In an increasingly hi-tech world, it’s getting more difficult to create something that’s truly handcrafted -something that you can “put your very own stamp on”. The world of business cards is no exception. You may have designed your current business card design, but I bet you had little or nothing to do with the physical printing of it!
With current design trends in mind, I’ve noticed a definite shift towards a less “corporate” business card. Personally, I like my business cards to look slick and professional, but I realize that that’s not for everyone. In particular, alternative stores and industries, as well as the ultra fashion conscious, are reassesing the nature of their business cards. The move towards a more “self-created” card is becoming more popular.
Printing a card that has that “self-produced” appeal is really easy. By using a customized rubber stamp, you can create a super-trendy business card (the kind of guerrilla-style business card that doesn”t play by the rules.)
This image (click on link to view image) illustrates a business card that was created using a rubber stamp. The designer who created these fantastic cards wanted to convey a sense of simplicity and style. This is how he created his unique cards:
- He designed a custom stamp with his business details on it and uploaded his design online for free
- He bought his own card stock at his local stationery store and used a guillotine at Kinko’s to cut the stock down to size!
- Once he received his stamps, he individually stamped his cards and distributed them to his customers and friends!
The designer wanted a card that was more honest and more individualistic. According to him, going all “old-school” on his cards was a lot more fun than simply sending a file to print and waiting for his cards to be delivered to him.
I also discovered this business card (above) that was created using a duo of differing colored stamps. The contrasting black and red stamps were designed specifically to interact with each other, i.e., a gap of negative space in the middle of the black patterned stamp has been omitted to allow for the red company logo stamp to be applied inside the black pattern. This is a very smart use of stamps – it reminds me of the original wood block printing.
Using a custom stamp to create your business cards is a really enjoyable way of branding yourself. It also suits the personality of a lot of business owners and individuals who like to defy convention and who are a bit more “avant-garde” in their thinking. However, it’s not only for fashionable reasons that stamp printed business cards are a super idea. You can also save a great deal in print costs. While the cost of the stamps may be close to a typical business card order, once you have purchased your stamp, you can make your business cards again and again!
