In the digital age, you might be forgiven for thinking that business cards are not as important as they once were. However, recent studies have shown that for every 2000 business cards your company gives out, sales increase on average by 2.5%.
With more than half of business leaders declaring that business cards are an “essential” part of their strategy, you can’t afford to get yours wrong. A business card is the window to your business, a physical signifier of what your company stands for.
The best business cards are the ones which have a high impact on the receiver, and good design is a way to achieve this. Here are the top ten business card design tips that will keep customers coming back.
1. Business Card Design Tips 101: Stick to the Essentials
It can be all too tempting to fill your card with information on everything your business does, from special offers to your company history. However, nobody will want to read this and it’ll make your card look crowded.
Stick to the basics; your name, job title, contact details and maybe a business motto or mission statement.
2. Use the Standard Specifications
There is an industry standard when it comes to design specifications. Your text should always be at least 5mm from the edge. You should try and stick to at least 300dpi for the best quality card. Font should be 8pt at a minimum.
The standard business card size should be 3.5 x 2 inches.
3. Don’t Fill the Whole Card
It can seem logical to get maximum bang for your buck by filling every inch of your card. This will be off-putting to the reader and will drive their attention elsewhere. Keep it minimal, with plenty of blank space to draw attention to the important information.
4. Use a Simple Color Scheme
If your business card has more than two or three distinct colors on it, you’re doing it wrong. Ideally, you want one color for text and one for the background. No more.
5. Avoid Borders
Never put a border on a business card, as this may well be lost in printing or mess up your formatting.
Stick to a 5mm bleed at the edge. You’ll struggle to find a modern business card template with a border on it, for good reason.
6. Pick an Unconventional Material
Business cards are more powerful than emails because the receiver gets to hold it in their hands. The best modern business cards use a material which feels distinct. Try felt, wood or metal, if you can afford it.
7. Choose the Right Font
Readability is key for personal business cards. The best fonts for this are Times New Roman, Sans Serif, Helvetica, and Arial.
8. Have a Strong Visual Identity
Remember that you’re representing your brand here, and a just a logo might not cut it. Opt for simple, minimal imagery which best reflects what your business does.
9. Include a Digital Extra
The best business cards give the receiver something to do. Adding a QR code to your card which takes a customer to your website, or better yet, to a special discount page, will put you well ahead of the pack.
10. Pick the Right Printer
Printing business cards should not be done on the cheap. To get it right, always opt for a reputable, established card printer with plenty of good reviews; reputable, established printers such as Print Peppermint should be your go-to for quality business cards that will last.
Find the Right Resource For Your Business
Once you know what you want, the next step if finding the right printer for you. Browse our directory to find the best business card design tips, artists, and printers in your state today.