Print Finishing

TheNoone

TheNoone

Member
So,
After a long telephone conversation with a nice guy called Mark
from Splash print (Manchester) today. It really got me thinking
about print finishing.

I'm looking to invest in some really nicely finished business cards
Mark was very enthusiastic and keen to fill me in on most finishes
David Airey gave Splash a great review, and from the little bits I
got, it all sounds quite pricey (still awaiting a full quote)

But you can't put a price on amazing quality! Or can you?

I'm thinking blind emboss/ thermographic
Does anybody know of any really good printers I could use?
I do want quality, but i'm also on a budget

Basically I want to keep my options open.

Thanks
 
I'm in a similar situation at the moment. and have actually had an almost identical discussion to this with Boss Hog this morning.

I want really exciting cards but the more exciting you get, the more you have to spend and every specialist process adds yet another cost. The biggest stumbling block I've come across when mulling over the options available, is the cards application in the real world and if like me, you're just getting going, it's likely you'll be chucking a card at anything that moves. I've come to the conclusion that the majority of cards handed out will end up in the bottom of a draw or the bin. A few may make it as far as roach material in a roll up cigarette (of sorts) and even fewer may get kept for future reference, so perhaps 1 in 50 will get you a response.

I can only really speak for my own situation but I think if you're on a tight budget, it's probably not the right time to spend a fortune on a handful of cards. Much better to have a reasonable volume (say 500-1000) of simple but high quality cards and save the expensive processes for the future when contacts are established and cards are likely to be handed out at business meetings rather than to some fella in the pub bogs.

HTH

Dave
 
bigdave said:
I'm in a similar situation at the moment. and have actually had an almost identical discussion to this with Boss Hog this morning.

I want really exciting cards but the more exciting you get, the more you have to spend and every specialist process adds yet another cost. The biggest stumbling block I've come across when mulling over the options available, is the cards application in the real world and if like me, you're just getting going, it's likely you'll be chucking a card at anything that moves. I've come to the conclusion that the majority of cards handed out will end up in the bottom of a draw or the bin. A few may make it as far as roach material in a roll up cigarette (of sorts) and even fewer may get kept for future reference, so perhaps 1 in 50 will get you a response.

I can only really speak for my own situation but I think if you're on a tight budget, it's probably not the right time to spend a fortune on a handful of cards. Much better to have a reasonable volume (say 500-1000) of simple but high quality cards and save the expensive processes for the future when contacts are established and cards are likely to be handed out at business meetings rather than to some fella in the pub bogs.

HTH

Dave
Click to expand...

That's a really, really good way of looking at it, I too am thinking of getting some fancy business cards done, and was thinking of all kindsa fancy finishes compared to just a nicely designed card on a good quality stock. I think I have just made my decision, one that will cost me less and for now make more sense!

Ooo actually another thought, I might get some of both the fancy and the good but not so fancy ones done, that way if i meet someone of particular importance, I can give them the fancy one :icon_wink: and still have the rest for the "blokes down the pub"!
 
I thought of that too. My problem is the 'producers of fancy' (is it just me or is that quite a cool name?) will only produce my fancy in quantities that'll make your bank balance cringe.
 
I'm a big fan of the simple matt lam - which everyone but everyone sells for £50 or so for 500.... I've had people ask me for metal (how pretentious?), wood (!), plastic, and just about everything else under the sun. At the end of the day, it's something that you exchange, glance at, and use to start the meeting. As long as it has the right details on it and looks presentable that should be enough! (Unless you're this guy: YouTube - American Psycho: Business Card Scene)

Spot UV will, I think, be the next big thing, but not until someone works out how to do it cheaper! Best I can sell at is £100 for 500 at the moment...
 
printbar said:
I'm a big fan of the simple matt lam - which everyone but everyone sells for £50 or so for 500.... I've had people ask me for metal (how pretentious?), wood (!), plastic, and just about everything else under the sun. At the end of the day, it's something that you exchange, glance at, and use to start the meeting. As long as it has the right details on it and looks presentable that should be enough! (Unless you're this guy: YouTube - American Psycho: Business Card Scene)

Spot UV will, I think, be the next big thing, but not until someone works out how to do it cheaper! Best I can sell at is £100 for 500 at the moment...
Click to expand...

Ive just been quoted £245 for 1000 unlaminated 400gsm silk board, cmyk cards, by a local print firm!! The worrying thing is, a mate of mine uses this company for his 'cheapo jobs'!! :icon_eek:
 
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That's mental! Dave, I'm going to PM you some pricing. Not because I think you'll take it over anyone else on here, but because I can't resist now!
 
TheNoone said:
I'm a big fan of Spot U.v. Can you Pm me some prices please Printbar?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Of course I can! Mind if I do it in the morning?

Would anyone else be interested in Spot cards? If there's general interest I might put an something up for everyone on the offers board. :icon_cheers:
 
printbar said:
Of course I can! Mind if I do it in the morning?

Would anyone else be interested in Spot cards? If there's general interest I might put an something up for everyone on the offers board. :icon_cheers:
Click to expand...

Yup! I'd be interested in some fancy printing prices, to get a ballpark figure would be fab :D
 
Not really fancy, but might feel really lush - jamjarprint.co.uk have just launched 600gsm matt lam cards at very good prices.

No, I don't work for them, but have used them in the past! I've been reading on here for I don't know how long and decided to come out of the woodwork having literally seen these listed for the first time about 15 minutes ago.
 
TheNoone said:
So,
After a long telephone conversation with a nice guy called Mark
from Splash print (Manchester) today. It really got me thinking
about print finishing.

I'm looking to invest in some really nicely finished business cards
Mark was very enthusiastic and keen to fill me in on most finishes
David Airey gave Splash a great review, and from the little bits I
got, it all sounds quite pricey (still awaiting a full quote)

But you can't put a price on amazing quality! Or can you?

I'm thinking blind emboss/ thermographic
Does anybody know of any really good printers I could use?
I do want quality, but i'm also on a budget

Basically I want to keep my options open.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Special = Expensive I'm afraid, we ar looking into all options on this subject including interactive Barcodes but the real problem with this type of investment is "will there be enough customers for something so specialised and yes, expensive"! So does it justify the investment at this time.
 
Ah, I've just realised why I can't post in the offers forum - I've not got my 50 posts yet!

Sorry folks, I have some prices for Spot UV cards, but for the time being please PM me for them! I don't want to spam the boards...
 
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