Business cards hints

Jewelry Discussion
1

All,

I’m in the process of redesigning my business cards for next year.
I’d like to select 1 piece of jewelry to feature on the card.

Can anyone give me hints as to if they found it easier to select a
ring, say, as opposed to a bracelet or pin for the image? Or any
other suggestions, too.

Does having 1 image box you in too much to a certain style/look? (I
just seem to remember that I keep photo business cards of the
artists I like.)

Can anyone recommend a good vendor? I’ve heard good things about
vistaprint.

Thanks,
Tracy
Tracy’s Treasures

2

I absolutely love overnightprints.com for business card printing.
their prices are reasonable and they use a really nice heavy
cardstock for their cards. i’ve done quite a bit of business with
them and have always been happy.

Sarah Stoudt
Gavin&Lily
http://www.gavinandlily.com

3

Hi Tracy,

I just finished up my business cards for the third time and I used
FedEx Kinko, this is the second time using them, first time was so
smooth but the second was a little frustrating but overall…they did
a wonderful job. I have used internet printing before with good
results, it’s just that I wanted to personally stay on top of the
design process due to my design. It was a large “V” shaped necklace
and I wanted the copy to work around the shape of the necklace.

One thing I can say about the internet printers…they were cheaper.

As far as my thoughts on which piece to use? I suggest you give it
your best shot on whatever piece you select…ring, pendant, etc. I
like the WOW Factor, you can always list the items you make on the
back of the card in black and white.

Photos of your work on your business cards speaks volumes in my
opinion.

Hope this helps,
Dawn V.

4

Hi Tracy.

VistaPrint is good. I have almost exclusively used 48hourprint.com

They print ALMOST everything, everything is done online or you
upload your artwork, it is printed in 48 hours, its too easy and
prices are excellent.

If you put an image yes I’d do a ring, I think most women (who have
10 fingers) can imagine a day or evening she’d wear THAT ring.

I have a better idea though.

Yes make your cards with a great looking style of yours. I’d make it
two sided, doesn’t cost any more and its twice the advertising space.

BUT…

If you custom design for the public, one on one (got this idea from
someone using my price book) go to Office Depot and buy the Avery
business cards, 10 to a page, clean edge. You print these in your own
printer (wait-come back, done leave just yet!)

Now make your own business card with Avery templates to print
yourself but this is what you’ll do.

(You’ve made a big to do about how important the picture is)

When you custom make a new item for a customer, take a picture of
her NEW ring, paste it into the post for logo on the business cards
you’re making.

Print 2 sheets, 20 cards.

When she picks up her new ring, drools all over the counter and
loves it, tell her (after collecting the money) that you live for
referrals. Tell her “ALL of my customers send me referrals” (set the
stage to get them).

Ask her to give out some of your business cards to her office
workers, friends and people wanting jewelry. Then give her YOUR
business cards (which has her picture on it.

I promise you she’ll be on cloud 9 seeing her design on your cards.

No matter if she wears her ring to work or NOT, when she gets there
she’ll say

“Wanna see my new ring”

“yes, where is it?”

“Its at home, but LOOK!”

She’ll show it around as she thinks HER designs in on everyone’s
business card, its impressive and she’ll say “No, just keep the card,
I have more.”

Hope that intrigues you.

David Geller
www.JewelerProfit.com

5

Hi Tracy,

I use a photo for my business cards. I don’t think it boxes a
designer in too much to one style–rather it reminds the customer of
who you are and what they saw. I just choose unique pieces or unique
photos. My first time I used a photo of the first version of a
necklace that I now call my signature piece (I make two a year). Here
locally that design is something I’m known for. The second picture
was a gorgeous one that a local photographer took on a model. The
latest one I actually used a bio photo, and of course I’m wearing one
of my pieces that is clearly visible.

