How to Get Printing Companies to Make Perfect Business Cards
A well-designed business card is one of the best networking tools. But if the printing goes wrong, your card is worthless.
Today’s new technologies are allowing printing companies in Toronto (and all over the world) to deliver world-class business cards. The trick is figuring out what you want.
Here are some tried and tested tips for getting the best business cards out of your chosen printing company.
A Few Tips to Consider
There’s no such thing as correcting your business cards once they’ve been printed. The key is to take this advice before they go to print.
1. Check the Design
Before you get your business cards printed, be absolutely sure about their design. Is it everything you want it to be? The logo and brand colours should be in place and not look cluttered. Is all your vital information on it, including your name and job title, your company’s name, mailing address, website URL, and social handles? And make sure the fonts and font sizes are correct.
If you’re not keen on your brand colour, consider the Pantone Colour of the Year which for 2021 is Ultimate Gray. If you are a local business, an NGO, or a social activism organization, this combination will convey warmth, hopefulness, and happiness.
2. The Right Paper
Don’t go for cheap, thin paper to save money. Thicker business cards make a better impression. Fonts also come out clearer and the cards last long. They also tend to get more attention.
3. Use Both Sides
The back of your card can add significant value and is a good place for a call to action. Or you can leave one side blank for personal messages or additional contact information.
4. Count the Bleed Area
Unless it has a white background, you will need to consider your card’s bleed area of approximately 3 mm around all edges of your design. Make sure the background pictures, colours, and layout extend into the bleed so there are no white lines due to cutting tolerances. And then there is the trim line to be considered, which is where the printer will target the cut.
5. The Finish
Gloss or matte? This is the eternal question. Experiment with both to see which makes a better impression. As a general rule, gloss works better with darker backgrounds while matte is more suited to earthy tones and multi-coloured fonts. Spot UV with varnish is the best of both worlds. You can also choose from other options, like lamination, fold, or foil blocking for an immediate effect and lasting impression.
6. Embossing
If you are going with a thicker card, you can emboss your text and logo. These small printing details convey a lot so don’t underestimate them. Embossing lends panache and a unique feel to your business card. It also reminds the card’s owner of your brand when they run their fingers over it. Talk to your printing services provider about the type of embossing that will go best with your business card.
Business cards are easy to design and relatively inexpensive. That gives you the freedom to experiment with papers, styles and coatings to find something you like. Just make sure you pick an experienced Toronto printing company that will not only print your cards efficiently but help you figure out what will be suitable for your needs. They can tell you about business card trends, what kind of cards your competitors have chosen, and what can be done to achieve the result you’re looking for.
