In the digital world we live in, a printed business card is still an important tool for communication — perhaps more than ever. A business card is a tangible, physical representation of you and your company — perhaps a small thing — but something people can touch and keep and, if done well, admired and remembered. The more interesting and well-made the card is — the better impression it will make. Here are some helpful tips in developing your business card:
Your card is an extension of you and your business
Choose the most appropriate size and shape for your needs
Choose a design that represents your products, services, and brand
Be consistent with your website and other promotional materials
Make sure the information is easily read
Proofread!
Add a special touch to stand out
Work with a professional graphic designer to ensure your card is well-designed and is produced the way you expect
A well-designed business card should convey the essence of what you and your company are about. If you have an existing logo and identity, the elements should be used in a logical, attractive way. If you are creating a new logo and identity, a business card can be a great place to start and experiment with ideas.
Give consideration to the size and shape. Would it be best to use a standard sized card, or would it be better to use a specialty sized card? Maybe a custom die cut shape is the way to go. And what kind of paper or substrate will the card be on? The production method used to produce the card will be a function of how it is designed and meant to be used. Papers can be thin or thick, textured or smooth—it all depends on the effect you wish to achieve. Other substrates outside of paper are also available such as, plastic, wood, and metal.
The colors, typefaces or fonts used should represent your brand and should be easily read even at a small point size. A business card should contain the appropriate amount of information for the way you work, and how the card is to be used. The trend these days is a “less is more” approach to content: placing only minimal contact information on the card—with the idea that an uncluttered card can have more impact and be more visually appealing. However, this approach will not work for every business or purpose. Sometimes cards need more than a name, phone number, email address, and website. Oftentimes you have a tag line, physical address, landline number, and a cell number. A card can successfully contain a lot of information if it is well-designed. To get a good sense of where you can go with creative business cards there was an excellent article in the Wall Street Journal called “Business Cards Aren’t Dead They Are Just Getting Weirder.” WSJ-Link
Poofread all your content! No no… PROOFREAD all of your content. The worst thing you can do is spend time and money on a beautifully designed card that has the wrong phone number or email address on it.
Add a special touch. Maybe something as simple as rounded corners, or a well-executed use of color, or something elegant such as hand-crafted letterpressed card on a fine cotton paper, or something extravagant like a laser engraved wood or metal card. Whatever you chose, make sure it is relevant to who you and your company are and means something to your audience.
Utilizing the help of a good designer can help ensure you get exactly what you want in the final product. Graphic designers can help leverage all of these items to your advantage and set up your file so that it is produced for the particular process that will be used to make your cards. This includes making die lines, profiling colors, creating custom art, and much more. To learn more about how the Boone Graphics team can help you with your business card needs, just give us a call.