I also use Vistaprint. They have great deals, and I have yet to be
displeased with the quality. You can use a template of theirs, or
create your own. Even if you create your own, the price you pay is
far less than if you went to someone in your area. Because I use
Vistaprint, it’s also a lot easier to change the design and keep my
cards fresh and new.

Have fun with creating your business card, and good luck!

Miachelle

6 
I'm in the process of redesigning my business cards for next year.
I'd like to select 1 piece of jewelry to feature on the card.

As with jury submissions, it probably makes sense to choose your
best-looking image, though you do want it to be a representative
one. Your signature style, if you have one.

And if I may be permitted to digress-- at One of a Kind this last
weekend, I had three different postcards and my business card
(picture on back) out, and used up an astonishing number of them. I
don’t know what people want them for-- there were many people, and I
don’t mean kids, who took them really looking at them. The ones that
really baffle me, though, are the folks who study the cards at
length, but don’t look at the actual pieces right next to them!

The show was awful for me, by the way. The things I raised the
prices on did not sell, but then, neither did anything else much, so
I can conclude nothing except that I should give up on that show.

Noel

7 
Can anyone recommend a good vendor? I've heard good things about
vistaprint.

I use vistaprint for all my business cards, rubber stamps, checks,
etc. I like their website and service. I use a picture of one of my
inlay bracelets, my signature piece. The picture pretty much takes up
the whole left side of the card and then my name, business name,
contact info, and website is on the right. Pay extra for the glossy
finish. Don’t bother with trying to print your own cards with an
inkjet. They look cheap, have thin card stock, and curl up. By the
time you pay for ink and paper you’ll end up saving money with
vistaprint and get a much better product. I wouldn’t bother paying
for express service. Their regular service in pretty fast.

Business cards work. I had someone call me last week and order an
inlay bracelet. He and his wife had seen my work at a show this
summer and got one of my cards. During the Christmas shows when a
couple would look at my jewelry the wife/girlfriend would ooh and
ahh and the husband/boyfriend would grab one of my cards. So I’m
hopeful for some last minute Christmas shopping. Us guys always wait
until the last minute… :slight_smile:

Rick Copeland
Silversmith and Lapidary Artisan
Rocky Mountain Wonders
Colorado Springs, Colorado
rockymountainwonders.com

8

Tracy,

business cards are a very small format so you need a product that
will show up well. Bracelets, necklaces and pns may be nice, but
unless it’s a detail shot you might end up with a lot of open space
and not a lot of jewelry. Close-in, detail shots could solve that
problem, but may not give a client a good idea as to what the product
is.

I’d say go with a picture of a ring. Rings are compact and visually
recognizable.

Larry
Cary, NC

9

Hi Tracy,

First of all, I use Vistaprint and have been very satisfied with
them- quality, price & service. Just a happy customer, usual
disclaimers.

Regarding images, remember that a business card is a small size. If
you start putting several pictures on there, the card starts to look
cluttered, and the pictures get too small to really see what’s in
them. I used to do that with a postcard, and even with that you run
the same risks, and that’s a fair amount bigger than a business
card. It can be tricky to choose just one image to represent your
work, that’s true. I do a lot of very different styles, but there’s
one technique that I really like to promote, something that’s really
different from most of what is seen, so I make sure to use a piece
in that style. Usually there is one piece that is my current
favorite, so that becomes my business card & postcard piece. Since I
started using Vistaprint and doing my cards in color (i used to print
them at home on perfed stock, just text), I’ve done two different
images, basically keeping each for about a year. I suppose some time
next year I’ll change it again. Mostly for the postcards, so they
continue to look fresh. Now, if you do want to have something that
shows a bit more variety, then try doing it with a postcard, but
still try to keep it to a minimum of images, so they aren’t too small
& it isn’t sensory overload.

Lisa
Designs by Lisa Gallagher

10

I love love love overnightprints.com. their matte finish is awesome-
very high end looking. Their UV glossy is too glossy- there’s a glare
and you can’t write on it! not good for passing out at shows and
people wanting to jot down a note about you on your card.

