The Design
This is the most obvious factor and possibly the most important. It should grab attention, make an impression, and communicate who you are — all without being overwhelming. There are multiple important factors which will set you apart from the rest. Who Is Your Audience? This is an important consideration. A writer’s business card may have a white background with minimalistic design and information while hairdressers tend to favor black backgrounds and vibrant colors. Think about your target audience and optimize your design for them. What do you want them to think and feel when holding your card? What action should they take?
No Clutter
A customer confused is a customer lost. Focus your attention on the information you want to get across and don’t include unnecessary things — rather include a link to your website where the client can gain more information. Keep in mind that less is more and make it easy on your prospects.
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An Effective Logo
We mentioned that less is more but if you have a unique and eye-catching logo, it may be a good idea to incorporate it into your design. That said, “unique” doesn’t mean a ton of extravagant colors and a complicated design. The only people who could possibly get away with that are artists and graphic designers.
The Back
A card has two sides and using both is advisable. This will give you a chance to put a logo or name with your business description on one side, while developing contact information etc. on the other. In addition, it will help to keep your card clean, uncluttered, and simple to navigate. On the other hand, if you leave your prospect with a blank side, they may be tempted to take useful notes on your product or service for future reference.
The card itself
The physical card will make as much of an impression as what you put on it. There are a few options to consider before taking your design to a printer. And, if you’re in need of a printing company, JoinPrint Printing offers some great business card advice and solutions.
Paper thickness
Thicker paper speaks of quality and generally leaves a better impression than a flimsy little thing. Leaving a potential customer with a bit of weight in their hands may just make them look twice. How thick you go however, will depend on the kind of work you do (if you’re in construction or engineering, thicker is better, but don’t leave your prospects with a brick in their pockets).
Size and shape
If you’re in the real estate industry, you may be tempted to give clients a little house-shaped piece of cardboard to consider. While this will leave them with something unique, it may not communicate professionalism. A card that’s too small will be easily missed or lost. In contrast, a card that is too large might be impractical to handle and end up in the trash. In general, sticking with standard business card shape is effective but there are some exceptions. The mere act of presenting someone with an unconventionally shaped card could leave them with a lasting impression.
Finish to gloss or not to gloss?
Glossing will give most cards a sleek, finished look. However, it works best on darker colors. Bright colors may benefit more from a matte finish and gain some extra edge. Other finish options you may want to consider includes varnish, spot UV, and embossing. In the end, your card should communicate who you are in an effective and professional way and convince prospects to take action.
