Expert Advice on Business Cards

A vital source of information which clients tend to overlook is a business card. 

The moment you hand over a business card to someone you are handing over your brand. Ideally, you would want to showcase your business in the best light.

You have to consider that it happens to be the oldest form of printing. It can be inked, raised and the reverse images could be pressed against the paper stock. You can describe letterpress cards as clean and crisp with bold icons. For display of spectacular typography, it is famous. Since it is a handpicked home of art a lot of time along with effort is involved in the process. Being handmade the value of the product is on the higher side.

Content

To a business card content happens to be very important. Obviously, you would want to include your contact information, but there should not be too much of it. It needs to be concise and should include your name, contact details along with your website. You can include your personal information and this boils down to your personal decision. Do not commit the folly of including social media information on the card as it would look too crowded.

Design

Another important aspect to focus on your business card is the design. It is a piece of your brand and for this reason, it should match your logo. In case if you plan to put photos on your card, the chances of updates are going to increase.

If you want your business card to stand apart from the crowd, then the design would help you to achieve that. Spending some amount extra will help you reach there. If the card is of good quality, clients are likely to form a favorable impression about the business and the brand.

Letterpress

Letterpress business cards have off late become a lot popular. From business cards to wedding invites they have made profound impacts. A strong reason for such an impression is that it has been around since 1800’s. The process began with a handset type incorporated from wood and metal. In due course the standard went on to become polymer plates. One of the unique features of letterpress business cards is that you print each color in a separate manner. All these prints are undertaken one at a time. 

Uniqueness is provided by the layered look. Once the plates are prepped to the base of the press a plate is attached. Then the rollers are inked. The quantity of ink happens to be important. If too less is provided you are going to have a messy printout and when it is too much a solid look will not be portrayed. Then the paper is rolled through. Once this process is over you are going to design color for each and every color.

You need to take note of the fact that it happens to be a tactile printing procedure. On the flip side, it is not ideal for large buckets of color and you would need to print it with a limited color palette. In addition, it works out to be an expensive way of printing.

Types of impressions

•    Embossing- between a two-sided die, you can raise the image and then press paper. No ink is transferred during the process. On the back portion of the paper, a reverse will be left behind

•    Debossing- No form of ink is transferred in this procedure. A depressed image is created where on a double-sided die, the paper is pressed.

When you are about to design a letterpress business card, keep in mind the choice of a color. The color could change and this depends on the paper stock being selected.

To conclude, turnaround time, cost along with flexibility are some of the main reasons why It is not a chosen mode of printing. As the cost of manufacturing each plate is on the higher side, the cost of printing shoots up considerably. It is a time-consuming process as a single palette can go on to print one color at a time. If you choose it, it does promise some extraordinary for sure. In the form of letter press business cards something close to perfection is achieved.

Letterpress Business Cards Combine The Classic Effect With Modern Process

Since the invention of printing by Gutenberg, letterpress has been the mainstay of printing. Nevertheless, the invention of offset printing has relegated the letterpress technique to a corner. Voluminous printing is now done in offset. This is cheaper, easier and quicker compared to letterpress. Yet, when it comes to beauty and elegance, there is nothing better than letterpress. Letterpress business cards are the ultimate in design and personality. Yes, your business card must have a personality. In fact, it must effuse your personality since it represents you. It should be designed in a way that it reflects your unique personality. You can do this with letterpress printing. 

It is not just a card; it is a tool to impress others

Letterpress printing goes beyond the appeal of mere printing. It is like inscribing something. You can get artistically designed deep impressions on your business card. Such a business card can really leave an impression on the recipient of your business card. 

Letterpress printing in the 21st century

Traditional letterpress printing has evolved into its modern form. It has undergone a metamorphosis into its modern identity while retaining the nostalgic flavor. Printing is still done by hand, yet the process as well as the material has undergone a sea change. Letterpress enthusiasts have really succeeded in preserving the essence of letterpress, yet imbibed some attributes of modern technology. This has elevated letterpress to a higher pedestal. The printed material is now more effective in communicating its purpose than ever before. The designing is now done in computer. This makes it possible to import a veritable treasure of designs to your letterpress business cards. Not only exquisite designs, but also attractive patterns, new artistic fonts, multicolour designs and unique graphics are now possible in business cards. In fact, letterpress business cards may well be one of the most sought after business cards now. 

