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 Karen MacNab on January 13, 2009 at 12:47pm: I've also heard that it is important to have your picture on your card as well. Especially if you are passing them out and won't see the person. They have a visual there of you as well along with your logo and what you do. Agreed, make it readable and not too much information - just the necessities and something pleasing to the eye. Of course you should have a professional looking picture of yourself as well. After all, we are professionals!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by R Peter Kristiawan B R on January 13, 2009 at 12:47pm: cool... i like the idea.....just make it simple, direct informative, nice logo , thick card... so thank you for the idea sir....; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lisa Roberts on January 13, 2009 at 12:48pm: Thank for the tips, I will surely be using them.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Roger L Crain on January 13, 2009 at 12:50pm: I agree with you 100%: The length of time you spend on your business cards and the overall quality of the card does make a different in the initial impression you make on your customers. Thanks for the advice!

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Permalink Reply by Sherry Pope on January 13, 2009 at 12:57pm: I have a home business and hand out a lot of business cards. I have several designs representing safer products and then several designs for the home business aspect. I use Vista Prints so therefore I can afford having many different styles of cards. Sometimes I design them myself and sometimes I call on my webdesigner KC at Website Solutions by Connecting Rainbows to create a design or logo. Using a catchy phrase is one idea I definitely use like "Is Your Home Toxic?" This is a prhase that has many people checking out my site. Business cards are an inexpensive advertising tool that I love to use.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by MIKE NICHOLLS on January 13, 2009 at 1:01pm: most imprtantly,make sure what you are advertiseing on your cards, you can deliver; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Shawnasie Shear on January 13, 2009 at 1:04pm: Great tip! Especially for those new to designing their own cards or new to having cards in general.

A dream is just a dream UNLESS you pursue it!

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Permalink Reply by Violet J Strike on January 13, 2009 at 1:04pm: Thank you for your affirming words! I love that highest of quality no matter what I do!
Blessings,
Violet Strike; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Thomas Larrow on January 13, 2009 at 1:14pm: Makes sense. Thank you for the tip.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dr. Stephen Jones on January 13, 2009 at 1:26pm

Thanks for the wonderful points about having an effective busness card. The business card is a great way to expand relationships and networks. I have used them to increase my education business which teaches students how to study..

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Permalink Reply by Janine Libbey on January 13, 2009 at 1:36pm: The back of Mark Goldrich's card must look great! I think the most important thing you can do to have a professional, memorable business card is hiring a professional to design your logo.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Andrea Herran on January 13, 2009 at 1:46pm: All the tips in the article and by the posters are great. One thing I would like to add is if you use a glossy business card be sure one side is matte so people can write on it. My card is glossy on both sides and I have had people say that it was a shame they couldn't make a note on it - this is especially true at networking events. I don't think it has hurt me but when I reprint them, I will make this change.; ▶ Reply to This