Business Cards

LexPhoto · October 9, 2007

So, I am currently in the process of revamping my business card. Any recommendations on programs to use to design it? I have Adobe Photoshop 7 and Photoshop CS2. Any other suggestions?
Thanks!! :thumb

DavidTO · October 9, 2007

That should be fine.

Have you seen our Show Us Your Business Card thread?

LexPhoto · October 9, 2007

DavidTO wrote:

That should be fine.

Have you seen our Show Us Your Business Card thread?

Yes I did see that thread. I had actually posted on it awhile back. But I was using a generic program and wasnt able to post mine. (Well I was once, but then I switched programs).
Anyway, I thought that was what everyone used but I just wanted to see if something else was out there that I should be using.
Thanks so much Dave. I am so new to CS2, I will have to do some training!

lol

DavidTO · October 9, 2007

Well, a professional might use Illustrator, as well. But PS is fine.

Dee · October 9, 2007

I use QuarkXPress or InDesign :-)

If you are working in photoshop, find out what color space (RGB or CYMK) your printer requires.

Be sure to set your image size resolution at 300 dpi, file size is 3.5 inches wide by 2 inches high.

If you intend to have images go to the edge, add a "bleed" around the file size either 1/8 of an inch all around, or 1/4 inch all around.

Keep important text at least 1/4 of an inch from the edge of the trim size of the cards.

If you already know all this, congratulatons! You are ready to design your card.

Be sure to print out your card on your own printer to make sure none of your type is too tiny, etc. Viewing on the monitor can be very deceptive.

DavidTO · October 9, 2007

Dee wrote:

I use QuarkXPress or InDesign :-)

Or one of those.

ziggy53 · October 9, 2007

Dee wrote:

I use QuarkXPress or InDesign :-)

...

Ventura Publisher

I also like printers that use a PDF workflow.

Other than that, what Dee said.

scwalter · October 10, 2007

LexPhoto wrote:

So, I am currently in the process of revamping my business card. Any recommendations on programs to use to design it? I have Adobe Photoshop 7 and Photoshop CS2. Any other suggestions?
Thanks!!

Others have given good suggestions for programs, but I will add that most online vendors provide business card templates for most of these programs that you can download. They typically show the "safe zone" and are usually already in the correct color space.

-Scott

Art Scott · October 10, 2007

I have been using MOSS Bay's Office Printer (v2) for all my B-Card needs....easy to use templates also can use all my own photos....similar to Vista Print (and other online services) but it is my software and I print on my own printer use a rotary cutter (photo cutter)...that is the time consuming part....I am about ready to buy a B-Card die cutter in the near future.

Sometimes I do slip into PSCS and play with designing there also just to get better at PS...............

Zanotti · October 10, 2007

Doesnt Avery have pre cut ( perforated) business cards stock?

http://avery.com/us/Main?action=product.HierarchyList&node=10210802&catalogcode=WEB01

It would be easier than cutting them out yourself.

DavidTO · October 10, 2007

Being able to get 100 cards for $10 makes the decision easy for me. Let someone else print them!

canonguy · October 10, 2007

True Black for CMYK
Make sure that if you convert to CMYK for printing that your blacks and greys are true blacks and greys for text otherwise your text will come out blurry. This recently got me into trouble on one of my projects. CS2 or CS3 does not properly convert blacks to true black. Instead, they convert to rich black (Black with Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow traces). This will make your text look blurry if there is any bit of a registration imperfection with the printer.

LexPhoto wrote:

So, I am currently in the process of revamping my business card. Any recommendations on programs to use to design it? I have Adobe Photoshop 7 and Photoshop CS2. Any other suggestions?
Thanks!!

DavidTO · October 10, 2007

canonguy wrote:

Make sure that if you convert to CMYK for printing that your blacks and greys are true blacks and greys for text otherwise your text will come out blurry. This recently got me into trouble on one of my projects. CS2 or CS3 does not properly convert blacks to true black. Instead, they convert to rich black (Black with Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow traces). This will make your text look blurry if there is any bit of a registration imperfection with the printer.

How?

SloYerRoll · October 10, 2007

canonguy wrote:

Make sure that if you convert to CMYK for printing that your blacks and greys are true blacks and greys for text otherwise your text will come out blurry. This recently got me into trouble on one of my projects. CS2 or CS3 does not properly convert blacks to true black. Instead, they convert to rich black (Black with Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow traces). This will make your text look blurry if there is any bit of a registration imperfection with the printer.

Normally this is called a "black build". I've never heard of any printers having any issues with this either. Possible if it's a cheap desktop printer that's not calibrated. Any even semi-professional printer won't have any issues with black builds. That's the only way to get those really dark blacks unless your using high end printer technology.

While you can use PS for BC design. I recommend using illustrator for this project. It is much more intuative than photoshop in regards to designing business cards.

You can download a free 30 day trial at Adobe.com.

If you get stuck on something. Shoot me a PM and I'll get you through it. The only reason I don't say to post a thread is it's non photog graphic design stuff. I can shoot you a bizcard template to get you started if you choose to use illustrator.

-Jon

DavidTO · October 10, 2007

SloYerRoll wrote:

Normally this is called a "black build". I've never heard of any printers having any issues with this either. Possible if it's a cheap desktop printer that's not calibrated. Any even semi-professional printer won't have any issues with black builds. That's the only way to get those really dark blacks unless your using high end printer technology.

While you can use PS for BC design. I recommend using illustrator for this project. It is much more intuative than photoshop in regards to designing business cards.

You can download a free 30 day trial at Adobe.com.

