Let's make some blog biz card/tags!

I have a big ol' bad confession.

 Remember my junk giveaway I held a month ago? All those items are sitting beside my desk as I type. Why? I hadn't gotten my branding act together yet to send along in those packages. This from a graphic designer is unheard of! :)

So I went out and finally bought a printer. Please applaud me for this feat. I hooked up the wireless (Canon Pixma MG5200) network to a pc AND mac all in one night. And it only took me 3 hours. But I did it!! :)

It appears Canon didn't send the right mac drivers for this little setup so I continue to hiccup my way along. So mac users, just beware.

Anywhoo... it was time to design some official branding for Funky Junk.

Needs:

I needed price tags for items I'll be selling at a restaurant I'm staging.

I needed FJI biz cards.

So... rather than two paper ID's... I created biz-tag cards. :)

 Many ask me how I create blog buttons or my own graphics. It's all done in vector format to start, then I export them into jpg's to the sizes I desire depending on what I need. To read up on what vector is, see below. To ignore the lesson, scroll below until you reach the picture.

Creating graphics... in vector format.

I use a vector drawing program called CorelDraw for my graphics biz. It's seriously outdated and since my mac detests my version of Corel, I plan to upgrade to the mac based Illustrator when funds allow. However they both do the same thing. They allow you to create vector drawings.

What's vector?

Vector is a term used to describe how something is drawn. A vector image is a drawing with lines attributed to your images much like a non coloured colouring book page. You can then export your vector drawings into jpg, png, etc.

Why use vector format?

You use vector when you require basic shapes, simple drawings or to work with text. Photographs or anything jpg you grab from the net are not vector images, that's why it's so imperative to worry about dpi's and pixel rates for quality.

There are no pixels or dpi to worry about with vector. Did you know most non photograph jpg's start as a vector drawing? Images you create starting in vector format are the sharpest and cleanest, giving you wide open options on how you wish to export/save them for other uses.

There are other programs that will allow you to draw vector, and most likely many free ones too. Simply google FREE VECTOR DRAWING PROGRAM (for windows or mac) and you'll get 101 listings. Pick one, download it and play around!

My blog header does have a small piece of a photograph behind the button. In most vector programs, you can combine the two which is pretty cool.

So what did I create? 

2 in one biz card tags!

I designed my card on a tag so it could serve the purpose of both a price tag and biz card.

I simply stacked the image I drew as pictured, then printed them out. No fancy graphics grabbed from the web. They're mine... all vector made originally done mine. :)

 Print them yourself or go pro?

Being that I don't require a zillion in quantity from the getgo, I decided to do them in this old fashioned hand done variation of print, hand cut and punch. When and if I know what I desire for future needs, I'll get them pro printed.

What type of card stock?

The card tags are printed on heavier card stock at the basic print quality level. You can move higher up in quality using photo paper if you wish too. However, I was after a slightly grainy look anyway so I didn't mind the standard print quality this round.

And there you be! My biz card price tags. :)

The tags will be connected to the items for sale in the restaurant as well as displayed (with the twine)  as biz cards.

I really like the little twine ties attached. It's unexpected and I think they add an extra element not generally associated with a typical biz card that will help make others remember you. And that's a good thing. :)

And in case you're curious... that's my cel number. :)

So dear junk winners, your goods will be sent shortly! Along with a biz card tag, hot off the press of course. :)

I feel so 'current.' My BLOG has a business card! Now to turn it into a real business... :)

Many of you are pretty graphically handy so I'm curious:

Do you have an actual blog biz card to hand out?

What program are you using to draw/create your designs in?

inspired by

Miss Mustard Seed's own tags