorter.. Why did you choose yellow and is that purple? The colors clash to me. Secondly you have a lot of extra space and then small text. I am having a hard time reading it on the computer screen due to size and the font. If you looked thru this thread you will have noticed that most people recommend, simple, clean, cards.

so yes - ditch the .smugmug.com on the front but put the FULL URL in one sentence on the back - along with all the text above it= i.e. move the text to the back, put the full URL beneath (or above it) - on the front have just the "Call Cary Brown @etc." and the "glory2jesus4photography" with one reflection. + make the text bigger

Keep the colours - they may be garish but no one will forget you! - most advertising is about getting rmeembered not about whether people like the advert:wink

EDIT: it looks like youchanged the card while we were ansering - now the front is even MORE cluttered - it looks messy. - not good = try to make the front really simple and clean

VisualXpressions

Oct-24-2007, 09:31 AM

Here is my card... looking for comment, critque, and or suggestions.

Thanks, Winston

http://VXphotography.smugmug.com/photos/212432567-M.jpg

Glory2Jesus4Photography

Oct-24-2007, 09:47 AM

I agree with these comments:

and disagree with these:

so yes - ditch the .smugmug.com on the front but put the FULL URL in one sentence on the back - along with all the text above it= i.e. move the text to the back, put the full URL beneath (or above it) - on the front have just the "Call Cary Brown @etc." and the "glory2jesus4photography" with one reflection. + make the text bigger

Keep the colours - they may be garish but no one will forget you! - most advertising is about getting rmeembered not about whether people like the advert:wink

EDIT: it looks like youchanged the card while we were ansering - now the front is even MORE cluttered - it looks messy. - not good = try to make the front really simple and clean
Thanks for the help I will try to clean it up some and see what I get

Glory2Jesus4Photography

Oct-24-2007, 11:05 AM

Thanks for the help I will try to clean it up some and see what I get
Ok try #2
front
http://glory2jesus4photography.smugmug.com/photos/212452852-O.jpg
back
http://glory2jesus4photography.smugmug.com/photos/212458670-O.jpg
is the back to cluttered

Glory2Jesus4Photography

Oct-24-2007, 11:07 AM

Here is my card... looking for comment, critque, and or suggestions.

Thanks, Winston

http://VXphotography.smugmug.com/photos/212432567-M.jpg
I really like it but I am no pro but it really catches me

I Simonius

Oct-24-2007, 02:51 PM

Ok try #2
front

is the back to cluttered

- get rid of the dreadful texture!:D Use textured paper if you like but I really don't like that superimposed texture

FRONT:just have as you have put the 'logo' below plus your contact number. Don't change anything else i.. keep the reflection the same

BACK: WAY too cluttered. ONE 'logo' URL is enough but get rid of that horrible small reflection, if you want a reflection use the same as the front one

Keep it clean and simple like this belwo. I know I haven't got the right font etc but jjust to explain what I mean by keeping it unclutterd and simple

By all means use the reflection with the 'logo' name but use the nice big one not the small one it looks like an underline gone wrong

I Simonius

Oct-24-2007, 02:52 PM

back

I Simonius

Oct-24-2007, 02:54 PM

Here is my card... looking for comment, critque, and or suggestions.

Thanks, Winston

http://VXphotography.smugmug.com/photos/212432567-M.jpg

that works for me:wink :D

com3

Oct-24-2007, 03:07 PM

back

people like me, who as a child absolutely refused to learn to write in "cursive," have a hard time reading fonts like that. :D romance novel titles are the worst.

I Simonius

Oct-24-2007, 03:27 PM

people like me, who as a child absolutely refused to learn to write in "cursive," have a hard time reading fonts like that. :D romance novel titles are the worst.

I wasn't recommending that font at all - jst tring to emulate what the OP was using:dunno

denisegoldberg

Oct-24-2007, 03:47 PM

Here is my card... looking for comment, critque, and or suggestions.

Thanks, Winston
I like the card overall, but I would suggest adding your phone number and email address. I'm sure you are trying to drive people to your galleries, but if someone sees your card and wants to call...

I just wandered over to your smugmug site, and the only place I saw any way to contact you was in your guestbook. A prominent contact me link (leading to email) on your site would be a good thing too.

--- Denise

Dizzle

Oct-24-2007, 06:38 PM

I figured I would join the fray...this is what I am working on currently:

http://TiffanyNicole.smugmug.com/photos/210403635-M-1.jpg

Any additional thoughts on this? I may give Vista Prints a try since it will be free + shipping

alixmiles

Oct-24-2007, 07:55 PM

Here is minehttp://LAWSONIMAGES.smugmug.com/photos/212637923-L.jpg

dangin

Oct-24-2007, 09:15 PM

Here is minehttp://LAWSONIMAGES.smugmug.com/photos/212637923-L.jpg

i like the concept. WAY too busy though.
1) lawsonimages.com really only needs to appear once. the ones on the side are too small for print.
2) barry mat___ photography is so dark it's barely legible
3) combination texture + drop shadow make the phone number and email a difficult to look as well.

bham

Oct-24-2007, 10:19 PM

Here are mine. Very simple.

http://katherinelynn.smugmug.com/photos/210488647-M.jpg

http://katherinelynn.smugmug.com/photos/210488650-M.jpg

I like it simple, clean, neat. Maybe add Children, Infants, Families, Pets. From your site that is your focus. Also the way you have done it, if you choose a nongloss finish you could always write notes on one if needed for either a potential customer or yourself. That can come in handy.

