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How to Design a Professional Business Card
Dec
Contents
- 1 What is a Business Card?
- 2 The Importance of Business Cards
- 3 How to Design a Business Card
- 3.1 Remember the basic principles of designing business cards
- 3.2 The first impression is always crucial in business card design
- 3.3 Choose the size and style that suits your needs
- 3.4 Choose a business card design that suits you
- 3.5 Maintain consistency with the website design and other collateral
- 3.6 Ensure that your information is accurate
- 3.7 Select information carefully
- 3.8 Consider layout when designing business cards
- 3.9 Include a message on the business card
What is a Business Card?
A business card, also known as a visiting card, is a small card that contains information about an individual or organization, including the name, address, phone number, main office, branch offices, and the representative’s details for that organization.
These cards serve as an essential promotional tool, widely employed by almost every business and individual organization to aid in brand development. Beyond being a promotional product, they also serve various functions in fostering business collaboration and supporting business growth.
The Importance of Business Cards
Here are the top 5 reasons business cards still matter, according to Entrepreneur.com
Swapping contact information digitally is impersonal
Networking is all about making genuine connections. Sending contact information via text or email on the spot is convenient but it is also extremely impersonal. Engaging in eye contact and actual conversation is how real relationships begin.
They are the most effective direct marketing tools
Email marketing, search engine optimization, and paid media all do a great job of attracting leads and prospects, but they still aren’t as effective as an in-person meeting sealed with a handshake along with a business card exchange.
You can encounter a potential lead or contact at any time — tradeshows, industry conferences, happy hour, airport lounges – and arming yourself with business cards at all times will ensure that you never miss an opportunity to make a valuable business connection. Keep some in your pockets, wallet, money clip or laptop bag so the next time you encounter a prospect you are prepared.
A business card is the first impression of your brand.
When you meet someone who could potentially be a great prospect or connection, don’t you want him or her to walk away with a great first impression? A memorable business card does a lot more than just pass on an email address or phone number.
When you make a connection via a business card, you don’t want your brand associated with the word cheap. A retail store trying to make a great first impression wouldn’t create a storefront sign with a piece of cardboard and a Sharpie. You should have that same mentality when it comes to your business cards.
A business card is a physical object that a potential prospect leaves the encounter with. Your brand stays with them.
If you meet a prospect and exchange email addresses and phone numbers you each walk away with another contact on your mobile phone — it ends there. If you hand over a creative business card that makes a great impression that person is likely to show it to other people — putting you and your brand in front of additional prospects.
Business cards show you are prepared
Have you ever had someone write his or her contact information on a cocktail napkin and hand it over to you? How about someone who had a mobile phone with a dead battery? It isn’t the most professional approach.
If you met two individuals and one was scrambling to find a pen and something to write on and the other person simply pulled out a business card, who would you want to do business with? Showing that you are prepared at all times is a great indicator that you are professional.
How to Design a Business Card
Remember the basic principles of designing business cards
- Designing business cards, like other products, needs to adhere to certain rules:
- Keep all information at least 5mm away from the card edges.
- Use high-quality images (Minimum 300 DPI).
- Maintain a balanced font size for readability.
- Utilize the CMYK color mode.
Many designers also opt for a grid layout when arranging the layout of business cards. This helps optimize the content for better visibility, making it easier for viewers to read.
The first impression is always crucial in business card design
Your business card should convey the values of the company, differentiate you from competitors, and encourage viewers to contact and engage with you. Above all, the business card should accurately reflect the brand’s characteristics, and the products, or services you offer. Achieve this by carefully selecting colors and styles.
An impressive business card requires aesthetic attention to detail:
- Colors and patterns: Focus primarily on basic, simple yet elegant background colors, avoiding overly flashy color schemes and distracting patterns.
- Layout: Information on the business card should be presented, legibly, and in a balanced manner. Emphasize the name, brand logo, and contact details to assert professionalism and respect for potential partners.
- Size: The standard size for business card design is 8.8cm x 5.3cm for convenient storage, avoiding excessive card dimensions.
Choose the size and style that suits your needs
Before delving into the design process, determining the size and style of the business card is crucial. It helps organize all elements on the card, such as font size, and the amount of information to be displayed.
The horizontal rectangular format is one of the most common types of business cards, widely used. Conversely, the vertically oriented rectangle, though less common, can make you stand out from competitors. If you aim to capture attention with your business card, consider using creative materials, unconventional sizes, and styles.
Choose a business card design that suits you
Select colors and design elements that are relevant or associated with the industry your business operates. This will make your business card easily recognizable, and viewers will better remember your products or services.
Different materials convey different brand perceptions. A prestigious fashion brand or a luxurious jewelry store should not choose a standard, ordinary business card design or material that does not reflect the brand’s essence.
Maintain consistency with the website design and other collateral
This will help customers recognize and remember the brand better. If you don’t have a website or other design collateral but surely have a logo, ensure consistency in your brand.
Ensure that your information is accurate
How you present contact information in the business card design is crucial. If you’re unsure about how to arrange information correctly, consider the following order:
- Company name
- First and last name
- Job title
- Contact information (email, phone, etc.)
Select information carefully
Regardless of the shape of the business card, its purpose is clear: it needs to be compact. This means there isn’t enough space for all the information you want to convey.
This is why filtering and selecting necessary information before printing on the business card is crucial. Some businesses add a logo, company name, contact details, and a small description of the company’s achievements. This encourages potential customers to learn more and get in touch with you.
Consider layout when designing business cards
When it comes to layout, people often think of well-organized essays or websites, but few businesses think about this when designing business cards. Business card users only have a few seconds to skim through, looking for your company’s information. Therefore, the layout should harmonize the images and company information. A well-designed business card will highlight the logo, company name, and company information, turning mundane details into an attractive and appealing visual.
Include a message on the business card
The key to creating an unforgettable business card lies in conveying a message to customers and partners to build long-term cooperative relationships.
The message here could be a slogan, motto, or your company’s logo. Note that these logos and slogans must be consistent with your company’s brand image and promotional slogans. Allow those who receive your business card to recognize your brand and convey your message to them with honor.
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