Not affiliated… just a really happy customer.

amery
Amery Carriere Designs
Romantic Jewelry with an Edge
www.amerycarriere.com

11 
If you custom design for the public, one on one (got this idea
from someone using my price book) go to Office Depot and buy the
Avery business cards, 10 to a page, clean edge. You print these in
your own printer (wait-come back, done leave just yet!)

This is a very good idea. I do something similar.

I have a colour printer that cost less than $150.00. (it can scan
and fax and copy as well) I buy 8 X 10 glossy photo paper. I buy it
on sale or at stores that specialize in selling old stock. I have
bought it for less than 40 cents a sheet. I get only 8 cards per
sheet, but I think I could get 10. I cut out the cards by hand. The
quality is as good as a photograph.

At 8 cards per sheet, the paper costs 4.5 cents per card. The ink
cost I cannot calculate because the printer is used for all of my
business work. My initial investment is the printer that I need
anyway; the software that I use for my business needs can make the
card layouts. (and letterhead etc.) The paper can be perhaps a $20
initial layout and then another $20 as needed. It is very gentle to
my cash flow.

I use a few different card layouts and can swap pictures in the
design whenever I want to. I can then tailor cards to what the
intended use is. Some are for repair work, some for diamond
jewellery, some for wedding rings, etc. I never have cards that I
wish were slightly different and I am stuck with a hundred that I
just want to use up. I can make an immediate change in design and use
8 of them to see if I am pleased, make a change and use the new ones.
I do bridal shows and make a card to be specific to each show. When
the card comes in, I can see which show the card came from. I hand
them out in each bag that a customer takes home. I mail them when I
correspond with a customer. Cards in bags, cards sent with a letter,
cards in my wallet can all be adjusted for each use. I can see which
ones were used for which purpose when I see them again. I can stick
them on magnets bought at my favourite office supply store and buy
only enough for a run of 8, they end up on refrigerators. (I suppose
I could put carrots on them and use the intended pun when they end up
on a fridge…just thought of that!!)

$1000 spent on an ad in a newspaper is seen for a few days and then
the paper is gone. At less than 10 cents per card I can make over
10,000 cards for $1000. Think about handing out 20,000 cards each
tailored for a specific need. Where they will end up? They are not in
the trash in a few days. I see cards come back that are years old.

I can make over 500 tailored cards for less than $50, excluding the
printer and software.

Food for thought…

Franklin

12

VistaPrint is hard to avoid since they do so much advertising, but I
much prefer http://gotprint.net.

Great printing, great prices, very easy website to use, the cards
feel good to the touch and aren’t too shiny, and you can easily keep
track of your order at every stage.

They printed my business cards and postcards with a close-up photo
and I was very happy with the entire process and the finished
products.

I think using a photo’s a good idea, especially an eye-catching
colorful one. It makes a card stand out among all the ones that have
only text.

Debra

13

Tracy,

I have my business cards- double sided with no pic. Then, each show
season, I produce one new postcard with some new pieces on it. I
always have these at the shows- I bring the older ones as well.
People tend to grab the postcards with the large pics on them so
they can remember me. They grab the business cards for their card
files- but like the postcards for their bulletin boards so they have
a reminder. I’ve gotten orders from these old cards floating around
their stores or desks after 2-3 years.

Well worth investing in both…

Amery Carriere Designs
Romantic Jewelry with an Edge
www.amerycarriere.com

14

Hi Tracy. It’s so cheap online for cards anymore, that I strongly
suggest you use both sides. I got 5000 full-color coated stock
printed on both sides for about $130 if I remember right- from
www.gotprint.com. I also know of www.psprint.com. The only
disadvantage of the coated stock is that you need a Sharpee to write
on it.

One thing I did that has worked out very well is that, on the back,
I have a partial headshot of me, slightly stylized in Photoshop
Elements. I really think it helps people remember who you are. How
many cards have you collected over the years that you wish you could
associate with a face?

