8 Guidelines For Making a Great Business Card
Presentation by Company Folders, Inc.
- 88% of business cards get thrown out within less than a week, while creatively designed cards have a better longevity.
Business cards are a highly effective marketing method, but that doesn’t mean they don’t require careful consideration and planning.
Did you know?
Follow our 8 simple guidelines to learn how to create something truly memorable and make a business card that will stand out.
1. Choose contact information carefully
Not every card needs to include every single means of contacting the person in question. Focus on the information that is most relevant to the business.
For instance, a web-based company will need recipients to know their website and social media addresses, but not necessarily their phone number and physical address.
2. Consider a tagline or call to action
If you want recipients to understand a company’s values or take a specific action, you’re going to need to do more than just let them know how to get in touch with the card’s owner.
A tagline allows you to inform recipient about who the person or company is and what they do, while a call to action urges them to do something (like sign up for a mailing list or redeem a coupon).
3. Add photos or illustrations
Images let you express things in a way that words can’t. Consider adding a portrait, a photo of the company’s building, or a quirky illustration that helps you express a concept or emotion. Just make sure you use an image that complements the brand.
4. Keep material in mind
Designing a business card also means selecting the material it will be printed on. Explore your options regarding different types of paper (such as textured or eco-friendly stocks). You can also experiment with more unique materials such as metal or even beef jerky.
5. Experiment with unique shapes
There’s nothing necessarily wrong with using a standard 3.5 x 2 inch rectangle shape for your card. But that shape is so common that something unique can help grab recipients’ attention.
Consider a shape or object closely related to the card owner’s business, or even something three-dimensional to engage recipients further.
6. Decide on a color scheme
Adding a splash of color is an excellent way to encourage recipients to hold on to a business card for a longer period of time. Consider a black background or adding a pop of red to help your design stand out. If the company has a branded color scheme, you may wish to incorporate it into the card’s design.
7. Find the right combination of fonts
Limit yourself to two or three typefaces or else you’ll overwhelm the viewer. Pairing a simple serif font and a decorative sans-serif font is a solid combination. Make sure your fonts are legible and easy-to-read.
8. Spend time on your layout
Once you’ve picked out the elements you want, it’s time to put them all together. Form a hierarchy so that the elements that are most important (starting with the name or logo) stand out the most.
Eliminate clutter wherever possible. Be sure to leave a decent amount of white space so that the various parts of your design don’t get too cramped.
Keep these 8 steps in mind as you strategize and create your business card design.
These tips are brought to you by the business card design specialists at Company Folders. Visit https://www.companyfolders.com/business-card-design-services for more info.