Friday, July 16, 2010

New Business Cards + A GIVEAWAY closed

I’m so funny when it comes to business cards. I had some perfectly good cards last year, but when ALT design summit came around, I needed to get new ones AND I needed to redesign my blog. I made 250 business cards in the anticipation that I would in fact use the first draft of the redesign that I had created. I didn’t, thankfully. Looking back, I hate the design that I came up with. It also doesn’t help that the printer thought a slightly less glossy cover was in fact matte. NOPE. I had ugly, glossy business cards for ALT. I really liked my vinyl sticker & mini envelope to encase it all, but not the actual business card.

Now that I’ve finally committed to a new design scheme, it’s high time I have business cards that reflect that. Uprinting kindly offered to print my business cards in exchange for a review. Actual bricks & mortar print businesses can be a huge shot in the dark when it comes to quality printing & knowledgeable employees, so of course I was interested in how this online printing company measured up.

I submitted my artwork & a few minutes later I was sent a confirmation email to look at the “proof”. Uprinting’s proofing service is really cool, they send you a file showing how the business card will be printed. You can check to see if their colors match yours, if the bleeds are correct, etc. Very slick. Once I approved the artwork, it took about a business day before they sent me a shipping confirmation. Shipping took about 3 business days. Overall turnaround for business cards with Uprinting? About 4 business days. Nice!

If you’re the kind of person that needs business cards fast (like for BlogHer, *ahem*), their turnaround is great. You can also opt to pay a premium to have the artwork expedited & shipped overnight. Not bad for those of us that work in the 11th hour.

I love my new business cards. They’ve been printed on a 14pt matte stock (nice & thick and NOT shiny! YAY!) and they’ve applied a matte coating that makes them deliciously smooth. I like that. I was a tad concerned that I didn’t make my type thick enough or big enough, but their high-quality printers did the job well! I’m sure my dad would be annoyed by having to grab his reading glasses to see my info, but my young eyes are really happy with the result.

Would you like 500 business cards? Uprinting has generously offered to print 500 full-color, double-sided business cards for one lucky reader! Here’s how you can win:

Leave a comment on this post telling me why you need business cards
One (1) comment per person only
Comment by 11:59pm (MST) Thursday, July 22, 2010
No purchase necessary
Must be 18 or older to enter
US residents only
One (1) winner will be chosen via random.org & announced Friday, July 23, 2010

Good luck!!

Posted in design, sponsored

show hide 134 comments

Angela

Love the cards!

Kathryn C

Ooh ooh! I need cards for my floral design business- although I have yet to land on a name and exact design…. but that would force my hand!

Brooke

Looove those Melissa. So cute! I need cards for the etsy shop I recently started. I have a bunch of craft festivals lined up for later this year. I would be ecstatic if I won!

elizabeth

I would love to win these cards! After years of working for “the man” as a commercial interior designer, I’m going my own way and starting a residential design and organization business. Free business cards would definitely cut down on my start-up costs!

anna

My Momma needs these for her catering company!

Annie

Lovely!
I just started my own business and as most start up companies, funding is short, and what better way to leave a good impression in future clients than well printed, beautiful business cards?

Hannah C

I’d love to get some high-quality business cards!

Yours turned out great!

Cinda

I would love some cards for self promotion of my side photo biz!

Nancy

I REALLY need some business cards. I’m in the process of starting an online boutique patterns and handmade clothing business. Business cards are still on my To-Do List. Thank you for the opprotunity to win!!!

Kendall

I’m trying to get an Etsy shop up and running and I would love some new business cards!

Allison G

Would love to win some of these for personal/networking use!

Diana Smith

I need new business cards. I have an etsy shop and the ones I have just don’t cut it. Please pick me!

Amy

No way! I NEED these! I have started a photography business and there have been numerous times where either my hubby or me have had opportunities to tell about it, with no business card to give. This would be perfect!

Erin

I need some biz cards for Alt Summit!!

becks

my cousin is working hard at her graphic design business (modmollystudio.com) and these would be a great gift for her!

