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Moo Mini Cards Mini Review

Robert Janelle

By Robert Janelle

As much as technology has changed the way business is done, most us still hand out the standard business card when meeting someone for the first time.

Maybe it’s the standard black and white thin card, maybe you payed a little more for raised ink or even went all the way and got a four-colour process.

Today, however, I’d like to talk about a rather unique printing service that has popped up: Moo Mini-Cards.

Based in England, Moo produces small cards with photos on the front and text on the back, making for a very unique business card.

I ordered a set of 100 a few months back when I realized I haven’t had business cards in years, but it’s only recently that I’ve been handing them out and seeing people’s reactions of them. So far it’s been all positive.

Having a photo on one side allowed me to create some very unique cards, themed depending on the assignment I’m working on (an actor holding a sign reading “Corruptionists Beware” for political assignments, while a badly drawn rendition of Pac-Man eating a cup of coffee gets handed out when working on video game stories.) The photo cards provide an added bonus for photographers, since they can act as a mini-portfolio as well as a business card.

Of course, carrying around a variety of photos has certain risks. A few weeks ago, I was interviewing an executive for a feature after handing him one card, he swiped several as though they were trading cards. Maybe this could even be a new way of driving clients to you?

Creating the Cards

Making the cards couldn’t be simpler. Moo partners with many other websites, including the photo-sharing favourite Flickr. The Moo website will access your Flickr account and pull out the photos of your choosing. Then you crop, either placing the card vertically or horizontally and the picture is chosen.

Next you can add up to six lines of text to the back. I only used five, my name, occupation (freelance writer) cell phone number, e-mail address and the URL for my portfolio site.

After submitting payment (they take credit cards and PayPal) the cards arrive in a little plastic box within 5-10 business days.

No Flickr account? No problem, you can also upload photos directly to the Moo website.

But I’m not a photographer…

Not having your own photos is also not a problem. Moo provides their own set of photos which can be cropped anyway you like to create your cards.

But if you’re not looking for photo cards to begin with, they also do text cards, aimed mostly at bloggers and online business. These have a background and a URL in large text on the front, with the six lines of contact information on the back.

Conclusion

The cards are printed on heavy-duty paper and the pictures on the front look far slicker than I imagined when I ordered them. The only drawback I can see is the size. They’re about 1/3 of the size of a standard business card, but this could also help them stand out in a large stack a potential client may have.

Though, with a set of 100 priced at $19.99 (USD) plus $4.99 for shipping, they will definitely be getting more of my business.

Leave a Comment
  1. Though I do have specific business cards, I also have a stack of Moo cards. I think they’re a very distinct kind of card and therefore, a very appealing alternative. And with every card having a different photo they’re also unique. Well worth their money.

  2. These moo cards are awesome! They are unique, cheap and surprisingly good quality. Definetely worth the money!

  3. I got some a while ago - used about 20 different images to see which worked best. So, I now show people a selection, and let them pick their favourite. People seem to really like them, and there’s something about the feel - people like handling them too.

    Only real problem as you said, is that sometimes they look a bit small. I often give out a normal sized card along with them.

  4. I got a bunch of these a while back and, whilst cool, the size, as you point out, is definitely an issue. They’re just a little cumbersome because of it, and so after a week I just stopped using them. For shame.

  5. This is exactly what I’ve been looking for! I’m an American living in a country (Estonia) where customer service sucks, so I’ve avoided ordering business cards here. And the shipping fees companies in other countries charge are usually prohibitive.

    Plus, though my main work is writing and editing, this will give me an opportunity to show off my photography skills. Nice.

  6. Robert, I’ve been considering Moo cards so this review is timely and helpful. I’ve seen some stuff on other sites indicating the photo side of the cards was pixelated on some. Can you comment (or anyone else leaving comments) on this?

    Thanks!

  7. I’ve considered Moo in the past but my Flickr photos account to not much more than family and friends, so nice to read they offer their own photos for use too (they may have offered these before but I didn’t see the option!).

  8. I saw these online sometime ago and a friend sent me some of hers a while back, partly because she was moving and used them as her new address cards.

    The concept is there, the online ordering is painless, but the price is a bit steep. Additionally, standard sized business cards fit in my wallet really well, these don’t. I’m afraid I’d loose half of them before I even gave one away.

  9. I use Moo Minis for all my freelance work. They not only look professional (nice cardstock, excellent print quality), but the clients do exactly as Robert mentioned: ask if they can have more than one. And I happily let them take the extras.

    I carry a couple in my wallet and a whole mess of them in my camera bag, locked up in a Jimi (wallet). That way, if I’m out shooting for fun or pleasure, and someone is interested in a copy of the photo, I hand them a card and chat about what I do.

    Tammy: The reason why some folks are experiencing pixelated cards is two-fold. First, they are probably uploading images that are of low quality to begin with. Secondly, if you zoom in (during the crop/zoom/move stage of the order) to closely on an image, they will also pixelate.