Glory2Jesus4Photography

Oct-24-2007, 10:19 PM

back
Thanks for all the help I will give it another go and see what I get :wink

bham

Oct-24-2007, 10:27 PM

Keep the colours - they may be garish but no one will forget you! - most advertising is about getting rmeembered not about whether people like the advert:wink

Simon King I thing you are wrong in the regards to keeping the colours for the business card. This isn't an ad somewhere that someone sees and may make a call. A business card is usually something you hand to someone who is interested in contacting you for photography. An ad is put to get attention and get noticed, and that is a totally different thing. While some people may use the card for both it is really to small to be an effective ad.

So Glory2Jesus, I stand by in my assertion about the colors. And the purple you have chosen is so dark it almost looks black, but looks like a faded black, purple mixture.

One last thing Glory2Jesus, your bio picture on your website if really dark, you can't even make out your face.

bham

Oct-24-2007, 10:34 PM

Here is my card... looking for comment, critque, and or suggestions.

Thanks, Winston

http://VXphotography.smugmug.com/photos/212432567-M.jpg

I would drop the "photographers" after your names, its redundant with Photography in the name. Also I think "A father & daughter creative endeavor" sounds better without all the sssss.

bham

Oct-24-2007, 11:25 PM

i know this thread seems kinda dead, but i finally have a business card design that is worth showing. please tell me what you think, good or bad!

http://binghott.smugmug.com/photos/192624547-M.jpg

I think all the text is a to large, reduce everything so it doesn't feel so crowded. Beware of the cut tollerances. They give you "x" distance on all sides of the card and tell you no to put anything important in it. You are to close to the sides.

Glory2Jesus4Photography

Oct-25-2007, 12:18 AM

One last thing Glory2Jesus, your bio picture on your website if really dark, you can't even make out your face.
I know I have been meaning to get to that it was the only pic that I had at the time and I just have not taken the time sense to put up a better photo I really need to I will see what I can do by this week end.

bham

Oct-25-2007, 12:18 AM

Glory, these are just a few quick ideas I threw together. But they are much more legible with the text than your previous attempts. Use, don't use, etc. I kept the card yellow but changed the text to black it stands out better. I did a couple of different fonts, for ideas so something may give you a different idea. On the back I used a variety of things.

http://mcleod.smugmug.com/photos/212719141-M.jpg

http://mcleod.smugmug.com/photos/212719132-M.jpg

http://mcleod.smugmug.com/photos/212719151-M.jpg

http://mcleod.smugmug.com/photos/212719118-M.jpg

bham

Oct-25-2007, 12:21 AM

Any additional thoughts on this? I may give Vista Prints a try since it will be free + shipping

Nice, have you given thought to something for the back? Don't waste that space.

bham

Oct-25-2007, 12:38 AM

Hi rick! :wave

Even at the big size on my screen the black text is difficult to read. It'll just get worse when it's printed. I'd take the bevel off of there and probably change the font.

Love the logo though!

Or maybe use red text, is the font doesn't have the bevel. I think the logo in red jumps off the card on the front, so maybe some read text on the back would do the same.

bham

Oct-25-2007, 12:47 AM

i like the concept. WAY too busy though.
1) lawsonimages.com really only needs to appear once. the ones on the side are too small for print.
2) barry mat___ photography is so dark it's barely legible
3) combination texture + drop shadow make the phone number and email a difficult to look as well.

Alixmiles,

I agree.

To simplify elimate all the vertical lawsonimages.com, eliminate the lines between weddings, seniors, etc.

On second thought you might want to move all the text except for on lawsonimages.com to the back and make the whole front an image with the film holes.

I Simonius

Oct-25-2007, 01:05 AM

Simon King I thing you are wrong in the regards to keeping the colours for the business card. This isn't an ad somewhere that someone sees and may make a call. A business card is usually something you hand to someone who is interested in contacting you for photography. An ad is put to get attention and get noticed, and that is a totally different thing. While some people may use the card for both it is really to small to be an effective ad.

So Glory2Jesus, I stand by in my assertion about the colors. And the purple you have chosen is so dark it almost looks black, but looks like a faded black, purple mixture.

One last thing Glory2Jesus, your bio picture on your website if really dark, you can't even make out your face.

