Having a good business card
Hey everyone, I turn 21 tomorrow which means I can finally start getting bar/club gigs. I've been spinning house parties for almost 2 years, now but I've noticed the club game is a bit different. I've been approached by 2 different promoters each asking me for a business card, but the problem is I don't have one (never needed one for house parties). I made this yesterday and wanted to know what people here thought. I did some searching to see what others had on their card and I think I got all of the necessary information.
farm3.static.flickr.com
I know having a good business card is extremely important, I want to have a good design before I get anything printed. Thanks.
farm3.static.flickr.com
I know having a good business card is extremely important, I want to have a good design before I get anything printed. Thanks.
At 12:18 AM 21 August 2009
Psyphris wrote
I haven't quite figured that out yet. Right now it's just a black background but I'm tossing the idea around of having 1 line of text centered in white. Either "DJ Psyphris" or the website url. If I had a logo or something I would put that on the other side.
At 12:25 AM 21 August 2009
Psyphris wrote
Just a quick note...
When you place white text on a black background, it doesn't show as well as the black text on white backgrounds. Try making the white font a little more bold, or add a stroke to it (depending on which program you used to create the card). The really small white font might have to go up in size.
I'm slacking on the business cards too. I recently was asked for one, but I got the promoters card instead. I'll be sending him a mix today, and hoping it all works out.
When you place white text on a black background, it doesn't show as well as the black text on white backgrounds. Try making the white font a little more bold, or add a stroke to it (depending on which program you used to create the card). The really small white font might have to go up in size.
I'm slacking on the business cards too. I recently was asked for one, but I got the promoters card instead. I'll be sending him a mix today, and hoping it all works out.
At 12:25 AM 21 August 2009
SK1 wrote
Good advice SK1, I've never had anything white on black printed before so I didn't really think about it. I made everything bold and upped the font size for "Professional DJ Services" from 6 to 8. The new version can be found here:
farm3.static.flickr.com
farm3.static.flickr.com
At 12:33 AM 21 August 2009
Psyphris wrote
That's better... I think it will work for a basic business card. If you have any friends in graphic design, have them help you out if possible. They may be able to give you a really professional design. If I feel like my design isn't quite working, I'll just have some graphic design friends work on it.
At 12:41 AM 21 August 2009
SK1 wrote
Thanks DJ-NEO, I'm hoping promoters/club owners will listen to the mix when I give it to them. I know some people up here just throw them away if the business card is terrible looking.
At 2:12 AM 21 August 2009
Psyphris wrote
To be honest I think that business card looks like crap and you should have somebody design one for you
At 2:22 AM 21 August 2009
DJ NoNseNse wrote
I 2nd what nonsense said above. I would try color as well as 2 sided glossy cards don't cost that much and make a bigger impact than just black n white. Just my humble opinion.
At 2:48 AM 21 August 2009
DaSinical1 wrote
Quote:
To be honest I think that business card looks like crap and you should have somebody design one for youDo you know of any good designers? I really have no design skill but wanted to see if I could make one on my own. Obviously getting one done professionally is preferred to anything else.
At 2:58 AM 21 August 2009
Psyphris wrote
HIRE a professional designer. All of you can call the designer that does all of my fliers, cd covers, business cards, and I trust his eye.
they're trained to market whatever they're hired to create....your business card is a representation of you...if you come out with a wack joiint... higher end spots might be like...is this guy/girl serious....
try hitting this dude up. as I said..he designs a ton of industry things.
Tell him I told you to reach out.
his prices are reasonable and can do a sick job...plus will work with you by sending you proofs every step of the way so you have the over-all creative direction of the card/flier/cover...
Jay Vita - Tinbox Solutions
www.JVita.Com
973.222.4047
JVita@TinBoxSolutions.Com
they're trained to market whatever they're hired to create....your business card is a representation of you...if you come out with a wack joiint... higher end spots might be like...is this guy/girl serious....
try hitting this dude up. as I said..he designs a ton of industry things.
