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Sourcing Wozniak's photochemically-etched steel business cards

By Rain Noe - October 28, 2010

in Materials | Object Culture

After spotting Steve Wozniak's bad-ass "I could cut steak with this thing" metal business card on Cult of Mac, I believe I managed to track down the company that makes them. Judging by the background of their sample photos, it seems the card came from U.K.-based PlasmaDesign, which produces and sells stainless steel business cards in the U.S. and the U.K.

The cards are created through a combination of photochemical etching and good ol' cutting (we assume stamping), depending on the design, and if regular stainless steel etched into two shades is too boring for you, PlasmaDesign can also tint the metal into seven different shades using a complicated process called electrophoresis, which I could not adequately explain to you if I had a gun to my head.

The salient selling points of a metal business card are that they stand out and that recipients are presumably less likely to throw them away, but I wonder two things: 1) What is the environmental impact, vs. paper cards, and 2) Do these things set off airport metal detectors?

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Steve Baron

11 years ago

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This company offers them for a lot cheaper. We have used them with great success.
http://www.cuttingedgedesigns.com/metalbusinesscards.htm
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Rob

14 years ago

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@will - the MetalCards.com pricing is for cards that are half the thickness (0.1mm must be bordering on hazardous). Also you are comparing the price of Plasmadesigns coloured metal cards with MetalCards uncoloured cards. If a true comparison is made (same thickness of steel, same specs etc), Plasmadesign are at least comparable on price. They also provide a free design service and free shipping.
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Terence

14 years ago

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There are tons of Chinese manufacturers that make metal business cards for a lot less. Just go to Alibaba and search for metal business cards. I ordered 100 for $122 with full-colour printing and embossing: http://i53.tinypic.com/332nzuf.jpg
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Giacomo

14 years ago

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I think it all could be laser - or plasma - engraved and cut.
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GG

14 years ago

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maybe a little ignorant.. but wouldnt it be laser- or plasma cutting CNC? hence the name....
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will

14 years ago

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I don't think there are any secondary operations (no stamping) it is all photochemically etched.

Also, there are people in the states that are making these and much cheaper than $3.5 a card... more like $1.8 per card.

we have used this company with success
http://www.metalcards.com/metalcards/mcpricing.html
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Jay

14 years ago

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Only $1,199 - $1,799 for 500. Must be nice having that kind of expendable income.
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