A physical business card not only allows you to make a personal connection with a potential client, but it should also effectively convey your brand, essential information, and be memorable – if done correctly. Creating a business card design that accomplishes all of that is possible, and we can show you how.
Designing a business card is usually one of the first steps of starting a new business. It’s fun, exciting, and a seemingly easy task to accomplish. But once you get started, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with size options…stock options…what information should I include? Do I make it shiny? Maybe it needs to be scented? To cut through the noise of all your options, we’ve put together a list of 10 tips to consider when designing the perfect business card.
- Before you start designing, make sure you have a finished logo and brand colour scheme.
- Select the right visuals for the front of the card.
- Outline pertinent information on the back of the card.
- Create a stand-out design for your business/industry.
- Choose a shape that compliments the design.
- Make sure your typography is easy to read.
- Consider a card stock that adds an extra “oomph”.
- Go above and beyond with special finishes.
- Review your design with a critical eye.
- Feeling lost? Consult a design professional!
Feeling ready to design? Scroll down to get some design inspiration for each tip!
Top 10 Business Card Design Tips
Tip #1: Make Sure You Have a Finished Logo and Brand Colour Scheme
This could be a whole topic unto itself! (actually it is! Check our posts about designing a logo to fit your brand and what you need to know when picking a brand colour scheme).
Logos and colour schemes are two crucial elements when it comes to visual choices for branding. Not only will they marry all of your business visuals together, but they will also play a major role in the overall business card design.
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Tip #2: Select The Right Visuals For The Front of The Card
Once you have your logo and brand colours nailed down, it’s time to choose what you want to put on the front of your card.
The front of your card is the visual grab of your business. It should be eye-catching, interesting, and even spark conversation. This is the place to play with the design and make it really fit with your personality and industry. Are you a painter? Maybe have the front look like a paint swatch! Feel free to have a bit of fun with the front of your card.
A good starting point when designing the front of your business card is to include 3 elements:
- Your Logo
- Your Company Name
- Your Tagline
Check out these great examples for impressively designed business card fronts.
Tip #3: Outline Pertinent Information on the Back of the Card
The next step is to decide what information to include on the back of the card. What information to include will vary business to business but some common options are:
- Name – obviously. People need to know who to contact!
- Company Name – if you didn’t include this one the front, make sure it’s on the back.
- Job Title – a reminder of who you are so people remember what role you have in the business.
- Email – this is the new norm for business communication so make sure it’s on there.
- Website URL – allows people to explore your business easily.
- Social Media – if this is relevant to your business include social media links.
- Address – if you have a storefront location.
- Slogan – if you have a business slogan it can be added to the front or the back of the card.
Business cards are about communicating information so be sure to include the most important information relevant to your business.
Tip #4: Create a Stand-Out Design for Your Business or Industry
Your business card instantly translates what you do to your customers. Why not utilize the design to help show them what your business is and how you can help
Tip #5: Choose a Shape That Compliments the Design
If you’ve decided to stick with the traditional shape of a business card, that’s great! But, as die-cutting technologies advance, the door to creating custom business card shapes has opened. From a simple rounded edge to complete custom shapes, you can really take your business card to the next level by playing with custom shape options.
Tip #6: Make Sure Your Typography is Easy to Read
Getting creative = great. Getting too creative that you cannot read or understand what you are trying to communicate = bad. Finding the balance between creative expression and effective communication can be a challenge. Make sure that first-and-foremost, your business card successfully conveys all information in an easy to read fashion. A beautifully visual card is no good if your customer cannot read or find the information they need!
When deciding on typography it’s important to keep in mind these 3 things:
- Font – choose one that is easy to read and compliments your brand
- Size – all font should be at least 8 pt, but important items like your company name can be larger so they stand out.
- Colour – make sure you choose a colour that fits your brand colour scheme but is also legible.
Tip #7: Consider a Cardstock That Adds An Extra “Oomph”
The look of your business card is the main factor, but something to keep in mind the feel of your card. When someone handles your card, do you want it to stand out from the stack? Choose a stock that feels as good as your card looks with options like premium coating, compostable paper, or even metal!
Tip #8: Go Above and Beyond With A Special Finish
They say “details matter”. When it comes to business card details, once again you are faced with numerous options. Whether you want to add an interactive element to your cards or amp up the luxe factor with embossing or foil, adding a special finish to your cards can ensure your business card will not be easily forgotten.
Some popular finish options include:
- Embossing – This technique creates three-dimensional reliefs, making certain areas “pop out.” You can use it to draw attention to specific aspects of your card like your logo.
- Letterpress – Rather than raising the letters, letter pressing pushes the paper down while inking it, like an engravement.
- Foil Stamping – This adds a shiny, reflective quality to a certain element on your card.
- Spot UV Coating – This effect applies a gloss on only your logo, specific graphics, or even a word or phrase.
Tip #9: Review Your Design With A Critical Eye
With all of the elements in place, it’s time to review your business card design with a critical eye.
What is the visual flow of the card? Where does your eye go first? Does the card have all of the information you would want a customer to have? Reviewing the card design with the eye of a critic might help bring out some important changes you would like to make before finalizing the design.
Tip #10: Feeling Lost? Consult a Design Professional
Ready to start designing your business card but feeling lost? That’s ok! Our team of designers is ready to help create the perfect card for your business. Reach out to us today to get started!
Your card is more than just your contact information—it’s a representation of you and your brand. Some people are handed cards every day, so you need yours to both standout- in the best way! Don’t cut corners with designing your business card. Spend ample time coming up with the perfect design (or work with one of our designers) to turn your vision into a reality.
