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 It’s seriously outdated and since my mac detests my version of Corel, I plan to upgrade to the mac based Illustrator when funds allow.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)Â 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
Â
Very clever idea! Thanks for the suggestion! Your card look FAB!
They look amazing. Thanks for the little vector info tutorial.
I think Blogger ate my reply! Ha! If so, I just wanted to say I love this…fabulous!
Hugs’
SueAnn
Sweet! They look great, Donna. Thank you for the tutorial!
Have a wonderful week!
: )
Julie M.
Sometimes, my dear Donna, I almost hate you 😉
Almost of course because you are awesome. But lately you have been outstaging me on the posting one step each time. I know you are not going to believe this but Saturday my business cards came in the mail (I used Vistaprint) I was all gung-ho on photographing them and post about them this weekend. And then life got in the way and the daylight photograph hours are so short that I didn’t have them to get them in front of my camera.
But they will be on my blog this week! You’ll see.
Oh and of course as ever thank you for a great tutorial (never knew what vectors where), and thank you for putting my Christmas wrapping in your sidebar.
HI there, Just found you via Low Tide High Style. Well done for these great cards and down to earth explanations. I’m sure that with cards this good your blog will soon bloom into a successful business. Thanks for leading the way.
Sharon
My French Country Home
Very cool biz cards, Lady. 🙂
I have business cards that I made in (I am so low tech it is scary!) a very old version of Printmaster. They look good so I am not complaining. I also have a set that have “care” instructions on the back so those serve a double purpose.
Your cards look fabulous and a great way to promote your “style” as they are not an everyday business card. I love the tag idea with the twine.
Gosh, I was just thinking of changing up my business cards to look like tags (in blue) just like the ones on my menu tabs on my blog. Darn you for now making me look like a copycatter!
They look great! Thanks for the vector info.
Very cute bizness cards! I have to make any. I’ve been procrastinating.
Sigh. Is there no end to your talent? 🙂 I love these and, no, I don’t have a blog biz card. I’ve had more than one person tell me I needed to get one, but just haven’t done it yet. Maybe this will be the push I need. Thanks for the vector information too – complete news to me!
Very cool idea! I told my hubby I need some cards and this gives me some great ideas! I love the fact that yours do double duty! So clever!
When it comes time to order more business cards for my rose nursery, I will probably put the blog address on them, too … thanks for the suggestion. My dear Husband, the most artistic person I know, designed my cards. They are unique (vertical format) with my logo and info and they’re fabulous! I have mine printed online at Overnight Prints … the prices are great (wait for an online coupon and they’re even better) and they use a great weight of card stock. I’m thrilled with them.
Connie
Perfect! Love the design, the shape and the twine! They totally look like you and are a perfect representation on FJI!
Love them!!!! Great idea!
Great Idea!
You are a very talented lady and by the way..how in the world do you find the time for everything..ugh. I think my days are shorter than everyone else’s..LOL.
Donna, your cards look super cool! Love the twine ties…they’re perfect. Will you be my “go-to girl” for vector info? I have one of those cutting machines and use if for mostly vinyl, but that vector stuff stumps me!
Love your multi-purpose cards!
Your cards look fantastic Donna! As someone who works in the print industry, I’m thrilled that you explained the whole vector thing, and hopefully you can pick up the whole CS5 package one day, InDesign is a pretty cool layout program to have too.
Hey!! Im your newest follower (like 3529…WOW!) I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE your blog…im new to blogland, so a bit behind! EVERYTHING you do is AMAZING!! I love your style! I have an interior design buss and blog..im doing 14 days of xmas trees and would BEYOND ADORE you to come visit! I have a GIVEAWAY too
*ENTER CUSTOM FLORAL Give-Away Here *
xoxokara