Project Name:

Card Redesign: Automotive Journalist in Eastern Europe

Project Duration:
15 days
Double Sided
~~~~~
Task Description:
Greetings
I would like to receive offers to redesign a 2-sided business card.
(The original is here in PDF: Attachment #1.)
The front is only text (2 foreground colors, 2 background colors). The back is a full-size picture with text over it.
I like the concept, content and layout.
But the font colors, size and style seem weak in print.
On the front, 4 issues:
1
I like all letters lower case, but the font (Calibri) appears vague. Could other styles look cleaner, sharper?
2
The font also may be small by 0.5pt or 1pt?
But the card already is outsized, so I do not want to enlarge it (exact trim: 2.5 x 3.5).
Might another font style be more legible?
If font size should increase, consider creating space by removing: 248 515 1242 and an empty line/space.
3
The font is bolded.
Might it look better un-bolded?
(Only my name bolded?)
If un-bolded, could the font size increase slightly without removing 248 515 1242?
4
The grey seems faint/light.
How much could it darken, while still clearly contrasted with my name in black?
Or would a color (not grey) look better?
On the back, 2 issues:
1
The font is red: the color of Berlins flags and Communism.
I quite like it, but since I am seeking a redesign, I want to ask:
Might another color be even better?
(The card was printed on thick stock with a red edge matching this font. I will print it thick again.)
2
The photo is here as a JPG (Attachment #2). Cropping/placement should match the original.
Attachment #3 (Excel) details other requirements.
Below are my printers guidelines to prep the file to print on thick stock.
Please bear these in mind.
The original PDF is setup like this.

From bidders, I would like a draft PDF of the card (both sides) to share with colleagues for feedback over 8-10 days.
From the winner, I would like all files needed to print the cards.
This is my first request on DesignCrowd, please forgive me if I neglected any protocols, standards, etc.
Thank you for your consideration - Ryan
PRINTER GUIDELINES
PREPPING FILES:
We prefer to receive PDF/X1a:2001 files. With trim marks and .125" bleed all around.
(PDF/X1a:2001 is a type of pdf that compresses a file in such a way as to make it streamlined for commercial printers).
File should be built to the trim size and bleed should be added in through the programs bleed settings (Adobe Illustrator &
InDesign have these settings). If you are creating your file in Adobe Photoshop, then you need to factor in the bleed as
part of the Document size (i.e. 3.5" x 2" business card - the photoshop file would need to be 3.75" x 2.25", with the
understanding that we will trim the cards to 3.5 x 2 - so do not put any important artwork close to the edges.
If files are created in Illustrator, it is always helpful to convert fonts to outlines - prior to saving as PDF/X1a - just in case
there are any font issues.
WHAT IS BLEED:
Business cards & Postcards are printed on larger sheets of paper and then cut down to the final size. When the larger
sheets run through the printing press, they move around a bit in all directions. We are talking millimeters of movement,
though this movement does cause the artwork on each card to shift ever-so-slightly. After the cards are printed, they then
get trimmed out and when the paper goes through the cutter, again there are millimeters of movement. Because of all this
'movement' printers require "Bleed" to help eliminate the possibility of getting a card with tiny slivers of white on the edges
- as a result of this movement.
In order to properly print graphics that extend to the edges of a card - we need the artwork to include .125" bleed extended beyond the edges. If you are working in Adobe Illustrator or InDesign you can create bleed settings directly in
the Document Setup.
File should be built to the trim size and bleed should be added in through the programs bleed settings (Adobe Illustrator &
InDesign have these settings). If you are creating your file in Adobe Photoshop, then you need to factor in the bleed as
part of the Document size (i.e. 3.5" x 2" business card - the photoshop file would need to be 3.75" x 2.25", with the
understanding that we will trim the cards to 3.5 x 2 - so do not put any important artwork close to the edges.
If you are using Photoshop - please follow these instructions when creating New Photoshop Document (see attached .png
file for reference):
- Width: 3.75 Inches, Height: 2.25 Inches
(this accommodates for .125" bleed all around - the card will be trimmed to 3.5" x 2")
- Resolution: 600dpi (this will create a large file, but will help keep the typography at a high-resolution).
- Color Mode should be set to CMYK / 8bit
- When file complete: SAVE AS / PHOTOSHOP PDF / select "PDF/X1a:2001" (this will send us a print-ready file).