A well-designed business card isn’t just useful for sharing contact information. It’s a marketing opportunity that allows businesses to establish their brand, stand out from their competitors, and create a lasting impression. When designed well, these small cards can be as effective as commercials and billboards. Read on to discover how to design an effective business card.
Choose a Shape
While you can always go with a traditional rectangular business card, this isn’t the only option available to you. Techniques like die-cutting allow businesses to print cards in various shapes, including standard rectangles, rounded rectangles, circles, or the shape of their products. Businesses can incorporate cutouts and other 3D elements to help them make a lasting impression on their audience.
Choose Your Ideal Size
While all business cards are pocket-sized, this can mean a variety of different sizes depending on where you are in the world. Here in Australia, we generally see business cards that are 90 x 55 mm. However, in other parts of the world, sizes can vary from 85 x 55 mm (Europe) to 88.9 x 50.8 mm (North America). No matter the size you opt for, it’s essential to consider the bleed area and trim line when designing your business card.
Decide on Text
Deciding on text is never easy. The question, “What should you put on a business card?” is sure to bring up a number of different answers. However, while you have leeway with text, there are a few things that are mandatory when it comes to designing a business card. The name of your business and up-to-date contact information are two pieces of information that should never be left out of business cards. Other information varies on the type of business you have. For example, some companies may choose to include a physical address, while others may want to draw attention to their social media profiles.
Add Graphics or Logos
Graphics and logos are vital parts of business cards. A business logo, for example, is one of the main parts of any business card, while other graphics can be useful or help break up the text. Some businesses print on only one side of the card while others devote one side to their company’s logo and the other to important contact information and other text.
Finalize Typography
Once you have determined logos, graphics, and the text you want to use, it’s important to finalize typography. Since business cards are relatively small, make sure you choose a font that is easy to read. You should also ensure that the font size is large enough and that the font color stands out from the background. All these factors help with readability.
Double-Check Your Design
Once you’ve made all these decisions, make sure to double-check them before sending your business cards off to the printing service you’ve chosen. Overlooking small mistakes can result in having cards filled with errors which you’ll then have to replace.
Follow the basic guide above to design effective business cards, and you’ll be sure to impress any potential clients that come your way.