Business cards are one of those traditional marketing pieces in which the design can easily be overlooked or go unconsidered. It can be tempting to just slap your logo on a card with your name and phone number in Microsoft Word and call it a day.
Some businesses opt for the approach of taking their project straight to the printer and skipping the designer altogether. While these approaches are an option if your time or budget is restricted, it’s usually not the most creative or innovative route for your business card design.
Business cards act as a leave-behind wherever you go and it’s important to make that statement count with a bold reminder about you and your brand. Don’t miss this opportunity to make your business shine. A dull business card is most likely going to end up in the trash or buried in a stack of other boring cards collected from the last networking event.
Whether you have a new business and need a custom business card developed or your existing cards need an update, here are some basic tips and tricks you can try for spicing up your next business card design to make them really stand out and stay away from the trash pile.
- Consider custom sizes or shapes. Gone are the days where your business card has to be a boring standard size and shape! Forgo the expected 2″ x 3.5″ horizontal size and opt for something a little more creative. You can try a square, mini card or even a custom shape that mimics a part of your brand or logo. Rounded corners and custom cutouts can also add a unique flair to your business cards.
- Consider special paper or materials. The paper stock of your business cards can make a world of difference for overall presentation. There are a ton of options out there when it comes to color, texture, thickness and finish of the paper you choose. Talk with your printer about your options and consider this just as important as the business card design itself. If you want to try something really out of the box you could even use a material besides paper like metal, plastic or wood if it fits with your brand’s personality.
- Consider special printing techniques. Using special printing techniques and inks can open up a whole new world of possibilities for your business card design. Think of special neon, pastel or metallic inks… What about embossing or debossing your logo with a shimmering gold foil? Or painting the edges of your card with your brand colors? While you can certainly go overboard, one sophisticated touch can go a long way and say a lot about your brand.
- Consider the format. Don’t restrict yourself to working with a 2-dimensional card. Think of other relevant mediums or objects to include your contact information on that might be useful to your customers. Some examples of things might be a book of matches, a pack of dental floss or an edible business card. Making your card into an interactive piece is a sure-fire way to get your customers talking and to leave a lasting impression.
- Start with inspiration. If you’re stumped on where to start with your business card design, it’s best to look for inspiration. I’ve rounded up some additional posts around the web to help you with getting your creative juices flowing.
Still need help with coming up with that perfect business card design? Talk to K Design Co. today!