I understand what you're saying about the colours but I think she might just get away with it if , once the final design is finished, the colour is tweeked to it reads OK.
One has o rmeember the semiotic value of colour and purple has lomg been associated with the church and yellow with divinity, so there is a message in the colours as well as the text. Clearly she is aiming for a specific market with her busuiness name sothose colour willbe appreciated by her target audience if not by us :wink

However I disagree with you on the question of whether a bus card is an ad or not: sure there will be those who actively request your card but there will also be times when it is given out on spec or left somewhere to be picked up, so bright and bold can work. (not saying it will work , but can)

I Simonius

Oct-25-2007, 01:07 AM

Glory, these are just a few quick ideas I threw together. But they are much more legible with the text than your previous attempts. Use, don't use, etc. I kept the card yellow but changed the text to black it stands out better. I did a couple of different fonts, for ideas so something may give you a different idea. On the back I used a variety of things.

http://mcleod.smugmug.com/photos/212719118-M.jpg

to myeye these styles look more appropriate to a car dealer or scrap metal merchant than a photographer with a religiously minded market
(and no need to repeat the email address)

bham

Oct-25-2007, 10:55 AM

http://mcleod.smugmug.com/photos/212719118-M.jpg

to myeye these styles look more appropriate to a car dealer or scrap metal merchant than a photographer with a religiously minded market
(and no need to repeat the email address)

A car dealer, well that is good then. For them to be successful they have to reach a large target audience and have to get volume, thus they usually have a hired marketing firm.

I wasn't going for overly creative or styleistic, just few quick different examples (3 differnt ways on the back of the card) of something that can be easy legible and can stand out. I would probably choose one and make the side consistent.

Glory, if you want ideas look through this thread there are tons of cards that are awesome and stand out, find some that you consider good and great and use the ideas they have.

bham

Oct-25-2007, 11:00 AM

I understand what you're saying about the colours but I think she might just get away with it if , once the final design is finished, the colour is tweeked to it reads OK.
One has o rmeember the semiotic value of colour and purple has lomg been associated with the church and yellow with divinity, so there is a message in the colours as well as the text. Clearly she is aiming for a specific market with her busuiness name sothose colour willbe appreciated by her target audience if not by us :wink

However I disagree with you on the question of whether a bus card is an ad or not: sure there will be those who actively request your card but there will also be times when it is given out on spec or left somewhere to be picked up, so bright and bold can work. (not saying it will work , but can)

Didn't realize that about the colors. Its more the shades that just don't seem to work together, makes the card kinda drab.

I agree a card can be attention grabbing, but there are many great ways to do this besides just the background color. Just as you can be drawn to look at certain photographs over others.

I Simonius

Oct-25-2007, 11:31 AM

Didn't realize that about the colors. Its more the shades that just don't seem to work together, makes the card kinda drab.

I agree a card can be attention grabbing, but there are many great ways to do this besides just the background color. Just as you can be drawn to look at certain photographs over others.

Sure but my thinking was to go with the OPs idea but to try and clean it up some

That really underlines precisely what this design needs.. cleaning up i.e. get away from repeated information, repeated motifs (e.g. two reflections), fussy backgrounds etc.

I still think the original concept could work if these issues are addressed:wink

bham

Oct-25-2007, 11:37 AM

http://mcleod.smugmug.com/photos/212719118-M.jpg

(and no need to repeat the email address)

email address isn't repeated, are you saying leave it off, I agree as with a name that long its better to not put it on the card as long as it is easly accessable on the website.

I Simonius

Oct-25-2007, 01:27 PM

email address isn't repeated, are you saying leave it off, I agree as with a name that long its better to not put it on the card as long as it is easly accessable on the website.

I would say for the sake of design to have either one or the other, so yes, if it were my card I'd not put such a long email on the same side as sucha long URL

com3

Oct-25-2007, 01:50 PM

I would say for the sake of design to have either one or the other, so yes, if it were my card I'd not put such a long email on the same side as sucha long URL

or even have a long URL to begin with. anything more than a word or 2 is pushing it. expecting perfect strangers to remember such a thing is hard...

usually, some sorta mnemonic is best when relaying your name/biz name/any info you want people to remember. i.e., my name is joe....anytime i meet a new person, i introduce myself as "average joe." them: "what's your name?" me: "average joe." they giggle, and never forget. :)

make em associate a FEELING with whatever important info you deliver, and they're less likely to forget.

I Simonius

Oct-25-2007, 02:41 PM

or even have a long URL to begin with. anything more than a word or 2 is pushing it. expecting perfect strangers to remember such a thing is hard...

usually, some sorta mnemonic is best when relaying your name/biz name/any info you want people to remember. i.e., my name is joe....anytime i meet a new person, i introduce myself as "average joe." them: "what's your name?" me: "average joe." they giggle, and never forget. :)

make em associate a FEELING with whatever important info you deliver, and they're less likely to forget.

will you ever forget 'glory2jesus4photography'?:wink

I think 'Jesus' invokes feeling, as I suspect does purple on yellow:wink

bham

Oct-25-2007, 02:58 PM

will you ever forget 'glory2jesus4photography'?:wink

I think 'Jesus' invokes feeling, as I suspect does purple on yellow:wink

I will probably only remember that it had Jesus and Glory in it and I have typed it over a dozen times. I said in a earlier response about reconsidering the name. Maybe just "Glory2Jesus" but that might have already been used.

