Mini Business Cards from Moo/Flickr

September 19, 2006 12:45 PM

Flickr MiniCards Finally, a business card that won't make you look like one of those douchebags that likes to hand out business cards.
posted by BuddhaInABucket (68 comments total)

I made sure to order mine before posting it here, I don't want any mefi-generated delays!
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 12:45 PM on September 19, 2006

... it'll make you look like one of those other kind of douchebags.
posted by Joe Invisible at 12:47 PM on September 19, 2006 [2 favorites]

Don't try doing business in Asia, or with any companies based in Asia, with an attitude like that about business cards. They take the damn things very seriously indeed. In fact, if you're going to do significant business in you probably want to hire a design firm in the country in question to vet your cards and redesign them if necessary.
posted by George_Spiggott at 12:48 PM on September 19, 2006

PepsiBlue!!!!!
posted by agregoli at 12:51 PM on September 19, 2006

I like to hand out business cards, that way people can reach me about business things. That doesn't make me a douchebag - other things make me a douchebag.

Do these business cards all have the FLickr logo? If so, haha on you.
posted by Mister_A at 12:53 PM on September 19, 2006

These are pretty-- but expensive for regular use. I got a box of 500 from DesignYourOwnCard.com for $20, and they're real beauties.

But for occasional or personal use, sure why not? I mean, as long as you don't mind paying a company to advertise for them.
posted by hermitosis at 12:53 PM on September 19, 2006

In a handy-dandy, non-standard, easy-to-lose size! Where do I sign up?
posted by Faint of Butt at 12:56 PM on September 19, 2006

only the free ones have the flickr logo on them... and I meant people who hand out business cards at parties or clubs to people they want to go on dates with, not for business stuff.
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 12:57 PM on September 19, 2006

oh my bad it looks like the for-pay ones have the flickr logo on it too. *shrug*

I think they're great.
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 12:58 PM on September 19, 2006

Best of the web.
posted by damnthesehumanhands at 12:58 PM on September 19, 2006

I meant people who hand out business cards at parties or clubs to people they want to go on dates with, not for business stuff.

Wait... so the allure of these cards is so that you could hand them out at parties or clubs or to hot people, and yet somehow not appear to be a douchebag?

I'd want to see a few rigorous studies done to prove that they're effective at that.
posted by gurple at 1:01 PM on September 19, 2006

I think you could, if you're in a suitably creative crowd.
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 1:02 PM on September 19, 2006

so you'll be handing these out to prospective dates?

good luck with that one.
posted by the cuban at 1:02 PM on September 19, 2006

"Salesdude?" - and we're douchebags?


Phalanx of fuckin' pots callling the nanokettle black, sonny.
posted by lalochezia at 1:03 PM on September 19, 2006 [3 favorites]

Why not hire a designer fresh out of art school to do your card? THey want to build their books up, and will generally do this sort of work on the cheap. You can still have your card cut to some non-standard size.

Now this next part, BiaB, I write with some reservation. I have a deadline on some important work, so why am I writing this? I don't know, it's probably the cough medicine. Anyway: Please explain your intended use for these cards. It seems like you are very much opposed to handing out cards to people for non-business purposes... so you are going to use these cards as actual business cards? Even though they have a Flickr logo? I would laugh at you, maybe behind your back, but you would know all the same that I was laughing. That's because I'm in advertising, the coolest business in the world.
posted by Mister_A at 1:04 PM on September 19, 2006

A good example of why strong opinions in posts aren't a good idea...
posted by vacapinta at 1:04 PM on September 19, 2006

oh jeez you people hate happiness. Sorry to share my joy.
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 1:04 PM on September 19, 2006

Mister_A: I thought they would be fun to hand out, and that's really just about it. Sort of like spraypainting "BiaB was here" on my friends, but via mini card.
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 1:05 PM on September 19, 2006

I think you'd be better off just spraypainting "BiaB was here" on your friends.
posted by gurple at 1:07 PM on September 19, 2006

Sure it would be cool to have a calling card to hand to people. I hand friends my business card all the time, but it would be nice to have a personal one too. I'm sorry I picked on you - you seem like a good fellow - do think about having someone design your card though. Then you have a story to tell too.
posted by Mister_A at 1:08 PM on September 19, 2006

The most compelling part of this, to me, is that you get 100 *different* cards for $20. Not all the same. Different backs on each.

