Even in today's highly connected digital world, nothing can quite match the effectiveness of in-person networking. Trading business cards can be a great way to start those in person connections.
Business cards are still an important tool for representing your brand and making a strong first impression. They provide a convenient way to share contact details at a glance and can serve as a continuous reminder of your business.
Here are the key elements you should consider including on your business card.
What to Include on Your Business Card
- Name: Your full name
- Job Title or Position: Your title or position within the business
- Contact Information: Physical address, email address, phone number, website, and social media accounts.
- Company Name and Logo: Including your logo aids in brand recognition.
- Services: Consider including your key services on your business card, while also maintaining a clean and uncluttered design.
- QR Code: QR codes can be a helpful way to provide more comprehensive information that would not otherwise fit on the card.
Providing personal contact details is not the only purpose that business cards can serve. Some small businesses use business cards to encourage sales, for example, by including a space for loyalty stamps on the other side of the card (this is a popular option for cafes).
Your business card could also serve as a discount voucher. If, for example, you are in the retail sector, including a 15% discount on the back of the card is a great way to promote your business and get feet through the door.
Business Card Design Basics
The design of your business card is where you can highlight your brand in a distinctive and memorable way.
If you’re creative, you’ll probably want to opt for a business card design that is expressive and eye-catching, and perhaps quite colorful.
If, on the other hand, your business falls within a sector that is more traditional, you may want to opt for a more minimalist aesthetic.
Shape & Size
A standard business card is 3.5 inches by 2 inches and laid out horizontally. This is the safe choice that most people are familiar with. For this size, an image resolution of at least 1050 pixels by 600 pixels is optimal for printing quality.
If you want to stand out more, consider using a square shape, rounded corners, or vertical design.
Regardless of the size and shape that is best for your brand, it is important to consider these three factors:
- Bleed Area: the outermost area that will be trimmed off when cut.
- Safety Line:content outside of this line is at risk of being cutoff
- Image Resolution:using a proper image resolution makes your logo and text crisp.
Font Selection & Size
A strong font can be the difference between a good business card and a great one. Sans-serif is an easy-to-read font that is good starting point.
If you want to go beyond “good” though, you can try out the look of a few different fonts. Consider asking for feedback from friends or colleagues, as it can be a great way to get different perspectives.
Depending on your industry, you may want to try a more modern, elegant, or classic font.
Be careful not to make your fonts too small – for readability, we recommend all your text be at least 8 pts. Your most essential elements like your name can be larger or even bolded to help stand out.
Final Touches - Finish, Texture, Thickness
Finally, choosing the right finish, texture, and paper thickness can give your business card the perfect final addition.
Finish
Most business cards are printed on matte or gloss paper. Your choice depends on the aesthetic you want to achieve and the practicality of the card.
- Matte finishhas a smooth, uncoated feel making it easy to write on and do not show fingerprints.
- Gloss finishhas a shiny, reflective coating that catches the light and enhances color vibrancy.
Special Touches
Adding raised print to your business card can give it an elegant feel. Raised print used for a particular text on your card (such as your business name) can also help it really stand out.
Choosing a magnetic business card can help your business stay top of mind and can be easily displayed on the fridge.
Paper Thickness
Business cards are typically printed on 12pt, 14pt, or 16pt weight. Ultra thick 32pt, 34pt, and 80lb paper is also available.
Opting for a thicker paper may increase the cost of your business cards, but it can offer benefits such as enhanced durability and reduced chances of misplacement.
Getting Your Business Cards Printed
A striking, memorable business card that stands out from the rest could be the perfect way to seal the deal with a new client relationship.
At Office Depot OfficeMax, we offer business card printing the same day if requested for basic orders if placed before 2pm. For more complex orders, we can have your cards ready in 3-7 days.
We can ship your business cards to you, or they can be picked up at your nearest Office Depot or OfficeMax store.