I agree its a sentence not a name. With something that long its really more likely they will refer to the name of the individual instead of the name of the business and then, what was the point of creating a business name. You are more likely to overhear a conversation like this "Hey I know a photographer Corey Brown, his # is xxx-, etc" than to hear "Hey I know a guy who does weddings, its Glory 2 Jesus 4 Photography". That is 3 syllables vs 10 syllables. People are lazy and take shortcuts in language when possible. Having "Glory 2 Jesus" as your byline for Corey Brown Photography would be how I would approach it. But that's me, what do I know. Just my $.02

I Simonius

Oct-25-2007, 03:21 PM

I agree its a sentence not a name. Just my $.02

I gues i just don't like to dampen peoples passion and I reckoned that thatname came froma passion , but you are probably right:wink :D

Dizzle

Oct-25-2007, 03:39 PM

Nice, have you given thought to something for the back? Don't waste that space.

I may put an image on the back with a blocked out white space for me to write passwords to galleries on.

What I have been doing is asking random folks if I can take a few pics of their kids if I am out at the park with my daughter or sons. Not stalker like, but hey, Im taking pics of my kid would you like me to take some of yours. I explain that I am re-entering the photography world and taking some classes and would love the chance to photograph their kids. 100% yes so far :)

What I want to be able to do is then give the mom/dad a card with my site info and a password to the gallery I will set up with their childs pictures. That way they know their kids pic isn't all over the internet and I am hopefully a bit legit and not some wack job with a camera.

From there, if they see something they like and want to buy prints, I make a few bucks off of it. If not, I got one more moment of experience shooting kids.

com3

Oct-25-2007, 03:46 PM

will you ever forget 'glory2jesus4photography'?:wink

I think 'Jesus' invokes feeling, as I suspect does purple on yellow:wink

actually, as i was typing that, i paused to see if i could recall his URL. i could not.

com3

Oct-25-2007, 03:49 PM

"Hey I know a guy who does weddings, its Glory 2 Jesus 4 Photography".

perhaps the name in of itself would be a possible hinderance for certain venues... then again, i could be completely wrong and it could be a key selling point. :D

personally, when i "went pro," i chose a name befitting what i do: 4theriders. i shoot motorcycle racing and trackdays... even made a catchy little mnemonic for that too to help people remember if i forget to carry a card with me or something: "why? 4 the riders." :D

djspinner2k

Oct-25-2007, 03:55 PM

hope this looks good

com3

Oct-25-2007, 04:07 PM

hope this looks good

it does, on the web. i think the URL won't show well in print though.

Glory2Jesus4Photography

Oct-25-2007, 05:38 PM

I will probably only remember that it had Jesus and Glory in it and I have typed it over a dozen times. I said in a earlier response about reconsidering the name. Maybe just "Glory2Jesus" but that might have already been used.

I agree its a sentence not a name. With something that long its really more likely they will refer to the name of the individual instead of the name of the business and then, what was the point of creating a business name. You are more likely to overhear a conversation like this "Hey I know a photographer Corey Brown, his # is xxx-, etc" than to hear "Hey I know a guy who does weddings, its Glory 2 Jesus 4 Photography". That is 3 syllables vs 10 syllables. People are lazy and take shortcuts in language when possible. Having "Glory 2 Jesus" as your byline for Corey Brown Photography would be how I would approach it. But that's me, what do I know. Just my $.02
I do get what you are saying and some of the biggest reasons for me not going with Corey Brown is that name is really big on google there are a few sports stars, photographers, writers, and so on. Also the name is very important to me to make sure I give glory to God in all I do first. and the colors and background of the rock all have biblical meaning. I know that very few people will get it but I hope some will ask for me to explain it.
here is another try I know it is still very similar to the others I hope it looks better to you guys I really like your advice so pleas let me know if it is any better or not front
http://glory2jesus4photography.smugmug.com/photos/212959715-M.jpg
back
http://glory2jesus4photography.smugmug.com/photos/212959745-M.jpg

caughtnaction

Oct-25-2007, 06:38 PM

I use gotprints.com you can design your own card or use what they have on file, they have a glossy front and you can print on both sides of the card for a great price! Check them out!! KS

bham

Oct-26-2007, 01:30 AM

I do get what you are saying and some of the biggest reasons for me not going with Corey Brown is that name is really big on google there are a few sports stars, photographers, writers, and so on. Also the name is very important to me to make sure I give glory to God in all I do first. and the colors and background of the rock all have biblical meaning. I know that very few people will get it but I hope some will ask for me to explain it.
here is another try I know it is still very similar to the others I hope it looks better to you guys I really like your advice so pleas let me know if it is any better or not front
http://glory2jesus4photography.smugmug.com/photos/212959715-M.jpg
back
http://glory2jesus4photography.smugmug.com/photos/212959745-M.jpg
I am just giving advice and some constructive criticism, in the end it still is your decision.

I think this is an improvement. The larger type makes the unusual font easier to read. I think brightening the yellow would help and a brighter purple would help as well.

On the back there is something behind the "Glory2", that needs to be removed. Also the web address is darker than the other purple fonts.

Still not really crazy about the mirror on the text. Have you thought about a drop shadow, stroke, etc instead. Oh by the way what program are you using to do the card?

