[Logic] QSL Card Stock vs Pre-Printed

[K1UQ]

Benefits are NOT always measured in dollars and cents, and although many of
your posts allude to the dollar as being number one on your list, even you
have complained about wasting your time.

TIME is a big thing when printing cards. Let's analyze this with 10 GOOD
reasons why you might consider printing your own.  You be the judge of where
the value lies.
For the analysis, $$ means comments with reference to buying cards and ++
refers to printing your own

1. $$ How long do you wait for pre-printed cards?
1. ++ How many can you print in this time period?

2. $$ Do you ever change info on your QSL card? then cross it out to use up
remaining supply?
2. ++ Printing your own allows total freedom to alter info at will.

3.  $$ Ever wish you had multiple cards specific to different events?
3.  ++ You can print anything for anything - again total freedom to print
flavor of the month, unique for a unique DX, specific to a special event,
etc.

4.  $$ Think it takes a fancy pre-printed card to get that "Must Have" DXCC
card?
4.  ++ Customized printing can give you this.  My analysis of my personal
return rate is I have 12 outstanding cards I am awaiting, most of which are
recent DXpeditions and this will take time. Darn good, I'd say!

5.  $$ limited space to print desired info
5.  ++ change desired info at will - NO handcuffs

6.  $$ Wait for the printer to deliver several hundred/thousand cards
6.  ++ Load your printer with a box of card stock (50 sheets per box, 200
cards), set to print and walk away.  Maybe you are lured into a trance
watching your printer - I'm not.

7.  $$ Hand fill-out your purchased cards
7.  ++ Print everything - no hand filling out necessary.

8.  $$ Print the data onto your pre-printed individual cards.  Your printer
must be able to handle individual small cards stock (NOT an option with
every printer) - both in length/width dimensions but also in thickness...
may need a straight-thru path for thicker stock.  Cards may skew (twist)
going thru printer due to nature of highly calendared stock (glossy finish
which rollers can slip on).
8.  ++  No problems with size as every printer can handle full 8.5 x 11
sheets. Most can handle half sheets, giving you the option to print half a
sheet (2 cards) when DESIRED.  NO slip issues.  Batch mode, not one card at
a time mode - - although you can CHOOSE to do one at a time if your printer
will (mine will). So you can choose to print 1, 2, 3, or 4 cards at a time
(for 3, you print 3 on a full sheet, save the 1 extra for single use later).

9.  $$ Hand enter cards then sort
9.  ++ Print with auto-sort. Burst cards and your deck is sorted ready to
send to the bureau.  Sort by direct, post card or whatever and batch print
by delivery method with a sub-sort by zip code, call sign or whatever.

10. $$ Use your pre-printed cards and you MUST print or label envelopes and
print or add a return address label.
10. ++ Use the 3 card per sheet method and you print your QSL card (QSO data
info) AND the return address AND the destination address ALL AT THE SAME
TIME.  ALL sorted (see 9. ++)

Regards,  Bill  K1UQ

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gil Baron" <gbaron@charter.net>
To: <logic@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2002 7:29 AM
Subject: RE: [Logic] QSL Card Stock


> If preprinted QSL card cost is close to these then making them on my
printer
> is not worth it and it is not nice to send this kind of amateur card to
> anyone that you really want a card from. A nice card will get a higher
> return percentage.
>
> Also, how would you like to wait for your printer to print 200 cards?