5 Tips on Designing and Printing Professional Business Cards
Business cards are often your introduction to potential clients. Besides bearing your contact information, they’re a primary marketing tool for both small and new companies; they work as advertising, a call to action, and a form of brand recognition.
And that’s why it’s crucial that they are designed well, because a perfectly-designed business card can leave a lasting impression and make a loyal customer out of a stranger.
First Things First
Long before picking the best printing company, even before you start the design process, consider two crucial design components: brand colour scheme and logo. They are the most important visual elements for branding.
Next, what do you want to communicate with your business card? Take some time to reflect on that. Decide what you want its design to convey, flip through samples, and find out what appeals to you.
Now starts the work!
Get to Designing
Once you have your colour scheme and logo determined and know what you want it to communicate , you can get to designing your business card.
1. Start with the Shape
A rectangular shape is standard, or you can take advantage of die-cutting technology to get a shape that stands out and is unique to your business. Or you could round up the corners for a friendlier look, or use clever cutting to build the entire theme of your business card around it.
Note: creative shapes can have an adverse effect if you are in an industry known for its formality. And, of course, it will impact how your card fits into a wallet.
2. Pick Your Size
Business cards have different standard sizes in different parts of the world. The standard size in Canada is 3.5” × 2” (this is American Standard). The European standard is 3.346” × 2.165” and 3.54” × 2.165” is the Oceania standard.
When it comes to size, there are three factors you must consider.
- The outermost part of the card, which is removed. This is the bleed.
- The trim line is the target line for card cutting. It is safest to set the trim line at 0.125” from the edge.
- The safety line is set 0.125” from the trim line. You wouldn’t want anything important beyond this line.
3. Place Your Logo
Your logo takes centre stage on your business card – figuratively at least. Use one side to flaunt it exclusively; the other can provide all the other information, with a smaller logo.
Of course, feel free to experiment. You can go with an embossed logo or use it as a doodle all over the empty space. Or, you can go with a wordless visual and a URL on one side and other information on the other for a touch of mystery.
4. Determine Your Text
Don’t overcrowd your business card with information. Determine what elements are most important. These include:
- Your name and job title
- The company name
- Phone number (cell and/or office)
- Company website
- Social media
- Mailing address
- Company slogan
5. Make it Readable
Since you have a lot to say and so little space, the use of typography (or fonts) becomes extremely important. It has three main categories:
- Text size comes first. It should be at least 8 points to be legible, but you can vary the size if you want something to stand out. Don’t clutter your business card with text, so keep it small enough to leave some room around each element.
- Fonts connect with your brand identity, so pick one that represents your personality.
- You already have brand colours in place, so choose a text colour that complements these. Similar colours may look good but can be hard to read, so go for contrast. And remember the rule of thumb: legibility over everything else.
Your business cards are an important tool for communicating your business’s products or services, so don’t compromise their design. For yours to stand out, pick a that can provide state-of-the-art printing services like letter pressing, embossing, foil stamping, and spot UV coating. Remember that having a reliable printing company by your side is vital because your business cards are about much more than just communicating your contact information.
