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 DJ Nelson on January 14, 2009 at 12:16pm: I spend a lot of time each year on my business card however I rarely give them out. I'm not stingy, I guess I'm just reserved unless I am clearly having a business related conversation.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Allen on January 14, 2009 at 12:17pm: Very nice ideas!

My first cards were a rubberstamp bear on a nice card stock with my name and a description of what I was making, selling (ie. what type of leather was used, what type of beads, etc.) All this was hand written for each card! Obviously, I didn't make too many...lol, but they were really nice looking.

doesn't Vistaprint usually have good offers on quantities? But they don't help with design, do they?

sheesh, I feel so behind - not even sure of a business yet, and now I'm thinking about business cards?

Morning Everybody,
Elizabeth; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chiffon on January 14, 2009 at 12:40pm: Great article. I must get new cards and give them value this time.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Stephanie Slade on January 14, 2009 at 12:45pm: Good ideas. I have designed many logos and business cards. It is a very important business tool even today!! I have had digital cards that zap into various devices from my cell phone or ipod instantly with the infa red and while pretty cool technology, requires my potential clients to have an electronic infra red reader on their cell phone too. So...get the logo, get the card...and if you have a tight budget use www.vistaprint.com. I have found they will do wonderful custom cards and you can upload your design online to them easily. They will send you back your cards fully printed back and front and the cost is a fraction of Kinko's or other printers.

Best wishes for connecting all the dots in your network and strengthening your business in 2009!!

Steph from Slade Digital
www.youtube.com/stefslade Broadcast Design and Education Work
www.youtube.com/cindy409 Music Videos/Webisodes/Dramatic Productions
www.redbubble.com/people/stefslade artwork and poetry
www.myspace.com/digi21century social network of flim/music collaborators; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Michael Teske on January 14, 2009 at 12:57pm: Thanks, great summarization. It may vary according to your type of business, but for me, the real value of the business card is to collect contact information from those whom I meet.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kim Reyes on January 14, 2009 at 1:01pm: I agree wholeheartedly! I have a tip guide on the back of my card and when I give my card to people I point it out. You cannot believe how many people put it in their wallet not their roledex and use it.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Arthur L. Edwards jr. on January 14, 2009 at 1:06pm: Yes, I totally agree that the business card is your business at a glance. My cards are nice to the touch and pleasant to the eye with a catchie phase to make you want to know more. Good job letting other business owners know about this small but important fact about business; especially for the small business owner.
Arthur L. Edwards Jr.
Owner
Art's Gifts
http://artsgifts.fscstore.com; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Justina on January 14, 2009 at 1:18pm: Practical, honest and right to the point is your write-up on the importance of creating your business card. There is no doubt that the use of your business card plays an important part to the equation in your results. I have seen many business cards in my lifetime as I am certain you and everyone else has. . . some left me saying to myself 'you have to be kidding' and others 'wow this guys has his act'.

Good job in your advise as to the 'touch' of the card. It does give you an immediate reaction.
Your recommendation of giving your business card additional value by making useable backing is really a very good one. It's surprisingly is how many more people retain your card in doing so. Several years ago I found myself doing exactly that . . . . keeping a business card in my card holder. One had a calendar on the back the other had a tipping chart. The tipping chart one I have found to use the most and have personally use this concept for my cards. There is no doubt that in doing so you give your card value and it decreases the chance that it will disappear into the trash.

Good job on the importance of the 'touch'. It certainly does form an immediate reaction.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Pam Jones on January 14, 2009 at 1:55pm: My business card represents my business so I have a professionally designed logo and a color scheme that is pleasing and represents me well.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Coach Cris on January 14, 2009 at 4:28pm: Hey Great post

By the way what do you think about Dollar Card Marketing?

This is a sample of what I've been using http://starturl.com/dollarcardmarketing

With great results!

Cheers
http://twitter.com/icashway; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marlo T. on January 14, 2009 at 6:19pm: Great tips! Thanks for sharing!

However, how can the in-house person be assured they're not using a logo that isn't already copyrighted? I've read that sometimes that type of legal problem can occur. Do you think that maybe it's best to hire a logo designer? Do you or anyone else have any thoughts on this?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by We Empower U on January 14, 2009 at 7:01pm: CardCaddie,

If anyone should know about cards and quality, you are definitely the one to ask. I have seen your designs, Fabulous. I have to agree about the quality, and 'not to out there' in shape and colors! The first time I made cards it was a 'lets not talk about that experience.' I learned 'no wacked out colors or shapes!' Definitely invest in the glossy/foil ,and of good card stock. I have some of my 'starter' old cheap cards and cringe when I look at them, they look tacky, to say the least! One thing I can add watch your wording, make it short, sweet and to the main point(s). Cramming to much 'advertising' is distracting and confusing, and can make it hard to read!

Thanks for the reminding it is 'Quality over Quantity' when you want to build a lasting and successful business!

Love, Peace, and Prosperity to All

Tami; ▶ Reply to This