You get one chance to make a first impression. It is in the first 10 seconds of meeting you that a potential client forms an opinion about you and your business. With this in mind, you have to make sure that you present yourself and your brand appropriately at all times.
Luckily, there are a few marketing methods you can use to shape perceptions and build positive brand awareness. And it is the humble business card that is one of the most powerful tools in the marketing arsenal!
Take a look at these expert tips for designing your business card:
Size and Colour
Partner up with a professional printing company before you even begin the business card design process. Consult with them and decide on size, material, and content. Side note: the most common business card size is 84mm x 55mm.
When it comes to the design of your card, you need to remember that you are designing for print. This means that your graphic designer needs to work in CMYK colour mode as opposed to RGB. CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black/Key.
RGB, used in digital design, has a larger range of colours than CMYK. This means that it has the ability to produce colours that are more vibrant. It is these colours that are beyond CMYK range, thus trying to reproduce them will not work as the colours will be printed looking darker and duller. To accurately print your business card, you need to convert any RGB file to CMYK format.
The Bleed Area
The bleed are is not as intimidating and scary as it sounds. It is vital to prepare your bleed area when it comes to business card design. This process involves highlighting a specific area surrounding your business card, in the same colour as the background of your card.
This is usually 3mm thick (your printing company will advise on this). This stops any unsightly border strips from running or seeping into the edge of the cards.
Colours that Complement
Use colours that complement each other in your business card design. If you choose to go with a smorgasbord of bold, bright colours just to make your card stand out, you are probably going about things the wrong way.
You need to take your brand identity into account and make sure that your card colours represent who you are, and what you stand for as a business. Think beyond your business card design when it comes to this!
A big business card DON’T!
You need to keep your colour scheme consistent and streamlined throughout all your marketing platforms to ensure you portray yourself as a trusted, serious business. Don’t go for shock value, aim for longevity.
Readability
It is all well and good to get creative with your typography, but consider readability before you commit to a font that is hard to decipher. Your client will bin your business card if they have to strain their eyes to read your contact information.
Your font needs to be at least 8pt, anything smaller can become fuzzy and smudged when printed.
What Information Should Be On A Business Card
Your Business Card Should Include:
- Name
- Job Title
- Phone Number
- Work Address
- Social Media Profiles
- Website
- QR Code: By adding a QR code to your business card, you create an interactive way to lead clients to your online information.
Jetline: Branding and Printing Company South Africa
It is important to understand the significant role a professional business card designer and business card printing company plays. Every aspect of your business card needs to be taken into consideration. It is about combining a number of design elements such as colour and typography, to ensure maximum impact. A professional graphic designer is able to provide you with a design that sets you apart, successfully delivering your brand message.
Business cards are one of the most effective networking tools. This thumb to thumb interaction creates first impressions, and a vision of your business, while serving as a reminder and presenting your company in a clear, professional manner.
If you are interested in creating business cards for your company, look no further than Jetline. We understand what your cards need to reflect your business message and brand!
Contact the print, branding and design experts today and make a great first impression.
