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Printing your own business cards is unexpectedly easy, thanks to custom-made stamps and customizable kits. If you’re looking for work at Goldman Sachs, this project may not be right for you, but if you work in a creative field, it’s a great way to showcase your talent.
Materials
Set of blank business cards, $3.50 for a pack of 50, at Print Icon (7 W 18th St at Fifth Ave, 212-255-4489) or paper cut to 2 inches by 3.5 inches
Custom rubber stamp, $30–$75 depending on the size, at the Ink Pad (22 Eighth Ave between Jane and W 12th Sts; 212-463-9876, theinkpadnyc.com
Customizable stamp kit with letters, such as the Cosco 2000 PLUS Custom Stamp Kit, $33, at Staples; go to staples.com for locations
Black raised inkpad, $6, at Pearl Paint (308 Canal St between Broadway and Greene Sts; 212-431-7932, pearlpaint.com
Step by step
1. To have a custom stamp made, take your black-and-white artwork to a stamp maker, or submit a file via e-mail. Ask to have the stamp mounted on an acrylic block, if available. The stamp will be ready in about one week.
2. Using the directions that come with the stamp kit, arrange the letters and numbers to spell out your name and contact information. I like using customizable type for two reasons: It gives you the flexibility to change what your card says, which is key for New Yorkers who move around a lot, and you can alter the spacing between letters, which gives it a nice handmade look.
3. Place a card on your printing surface (any smooth, clean surface that you don’t mind getting ink on). Ink your text stamp and position it over the bottom left side of the card. Lower the stamp and press it evenly to the surface, holding firmly in place for several seconds. If the print is too light, either more ink is needed on the stamp’s surface or more pressure is needed when pressing the stamp to the paper. If ink marks from the edges of the stamp are printing on the card, wipe the edges of the stamp before printing. Repeat, using the artwork stamp, positioning the stamp so that the design bleeds off the edge of the card. (I created a design that can be rotated to look different depending on the position of the stamp.)
4. After printing a batch of cards, clean up by pressing the stamps on scrap paper to remove the excess ink. Blot the stamps with a damp paper towel, and then allow them to air-dry completely before using again.
Lena Corwin is a textile designer and illustrator who lives in Brooklyn. For more printing ideas, check out her new book, Printing by Hand ($27.50, available at amazon.com).