Aleena

I love your cards! I dont need business cards. but my husband does! He is trying to jumpstart his own personal training business. He has a lot of clients but hes in this plato right now. If he had some business cards to hand out to his clients i believe he’d get a few more clients. So please enter me into your contest. Thanks for the chance to win!

Darcey

My friend recently told me about Uprinting and I just hadn’t gotten around to getting my business cards designed for my baking business. Whether I win or not, I’ll be ordering some soon (but I do love free stuff)!

Linny

I just started a new business, and committed to participating in a silent auction in a couple months, but don’t have any business cards to be spreading the word!

Amanda

Wow, those are lovely! I actually just got my first order as a professional baker, so I have decided to finally take the leap of having my own bakery business… and I will need business cards! Yay!

Laurel G

wow love your cards! Especially the back side!

I need some cards to help generate some business! Right now I just write down my info on a sticky and give it to people. This would be so much more professional!

emanddee

Your cards look great – especially the design on the back!

I plan to launch my Etsy shop later this year, and I’d love to have some cards printed to share with people once the shop is live and to include in the shipment of my products. Great giveaway!

anicia

I got my scrapbooking prizes–loved them.

Thank you again!

Christa Pirl

I know how it is with business cards…no matter how great the last design was it just does not last long. I would love an update to mine (maybe even if my current Utah info!) but can’t justify the cost until I am through all the old ones. Uprinting sounds great, that turnaround is pretty impressive!

Liz

I would actually get new business cards for my husband. He just graduated from school and could really use them in his new business ventures.

Shaela

Love your new cards!! I really like the two-sided printing, it’s much more fun than the basic white back. I would love to win some business cards, because I just redesigned my site and am gettgin ready for some art shows and things. I’ve benn working on a card design and this would be perfect timing, lol!

Ellie g

Whoa, I adore the back of that card! Gorgeous!~

I would LOVE some business cards for my little card business. I’m so sick of people thinking I’ll make them stuff for free. Maybe that will make me look more legit! :)

Libby

I just moved to a new city and would love to have fresh cards to leave behind as I meet new folks and go on interviews. Thanks!

leyla / Too Much of a Good Thing

So pretty. I have been designing/printing/cutting my own cards and it’s getting a little ridiculous. Ok, maybe a lot ridiculous. Thanks for the giveaway :)

heidi y

I’d love some of these business cards. They are really pretty!! I would love to hand some out to class parents (I’m room parent), school organizations – I am HSA (like PTA) secretary, play-date parents, new scrapbooking friends I meet, and I’m a newbie photographer that I’d like to expand into a home business.

Lien

Your cards are amazing!

I need business cards because I recently graduated from college and am currently doing some small freelance work. Business cards will really help me look more professional (currently, I just write my info down on an index card. Sad, I know).

LinnieBell

I just checked out their site–why aren’t more online printers this easy to use? I’m working on my business card right now–would totally love to win! :)
*Lindsay

Monika Wright

I just opened an Etsy store and would like to have something, other than my handwritten note, to send along with their purchase. Thanks for the info on the stock you used and the matte coating, I wouldn’t have know to choose those options!

Lindsey aka Mrs. Potts

I could really use these for BlogHer!! Yours turned out so lovely – I would love to have the same company do mine.

tiffany

oh me! i need more business cards! you know about me and my business cards. :)

Megan Taylor

I’m actually writing on behalf of my fiance. He is an automotive technician, a/k/a mechanic, a/k/a grease monkey. He’s been working in a shop with no A/C this summer, and of course, it’s been 90+ degrees since early June in Pennsylvania. He would also like to start working on cars in his spare time to make extra money… and the perfect thing to get him started would be business cards to hand out! And not cheesy ones with a wrench on the front… he deserves better than that :-)

Leslie H.

I am getting ready to do a re-design of my blog and would love to get business cards to match when it is all done. Yours turned out very cute!