Glory2Jesus4Photography

Oct-26-2007, 01:37 AM

I am just giving advice and some constructive criticism, in the end it still is your decision.

I think this is an improvement. The larger type makes the unusual font easier to read. I think brightening the yellow would help and a brighter purple would help as well.

On the back there is something behind the "Glory2", that needs to be removed. Also the web address is darker than the other purple fonts.

Still not really crazy about the mirror on the text. Have you thought about a drop shadow, stroke, etc instead. Oh by the way what program are you using to do the card?
I am trying to use Gimp and it is whipping me it is all I have right now and I am not very familiar with it.

I Simonius

Oct-26-2007, 02:37 AM

I do get what you are saying and some of the biggest reasons for me not going with Corey Brown is that name is really big on google there are a few sports stars, photographers, writers, and so on. Also the name is very important to me to make sure I give glory to God in all I do first. and the colors and background of the rock all have biblical meaning. I know that very few people will get it but I hope some will ask for me to explain it.
here is another try I know it is still very similar to the others I hope it looks better to you guys I really like your advice so pleas let me know if it is any better or not front

much better Cory!

but there is something smudging the bottom LHS of the back,and that textrure again ... yach.. (still you seem sold on it:wink :D )

make the name and phone number a little larger on the front - it will be too hard to read once printed

and change the reflection under the URL it will look like a smudged underline in print.

Try posting here at actual print size to get a better idea (unless you are printing them that big?>)

presence

Nov-01-2007, 03:59 AM

http://presence.smugmug.com/photos/211001252-S-1.jpg

I deliberately left out the email address, in case anyone notices :D

I Simonius

Nov-01-2007, 04:52 AM

http://presence.smugmug.com/photos/211001252-S-1.jpg

I deliberately left out the email address, in case anyone notices :D

looks great but is your name exactly half way between the text above and below it... it looks a tiny bit low... might just be my eye?

bham

Nov-01-2007, 11:10 AM

http://presence.smugmug.com/photos/211001252-S-1.jpg

I deliberately left out the email address, in case anyone notices :D

I might consider swapping your name and the business name and then enlarging the business name to fill the space more, or just enlarging your name.

What about the back, most printers can and will print on the back for more or maybe included, use it.

I like the logo.

presence

Nov-01-2007, 01:30 PM

looks great but is your name exactly half way between the text above and below it... it looks a tiny bit low... might just be my eye?

Hi Simon,
It does look a bit low on the screen, now that you mention it. It may be because there's a horizontal line at the bottom and none at the top so one's eye has trouble measuring?? But it looks ok in my hand. The guy who did it for me used Adobe Illustrator (which has lots of rulers etc).

presence

Nov-01-2007, 01:44 PM

I might consider swapping your name and the business name and then enlarging the business name to fill the space more, or just enlarging your name.

What about the back, most printers can and will print on the back for more or maybe included, use it.

I like the logo.

RE swapping my name and business name...hmm, interesting idea. I hadn't thought of that. Will try it next time and see if it works. My initial reaction would be that most people expect a 'name' in the middle and the company logo on the periphery. So they'd either be confused or remember my name better. Thanks.

Re the back of the card. I dunno. Maybe it's a cultural thing but I don't think I've seen many cards (in Ireland/UK) with info on the back. Dunno what I'd put there either. I've seen some lovely cards with a couple of small photos on them but I don't know if I'd want to be judged on a couple of tiny photos. (Edit: forgot to add that printing on the back of the card was also a LOT more expensive).

I'm a one-man operation (for the moment :rofl) so I wanted to promote the website (relatively less work for me), my personal name, and my company name in that order.

The website is the main thing as, hopefully, clients will be half-sold before they call me. That's why the card is so spartan (& no email). Hopefully, it says 'go to my website, go to my website...'

Thanks, both, for your comments.

I Simonius

Nov-01-2007, 04:54 PM

Hi Simon,
It does look a bit low on the screen, now that you mention it. It may be because there's a horizontal line at the bottom and none at the top so one's eye has trouble measuring?? But it looks ok in my hand. The guy who did it for me used Adobe Illustrator (which has lots of rulers etc).

cool:wink

djspinner2k

Nov-09-2007, 01:25 PM

it does, on the web. i think the URL won't show well in print though.

it actually looks pretty cool in print. online it always seems to look out of proportion

Cuong

Nov-09-2007, 03:09 PM

back
http://glory2jesus4photography.smugmug.com/photos/212959745-M.jpg

Shouldn't the 3rd line be "for all your Photographic needs"? Unless you want to use "you" instead of "your" intentionally.

LexPhoto

Nov-10-2007, 03:43 PM

Ok so I know there is a thread for business cards but with it being 85 pages deep, I just want to make sure this gets seen. Hopefully this doesnt bother anyone and I am not breaking any rules! :D

So here it goes....CC welcome!

TIA!! :clap

Front
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/Fuzzyangel/feetfrontresize.jpg

Back
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/Fuzzyangel/blackbackresize.jpg

LexPhoto

Nov-10-2007, 08:58 PM

I Simonius

Nov-11-2007, 01:22 AM

I posted this on its own, but I will post it here as well. Hopefully it will be seen and given CC! :wink Thanks!!!

