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We’ve seen a good number of business card examples in our lifetime to make us think we’ve seen everything. However, when you step back and look at your own card, what does your business card design ultimately say about you? This is an important question to consider since your business card design is your own marketing tool. It’s certainly true that first impressions are everything when it comes to your business card and it can be the deciding factor on how someone views both you and your business. All business card ideas communicate different feelings, and we’ve put together some notes on the factors that may determine the message your business card is broadcasting to the world.
What Does Your Business Card Design Say About You?
Company Logo
One of the most important aspects to a good business card design is your company’s logo. If your card’s logo doesn’t symbolize your company or isn’t related to it at all, then you’re sending the wrong message. Your business logo should be highly visible on your business card and should clearly represent your brand identity. After all, it’s the face of your business. If you include your company’s mission or tag line on the card, then it will ensure that your potential client is getting the answer to a very important question: Why buy from you?
Contact Information
If your business card design doesn’t include essential contact information such as a website and email address, then it’s almost the equivalent of leaving your potential customer out in the middle of nowhere with no map to get back. The same goes for putting important information on the back of the card. You’re essentially making it more difficult for a potential customer to find you, and let’s face it, not everyone looks at the back of business cards.
Business Card Layout & Font Styles
Even if you have the well-intentioned goal of making sure your business cards have all the information anyone could need, there’s still the layout to be considered. If your layout is cluttered and jam-packed full of information, then it’s sure to come off as poorly designed or hard to read. Don’t let this be the face of your business.
A key to not having an overwhelming business card design is to pay attention to font styles. Different font styles convey different voices, so avoid using fonts that are too loud. A single business card with too many font styles can create a loud or cluttered appearance. And last but not least, typos must not be overlooked. A business card with typos sends an obvious message: this business is not detail oriented.
Quality
So, you’ve put the time and effort into making a carefully planned, creative business card design. The last thing you want is to undo all your hard work with a poor print job. If you ensure that your business cards are free from any printer defects and you’ve used quality printing materials, then they’re ready to hand out. A flawless card tells people that your business is detailed, dependable, and values quality. To sum it all up, a well-made and designed business card will clearly communicate your company’s values.
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Do you have any business card tips to share?
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Thank you so much for this article! It is very useful as I am redesigning mine this week! 🙂
I’m a graphic designer by trade crafter/jeweler by obsession. After 15 yrs of dealing with branding and clients I have some tips for you, the needs vary according to your target audience, but here are some things.
1) font size and style; Large readable fonts, even if you choose to do two cards, one with larger fonts for mass hand-outs like craft fairs,etc. Then a ‘normal size’ font for those to keep stored in file
2) IF you have the ability add a QR code for smart phone scanning, go for it and link to your website
3) Colors. My personal colors are a green and a dk grey. The green I like doesn’t read well in print, so I don’t use it for all cards but I do use the same font everywhere
4) icon. Nike has the swash,it’s recognizable and simple. Keep your icon simple and clean. Mine is a simple pine tree. Avoid complex images like a family portrait. Make sure it looks good in color, black and white, on web and print. Also make sure the colors and images you choose will work well for social media. Some colors such as red do not work well when using for cover images or profile images being all sites compress the images you upload and they look horrible.
5) Along with the basics, add a small blurb about what you do. Many people collect business cards as they visit booths. When they get home and see yours, they won’t remember what you do. So tell them! Some crafters have cards JUST for shows and events, geared towards reminding the buyer what they do and/or can offer. They use photos of products as well as the basic contact info. Some also use their own photo.
Hope that helps someone
I use a business card as a swing tag on my products. I have designed it so it forms a folded square tag. The front of the business card forms the front and back of the tag (name and logo on tag front, company info on back) The back of the business card forms the inner of the tag (this I put a write up about the business) . Because it’s a decorative tag buyers tend to leave it on when they give as a gift.