Case study · Business cards · Gladstones
Gladstones ↗Nautical, in gold
Card for Gladstones in Pacific Palisades: the script name, address and 'The Golden Era' in gold foil on navy between rope-chain borders, and a framed reverse with a ship's wheel monogram, 'Estd 1972' and the general manager's details.
The idea
Gladstones is a seafood restaurant on the Pacific Coast Highway in Pacific Palisades, California, open since 1972. The card shown is for its general manager.
Two rules
- 01Rope, not rules. Rope-chain borders in gold foil, with a compass star at the centre.
- 02A monogram with history. A ship's wheel monogram with 'Estd' and '1972' on the reverse.
Why it works
Every detail is nautical and in gold, like old harbour signage. It fits a restaurant that has been on that stretch of coast for fifty years.
Start from these materials
Same paper, foil and finish, locked in — nothing of Gladstones's artwork comes with it.
Questions
- How fine can a foil border be?
- Fine borders foil well. Keep the border safely inside the trim so it looks even all the way round.
- Can a restaurant card carry vertical text?
- Yes, small vertical lines along the sides work like a label.
- Why navy for a seafood restaurant?
- It reads as sea and night and makes gold look rich.
