SIGforum
Are raised print business cards a thing of the past?

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November 12, 2026, 07:52 PM
sig2392
Are raised print business cards a thing of the past?
Yes, they are mostly a thing of the past

One of the biggest wholesalers, BCT Business Cards Tomorrow, is down around 40% in the number of franchises.

When asked about printing, I usually send people to Vista Print.

Good Prices, quick turnaround.

If you want raised and fast, find a local small printer that uses BCT, to farm them out.

If you want raised black ink you should have it the next day.
November 12, 2026, 08:29 PM
Ranger41
Actually the "past" was cards printed from an engraved plate. They were exchanged during the "making calls" tradition of military life. Both members of the military couple were expected to leave them. I still have some of my mother's. The raised print card was a less expensive alternate that came along as the social use of cards was dying out.


"The world is too dangerous to live in-not because of the people who do evil, but because of the people who sit and let it happen." (Albert Einstein)
November 12, 2026, 08:40 PM
Z06



________________________________________________________
The trouble with trouble is; it always starts out as fun.
November 13, 2026, 09:48 AM
honestlou
quote:
Originally posted by Ranger41:
Actually the "past" was cards printed from an engraved plate.
…


This. When I started practicing law in 1986 I sprung for actual engraving for my letterhead and business cards. It honestly didn’t look that different at a casual glance, but it definitely felt different in your hand. It was a real sign of class at the time.

Stuff printed with thermography, having raised plastic looking ink, was definitely the new thing. It looked better than just plain flat printing, but was not the classy old style.
November 13, 2026, 10:56 AM
slosig
quote:
Originally posted by honestlou:
quote:
Originally posted by Ranger41:
Actually the "past" was cards printed from an engraved plate.
…


This. When I started practicing law in 1986 I sprung for actual engraving for my letterhead and business cards. It honestly didn’t look that different at a casual glance, but it definitely felt different in your hand. It was a real sign of class at the time.

Stuff printed with thermography, having raised plastic looking ink, was definitely the new thing. It looked better than just plain flat printing, but was not the classy old style.
Yes. We sprung for engraved wedding invitations. Still have the plates somewhere. Since early next year will mark 36 years of wedded bliss, I guess that’s okay, but boy, times they do change.