Genius concept – self-inking stamp on your key ring in lieu of business cards

The evolving business card

Designer Mikey Burton was asked to take part in the Designer Challenge for the Computer Arts Projects (in the UK). The challenge was to “put a new spin on the convention of the business card,” and he came up with a self-inking stamp that can go on a key ring in an effort to never miss a connection again. While some are choosing technology over printed business cards, this is a clever way to stamp a coaster, someone’s hand (love this idea!), or a blank card kept in your pocket or any number of items and not only is it novel, we like the idea of the presentation of surprising someone with your set of keys and stamping out a card on site.

Burton said, “Like many designers, I am drawn to all sorts of handmade printing processes. I find the imperfections of each is what makes them so intriguing, from the mottled textures created by letterpress, to the chalky quality of screen printing ink.” He adds, “People love getting a cool business card, but might love it more if they see the process of how it was made. For my card, my mind went to the idea of rubber stamps, however, there is not a convenient way to carry around a rubber stamp with an ink pad without making a big mess.”

Burton points out that business cards traditionally are filled with extraneous info but in modern times, a URL is often all that is needed. “The “classic” business card is often a ritual simply to impress the reciever. The idea with my new card is that it does away with the usual pretentiousness. With this stamp, you are able to print your condensed snippet of info onto any substrate—a beer mat, someone else’s business card, a napkin, or even someone’s hand. After all, people are more likely to lose a business card in a drunken stupor, but less likely to lose their hand.”

Custom stamps can be ordered through the Cranky Pressman.