I love making things by hand, so I decided to hand-craft my business cards for 2011.
Here’s a quick recap of how I made them:
Step 1: The Plan
I decided to use custom stamps for the design on both sides. The front was to be a ‘stage’ for my new logo, and the back was planned to be a place for simple info and a hand-written message.
Step 2: The Trim Down
It’s not easy to trim down 140 lb. double cover with an x-acto knife. I went through 10 blades for 100 cards over 2 hours, so I contacted a printer to help me trim the rest.
Step 3: The Front-Side Stamp (x2)
Each card started with a full-bleed white ink custom pattern stamp, followed by a small 1/2″ black logo stamp placed in a strategic circle within the pattern. Semi-tight hand registration was required for the placement of the logo stamp, and I had varying results.
Step 4: The Back-Side Stamp
The back-side was reserved for simple messaging. I don’t think much info is needed on business cards these days with everyone being on the internet, so I kept it simple: name, website, email. I left an open area at the bottom for special hand-written messages.
Step 5: Time to Relax
I was relieved when I finished my first batch of cards. It was a bit nerve-racking trying to ‘generally’ register 3 different stamps by hand, but in the end I thought it was worth it. See the final photos here.
BOOM i love those bizness cards
simply awesome. might’ve been hard work but worth it – you’ll stand out for sure.
I love the handmade attention to detail. I’ve been dying to do something like this!
thanks everyone!
@emily – my best advice is to just go for it!
This is a marvelous idea. I’m getting ready to do a revamp myself, so this might be fun to try! Thanks for the inspiration.
Best.
Danielle — it’s really cost effective to buy the stamp, but labor intensive to get great results.
Best of luck!
Brilliantly done. You know these are gonna pay off. Well done my friend.
Thank you Simon!
These are really lovely. I’ve been hand-stamping my invoices and envelopes for years, using a combination of off-the-office-supply-store-shelf stamps and stamping kits along with a few custom stamps. They never fail to elicit a delighted comment. Your sensibilities are lovely, too– Design & Then Some? Love it. Your new mark? Elegant. I’d commission you in a heartbeat, based solely on what’s in this post. Mighty fine.
Thanks Eleanor! I agree — anything that’s tactile (print, hand-crafted, stamped, etc) needs a sense of delight and surprise when experienced/held in person. Thanks for the kind comment.
These are awesome! I’ve been thinking about stamps, home-brewed business cards and other office supplies too.
I wondered if you’d be able to let me know where the best place is to look into custom stamps?
That’s very nice! makes me want to go and get all stampy.
Scott, I’ve had great luck with RubberStamps.net.
Just one question, how did you do the stamp? Thinking of learning it my self, it looks so lovley, big thanks.
The cards are beautiful btw, good job!
Kim, the stamp was made from custom vector artwork. Thanks!
Love the blog. Please don’t stop posting. Ever.
Enjoying your website and personal logos! Very creative!
Hand-crafted Business Cards are good and very creative. Maybe I also will do that because it so simple yet it is presentable and the materials can be easily be purchased on the market or from scarp.
Hey, nice work! Where did you get the paper from? I feel like it’s the way to go for small-run prints/ business cards. Thanks!
Kevin, I’m pretty sure I got this paper from Michael’s or Hobby Lobby, and it’s the artistic printmaking paper — either 110# or higher. Alternatively, the 110# or greater papers from Neenah or Cranes would work as well. Cheers!