3D Business Cards

Today we created our first 3D printed business card. It is a new marketing concept that we are offering to Design based firms to be able to stand out from the norm. There are already 3D business cards out there that are based on a traditional size paper/cardboard card that opens up like a book to reveal a pop-up logo or similar.

3D business are now available...

A photo posted by Pierr French (@french_designs) on Dec 12, 2014 at 3:07am PST

10 REASONS TO GO 3D PRINTED

While these are great they are simply just the traditional business card with an added bit of creativity. To really be able to impress one may need to go a step further by utilising the 3D printed card. These cards will demonstrate the following:

1. Showcase the concept of 3D printing and the finished product.
2. A client will be more likely to hold on to it or show their colleagues.
3. Retain a higher status than that of the card predecessor.
4. Endless flexible designs and relief patterns are possible with this technology.
5. The product is also not bound by the traditional limitations of the business card.
6. Waterproof and will not be used as a spare piece of paper in case of an emergency.
7. Can be printed as thin as a traditional card if required.
8. Showcases the companies integration of the technological-digital world that is ever growing.
9. Clients will appreciate the unique effort to go above and beyond.
10. No one wants another business card filling up their wallet.

French Designs is offering 3D business cards to all businesses that would like to get noticed. Please visit www.frenchdesigns.net and use our promotional code 3DCARDS for a 10% discount on 3D business cards this week only.

There is also the concept of 3D pop up business cards that works on the principle of a fold open card that portrays the logo, name or image of the company. French designs is also offering this service as of today so come and check it out.

3D Printing for Architects

Before the growth of 3D printing reaches epidemic proportions I have decided to give some insight into basics as well as the advantages of the 3D printeing in terms of design and architecture.

Types of Printers

ABS/PLA Plastic printers - are the most commonly used. The reason for this is that the plastic is relatively cheap (Approx. AUD $50.00 per Kg) It is also the simplest additive method for creating prototypes, simply melting layers of plastic and printing a single layer at a time.

Powder Printers - are more expensive and less common than the plastic. They use starch and gypsum plaster as the powder with water the binding agent (colour can be added to the binder). The print requires infiltration of wax, glue or similar to add strength for handling the final model.

Desktop Printers

One is able to buy a standard desktop printer starting from AUD$ 600.00. The technology is rapidly increasing and the prices are becoming more achievable. The software is quite simple to use especially if you are familiar with Google Sketchup and other 3D software. The models that are most commonly used in Australia are the UP 3D printer series. These desktop printers are able to print an average size of (L)130mm x (W)130mm x (H)100mm. Printing time varies on the complexity and resolution of the model, but an average quality large print will take approximately 6 hours.

Materials

There are many variations in colour, texture and materials that are becoming available. Almost any colour  can be found and in a plain to a metallic finish. Transparent plastic, bendable plastic/rubber, a mix of ABS and timber (Laywood), glow in the dark just to name a few. The same goes for the powder types available at present. There are new products coming out every day.

Advantages

The advantages of 3D printing are almost limitless. One can transform their visualization from a 3D computer model to a physical product in a matter of hours with little to no supervision. This is perfect for communication between designers and clients or to challenge the design team, encouraging dialogue as early as concept stage through a series of mock up models.

1 - Saves time as you may already have the digital model
2 - Easy to use and produces relatively fast results compared to conventional methods
3 - It is becoming increasingly more affordable
4 - Can become a design tool within the architectural firm
5 - Vast array of materials available

Limitations

There are some limitations in terms of the size that is available to us as consumers and architectural firms. This is simply a matter of time as they have begun making printers on a large scale that will literally be able to print the final products in a flat pack nature, for assembly on site. Or possibly the final 3D house will be able to be printed without need and added cost of construction workers.