5 tips for successful business card design

Is there any point bothering with business cards in the digital age, do you not just whip out your smartphone and add the contact directly, or add each other on LinkedIn? But business cards seem to still be thriving in the digital world that we live in. They’re a business ritual dating back to the 15th Century when the Chinese used calling cards to give people notice that they intended to visit, and European merchants used trade cards in the 17th century to act as mini advertisements.

• So, amongst all of the businesses out there, how do you make sure that your business card design stands out and does its job?
• The information you include on a business card is really up to you, but keep it relevant and try to keep the card uncluttered. Traditionally your business card includes your name, job title, company name (and logo) and contact details. These can be you website, email address and phone number. You need to be contactable, but don’t make it too cluttered; postal addresses are no longer very relevant on business cards.
• Make it readable. Whilst you might think funky colours and font styles might make your business card stand out, they don’t (most of the time). Make sure your font is legible in size (at least 8 pt), font and colour, and professional (so no Comic Sans). Yellow and other bright colours won’t work, black and dark grey are best. However, if you have company colours and branding, use it, but use it wisely.
• If you want to make your business card stand out, but minimise colour and design, embossing could be the way to go. The raised 3D effect makes the card more tactile and makes the card stand out compared to others.
• Don’t use a border! Even if it looks perfectly symmetrical on the design, with such a small area, it may look wonky even with very tiny movements in printing. Instead, you’re recommended to make sure there is a 3mm Bleed – an area the same colour as the background – around the edges of the card instead.
• To make sure that the card is clear and of high quality, save your design as a vector based PDF which ensures crisp lines and high print quality, rather than a JPEG or PNG which may result is blurry edges and text. Also use a good quality print company, whilst that freebie may seem good value now, it won’t if your cards are of poor quality.

Hopefully those tips will help you to get started with a blinder of a business card, check out ideas here. If you’re struggling with design, or want a new logo for your business card then we can help. Drop us a message at hello@webfwd.co.uk.