Tips to Remember When Designing & Printing Your Business Cards

* If you're serious about your business be serious about your business cards. Don't focus on the money, focus on the quality. Business cards not only provide contact details, they represent you and your organization. People you give your card to will form a first impression within seconds of receiving your business card (oftentimes before even reading it), and you want that impression to be a good one. Make it appeal to the senses.

1. Have someone in house create a catchy logo and/or design and layout for your card. If you don't have anyone to do that, hire someone.
2. Get high-quality, thick card stock that feels nice to the touch.
3. Apply foil or glossy finishes it applicable to catch their eye.

Make your card stand out. If you spend enough time and quality on your card people will believe you put that same amount of effort into your business.

* Make the most out of your cards. Don't be afraid to use them as a marketing tool. Give them to everyone you meet. In fact, give everyone you meet two or three, so that they can give them out if the opportunity arises.

* Give your business card additional value. If you wish, you can usually create a useable backing for your business card—a calendar, appointment card, coupon, referral discount —give it value and decrease the chance that it will disappear into the trash bin.

* Be creative...but not too creative. It is important to design a visually-pleasing layout for your business card. But there are times when you can take creativity too far. Nobody likes to receive business cards of odd shapes and sizes that wont fit into their Rolodex or other business card holder. Make the text big and dark/light enough to read. Don't use 'wacky' colors or fonts.

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Permalink Reply by Todd Davis on March 14, 2009 at 10:05am: Curious...

Mark filled up the back of the card, and I'm not sure what he does...website I get...3D Civil Training? What are all those websites on the back...and why are they important?

Wouldn't make more sense to be clear with what you do (targeted business), and maybe a hint of what a good referral would be?

It kind of like the cosmetic sales representative that tells me a good referral is, "Anyone with skin!" I can't refer to that. I can refer if she gave something specific to refer...like: "A good referral this week would be someone that does a lot of work outside that complains about the sun. I have a fantastic product that...."

I can refer to that! I love to fish, and spend lots of my time outdoors. Being somewhat hair folically challenged...sunburn and I are old friends.

In my opinion only: Make the referrals you want - easy to understand and specific. You'll get higher quality referrals.

Todd Davis
National Director
Gold Star Referral Clubs
www.goldstarclubs.com
"Business Made Easy"
Start a referral clubs where you are...We make it simple, and profitable!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by JenniferLynn Productions on April 9, 2009 at 2:52pm: I would tend to agree with Todd. Perhaps a better approach would have been a single link to your own web site, where you might have links to the sites you've designed. It makes for a much cleaner presentation.

My card is one I designed via VistaPrint. I found a template I liked and have my company name, a brief descritpion of what I do, and my email address on the front. On the back--it is a lighter color than the front--I have a single link--to my blog (all of my shops are linked from my blog)--and my company's motto.

This article is very helpful.

Thanks!
Jen M.
JenniferLynn Productions, LLC; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Cathy Hanck on April 16, 2009 at 11:38am: Thank you for doing this discussion. I am a graphic designer and truly believe in a good business card. Your thoughts are right on. I have replied to a couple of people on your discussion who are interested in business cards. I hope to hear from them and appreciate anyone who can further the cause. I think a business logo is one of the most important things a company can do to brand its self but I talk to a lot of people starting businesses that spend little or no time on it. If they call me I really try to get them to let me design a good logo - a good logo will go on stationery, merchandise, business cards, all advertising - it's so important - a good looking logo is remembered. Anyway thank you for your good thoughts.

Sincerely,
Cathy Hanck
C. A. Hanck Graphics; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dawn Gordon on April 24, 2009 at 8:28am: hmmm

I want to research business cards, because I am very green, I only use recycled paper, and I am looking into soya ink. In todays times, we need to be environmental with our business items,

I will research more, because I did find a green office supply place online, and I want to find out if they sell business card paper, that you can use yourself,

I will post links to the soya ink and other items I have located,

I am unsure of the thick, foil and glossy aspect of this?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dawn Gordon on April 24, 2009 at 8:34am: We use environmentally responsible soya-based inks for most print jobs.

Soya-based inks contain no volatile organic compounds and therefore;

Do not contribute to indoor air pollution.
Do not contribute to outdoor air pollution.
Do not contribute to global warming.
Papers printed with soya-based inks are easier to recycle.
Papers printed with soya-based inks are less expensive to recycle.
Soya-based inks produce brighter colours.

http://www.specialtyprintandcopy.com/Earth_Friendly_Inks.php

this is a place that does them, but I want to know where they buy their supplies; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dawn Gordon on April 24, 2009 at 8:36am: soya based inks produce brighter colors, I did not know that, how interesting...

I am trying to find the link I had found last year, where you can buy the ink cartridges, I am unsure if it requires a special printer, but it might be something to look into; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dawn Gordon on April 24, 2009 at 8:46am: http://www.thegreenoffice.com/

here it is!!!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dawn Gordon on April 24, 2009 at 8:54am: I have to disagree with creativity, honestly, I receive many business cards, and if someone got very creative with it, I would be more bound to look at it.

I am even considering adding something to the card, like a hole punch in the corner, and attaching like a paper charm of a newsletter to it (part of my business), something like this,

I had a business rolodex when I was a medical receptionist, you can still do these things, as long as it does not interfere with how it will placed inside the rolodex...

I am also going to add that it is environmental on it too, it is a great selling feature, and we should be doing this anyhow; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by N i c _ S o t o on May 2, 2009 at 4:52pm: ....good points, they may be small in size, but they can play a big part in representing your company. nice post!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by David Ogden on May 2, 2009 at 5:43pm: I make a point of using both sides of the card otherwise I know people often use the the back to write notes for themself and throw away the card when the item is completed.

David Ogden - Helping People Help Themselves; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by rick washington on May 3, 2009 at 10:35am: businessCards3days www.dcolorprint.com great article - posted by rick; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Trishonda on May 8, 2009 at 9:24pm: Hello!!!

Thanks for posting the forum!!!

You can make money by advertising and your site will be advertised in big ads in online magazines.

Here is the link!!!!

http://tinyurl.com/c6ftq3

Check it out!!!; ▶ Reply to This