Creating professional business cards can sometimes be a daunting task, especially for those who do not possess a high level of creative prowess. You know what you like when you see it, however you may not always know how to get to that place. Since your business card is typically the first and most important marketing tool you’ll use to promote your products, services or website, and in many instances, the only one, it’s key to represent your brand in a way that defines who you are and what you can offer potential customers.
To begin, there’s no right or wrong. As noted above, it’s a matter of what works for you. Here are 3 top tips to point you in the right direction:
Design
If you’re not a graphic designer, creating a professional looking design and company logo may seem intimidating, but it’s not as difficult as you might think. A good place to start is typography. Choose a good font that works for your design and brand. For example, we recommend using san serif fonts that are sharp and elegant, providing a clean, professional look. You can provide variance by choosing a bold or condensed version. If you’re ready to step out of the minimalist, professional box, try a script font, but just be sure it’s legible.
Visuals are also paramount when designing your card. Beautiful images and fun illustrations are good examples of making your card stand out from the rest. Remember, you have the back of the card to work with as well. Add an image to the backside that bleeds off the page. Whether it’s a product, person or service displayed, it will turn your card into a mini-flyer.
Most importantly, make sure you have the needed contact info presented in a legible way. There’s no sense in having an amazing looking business card if the font is too small or the card is too busy. It’s really all about making a good impression and providing your information in an easy-to-read manner.
If you’ve come to the conclusion that designing your business card is out of your personal reach, don’t despair. Online design tools are readily accessible, as are beautifully pre-designed templates that are categorized by business type. Customized designs are also available.
Colors
If you have a company logo, use it as a springboard for choosing any images or colors that will be incorporated on to the card. If you don’t have a logo, it might be time to have one created. A logo graphically defines your brand in a memorable way. Picking a color palette that accurately represents your brand is not as challenging as it may sound. Studies show that a large percentage of a customer’s buying decisions can be affected by a product’s color, thereby making this a good place to start in determining which ones to use.
For example, a warm color like red induces an immediate reaction from people. This color is popular for the automobile, food, and technology industries. It gets people excited and hungry about products. Purple and blue, which are cool colors, put people at ease. These colors are useful in the healthcare and financial sectors. Fiery colors such as yellow and orange represent hope, confidence and vigor, and are widely used for the home and healthcare industries. Various shades of green and brown correlate well with serenity, good health and durability. Green is prevalent within the environmental, home and technology industries, while brown has success with environmental causes. Finally, black and white is classic, most popular with clothing and cars. Black evokes class and sophistication, whereas white represents purity and cleanliness.
It’s important to be aware of color psychology, as it can definitely make a difference. After you choose your color palette, be sure to reference a CMYK color chart to ensure you get the most accurate color values for your prints, and the final color matches your logo.
Paper Stock
Be sure to choose a quality paper stock. Decide if you prefer a smooth/glossy or matte finish, as well as a card stock that has just the right weight to suit your needs. For instance, thicker card stocks, such as 14 pt. or 16 pt. provide a nice weighty touch – they just feel good in your hand. Plus, if your business card is double sided, you want to make sure each side holds the ink well. Refrain from using very thin stock such as 100 lb. text, as it doesn’t provide the durability required to make a substantive first impression.
Card stock is categorized by its coating. Glossy finishes are very reflective and work great for high definition printing and for ensuring your images have a high saturation. Matte finishes are not very reflective and are easy to read in all types of lighting. In addition, they provide softer colors than do glossier stocks. If your business wants to make a strong environmental statement, consider Recycled 100 lb. Dull Cover with Matte Finish. It’s reasonably priced, and will make an excellent, positive impression.
In addition to the finish, a textured paper stock also deserves consideration before making a final decision as to how you’ll convey your wares, especially if your card’s design has some textural detail. It can also significantly enhance the look and feel of the overall design. For example, 24 pt. Trifecta Green, 38 pt. Trifecta Black or 38 pt. Trifecta Red are all ultra thick, triple-layered card stocks with a unique texture. They deliver a lasting first impression and are certain to boost your credibility.
We invite you to visit our website at GotPrint.com for more information and to see all of your available options.
About the Author:
Rob S. has more than 20 years experience as a content marketer and creative director. He has worked in a wide range of industries and enjoys creating content for various areas in the digital world: from social media, to online ads to website copy. Rob enjoys art, music, taking photos, managing his fantasy baseball team, staying fit, and of course, spending quality time with loved ones.