If you get stuck on something. Shoot me a PM and I'll get you through it. The only reason I don't say to post a thread is it's non photog graphic design stuff. I can shoot you a bizcard template to get you started if you choose to use illustrator.

-Jon

Jon, I would think you could post a thread like that in MYOB. It IS about your biz, right?

SloYerRoll · October 10, 2007

I stand corrected. I figured it was a bit outside of the realm since it was more vector than raster. Makes sense how you state the question though.

Go head and post in MYOB if you'd like Illustrator design assistance. I'll be happy to guide you through the process as well provide design critique. I'm definately not the end all of designers. But I can help you get to a point where your design is technically sound. The rest is up to you.

Please PM me w/ thread if you do this so I don't miss your post.

Cheers,
-Jon

LexPhoto · October 10, 2007

DavidTO wrote:

Jon, I would think you could post a thread like that in MYOB. It IS about your biz, right?

Well obviously I wasnt the only one with this kind of question!

Thanks for everyones input. It is very appreciated. I was using an Avery templete that came with the pre-cut cards. The problem that I run into is the file name that cant be opened anywhere but in that program. SO that is when I downloaded the 30 day trial for PS CS2. I need to get some experience on it anyway.
Honestly, I think I need a book or an online tut for PS CS2. I am getting a bit frustrated. :bash Anyone know of a good tut place?

Thanks!

LexPhoto · October 10, 2007

SloYerRoll wrote:

Normally this is called a "black build". I've never heard of any printers having any issues with this either. Possible if it's a cheap desktop printer that's not calibrated. Any even semi-professional printer won't have any issues with black builds. That's the only way to get those really dark blacks unless your using high end printer technology.

While you can use PS for BC design. I recommend using illustrator for this project. It is much more intuative than photoshop in regards to designing business cards.

You can download a free 30 day trial at Adobe.com.

If you get stuck on something. Shoot me a PM and I'll get you through it. The only reason I don't say to post a thread is it's non photog graphic design stuff. I can shoot you a bizcard template to get you started if you choose to use illustrator.

-Jon

Jon,
I am going to give Illustrator a shot. I will download from Adobe right now! So reassured if I get stuck you will get a PM! lol or I will check the MYOB thread for sure!
Thanks for the advise.

I wasnt sure what direction to go.

SloYerRoll · October 10, 2007

LexPhoto wrote:

Jon,
I am going to give Illustrator a shot. I will download from Adobe right now! So reassured if I get stuck you will get a PM! lol or I will check the MYOB thread for sure!
Thanks for the advise. I wasnt sure what direction to go.

You can search the threads. You can also just post a new thread for this as well. Any thread holds knowledge on how to do something is a good thread.

-Jon

NOTE: it's going to look intimidating at first. No worries though. We'll get you through it virtually unscathed

SloYerRoll · October 11, 2007

LexPhoto wrote:

I think I need a book or an online tut for PS CS2. I am getting a bit frustrated. :bash Anyone know of a good tut place?

Thanks!

lynda.com

I use them for so much stuff.

25.00 a month gives you access to 1000's of hours of tuts on everything from word perfect to osCommerce (pretty much everything digital).

I'm a member and haven't regretted one penny I've given them.

You can check out the first few videos in each subject for free to see if it's for you or not too

Art Scott · October 11, 2007

Zanotti wrote:

Doesnt Avery have pre cut ( perforated) business cards stock?

http://avery.com/us/Main?action=product.HierarchyList&node=10210802&catalogcode=WEB01

It would be easier than cutting them out yourself.

yes they do...but the look is well....well..... shite...even the ones that claim to be clean edged are not truly clean edged........hence why I just cut mine.....

SloYerRoll · October 11, 2007

Art Scott wrote:

yes they do...but the look is well....well..... shite...even the ones that claim to be clean edged are not truly clean edged........hence why I just cut mine.....

The only way you can get a clean edge w/ home produced bizcards is to use a roatary cutter or purchase a die. Buying a die should only be a purchase if you KNOW you are going to create your own bizcards for a long time.

If your just getting your feet wet. I'd recommend a rotary cutter like Art has. They aren't that expensive and come in incredibly handy for other projects as well. They also give very professional results.

-Jon

pilotdave · October 13, 2007

Art Scott wrote:

yes they do...but the look is well....well..... shite...even the ones that claim to be clean edged are not truly clean edged........hence why I just cut mine.....

I recently made some new cards for myself using Avery business card paper. "clean edge" and "print to the edge" style (cards are separated for full bleed). I don't use them as business cards exactly, just a quick way to give my contact info and website to "clients" (makes me sound like a pro when I put it that way). I guess that's what business cards are for... but anyway I don't care about quality because the alternative is just to write my info down on a scrap piece of paper. Not used for impressing anyone or getting business. But anyway, I was really surprised how nice they came out. The edges are really smooth. Maybe not quite as smooth as professional cards or what you can get with a cutter, but they are pretty close. Not at all obviously home made. They aren't perforated. They snap off of the sheet instead of tearing off.

Dave

canonguy · October 14, 2007

SloYerRoll wrote:

Normally this is called a "black build". I've never heard of any printers having any issues with this either. Possible if it's a cheap desktop printer that's not calibrated. Any even semi-professional printer won't have any issues with black builds. That's the only way to get those really dark blacks unless your using high end printer technology.

While you can use PS for BC design. I recommend using illustrator for this project. It is much more intuative than photoshop in regards to designing business cards.

-Jon

Actually, the more involved print jobs with the higher quality printer houses will warn you about this. Probably not a big deal for business cards though.

Business Cards

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