Having fun :)

[n7wsb]

I finally got around to actually making a qsl card. I made it all in 2 colours, since I wanted to be able to print it on my laser printer.

http://home.attbi.com/~cherry938/qsl.pdf

I actually have a few more I made that are in colour, but I think they need more work - plus they may be harder to print. I plan to make a few more changes when I get the inspiration, and make a back for it as well - so I can put an address on it, a small note and a stamp to mail it. Hopefully it will be printable on some heavy weight paper - which I'm not quite sure about yet since I need to know what my printer can do (HP Laserjet 4MP - which the Adobe PS card installed)

Anyhoo - tell me what ya think?

[ve7ngr]

I print my own cards on a LaserJet 5MP. I use 67 lb cover stock (I chose that weight because that's what my local office supply store stocks - my bureau recommends 50 lb). Your 4MP should handle similar weights fine, but you will want to use the straight-through paper path.

I print 4 cards per 8.5x11 inch sheet. I can print closer to the edges using the PS driver than the PCL driver. I use a paper-cutter to cut out the cards - it's a pretty quick and easy process.

[n7wsb]

Thanks for the tips - I was looking at this page -> http://www.hp.com/cposupport/printers/support_doc/bpl02050.html says my printer can do 42 pound from the manual feed tray.

[flyslow]

Cards look good. Wish i could draw that well. I did my own cards as well and they are posted on my information page if you check my call sign.

I have to ask if you are a pilot since the graphic appears to be a person flying a plane.

73s

flyslow KB4FLY

[n7wsb]

I didn't really draw it http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif I traced it from a comic book - she's actually driving a rally car.

I really like your QSL card - where did you get the graphic for the State of Virginia?

[dcor]

Doing your own QSL cards sounds like fun. I think I'll try it. 73

[n7wsb]

I think it is - I mean the plain jane ones a lot of people use are super easy to make. Why not take a bit of time and make one that you like.

One nice thing about InDesign, Pagemaker and Quark is they can be used to make nice looking cards, then if you like you can send the files to a publisher or printer and have them makes tons of them.

[kd5rpo]

What file formats are best if you would like to have your home made cards printed at a local print shop?


KD5RPO

[w3sy]

So... Clarify for me... Are you making QSLs with YOUR callsign on them, or the callsigns of rare DX stations.

HAD to ask. HAW!!

[n7wsb]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kd5rpo @ Mar. 02 2003,14:24)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">What file formats are best if you would like to have your home made cards printed at a local print shop?


KD5RPO[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Most print shops can use PDF files - PDF files not only embed fonts, but if you are doing something in colour they can print seperations from them as well to make plates to run through a printing press.

If anyone needs any help making a pdf file just let me know.

[N0PU]

Nice lookin' artwork...

Couple comments that may help...
( I'm not pickin' - tryin' to help)

Several things seem to be missing; perhaps you planned them for the back

1 Freq/Band
2 Mode
3 RST
4 Date
5 Time
6 The other stations call sign
7 your signature

If you plan on givin' folks a QSL for awards - these things are necessary.

[ve7ngr]

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif8--></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (n7wsb @ Mar. 01 2003,18http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif8)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Thanks for the tips - I was looking at this page -&gt; http://www.hp.com/cposupport/printers/support_doc/bpl02050.html says my printer can do 42 pound from the manual feed tray.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
That's what my 5MP manual says, but... it says:

42 pounds (158 g/m^2)

and the package from the cardstock I'm using says:

67 pounds (147 g/m^2)

At least one of those numbers is wrong! If I use the metric numbers, I'm well within spec, otherwise I'm not. I'm not sure how the pounds is measured, so I haven't tried to convert. All I know is it works fine, using the manual feed and the straight through path.

[n7wsb]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (N0PU @ Mar. 02 2003,21:45)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Several things seem to be missing; perhaps you planned them for the back[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
yeah I had actually planned all those things for the back - I figure the front should always be used for a photo, some art or brief description of the station or all 3 - I personally like QSL cards that look pretty or unique and then have all the hard facts on the back.

[N0PU]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (n7wsb @ Mar. 03 2003,16:00)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">yeah I had actually planned all those things for the back - I figure the front should always be used for a photo, some art or brief description of the station or all 3 - I personally like QSL cards that look pretty or unique and then have all the hard facts on the back.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
There are two things I like to see, and only display cards I get with these two items on the front; That is, My call, because I want viewers to know I actually worked the station and the ops sig...

Again, I'm not pickin', just givin out ideas... and another viewpoint...

[flyslow]

Greetings,

I used Publisher to develop my card and liked all the data on one side. If i need to jot a note to the other station i have an uncluttered back for that task. The state came from teh microsoft website with add-ins and graphics for publisher. It was in the public domain so it was easy to import and use.

Glad you liked the card and I look forward to working you and sending one out!

73

flyslow KB4FLY

that is a really nice QSL card, and I am interested in making my own soon, great to know the info.. what I like about QSL cards, no matter where they are from, is the uniqueness of the card, and the effort to present the personal information the operator is giving ... personality.. great job, and hope to work you on the air, to get one... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif