How to Design a Business Card: Tips for Making Successful First Impressions

Designing a business card can be a challenge if you don’t know where to start. While we make it easy to create custom business cards using our effortless Build-It software, there are still some important considerations to keep in mind. Whether you’re crafting this important marketing tool from scratch, or using pre-designed elements, this post covers everything you need to know to complete a successful design.

Why Are Business Cards Important?

To run a successful business, potential customers need to know how to contact you. While prospects commonly search websites and social media to discover more information about products and services offered, business cards continue to be an important tool when it comes to marketing.
 
Here are some of the reasons why always having business cards on hand is an important part of your marketing strategy:

• They ensure that prospective clients remember you and know exactly how to get in touch.
• A business card makes that initial introduction for you, while also providing additional tools to find out more information.
• They explain who you are and what products or services you offer.
• Business cards are an easy way to help you stay at the front of clients’ minds. This is especially true when you add a magnet onto your cards for magnetic marketing.

What Details Should Be on a Business Card?

Business cards are a simple, yet effective way to gain brand exposure and share your contact information. Not only are they easy to distribute, they’re also something of a necessity. But what information should you include when designing these cards?
 
You should always include your branding and contact information on the cards you create. However, don’t be afraid to add a fun graphic or image to make your cards eye-catching.
 
Here are the details you should definitely incorporate when planning your business card design:
 

• Business logo
• Company name
• Tagline or slogan
• Your Name
• Job Title
• Website link
• Contact details, such as your phone number, address, or email
• While optional, many companies also now include a QR code

What Should You Not Put on a Business Card?

While we know what information we need to include on business cards, there are a few things that you should also take care to omit. These include:
 

• Outdated information
• Misspelled words or poor grammar
• Illegible or small print
• An overload of visual clutter
• Poor quality card stock
• Clashing color combos or bad clipart
• Lack of branding
• Unbalanced design elements
• Inappropriate imagery
• Not representing the value of your services
• Details outside of the cut line, bleed, and safe area

Things to Consider When You Design a Business Card

There are several things to take into account when you design a business card. Here are some key points to consider when designing cards that represent your business:
 

• Typography and wording
• How the design reflects on your professional image
• Overall color scheme
• How easy is it to read? You should consider font type, size, and colors carefully to improve legibility.
• Shape and size of the cards
• Texture or finish

Tips for Creating a Business Card Design

Once you’ve determined the fonts, colors and other key elements that best represent your branding, here are some additional tips to help you design a successful business card:

• Us the logo as the focus element. Your logo should stand out or be the largest component of the layout.
• Keep the design as simple as possible. Including too much information will leave the space on your cards feeling cluttered. When this happens, your information gets lost in the jumble.
• Don’t forget to include all ESSENTIAL information related to your business or service.
• Choose a typeface that’s easy to read. Also keep in mind that smaller fonts can be challenging for some clients to make out.
• Unless your logo or image is full color, stick to one or two major colors for your design.
• Use basic design principles. This means making sure images are 300 DPI for quality reproduction. Keep copy 5mm from the trim edge. Use typography that’s large enough to be legible (for those of us with bifocals. 😉) Design your business cards in CMYK.
• Consider special finishes as part of your design element. (Our PLUSH™ paper finish, for example, is velvety smooth and makes a huge impression on customers.)
• Make your business cards useful by adding a magnetic back to the design or choosing a magnetic business card.
• Only list professional social media accounts on your cards.
• Always use new stock to produce your cards to present a professional image. (No one wants a dirty, smudge or wrinkled card.)
• Reinforce your brand by using your logo within the design as well as the same colors you use throughout your branding.

Ways to Upgrade Your Business Cards

In order to really stand out from the crowd and remain competitive, there are several business card upgrades you can make. Here are the options we offer when you design your cards using our service.

Magnetic Business Cards

It’s not uncommon for traditional business cards to get lost in the bottom of a purse. Or find that you accidentally tossed someone’s contact info when you cleaned out your wallet last year. This is where magnetic business cards make a difference.
 
Most of use magnets on a regular basis. Whether it’s to hang a photo of a grandchild or to display your son’s artwork. By turning your business cards into magnets, you offer a functional tool that not only increases exposure, but also ensures your contact information is always handy.
 
If you already have business cards on hand, you can easily upgrade them with a magnet by purchasing adhesive magnets. These magnets are the same size and shape of standard cards. Simply remove the backing and apply your business card to the adhesive.

Plastic Business Cards

Using plastic, rather than paper, to create your cards is another great design option. Our plastic business cards are durable, tear-proof and waterproof.
 
Personalize this upgrade with your custom design and contact information to make a bold statement. Then use the writable surface on the reverse side to make notes, relay a custom message, or include a one-time coupon code offer.

Plush™ Paper Finish

Have you ever touched something so soft and divine that you actually found it comforting? This is exactly how I feel about our Plush™ paper finish! This unique paper finish is like that first taste of ice cream on a hot summer day. It’s smooth and velvety. But, more importantly, it’s also addictive and fun!
 
If texture is an important part of your business card design, then this finish should top your list. Our Plush™ business cards feel soft, like suede, and are as luxurious as satin. So, they make a bold statement for a solid and polished first impression.

Get Creative with Shapes

Just because business cards are traditionally a rectangle doesn’t mean you can’t deviate from the norm. For real estate agents and other industries related to home and housing, we offer house-shaped business cards. Or try one of our attractive fancy, wave, tooth-shaped, or square-shaped cards. You can even print your information vertically rather than horizontally on our traditionally shaped card designs. Or opt for sleek round corners.
 
Be sure to check out our website to view the full range of shapes and designs we have to offer.

Take Advantage of Both Sides

Trying to shove as much information as possible onto your business cards can lead to a poor design. Too much information in a small space can feel cluttered. Where do you focus? What’s important?
 
If you need more room to get your message across, then take advantage of the space on BOTH sides of the card with our double-sided business cards. We love using one side for just a photo, QR code or logo. While the opposite side contains pertinent information customers need to get in touch.

Use Other Products

The thing about business cards is that they don’t necessarily have to be plain, card stock products that fit inside your wallet. To fill your need to reach customers in new and exciting ways, we created two spin-off bookmark products – MagMarks™ and BusinessMarks™.
 
These products serve the same purpose as business cards; however, they are also dual use. As they serve a purpose for the customer, they have greater impact than traditional options.
 
MagMarks™ are a two-in-one writable magnetic bookmark and business card. This keepsake bookmark makes a useful gift that clients love. They feature fun designs on the outside, and your business message or information on the inside.
 
Our BusinessMarks™ are an alternative option to our magnetic bookmarks. These don’t have a magnet, but rather are more like traditional bookmarks. The front of these marketing tools display fun graphics, a message, a quote or your real estate logo. Whereas the back contains the same information you’d include on a traditional business card.
 
Both of these quality marketing materials are also sold in a jumbo size for greater impact.

Add Tools to Build Referrals

If your business relies on referrals, then consider adding referral builder envelopes to your purchase. They make it easy for friends and past clients to tell others about your business. By keeping your cards together and clean, your business shines. In addition, using envelopes for your business cards adds a level of class to your referral marketing.

How to Distribute Business Cards

Once you design and print your business cards, you’ll need to distribute them to customers and prospects. Here are some easy ways to get your information into the hands of clients:

• Hand out multiples so recipients can share the extra cards with friends, family, and coworkers.
• Consider an upgrade, such as our business card magnets, to increase function and visibility and encourage sharing.
• Send out cards with all your direct mail marketing.
• Keep them on hand at all times so you never miss an opportunity.

 
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