Business Cards for Offline Marketing

37 replies
Does anyone know a good plastic business card printer ?

I'm currently paying $575 for 500 cards, @ $1.15 per card.
#business #cards #marketing #offline
  • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
    Why do you need them in plastic?
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    • Profile picture of the author kingofthecrate
      Originally Posted by Dan C. Rinnert View Post

      Why do you need them in plastic?
      I have paper cards, they are terrible, they crumble easy, I just don't like them.

      I'm happy to pay extra for plastic cards, and my target market is impressed by silly things like that.
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  • Profile picture of the author David_Nilsson
    Hi Kingofthecrate.

    Just to let you know that alot of people are making great money in the offline business area and they don't have nor intend to get business cards. They aren't a must to making money.

    Dave..
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  • Profile picture of the author Mohammad Afaq
    I personally use Vista Print for my business cards but I don't think they offer plastic business cards.

    But, you can always try:

    http://www.google.com/search?btnG=1&...business+cards
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    • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
      [DELETED]
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      • Profile picture of the author Mohammad Afaq
        Originally Posted by Dan C. Rinnert View Post

        Maybe the OP wanted a suggestion from someone that has actually used a specific vendor, rather than picking some random site from Google?
        Yeah, didn't think about that when I was posting.

        Sorry

        EDIT: Just modified my post and yeah I act like an a**h*** sometimes but hey we all do that occasionally, don't we?
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    • Profile picture of the author kingofthecrate
      Originally Posted by Mohammad Afaq View Post

      I personally use Vista Print for my business cards but I don't think they offer plastic business cards.

      But, you can always try:

      plastic business cards - Google Search
      oh lord vista print ? dont get me started, I ordered 5000 cards from them, they got lost for 3 months, i embarassed them on twitter and got 5000 cards sent to me + a full refund.

      I was hoping someone has a personal recommendation, I've trolled google and found nothing great.

      I know people don't use cards for offline, however I like to give my cards out in business settings, social networking places, it works for me. But i'm making the move to plastic.
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      • Profile picture of the author kimberly Aita
        Originally Posted by kingofthecrate View Post

        oh lord vista print ? dont get me started, I ordered 5000 cards from them, they got lost for 3 months, i embarassed them on twitter and got 5000 cards sent to me + a full refund.

        I was hoping someone has a personal recommendation, I've trolled google and found nothing great.

        I know people don't use cards for offline, however I like to give my cards out in business settings, social networking places, it works for me. But i'm making the move to plastic.
        What on earth have you already used 5000 business cards for? Just wondering as that's a lot of cards to have already gone through.....
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  • Profile picture of the author David_Nilsson
    Haha Mohammad I almost fell of my chair when I saw that. It's the funniest thing I've seen in a while.

    Thanks for making me laugh...
    Dave
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    • Profile picture of the author Mohammad Afaq
      Originally Posted by David_Nilsson View Post

      Haha Mohammad I almost fell of my chair when I saw that. It's the funniest thing I've seen in a while.

      Thanks for making me laugh...
      Dave
      My job here is done
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      “The first draft of anything is shit.” ~Ernest Hemingway

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  • Profile picture of the author cycler
    vistaprint is good for regular business cards, don't know if they sell plastic ones.
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  • Profile picture of the author Nic Lynn
    Do not get plastic business cards (unless there is a very specific reason). I do recommend business cards as they are good to have at speaking engagements, chamber of commerce meetings, etc. Here's the big tip though: DO NOT get fancy with your title. You are not a CEO or a President... don't put that on your card. My recommendation... go with either nothing or "Owner" as your title.
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    • Profile picture of the author kingofthecrate
      Originally Posted by Nic Lynn View Post

      Do not get plastic business cards (unless there is a very specific reason). I do recommend business cards as they are good to have at speaking engagements, chamber of commerce meetings, etc. Here's the big tip though: DO NOT get fancy with your title. You are not a CEO or a President... don't put that on your card. My recommendation... go with either nothing or "Owner" as your title.
      Actually.. you'd be surprised.

      But I'm not getting fancy, I like the plastic, its a personal choice. I'll recoup it off a good week doing AM. I hate my cards bending, getting dirty or not lookng presentable.
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    • Profile picture of the author jdrohn74
      Originally Posted by Nic Lynn View Post

      Do not get plastic business cards (unless there is a very specific reason). I do recommend business cards as they are good to have at speaking engagements, chamber of commerce meetings, etc. Here's the big tip though: DO NOT get fancy with your title. You are not a CEO or a President... don't put that on your card. My recommendation... go with either nothing or "Owner" as your title.
      How true.. My first business cards said 'president.' My second round of cards didn't say anything.

      People have a funny way of trying to negotiate with the president of a company. If you're just an 'employee' they'll pay whatever you quote them...
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      • Profile picture of the author T.R. McCarroll
        Originally Posted by jdrohn74 View Post

        How true.. My first business cards said 'president.' My second round of cards didn't say anything.
        I bought from a guy that had "King" on his card .... actually pretty funny if you saw this
        guy in person
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  • Profile picture of the author RioNomad
    Plastic cards look sweet. Does Overnightprints.com sell them?
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  • Profile picture of the author MWGrubb58
    Have you ever thought about NOT using business cards? (The ONLY card I ever saw that was so impressive i would NEVER throw away was one made by a speaker that was die-cut with a rhinestone in the eye to make it sparkle)

    Why not give away a book that you wrote.

