Does anyone know of a source of SLEEVES to fit business cards perfectly? I'm looking for the same kind of sleeves you use to protect playing cards (CCG sleeves) that are clear on the front and back. I don't want a book, or a rolodex sleeve with holes for the rings... just individual sleeves.

There are some wargames that have business card-sized cards that I need to find sleeves for. Neither Fantasy Flight nor Mayfair make a sleeve that perfectly fits this size. Thanks.

The nice thing about using local sources for this stuff is that you get to work one-on-one and make changes on-the-fly. Some of the online places will only print exactly what you tell them and can't give suggestions to improve your basic idea.

For the clip art, I just used the stuff on the Microsoft site, royalty free: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/

Edit: good luck with your venture. Working for yourself can be a great thing, and I hope you find much success.

Thanks for the extra info. I will be sure to check them out. I am actually thinking of not using clip art at this point. After searching through various designs, I think I can come up with something to take to a print shop.

Also thanks for the good luck wishes. I have actually been doing computer repair for a while, I just wasn't advertising, or using a company name, but I have to get more clients, and having a business name filed makes it easier to advertise.

Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Flash should be good for the overall design, then go to a local printing company.

Or buy a really good printer. ;p

Card dimensions can easily be googled, or get a template to suite your style. I'm not sure which is more popular these days unless people still prefer the cards that fit in their wallet.

Also, get a website, or start small with twitter or something along those lines.

I have a couple nice-ish printers, so I may go ahead and go that route atleast to get a couple things to play with printed, then I can take the end result I am lookin' for to a print-shop to have a bunch made up.

I am also working to catch up with Web Design, as the last one I made was a few years back. I don't have a domain name yet, or proper webhosting, so that will be a hurdle as well.

I've been using www.1and1.com for about 5 years now. No problems.

That reminds me, I need to do a big update to my site.

Nice site for hosting, thanks for posting this I just may check it out.

Ah well, after looking around and messing about in GIMP and what not, I honestly think this is above my ability level. Doing a generic business card, no problem, but I can't design anything above that to save my life.

Why not post some of the guidelines concerning what you want and ask the community members to submit some ideas? Is it the logo you need? Do you have a business name or a theme??

Yeah, a logo is going to be needed, but the business name is a bit tricky. I have something that my wife and I like, but the more I look at it, the more I don't actually like it. I'm currently just playin' with gimp and messing with different color schemes and fonts atm. I may post the business name if I finally decide to go with it or to change it..

I have made a few logos and would be glad to give yours a look. You can PM me the name if you rather not make it public, also the type of business would help. Others would volunteer as well I believe.

I will post these to get you thinking, figuring out a background that suits the business is the hardest part for me. Sometimes the name alone can be made into a great logo. If any of these suit your fancy I will post a blank image for you to try your dba name on.

I have used the MS Word shapes to play around with a logo design. Pick different ones and add your text till you find something interesting. Using the shapes can eliminate the need to "design" while your thinking about it . . . =)

Also put some thought into the colors, you need a logo that looks good in color as well as B&W since some of your correspondence will be in plain B&W.

Edit: Also you might go to the Brands of the World website and look at logos. Something might inspire you, course you can't use the exact logo but maybe find something to base your design on. Google "logo" to get some ideas with minimum effort.

I don't make my own business cards because I don't want people to think my business is a joke.