For small business owners, business cards are often the writs that document first impressions. They are a small window into the business’ owner and its operations. A few weeks ago i ran across a set of business cards made of recycled cereal boxes by the US Business Card Company. I sent an email over to the company asking for samples they may have, possibly from overrun, and one week later a small set of business cards arrived at Green Gear HQ.
Two things really impressed me about these cards the first time i saw them. First, What a great idea! Cereal boxes are made of stiff cardstock and make a perfect medium for business cards. Second, the price. If you’re looking to get these bad boys, be prepared to pay. I was somewhat turned off by the price at first, but after doing some research, I was simply uneducated.
The US Business Card Company uses century old stamping and rolling techniques to make pretty much any design the prospective client could possibly want. These are not akin to $25 / 1000 offers you see online or at your print shop. These are not cookiecutter. They are a quality product for people who want “quality” to be one of the first things people think of when it comes to their business.
There were a myriad of designs in the sample we received, the most spectacular is front in center in the photo above. The metal or photopolymer plates also offer a great texture when they’re pressed into the paper. Again, not something you’ll get at your local print shop.
I’m more smitten with these cards than I thought I would be. Cereal boxes work well because they speak to people’s childhood memories of sitting down stuffing sugar-laced corn puffs into their mouths… Or if you’re me, they remind me of the ONE box of sugar cereal i got at christmas each year. Either way, they will do what you want them to do, Make An Impression.
If Green Gear EVER gets up and running into a business, I’ll be calling up the US Business Card Company for a set of these.
Check out the Video Review!
RATING: 3 Out of 5 Gears for Being Made of Recycled Material, Product Value / Price, and Design Innovation and Quality.
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Awesome business cards, very very nice.
I hate those 1 million for £20 style cards they are horrible looking! Good find
We have an architecture firm that specializes in sustainable design – how perfect are these cards? Thanks for the heads up!
I”m happy you like them. I think they’re great!
Hi, I am starting a new business ” A greener E” and I had desigined my own business cards and had printed 20 or so on my deskjet, on a card stock paper. But I want to make a good first impression, so I thought about using a cereal box to print on, and it works!
I can get about 20 cards out of 1 cereal box and people love them, and better yet, they are less likely to discard them. not to mention the fact that almost all cereal manufacturers claim that they are using 100% recycled paperboard to begin with.
So I decided to google my Idea, and I found your blog!
( It’s working for me)
A greener E
If not for your writing this topic could be very convoluted and obqliue.
Hi A greener E,
I have a question for you.
I’ve been trying to print on the cereal box with no success. I am using an HP inkjet printer and it seems that the ink doesn’t want to stick to the paper.
I thought this might be because there is a coating on the paper, but you mentioned you have done it.
What kind of printer/ink/settings are you using?
Thanks a lot!
Darinka
Very cool.
Never thought about it, but cereal boxes really are the perfect thickness for a business card. They’re also guaranteed to make a good impression and start a conversation. And of course, let the person you’ve handed your card to know that you’re eco-conscious! Good find.