Despite the digital revolution, printed business cards are still an important part of any business. It’s easy to see why.
A business card is a small, folded piece that includes your contact information. It contains your name, brand logo, and contact details like your phone number and social network handle.
You can hire a professional designer to help you design a business card or you can make it yourself with a business card maker.
Size of a business card
Business cards come in different sizes depending on where you live.
Standard for the USA and Canada: 3.5″x2″, (89mmx51mm).
With Bleed: 3.75″x2.25″ (95.25mm x 57.15mm)
Western Europe Standard: 3.35″ x 2.17″ (85mm x 55mm)
With Bleed: 3.58″x2.40″, (91mmx61mm).
Eastern Europe Standard: 3.5″ x 1.9″ (90mm x 50mm)
Oceania Standard: 3.54″ x 2.165″ (90mm x 55mm)
Japan Standard: 3.582″ x 2.165″ (91mm x 55mm)
There are important terms to remember when printing your business cards
- Bleed area: These design elements, such as lines or colors, extend beyond the area of the card’s cut. You can specify the size you need with your printer.
- Trim line: These lines indicate where the blade should be cut.
- Safety margins: These lines define the boundaries of where design elements (such as text or logos) should not be placed. They are there to prevent the design from being altered. You can cut the blade anywhere within the safety margins or the bleed.
Order your branding assets
Your brand and identity should be reflected in your business card. You need all the tools you need to create a professional card.
- Logo: A logo is the most important part of a business card.
- Name for the business: This Business name generator is a great tool to come up with catchy and inspirational ideas.
- The color scheme for the brand: Colors can evoke emotions and set the tone for your brand. Your company card should match the brand colors on your website.
- Voice: Is your brand professional and trustworthy? Or are you more playful, energetic, and approachable? Your business card design should reflect these brand values.
Select the direction in your card that will travel
Your business card is the only tool you have. There are many options to choose from before you design your business card.
- The most common shape for business cards is rectangular. But, there are other options.
- Positioning of elements: Most business cards are 2-sided. However, you can also place your logo and contact information on the front.
- Style: Consider the branding assets discussed in the previous section. Style: Take into account the branding assets mentioned in the previous section.
Avoid common mistakes
- Always use a bleed in your designs: As mentioned above, it’s important to include a border when designing.
- CMYK color mode. This color mode is for printing, not screen displays.
- The best resolution: A file with a 300dpi resolution will make your business card stand out. All files used in your design should be high quality.
- Make sure your text is legible. Use a font size of no less than 8 points. You can check the color legibility of your design with many online tools.
What should a business card say?
Business cards that convey essential information quickly and are best
- Logo: A company logo adds professionalism and credibility to any business card. Your logo must be prominently displayed on your card to make it stand apart.
- Your name: Your business cards should reflect you as a person. Your name is an indispensable asset.
- Tell us about your job title.
- Name your company: Mention your business name if it isn’t already in the logo, or if it shares the same name.
- A tagline can be used to describe your business.
- Website: Enter the domain name of your website. This is your website address. You can also remove the “www “.
- Contact information. Include your phone number and email address. Add your social media handles if they are relevant to your work.
Catchy imagery is essential
A business card’s visual language can help convey the message it wishes to communicate. Using imagery can also add visual value.
An image could be a photo or illustration, an icon, a pattern, or a pattern. For example, a baker might have a photo of his hands working with dough, or a stylized illustration showing berries-scattered cookies.
Avoid using images that are too literal or that don’t convey the overall mood and vibe of the card.
Stand out with unique touches
Create a unique business card with special finishes Don’t add too many techniques on one card. It can look chaotic.
- Foil stamping or metallic inks cannot be done using the CMYK process.
- Two methods of printing are letterpress and embossing. These techniques press certain elements onto the page. This creates a 3-dimensional effect.
- Spot UV coating refers to a method that adds a clear coat on certain elements of printed matter, such as the logo. This gives the design a gloss.
- Laser cuts – This allows for intricate cuts to be made using a laser.
- Special materials
Finalize before printing
Your work is almost complete! The beautiful files will soon be printed and available for you to hand out to your clients or colleagues. Last-minute changes will make the task more difficult.
- Make sure all information is up-to-date and accurate.
- Make sure you check the visuals. You must ensure that they are high resolution and that you have the legal right.
- Compare printing prices: Look into the various options. prefer.
Now, export your files to send to printers. Enjoy the new scent of print once you get the final product.
