How to Design the Best Business Card

•HOW TO DESIGN THE BEST• BUSINESS CARD You've probably been handed hundreds of business cards-but we bet you've only kept a select few. What saved those specific cards from the bin? Perhaps you were interested in the person giving you the card, or the product or service they provided. But most likely, the actual card did the trick. A well-designed business card can boost your business all on its own. Here are the secrets to designing a memorable business card. 1• CONCEPT Your business card should directly communicate the nature of your business. Think of it as an extension of your company's marketing. Including your logo and similar elements from your website gives your business card cohesiveness. Also, don't forget to utilize both sides of your card. 2• CONTENT If you're handing out a business card, your name, title, company, and contact information should be clearly displayed. Company Compans Smith CEO of Fancy Carde Co. [email protected] www.fancycards.com 555-555-555 3· FONT The typography you choose sets the tone and overall feel for not only your card, but also your business. It's best to choose a font with optimal readability. Five designer favorites: 4• COLOR Stick to CMYK (Cyan Magenta Yellow Black) when designing. This will ensure the end result will look precisely as you had anticipated. SWISS BODONI ADELLE FUTURA Company HELVETICA If you choose the RGB (Red Green Blue) color profile the colors will not transfer exactly into the final print. J. Smith • CEO of Fancy Cards Co. 555 - 555 - 555 ON AVERAGE, Company PROSPECTS WILL KEEP A COLOR CARD 10 TIMES LONGER THAN A STANDARD CARD. J. Smith CEO of Fancy Cards Co. 555 - 555 - 555 Bleeding ensures your design won't be affected if there is a slight inconsistency or movement while printing. BLEED Company J. Smith CEO of Fancy Cards Co. 585-585-5555 Typically three finishes are available: smooth, linen, and laid. Smooth finish is the most popular. FINISH To create a bigger impact, invert your text. White on black (or on any dark color for that matter) makes your design stand out more. INVERT nice AWESOME Now that so many different materials are available. You can use this to your advantage. For example, if you're a DJ, a vinyl card is clever. But don't get carried away. Just stick to paper that is appealing to the touch. MATERIAL DJ SLICE 555-5555 PRESENT YOUR CARD PROPERLY DON'T HIDE YOUR CARD IN YOUR PALM DO POLITELY HAND SOMEONE YOUR CARD. AND SHAKE HANDS. O00 రి DO KEEP YOUR CARD IN YOUR WALLET OR DON'T SLIDE YOUR CARD CARD HOLDER TO AVOID WRINKLING THE EDGES. BETWEEN YOUR FINGERS INTERNATIONAL ETIQUETTE JAPAN • CHINA Receive the card with both hands; bow and express gratitude to the person giving you their card. Do not immediately put the card away; instead, take time to glance it over. Never place the business card in your pocket-that's considered rude. Hand your card over to the person you are meeting, with the contact information facing up. Receive their card with both hands and bow. INDIA E SPAIN & TURKEY Present and receive cards with your right hand. Present your business card to the receptionist when you arrive. SOURCES: webs PRINTERINTERNATIONAL.ORG, PRDAILY.COM, APPLIED-DESIGNS.COM, BUSINESSCARDSABC.COM, BROCHUREMONSTER.COM