eXpressTECH business card
- Thread starter johndoc
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Encrypted Existence
Well-Known Member
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- 87
To me it seems a bit plain. You advertise "other repair services" so why not fill some empty space (front and back) with those other services. I agree with datadatau. I wouldn't designate myself as owner if it were me. Here is a link to my card. I removed the white line running through the company name, changed the icons next to the service's that are listed, and purchased a domain name w/email so I don't have the gmail account anymore. I am not saying that yours should look anything like mine when you are done I am simply trying to stir your brain.
http://www.technibble.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31375
PR Tech
Active Member
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- 27
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- Paso Robles, CA
I find the 0s and 1s to be fairly distracting. But, this may translate a bit differently from the PC screen to a smaller sized business card. I like the thought though. You may want to consider limiting the number of 0 and 1 rows to a couple vs. the 6 lines you have now. Also, how about replacing the wording "Other Repair Services Offered" to "Additional Repair Services Offered"?
I tried filling that space, but when printed the font is far too small. It's a problem I still face with the design posted. I have room to increase the font size now that less services are listed.
My thoughts on the double sided card are that I do not normally flip a business card over when I pick it up. I will eventually dig through my wallet and notice a back to a card occasionally. I would hate for someone to miss information because of habit.
I do see some changes that I need to make though. I will post a new version tonight for re critiquing.
16k_zx81
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- 54
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- South Australia
TBH I think it looks like you made it yourself.
Personally, I think promotional material like this is worth getting done professionally, if you are not skilled at graphic design. Even if you had a logo made up (this can be outsourced for about $80) that would make a lot of positive difference
Its about impression management. If this card was in the wild you would want someone picking it up to say "hell yeah, Im phoning THIS guy" - not - "oh a home made business card" (bin)
The other weakness I see on this card is the services description. That aspect needs to be expanded IMO. In this regard, do you get a lot of service requests for 'training'? - In 3 years personally I have never had a phone call specifically requesting it (only occasionally requested from clients when onsite) - possibly not the ideal service to use this space to promote.
Do you do laptop repairs?
Also, you might want to consider using a second side. It makes little difference to printing costs and gives you a lot more space for promoting your business, its benefits to customers, and the services you provide. Alternately can be used as a 'deal hook' - special offer to compel people to pick up the phone and ring you.
Sorry its not complimenrary. I hope you dont mind honest opinions.
Personally, I think promotional material like this is worth getting done professionally, if you are not skilled at graphic design. Even if you had a logo made up (this can be outsourced for about $80) that would make a lot of positive difference
Its about impression management. If this card was in the wild you would want someone picking it up to say "hell yeah, Im phoning THIS guy" - not - "oh a home made business card" (bin)
The other weakness I see on this card is the services description. That aspect needs to be expanded IMO. In this regard, do you get a lot of service requests for 'training'? - In 3 years personally I have never had a phone call specifically requesting it (only occasionally requested from clients when onsite) - possibly not the ideal service to use this space to promote.
Do you do laptop repairs?
Also, you might want to consider using a second side. It makes little difference to printing costs and gives you a lot more space for promoting your business, its benefits to customers, and the services you provide. Alternately can be used as a 'deal hook' - special offer to compel people to pick up the phone and ring you.
Sorry its not complimenrary. I hope you dont mind honest opinions.
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My wife designed it. She's a professional graphics designer for a firm so if there are any improvements you recommend she can certainly implement them. The training is not on-site it is in a classroom setting.
I also have rack cards being made that will be sitting with business cards in stores that explain more of what I do. They currently are in production so I'm not ready to get info on those, but I will soon. That's why the cards are not a fountain of information and also another reason why they are one sided. (The rack cards are two sided) If you all really suggest a dual sided business card as well I will work something out.
These will not go out until the beginning of the year.
I also have rack cards being made that will be sitting with business cards in stores that explain more of what I do. They currently are in production so I'm not ready to get info on those, but I will soon. That's why the cards are not a fountain of information and also another reason why they are one sided. (The rack cards are two sided) If you all really suggest a dual sided business card as well I will work something out.
These will not go out until the beginning of the year.
TopLevelComp
New Member
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- Victorville, CA
It looks like it was designed by a 13 year old kid just beginning, no offense, but thats what it portrays.
Spend the money and get one professionally made.
Spend the money and get one professionally made.
Cambridge PC Support
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- Cambridge UK
To everyone who says I need a professional to design it reread the first line of post #8.
To everyone who is not critiquing please leave information on what I should do to change it. It is helpful to know that it looks like a 13 year old made it, but not very helpful if I want to fix it.
To everyone who is not critiquing please leave information on what I should do to change it. It is helpful to know that it looks like a 13 year old made it, but not very helpful if I want to fix it.
16k_zx81
Well-Known Member
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- 54
- Location
- South Australia
Seriously?!
Im sure no one means any offense telling you this, and it becomes uncomfortable saying much more now with the information of your relationship to the designer.
However, it doesnt change the appearance of the design, which is ... for want of a better word ... 'amateurish' ...This is what a number of people have tried to communicate to you.
So maybe its not a matter of 'hire a professional' but 'hire a different professional' if you want your cards to have the best possible ROI for your business.