Front
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/Fuzzyangel/feetfrontresize.jpg

Back
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/Fuzzyangel/blackbackresize.jpg

I really like the front image but wonder whether you;d be able to read the smaller text when printed at the smaller business card size, unless you're having them at that big size?

The back looks a little too somber to my eye, i.e. black isn't a good colour for the back, it's too much of a contrast wit the light front IMO, also you already have 'Alexa Photography' on te front , I'd question whether you need to repeat it on the back. On your website , the second image that comes up in te slideshow , of a baby's hand in a n adult hand, that would look brilliant on the back in B+W - just a thought...

Icebear

Nov-11-2007, 03:49 PM

LexPhoto

Nov-11-2007, 05:38 PM

1. I have plowed through every page of the "Show Us Your Card" thread. Just about went blind. It's worth your time if you haven't.
2. I think the image on your obverse is very descriptive of what you like to photograph. I'd ditch the "Weddings, etc" because I think it's obvious. Less is more.
Oh #3 I guess . . . I really do not like the mixture of fonts in the "one moment at a time" line.
Then again . . . you're way ahead of me. I still don't have a card.

Thanks for the ideas! I did actually go through the whole "Show Me" Thread! Great thread, lots of ideas!!
I also want to keep all that I do on the card, cause I want people to know that I do more than just weddings, which is what the picture indicates.
I took your advice on the font for the "motto". I went with the elegant. What do you think?
Thanks!! :thumb

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/Fuzzyangel/blackbackresize-1.jpg

bkatz

Nov-12-2007, 05:56 AM

Andy

Nov-12-2007, 08:06 PM

Ok so I know there is a thread for business cards but with it being 85 pages deep, I just want to make sure this gets seen.

think about it: the thread is long, filled, and POPULAR. There's a reason for that. Lots of people are used to seeing and posting here. And they subscribe to it.

NEW thread not necessary, and in fact, is actually detrimental in this case, since the valuable replies to your thread would not be seen or saved in the main thread.

LexPhoto

Nov-13-2007, 01:02 AM

think about it: the thread is long, filled, and POPULAR. There's a reason for that. Lots of people are used to seeing and posting here. And they subscribe to it.

NEW thread not necessary, and in fact, is actually detrimental in this case, since the valuable replies to your thread would not be seen or saved in the main thread.

Sorry Andy. Dont want to cause a rif
:cry
I actually did post it in here as well. I have gotten a few comments back. Thanks again. Sorry for breaking rules. :deal

LexPhoto

Nov-13-2007, 01:05 AM

Alex -

I took a look - I like the slideshow, but I noticed that in Firefox your navbar is not centered. In IE7 it is not centered but looks closer to being centered.

I would consider some revising on your about me page. It is very thrid person and reads a little bit awkwardly (By the way mine isn't any better).

Love the photos.

Thanks for the reply. Yeah it has been off center...I am not sure yet how to "adjust" it in FF. I need to work on that! :D
Thanks for the advice on the "about me" page. It was VERY difficult for me to write. I actually looked at a few, most talked in 3rd person. I will have to work on it. Thanks again! :clap

bkatz

Nov-13-2007, 03:15 AM

Thanks for the reply. Yeah it has been off center...I am not sure yet how to "adjust" it in FF. I need to work on that! :D
Thanks for the advice on the "about me" page. It was VERY difficult for me to write. I actually looked at a few, most talked in 3rd person. I will have to work on it. Thanks again! :clap
Alex -
Post it in the SM customization forum and you will have help very quickly centering it in all 3 browsers.:D

jdryan3

Nov-13-2007, 08:29 AM

I also want to keep all that I do on the card, cause I want people to know that I do more than just weddings, which is what the picture indicates. I took your advice on the font for the "motto". I went with the elegant. What do you think?

I'm still not sure I like the mixed font styles on the back. It looks like you have the top line to match the front, second and third lines are the same font (but different sizes) and then the script at the bottom is another font altoghether.

Why not have the same font for lines #2 & #3 match the first line/front :scratch ?
And why the different italicized font for the bottom tagline?

kevinhelton

Nov-14-2007, 03:25 PM

Manfr3d

Nov-15-2007, 06:14 PM

There are some amazing cards to see here. I want to make one for myself
and was wondering where you guys get your design ideas from, is there sth.
like a "best pracices for designing a bussines card" reading? :thumb

com3

Nov-15-2007, 07:03 PM

Yet another business card in the fish bowl. Is there a drawing for a free lunch for a lucky winner? :D

Great seeing all of the great cards here. Here is mine...

http://kevinhelton.smugmug.com/photos/221518657-O.png

I use the main box logo everywhere to infuse it in the brains of the clients and hypnotize them into using me :wink. J/K. I went for clean, simple, and something that would print cheap on a business card.

Kevin Helton

i like the left side of your card a lot... but something on the right isn't quite right... perhaps the justification of the text along the right? maybe the bleed off the right side? i'm not sure...it's just odd, IMO. doesn't match the left side.

kevinhelton

Nov-15-2007, 09:57 PM

i like the left side of your card a lot... but something on the right isn't quite right... perhaps the justification of the text along the right? maybe the bleed off the right side? i'm not sure...it's just odd, IMO. doesn't match the left side.