Rose

Hi! I started reading your blog about a month ago and so far I’m loving it! I actually have started whispering “I still love you!” to my boyfriend at odd times to make him giggle – it’s just such a goofy and sweet line.

Anyway, I need business cards! I ordered business cards from Uprint a long time ago when I was first starting to make women’s clothing as Any Other Name. Now I’m ready to do real grownup things like designing a coherent line, offering styles in multiple (and reliable!) sizes and colors… you know, “real” seamstress stuff. Of course, my visual identity has changed a LOT from then to now, and I really really need a new set of business cards to represent me and my brand!

My brand, Any Other Name, was a name born from desperation and procrastination right before my first fashion show. Somehow, everyone loves it!

Katie

I just started my own business selling my handmade books, and I would love to have some new business cards for self promotion at my next art fair.

Sarah Clark

I actually don’t need business cards, but my dear friend and artist, Kourtney, does so I’m entering for her! She’s the craftiest woman I know and so incredibly talented. She lives a beautiful life and is starting a burgeoning business. Some new cards would be a super stylish way for her to get her name out there. So yes please! Pick Kourtney!

Suzy

Cute! I need some biz cards too… some to hand out for play dates and some for my new etsy shop that I’m soon to open. I really like the ways your turned out! Smashing!

Rebecca

Love your blog! And I would love to win these business cards! I could use them for my new furniture restoration business that I am starting!

Whatever DeeDee Wants

With cards that pretty do you need a reason to have them?

I would like to make some for my blog :)

Nancy

Ooh! How did you know I needed business cards? I just changed my website domain name, so all my old ones are useless!

Erin

I’ve started a new website and I don’t have any business cards for it! I would love to win so I can create some beauties!

Joelle

I would love some “mommy cards” to pass out at the park or playdates! Your cards are darling, I love them!!

Lyndsee

I love the idea of have a calling card to give people, just whenever. It’s so retro and glamorous.

nicole i

oh i need new cards…I am down to less than a dozen and I can’t decide what to re-order.

D'Rae

I would love to have some made up to match my blog in order to hand out to people to promote it!

Trudy

I’d like to surprise my husband with some snazzy business cards for his company!

Kirsten

i’d love to get some printed for my husband who will be applying for graphic design jobs (and delivering me out of dreadful idaho) in a couple of months.

Heather HS

Cute cards. I need them because they are cute. That’s why!

Sarah from Create Studio

Oh I just redesigned my website too! I would love to be able to promote my blog with new business cards. *Fingers Crossed!*
-Sarah from Create Studio

MissJillian

I need business cards because I don’t have any…and I could really use some pretty ones like these to finally get the ball rolling with selling my cards and other design projects.

Catherine

I tried printing my own business cards and when I talk about our business model to make trendy plus slze clothes for tween girls I swell with pride. However, it’s all deflated when I hand the interested party one of my glossy cards that screams “I made this!”.

molly

Melissa, your cards turned out beautiful! I really would love new business cards because I am leaving my full-time graphic design job in September to have my first baby and would love to make cards for freelance work!

shawn who loves cupcakes

oh! i need cards to hand out when I’m selling art at the market – I sell out of art so quickly, and then potential customers ask me about my pieces when I’m packing up my table. How great it would be to have a card to redirect them to my etsy store!

Kirsten

It would be perfect timing! I just changed my web address, and would love love love a pretty (relevant) card to match!

catherine s.

I need these since I am rebranding my freelance design business and will be renaming it…don’t want to hand out old cards to new clients…these would come in pretty handy! thanks for the chance to win!!!

Melissa

I need business cards because I am thisclose to finishing my graduate degree in psychology! omydarlingblog(at)gmail(dot)com

Emily

I literally JUST had my blog redesigned, and I purchased my own domain name, so I REALLY REALLY REALLY need new business cards! This would be perfect!

Melanie

I need business cards because I’m starting a party planning business! This would help with one of the ever growing expenses.

Jen R

I would love business cards for my first craft fair! The ones I made don’t look too good- our printer kinda stinks!!