The essence of primitive printing method is intact

There was a time when letterpress was the only printing technology. In those times, operators used to typeset the words either on metal plates or on wooden blocks. Metal typesets were used mainly in commercial printing whereas the wooden typesets were used for printing leaflets, cards etc. A typeset used to contain letters in reverse order. The raised surfaces of letters were smeared with ink and pressed over the piece of paper like a business card. The essence of letterpress Australia is intact, but you can now prepare the type cast and select new design and font. The material itself has undergone a change, but not the process of printing. The type cast is now done on photographic polymer plates and the letters on it are produced through a photographic process. Modern technology has ensured that type setting is no longer a time consuming, labor intensive process. Technology has enabled printers to print without much hassle. 

The modern touch to classic letterpress printing 

Polymer plates have replaced the wooden blocks and metal plates. Letters are imprinted on the plate through a photographic process. The designs are created in computer and imprinted on a film through a photographic process. This acts as a negative plate. With the help of UV lights, this image is transposed on the polymer plate. On further processing, raised letters appear on the plate. This is the design that you can now print on letterpress business cards. Such plates are available in various colors. However, you need a different plate for each color. 

Similarities Between Classic Letterpress And Modern Letterpress

Whether it is the classic letterpress print or the modern version of it, the striking similarity is borne by the raised alphabets and the hand printing technique. The stamping effect is clear in both. 

Differences between classic Letterpress And Modern Letterpress 

In the classic letterpress business cards, you could hardly get different effects like debossing, blind debossing etc. These prints have a unique appeal. Some people do prefer such unique prints for business cards. You could not have obtained such debossing effect in classic business cards. 

Common accessories 

Though the blocks have given way to polymer plates, designing is done on computer and metal alphabets have given way to raised letters in polymer plates, there is something which is common to both. You need a tactile paper to get the desired effect in letterpress business cards. 

A Beginner’s Guide to Invitations in Australia

For anyone who is looking for high quality birthday or wedding invitations Australia offers an endless range of options to choose from. The country is home to a large number of printing houses that specialize in a variety of different printing methods and can deliver the most beautiful invitations that will exceed your expectations.

Australia – The Home of Quality Printing Houses

A casual Google search for the term ‘Invitations Australia’ generates nearly 50 million results, which is mind boggling to say the least. It goes to show two things. Firstly, there is no shortage of reputed printing houses in Australia, which is evident from the different names that show up on the Google results pages. Secondly, a large number of Australians rely on the internet to choose a printing house to get their invitations printed, rather than relying on recommendations from friends and family.

This is good news for you, because the larger the number of options available, the more are your chances of finding something that meets your needs and budget.

Special Occasions Need Special Invitations

Any special and memorable occasion – be it a wedding, birthday, anniversary, or simply a party you throw to celebrate something – needs invitations that are just as special. You pay great attention to the food, venue, transportation, and other such aspects of the occasion, why not pay the same attention to the invitations as well?

Regular invitations are usually not a good choice, no matter what the occasion is. They are flat, unappealing, and there is nothing about them that really stands out and grabs your attention. There is nothing unique or personal about them either, as they all pretty much look the same in terms of print quality, texture, and the kind of paper used. You really could not differentiate one kind of invitation from another even if you tried.

Fortunately, for those who need really special invitations that stand out from the rest, there are a couple of options available in the form of letterpress invitations and foil stamped invitations.

Letterpress Invitations

Letterpress is a printing method in which a plate containing the text and artwork to be printed is pressed against a sheet of paper with great pressure, producing beautiful, deep impressions on the surface of the paper. Just about everything in a letterpress invitation catches your attention – the bold patterns, the rich texture, the amazing visual definition, and the deep impressions.

Foil Stamped Invitations

Foil stamping is a process in which a heated metal plate, which contains the text and images to be printed, presses a foil against a sheet of paper. The foil usually contains an adhesive, which gets activated when it comes into contact with the hot plate, as a result of which the foil fuses to the surface of the paper. Gold and silver are the two most popular options when it comes to foil printing, since they add an element of sophistication and class to any invitation, but other colors are available too.

