Premium Business Card Frequently Asked Questions
What size must my card be?
All cards must be standard business card size: 2" x 3.5" (2.125" x 3.625" if there is a bleed).
How long will it take to receive my cards?
You will receive your cards 6-14 days after your business card design files are created and/or approved.
What do I need to know about finish options?
Standard Premium Business Cards can have the regular Satin Matte finish or a Glossy UV coating at no additional charge. The UV coating helps preserve the color of cards that are exposed to light. One thing to know about the glossy coating though, is while these glossy cards are very eye-catching, they can also show fingerprints and scratches, especially when the card's background is dark. The matte satin finish is much more forgiving for cards with strong dark backgrounds.
Premium Silk Laminate cards have a light silky laminate on them. They have a sophisticated satin finish and are water and tear resistant, but are not cards you will be able to easily write on.
Why would I need a 2 sided card?
Using both sides of a card helps reduce clutter if there is a lot of information you want to include. Some companies like to use the back of the card for a small map or a more comprehensive list of products/services available. Another popular option is to use the back of the card as an appointment card or add a coupon/special offer. Keep in mind that if you want to have space on the back of the card to write information in, such as an appointment, you'll want to make sure the back is not laminated and does not have UV Glossy Coating.
Can you use a business card I have designed?
In some cases, yes, depending on the software you used. If you card is created in a professional layout software such as Adobe InDesign or Quark XPress, or a professional photo or illustration software such as Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, we can likely use your original files. A card created in some other software programs such as Microsoft Word or Publisher will have to be re-worked in one of the programs above.
Can you print based on a PDF?
Yes, we can accept a PDF if it is a print production PDF/X-1a compliant PDF. This is a file that would be set up by a professional grahic designer and requires comprehensive knowledge of resolution, bleed, CMYK color, etc.
What is meant by bleed?
A bleed is when ink prints all the way to the edge of the card. When there is a bleed, there must be an extra 1/16" of background all the way around the card to allow for trimming.
What do I need to know about resolution?
Resolution refers to the number of pixels in an image. Business cards need to be printed at 200-300 lines per inch. Any photos/logos you use in the card should be 300 dpi. Images you see on the internet are usually 72 dpi and are rarely adequate for printing.
Can you help me with my business card design?
Absolutely! Whether you have a draft you want some 'professional polish' applied to or you are starting from scratch we can help. We have hundreds of free color backgrounds available or you can provide your own. The Resources page has links to low cost royalty free stock photography. You can look through these images for inspiration and purchase any you would like to use.
What do design services cost me?
Design service fees are dependant on how much guidance and what files you are able to provide. You should be able to electroically provide a high quality copy of your logo and any images you want to use. If you do not have a useable electronic version of your logo, we can recreate it for you in our illustration software. If you would like an image or background but are not able to provide one, we can offer suggestions. Design work is a minimum of $10 and ranges $25-35 per hour depending on the complexity of the work needed. The more guidance you are able to provide, the quicker your card will be completed, the less design fees you will incur. Design estimates can be given up front.
Will I receive a proof?
Proofs are provided in PDF format at no charge. You will not receive a printed proof since we cannot print a single card - we have to print the whole order. You will need to review this proof carefully because there are no refunds if a card is printed with a mistake on it.
I received my cards and found a mistake - what can I do?
You will have to OK your card for printing. Since you provide the release to print, you are responsible for mistakes and cannot be issued a refund. The best we can do is if you find a mistake and notify us within 2 days, we can have the card reprinted for you at 50% of the first printing cost. This applies to typographical mistakes such as inaccurate hours of operation, a mis-spelled name or an incorrect phone number. If the name on the card is changed completely, it will be considered a new order and will be full price.
Will the colors in my card be exactly as I expect?
Colors identified by the Pantone Matching System will come out as expected. Images and backgrounds though, could be slightly different, especially if the original image was in RGB mode. Cards are printed using CMYK process printing. Coverting an images color mode can cause colors to shift. You proof will be provided in CMYK and should be close to the final product, however we cannot control how your monitor and/or inkjet printer renders the proof. All computer monitors display color slighty different and color can vary greatly from desktop printer to printer. |