Tell him I told you to reach out.
his prices are reasonable and can do a sick job...plus will work with you by sending you proofs every step of the way so you have the over-all creative direction of the card/flier/cover...
Jay Vita - Tinbox Solutions
www.JVita.Com
973.222.4047
JVita@TinBoxSolutions.Com
At 12:09 AM 22 August 2009
DJYoshi wrote
for real man even if it costs you $100 or more (the guys I use around here don't even charge me that much) presentation is everything. Not that that design is really that bad, just sayin. You'd be surprised how many guys I know that don't even have biz cards...i think it makes all the difference in the world from just giving out a # on a piece of paper or napkin.
At 8:29 AM 22 August 2009
deejaymoody wrote
i12.photobucket.com
i went with plastic business cards. the design is fairly simple but the fact that they're transparent plastic gets me a "wow" response almost every time i pass them out. it seems so trivial, but business cards are one of the easiest ways to market yourself and if they look like you're serious then most people treat you as such.
a bit pricey tho ;-)
i went with plastic business cards. the design is fairly simple but the fact that they're transparent plastic gets me a "wow" response almost every time i pass them out. it seems so trivial, but business cards are one of the easiest ways to market yourself and if they look like you're serious then most people treat you as such.
a bit pricey tho ;-)
At 5:42 PM 22 August 2009
e.rich wrote
Quote:
i12.photobucket.comi went with plastic business cards. the design is fairly simple but the fact that they're transparent plastic gets me a "wow" response almost every time i pass them out. it seems so trivial, but business cards are one of the easiest ways to market yourself and if they look like you're serious then most people treat you as such.
a bit pricey tho ;-)
How pricey?
At 6:44 PM 22 August 2009
DJ_STEVE wrote
Quote:
i12.photobucket.comi went with plastic business cards. the design is fairly simple but the fact that they're transparent plastic gets me a "wow" response almost every time i pass them out. it seems so trivial, but business cards are one of the easiest ways to market yourself and if they look like you're serious then most people treat you as such.
a bit pricey tho ;-)
those look really sick. . . prop's
At 11:56 PM 22 August 2009
DJ-NEO wrote
Those plastic cards are so sick. @DJYoshi Thanks for the info on Jay Vita, I'll def hit him up.
At 8:57 AM 23 August 2009
Psyphris wrote
m13graphics.com
about $250 for 1,000 when I ordered them a year and a half ago. I'm sure they're way cheaper now. I wanted machined aluminum ones but those are about $4 per card. And that's ridiculous.
about $250 for 1,000 when I ordered them a year and a half ago. I'm sure they're way cheaper now. I wanted machined aluminum ones but those are about $4 per card. And that's ridiculous.
At 3:52 PM 24 August 2009
e.rich wrote
That's a great price for plastic cards. I've been pricing those out for myself for my graphic design stuff for a few months now. Best quote I had found was around $1 per card for credit card thickness.
e.rich what' the thickness like on your cards? They look kinda thin in the photo.
e.rich what' the thickness like on your cards? They look kinda thin in the photo.
At 4:23 PM 24 August 2009
jwhispers wrote
is it the plastic VIP / membership card printing?
$439 for 1,000
$439 for 1,000
At 6:03 PM 24 August 2009
gotchuckz wrote
I've done quite a bit of design and printing of business cards, ID badges, and club card flyers in the past.
Let me know if you are interested and I'll do a design job for you for $80 plus printing costs. Let me know if you're interested and I'll try to dig up the artwork for some past designs I've done.
wamsoftware52@hotmail.com
Nathanial
DJ Logic
Let me know if you are interested and I'll do a design job for you for $80 plus printing costs. Let me know if you're interested and I'll try to dig up the artwork for some past designs I've done.
wamsoftware52@hotmail.com
Nathanial
DJ Logic
At 6:41 PM 24 August 2009
wamsoftware52 wrote
they're about the same thickness as a traditional business card. not as thick as a VIP card or credit card. i had the same concern. i didn't want anything ultra flimsy. i was very relieved when i got them in the mail.