  10. Heh, I love my Moo cards. Their size is one thing that gets their attention.

    They don’t fit in a standard business card case very well, but I’ve got a Proporta Palm TX case that has 2 SD card slots in the back, and the fit there just fine.

  11. I just received my first order. I used a large assortment of my motorsports and road test photos, with my name, e-mail and web addresses for two of my blogs. So far, I’ve had nothing but positive feedback from everyone who’s seen them. In fact, several co-workers are planning to order their own to promote their side business.

    They are such high quality and a unique size, that they really stand out in people’s minds.

  12. Great concept.

    Rajesh Shakya
    http://www.rajeshshakya.com
    Helping technopreneurs to excel and lead their life!

  13. I really the idea, and the price is pretty amazing! I’m definitely going to order some

  14. Gravatar

    Sleeping Pixel

    I got a set of MOO cards made simply because I didn’t have enough time to design my own and they’ve been a huge hit with the people I’ve been handing them out. So much so that I considered not designing my business card all together.

    MOO cards are really a fast and great alternative to the average business card. I’ve been recommending them to all my friends who range in careers from interior designers, photographers and directors.

  15. I love the concept

  16. Nothing new. This is becoming so popular that it is no longer unique!

  17. Ah, this sounds perfect for me. I’d much rather take care of this online than find time to visit the local print shop. Thanks for the heads-up!

  18. Another suggestion for photos — the advanced search on Flickr allows you to search for pictures with Creative Commons licenses. http://www.flickr.com/search/advanced/

    All of my photos, f’rinstance, are licensed for non-commercial use, and while I realize business cards might be a bit of a “non-commercial grey area,” I certainly wouldn’t begrudge them to freelancers and artists. I believe you would have to download and then re-upload the pix, however.

  19. I heard about these Moo cards a long time ago, but I was concerned about the size. I like the idea of having multiple backings for a set. It’s not very plausable to have a variety of images in a set of 100 cards, so that’s an advantage. But for standard sized business cards, I still like http://www.overnightprints.com. I haven’t used them for business cards personally, but a bunch of friends have and the quality has made me jealous.

    I haven’t seen anyone around my area with a moo card, and I can’t find any “free samples” on their website, so it leaves me wondering what I’d be getting from Moo. And the sizing? If it doesn’t fit in wallets or standard card carriers, will that be problematic? I may go with Moo for a quick card set. I’ve gone too long without a business card.

  20. I have moo cards and I think they’re terrific. The photos that they offer from Flickr are great–I used a selection of those for one of my side businesses. I used my main web image, a Corbis stock photo I bought, for another. None of mine were pixilated at all, but if you upload a web-quality image I can see it happening. Upload an image at print-quality resolution and you should be fine.

    They get an extremely positive response when I hand them out. The price is very good considering the impact.

    Easy, fun and cool, I recommend them, esp. if your clients aren’t too business-y (or you aren’t), or if you want something for a side project like a blog or a special event.

  21. I love these little cards!
    That makes soooo different from the “original” business cards…
    I think I will buy a bunch of them ;)

  22. I got moo cards and they turned out pretty damn spiffy. My only complaint is that the color was a little washed out and grey looking. However, overall they work great as personal business cards and everyone who I show them to loves them.

  23. I’ve taken the bait and just placed an order. Their quirkiness certainly appeals, and the cost seems reasonable. I don’t think I’ll be replacing my standard business cards with them, but they add a slightly “off the wal”l/fun touch so I hope they will prove to be a useful addition to my marketing arsenal. Fingers crossed the print quality is good.

  24. @Tammy - Check out the “Corruptionists Beware” card…that’s also an enlargement of it. A few mine look pixelated, but that was by design (I write a lot of technology stories and have this twisted love for old-school pixelated graphics.)

    On the cards I didn’t intentionally zoom in too far on, they look at least as good as drug store prints. Hope this helps.

  25. I’m an illustrator and comic book artist - so Moo was intuitive. I just ordered my first batch (comic convention next week) and I can’t wait to get them!

    You didn’t mention how much *fun* it is to crop and design the cards yourself. They’re really onto something. Next, I’m going to try the postcards.

  26. I use these and they really are great. People seem to like the unusual size.

    Laura

  27. By the way they do stickers now as well. These are equally as cool.

  28. I ordered the 10-pack-freebies when they offered it online @LiveJournal, and it was awesome!

    And for other ideas about a business card, I happened to like this:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/dailypoetics/sets/72057594104389710/

  29. Just wanted to say that I use moo cards and have for the past several months. They are great. Everyone I hand one to asks about them. Its a great way to stick out. Until everyone has them I guess!!

  30. I got my moo’s yesterday. They are awesome! I love them already. They are small, but they are handy and will make a pretty good impression.

    I think i will build a Paint Chip Card Holder for these: http://www.designverb.com/2006/11/12/paint-chip-card-holder/

    …or get some kind of can/metal box to transport them.

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