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I understand. It doesn't bother me that the masses think it looks like a child made it because I told her how I wanted it. She only did what I asked. I'm a little surprised by the lack of helpful information on changes to fix said problem.
Is it colors, font, background, wording, size, something else? Should I scrap it and start over with something completely different all together? I really like everything about it so it's hard for me to figure out how to make it look less "childish".
Also I do have a website and a business email. The website is nowhere near production and we took our e-mails off of our business cards at the other shop I work at because too many people were trying to get free tech support through e-mail.
Edit: I am not upset at all by the criticism thus far. I apologize if it comes off that way. I am just looking to get it all fixed.
Is it colors, font, background, wording, size, something else? Should I scrap it and start over with something completely different all together? I really like everything about it so it's hard for me to figure out how to make it look less "childish".
Also I do have a website and a business email. The website is nowhere near production and we took our e-mails off of our business cards at the other shop I work at because too many people were trying to get free tech support through e-mail.
Edit: I am not upset at all by the criticism thus far. I apologize if it comes off that way. I am just looking to get it all fixed.
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16k_zx81
Well-Known Member
- Reaction score
- 54
- Location
- South Australia
Actually its starting to come across that way. The reason I say that is because appropriate information has been provided above but it seems to have been missed.
Good luck with your card. I hope someone else here can help you. I feel like I have stepped into a minefield. Excuse me while I jump out.
Cambridge PC Support
Well-Known Member
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- Location
- Cambridge UK
Right, I've dumped it into Photoshop and reduced the size, it still looks bad, but not as bad.
Here's my suggestions:
1) The eXpressTECH font is awful. Get rid of the black/grey outline. Make it bigger and bolder.
2) The cog-wheel thing needs to have it's outline not so thick, maybe in black.
3) Lose the binary, or at least fade it out a bit and maybe halve the font size.
4) Perhaps put the solid blue on the top half as well as the bottom.
5) As someone else said, lose the "owner" bit
6) Add website & email address - you are a tech biz right?
7) Underneath your company name, put something like "Computer & Network Services for Home & Business"
8) You might want to add: Upgrades, Advice, Tuneups, Broadband, Rebuilds, Wireless, Repairs
9) Maybe show your missus some of the other business cards here and get her to "do her thing"
Hope this helps & good luck.
Here's my suggestions:
1) The eXpressTECH font is awful. Get rid of the black/grey outline. Make it bigger and bolder.
2) The cog-wheel thing needs to have it's outline not so thick, maybe in black.
3) Lose the binary, or at least fade it out a bit and maybe halve the font size.
4) Perhaps put the solid blue on the top half as well as the bottom.
5) As someone else said, lose the "owner" bit
6) Add website & email address - you are a tech biz right?
7) Underneath your company name, put something like "Computer & Network Services for Home & Business"
8) You might want to add: Upgrades, Advice, Tuneups, Broadband, Rebuilds, Wireless, Repairs
9) Maybe show your missus some of the other business cards here and get her to "do her thing"
Hope this helps & good luck.
Ahh, I see now. The comments about it being childish could mean that it looks cartoony. I see that now that I look at the bold outline of the gear.
I do hate to get rid of the binary. It's kind of been my thing for years. I had it on an old card from when I was in high school. I had a lot of people ask what it was and what it meant. A very good conversation starter. I can certainly try toning it down.
Here is the revision she did after the first couple of post on this thread. Sorry for the format and size. She tried to explain to me that she did it that way so it would print correctly. She knows what she is talking about, but I do not.
The green border is roughly where it will cut off at the printers.
expresstech-cs.com/images/business_card_updatee1.pdf
I do hate to get rid of the binary. It's kind of been my thing for years. I had it on an old card from when I was in high school. I had a lot of people ask what it was and what it meant. A very good conversation starter. I can certainly try toning it down.
Here is the revision she did after the first couple of post on this thread. Sorry for the format and size. She tried to explain to me that she did it that way so it would print correctly. She knows what she is talking about, but I do not.
The green border is roughly where it will cut off at the printers.
expresstech-cs.com/images/business_card_updatee1.pdf
TopLevelComp
New Member
- Reaction score
- 2
- Location
- Victorville, CA
It still looks bad.
The overall logo isn't very professional. What does the gear symbolize? Why blue and green? Why is the X capitalized?
The overall logo isn't very professional. What does the gear symbolize? Why blue and green? Why is the X capitalized?
Personally I think it is a bad choice of colors. The name of your business, Express Tech does not look like it is standing out from the rest of the card, it blends in too much with the logo.
The binary is too distracting, like others have said, fade it some if you want to keep it. Also you need to put your website address on there somewhere.
The binary is too distracting, like others have said, fade it some if you want to keep it. Also you need to put your website address on there somewhere.
re:
I think you have too much going on with the business card. This is shown by the numbers on the background, as to me it looks confusing.
People who view it may not know where to look at first. I personally think the simpler the better with business cards. Just add your details and some images to it
If you want to get some business cards made, you should check out a oniline business cards company called CardsMadeEasy! they do great business cards
I think you have too much going on with the business card. This is shown by the numbers on the background, as to me it looks confusing.
People who view it may not know where to look at first. I personally think the simpler the better with business cards. Just add your details and some images to it
If you want to get some business cards made, you should check out a oniline business cards company called CardsMadeEasy! they do great business cards
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