I get quite a few requests for business and calling cards, but I've never known quite how to handle these. It's tough because I charge a flat rate for identity packages – that is, jobs where I design and illustrate a logo specific to a business or brand. I don't think I overcharge for this; I think I'm right in line with other designers ...
I've often thought that to use my own artwork for business cards – other than my own – seems like it might, in the end, not be such a good thing. What I mean to say is that I have this idea – maybe it's a ridiculous one – that I should keep my illustrations somewhat proprietary for use in my stationery and wedding line. But, in the meantime, I think I miss out on quite a few jobs – and so, for a long while now, I've been trying to figure out how I can make it work for me and for these potential clients. I have thought about running some sort of super special, but still the lines blur between what is a bespoke job and staying true to my own work ...
So: I think I may have a solution. Above are six designs, some new and some old – and that I'd like to offer as the new Satsuma Press business card line ... As if I didn't have enough on my plate with the upcoming launch of the wedding line! But anyway: I'll just put it out there to see what folks think. Do you like the six designs? My idea is to offer these six: customizable with different ink colors and fonts, available in one or two colors with up to three small lines of type, in sets of 100, standard business card size only {that's 3.5" x 2"}, rounded corners available for extra charge, on Crane's 100% Cotton Lettra. Simple, lovely, the end.
Oh, yes, I suppose to really get your thoughts I'd need to tell you the pricing. Of course, affordable is relative – but how does 100 cards would be $115 in one color, $155 in two colors with a three week turnaround sound? I'm still thinking this through, though, so this is not official yet. But I am really excited by this idea and I hope you are, too!
P.S. Someone just posted a comment, but he or she deleted it already – but in response ... The person wrote that s/he didn't think this idea was all that effective, essentially, because then people working for different organizations would have the same 'logo.' Hmm. I guess I hadn't thought of it in this way – though it doesn't seem like most of the people who contact me wondering if they can use one of my designs are too concerned with that. But I don't know - what do you think? Other letterpress studios, such as Moontree, offer this, only I guess they call theirs social cards rather than business cards. Thoughts again?
9 comments:
i will be keeping an eye out for your official offer lynn. I am a sole trader operating in australia so i'm not too worried about the "logo" being around elsewhere, i doubt i'll run into it from here. I am more interested in the imagery reflecting the colour and more importantly, SPIRIT, of my brand: simple, stylish but cute enough to bring a smile to your face. That's what i try to project anyway and i think your work is a beautiful match
Hi Lynn,
For those who are looking for a "real" business card with a "logo" and "identity," then they really ought to be consulting someone offering those services. Truly bespoke and truly customized for their needs.
But for someone who is not looking to "brand" themselves -- say, an independent card seller or fellow etsy-user -- and hoping to make it big and create chains of B&M stores, etc. etc. then this is a great way to have a really nice business card without the expense of paying for customized work.
And, I do agree with the second commenter, these cards are more like social cards or calling cards. But it's still the same idea: a piece of paper with somebody's name and phone number so you can reach 'em! I think what you are offering does the job and in a rather nice way too!
PS. I ordered calling cards from an etsy stationer who doesn't do letterpress and all the designs were her own and I intend to use some of them as business cards. In fact, some of them have my etsy "business" name on them... for when I get my act together and actually make some things to sell.
Stay sane and thanks for always being so considerate. It's not easy trying to find a compromise.
I think that if you had your own proper business, then you wouldn't use these cards anyway - you would want cards that matched your own company logo or something, in which case that person would get a logo as part of your whole corporate identity work. So, I think they're fine - for example, I'm looking for a business card for some blog networking events I go to, and for a blogging course I'm going to teach - and I think something like these would be absolutely perfect - I wouldn't care that there's someone else out there in the world with them. In fact, I think that offering lots of different colours and fonts is even being quite generous!
I agree with everyone else's sentiment. If someone really needs to maintain their own logo, then they'll use something else.
I would actually love these without any type at all, just the design and white space. Then I could use them to jot down whatever it is the other person needs to know about me depending on the situation. Maybe my address, or just my phone, or maybe that great sandwich place off Madison. Or I could attach it to a package with a "to and from."
I had made the original post and deleted it because on second thought, I had similar sentiments that your customer might be looking more for the "calling card".
Your designs are very strong and "graphic" in nature, so they do look like very effective logos. I think you would make a great corporate graphics designer!
I think they're perfect "calling cards." There are many people who like to use cards for social and networking purposes.
Hi Lynn,
You know, I love your work and I very much want to buy some of your calling cards because they're so beautiful and I 'get' the calling card thing. I even have some plain white cards with only my name in the middle in a tasteful font.
I couldn't find the Miss Manners' essay on calling cards, but I do remember reading about this before:
"Although the calling card supplied only the name of the caller, certain messages could be left to a person by folding the card in a variety of ways. By folding the upper right corner, the visitor signified that she had come in person rather than sending the card by way of a second party. Folding the upper left corner meant congratulations. Folding the lower right corner meant goodbye and folding the lower left corner signified that the visit was a condolence call. If the entire left end of the card was folded, it was an indication of an intended visit to all the women in the house, rather than only the peer of the visitor.
"The calling cards were required to be in good taste, and the card of a well- bred lady was never to appear too large or too small. The name was to look as if it had been engraved in a medium size script, clear and without flourish. The prefix of ‘Mrs.’ or ‘Miss’, which was reserved for older, unmarried women, was included on every card. It was not considered proper for a young lady to have cards of her own. Her name would be printed beneath her mother’s name on her mother’s card. Cards were often saved and put into scrapbooks as keepsakes or mementos. The cards of the more socially prominent visitors were never left on display as to impress callers of the social status of the household."
From http://www.nps.gov/history/museum/tmc/docs/the_etiquette_of_calling.pdf
I love the whole card-folding etiquette thing, but very few people 'get it' these days. Too bad. I understand from other parts of the pdf linked above that some of the etiquette on these cards was so one could avoid actually visiting with the person one has called on. I'm in the wrong century because I totally understand this!
Good luck with your beautiful work. Let me get over tax time (and car insurance time and a few other things) and I might be able to buy a set of your cards as a present to myself. Then I'll have to make a very serious list of who's cool enough to get one and under what circumstances. Oh, modern life: it's SO complicated. But your work makes it much lovelier.
Ginger
I think it's a great idea! The designs are lovely, and it helps that it's a solution YOU feel good about. I agree with what the others have said, it may be best for calling cards or businesses that are just looking for cute cards in a non-branded way.
I would think of the standard designs as something not so different than the customizable backgrounds you could order on those sites that sell free business cards. It would depend on the intent of the business, but that would be their problem to worry about, right?
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