Business cards are an opportunity to lend credibility. It might be the first item people receive from you, and you have a quick chance to make a good impression. We’ve put together some tips for an effective design. (Keep in mind that these are only suggestions, not hard rules.)
1. KEEP IT CLEAN AND CLUTTER-FREE.
Simple is better. Don’t be afraid to make use of white space. Important information should be easy to spot at a quick glance. Someone should immediately be able to find out whose card it as and what company it’s for.
2. KEEP IT READABLE.
Choose fonts and colors that are easy to read. Don’t make the text too small. It should be at least 8 pt. — anything smaller may look fine on your monitor, but it can appear fuzzy when printed.
3. BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT WHAT INFORMATION TO INCLUDE.
Again, you don’t want clutter. Generally, the most important things to include are: your name, your job title, company name, phone number, and email. If you have room, include your website. Physical addresses are less important on cards these days so if you’re short on space, don’t worry about leaving this out.
Use the front of your card for your most important information. The back of the card can be an opportunity for extra branding — a statement, tagline, image, etc. Don’t include any messages that might be temporary.
4. THINK ABOUT COLOR.
Bold, bright colors can help you stand out. You also can’t go wrong with a black and white for a striking, professional look.
If you need help choosing colors, COLOURlovers.com is a helpful source where people can create palettes and users vote on them.
5. CONSIDER YOUR CARD'S PRACTICALITY.
The standard business card size 3.5”x2” (55x85mm). Some people like to use a different size to stand out. Keep in mind that if you choose to do this, your card won’t fit in standard holders.
6. BE CONSISTENT.
Try to choose a design that matches your website and other marketing materials (just make sure the fonts and colors are readable). Let it reflect your brand identity.
7. THINK OF YOUR BUSINESS CARD AS A MARKETING TOOL.
In addition to being a tool for distributing your contact information, it can also be a marketing opportunity. Think about what your goals are. Do you want to stand out? Try thick cardstock, a unique design, and unexpected colors. Or you can use a sleek, minimalistic design that conveys your professionalism.
Still not sure where to start? If you need help with your design, let us know.