Archie -

About the donation - yes and no...

The manufacturer is providing those cards at no charge, but using CCGTCC's non-profit charter to claim a tax deduction. It's not costing the club or its members anything, and the plant gets a writeoff.

My quotation of $1,000 is based upon a single run standing alone (which is how most are made). That key card is "gang-run" with another job, so its cost is subsidized by a paying customer (helping the plant keep the costs to a minimum since it's free). The plant then takes the full retail $ deduction. We did a similar thing with the calendars we are giving out - I have a customer that ordered 12 different animal calendars, so I put a few of our own on the same sheet!

Agreed on the issue of names. It is something that should be disclosed. There are actually a number of things that can be done to cards to enhance or change their appearance, and when done by anyone but the manufacturer, should definitely be disclosed. No different than soaking a copper penny!