How to Design An Effective Business Card - 1 views

#printmarketing #design #businesscards #IPW1

started by abritteon011 on 02 Nov 17

#1 abritteon011 on 02 Nov 17

As the saying goes, you don't get a second chance at a first impression. In a business setting, a business card is part of that first impression, so you have to make sure your business card is up to the task. At http://www.ipw1.co.uk/portfolio/print-finishing-london/ we go through thousands of business cards every week, so we've got a pretty good idea of what works and what doesn't. When you're designing your next business card, follow these tips to make sure it gets noticed for the right reasons.

Get the size right

In the UK, business cards are typically around 85mm wide and 55mm high, intended to mimic the size of a credit or debit card. This is so that they can be easily popped into a wallet or purse after they've been handed out, making it easy for your new contacts to keep them safe. Your business may prefer to do things differently, but it's best to stick to the standard on this one.

Be aware of design best practice

You could have a great design in theory, but if you don't follow best practice, you could end up red faced when it doesn't quite go to plan. Learn about print bleed, and incorporate it into your design so that the printers don't cut off any necessary sections. You can learn more about bleed here. On top of this, basic design necessities such as using a grid on your design will help make your design as good as it can possibly be.

Keep it informative

Most times you'll be giving out your business card because you think the recipient could be a worthwhile contact for the future. You need to ensure that when they dig your card out to get in touch, it has as many points of contact as possible. Phone nunber, email address, and professional social media links (such as LinkedIn or Twitter) are typically included as standard. The important thing to remember though is to include modes of communication you actually use.

Pick a fitting colour scheme

In any branding exercise, you'll have to decide what kind of colour scheme suits your business. If you're a creative business, something bright and playful will be suitable, while a cleaner, more conservative design will suit a more traditional business. Neither approach is wrong, but just make sure you pick the one that suits your business. If in doubt, follow the colour scheme that your business uses in the rest of its branding.

Consider paper thickness

A thicker paper will make your business cards more robust and professional-looking, while a thin business card will not only fold and crease more easily, but will also look and feel less professional. It will cost more, but it's worth splashing out for thicker paper. Also, if you go for a thick paper, you can choose to emboss words on the card, which will make it look even more professional.

Don't overcomplicate it

When designing a business card, the temptation can be to cram as much information and design into the space as possible. This is especially tempting as the space you're working with is so small. On the contrary, you should ensure that some white space is left. Not only does this leave room for the designs to 'breathe,' but it also ensures that anyone you hand out your card to has space to write extra details on it. They may, for example, wish to write down the reason they'd like to contact you in future.

<div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">As the saying goes, you don't get a second chance at a first impression. In a business setting, a business card is part of that first impression, so you have to make sure your business card is up to the task. At <a href="http://www.ipw1.co.uk/portfolio/print-finishing-london/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.ipw1.co.uk/portfolio/print-finishing-london/</a> we go through thousands of business cards every week, so we've got a pretty good idea of what works and what doesn't. When you're designing your next business card, follow these tips to make sure it gets noticed for the right reasons. Get the size right In the UK, business cards are typically around 85mm wide and 55mm high, intended to mimic the size of a credit or debit card. This is so that they can be easily popped into a wallet or purse after they've been handed out, making it easy for your new contacts to keep them safe. Your business may prefer to do things differently, but it's best to stick to the standard on this one. Be aware of design best practice You could have a great design in theory, but if you don't follow best practice, you could end up red faced when it doesn't quite go to plan. Learn about print bleed, and incorporate it into your design so that the printers don't cut off any necessary sections. You can learn more about bleed here. On top of this, basic design necessities such as using a grid on your design will help make your design as good as it can possibly be. Keep it informative Most times you'll be giving out your business card because you think the recipient could be a worthwhile contact for the future. You need to ensure that when they dig your card out to get in touch, it has as many points of contact as possible. Phone nunber, email address, and professional social media links (such as LinkedIn or Twitter) are typically included as standard. The important thing to remember though is to include modes of communication you actually use. Pick a fitting colour scheme In any branding exercise, you'll have to decide what kind of colour scheme suits your business. If you're a creative business, something bright and playful will be suitable, while a cleaner, more conservative design will suit a more traditional business. Neither approach is wrong, but just make sure you pick the one that suits your business. If in doubt, follow the colour scheme that your business uses in the rest of its branding. Consider paper thickness A thicker paper will make your business cards more robust and professional-looking, while a thin business card will not only fold and crease more easily, but will also look and feel less professional. It will cost more, but it's worth splashing out for thicker paper. Also, if you go for a thick paper, you can choose to emboss words on the card, which will make it look even more professional. Don't overcomplicate it When designing a business card, the temptation can be to cram as much information and design into the space as possible. This is especially tempting as the space you're working with is so small. On the contrary, you should ensure that some white space is left. Not only does this leave room for the designs to 'breathe,' but it also ensures that anyone you hand out your card to has space to write extra details on it. They may, for example, wish to write down the reason they'd like to contact you in future.</div>

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