    Why not put an interview on CD... produce it with Kunaki.... and give THAT away when asked for a card?

    You you NEED cards?

    No. If I don't have one of my books or a CD, I just ask for a card... That puts me in a powerful position because i can NOW market to the prospect.... NOT hope they call me.

    Cheers,

    Millard
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    • Profile picture of the author V12
      Originally Posted by MWGrubb58 View Post

      Have you ever thought about NOT using business cards? (The ONLY card I ever saw that was so impressive i would NEVER throw away was one made by a speaker that was die-cut with a rhinestone in the eye to make it sparkle)

      Why not give away a book that you wrote.

      Why not put an interview on CD... produce it with Kunaki.... and give THAT away when asked for a card?

      You you NEED cards?

      No. If I don't have one of my books or a CD, I just ask for a card... That puts me in a powerful position because i can NOW market to the prospect.... NOT hope they call me.

      Cheers,

      Millard
      Great advice. You can get miniature business card sized CDs done. Easier to carry and give out.

      Abdul.
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  • Profile picture of the author lewernolan
    thanks for the great idea!
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  • Profile picture of the author yoyo
    i get mine outsourced to some printer in pakistan, does 1000 for $8. and im talking about top quality ones, card ones are for $4 for 1000
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  • Profile picture of the author Sonomacats
    You could also give a tips booklet instead of a card. Print it on brochure paper. These are easy to put together and are useful.

    Cards get tossed. People forget about them and then when they find them, they can't remember what the deal was, so they toss them.

    Give them something of value that they will use. Just like the freebie you use to get people to come to your site.

    They're a lot more likely to remember you than a card that can easily get lost and doesn't really give them anything.

    You can also leave a bunch of them at your local Chamber of Commerce. It's amazing how well that works. I've gotten clients and speaking gigs from doing that. And since I get more clients from the speaking gigs, it's like a giant snowball rolling down hill.
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  • Profile picture of the author Debt Rx
    Why plastic? I dont like Vista Print due to quality of paper and their inability to print two sided glossy cards
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    • Profile picture of the author russells
      I've used Vistaprint in the past with no problems but not for glossy cards.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jimian
    Anyone tried these types of unique biz cards:

    http://www.warriorforum.com/offline-...offliners.html
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  • Profile picture of the author pkbagorio1
    i have been using ( printfirm dot com) for about 12 years fast turn around you can get 5000 full color front and back for $99 with shipping total $113. you must design your own card or use a pre-made template and fill in the blanks
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  • Profile picture of the author Rocketguy
    I definitely believe you need business cards if you are going to networking meetings. I have been really successful in the offline arena and have actually had several people call me months later after handing out my business card. One attorney called me 4 months later and signed up for a $1500 a month package on the same day he called. He said the business card with my pic was the reason he called me over other people because he remembered my face and meeting me in person.

    I love plastic business cards as they add a level of professionalism which is something plan on testing out in the future.
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  • Profile picture of the author keyconcepts
    As a former graphic designer and print broker, you can get coated cards that are VERY durable for less. And they look NICE! They are a great alternative to plastic. I always recommended 14 pt C2S (coated 2 sides) for the best durability at an economical price. And they are usually 4/4.

    Business Card Printing - Business Cards, Bulk Business Cards, and Discount Business Cards for the Trade - Products 500 for $19.50

    You can get even stronger with 16 pt or more! But get them coated and they still shine pretty like the plastic cards! They don't rip too easily, and some places offer rounded corners, etc., if you like that "look".

    Or if you are dead set on those plastic cards, check out stouse.com I know you can get 500 full color plastic membership cards (same size as BC) printed on 2 sides for $450. If you are just doing one side or not using full color, it would be less.

    Hope this helps.
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  • Profile picture of the author redlegrich
    Despite all the great vendors on the Internet you may find a local printer who can do the job for you at a good price. And.... if they have a poor Internet presence you might turn them into a customer for your services ;-) And if that's the case they might be able to refer you to many new customers. Printers do business with everyone in a local area.
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  • Profile picture of the author Amir Luis
    I sit on the fence... but I agree with Tisha. They make an impression.


    Do you want to display cheapo depot?

    Or... Wow...


    It's your image we are talking about.


    Usually when people ask me for a card I just say....
    "Everything I do is on the internet and phone. Generally I have no need for a card, let me get yours and I will email you my contact info.... That way you can have it on file."

    This has worked for me... and not one person has said....

    "oh.... you don't have a business card... I am not going to use you."
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  • Profile picture of the author StephanieMojica
    I got my coated business cards by ordering at Staples online. You can opt to pick them up in a store or have them shipped; they're ready within four hours.

    I recommend buying business cards only if you do a lot of offline marketing such as networking events, public speaking, in-person business meetings, or direct mail.

    Peace,
    Stephanie
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  • Profile picture of the author redcell1
    Personally, I know Plastic cards stand out from your normal 14pt card

    Here are some samples of them just so people can see




    You cannot tell me that if someone gave you a card like one of the 2 above you would not keep it in your wallet (because its that cool)
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    Just here to see the shenanigans.

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  • Profile picture of the author marklucas8
    Just to let you know that alot of people are making great money in the offline business area as well as they don't have nor intend to get business cards.
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