The fact that it has a logo on it eliminates any interest I would have in buying a set, but at its core it is a neat idea.
posted by solid-one-love at 1:08 PM on September 19, 2006

oh jeez you people hate happiness. Sorry to share my joy.

Embrace the culture of victimization! We are a blackhole in the fabric of good vibrations, after all.
posted by prostyle at 1:13 PM on September 19, 2006

Yeah, I hand out mine to people freely. Saves time, saves carrying a pen. People tend to like them, and the best thing about handing one to someone in a social setting is that often someone else sees them and says, "Ooo, don't I get one?" Needing, designing, and using your own card are one of the few fun parts of being a grownup.

Although I've found it is generally difficult to act like a grownup without also being a douchebag.

$20 is a lot of money to spend on giving your phone number to 100 people who already have your phone number.
posted by hermitosis at 1:21 PM on September 19, 2006

I like free, so I got my ten. Sue me.
posted by grabbingsand at 1:21 PM on September 19, 2006

I like designing my own cards but I'm thanking you for posting it because I'm going to be uploading my wedding photos to Flickr in January and I'm thinking these would be great to have made and put into our thank-you notes to share a photo (maybe even match them to guests) and let folks know where they can look at the rest of the pictures.
posted by krix at 1:23 PM on September 19, 2006

I like the integration with Flickr - makes the cards far more personalised and valuable, and if you have interesting photos, they're a good talking point. Moo was previously known as Pleasurecards (same cards, different designs, no Flickr integration) and I definitely feel that the change was worthwhile - but such reliance on Flickr is a gamble, especially with the logo...
posted by adrianhon at 1:23 PM on September 19, 2006

I think they're pretty cool, and would be nice to have on hand.
They could be redeemed quite simply by chopping off that sad logo - using the guilloutine at a place like Kinko's - it looks like you'd leave the personal details intact.
posted by Flashman at 1:24 PM on September 19, 2006

My two questions -- what kind of printing are they doing (certainly not offset) and whether you can get rid of the flickr logo -- were not among those most frequently asked, apparently.
posted by blueshammer at 1:24 PM on September 19, 2006

I putting some of those graffiti nudies on mine and NSFW. And I will give them out at the first Birmingham, UK mefi meetup.
posted by srboisvert at 1:25 PM on September 19, 2006

maybe this explains the cool looking business card holders in heather champ's photostream.
posted by crunchland at 1:26 PM on September 19, 2006

Sorry to share my joy.

But you told me I wouldn't look like a douchebag, and now all of these kind folks are assuring me that I would look like a douchebag!

You don't deserve any joy.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 1:27 PM on September 19, 2006

Addendum to my previous comment: I know the founder, Richard Moross, so I might be biased. But I still think they're a nice idea, if needing a little improvement.
posted by adrianhon at 1:28 PM on September 19, 2006

Krix: that's an awesome idea!

And while I don't like the idea of the logo at ALL, in a case like that it could help guide relatives to your online album (a lot of relatives who are older and less savvy will appreciate that).

Just make sure to keep your honeymoon photos marked "private"...
posted by hermitosis at 1:31 PM on September 19, 2006

I don't want to be a douchebag, now I'm torn. Cards or no cards? Free and shill for Flickr? Maybe I'll just get those laser printer ones and tear 'em apart at the perforations. The fuzzy edges are very avant garde.
posted by fixedgear at 1:39 PM on September 19, 2006

I made a ton of those for SXSW a few years ago, with pictures from my photoblog. I gave away hundreds of them on the table in the lobby. Anyway, at one of the Interactive parties, I put one in the fishbowl for the door prize, and I think, because of the fuzzy edges, Jeff Veen pulled out my card. I got a free book out of the deal.
posted by crunchland at 1:44 PM on September 19, 2006

Looks like you can turn off the flickr logo in the pay ones, as far as I can tell. I like the half-height-ness and the random back-ness, and frankly, I don't need 500 cards. (Though in this case I might end up with multiple sets of 100 for my multiple personal identities- student, hobbyist, regular person, etc.)