At 8:02 PM 24 August 2009
e.rich wrote
I like the plastic cards... I think I will try to find some good material to make them with. Most of the plastic sheets they sell at my school won't work for me. If I can find something that works well... I'll making them by Sunday.
At 8:55 PM 24 August 2009
SK1 wrote
Quote:
i12.photobucket.comi went with plastic business cards. the design is fairly simple but the fact that they're transparent plastic gets me a "wow" response almost every time i pass them out. it seems so trivial, but business cards are one of the easiest ways to market yourself and if they look like you're serious then most people treat you as such.
a bit pricey tho ;-)
really dope but...........i find it a good practice to sometimes have business cards with very little to nothing in the back AND that ur able to write on it too...why??? cause a lot of time (and i've done this myself quite a few times) ur in a hurry and need to write something down (a phone #, an address...anything) and i grab the first piece of paper closer to me (which is usually in my wallet)...most of the time being a business card and write whatever info i need on there...well guess what...now i can't throw away that card and whenever i have to look at the info i wrote on there whoever's business card it is im gonna remember ;)
anyways just throwing it out there as an idea cause i dont even have my business cards like lol (w/ a white background)...just thought i'd share the thought
At 10:06 PM 24 August 2009
CrowdCTRL wrote
Id like to know how one becomes an 'official' party rocker.
At 3:17 PM 25 August 2009
sixxx wrote
Psyphris,
Your design needs a lot of work. You can either have someone desgin it or do it yourself but you have to follow certain essential criteria when designing a business card.
1. Margins. Make sure they're equal all the way around (where there is text or graphics).
2. Don't use too many different fonts or the same font with many different 'effects'.
3. KEEP THINGS SIMPLE. It's a business card, not a menu.
4. You must have a website besides a myspace or anything social/free like that where your potential customer can learn more about you, your company, and what you do.
5. Use colors/combinations that catch your eye or make the design 'flow'.
Your design needs a lot of work. You can either have someone desgin it or do it yourself but you have to follow certain essential criteria when designing a business card.
1. Margins. Make sure they're equal all the way around (where there is text or graphics).
2. Don't use too many different fonts or the same font with many different 'effects'.
3. KEEP THINGS SIMPLE. It's a business card, not a menu.
4. You must have a website besides a myspace or anything social/free like that where your potential customer can learn more about you, your company, and what you do.
5. Use colors/combinations that catch your eye or make the design 'flow'.
At 3:27 PM 25 August 2009
sixxx wrote
6. If you use any pictures, imported 'graphics', make sure they're high quality.
At 3:31 PM 25 August 2009
sixxx wrote
sixxx that card looks really clean. I LOVE the "6" mark...definitely nice.
Only concern is the black email address reading well on the red background. Also, the "x"s in your logo looks a little like "k"s. I would consider tweaking them a tiny bit to look more like an x. Otherwise it's a homerun.
Only concern is the black email address reading well on the red background. Also, the "x"s in your logo looks a little like "k"s. I would consider tweaking them a tiny bit to look more like an x. Otherwise it's a homerun.
At 4:06 PM 25 August 2009
jwhispers wrote
Actually, the x's look like h's. hahahaha
That's not the final design. I did that yesterday while I had some free time. I tried replacing the x's from that font with other x's and it just didn't look right. So, today I need to modify those existing x's so they still match the font but they look like x's not h's or k's. :)
I was also concerned with the black ink on the e-mail address. I was going to change it to white today and see how I liked that instead.
Good lookin' out jwhispers. We were thinking the same thing. lol
That's not the final design. I did that yesterday while I had some free time. I tried replacing the x's from that font with other x's and it just didn't look right. So, today I need to modify those existing x's so they still match the font but they look like x's not h's or k's. :)
I was also concerned with the black ink on the e-mail address. I was going to change it to white today and see how I liked that instead.
