In this article I will be covering business cards, why they are important, how to design a memorable and effective business card, and helpful links.
Why I want your business card
When I go through artist alley, I am often overwhelmed by the amount of amazing artists, and I want EVERYTHING. All the pretty prints, the stickers, key chains and adorable plushies... but I can't have everything, because, well... money. So instead I walk around every table scoping out the goods to figure out what I want buy with my limited funds. As I walk around I take business cards from artists I'm interested in, for 3 purposes. 1) Many artists also sell online. I can use the shop link on their business card to buy things, all the things I couldn't buy at the convention, all the things that were sold out, and new things they produce in the future. 2) I want to follow their Deviantart/Tumblr/Facebook and see more of the artists amazing art, and maybe chat with them, and get to know them a little better. 3) Maybe its just me, but I collect business cards. I especially like cards that are a miniature piece of art, that represents the overall style of the artist, because when I look at the card, I can recall what kind of art they make, and why I like them so much.
Why business cards?
Why I want your business card
When I go through artist alley, I am often overwhelmed by the amount of amazing artists, and I want EVERYTHING. All the pretty prints, the stickers, key chains and adorable plushies... but I can't have everything, because, well... money. So instead I walk around every table scoping out the goods to figure out what I want buy with my limited funds. As I walk around I take business cards from artists I'm interested in, for 3 purposes. 1) Many artists also sell online. I can use the shop link on their business card to buy things, all the things I couldn't buy at the convention, all the things that were sold out, and new things they produce in the future. 2) I want to follow their Deviantart/Tumblr/Facebook and see more of the artists amazing art, and maybe chat with them, and get to know them a little better. 3) Maybe its just me, but I collect business cards. I especially like cards that are a miniature piece of art, that represents the overall style of the artist, because when I look at the card, I can recall what kind of art they make, and why I like them so much.
Why business cards?
Business cards are a professional way to grow your fandom, direct people to your work, and share your contact info with potential employers and customers. Its a little reminder to everyone who came to your table, that they can continue to follow you online, beyond the few days at the convention.
You need business cards!
Artist have all sorts of excuses for why they don't have business cards, from I don't have an online store, I'm not a professional artist, I have a sign on my table, business cards are expensive, and I left mine at home. I am going to tell you with bitterness and disappointment that none of these is a good reason to not have a business card.... except for the last one, but there is a solution for forgetting your business cards too. If you are taking your art serious enough to get an artist alley table, you need to take yourself serious as an artist, even if you are a beginner, or a hobbyist, and make or purchase business cards. Do it. Because I swear if I come to your table and you don't have a business card, I will be annoyed. I will smile, but at that moment I am imagining flipping your table over in a Hulkish rage. Seriously scary.
But.... I forgot my business cards... I have them I do... but I... *breaks into tears. We all forget things, especially when planning and packing for something as intense as Artist Alley. The problem is not that you forgot your business cards, because it happens to all of us, but that it is within your power to make substitute business cards. You probably brought paper with you, or sticky notes, or you can borrow some from someone else. Write your name and contact info a couple hundred times and cut it out. You can keep it short and choose one significant link, perhaps your online store or gallery. Yes, it will be time consuming, and you may get hand cramp, but this is your penance for forgetting your business cards. If you at least do this much, I won't flip your table, I promise.
Some of you may be nervous about getting business cards, because this is your first time at Artist Alley, you may feel like you don't have much to contribute, or that you shouldn't get business cards because you are not a professional. Be more confident! You took the initiative to get a table, you wanted to share your art with other people, and you got accepted to the alley. You need to take responsibility for the hard work, commitment, and love for your work. At Artist Alley you are a professional. You are selling your work. Don't be shy, don't lose confidence and use your business cards to share more of your work with people who like it. Allow people to follow you online, to be connected to you. They want to be your fans, so let them.
I have a sign, I don't need a business card. No. Seriously, why would you even do this to yourself. You obviously know how important it is to connect with people, but just having a sign and assuming that people will A) notice/read the sign when overwhelmed by all the pretties at your table, B) Will remember your name or URL 10 minutes from now, when they start looking at more art by an artist 3 tables down from you, or that C) They will bother to write down your name and information, is not a good or effective method of getting people to follow you, or remember who you are. There was this girl who had the cutest, most adorably kawaii jewelry. 3 years in a row, she had a sign, but no business cards. I tried to remember her name each time, but I could never do it, and I never bothered to write her name down. I still don't know who she is.
