Business Card Advice

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I've been reworking my business card, and was wondering if the fine folks of the welding web could give me some feedback on the graphic / word combination I would like to use. Can you quickly read the words in the image below? Or does it take a minute to sink in? Is it confusing?  Or is it brilliant / elegant / classy? Thanks for your help guys...Jason Attached ImagesXMT 350 MPA Dynasty 280DXSuitcase 8RC / OptimaSpoolmatic 30AThermco Ar / C02 mixerAssorted O/A gear
Reply:I like that.    Easy to readTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:I think it's clever, but I'm not one for the blocky font.I guess it depends on how you put it on a card also.Lincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HFI don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....
Reply:I immediately read "Bear Creek."   I like it, looks good.  Being a business owner myself, I wouldn't get too hung up on graphics for a business card.  Literally 10 seconds after someone reads it, they will toss it into a roll-a-dex, wallet, desk drawer, trash (or whatever) and forget about it.   How's your website?  That's what you need for your area.  You want your business name to pop up on page one, when people do "welder" google search in your area.   To get that page one hit however, you have to pay google.  You have to consider if that's worth it to you.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:I like it a lot. Easy to interpret and original.Thermal Arc 210 FabricatorHypertherm PM 45and lots of other tools the wife doesn't know about
Reply:BCRDConsider omitting the B & R, up-size the bear, and view a flipped version.Opus
Reply:Originally Posted by OPUS FERROBCRDConsider omitting the B & R, up-size the bear, and view a flipped version.Opus
Reply:Its a good idea to leave the back side blank for jotting down a quick piece of pertinent info for the customer.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:I wouldn't change anything.Tim Beeker.
Reply:Thanks - you guys are awesome!I had thought I was so clever with my first logo last year, but it turns out only I could interpret it. It confused everybody else. So this time I thought I would check with the real world It seems some folks may be interested in the rest of the card, so here it is (rough draft). Just a note - the website is not active yet, nor the phone # (its a VOIP service I am considering using). And I blurred my email in case of spam bots.I am a Mechanical Engineering Technologist, so my primary work is as a consultant (machine design), and I work with my brother for fabrication projects.Next post I'll respond to individual comments... Attached ImagesXMT 350 MPA Dynasty 280DXSuitcase 8RC / OptimaSpoolmatic 30AThermco Ar / C02 mixerAssorted O/A gear
Reply:Southpaw - that's what I wanted to hear. Thank you. And yes, the backside stays blank.dubl_t - I appreciate your input. Its Ariel font, I like it for its simplicity. Let me know if you have font suggestions. But I did leave lots of white space, and that does help reduce the blocky effect.Super Arc - Thank you. You're absolutely right - a graphic can be a nuisance if it is too prominent, and nobody cares anyway. The only reason I didn't leave it as just plain text is that that way it is just too forgettable.My website is going to be just as simple. The home page will be nearly a mirror of the card, with 3 large buttons below - contact, portfolio, and shop tour. At least that's the plan. I'm not sure yet how I'm going to market it.Rkott4 - Thank you very much...Opus Ferro - I really appreciate you taking the time to respond, however I agree with Broccoli, it could be viewed as a logo. That image of the bear was kind of the first one I came up with, and it was only a draft anyway. I realize it is facing against the direction of reading, but its kind of grown on me (and me being a contrarian anyway) I think I may keep it Broccoli1 - thank you, I will continue to play with it. The logo, I mean. tnjind - awesome, thank you.Any more ideas on the rest of my card? The name / logo will be on everything - email sig, letterhead, truck decal, etc.Regards,JasonLast edited by BCRD; 01-19-2013 at 07:57 PM.Reason: I got some names mixed up...XMT 350 MPA Dynasty 280DXSuitcase 8RC / OptimaSpoolmatic 30AThermco Ar / C02 mixerAssorted O/A gear
Reply:Make the bear 'light' grey, (try different shades of grey-brown etc), & covering most of the card, Have it facing right. (left is subconciously backwards). Your logo over (on top of) the bear. black or VERY dark Name, ph. #, & e-mail below -- maybe name at topThe 1st thing I saw was 'A Bear', not a name, it still hasnt registered in my head!IMHO  -corne-
Reply:Originally Posted by cornemuseMake the bear 'light' grey, (try different shades of grey-brown etc), & covering most of the card, Have it facing right. (left is subconciously backwards). Your logo over (on top of) the bear. black or VERY dark Name, ph. #, & e-mail below -- maybe name at topThe 1st thing I saw was 'A Bear', not a name, it still hasnt registered in my head!IMHO  -corne-
Reply:What about something like this... Attached Images
Reply:that does look clean.. i have noticed that with cards the more colorfull the more people will actually read the card.. i tend to do the same. if the card has some flash to it you tend to look at the card before you put it away. also they tend to be easy to find among the 100 other that people carry.. just a thought
Reply:BCRDPay Goat Driver.Opus
Reply:That looks GOOD!!-corne-
Reply:Sorry Jason,I gotta 2nd Goat's version.and don't worry about the pun, 1/2 of us didn't get it and the other 1/2 make puns dumber than that Lincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HFI don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....
