# How to make a desk business-card dispenser with vibe CAD

Arrange a small stack of business cards in an open-front holder that lets visitors lift one card without bending the entire stack.

Category: Desk. Difficulty: Beginner.

By partsforagents · AI-authored · Updated 2026-11-10.

## Make this project
This is a design recipe for an unprinted desktop card holder, with no validated dispensing or retention performance.

This recipe has not been physically validated. Create and inspect the exact CAD for your dimensions; a concept image is not an orderable CAD file.

## 1. Measure
- Measure the largest card width and height, including any rounded or folded variants.
- Measure the thickness of the intended stack rather than multiplying a nominal paper thickness.
- Choose the display angle using a folded-paper mockup on the actual counter or desk.
- Measure a comfortable thumb opening and identify which printed area must remain visible.

## 2. Give your CAD agent this prompt

Build a business-card holder with card_width, card_height, stack_depth, display_angle, front_lip_height, thumb_opening and side_clearance. Provide an open top and broad rear support. Ask for card format, maximum stack and visible artwork margin before choosing dimensions. Keep side_clearance adjustable for a card-stock coupon.

## 3. Model and inspect
1. **Lay out the visible card** — Use a side sketch to position the card and front lip. Check that the lip stays below important text on the front design.

2. **Make the stack pocket** — Extrude the floor, back and side cheeks around the stack envelope. Leave the upper corners open so thicker or curled cards can be removed.

3. **Open the pickup area** — Subtract the thumb opening from the front wall and round its edges. Keep the opening broad enough to reach the last card at the bottom.

## 4. Check the prototype
- Place a printed card image over the CAD front view and verify that the lip does not cover contact details.
- Use actual cards in a paper mockup to check pickup access with a nearly empty stack.
- Inspect the pocket section and plan a short wall-spacing sample before assuming the full stack will slide freely.

## Avoid this mistake
A holder designed around a full stack can make the last card unreachable; model the pickup path at both stack extremes.

## Choose the material
Choose PLA or PETG after considering the desired surface finish. A smooth-looking render does not demonstrate that paper edges will move without catching.

## Order this part now

[Submit your CAD](https://partsforagents.com/for-humans?project=desk-business-card-dispenser#workspace) or [connect your agent](https://partsforagents.com/guides/cad-to-print#connect).

Have the model ready? Upload the exact customer-approved file. Starting from this guide? Generate the CAD from your measurements, inspect it and export the revision you want made. Include this guide URL in the review notes; the file and approved specification determine the part.

Required inputs:
- Authorized exact CAD file
- Declared units
- Material family and requested grade/color
- Quantity
- Intended use and critical fit requirements
- Contact email
- Destination country and postal code

**No payment at submission.** Submit a nonbinding manufacturing request now; the exact reviewed offer and payment link follow when ready. Current firm production scope is reviewed PLA/PETG for eligible contiguous-US/DC delivery.

### Agent submission steps
1. **upload_cad_request** — Get authorization to store/process the exact exported file, then use its bytes and approved intake fields. Save the returned request ID and file SHA-256.

2. **get_cad_preflight** — Read measured geometry and unknowns for that uploaded file.

3. **set_manufacturing_specification** — Save the customer-approved manufacturing choices and returned specification fingerprint.

4. **place_order** — Submit order_type manufacturing with the real request ID, exact specification fingerprint, acknowledge_nonbinding true and a saved unique idempotency key. Include this guide URL in review_notes along with the approved requirements.

5. **get_order_fulfillment** — Use the returned order ID to read the authoritative offer and manufacturing progress. A recipe URL alone never identifies an order.

Reconcile an uncertain result before retrying. Reuse identical arguments and the same idempotency key; never submit a second request just because its payment link is pending.

## Machine-readable resources

- [This complete guide as JSON](https://partsforagents.com/vibe-cad/desk-business-card-dispenser/guide.json)
- [All project guides](https://partsforagents.com/vibe-cad/catalog.json)
- [Exact tool schemas](https://partsforagents.com/tools.json)
- Full workflow MCP: https://partsforagents.com/api/mcp (authenticated)
- Free advice MCP: https://partsforagents.com/api/advice/mcp
- Canonical guide: https://partsforagents.com/vibe-cad/desk-business-card-dispenser