5 Effective Tips for Designing a Business Card

Around 88% of business cards given out end up as trash in less than a week. Some might see that as a negative, but they aren’t seeing the 12% value.

For every paid social media ad and content people see, a huge percentage will ignore it. That 12% of people who are keeping your business card have a genuine interest in your company and will likely follow up.

That’s one of the main benefits of business cards. So, when designing a business card, you need to make sure it’s one people want to keep. 

These tips will help you figure out how to design a business card and give you some great business card ideas.

1. Use Basic Design Principles

Some people get so wrapped up in creating the best business card ever that is also unique and different. They forget the fundamentals.

No matter what business card design you are using, don’t forget to keep in mind:

• High-quality photos (at least 300dpi)
• 3-5mm trim/bleed edge
• Brand fonts and colors

Always check with your printer what their exact bleed measurement is. You don’t want any important information sliced off the edge of your card!

2. Less Is More

Many want to pack as much information onto their business card as possible, but this is unnecessary. Your business card should be a gateway that leads potential customers and clients to find out more about your business elsewhere.

They don’t need to learn it all from the card.

Your business’s name and website are often all you need. Depending on the purpose of the card, you could also include your name, position, email, phone number, and social media handles. But only use information relevant to you.

Many people love blank space on a business card so they can write down tidbits.

3. Don’t Reinvent the Wheel

There have been many business card design trends over the years. One was to create a business card in another shape, like a square or circle. 

This might help your business stand out, but for all the wrong reasons. If people cannot fit your business card in their wallet or holder, it’s going in the trash.

So, when designing a business card, keep it 3.5″x 2″. 

4. Get Creative

But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get creative!

Gardeners often have business cards that double up as a packet of seeds. Music teachers sometimes have musical notes on the back of theirs while salon owners have comb teeth and chefs have cheese graters.

Only choose ideas relevant to your business and cost-effective to produce.

5. Incorporate Texture

Business cards that consist of 100% card material are so 2005. Nowadays, all business cards should be sustainable or offer a little extra.

Printers like New Era Print Solutions and Jukebox Print offer foil-stamping, die-cutting, embossing, and a range of coatings. 

This is a good alternative to producing business cards in a funky shape. It will feel different in your customer or client’s hand and memorable for all the right reasons.

Designing a Business Card Takes a Lot of Thought

You might think designing a business card is a last-minute, end-of-the-day task. But the more thought you put into the design, the more you’ll get out of it.

Make your business card one that your customers and clients feel compelled to keep because they need to know more.

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