Amanda

I just graduated Culinary school and i love to decorate wedding cakes, i have done a few so far, but I don’t have any business cards. And yours turned out sooo cute!

... and baby makes five!

Oh wow… we need some new business cards because our have been out of date for awhile and I just haven’t had the cash flow to put towards the updating!

amy d

JUST opened shop and could use a hip little card (or 500 hip little cards) to help with promotions. Love the yellow, by the way!

Erin

I’m thinking (again) about opening an etsy shop now that I’m a SAHM. I’d love some cute business cards to get me started!

Becca

Oh, I need this. I just opened my photography business and my website sucks. (Total redesign in the works.) Add to that necessary business cards and I’m definitely an 11th hour person this week – I could use this giveaway! I’m so lucky to be able to use my passion to provide for my 3 girls. My husband and I recently separated and it’s such a relief to know that we’re going to be okay. I have to admit, I get tons of creative juice from blogs like yours, Design Sponge, and A Little Sussy. Keep it coming – I love your wit and individuality!

Elaine

Pick me, Melissa! I just bought my domain name so I would love new cards for that!

Jillian

Oh – this would be nice. I’m on the job market this year so I need cards and it’s the an academic job market in the Humanities so you know I don’t have money to pay for them!

Lillian

Those are beautiful! I’m in need of some quality business cards, so I’m totally going to check them out!

Lindsay

beauties! loving the colors you chose – and the sweet simple-ness.
love, lindsay

Sarah

I need some new cards because I just moved cross country and don’t want to give my info out on scraps of paper! New city, new cards!

Jessica

soooo pretty! here’s why i need new business cards: because i accidentally got glossy too!! (don’t mind that i have like a bajillion of them) aggghhh :(
thanks for the giveaway!

Rachel

I don’t so much need business cards, but I do really want calling cards! Something my mom always had, and it just seems so old school, but I really love the idea of having just a personal card to hand out.

annie

i stamp my own on flimsy, lame cardstock. and i have to cut them out by hand. THAT’S why i need these. :)

angelina

im starting a making waldorf dolls shop,!

Julie

That would be awesome!

The Monkey Underground

I would love to WIN super cool business cards! My bff made these sweet little business cards for me as a gift for my first craft fair but they are sooo itty bitty I told people it was how was saved paper and mother earth lol! Awesome giveaway!!!

Tauni

L.O.V.E. the business cards. They are beautiful!

Amanda

This would be amazing! I’m a graduate student who is desperately hoping to find employment after graduation, so it’d be extremely beneficial if I could hand out some snazzy business cards!

julie y.

lovely!! i need business cards b/c I am moving to nyc and all of my contact information is changing. my old ones are out of date. pick me!!

Michele W

I’m a better baker than graphic designer and need a new look for my business cards.

Julianne Best

Your cards are so cute! I love the design too, you are so talented! I need some business cards to help spread the word about my Etsy shop (plus the ones I have now don’t have the links for my blog, twitter, facebook fan page, etc. So, I hope I win. Thanks for doing this giveaway! :)

jenni kaufusi

i LOVE your new cards!! I would be nice to have a cute buisness card my work cards are not cute & i like cute.

Mandi

Yes! I do need some business cards! I sell granola at Farmer’s Markets and sell out pretty quickly- typically within the first 45 minutes. People are always asking to pre-order and for my email, etc. Alas, I have to scrounge around for paper to write out my info. Business cards would be the bees knees!

Julie

I would love to win these because I’m in the process of starting and building up my business (greeting cards and invitations) and I don’t have any business cards yet!!!

Dianne

Hi, Melissa! First of all, I love your blog. So cute! And you’re a girl after my own heart: I love thrifting and creating things all the time.

I’m going to start an Etsy business soon, and I would love to have cards to package with my items.

Thanks for the opportunity, and I hope I win! ;D

S-weet! What a fun give-away!

Tia

I have started a new photography business and when I am out shooting people always ask me for business cards, which I do not have at the moment. Hence why I am hoping to win this giveaway. These cards are awesome and I would love to have some that look this awesome.