But business cards are expensive!!!! I can't afford to buy them. There are a lot of really cheap printers that will often have deals that will give you a modest amount of business cards for free, for you first time using them. You can take advantage of these deals, or you can make your own business cards. You are an artist after all. I know a girl who invested a little money in an ink stamp so she could quickly apply her name and contact info to cut paper. You can do it by hand, but be prepared to get hand cramp. You can be creative and cut the paper into a fun shape, or punch a shaped hole in the corner, to add a little charm to your card. You can use colored paper, or colored ink, or whatever pops into your head. Making your own is cheap, but time consuming, plus people may not remember what your cool art looked like.
Recommendations
Take time to design a business card that accurately portrays the work you do. The best artists business cards often feature a work of art that is representative of your style and your collection of art. Do not choose a piece of art that is in a different style from most of your work. I recommend choosing an original piece rather than a fanart piece, because it is something unique to you. On your card should be your name/ pen name/ company name. Use the name you use to brand your art. Add contact info. This could be your phone number/ email address/ links to an online store/ gallery or social media, or address of a brick and mortar store if that how you sell your art. Do not include any contact information that you do not want to be contacted through. For example, I do not include my phone number or email address. Some artists choose to keep it really simple. The use their name and one link. Its usually a link to their online gallery. Upon visiting that link, an artist will usually have an area or page dedicated to their contact information, giving their followers other options for watching them, using their preferred sites.
Unique Printing Options
There are so many interesting options for printing your business cards, if you are willing to spend a bit more money.
These are a few options you can choose from.
Spot UV: can add a shiny gloss to specific details on your card.
Foil: You can get your info stamped on your card in shiny foil, that come in an array of colors.
Die Cut: make an impression with a uniquely shaped card.
Embossed: The details literally pop out from the card.
Infinity printing: can print a different picture on every card.
Material choice: Cardstocks, plastics, metals, fabrics, there are many possible options.
While I have offered up this information, so you can know how varied and unique your printing options are, I don't recommend investing in frivolously expensive business cards. If you are a freelancer, interested in passing your card to potential clients, it might pay to spend the extra money for that stand out, mind blowing card. For conventions however, you will need to bring hundreds of cards with you, even if it is a smaller convention. I only brought 200 cards with me to the first convention I went to. It was a fairly young convention, and pretty small. I ran out of business cards by the end of the 2nd day. That is a lot of business cards, and you will need to replenish your supply for each convention. That is going to become a hefty investment, if you choose something more expensive.
Design your card carefully. This is how people will remember you.
Short Random List of Printers
There are tons of companies who print business cards, so I will only share a few.
VistaPrint
Overnight Prints
Company Folders
Tiny Prints
Moo : I have used this company. They use really high quality, thick paper with a smooth almost plastic feel. Vibrant ink, double sided, infinity printing. It can be pricey, but they often have discounts. And they make the cute mini business cards.
Print Peppermint
You need business cards!
Artist have all sorts of excuses for why they don't have business cards, from I don't have an online store, I'm not a professional artist, I have a sign on my table, business cards are expensive, and I left mine at home. I am going to tell you with bitterness and disappointment that none of these is a good reason to not have a business card.... except for the last one, but there is a solution for forgetting your business cards too. If you are taking your art serious enough to get an artist alley table, you need to take yourself serious as an artist, even if you are a beginner, or a hobbyist, and make or purchase business cards. Do it. Because I swear if I come to your table and you don't have a business card, I will be annoyed. I will smile, but at that moment I am imagining flipping your table over in a Hulkish rage. Seriously scary.
But.... I forgot my business cards... I have them I do... but I... *breaks into tears. We all forget things, especially when planning and packing for something as intense as Artist Alley. The problem is not that you forgot your business cards, because it happens to all of us, but that it is within your power to make substitute business cards. You probably brought paper with you, or sticky notes, or you can borrow some from someone else. Write your name and contact info a couple hundred times and cut it out. You can keep it short and choose one significant link, perhaps your online store or gallery. Yes, it will be time consuming, and you may get hand cramp, but this is your penance for forgetting your business cards. If you at least do this much, I won't flip your table, I promise.
