Professional printing question.

[Kali]

Had some (too expensive) business cards made and now, of course, I need to add a line of text to them - It does not have to be in same font or size, but needs to look good - is this possible? Or do the pro's print on some kind of sheets that are cut afterwards like the do-it-yourself kind?

[Parisle]

1. It is remotely possible

--- Your cards were probably produced by the offset printing method on large sheets and then cut. An old letterpress machine (moveable lead type) could conceiveably add an additional line to the cards now,..... Won't look the same,... Can't say about the cost. But it's theoretically possible.

[Democrat 4 Ever]

5. I think you will be disappointed with the results. Go back to

the original printer and ask them the cost for a re-print of the entire job with the missing line added. You indicated that the cards were expensive to produce so I am assuming there are items on the card to make it stand out - like raised lettering, foil embossing, a special size, cut, etc. If there are special items on the card - like a die cut, foil stamping, color separations, etc - the die (or other unique aspects) of the job has already been made so you have paid for this part of the job and will not be charged for these items on re-ordering. Many of my printers will do a correcting re-print for just the cost of the job. Never hurts to ask. The labor and time to print just one line on an already cut business card will take them much longer and cost more than if they just redo the entire job.

As long as you aren't asking for a complete revision of a job you should be able to get them re-done - if for no other reason than the printer wants to maintain a friendly customer relations so you will continue to re-order. I make much more money on my re-orders - since I do not have to do any work except call up the printer and say give me another 10,000 of a project than the original job where I might have spent hours and hours designing, correcting, tweaking, getting customer approval, running bluelines, color corrections and then the final product. Give me a re-print any day.

[NV Whino]

2. Adding a line of type by letterpress

would be as expensive as reprinting by offset. Reprint your cards if it's important they be pristine. Otherwise, you could print a label and stick it on.

[napi21]

3. I don't claim to be an expert, but the ones I've seen being printed were

all done on large sheets and then cut using a giant guillotine like knife cutter.

[soothsayer]

4. Your cards prolly have a flood varnish on them that would make

it hard to print over (keeps 'em from scratching, makes 'em shiny, feels like a laminate). You can get 1000 top quality biz cards (double-sided, full color bleeds) for like $75 (or smaller quantities for less money, even ordering online)---is that too much moolah to redo 'em?

Also, even if you COULD reprint on your old cards (which you can't---as others have said, they were printed in huge sheets on an offset press) it would cost the same as getting new ones done.

[eeyore]

6. I agree with posters who say reprint them.

A letterpress job will likely be more expensive than a reprint, and the only way to get a nice clean look is to reprint. Another option would be a rubber stamp to add the line on the back of the card (if the back is blank).

Good luck!

[Tesha]

7. It's also possible your cards were produced using "Thermography"

It's also possible our cards were produced using "Thermography":

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermography

(Scroll down to "thermographic printing").

This process produces print that is very glossy,
slightly raised, and sometimes, a bit "dimply".
Cards produced using thermography can usually
be over-printed, but as others have mentioned,
it may not be worth it.

Tesha

[Kali]

8. Thanks everybody - that is pretty much what I was afraid of.

hate to do rubberstamp or labels but I'm kind of cheap and I just hate to throw away several boxes of the things - my hating waste is always costing me something dang it!

[Democrat 4 Ever]

9. Just being nosy - but how important is the missing line?

I mean if it is your web site or phone number you need to toss them but if it is just a "slogan" or other nice but not completely necessary info, use the cards for trade shows or events where hundreds of business cards are handed out like confetti but then are thrown away after the event.

I'm like you, I hate to throw anything away - I've still got a complete set of letterhead, business cards, notes, note pads, etc. which have my old area code for my phone number. Beautiful, heavy paper, bright white linen, two-color raised ink, completely useless because someone decided to change three numbers in my calling area 5-6 years ago.

One of these days I am going to have the printer to reprint my info on the side of the letterhead and then have it cut down and padded to make note paper. The rest will be turned over and used scrap paper.

[Kali]

10. oh it's bureaucratic bullshit

In Arizona you must be a licensed contractor to do construction work. (it is a scam - no guarantee of quality whatsoever - small chance of recovery - a fund the licensees have to pay into.

There are two important exceptions - one is jobs under $1000 are exempt as handyman types and the other is if the homeowner acts as the contractor (gets the permits, materials, etc) and hires the person as a worker. That is where we operate - most jobs are more than $1000 but aren't huge things like major building. Been thinking of becoming registered just to avoid the BS and paranoia promulgated by the bigger contractors. (of course it costs MONEY) While checking out the website I found a regulation I was unaware of - apparently one MUST put the fact that you are not licensed, (as well as the fact that you are if you are) on ANY form of advertisement.

So now I am looking at the need to add that fact (whichever it ends up being) to the beautiful cards we just got. bleh. I have always thought this thing was a scam - and had figured even if we got licensed I would NEVER use the stupid bumper stickers, or ever advertise the fact...now I see one HAS to do so - more proof it is a scam, if you ask me.

[Democrat 4 Ever]

11. Too bad. Since it is a state requirement you will have to comply.

That is a bummer. The only other thing I can think of is to put the necessary wording on the backside of the card (or is it mandated it MUST be on the front of the card?).

It still be hard for a printer to run that through on a printing press but if it is just a single line, there wouldn't be tight registration so slight alignment issues wouldn't be so noticeable since the cards are handed out individually. Talk to your printer, they should be able to offer you some reasonable suggestions for your particular job. Also, if you printer only has large presses take a visit to a printing shop that has smaller equipment. A little Mom-and-Pop company that does quick one or two color ink jobs may be just the ticket to get you legal.