Yeah, I think I'm with you on that. I'll probably try to correct that next time. I've got a few hundred left to disperse before then :D . Thanks for the comment (and confirmation!)

Kevin

jdryan3

Nov-21-2007, 06:30 AM

There are some amazing cards to see here. I want to make one for myself and was wondering where you guys get your design ideas from, is there like a "best practices for designing a business card" reading? :thumb

There are books on the basics of identity design and desktop publishing. I'll try and get post links to the better ones. But first thing you should do is to look at lots of different cards and make notes about what you like and dislike. Somewhere in this thread there was a link to a website with TONS of examples, some pretty funky, but a lot of just very nice ones.

I would then try and find a graphic designer who does this type of work. Even a college student with a couple of years experience would work, or ask family and friends. Just to have someone go "No, you never do that". Like Bold Italicized Underlined words. :rolleyes

Some of the first things they will ask you is who is your target market, and what image (as in perception of your work) are you trying to suggest. Like my photography, I tried not to get overly committed to an idea. I asked a number of people whose opinions I respect for feedback.

I asked a friend you runs a photo archive and gallery for places to look - Lens Review, Aperature, etc. - for ideas. For instance most traditional gallery/collectors magazines have identities using a serif font, many are script serif. But there were some sans serif, block letters.

At a minimum, read the feedback on some of the posts here. Some key points are: less is more, multiple points of contact are important, make sure it works with other 'branding' elements (like a web page), take the feedback to heart.

Hope that helps! :thumb

JBurt

Nov-21-2007, 11:00 AM

This is my latest design.

http://jburtphotos.smugmug.com/photos/224008174-M.jpg

My information is in black on white, large print on the back. This gives me a clean canvas to showcase my work and easy to read, vital information on the back.

Stella Bella

Nov-22-2007, 08:10 PM

So I'm just in the beginning of my photography "career" (if you can even call it that yet- although I do have my first real client next week :barb ) and started off with a rather blah card....I like it, but it just wasn't me.

Well, I found a logo that I really really like. If you knew me it fits perfectly. I actually have a tattoo very similar to the turtle on the card.

Let me know what you think. I'm doing mostly children and families and really like the fresh colors and keeping it super simple.

Front
http://katherinelynn.smugmug.com/photos/224452908-S-1.jpg

Back
http://katherinelynn.smugmug.com/photos/224452900-S-1.jpg

Thanks for looking!

newwindsor

Nov-28-2007, 04:30 PM

RayMangan

Nov-29-2007, 02:32 AM

I decided to work over my business card this afternoon, let me know what you think....

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y100/Zebceponaf/business-card-web.jpg

I Simonius

Nov-29-2007, 03:13 AM

I decided to work over my business card this afternoon, let me know what you think....

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y100/Zebceponaf/business-card-web.jpg

Its very good, but looks more like a designers card than a photographers:wink

jdryan3

Nov-29-2007, 10:06 AM

I decided to work over my business card this afternoon, let me know what you think....

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y100/Zebceponaf/business-card-web.jpg

I like it very much. Great design elements, clean, easy to read. :D

alex

Nov-29-2007, 10:13 AM

I decided to work over my business card this afternoon, let me know what you think....

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y100/Zebceponaf/business-card-web.jpg
It looks great! The only thing that bothers me is the location of the phone number. I'm not quite sure where to put it, but don't like it that close to the email address.

W.W. Webster

Nov-29-2007, 10:14 AM

let me know what you think....Text in all-uppercase fonts is always harder to read. Is it really necessary?

RayMangan

Nov-29-2007, 10:53 PM

Diane S

Nov-30-2007, 05:26 AM

Yes, I agree with the lowercase change... it really brought importance to your name in caps. someone else mentioned the phone placement was bothering them (not sure if that was you or someone else).. but this is what my eyes see.... let your phone number stand alone on the right (more importance), and put your web information together (two lines, email and website) on the left.

But I just mostly wanted to say I think the design and colors and clean stylistic look of your card looks AWESOME!!! :clap

I have changed my biz card about 3 times so far with photos and now without. I will try to post my new one again.

Diane S

Nov-30-2007, 06:09 AM

http://dianes.smugmug.com/photos/227096083-S.jpg

This is an old one.... or "What NOT to do". I have learned a lot since then, thanks to this forum. Too many fonts, too busy, yikes, what was I thinking? And I was trying to find a "brand" or logo design and this wasn't working. My biggest question was whether to include a photograph on my cards. But I was finding the photos I used on the card were too client-specific...in other words, I shoot weddings, location portraiture, studio portraiture, families, babies and events. And this card wouldn't 'speak' to a prospective wedding client.

Hence, the change to a non-photo business card with just my new logo/branding. I now use these tourqouise and brown colors for all my packaging and this name logo is my watermark etc etc.