Good lookin' out jwhispers. We were thinking the same thing. lol
At 4:14 PM 25 August 2009
sixxx wrote
I went with plastic, felt like no matter how cool looking a paper business card is it would still end up in the trash. Definitely costs more, but in the long run its worth it imo.
s863.photobucket.com
s863.photobucket.com
At 4:39 PM 25 August 2009
Victor L wrote
sixxx, I like the simplicity and red/black color scheme.
I did this one yesterday, still toying with it before mass production...
i159.photobucket.com
I did this one yesterday, still toying with it before mass production...
i159.photobucket.com
At 4:40 PM 25 August 2009
O.B.1 wrote
Quote:
I went with plastic, felt like no matter how cool looking a paper business card is it would still end up in the trash. Definitely costs more, but in the long run its worth it imo.s863.photobucket.com
I saw those plastic cards a while back and at first I thought the same thing.. then realized that people will throw away anything. lol
At 4:46 PM 25 August 2009
sixxx wrote
Quote:
sixxx, I like the simplicity and red/black color scheme.I did this one yesterday, still toying with it before mass production...
i159.photobucket.com
Your margins are still off. Look at the bottom text compared to the left text. Also, don't go too close to the edge just in case it gets trimmed wrong. You don't want your text cut off.
At 4:47 PM 25 August 2009
sixxx wrote
I updated mine. I think it's ready for print. What do you guys think?
2illegalaliens.com
I like the white colors for my name and contact info too. Makes it stand out.
*refresh image if you already clicked on it once*
2illegalaliens.com
I like the white colors for my name and contact info too. Makes it stand out.
*refresh image if you already clicked on it once*
At 5:03 PM 25 August 2009
sixxx wrote
I saw those plastic cards a while back and at first I thought the same thing.. then realized that people will throw away anything. lol
Ha. True. I don't make it rain with these cards though, I have them fill out an application first
Ha. True. I don't make it rain with these cards though, I have them fill out an application first
At 5:06 PM 25 August 2009
Victor L wrote
Yeah. Something that nice, I would only give out to certain people. :)
At 5:08 PM 25 August 2009
sixxx wrote
The real problem is that with today's technology, no one wants to carry anything extra. So, your number goes in their phone, pda or whatever and that's it. :)
At 5:08 PM 25 August 2009
sixxx wrote
Quote:
I updated mine. I think it's ready for print. What do you guys think?I like the white colors for my name and contact info too. Makes it stand out.
much better than the one u had a few months back. the orange and black one. did u design it urself or u got someone to design it?
At 5:16 PM 25 August 2009
gotchuckz wrote
I designed it myself. The orange and black one ended up being green and black. Still, this one is WAY BETTER. :)
At 5:18 PM 25 August 2009
sixxx wrote
Quote:
nice. u stepped up ur design game.Thanks. Some days my creative juices flow more than others. lol (no misquote)
At 5:24 PM 25 August 2009
sixxx wrote
Quote:
Looks much better sixxx. Go with it!Thanks man. Very happy with the result. Thanks for the feedback btw.
At 5:31 PM 25 August 2009
sixxx wrote
sixxx that card is awesome, I'm definitely going to get someone else to design my card for me. I just don't have the time to become a design master and do it myself.
At 7:00 PM 25 August 2009
Psyphris wrote
Good info in here fellas (no misquote) I've been trying to come up with something unique yet simple. I got some drafts I sketched up but I definitely need a pro's perspective.
sixxx, dope design. I hate seeing bc with all the type of music the dj plays and a list of their equipment on the card, etc..... I think a bc should have the essential information and that's it.
sixxx, dope design. I hate seeing bc with all the type of music the dj plays and a list of their equipment on the card, etc..... I think a bc should have the essential information and that's it.
At 7:13 PM 25 August 2009
DJ DECK wrote
Quote:
sixxx, dope design. I hate seeing bc with all the type of music the dj plays and a list of their equipment on the card, etc..... I think a bc should have the essential information and that's it.It's so true. I got a business card once and I couldn't even find the guys phone number. There must have been 20 or 30 genres listed on it.
