Tag Archives: printed

3D Printed Business Card Accessories

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My brother recently got a 3D printer which caused me to get online and see what sort of things he might be able to manufacture. My search resulted in a few interesting business card related gadgets.

How about a braille business card writer? This simple device will allow you to easily emboss any business card sized piece of paper with your company contact details in braille, making you instantly ADA compliant, and delighting your visually impaired friends and business associates. As a former president of the Chicago Uptown Lions Club I found this device particularly interesting. It is probably one of the more complicated devices I found but also one of the most innovative. Likely not a good choice for your first project however you might want to check this out then “press” it into service.

Braille printer for business cards

https://pinshape.com/items/34568-3d-printed-braille-business-card-writer

I was able to find plans for a few different business card holders. This first one is basically a small business card sized box with an opening on one side for easily getting ahold of the cards. Kind of like a little recycle bin. It also has a small channel on the rim where you can slide in your card for display.

3D printed business card box with display channel

https://pinshape.com/items/64798-3d-printed-business-card-holder

The next desk accessory was an attractive negative space cup-like design for holding pens, pencils, letter openers, plastic sporks, an extra pair of reading glasses or whatever. The base has molded slots specifically designed for holding various digital media storage devices like portable USB flash drives and also SD cards. On the side is a rectangular space for business cards.

3D printed desk accessory

https://pinshape.com/items/38602-3d-printed-businesscardpenusbsdmicrosd-holder

The last of my list is the most simple design, utilizing the least amount of plastic material. Basically a kind of wire-frame that allows you to display about 20 cards upright in a traditional manner where they can be easily viewed and offered. The plans include a vertical as well as horizontal display option.

wire fram 3D printed business card holder

https://pinshape.com/items/32686-3d-printed-business-card-holders

Look around a let me know if you find anything else of if you try printing one of these options.

Business Cards are Dead

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I just visited a blog that was touting the virtues of virtual business cards and predicting the ultimate demise of the printed business card. This is an old story and I have not seen it happen yet. Virtual cards are a great idea and I look forward to them being a mainstream solution, but I continue to caution that new technology does not neccessarily have to replace old technology. Virtual and printed cards can co-exist.

Business Cards are Dead

Business Cards are Dead

One complaint I have heard refers to those who have stacks of cards or hundreds of cards in a box collected over a period of months or years. HELLO!! There is no need to keep someone’s card forever. The primary purpose of a business card is simply to transfer contact information that may be pertinent now or in the short term. If you look at a card and don’t remember the person – – where you met – – or sadly what product or service he or she offers – – throw it out. It has outlived it’s usefulness.

If you are a giver of a card. Consider that this is an opportunity to be sure that the recipient has your important contact information and that he or she might be reminded of you or your service over a period of a few days or maybe a few months if they keep your card. If you are a recipient of a card, this is a handy device to help you keep and refer to contact information from someone you have met. Keep it as long as there is a chance that you might want to contact that person sometime. As long as it has value as a potential resource for you.

Just as unused business cards sit on your desk so will unused virtual cards sit in your PDA, phone or computer. Don’t shoot the messenger. It’s not the business card virtual or physical that is at fault, it is likely the lack of a clear message or the very real reality that you have no need for that particular product or service.

Business cards are a courtesy. Offer them graciously and accept them graciously. There are no strings attached. There is no obligation inferred in the presentation nor any commitment in their acceptance. However if you do decide you want to contact someone they’re darn handy to have.