Reply:The first version leaves a lasting impression, the second version is more professional.  Take yer pick.
Reply:Originally Posted by Goat DriverWhat about something like this...
Reply:Love the creativity on the first one.  But the water marked bear in a much larger design and standard text is the one I would go with.   Like others said, more classic/professional.   Get cards in the shape of a bear and then put the info on it...  black or brown plastic business cards with white text if u reall want to be adventurous.     That would be unique enough for people to keep just to show your Business card to other people.    (Best probably for cold call/outside sales). Not needed if they are already walking into your shop..Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Another vote for the GTO mans version.  Don't like the first at all.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Thanks for your input Goat Driver. That is very attractive. And the consensus is that it is also more classic / professional. I can see why.I know I am obsessing over this too much, but I am still torn. Here's why - I want my graphic to mirror my design prinicples. As Colin Chapman (of Lotus Cars) put it "simplificate, then add lightness".While the overlaid bear is classic, it is not really "me". But I will not rule it out as it is very attractive. I'll be doing a number of layouts before I make a decision.Thanks again guys.Jason WiebeXMT 350 MPA Dynasty 280DXSuitcase 8RC / OptimaSpoolmatic 30AThermco Ar / C02 mixerAssorted O/A gear
Reply:Very readable card one other tip for promoting small sticky note pads are very affordable,put your company name and website on them and any note that gets passed along helps promote you to another person.
Reply:I thought perhaps at least put the bear between the two words and de-emphasize it, but that makes the spacing disruptive to look at. If a bear were at least somewhat similar to "ea" it might work. I really like Goat Driver's design (me thinks he is a graphic artist?). Give yourself and your business some professional breathing room for reputation driven business. After you've been around a while it's hard to get rid of a logo "gimmick" (for lack of a better word) and it's best to opt for something with long term professional appeal. You want people to know you will handle their business with the same good taste, so to portray a professional image while remaining minimal is ideal. Less is more when you're working in a trade where craftsmanship is king... it says that you let your work do the talking.I have seen a handful of very high quality (like #1 or 2 in their business nationwide) small craftman shop operations that, without knowing much about who's-who, gave me second thoughts just because their logo and website were an eyesore and just generally unprofessional. Don't consider yourself too good for marketing. There are very few companies with a product offering so good that they can get away with whatever logo they want because it will still be associated with their stigma of quality, but even those companies have developed an advertising presence which is appealing whenever noticed.edit: on rethought, I think what you really need to decide on is a logo. One design or the other will hinge upon that... 'cause you wouldn't want a whole different looking bear from whatever your logo may be. Whatever your logo is will drive the design of your business card... it's just common sense. As far as logos go, making a word into a logo is pretty tough... especially with words over 3-4 characters. Look at Miller's logo... the three /// could even represent the ill in Miller but they keep it separate. If you're gonna make your name your logo, then the graphic portion has to be smaller than and to the side of the rest of the word for it to work visually, from what I've seen, which is what made me think to put it between the two words.With that said, the profile of the bear in black looks like a really good place to start. Perhaps that bear with "BCRD" stamped underneath it, or even--BCRDOn the middle of the bear stamped in opposing color (white Im assuming). The full name could go nearby/elsewhere on the card and website. Bold... memorable... and minimalist, all trends you see in effective marketing. (Nike: Just do it)Last edited by Rora; 01-22-2013 at 02:48 PM.i'm not a lawyer or lawyer type or a business owner, but how is your business name described in a legal document or invoice?  do you have an LLC?  how was it described on that paperwork?could be a headache down the road if you have to change it.cool name for a biz though.
Reply:Goat DriverLotus Epicureans are indecisive.Opus
Reply:Originally Posted by OPUS FERROGoat DriverLotus Epicureans are indecisive.Opus
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcI immediately read "Bear Creek."
Reply:Seriously, I have people come in my shop and ASK for cards on a regular basis.Been doing about a thousand a year for awhile.And that's after 15 yrs.Miller Dynasty 700Miller 350P with Aluma-pro push-pullMiller 280 Dynasty with expansion card Dynasty 200 DXMigMax 215 Enuff power and hand tools to create one of anything..... but mass produce nothing!!!