Oh and as a side note... I create personalized client business cards for each of my clients with one of THEIR shots from their session on 8 'business cards" that I create on wallets using my business card design.. I just add their photo to the side and shrink my biz infor.to the left and add their name to their picture. They LOVE LOVE LOVE this 'gift' and share it with all their friends and KEEP my personalized-client business card in their wallet. I ran into a client I did a YEAR ago and he showed me the wallet-business card with my photo of his family was STILL in his wallet a year later... BEST AND CHEAPEST FORM OF ADVERTISING I EVER INVESTED IN!!! (similar to my card above, but with my new logo brand and more streamlined)

ok.. so here is my streamlined, information only business card. This is the front and the back lists what photography I do. So, how can I improve with this ? All help is appreciated. Thanks, Diane

http://dianes.smugmug.com/photos/227096089-M.jpg

Manfr3d

Nov-30-2007, 12:42 PM

Hi Diane,

I like your old card much (!) more. The warm colors,
the graphical elements on the left and the font used
show that you care for detail. The image on the right
shows that your photos are about emotions. What a
great way to present your bussines! The one on the
bottom however looks very cold and unprofessional
with its simple logo and boring text elements. It may
technicaly be more "correct" but as a photographer
you're not selling technical perfection you are really
selling memories. Thus I believe one shoudln't advertise
only the bussiness with a bussinescard but also the
product you are trying to sell to the client. I've mentioned
it above and the 1st card has it all. :thumb

Diane S

Nov-30-2007, 01:01 PM

Hi Diane,

I like your old card much (!) more. I've mentioned
it above and the 1st card has it all. :thumb

Thanks so much for the positive :thumb on the 1st photo version business card. So, as a 'general' card to all clients inquiring for my services whether it be a bride, a bar mitzvah or a family portaiture session.. you feel the first photo card will still do the trick? I still have a ton of those cards as well, I just thought it limited my client base.... but glad to have your positive feedback. I have plenty of the newer graphic version, which can be used on my packaging etc. Waste not , want not. Or perhaps the graphic version can be the backside of a photo version front... just tossing ideas around.

mike_k

Nov-30-2007, 01:12 PM

Oh and as a side note... I create personalized client business cards for each of my clients with one of THEIR shots from their session on 8 'business cards" that I create on wallets using my business card design.. I just add their photo to the side and shrink my biz infor.to the left and add their name to their picture. They LOVE LOVE LOVE this 'gift' and share it with all their friends and KEEP my personalized-client business card in their wallet. I ran into a client I did a YEAR ago and he showed me the wallet-business card with my photo of his family was STILL in his wallet a year later... BEST AND CHEAPEST FORM OF ADVERTISING I EVER INVESTED IN!!! (similar to my card above, but with my new logo brand and more streamlined)

Just wanted to say that I love this idea! :thumb (And I also like the first card more...)

Stella Bella

Nov-30-2007, 01:51 PM

Diane,

I vote for your latest card. Mostly because I prefer simplicity. And the colors are great.

I also struggle with putting a picture on my cards or not and I guess I haven't figured out the right mixture yet.

I really like your idea about client business cards. Do you have an example you could share?? It's just a BRILLIANT idea!

jdryan3

Nov-30-2007, 02:03 PM

good ideas on the lowercase thing, thanks.

here's another revision...
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y100/Zebceponaf/business-card-web-2.jpg

I'm not sure why the white edge on the left is showing up here. It's not there in the pdf I'm sending to my printer no matter how far I zoom in. Also this includes the bleed so the edges won't be as big as they are here.

edit: fixed the white edge, it was there after all.

I happen to agree with the comments made re: the font/caps. On the phone #, maybe you could center it on the same line. Then leave the web/e-mail inof in hte same place but drop them down 1/2 to a full line, still leaving a border.

Diane S

Nov-30-2007, 03:15 PM

Diane,

I really like your idea about client business cards. Do you have an example you could share?? It's just a BRILLIANT idea!

Thanks! Yes, I actually do this client business card (wallet) for all my sessions now. I have created a few templates in photoshop with my text and places for images.. and just pop in an image from their session, customize the colors if needed, and in a few minutes they are ready to go to the printer. Then I just order a sheet of wallets and I have 'free' advertising from a happy client. That client also gets a free 8x10 from any future referral client that books a session.

I created a gallery with a selection of my client customised business cards here (http://dianes.smugmug.com/gallery/3915050/1/227224453#227224428)

here is one sample:

http://dianes.smugmug.com/photos/227224453-M.jpg

I hope that helps... it really does help business and referrals... and when they ask for more because they passed them all out, I'm happy to give them another set.

Stella Bella

Nov-30-2007, 05:11 PM

Very cool, Diana! Thanks for posting them!

Manfr3d

Nov-30-2007, 05:28 PM

Thanks! Yes, I actually do this client business card (wallet) for all my sessions now. I have created a few templates in photoshop with my text and places for images.. and just pop in an image from their session, customize the colors if needed, and in a few minutes they are ready to go to the printer. Then I just order a sheet of wallets and I have 'free' advertising from a happy client. That client also gets a free 8x10 from any future referral client that books a session.

I created a gallery with a selection of my client customised business cards here (http://dianes.smugmug.com/gallery/