Some of you may be nervous about getting business cards, because this is your first time at Artist Alley, you may feel like you don't have much to contribute, or that you shouldn't get business cards because you are not a professional. Be more confident! You took the initiative to get a table, you wanted to share your art with other people, and you got accepted to the alley. You need to take responsibility for the hard work, commitment, and love for your work. At Artist Alley you are a professional. You are selling your work. Don't be shy, don't lose confidence and use your business cards to share more of your work with people who like it. Allow people to follow you online, to be connected to you. They want to be your fans, so let them.
I have a sign, I don't need a business card. No. Seriously, why would you even do this to yourself. You obviously know how important it is to connect with people, but just having a sign and assuming that people will A) notice/read the sign when overwhelmed by all the pretties at your table, B) Will remember your name or URL 10 minutes from now, when they start looking at more art by an artist 3 tables down from you, or that C) They will bother to write down your name and information, is not a good or effective method of getting people to follow you, or remember who you are. There was this girl who had the cutest, most adorably kawaii jewelry. 3 years in a row, she had a sign, but no business cards. I tried to remember her name each time, but I could never do it, and I never bothered to write her name down. I still don't know who she is.
But business cards are expensive!!!! I can't afford to buy them. There are a lot of really cheap printers that will often have deals that will give you a modest amount of business cards for free, for you first time using them. You can take advantage of these deals, or you can make your own business cards. You are an artist after all. I know a girl who invested a little money in an ink stamp so she could quickly apply her name and contact info to cut paper. You can do it by hand, but be prepared to get hand cramp. You can be creative and cut the paper into a fun shape, or punch a shaped hole in the corner, to add a little charm to your card. You can use colored paper, or colored ink, or whatever pops into your head. Making your own is cheap, but time consuming, plus people may not remember what your cool art looked like.
Recommendations
Take time to design a business card that accurately portrays the work you do. The best artists business cards often feature a work of art that is representative of your style and your collection of art. Do not choose a piece of art that is in a different style from most of your work. I recommend choosing an original piece rather than a fanart piece, because it is something unique to you. On your card should be your name/ pen name/ company name. Use the name you use to brand your art. Add contact info. This could be your phone number/ email address/ links to an online store/ gallery or social media, or address of a brick and mortar store if that how you sell your art. Do not include any contact information that you do not want to be contacted through. For example, I do not include my phone number or email address. Some artists choose to keep it really simple. The use their name and one link. Its usually a link to their online gallery. Upon visiting that link, an artist will usually have an area or page dedicated to their contact information, giving their followers other options for watching them, using their preferred sites.
Unique Printing Options
There are so many interesting options for printing your business cards, if you are willing to spend a bit more money.
These are a few options you can choose from.
Spot UV: can add a shiny gloss to specific details on your card.
Foil: You can get your info stamped on your card in shiny foil, that come in an array of colors.
Die Cut: make an impression with a uniquely shaped card.
Embossed: The details literally pop out from the card.
Infinity printing: can print a different picture on every card.
Material choice: Cardstocks, plastics, metals, fabrics, there are many possible options.
While I have offered up this information, so you can know how varied and unique your printing options are, I don't recommend investing in frivolously expensive business cards. If you are a freelancer, interested in passing your card to potential clients, it might pay to spend the extra money for that stand out, mind blowing card. For conventions however, you will need to bring hundreds of cards with you, even if it is a smaller convention. I only brought 200 cards with me to the first convention I went to. It was a fairly young convention, and pretty small. I ran out of business cards by the end of the 2nd day. That is a lot of business cards, and you will need to replenish your supply for each convention. That is going to become a hefty investment, if you choose something more expensive.
Design your card carefully. This is how people will remember you.
Short Random List of Printers
There are tons of companies who print business cards, so I will only share a few.
VistaPrint
Overnight Prints
Company Folders
Tiny Prints
Moo : I have used this company. They use really high quality, thick paper with a smooth almost plastic feel. Vibrant ink, double sided, infinity printing. It can be pricey, but they often have discounts. And they make the cute mini business cards.
Print Peppermint
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There is no better way to say thank you!