Your business card plays a vital role in converting your small business dreams into reality. It's often the first point of contact between potential customers and your brand, so it must leave a positive and lasting impression.
A business card is more than just a means of sharing your contact information. It is a powerful tool that can communicate professionalism, establish customer trust, and distinguish your small business from competitors.
However, before you start handing out your cards to everyone you meet, take a moment to consider what makes a great business card design. Ask yourself, how can you make sure that it catches people's attention and stands out from the crowd?
Crafting custom business cards requires carefully considering the information you include and how you present it.
We've put together the top essential tips and design options to help you create a custom business card that accurately reflects your identity and represents your business. We'll also guide you on avoiding common mistakes when designing your card.
Select the Right Size
Choosing the right size for your custom business card is crucial because it directly impacts how it is perceived, its functionality, and its overall effectiveness in conveying your brand and message.
Are you a traditional company that follows the norms or an unconventional one that dares to be different?
Standard Size (U.S.)
Standard business cards are most common, and the sizes are 3.5 x 2 inches, and vertical business cards are 2 x 3.5 inches. The standard business card size is the most popular option and is commonly used for printing business cards in the US and Canada. This card size is the number one choice and is widely used by business professionals.
Mini Cards
These are smaller than the standard size, often measuring around 3.3 x 1.7 inches. Due to their unique size, they are trendy and can be memorable.
Square Cards
Square cards, typically 2.5 x 2.5 inches, stand out due to their unconventional shape. If you want a distinctive and memorable business card, consider square business cards.
These uniquely shaped cards are an excellent choice for professionals in creative fields such as graphic design, art, or film. The unique shape can express your personality and make a great first impression, sparking conversations about your business brand.
Oversized Cards
These cards are larger than the standard size, offering more space for creative designs and information. They can measure around 3.5 x 4 inches or larger.
This is why it is important to select a card that is both easy to read and visually appealing. One of the best options for a business card is a simple, clean font like Arial or Helvetica.
Slim Cards
Slim business cards are narrower than the standard size, typically measuring around 3.5 x 1.75 inches. They offer a sleek and modern look.
Folded Cards
These cards are folded, providing more space for information while maintaining a standard size when folded. When open, they are usually 3.5 inches by 4 inches.
As you can see, there are plenty of business card dimensions available to make your business card design as unique as you and your business.
Making a Statement with Fonts
When it comes to a custom business card design, a considerable amount of people tend to focus on the logo and color scheme, but one aspect that is often overlooked is the choice of typeface.
The font you choose can make a tremendous difference in whether or not it's effective in generating leads. If your font is difficult to read or unappealing, people are likelier to simply throw your card away. We hate it when that happens!
This is why selecting one that is both easy to read and visually appealing is important. One of the best options for a business card is a simple, clean font like Arial or Helvetica.
These fonts are legible and widely recognized, making them a safe choice for any business. If your brand has a specific typeface that is similar and legible, it's a good idea to stick with that.
Ultimately, the goal is to choose a font that reinforces your brand's message and helps your card stand out from the competition.
Business Card Stock
Picking the right card stock can be a crucial decision regarding their overall appearance and the impression they create on potential clients or customers.
The weight of the paper stocks used to create business cards can convey a sense of quality and professionalism. The right choice of paper weight can help your business cards stand out and make a lasting impression on your target audience, thus contributing to your overall branding efforts.
For example, extra-thick paper instantly adds a luxurious touch, while brown kraft paper provides an organic feel.
Did You Know: 86% of customers see a thick business card as more professional.
Utilize the Space
Don't waste the printing space on your business card! It's common for people to make the error of squeezing a lot of additional information all on one side of a business card. Use the reverse side for appointment reminders or loyalty stamps and to showcase your brand.
Did You Know: A premium two-sided business card can often cost the same as a one-sided card, so why not use the back?
For example, if you are a fitness trainer or wellness coach, include workout routines, healthy recipes, motivational quotes, or a QR code for a free training session on the back of your cards. This value-added content can help clients on their health and wellness journey and reinforce your expertise in the field.
By utilizing both sides of the card, you can create a more professional and visually appealing design that will leave a lasting impression on potential clients and customers.
Include What's Most Important
When designing your own business cards, remember to strike a balance between providing enough information to catch the recipient's attention and making it memorable.
Business cards serve a simple purpose: sharing contact info between individuals. However, it's quite tempting to overcrowd them with excessive details.
Instead, focus on being selective about the information you include, avoiding the urge to include everything but the kitchen sink.
Common Contact Details
- Your name
- Phone number
- Email address
- Website URL
- Any relevant social media handles.
Adding social media handles allows for a chance to build relationships that are less direct than email.
Tip: Keep your important details (like text or logos) toward the center of your business card design.
Keep on Brand
Designing a card can be challenging due to the many options available. However, maintaining brand consistency and attention to detail can help guarantee a smooth process.