At 7:28 PM 25 August 2009
Psyphris wrote
Yup. I'm going to be a little stereotypical but Hispanic DJ's (all cards in Spanish) tend to list everything they can. lol
At 7:33 PM 25 August 2009
sixxx wrote
At 7:55 PM 25 August 2009
DJYoshi wrote
Quote:
Thankd DJ DECK. I've always been a fan of "less = more"that way they're (client) forced to call to inquire about the most smallest of things and that's when you close the deal.
At 9:41 PM 25 August 2009
DJ DECK wrote
Quote:
Yup. I'm going to be a little stereotypical but Hispanic DJ's (all cards in Spanish) tend to list everything they can. lolI was at my girls house and I found a dj business card and asked, "What's this?" she had no clue but figured out that her cousin who turned 15 was looking for a DJ to play at her party for cheap. I laughed because the card had a stanton cdj's as a logo and then the dude listed all the genre's he plays along with the lighting, blah, blah, blah.....well she left them at my girls house to kind of give me a hint and offer to play, that whole "family hook up thing". I laughed....
At 9:50 PM 25 August 2009
DJ DECK wrote
Quote:
HIRE a professional designer. All of you can call the designer that does all of my fliers, cd covers, business cards, and I trust his eye.they're trained to market whatever they're hired to create....your business card is a representation of you...if you come out with a wack joiint... higher end spots might be like...is this guy/girl serious....
try hitting this dude up. as I said..he designs a ton of industry things.
Tell him I told you to reach out.
his prices are reasonable and can do a sick job...plus will work with you by sending you proofs every step of the way so you have the over-all creative direction of the card/flier/cover...
Jay Vita - Tinbox Solutions
www.JVita.Com
973.222.4047
JVita@TinBoxSolutions.Com
Best couple of sentences from Jay's website....
And believe me, if you've ever taken a seat on an NYC subway, you'll know that there's more than one language going on. And yet, they all know that coffee is hot, christmas has presents, macy's has a sale, and broadway is 2 stops away. That's because a designer made them understand that, without saying a word. THAT's what we strive to make. THAT'S why TINbox =)
At 12:43 AM 26 August 2009
Dj-Bedtime wrote
Quote:
sixxx, I like the simplicity and red/black color scheme.I did this one yesterday, still toying with it before mass production...
i159.photobucket.com
I saw your Simple Effective thread last night and since I was short on Cards and need some for a nice size mobile on Labor Day weekend, I threw together this last night:
img200.imageshack.us (grey border is a crop/screenshot - not on card, card bleeds.)
I went the Vista Print route for the moment, took one of those free spam offers, and got 7 day shipping for about $14.
After I did the damn order, I remembered I should have used my new Google Voice number, so that is probably just for next weekend.
----
Dammit sixxx, seems that headphones are the new turntable (plus I can't photoshop rape your new design - oh well next time).
At 4:30 AM 26 August 2009
DJ Art Pumpin Payne wrote
So I talked to a friend of mine who's into design and asked him to help me with a card. I've always wanted to know a bit more about photoshop so I decided to make another design myself also.
Created by Me: farm4.static.flickr.com
The back will be the same city (seattle) without the headphones, a new square brush going across, and my email, phone, and website url.
What are your thoughts?
Created by Me: farm4.static.flickr.com
The back will be the same city (seattle) without the headphones, a new square brush going across, and my email, phone, and website url.
What are your thoughts?
At 10:00 PM 26 August 2009
Psyphris wrote
Quote:
Id like to know how one becomes an 'official' party rocker.ha. i couldn't come up with anything more clever. i was hoping that if enough people read it that it might be true ;-)
dope card tho homie. i love the "6" logo.
At 10:10 PM 26 August 2009
e.rich wrote
thanks e.rich.
