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Personalization
What is personalization?
Personalization is the addition of personal information to your cards. Typically your name, your company, company logo, address, contact numbers etc.
Why should I personalize my cards?
Essentially a matter of personal (for want of a better word) preference, some of our members do it for a variety of reasons:
1) Branding - Sending a card is a good opportunity to keep yourself and your company in your client's mental and emotional space. By adding your company logo (or slogan for that matter), you send a visual reminder, a mental flag.
2) Time Savings - Having your cards personalized saves you the effort and time of writing/typing/printing your name below your signature. Multiply the savings if you intend to add other information like company name, contact numbers etc.
3) A Professional Image - Simply because you let the professionals (that's us!) do your personalization. We use industrial printers and processes to make sure your name looks as good as our cards.
4) Convenience - By adding your contact information, you make it easy for your clients to keep in touch.
How are my cards personalized?
Whoa! Technical question! However, immensely important because the choices you make decide the cost of personalization. Understanding the process helps you make an informed decision based on your needs and budget. (We'll try to keep it simple, of course. Or you can always call us. Our experienced team will help you make the right decision.)
There are two ways to personalize your cards: 1) Hotstamping, 2) Offset Printing.
Each gives a very different finish and has it's own advantages and costs considerations.
What is Artwork?
Before we even begin to personalize your cards, we will first have to prepare the artwork for printing (for both hotstamping and offset printing). Artwork involves the laying out of the information you want printed on the cards. For simple artwork (just text and simple shapes), artwork is free. In the event that we have to recreate your logo, a one-time charge of $30 applies.
| What is Hotstamping? |
| Hotstamping is the process of using heat to stamp metallic foil (gold or silver) containing your particulars onto the cards. Things to take note of: |
- There is a one-time charge for making your metal block (sort of like an engraved seal). This block can be reused numerous times. In fact, Gulliver will maintain and guarantee the use of your block for life.
- However, because your block is a fixed metal piece, no alterations are possible. This means that if any of your particulars need to be changed (contact numbers, address etc), you will incur the one-time charge again.
- The charges for your block depend on its physical size (per square cm), which is dependent on the amount of information you want in your personalization and the size that information is set in.
- The total charge for personalization is a combination of your block charge (one-time) and the hotstamping charge.
- Hotstamping charges also take into account the physical size (per square cm) of your personalization (because of the amount of metallic foil used).
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How much will Hotstamping cost?
Cost of Hotstamping is the sum of the cost of your block and the actual charge for Hotstamping. Because both are dependent on size, we can only give you a cost estimate when we have the details for your personalization.
However, as a gauge, you can use the following as a cost estimate:
For an area size of 3cm x 9cm - $30 for the first 200 cards and
$8 for every additional 100 cards. For subsequent orders (with an
existing block), $20 for the first 200 cards and $8 for every additional
100 cards.
Note that for hotstamping, a minimum of 100 cards per design is
required.
| What is Offset Printing? |
| Offset Printing uses industrial inks on a commercial printing press. This process offers the widest options available. You can choose any color (especially if you have a corporate color to observe) and the area size of your personalization is not linked to cost. Things to take note of: |
- Charges for offset printing depend on the number of colors required. Every color is charged separately (i.e. Printing in Black, Red and Blue is considered 3 colors and will roughly incur 3 times the cost of just printing in Black.)
- Printing on different sides of the card count separately (eg. If you print in blue ink on both the front and back of the card, the charges will be for 2 colors)
- Offset printing uses plates (instead of blocks) that are specific to the card to be personalized. This means that every card design that you choose to personalize will be considered a "new job" and therefore there will be no costs savings if you choose more than one card design at a time.
- Unlike hotstamping, there is no one-time charge. Every time you personalize your cards, the charges will be calculated as per a new job.
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How much will Offset Printing cost?
Please note that the costs estimates provided serve only as an indication. We will be able to give you a final quotation after you have briefed us on your requirements. Feel free to check with our experienced team. We will be more than happy to advise and help you with your personalization requirements.
Estimates:
So which method should I choose? (In other words….)
- Hotstamping if
- You have less than 600 cards
- You are choosing several designs for personalization (minimum 100 cards/design)
- Offset Printing if
- You have more than 700 cards (of 1 design)
- You have a lot of information to be printed (eg. Message, Slogan etc)
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