This means using the same brand colors, fonts, and taglines that are consistent with your website and other marketing materials. This will help recipients quickly recognize your brand and form a connection with it.
Maintaining consistent branding across all touchpoints will also help build a strong brand identity. This is particularly important when it comes to employee branding.
If you're designing business cards for multiple employees, it's important to connect them all together with the company branding while adding personalized details to make them unique.
This will create a sense of unity among employees and showcase the company's values and culture. Eventually, this will help build a strong brand reputation and increase customer loyalty.
Be Creative and Stand Out
I know; we just mentioned how important it is to stay on brand. But there are ways to stay on brand and still be creative when it comes to your business card design.
An easy way to make your design "eye-catching" is by adding elements of Spot UV or Stamped Foil; you can take your business card to a whole new level of sophistication and professionalism.
Spot UV is a technique that adds a glossy, coating to specific areas of your card, creating contrast and drawing attention to particular elements such as your logo, specific text, images, and more.
Stamped Foil is a process that uses heat and pressure to apply metallic foil to your design, which can add a luxurious touch and make your card stand out. Popular options include gold, copper, and silver foil.
So, you can still stay on brand, but exploring these special finishes is definitely worth exploring.
Include a Call to Action
A business card should do more than share your contact information; it should inspire people to connect with you. To make sure potential clients or contacts take that next step, consider adding a clear and compelling call to action (CTA).
For instance, your CTA could be something like, "Call us today," "Explore our website," "Request a free sample," "Learn more," and more. Whatever your goal is, it can be turned into a call-to-action (CTA).
By adding a well-crafted CTA, you provide a clear direction for your recipients, making it more likely that they'll engage with your business meaningfully. You also eliminate uncertainty about the user's next action.
Tip: We recommend placing the QR code on the back of your business card to avoid interfering with your logo on the front, and to make it easier to scan.
Optimize Your Logo
When you create your own business cards, it's important to ensure your logo takes a prime spot. Think of it as your brand's friendly face—it's what people see first and remember later. Your logo carries the essence of your business, reflecting its values and character.
But here's the thing: your logos should do more than just look good. They should be easy to spot, hard to forget, and unlike any other. When you place them front and center, you're giving them the attention they deserve.
By doing this, you're not just creating a memorable image; you're also crafting a solid brand identity. And that's a big deal because it helps you stand out and connect with the people who matter most to your business. So, remember, it's not just a logo; it's your brand's friendly face in the business world.
Headshot on Your Card
Including a headshot on your business card can be a great way to add a personal touch and make a lasting impression on your prospects. By including a photo of yourself, you can help your potential clients recognize you in person or on social media platforms, making it easier to build a personal connection with them.
When considering whether to include a photo on your business card, it's important to keep in mind that it can be an effective tool for industries that rely on facial recognition. For example, realtors, bankers, and medical professionals frequently use headshots on their business cards to help clients remember who they are and what they do.
If you do decide to include your photo, don't be afraid to show off your personality and let your individuality shine through. A well-chosen headshot can help you stand out from the crowd and make a strong first impression on potential clients.
Leave Some White Space
When exchanging business cards, it is common for recipients to jot down notes on the card to help them remember how they received it, especially when networking at trade shows or events where people receive a lot of business cards in a short amount of time.
In order to make it easy for recipients to take notes on your card, it is important to use the white space effectively.
To do this, only add the important information on your card. This will allow enough space for recipients to take notes without feeling cramped or overwhelmed.
Using white space on your business card also has other benefits. When you create enough space around the important information on your card, it draws the recipient's attention to those details. This can be especially useful if you have a specific message or call to action that you want to communicate effectively.
Hire a Professional Printer
When printing business cards online, it's important to understand the benefits of using a professional printer such as Print Cartel. Professional printers have the skills and knowledge necessary to produce the highest-quality results.
Provide specialized equipment to create crisp, clear images, vibrant colors, and sharp text that will make a lasting impression on your clients and customers. In addition to their expertise, online printers offer a wide range of options to customize your business cards to meet your specific needs.
This includes a variety of card stock options, including thick and sturdy stocks that will make your cards stand out and feel substantial in your customers' hands. You can also select from different sizes and finishes, such as matte, glossy, or silk laminated, to help bring your brand's image to life.
If you're looking to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your business cards, they also offer foil stamping options. This allows you to add metallic lettering, logos, or other designs to your cards, creating a unique and eye-catching look that will set your brand apart from the competition.
With their expertise and range of options, you can create high-quality, professional business cards that are perfectly aligned with your brand's image and goals.
Proofread, Proofread, and Proofread
We can't emphasize this enough! Checking for errors and proofreading your business card before printing it is important. Look for typos, grammatical issues, and spelling mistakes.
It's a good idea to ask a colleague or friend to double-check to make sure that there are no grammar errors that you may have overlooked. Having multiple sets of eyes on the card can save time and prevent unnecessary reprints.