When it comes to foil stamping and letterpress invitations Australia is undoubtedly one of the top markets for two reasons. Firstly, there is a genuine demand for letterpress and foil stamped cards and invitations as many Australians prefer them over regular invitations. Secondly, Australia is one of the countries where printing houses have still kept the grand old tradition of letterpress printing alive, even after so many years.

If you are in the market for invitations for special events, you generally have two choices – you can either choose one from the catalogue or opt for a personalized invitation. The former takes very little time as all you have to do is visit the nearest printing shop, take a look at the models and samples they have in their catalogue, and choose something you like.

If you opt for personalized invitations, you need to put in a little more time and effort. You need to talk to the graphic designer and tell him your idea of a special invitation. The designer will work with you and come up with a sample invitation for your approval. If you like it, they can get it printed in a few weeks. These invitations are really one of a kind, as they are made to your very specific requirements – right from the paper to be used to the kind of fonts, colors, artwork, and design patterns to be used. They are custom-made in every sense of the word and are a perfect choice for any special occasion. 

Guide to Choose Letterpress Business Cards

A business card is so much more than a piece of paper. It represents your business, brand, and yourself as the business owner. A beautifully designed and printed card is absolutely essential for you to be able to make a great first impression on people. This is where letterpress business cards can really come in handy for you!

Letterpress Cards – Classy and Creative

If you want to get noticed and impress people at the very first meeting, a letterpress card is your best bet. Letterpress cards are beautiful, intricately designed, and classy. They stand out from ordinary business cards and make a terrific first impression every time without fail. 

Though letterpress business cards are becoming increasingly popular these days, the art of letterpress printing itself is by no means a recent phenomenon. It is a centuries-old method that has been kept alive by passionate printers – generation after generation. Letterpress used to be the original and oldest printing method, but was overtaken by the advancements in printing technology, which led to the advent of faster, easier methods like digital printing. 

The resurgence of letterpress printing of late has come as good news for printing houses in Australia and elsewhere. An increasingly large number of people these days prefer letterpress cards and invitations over regular ones. The beauty of letterpress printing as it is employed today is that it combines the old school allure of letterpress with the ease of modern digital printing, which means as a customer, you get to enjoy the best of both worlds. 

Letterpress Business Cards – The Choices Available

When it comes to letterpress cards, you primarily have two options – standard cards created from set templates or customized cards created specifically for your needs. 

Standard Cards

Printing companies generally have a set of templates for you to choose from. Once you choose a template, the text (your personal and business details) is printed on the card. These are standard letterpress business cards that can be printed fairly quickly. They are also affordably priced when compared to their custom-made counterparts. 

Custom-Made Cards

Custom-made cards are printed from scratch entirely according to your needs. You get to choose everything – right from the thickness of the card, the kind of colors to be used, the type of font to be used, the kind of artwork, images, and designs you want, and so much more. 

Printing houses these days offer a remarkable variety of business cards, with each being special and unique in its own way. For instance, 3D letterpress business cards are becoming rapidly popular among professionals and business people alike these days. These cards have text and images – it could be your brand logo or company name – protruding from the card, giving it a very real, 3d-like feel. 

If you want a little more variety, you could some special effects to your business card as well. Edge gilding is a very common method, wherein the edges of the card are gilded. Gold is the favorite choice as it makes the gilded edges look glossy. 

Die cutting is yet another special technique that is becoming popular these days. Instead of opting for the regular shaped cards, you could choose rounded corner cards that look different from the rest. The process of die cutting also allows you to shape the card any way you want. So, you can let your creative juices flow and come up with unique designs for your business cards. 

Placing the Order

Letterpress printing, in general, is a more laborious and time-consuming process than other methods of printing. So, it is always a good idea to place your order in advance. If you are in need of regular business cards, you have to choose the size of the card, the stock to be used, colors to be used, and the number of cards to be printed. Such cards could be printed in a week or two, so you can place your order accordingly. 

Custom-made letterpress business cards, on the other hand, are a different story. A lot of work goes into these cards, especially if you opt for custom artwork instead of choosing from readymade templates of artwork, images, and designs. In such cases, it is a good idea to discuss with the creative designer, finalize the card design, and place the order as early as possible.