Also, TRIPLE-check your info. I somehow screwed up my cell number,
on 10,000 cards! Why so many, you say? Because some months after
getting the first 5000, I somehow “lost” the box they were in. I tore
the house apart but couldn’t find it. I wrote it off as one of those
mysteries I might not ever solve. Then, yesterday, I found the box,
over two years later, and long after I had ordered another 5000. It
was in plain sight, right where it had been all along! It’s one thing
to lose a small something on the floor, but this was rediculous!

Good luck!
Allan Mason

15

Hi all, I take images of my work and print it out on business cards,
I do 12 to a sheet in the heaviest photo paper I can buy and cut them
up on a guillotine, I photograph around 10 different pieces of my
carvings at a time and put the cards into a card holder and invite
people to take whichever one appeals to them, gives me great feedback
even if they don’t buy.The card they choose tells me what they like
and that is so very important plus they get to take it home to hubby
or their jeweller.

Most take more than one so do plenty.

Don’t make the card to busy though, one image that prints nice and
bold on half of the front of the card, remember that you have only a
very small area and you want your phone no in large enough writing so
people can read it or your location so they can remember where they
saw you…

When I was in Tucson a few yrs ago I seen so much but for the life
of me I couldn’t remember who had what and the only ones I followed
up on were the ones that had handed me a card which I threw into my
bag. If they hadn’t handed me their card I would never have been
bothered to pick any up and of course there were a few that I had no
clue of why I had the card, the ones I really remembered were the
ones that wrote on it what I was looking at.

I know that takes some time for the booth holder to do but I
actually bought from them,plus I sent people over to them all because
I had their card.

Christine in the Ridge

16

Ive used psprint.com for years and am very pleased with them, as
Allan said, the coated cards require a sharpie to write on them, but
the quality is great, they also do short runs (250 cards for $25-$33
plus shipping) so you can do multiple images on seperate cards on the
cheap.

I will say, put what ever info you want on the card…for me, all I
include is my website address. Also, dont use cards that are oversize
thinking they will stand out…sure they will in the immediate, but I
dont recall any oversize cards that I kept.

P@

17 
used up an astonishing number of them. I don't know what people
want them for- there were many people, and I don't mean kids, who
took them really looking at them. The ones that really baffle me,
though, are the folks who study the cards at length, but don't look
at the actual pieces right next to them!

I’ve given up trying to figure why so many people, kids too, take my
card. So why are sales so lousy? Why do I hardly ever hear from those
people? But in addition to the above comments by Noel, perhaps the
most puzzling to me is the person who looks at my display for less
than two seconds, and then takes a card and walks away. It just
doesn’t make sense.

I’ve known artists who hoard their cards, requiring that people ask
for them. With cards as cheap as they are, I figure if they want one,
let em take one. I realize some customers ask for a card as
face-saving getaway move, but so what? The wider the net, the better
the catch.

Allan Mason

18

I have a friend who brings her husband along when she does shows. If
people ask for cards he takes the card, right in front of them and
tosses it in the trash and says " here, I’ll save you the trouble".
I know he is joking and the customers get a kick out of it, but there
is defintely some truth in the action!!! It’s kind of like all the
customers who ask “Do you have a website” All my work is there, at
the show what do they need a website for - it’s just a ploy to get
out of the booth.

19

Maybe all the images of beautiful jewellery on those carefully
designed cards are ending up in someone else’s craft projects! :slight_smile:
Scrap booking is a popular pastime these days!

Or maybe people collect them on the “gunna” principle - i.e. "gunna
do/buy something from this person when I get “a round tuit” :slight_smile:

And one of these light years, they will. It’s happened to me “had
your card for months and only just got around to it”!

Jane Walker
Australia

20

I am using moo cards from Flickr. They fit neatly in a box and you
can have up to 100 different jewelry images in each box of cards. if
ya want that much.

Susan
http://web.mac.com/SusanThornton