(What I'm curious about is why the free cards shill for flickr and not moo.)
posted by louie at 2:03 PM on September 19, 2006

I sent an e-mail asking about the logos. The response was that you can remove the logo from the pack of 100, but it has to remain in the free 10-pack because that product is a joint promotion between MOO and Flickr. Seems fair enough.

They should really put that information in the FAQ.
posted by brain_drain at 2:18 PM on September 19, 2006

FWIW, when you're on the personalization page, you're free to remove the Flickr logo. In fact, you can have them completely blank on the back--which might make these the starting ingredient of an art project (albeit a rather pricey one).
posted by reformedjerk at 2:28 PM on September 19, 2006

...I think, because of the fuzzy edges, Jeff Veen pulled out my card...

Jeff Veen's a douchebag.

I'm kidding. Seriously.
posted by damclean2 at 2:29 PM on September 19, 2006

I ordered a free pack because they look darn purdy.

Packs of 100, according to the customer service guy I e-mailed (and received a response from within the hour) can be ordered without the Flickr logo. Obviously the point here is to stand out, so for promoting my music to venue owners (enclosing them with press packets, perhaps) they're pretty much ideal.
posted by Saellys at 2:48 PM on September 19, 2006

I ordered my 10 free cards. I have about 99% of my online photos on Flickr anyway, so why not?
posted by tommasz at 2:50 PM on September 19, 2006

great idea! Good for promoting, if nothing else, your flickr page!
posted by cell divide at 2:59 PM on September 19, 2006

Meanwhile, if MOO used to be Pleasure Cards, their printing methods probably haven't changed. Some valuable info is on that site.
posted by Saellys at 3:00 PM on September 19, 2006

I have a set: I was part of the beta. They are dinky, a good card weight, they don't have the Flickr logo on them, and I can fit twice as many of them in my wallet as I can regular business cards. Satisfied customer.
posted by Hogshead at 4:45 PM on September 19, 2006

luriete, read a couple posts above yours.

I think these are pretty neat, but I've never been what I'd call a business card situation. Oh hell, I'll get the free batch anyway.
posted by danb at 4:55 PM on September 19, 2006

been in what I'd call
posted by danb at 4:55 PM on September 19, 2006

a few weeks ago a girl sat next to me on a plane and introduced herself. when we landed she gave me her social card. it was neat and convenient, and I don't think she's a douchebag. since then I've been meaning to get some of my own social cards, so thanks for this!
posted by carsonb at 5:42 PM on September 19, 2006

Ultra cute! I just ordered some with pictures of my sisters and I; I'll get just enough that we can each have one. It'll be nice to carry them with me wherever I go.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 6:19 PM on September 19, 2006 [1 favorite]

I've just moved house so can easily see ten occassions coming up where I want to give people my new details. And international shipping was free too so I ordered my promo set. Cute cat pictures make everything better.

I didn't think to put my phone number or email on there though and now I'm wondering if I should have. But my email didn't change when I move and even I don't know my phone number offhand, so it's probably not important information for this occasion. I'd have to think carefully about how much to share if I did order more. After all, why give out a cell phone number if it only get turned on every two weeks or so?
posted by shelleycat at 6:49 PM on September 19, 2006

i think they are cute, too. i haven't really taken a stand on whether handing out cards make you a douche, or if people will laugh at you, etc.

i actually do use flickr a lot, so i am thinking for social reasons, or even at things like family get-togethers they would be handy for directing people to my flickr page to see pics of the kids, etc. for personal purposes i don't really mind the logo being on there. being a bit of a flickr junkie, i like the idea of people i know getting to use flickr more often. and as a graphic designer who is sick of standard sizing, i like the wee size.

i guess i have lost some of my righteous indignation somewhere ...
posted by thekilgore at 7:11 PM on September 19, 2006

