Scott what a great looking Business Card.
Do you recomend using Raised letters versus making your own on a PC printer. Wouldn't that give a perspective client a better indication of quality service in a way when you hand them out? Also how many do you order at a time, is it less money for a larger quantity?

Don't make your own on an inkjet printer. Those inks are NOT waterproof (or sweat-proof or damp-proof!) and the slightest moisture will render them at the very least VERY unprofessional-looking, and at worst, unreadable.

Get them professionally printed (it's a writeoff, anyway)...

[This message has been edited by Diki (edited 05-09-2008).]

Hello Scott:

Great Design !!!.Live...."Spark"..or "chispa" as we say in Mexico.

Great to see you here !!!
I look often, but I don't post unless I feel is absolutely necessary.

Hi Scott

Welcome back! Cool card. It really gets your message across in style.

Randy

Very nice card also. After having heard you play sax live, I'd say the words Smooth Sax is right on the mark.

Best
Scott

Randy: very nice looking card presentation. I like how you included your music degree & prestigious air force band credentials. I personally think it might have been nice if you cited your degree level as well.



John: I designed and setup my business card (print copy ready) on my PC utilizing Photoshop, & took the print ready file to my local print center (Kinkos) and had them run me off a sample run (glossy white card stock) so I could compare for myself, the professional printer center's color laser output quality & durability, to doing it at home with my Canon i9900 Inkjet printer on Avery 8897 Glossy Clean Edge extra sturdy Business Card stock .

I had expected the laser printing quality and look of the card to surpass what I could produce on my Canon i9900 Inkjet Printer , but was surprised to discover that the cards produced on my Canon printer look sharper and crisper with more vivid colors than the ones produced at the print center. The thickness and sturdiness of the card appear identical as well, and contrary to what Diki said, the ink does not bleed when the card gets wet. I even took my Canon inkjet produced card and ran it under running water for 20 seconds and then let it sit out (wet) for 10 minutes to dry. After it dried completely, the card, except for slight curling, looks exactly the same as before having been soaked heavily with water.

This all said, I do recall producing business cards (5 years ago) on HP/Epson printers and experiencing what Diki described, but this certainly is not the case with my Canon i9900 and the vastly improved (water proof?) ink it utilizes.

Ok, hope this helps to clarify any questions regarding inkjet printer produced business cards.

Scott



[This message has been edited by Scottyee (edited 05-10-2008).]

Scott great information on the Waterproof confusion...I guess we've come a long way in print technology. I personally like the raised lettering & usually order 2000 at a time for approx $70.00 which includes type setup too....they last less then a year for me before a re-order is needed. remember BC's are just a small part of your front line media appearance strategy you still have to have "The Goods" for people to hire you based on your Music!

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 05-10-2008).]

Nice to hear things have improved..

I am still using Epson's, due to the CD printing ability, and I use a much less expensive printer (under $100 as opposed to $500), but when this one dies (dyes!), I will take a look at if Canon offer a CD printing version with this ink technology.

I still maintain though that if you use cards in the 1000's (you can't hand out TOO many!), just the time saved is worth having them printed professionally, yet alone the cost savings...

Small run speciality cards, if you have this technology, OK, but I wouldn't want to sit around and blow a lot of ink at a four figure run. JMO...

Donny, you're absolutely right on there. The most effective form of promotion to ensure bookings from new clients is when they experience your show live. No business card or demo cd/tape can seal the deal as well as this can.

This said, I never distribute my card on audience/guest tables at my gigs because I think that comes off as pushy and tacky, and really not very productive for actually getting new client bookings.

The card I posted (above) is primarily intended for people that actually come up to me on a gig requesting one. I also keep a small stack of cards available on a stand next to the keyboard. I've discovered that most new client bookings come from referrals, or people who come to my show performance and then come up to the stage or approach me for a card. - Scott