DIY business cards

[Ian Bell]

I'm looking at making my own custom business cards, i'm torn between buying the usual "card" version or making my own from "metal"

Anyone any experience with these type, commonly found on ebay "UK 100pcs Metal Laser Marking Blank Business ID Card Name Cards Aluminum Alloy"

Marking, metal business cards for thermal transfer.
The material is aluminum and it's durable.
The surface is painted and colored.
Can be used for engraving, machine debugging, can also be used for thermal transfer.

No mention of being anodised, which I know works ok.

[Tim Mellor]

You might get something from watching this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83GDV0xsTTs

There is also the Cermark and similar options on raw metal of your choice. Plenty of youtube videos available on it's use and also using common Molylube (very mixed results but it is cheap).

If you can get it locally there is also 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8mm Finnish Aircraft Ply available that might be easier to work with. The 0.4 is very flexible so it should stand up to wallets etc. I will see if I can find some and run a dummy blank with some later in the day. Definitely want to have your extraction system as it won't be using 'Laser' grade adhesives. UK Source for what it is worth https://www.lathamtimber.co.uk/products ... nish-birch

[Ian Bell]

Hi Tim,

I'll have a look at the video next ...

The blanks I referred to are aluminium, which does not appear to work great with the moly on any test I tried. However, I had a few small pieces of anodised/alochromed aluminium with a paint coat. tests on this material revealed the anodised layer and looked quite well. But the ads for the blanks don't mention anodising, perhaps i'll take a punt at them and see.

I fancied the "wood" option, but haven't looked into sourcing in UK, so thanks for the link, will definitely have a look into that.