I want you to think about the coolest business card that you’ve ever received – what about it made you remember it? Was it a crazy, funky color? Maybe it had an interesting die cut? Or perhaps it was made out of a non-conventional material? Whatever it was, it made an impression on you – and you know what that means – it worked…it accomplished the job that it set out to do. You either remembered the name of the company or the name of the person who gave it to you. When you are designing your business card, think about its purpose…if it’s something that you hand out to everyone you meet so they can merely reference your phone number or email, then going with an over-the-top design might not be the most cost-effective option for you. But if you want to use your card as not only a contact piece, but an informational marketing piece, then maybe you can be a little more creative with it. Let’s look at the world of endless possibilities that you have with your business card design:
Color: Color can have an astonishingly powerful effect on the mind. If you’ve chosen a color scheme for your company, then it’s best to use the chosen colors on everything associated with it. The colors on your business card should complement that of your logo. For example, our colors here at inConcert are red, black and white, so our business cards feature a white background with black and red text on one side and a red background with white text on the other side. Even plain black and white can make a lasting impression if your design is effective.
Stock: The majority of the time, if you are doing a basic, down and dirty business card, you’ll be going with the standard 14 pt. white stock. It’s thick, it’s durable, and white accommodates any color imprint. However, if you’re looking for something a little different, consider the following:
- Linen
- Laid
- Neon
- Vellum
- Fiber
- Recycled
Printing Method: Most people don’t think twice about HOW their card is going to be printed, but it might be a contributing factor to what you’re looking for. Here are a few methods to consider:
- Offset Printing
- Digital Printing
- Flat
- Thermography (Raised Printing)
Fancy Embellishments: Of course your business card will stand out if it has something extra that you don’t see on your standard card. Here are some options that might really make your business card the life of the rolodex:
- Foil Stamping
- Embossing
- Spot UV Coating
Die Cuts: Business cards that are cut to resemble a particular shape are always fun to see. However, I’d like to caution you about doing this – if your business card’s final size does not fit within the standard 3.5” x 2” slot of a business card holder, it may easily be tossed due to the inconvenience of finding a spot to put it. Here are some popular die cut options
- Rounded or Beveled Corners
- Ovals
- Diamonds
- Really, any shape imaginable!
Unconventional Materials: One great way to make your card stand out without getting too funky is by using a different type of material. It’s something that is tangible, so the moment you hand the business card over, the receiver automatically detects something that stands out from the rest. Here are some great materials to consider using:
- 20 pt. Plastic
- Clear or Frosted Plastic
- Metal
- Wood
If you have questions about any of these options, please drop us a line here at the office or check out some of our other blog articles! We’d be happy to talk to you about business cards and guide you through the entire process.