Btw, that wasn't a diss. I just thought it was funny so I pointed it out. lol
Btw, that wasn't a diss. I just thought it was funny so I pointed it out. lol
At 10:11 PM 26 August 2009
sixxx wrote
Damn I forgot about Sixxx's first rule of design! I gotta fix it and reup another card.
At 10:14 PM 26 August 2009
Psyphris wrote
Alright, in this one the DJ Psyphris is equal from the left side of the card as it is from the top of the card. The image is 1/8 in. larger on each side so there will only be a little of the headphone cord showing.
farm4.static.flickr.com
farm4.static.flickr.com
At 10:26 PM 26 August 2009
Psyphris wrote
At 11:28 PM 26 August 2009
Psyphris wrote
See? This definitely works better than your first attempt.
At 3:44 AM 27 August 2009
sixxx wrote
@ Psyphris,
card looks clean and straight forward. Nice!
card looks clean and straight forward. Nice!
At 2:23 PM 27 August 2009
DJ DECK wrote
Thanks guys, now I just need to find a good place to get these printed at. I'm a little skeptical of the places that will print 500 cards for $15, but i also feel that Kinkos is a rip off at $59.99 for 250 glossy cards. Where do you guys get yours done?
At 11:58 PM 27 August 2009
Psyphris wrote
Thanks DJLRock, if I'm reading their prices right they seem extremely reasonable. Have people been happy with UV coating? Or is glossy coating considered better? I know matte doesn't work all too for pictures on business cards.
At 12:37 AM 28 August 2009
Psyphris wrote
Uv is sharper and can't be written on. Pk is a massive operation in Miami. I always go and pick up my stuff. Been using them for years. Very high quality. They do so much volume they are actually dhl's number one shipper.
At 10:38 AM 28 August 2009
DJLRock wrote
I went through Smart Levels Media, they did a great job and the price was right. Their website is: www.smartlevels.com
I went with Matte finish, sometimes people want to write a quick note on the card to remember something about you.
I went with Matte finish, sometimes people want to write a quick note on the card to remember something about you.
At 9:52 AM 4 November 2009
DjErock wrote
Quote:
here's this year's card. Designed by Jay Vita from Tinbox.i50.photobucket.com
i50.photobucket.com
Jay Vita - Tinbox Solutions
www.JVita.Com
973.222.4047
JVita@TinBoxSolutions.Com
btw, Jay has said a bunch of Dj's have hit him up.... And I'm not taking a cut off of it. Trust...he won't do you wrong! We went back and forth for 2 weeks 3 - 4 emails a day until we got it just right for this year.
At 2:16 PM 4 November 2009
DJYoshi wrote
Here's how mine turned out
Front: farm3.static.flickr.com
Back: farm3.static.flickr.com
On the actual card the back looks a bit darker so the front and back look like they go together. These JPGs kind of brightened up the back it looks like.
Front: farm3.static.flickr.com
Back: farm3.static.flickr.com
On the actual card the back looks a bit darker so the front and back look like they go together. These JPGs kind of brightened up the back it looks like.
At 5:24 PM 4 November 2009
Psyphris wrote
Quote:
I saw those plastic cards a while back and at first I thought the same thing.. then realized that people will throw away anything. lol^^I figured you hand out 100 of your cards, and 75 of them are gonna get lost or thrown away so I figured I'd go the cheaper route. Vista Print lets you design your card and they ship it out to you. I think I did 500 for like 25 bucks. I used my logo and just added my websites and contact info. Added the glossy finish and BAM. Took about a week to get.
i128.photobucket.com
Somethin to think about especially when your just startin out.
At 6:39 PM 4 November 2009
DJkahar aka Skyscraper wrote
At 7:36 PM 4 November 2009
dj shadow from detroit wrote
At 7:40 AM 20 November 2009
DJ Blend 323 wrote
cheers man, only difference is form the real thing, is the real thing has rounded corners.
At 10:06 AM 20 November 2009
dreamkast wrote
To post on the forum you need to log in. Click here to log in, or if you do not yet have an account then click here to create an account.
