The Past of Modeling Comp Cards - The 1980s and 90's

In the past, sed cards were not affordable to make, and design methodology were limited. Most new models didn't have the money to make comp cards, so they got started with a basic 8x10, black & white print with a solid white outline. The model's stats were pasted to the opposite side in plain text.

I remember those days, printing dozens of copies of the same boring photo. So many times. These 8x10 photos were also pretty costly, and this impeded the model sharing them. Models typically sent them to businesses who were likely to offer them work, or to talent agents who were likely to put them to work. Models most likely missed out on a bunch of assignments due to the fact that they couldn't afford to pass out these headshots to anyone who was interested.

Over time, a model would become more successful and pocket more money. This would let the model to print a one-color comp card produced by an efficient printer. Only the most successful models in New York City could afford full color. Offset printing needs a lot of cash up front, but the investment became less expensive if an order of hundreds or thousands of model composites was done. At this point, a model would have hundreds of cards on hand - and the model could more readily afford to distribute a card to anyone who could be a little interested in seeing the model. The cards were even inexpensive enough to put in the mailbox to send to talent agents around the nation, enlarging a model's scope.

The model composites of the past were a certain way because of the technology and investments involved with printing. This determined a large picture on the front and a set of pictures, each a quarter of a page, on the reverse of the card. A location was also reserved on the other side of the comp card to hold vital stats for the model and a phone number.

Printing technology wouldn't allow the images on the back of the sed card from sharing space in any way, and you weren't able to include any fancy backgrounds or designs. All composite cards were thus made on a white background, with solid white outlines. These outlines also let the printing press to grip the sed card as it passed through the printing process. They couldn't extend the image to the edge, the way modern cards and set ups do. Despite the fact that printing techniques has come a long way, the zed cards we design today are still founded pretty solidly on this original design, which resulted from the realities of printing.