What is an eCard? An eCard is a Compact Disc produced from the same high quality materials of a standard CD-ROM. It has been known by a multitude of names such as a Multimedia Business Card, Digital Business Card, CD Business Card, and CD-ROM Business Cards.
How does it work if it isn't round? It doesn't have to be round, but it does have to be balanced.
How Can You Shape A CD-ROM or Music CD, won't you destroy the data that is on it? CD's, both Music and CD-ROM's, read their information from the center of the CD out. In other words, a 40-Megabyte presentation will only take up about ½ of an inch of CD space, leaving almost 2 inches of blank CD all the way to the outside edge. This allows us to cut or shape the outside edges all the way down to where the data ends. The amount of data that is on a CD determines how far in it may be cut or shaped.
What is the size of the eCard? The eCard may be shaped into many custom shapes, the most common sizes are the Mini-Cards which measure 58mm in width x 80mm in length, or the large-Cards which measure approximately 103mm in length x 72mm wide.
How much information do these eCards hold? The Mini-Card holds approximately 20-30 Megabytes of information. This is the approximate equivalent to about 5 to 8 minutes of video, an 80 minute presentation, 10000 pages of text, 2000 web pages with pictures, we have seen as much as 10 minutes of interactive presentation in 40 megabytes. A 40mm X 80 mm card holds 40 Megabytes, a 65mm X 80mm card holds about 90 Megabytes, an 80mm mini round CD holds about 160 Megabytes, the amount of Megabytes grows exponentially as you increase the width and length of the card.
Can the content be text based? Yes, if that is what the client desires. For example, if a client wishes to distribute a training manual such as this to a large group. This text could be placed on a CD-Card and mailed to each person in a very cost-effective manner. Another example: The makers of a new prescription medication would like to give their presentation to busy doctors. We could place a one-minute commercial on the card along with all of the medical notes and information. (Text takes up much less space than video, voice or multimedia, in fact in 20-30 megabytes you could have thousands of pages of text vs 3 to 5 minutes of video).
What kind of art is on the front of the card? This is a silkscreen process and may include up to five colors, usually the fifth color is white. What this means is that the client has the option of a white background and up to four additional colors. (NOTE: If the client does not specify "plus white" the background will be silver).
What information can the customer supply for the art and content? This is entirely up to the client. Materials may be submitted in virtually any format, from as little information as "here is my current business card and my brochure", to as much as "here is my art in PhotoShop and my complete video in Shockwave."
If a customer wants to produce their own art and content "in house", what are the finished specifications? (Ask for Specifications)
What are the minimum requirements of a computer for the performance of the eCard? The eCards will run on both PC or MAC OS with CD-ROM drives. The only way that the card will not work is if it is placed in the CD player in a vehicle, an insert style CD drive, a CD Stacker or Jukebox. Naturally, this card is for a computer, not a car.
What is the total manufacturing time? From order placement and receipt of CD-R ( Master) to delivery is usually three to five weeks.
Are the CD Cards scratch resistant? Yes. The same is true with most CDs.
Are paper or vinyl sleeves available for the eCards? Yes. We recommend sleeves for all CDs purchased, and we sell those as well as other specialty packages and mailers.
How much does the CD Card weigh? About half the weight of a standard CD-ROM, about 1/3 of an ounce, or basically light enough that they can be mailed using regular postage, perfect for direct mail campaigns.
How long does the design process take? This depends on how much material is supplied. Generally speaking, the entire design process will take two to three weeks.
What are the advantages of the eCard?
- Self-Loading
- Self-Running
- Cross platform compatible - IBM and Apple Mac compatible
- Packaged with music, multimedia, video, voice over, animation and more.
- Web site interactive to Customer's site
- It will be kept longer than a traditional Business Card or Paper Brochure, and have a better chance of being used.
- Usually are much lower than traditional advertising costs which equate to overall savings.
- Can be linked to a Company's web site so customers can go straight to the web site at the click of a button.
- Are Multi-Sensory, employing most of a customer's senses, resulting in a more memorable and effective presentation.
- Will enhance a company's image through the use of technology and a memorable shape.
- Embrace styleÉThrough the use of multimedia, video, voice, colors and images, a company's CD Card can be elegantly simple and offer organizations a beautiful innovative medium by which to market and present their products and services.
- Can present global trade and investment information.
- Could present a new, refined style of typeface, color and texture to enhance or update the image of an established organization.
- May represents an organization's leading-edge marketing with regards to it's products and services through the use of high impact computer-style interfaces, modern typefaces and images that move towards and beyond the new millennium.
- Represents the new marketing medium for the 21st Century.