6 tips for great business card design
These days, we’ve noticed that a lot of people have stopped carrying around business cards. There’s more sharing of contacts digitally, which is very efficient, but doesn’t quite engage people in the same way. Because that’s what a great cards does – it starts a conversation. Makes an impression. And really shows who you are.
So it’s in your best interest to stay with the old-school paper version. But that doesn’t mean the design should be old-school; here’s a quick list of recent trends and how you can use them to spur relationships and build business.
1. Give it your personality. Your card is an extension of who you are. Make it funny or clever, if that suits your profession (people love humour – and they will remember it.) Ensure it fits your brand.
2. Think eco-friendly. Print on recycled paper, or create a stamp that allows you to leave your mark on scrap paper, notebooks, napkins, or whatever else you have handy. Going green shows your company cares about the planet, and in these environmentally-conscious times, that’s always a plus. Just make sure your card reflects other green business practices and isn’t just a token piece.
3. Keep it clean. White space gives the elements of your card room to breathe . Less is more. A cluttered card is hard to look at, and people won’t end up reading it because they won’t know where to look first. A clean, elegant design will grab attention, especially if other people in your industry tend to do the “more is more” route.
4. Use the back. It’s valuable real estate that a lot of people overlook. If you’re a creative professional, use it to showcase photos of your work. Realtors can show off recent listings. Child care centres can highlight children’s drawings. The possibilities are endless.
5. Play with shape and texture. Think outside the rectangle; anything that makes your card stand out from the crowd is good. Non-traditional shapes like circles, squares and folded cards will get attention. Letterpress (relief printing) and stamp effects are great differentiators as well, as are textured papers, inviting people to engage with your card (and your brand) through touch.
6. Include your social media stats. Want people to follow you on Twitter or connect with you on LinkedIn? Make it easy for people to find you by giving them the info they need right off the bat.
There’s nothing quite like a great business card to make an impression on a colleague or potential client – use yours to open the door to new opportunities.
Talk to us about getting creative with your cards. Here are some samples of some cards we’ve designed recently.