Compelled to point out that, for those who want an undouchey non-logoed card, and yet don't like providing email addresses on cocktail napkins, there is always the old-school calling card option. It's actually the precursor to today's business card.
posted by pineapple at 7:36 PM on September 19, 2006

Paying to help flikr advertise...lovely :)
posted by thecashcow at 8:54 PM on September 19, 2006

Read the comments, folks -- THE FLICKR LOGO ONLY APPEARS ON THE FREE VERSION! C'mon, two of us sent e-mails to the company to get this confirmed!
posted by brain_drain at 8:57 PM on September 19, 2006

i ordered my 10 free ones--thanks! : >

(they're a little expensive otherwise--you can find a million places charging less)
posted by amberglow at 9:11 PM on September 19, 2006

My take on this is that you'd use them to promote your Flickr stream - i.e. you've been at an event taking photos, someone asks how to get copies, or view them or whatever, so you whip out a card.
Nifty, IMO... especially that they don't all have to have the same design.
posted by Chunder at 2:27 AM on September 20, 2006

(they're a little expensive otherwise--you can find a million places charging less)

Yeah, but I reckon they'll do well out of folk like me, who have kinda-sorta needed business cards for years, but not enough to actually bother designing and printing any. $20 to avoid having to scrawl my numbers and email on a scrap of paper that someone will promptly lose seems a pretty good deal.

Shame the choice of fonts is so limited, though (or is that just the free version?)
posted by jack_mo at 3:26 AM on September 20, 2006

Thanks Buddha, I dig this stuff. Like when ZWAN let you send out five postcards to people you knew for free.

Suddenly I got five different ZWAN postcards!
posted by sciurus at 5:10 AM on September 20, 2006

I ordered a set of these yesterday for my baby's website. I'm forever telling people the domain name of the site I set up for him, so why not hand them a small picture with the domain name on the back.

The odd size did make cropping a little more interesting though. Too bad they couldn't maintain the standard aspect ratio of a normal camera picture.
posted by inthe80s at 5:58 AM on September 20, 2006

Now the free 10-pack is just for flickr pro users. Pshaw.
posted by nadise at 6:56 AM on September 20, 2006

inthe80s writes "Too bad they couldn't maintain the standard aspect ratio of a normal camera picture."

What aspect ratio is that? 4:3(645, TV), 2:3(35mm, APS)? 56:67? 4:5(35mm, View in two sizes)? 5:7(View)? Square(Hasselblad, Rollei)? None of these match american business card 4:7 or the ISO standard 3.370:2.125.
posted by Mitheral at 10:00 AM on September 20, 2006

I think they're cool, too, Buddha. I've ordered my ten free cards.
posted by deborah at 3:07 PM on September 22, 2006

Got mine. Smaller than I expected but quite nice. Cool and handy little package and very vivid colour. I like.
posted by srboisvert at 2:26 AM on October 3, 2006

Got mine too. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality. Very nice cardstock, and the backs are printed properly too.

(I'm still not sure what to do with an itsy-bitsy card though.)
posted by smackfu at 8:12 AM on October 11, 2006

Got mine a couple days ago. Much nicer than expected.
posted by deborah at 1:17 PM on October 13, 2006

Got mine. They really mean mini.
posted by keli at 1:25 PM on October 16, 2006

Yup, I got mine too, and they are darned cute, but like smackfu I'm not really sure what I'll do with them.
posted by litlnemo at 2:27 PM on October 16, 2006

I've queued up an order but not placed it yet. I have a million pictures of my cats anyway, so I picked 100 of those pictures and cropped them all properly. My intended purpose is not quite as a social card - if I order these, they will be hey, thanks a bunch! cards. Something that I can hand to people who do nice things for me, or to friends who make me smile, or whatever. I'm not sure that I know 100 people in the first place, so I might take a while to go through these.

I'm only waffling about whether I want to pay $25 (incl s/h) for this idea. Any input, MeFites?
posted by etoile at 9:38 PM on October 16, 2006

Got mine. They're great. Probably put in an order for the 100 when we move house or something, or for Christmas....
posted by Frasermoo at 10:36 AM on October 17, 2006