[jnpa-debbie]

We are in the process of creating a membership program that left us with very little planning time. I was told at Blackbaud that it might take 4-6 weeks to receive membesrhip cards once the files were approved. This probably won't work for us.

I have two questions:

1. Do you know of other vendors that provide membership cards that work with the Membership module?

2. In order to fit Blackbaud's template, am I correct that the card diecut MUST be 3 7/16" x 2 3/16"?

Thanks!

[jas.]

You don't need to use Blackbaud's card template -- you can use the 'create custom data file' in the Membership card module (or even just plain export) and use whatever card configuration you want.

That said, the size you mention is called CR80 and is the standard for all wallet-sized cards, so sticking with it will make your life much easier.

[jnpa-debbie]

I've been looking for other vendors who might be able to produce them faster. None of them are using the same size diecut as BB. I did not think I could have a different size. But even knowing I can do a custom size, as you said, it would make my life easier to go with the CR80.

Are you familiar with any other vendors out there that produce cards that work with the templates?

[jas.]

Oh wow, wait, I didn't actually multiply that out, it just looked about right to me -- it's not exactly CR80 is it? Strange.

OK I have a call into our membership department; I'll let you know what they say. I know that for our lower levels, we use the kind that are actually part of the stationery, and are somehow kind of hermetically sealed to the paper and can just run through a laser printer. For our upper levels, we have a plastic card printer.

[jnpa-debbie]

Multiply it out? What does that mean?

We are looking at something similar, either part of the stationery or 3 part. We weren't sure yet how many people might request an additional card. We probably won't do the plastic at this point.

[jas.]

I mean, you posted RE's membership card required size, which I haven't used in a while -- I knew the CR80 card size, and when I converted the fractions into decimals, they weren't the same. I didn't realize that, because I haven't used Blackbaud's cards in a long time.

From a practical standpoint, unless you have only a few members or a lot of money, I don't recommend the plastic cards. We are using them for a group of about 1,000 of our highest level members -- the printer was expensive, the ink cartridges for it are expensive, the cards are expensive, and they take a long time to print out.

[jnpa-debbie]

LOL, we have NO members, this is a brand new membership program we are creating. Also not a lot of extra money to throw around, and a very short timeframe to work with once all the membership details are approved.

Hence the need for a faster turnaround time for the cards.