business cards

[Burt]

One thing I'm not clear about is how, mechanically, one prints the cards.
I think some people are saying that one prints out single sheets of paper
(cardboard) that have several business cards on them and separates the
individual cards using, e.g., perforations in sheet. Is that the way it
is always done or is there some kind of adaptor that holds individual
cards which get printed individually?
--

Avery (and probably other companies as well) make 8.5x11 sheets that are
micro-perforated to separate as individual cards. There are templates in
wordprocessing programs that permit you to format a full page of cards that
you can "pop" apart after printing. You will find the template with the
label formats.

I don't know of any printer or holder for printing one card at a time.
Unless you only need one or two cards it would be extremely inefficient to
print one at a time..

You can use the same card template to print cards on blank, non-perforated
card stock which you will then cut apart with an accurate paper cutter. I
use Wausau 80# cover stock in my laser printer to print limited numbers of
business cards. Since I am retired I need very few cards, and I
occasionally change the text. If I were still in business I would need more
cards, and I would have them done at a professional printer.

 

[Fred McKenzie]

One thing I'm not clear about is how, mechanically, one prints the cards.
I think some people are saying that one prints out single sheets of paper
(cardboard) that have several business cards on them and separates the
individual cards using, e.g., perforations in sheet. Is that the way it
is always done or is there some kind of adaptor that holds individual
cards which get printed individually?

Allan-

Avery sells different styles of both Laser and Ink-jet versions of
business cards. There are other brands besides Avery, but they seem to
be more easily obtained from local stores.

They typically come in a pack of 25 sheets, each sheet having ten cards.
(A business card measures 2" X 3.5".) The sheets have a "micro"
perforation that breaks when the sheet is folded. Some claim that the
separated cards have an unattractive edge resulting from the
perforations, but you have to look closely to see it.

I have used both Laser and Ink-jet types from Avery with satisfactory
results. I've also used plain white card stock, and cut the cards with
a guillotine-style paper cutter.

A problem I've encountered, is arranging the page in my graphics program
so it aligns with the card sheets in the printer. Once you have that
worked out, you can print as many as you want. There is an Avery
business card template in Microsoft Word, but I've never been able to
get it to create anything but the simplest card design.

Fred

 

[Rob]

Allan-

Avery sells different styles of both Laser and Ink-jet versions of
business cards. There are other brands besides Avery, but they seem to
be more easily obtained from local stores.

They typically come in a pack of 25 sheets, each sheet having ten cards.
(A business card measures 2" X 3.5".) The sheets have a "micro"
perforation that breaks when the sheet is folded. Some claim that the
separated cards have an unattractive edge resulting from the
perforations, but you have to look closely to see it.

I have used both Laser and Ink-jet types from Avery with satisfactory
results. I've also used plain white card stock, and cut the cards with
a guillotine-style paper cutter.

A problem I've encountered, is arranging the page in my graphics program
so it aligns with the card sheets in the printer. Once you have that
worked out, you can print as many as you want. There is an Avery
business card template in Microsoft Word, but I've never been able to
get it to create anything but the simplest card design.

Fred

You download the Avery software from there site, make and print them in
MS Word.

 

[Fred McKenzie]

You download the Avery software from there site, make and print them in
MS Word.

Rob-

I downloaded "Mac Label Expert EN.app" from Avery. It looks like a good
program with a LONG list of Avery labels to choose from. I haven't
tried using it, so don't know if it has the ability to reposition the
printing to accommodate printer misalignment.

Vector graphics programs like ClarisDraw and AppleWorks are fairly easy
to adjust once you figure out the layout for a particular form.

Fred

 

[Phil Nelson]

If you want them to be smudge proof get some Krylon Preserve it and
give them a quick spray.

Late to the party, I know, but this is worth repeating, I think. I use
"workable fixatif" from the art supply store. I prefer matte. I tested
this before I handed cards out. They do suffer some cosmetic damage if
they get wet, but the ink does not come off on clothing, which I think
is an important quality in a business card.

 

[- Bob -]

Late to the party, I know, but this is worth repeating, I think. I use
"workable fixatif" from the art supply store. I prefer matte. I tested
this before I handed cards out. They do suffer some cosmetic damage if
they get wet, but the ink does not come off on clothing, which I think
is an important quality in a business card.

If you price out what the blank cards cost you at some place like
Staples, and add in the ink cost, you will meet or exceed the costs of
having the cards printed by a reasonable printer, even before the
"fixative". Unless you are doing cards on the fly for a "special"
event, or are doing a very low volume, it's not worth it.

EX: Staples brand, 250 cards, $12. Cost of $1000 cards, $48. Cost of
ink adds more, depending on how much ink you have in the design.

Cost at a printer for 1000 cards? Typically about $50. It's
professionally done, it won't run, fade, stick to plastic wallets,
etc.

 

[Burt]

If you price out what the blank cards cost you at some place like
Staples, and add in the ink cost, you will meet or exceed the costs of
having the cards printed by a reasonable printer, even before the
"fixative". Unless you are doing cards on the fly for a "special"
event, or are doing a very low volume, it's not worth it.

EX: Staples brand, 250 cards, $12. Cost of $1000 cards, $48. Cost of
ink adds more, depending on how much ink you have in the design.

Cost at a printer for 1000 cards? Typically about $50. It's
professionally done, it won't run, fade, stick to plastic wallets,
etc.

Bob - a laser printer or quality refill inks in an inkjet, plus inexpensive
card stock that you can cut very precisely with a good paper cutter, beats
the cost of the perforated specialty card stock from the big box stores.
You are absolutely right that this is suitable for short runs only, and any
volume of cards are best done by a professional printer. My wife and I are
retired and only need a few cards at any given time. My home printed cards
look quite professional, but I only print a dozen or so at a time and
sometimes change some of the text.