Catherine

I need business cards in the hopes that one day I will use them. And they’re so pretty and colorful. Every girl needs a calling card.

SewLindaAnn

I could use them because I’m putting together my ideas for opening an Etsy store and starting a blog. Very nice of them to offer this.

Jenn

I just started a new job in a therapy private practice and can’t afford to print cards yet!

Gramkin

I love UPrint, and I just ran out of cards after a big show…so I definitely need some more

mindy

because i have not made them up since i moved 5 years ago

kelsie rae

this is one of the coolest giveaways i’ve ever seen (actual something i need) !
i need business cards for my photography business, i just haven’t gotten around to doing it yet. looks like UPrint does a nice job!

breeann

I’m just getting started on a joint venture with my mom. She the florist, I the wedding planner. We had a terrible VistaPrint incident with the first round of business cards and it would be GREAT to correct the problem.

Emily

I need these business cards because my sister just started a publishing company and they would be a beautiful gift for a new ceo! The cards she has now are so sad… these would be perfect!

Julia

So, I just started a private speech therapy business in my home, and I need business cards. I want to call it Summit Speech Services. What do you think of that? You do the coolest stuff, Meliss!

Virginia

WOW- I really like these a lot better than your first draft as well. They definitely look more professional but still kept your fun style. I need business cards because as a freelancer recently out of school, I am almost out of the business cards that I put together myself (and haven’t been able to afford “real” business cards yet). It would be so awesome to win some!

Erin

these are gorgeous! i’d love to win because i don’t have business cards … yet! :]

Kristina

I need these cards because my first batch from the copy store didn’t turn out right.

Chelsea

This is really the answer to my search! For the last couple days I have been trying and trying to find a good place to print because….my husband and I are graduating college! YAY! And we need to get some business cards to make connections, find jobs, and get our names out there! Hope I win!!

Katy-Ann

With my husband about to deploy to Afghanistan I decided to open an online store, business cards would be wonderful to help me get my name out there and to give to people when they ask if I made something and how they could get it. Thank you for this amazing opportunity. <3

Ruth

I need business cards because I’m ready to tell the world who I am and what my small business can do for them! It’s time to get the word out and I couldn’t be more excited!

Amy

I would love to get some new business cards from Uprinters becuase I have not been happy with the printers I have been using. They cut off the bottom of my design!

Faith

I would love some nice business cards. Since I don’t have a professional blog it’s hard to justify spending the money but being able to hand out a nice card to new acquaintances would make me feel super cool.

leni

i am quitting my current research job to pursue my passion for teaching! clearly, i will need new business cards to reflect my new career choice.

p.s. i love the way your business cards turned out. perfect color choices.

Britta

I would LOVE to have professionally printed business cards for my etsy shop. My talents lie in other areas – and my current cards are not anything I’m very proud of. Time to take it the next level!

Thanks for the chance to win!

susan

This would help so much with my business.. I would look so much more professional!

Robin

I’m just finishing my first batch of quilts for sale and have finally chosen my etsy shop name, etc. I have such little money to get this business started — winning these beautiful business cards would be a big help. What good timing! Thanks for the chance!

Mattie

I just opened a vintage Etsy shop and was asked by a local photographer to send her some business cards to hand out to vintage loving brides. My shop is only 1 month old and I haven’t even thought about cards until now! You’re one of the first blogs I came to in my search for advice on where to print some. Talk about perfect timing! I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to win this one! Uprinting sounds really great.
Fingers crossed,
Mattie

Mique

Yes please! You know I love your cards. ;)
I could really use some business cards for the Queen Bee Market. (both Jess and I could). Fun giveaway Melissa. Thanks!

Bettina Johnson

Hi,

ohhhh, I love this giveaway, I sure need NEW business Cards.
I have ordered from Uprinting before and love the cards they make.

Well, to your question: why I need (new) Business Cards?

