Derrick,

Cards of Wood is a name that comes to mind. They used to do a lot of these when I was involved in the woodworking industry.

Wood business cards have been around a long time. Several posts in the archives from people who feel they carry some weight. My guess is anyone who would take the pain for a somewhat disposable item also takes great pains in their work which is actually what wins them work.

This landed to me from a vendor a few years back and has remained tacked to the tackboard behind my desk since.

View higher quality, full size image (4032 X 1960)

By the way, thats an actual piece of thin wood veneer.

Personally can't see the benefit. It's not like it's extra creative, just a piece of veneer. Now if you make one that folds out into something, has a set of rotating gears, or has protractor marks and a rule along one side, then maybe it'll stay around longer than a paper business card.

I pretty much agree Rich. But I do remember a post a long while back where someone said they felt their wood business cards (purchased I believe) really made a bit of an impact. I havent ordered business cards in ages and whenever Im handed one I pretty much know the number is either going in my phone, or already is, and then it will be in the landfill.

I did think that holiday saw blade deal was a pretty cool idea and I know I got enough of a kick out of it to hold onto it for perhaps the last 4 years lol. Notice there is no date on it so Im sure they were smart and ordered a boat load sans date so they were able to be sent out year after year.

Its crazy. That thing is a wafer thin 3 ply veneer and has held up well. My guess is printed and die cut rapid fire for that thing.

Promo items just dont seem to carry the weight anymore. I remember, as Im sure you do, when collecting business cards was an art form. Back in the rotary/touch tone dialing days. Poof.

MarkB, Back in the Rolodex days, right?

Derrick

In my opinion I would focus more on what you can actually make with the equipment you have on your business card. For example

Highest Quality Hardwood Mouldings
Custom Interior & Exterior Doors
Wood Box Beams
Newel Boxes
Stair Parts, Balusters
Murphy Beds

Find more ways to get exposure thru your website, business card exposure is limited at best.

Just a thought
Russ @ MR

We use the thickest cards from vista print. They are really thick and people talk about it all the time. For the small amount of cards that cabinet makers give out spend a little more and stand out.

A card that is perceived as unusual will hang around longer. Like the holiday saw blade, it is novel and unusual and has survived. The card will not make business for you, but it will round out a professional appearance. Goes with a clean shirt, sharp pencils and a good attitude as tools for a sale.

Not a business card, but I once got an announcement from a vendor that was printed on the working face of a 9 x 12 sheet of 120 grit sandpaper. The vendor wanted me to know they were now stocking and supplying various types of sanding products. I kept that around, first to show to bosses that clever is good, secondly because I did not know what to do with it. 120 grit gets used in the shop, but it is too nice to just use. So there it sits.

Oddly, the advert came from a Mennonite supplier in Northern Indiana, trying to expand out from the Amish market. They just are not innovative in my experience.

And no, I did not change abrasive vendors.

It seems it was over 30 years ago I bought several orders of cards from Cards of wood in Belmont Michigan. Even then they were expensive but,,,, when people got a hold of a card they realized it was real wood. They are different and do make a statement.

I think people tend to keep things that are unique or different. Will they get you business prolly not ? But they are really cool.

I THANK you all for your posts. You all have valid points. Like everyone has seen, business cards do end up on a desk, trash or "lost".. Thank you all for insight and honest answers.

If you're dealing with builders/contractors mostly, you'll get a lot more rapport with them if you give them a nice wood clipboard with your company laser engraved on the backside along with a promise that you'll actually have cabinets to install on the date you promise them.

1/4" baltic birch makes a very schnazzy clipboard that people actually WANT to use. Just rob the clip off a cheap masonite clipboard and rivet it onto the baltic.