Monday, May 10, 2010

Carded...

ExurbanKevin made an excellent suggestion in the comments of this post about the upcoming NRA convention:
Dunno if you already have them or not, but get a hundred business cards printed up with your name, the url of your blog and the like. They come in REAL handy when talking with the new and old media types.
Well, it is something I'd thought about, but not gotten around to doing. I think I'm too late to get them professionally printed (someone, anyone, please correct me if I'm wrong), so I think I'll have to make do with a DIY template and my home printer (I'd beg and plead for help from the MarCom folks at work, except that I live in MA and, well, you'll see...)

With that in mind, I've worked up a few ideas for cards I'd like your opinion(s) on. I'm torn on the design, and may just opt to have several different versions, but here's what I have so far:

Option 1



Option 2



Option 3



Option 4



Option 5



Obviously, coloring and such is easily tweaked; pictures can be changed/modified (and Wally, if you don't want your MG pictured I totally understand and apologize for "borrowing" the pic); basically, I'm wondering if I've got enough information (should I make that my full last name, IOW) and how the layout looks.

A good number of places offer next-day service and, with Fed Ex overnight delivery, I could upload tonight, have them complete it tomorrow, and ship it to my house for delivery on Thursday if I finalized a design ASAP. Prices run around $30 - $40 and shipping should add another $30 if done overnight - which, really, is about what a print cartridge would run... So it's basically a wash, with professionally done cards instead of something hammered out on a home inkjet...

So... Which design catches your eye the most? Is there a better picture that could be used as either a background setting or a sidebar picture? Should I add in more text? Give more contact information? Pimp myself out more for product reviews? I'm open to any and all suggestions/criticisms/comments/etc. - snarky witticisms about my ugly mug notwithstanding (although I wonder if it's generally poor form to put one's own likeness on a business card...)

I never thought I'd see the day when *I* would need help selling myself out... *g*

That is all.

25 comments:

Angry Patriot said...

Option 1

wolfwalker said...

I prefer option 1; I'm of the firm opinion that when it comes to business cards, simple is better. I even wonder if _that_ picture is too complicated -- remember that whatever you pick will be printed about 1/2"x1". Pick something that will be recognizable at that size.

Paladin said...

Option 1, by a mile ! :)

I wouldn't go with full last name, unless you're going to make that public on the blog itself from now on. If for some reason someone should actually "need" that info you can decide that and provide it. If you don't want your last name published on the blog itself, don't put it on the business card. The card may end up anywhere once it leaves your hand.

Lissa said...

Pistol Bayonet.

You can't beat it.

ZerCool said...

Another vote for the first one.

Also, I'd suggest putting the blog address *before* the email address. People know you for your blog... it gives them a reference point and then they can decide to contact you if they desire.

libertyman said...

Option 1 - it captures your irreverent and fun loving nature best.

Anonymous said...

I'll echo simple is better. I might even suggest loose the photo and substitute a simple line drawing/clipart.
We've used VistaPrint.com in the past, but never for overnight orders.

Anonymous said...

Numero Dos.

PT said...

Tactical snubby gets my vote.

Everyone else can have an AR15 or the like. Only JayG has a revolver bayonet.

Its also cleaner. I do not like the ones with the print over the picture. To messy and hard to read.

Ross said...

Option 1.

Jay G said...

There seems to be a pretty clear consensus for card #1.

I chose the Snub-a-rooney as the picture for the card for several reasons.

1. That post kicked off my highest hit-count day ever. It was linked by at least a dozen blogs, several of which were "heavy hitters" in the gun blogosphere.

2. As libertyman so kindly puts it, it highlights the whimsical side of MArooned. You can't look at a snubnosed revolver with a bayonet without giggling a little.

3. It's visually catchy - even compressed to the size of a postage stamp, the image is pretty clear - even down to the "It takes an uncommon mind".

Now... Anyone know a place that'll do overnight or even second-day business card shipments? If I can upload something this afternoon, if they can print and ship tomorrow I can get it Thursday...

notDilbert said...

Keep it simple. .. so #1

The text is lost on 3, 4 & 5

If you want to use the full card for the image put all the type on the reverse side.

The cost for 500 is likely close to the cost for 100. Get 500 - you'll use em.

.....and don't go the DIY route.

notDilbert said...

Do you have a Kinkos / FedEx office near you?

They will do overnight.

Otherwise online.

breda said...

Hm...do not do text over photos, unless it's very large, very clear, and professionally printed. The simpler the better - go for #1

Newbius said...

Recommend you look at Vista Print. You can get stuff completed quickly and they will fedex if you want to pay. Also, the local Staples or Office Depot (or FedEx Kinkos) will also print them and turn them around same-day.

Jay G said...

UPDATE: Number 1 it is!

Actually, I created something very similar to #1 online through FedEx/Kinkos.

Went with 500 vs. 250 for the extra $10.

Wish I'd thought of this last week, as it would have saved me the shipping costs (I do not have time this week to pick it up).

I hope when they say three business days they mean three business days - the order *should* arrive on Thursday in time for me to leave for NC...

Wally said...

Jay, I got a little thrill seeing that :-) Feel free to use, but I do believe that simple works best and try and avoid text over images.

Mike W. said...

Yeah, like im gonna have time to make up business cards.

I don't even own a working printer at the moment.

ajdshootist said...

As a retired graphic designer of 20yrs working at it i agree with just about everybody go with No1

Stretch said...

K.I.S.S.
Even #1 is too busy. Photo size unable to convey details essential to understand the basic lunacy of your mind.
But on such short notice it is the clear winner.

wv = gatee: a beard to hid a .38 snubbie.

Dr. Feelgood said...

Another vote for option 1, but I'd like to see with all the text, except for the URL, justified to the right margin.

Ted said...

1 or 3

Peter said...

"I never thought I'd see the day when *I* would need help selling myself out... *g*"

Caleb isn't answering email today?

Geodkyt said...

Option 4 has teh advantage of resembling the top of your blog, yet is easy to read.

GunGeek said...

It's a little late now, but you could have had them shipped to your hotel in NC and wouldn't have needed to pay for expedited shipping.

Just call the hotel and let them know you've got a package coming and they'll hold it if it gets there early. They do this sort of thing all the time.