Plastic Business Cards

saubryn

I'm looking to get a small quantity (less than 100) business cards printed. I need them to be the really 'posh' kind - light/thin plastic, with metallic lettering on the logo. Our usual business card is just plain white card, but we need something much more fancy to hand out to the bosses of certain companies we're working with as they seem to think that a posh business card is indicative of a good company

I expect that it will be quite expensive to get this done, but so far I haven't been able to find a company that will do that small a quantity at all, and the two local printing shops only do card or laminate printing.

If anyone can recommend any companies that do business cards on thin plastic then it would be much appreciated.

Kilty_2

Printing.com do their "Crystal Credit Card" which you could use as a business card if you request that they don't add a signature strip or a unique number to each card.

Won't get metallic lettering but they look good. Starting from £199 for 250, excluding VAT etc.

Probably a franchise close to you, check their website https://www.printing.com .

If you wanted something a bit "different", how about a magnetic business card, from https://www.t3magnets.co.uk ? Quantities start at 1000 though. (£240, inc VAT and design).

saubryn

Thanks! They're the closest I've seen to what we're after. We can probably do without the metallic lettering if the cards look as good as they do in the picture down the side of their web page. Not as horrific a price as I was expecting either - especially since 250 will last us a lifetime.

I like the idea of trying something a bit more creative than a business card - have you used T3 before? If their magnets do comfortably fit in a wallet or business card holder then we might try them out.

Thanks again.

Kilty_2

The Printing.com cards look good, I recieved a sample pack from them containing one a few months ago.

I havent purchased from T3 before but I have recieved samples.

Steve (the guy behind T3 Magnets) is an absolute legend and is a member of a networking group that I frequent (https://www.4networking.biz if you are interested).

Ask him for a sample pack either via his website or via 4Networking's forum, before you decide to take the plunge. I'm sure you'll be impressed.

The magnets are exactly the same size as most business cards produced in the UK (not foreign ones like Vistaprint sell which are shorter), except they are a little thicker, so they'll fit into holders etc perfectly.

Oh - if you do contact Steve then tell him that Gary from KiltoxServices recommended you.

Snow_Dog

Is it my imagination or does magnetism affect the data on the little black plastic strips on credit cards etc?

That'd be dodgy, hand out a load of magnetic business cards that crock up your most important clients company american express expenses cards when they put them in their wallets. Oops.

Kilty_2

The magnets arent amazingly strong and I think they'd need to come into direct contact with a magnetic strip for anything to happen.

Don't know if that's the case or not though and I don't want to attempt it on any of my cards

The best person to ask would be the supplier himself, to be honest.

gingerdad

At that price for business cards why don't you get cd ones printed and you can have the company brochure on them.

BTW i think the plastic cards look cheap and tacky... but thats only my op

Regards

GD

gonzo10

RCS do plastic cards. Prices start from £65.39 for 250. If you select Special Print you can add MetalFX which will put the price up to £107.89.

http://www.rcs.plc.uk/tables/datacards2007.asp?id=0&code=0&xxx=1&viewDrop=20

doug_e

Hi Saubryn

I am a graphic and web designer and agree with previous comment that plastic cards can look cheap and tacky. The only instance that I have been impressed was with a frosted plastic card and a single colour black print on top.

You will find that a minimum run of cards will be 250 as for a printer to set up for less is just not cost efficient. So whether you order 100 or 250 you will pay same price.

I would recommend a 300gsm smooth silk stock with matt lamination with a decent design... and always remember less is more! There is however a minmum set up fee for matt lamination (approx £70-100) so if you are gettin a small run it is not cost efficient. However if you have a local printers you can be a little cheeky (like I did) and ask if they would be so kind to add your card to a run already with matt lam set up (usually bigger client budget).

One more thing... the price of £65.39 is refering to a card stock.

gonzo10

doug_e wrote:

One more thing... the price of £65.39 is refering to a card stock.

So they are, sorry, I didn't read all the info! Still the Titanium is all plastic and only costs £139.59.

Astaroth

Be wary of getting plastic or double laminated cards.... many people I know write things on peoples business cards like notes as which to follow up on and which to bin... if it is all plastic then you cant do this.

Personally I would avoid lamination full stop... have many cards that were laminated when they gave them to me but now 6 months in my draw and the lamination is pealing off and look even more tatty than the non-laminated ones.