My husband and I just moved, and I am currently using self printed Business Cards (because we didn’t have the new address, and I had to use a P.O. Box), not really happy about that, so, with this Giveaway you would help someone BIG time.

Wish me luck!!
Betty

SarahJane

I would LOVE to win these. Great giveaway Melissa!

Sarah

With high hopes of being a graphic designer one day, business cards would be an awesome way to start advertising!

Carly

I need business cards because my Etsy shop is really starting to take off and I need to get the word out!

Mitchell

I just started doing some WordPress and Website development and could totally use some business cards to share with people when I go to different meetings to let people know about me and what I can offer!

Brittany

I need business cards, because I am going into my senior year of college, so I will be going on interviews soon!

Libby

I need business cards because…huh, no real reason except that those are so gorgeous I want to die! Two-sided? So pretty. I think I’ll invent a business just so I can then get some pretty business cards!!

ann

I need business cards because my friends are always trying to help me spread the word about my blog, but forget the super long name!

Sara

I’m so impressed with your blog and your amazing talent. The business cards would be wonderful for my photography hobby. I would be honored to hand them out to people!

jenn king

i would LOVE this prize! i am a photographer and i am currently going through rebranding and getting a new logo as well as building a new website and blog. new business cards would reallllly make me happy!

Diane {createdbydiane.blogspot.com}

I would love to have a recipe on one side and my info on the other. Yours look great!

jlyn

oh these are just the ones i’ve been looking for! i need business cards for my side-photography-in-my-spare-time business. i printed some Moo mini cards about 2 years ago, but people kept complaining that they’d lose them! the artistic options with this company seem endless! PICK ME!!!

Michelle

After losing my job due to the recent economy, I finally decided to take the plunge and start my own business! These business cards would be the perfect thing to start me off right!

katherinemw

i need to win some sweet business cards because today, when i met you at the fabric store (name not disclosed because of horrible customer service), i didn’t have anything to give to you with my information on it, so you would know a bit about me and the little businesses i run.

take care, thanks for the giveaway. oh, and happy sewing.

Lisa Juliet

I would love to have some business cards for my new Etsy shop that I’m starting with my brother. We’re super excited and need them to be included with the shipped orders and also to help get the word out.

*BTW I love how yours came out!

Steve Capell

We would use these to promote our art business. Thanks for the giveaway.

Jennifer

I just got back from a year of doing missions/humanitarian aid work all over the world. During the journey, I collected many photographs of the precious people, and now that I’m back home, I want to start a photography non-profit that will raise money to support them. Business cards are one of the many things on my checklist to making this dream a reality :) The pictures are listed off of my main blog http://jenniferlmitchell.com. Thanks so much for considering me!

melissa wood

YES! there is still an hour left on your give-away! It’s 11:48 pm in Texas right now! hA!

Okay, why do I need business cards? Because if they are really offering good quality printing on NICE paper—then they will be putting my little rinky-dink cards (that I designed 3 years ago) to SHAME. Mine were hand cut by me with a dull paper sharpener, so they have a semi-torn look. Not cool.

Business cards are like a first impression. If they look good, you look good. And, let’s be honest… I need all the help I can get. :)

Thanks for the give-away, Melissa! this is me crossing my fingers!
xoxo
melis

Valery

Ack, it’s 11:50 so I’ll write fast. I would love business cards for my mother. She works as a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) but she has done some home care and much prefers that personal connection. Doing home care would allow her to set hours and be there for my siblings. So crossing my fingers to win for my mother, thanks for the giveaway!!

Mea

This is like fate. I had just ordered a zillion cards from another company that made the entire process painful and the results dissatisfying. I wondered which company I could even turn to to re-print but a giveaway on top of that is fabulous. I hope it will be my lucky day. Thanks!

dawn

I need new business cards because I changed my phone number and now all the cards I have are incorrect.

CC Cards! |

[...] I’m planning on doing. They are super cute and were easy to order. I stumbled upon this post at ISLY and decided to try Uprinting. It was great- I designed the card in Photoshop and uploaded [...]