Plastic Business Cards

I don't know... I like plastic in general, but for a business card I've never seen it and I don't know if I would like it. I've seen metallic once, which was cool. I've seen laminated once several times, never worked for me. Paper has a goo feel to it. Especially matt textured paper feels nice on fingers. So, I don't think I would like a credit card like business card unless the concept of it relates to a credit card. On a second thought the fact that your card would be water proof and durable is attractive.

I was thinking to do a glass bc and it would say something like clear vision/transparent relationships but properly worded, but I'm sure the price would be too much! :D

No idea about pricing, I remember one plastic business card that attracted me, it was in the normal rectangular shape (9x5cm) but it acted as a magnifying lens.. I thought it was funny..

I use a heavy smooth card, full color, nylon coated both sides (not sure about the gram weight of the card, but heavy). One side was info and the other was 9 photos.. The cost was around $0.3 per card and I printed 1000..

Why plastic?

I can see an opening for a great concept, and using the plastic as a message similar to how Waleed suggested about the magnifying card but I couldn't justify the cost (plus other cons like not being able to punch holes in it to put in a roladex) of a plastic card with no concept?

Kinda like doing a logo with gradients, if you know what I mean.

I have seen a few before and none of them did anything for me, but the design was pants, it just kinda made the business look fake.

http://www.plasmadesign.co.uk/businesscards.htm

kinda expensive, but I do like the look

Oh yes I do like them though Jammo...

Not like the ones I have seen at all.

http://www.stouse.com/

Well I was thinking something akin to this quick mockup...Just follows the website look and is clear plastic at the bottom with a subtle grid.

Don't know how feasible it is though.

As for the clear plastic, it kind of fits into my whole clarity obsession.Jumping through a few hoops metaphor wise.;)
www.afterglow.ie

I've thought about getting bc as well..
Keep us updated afterglow please =)

But you have a few options. There are places that will do short run printing on plastic (by short run I mean 50 or less), but it's still expensive per card.

If it's the "feel" of the card you're looking for, consider printing on something like 110# Kromekote and then adding a Satin UV Coating, or a heavy Aqueous coating to give it the "plastic feel."

Also, visit some paper company Web sites and request sample books. There are some fantastic opaque papers available that will offer you some transparency, just not 100% transparent.

Love the design though Cian!!

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Thanks for the ideas folks. I'm meeting a plastics guy on Monday who might be able to do a discount deal in return for some web stuff. Might have to go the translucent route if I can't get clear plastic but will post some pics whenever I get my hands on them.
www.afterglow.ie

Meeting went well, I was pretty surprised to find out it was feasible to do full colour on both sides on a perspex type card. They gave me an example card that had been produced in a very similar style and colour (there goes my pride in originality) I got a nice reduction for some web business. A subtle grid faded grid may not be achievable but other than that there is no problem.

Hopefully should have them printed before the end of the month.
www.afterglow.ie

Well you're looking at the scary side of 500 euro but this is Dublin we're talking about. Not cheap to be Irish these days ;(.....
www.afterglow.ie

This guy actually sent me samples, as I also considered doing it. The thing to note is that these are significantly bigger than your average business card. From my experience, albeit in the states, many people don't like that because it is inconvenient for storage and such.

Afterglow did you get any of your plastic cards you ordered?
I'm just curious on the result..

Well...they're at the printers at the moment.(since the end of August) I was just informed the other day that will not have them ready before I go to the Apple Expo which was the main reason I was getting them now. I am getting an alternative version in white while the other ones are being printed but the translucent plastic caused trouble and delays. Unfortunately the timeframe means I can't find an alternate supplier to deliver before I have to leave next week so I am improvising with other cards. Broken promises by the idiot printer so I would say to save yourself the stress and get normal ones ;) I'll post a pic of the card when I get them at the end of the month. Nothing is ever easy......

www.afterglow.ie

It's a question of print timing with an average 10-15 days print time for these type of cards. Getting a London firm to do them and ship them over to Ireland in one week just ain't feasible. Best just to keep pressure on the Dublin printer and try to resist the urge to slap him ;)...

www.afterglow.ie

I have been producing plastic cards for 15 years, in the last 3 years plastic business cards have increased by 60% every year. The cost is much higher than paper, but if you land one client that pays for the whole order. Count in our around your desk you probaly have 50 - 100 paper cards that you would like to throw away. Plastic doesn't get thrown out because it is new and unique. Here is a link to clear cards we have done http://www.plasticprinters.com/businesscards/

Plasticprinters.com

I have about a dozen examples of plastic business cards ranging from the thicker credit card type to the thin, translucent type. They look gimmicky and cheap when you have it in hand...more like a pre-paid phone card or something. Another down side to it is that you (or your client) can't jot anything down on them.

Plastic seems cool, but think practically here: If you received a thick plastic business card, would you be inclined to keep it in your wallet or portfolio for later use (to call you back for more work)?

I'd make sure the cost is worth the uncertainty of use.

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Powerpoint is not a design application

I think that plastic business cards are going in evolution.
Plastic business cards give a lot of possibility, more steps of transparence level, colors, options like hot foil tone on tone, particular shapes, die cut, and other options that you can add at your business card.
Sometimes plastic seems cool, but not always! For example, this plastic business cards, is similar paper business card, but with more advantages: waterproof, tear proof, always perfect!

Surely some type of paper is very elegant, but only high quality as Fedrigoni for example, but a business card like this will cost a lot!
I think that plastic business cards could be a good solution. The final result it depends on design, text, color choosen.

it was said above but i'll elaborate. a lot of times your card gets extra mileage because someone uses it to write something on, and it stays on their desk or handed to a second person. with a plastic card you wont get the benefit of this unless the user carries a sharpie.

on the other hand, a plastic card might get used as a toothpick, ice scraper, straight edge...

id give it some thought.

They're relatively common where I am. There's a certain cheeseball aspect to them imho, but I've seen some cool ones too.

i'm with art on this one (don't get too shocked, art!). i think that they can be used in an interesting way to make them worthwhile. but, unfortunately, i think most of the plastic cards i've seen aren't really used interestingly and the actual plastic itself is supposed to be the "cool" part.

if you have a good concept that plastic cards would make more effective or that plastic cards would be a key player in, that's cool. but if you have a concept that would work regardless of the substrate or that's purely "look! it's plastic!," then it's just tacky.

the medium is not the message.

Surely. But for me the message is always composed of more steps.
Not only material, not only text, not only colors and design. But it must be a mix of special and studied particulars.
Each activity needs his type of message. I prefer the class. I like a minimalist business card, simple message, simple design.
Other activities wish originality and colors, strong message. Without class. Only eye catching. Everyone prefer what he wants.
But for me is important to think:
Your image is always at work, even when you are not.