Do I Need Raised Letter or Full Color Business Cards?

If you've been searching around for business cards that will best represent the image you want to portray for your business, then you've no doubt encountered many options. The Big Two, as I like to think of them, are "Raised Letter" and "Full Color."

What are the differences in raised letter and full color business cards? What are the price differences? What looks best for how I want to represent my business? These are all questions I hear on a daily basis.

1. The difference between Raised Letter and Full Color printing is in how the ink is applied to the card stock. Thermography is the type of printing that produces ink that stands up off the page slightly. When you run your fingers across the surface, you can feel the printing on the stock. Each color that is printed has a separate plate, and the cards have to be run through the press for each color chosen. These types of cards have a very elegant and refined look about them, especially if the colors and stocks chosen are complimentary. There are hundreds of varieties of stocks and inks to choose from.

Full Color printing is much like printing from your ink jet printer at home. All the inks are printed on the page at the same time, and combined to create hues, shades--photo images. So, one run through and the cards are printed. These cards have been traditionally used by real estate agents, insurance agents and the like. But now, with this type of printing becoming more affordable and available, anyone can choose this option. These designs most of the time seem jazzier, sharper, more upbeat.

2. The cost difference is an oddity. Spot printing (the process of laying the colors on one at a time, as in Raised Letter cards), can be much cheaper--if only one color or black is chosen. White plate (65 lb stocks) will be cheaper than a cordwain or linen. But, if you start adding more colors (equals more time through the press) then you'll start racking up the cost. If your colors touch each other (called registration--the printer must make sure the cards run through correctly) then you'll tack on some extra expense there.

If you have a full color logo, the least expensive way to go would be with full color (process printing). But, you generally have to get a minimum of 1000. You can get 250 from some places, but you'll pay about the same price. It's the setup fee from the printer that is the biggest expense. Printing them is the cheap part, which is why the more you get, the better the price.

3. To choose the look that's right for you, I would think first about the image you are projecting for your company. Are you a doctor? You probably would rather have a classier linen stock with black and gold inks. Same for lawyers and other professionals. A handsome bordeaux (burgundy) on grey fiber stock would speak volumes about your professionalism. The raised letter would add to the expensive feel. There is really no need to add more than 1 color and black in printing raised letter cards. If that's the way you're heading, then you probably have a flashier business image and would need full color cards. A doctor or lawyer is usually using cards to provide clients with contact information, not get more business.

Full color is proven to get a 30% better response rate than regular printing, but this is only a bonus if your business aims to use the business cards to get more business. If you sell a product, using full color cards would be a brilliant idea--you can have a photo of it right on the cards. If you're in a service industry like real estate, you'll want your prospects to remember your face. Add your professionally taken photo to your cards. If you're trying to express a concept of what you can do for customers, then finding the right stock photo image can speak thousands of words with just one image!

In reality, cost usually dictates the biggest part of your decision making process. However, I would caution you to consider your IMAGE first. You might find that if you choose the card that has the best representation of your image, the cost ends up being less than if you choose the wrong one.

About The Author

Business card designer, Mitoné Cooke, specializes in full color business card designs at her website http://drbusinesscards.com. You can also give her a call at 1-800-431-3407 to order raised letter cards! Mitoné can be reached by email at moi@mitone.com. Sign up for the free e-newsletter about Business Card Marketing by sending a blank email to bizcardmarketing@getresponse.com.

---

Understanding Internet Banner Advertising

Banner advertising is an effective way of getting your advertising... Read More

Media Savvy - How To Lead, Persuade And Influence

The ability to lead, persuade and influence are integral skills... Read More

Advertising Primer for Fast Learners

Advertising, when done well is a very effective way to... Read More

100 Excellent Words and 70 Action Getting Phrases for Ad Writing

100 Excellent Words Absolutely. Amazing. Approved. Attractive. Authentic. Bargain.... Read More

Improve Your Promotional Flyers And Improve Sales

Admittedly, I have not seen your advertising flyer. Then again,... Read More

Design Your Own Newspaper Ads

Many people in business lay-out (design) their own ads. That... Read More

Why I Like The Ads I Hate!

It's been said that the antidote to liking/loving is not... Read More

The Art Of Fear Free Advertising

Is fear of failure an issue when you commit valuable... Read More

How to Know if Direct Mail Will Work for Your Business

Here's a great lesson that applies to direct mail. Ready?... Read More

How To Tame The Buying Beast Inside Your Customer

What if you can understand and control your customer's mind?... Read More

The Importance of Your Business Card

What are you trying to say with you business card?We... Read More

Is Your Yellow Pages Ad Putting Cash in Your Pocket... or Sucking Cash Out?

Any idea? It's a question that more than a few... Read More

The Graphic Problem

Digital printing has revolutionized the sign industry. Current printers can... Read More

Finding Your Target Market

Achieving sales is probably the biggest challenge a web business... Read More

2005 Super Bowl Ads... Winners and Losers

Well, Super Bowl XXXIX is history. Too bad for the... Read More

If You Want To Get More Customers, Heres 10 Powerful Stories To Improve Your Ads

Remember, as a child lying in bed and listening to... Read More

Three Keys to Crafting Successful Print Ads

Want to create print ads that get results? Below are... Read More

Electronic Display Boards

Electronic display boards signify high priority messaging, allowing you to... Read More

Advertainment is Sneaking Into Music, Movies, TV and More

The very name "advertainment" sends thrilling vibrations up the spine... Read More

Custom LED Display

Custom LED Display, as the name specifies, facilitate control anything... Read More

Customer-Involving Signage and Selling

Here's some easy ways to create signage that will attract,... Read More

Understanding The Basics Of Advertising

I get the L.A. Times delivered to my door every... Read More

How to Write Great Headlines

According to experts, just changing the headline of an ad... Read More

Power Headlines for Promotion Success

Do you send email to your Online audience to let... Read More

Getting the Most Out of Your Networking Group

Here is my personal list of things to do at... Read More

Ads Dont Sell - People Do !

More about advertising by BIG Mike McDanielAdvertising is not a... Read More

Add More Pizzazz To Your Ad For More Profits

I recently completed a Marketing Makeover for an Ad that... Read More

How to Save Money by Making Your Own Sign

In the sign industry we commonly refer to the material... Read More

Advertising Costs Getting Too High?

Everyone knows that advertising is essential to growing a business.... Read More

Create Your Dynamic Elevator Speech

So, what's an elevator speech, and how do you get... Read More

Super Secret Tip For Using PPC Search Engine Advertising Successfully

It's not about traffic; it's about generating leads. That's right.... Read More

How to SAVE Yourself from Spending too Much Money on Advertising!

How much money have you spent in Advertising, Promotion &... Read More

15 Tips for Better Yellow Page Ads

Yellow Pages advertising is one of the most popular forms... Read More