In spite of going digital with all sorts of transactions, the exchange of business cards is still a face-to-face interaction. Some feel a card creates a lasting impression, long after the initial meeting.
What would you include on your business card had you been famous? Which design would you choose? Or which colours would you use? These are important questions that need to be answered before finalizing the printing of a business card.
- Colour: CMYK colour mode is the preferred choice for printers. RGB colour mode is what you see on your monitor and not a true representation of actual colour. Always use complementary colours for a more consistent look and feel.
- Information: Your contact information and brand elements should be well organised in that small space. The company name should clearly visible to create a recall in the minds of people. The other content must be very succinct and should speak for itself. Eg: An early version of Mark Zuckerberg’s card read: “I’m CEO, Bitch!”
- Overall Design: When designing the card, many factors should be taken into consideration
- Shape: These days a large variety of shapes are available for business cards like square, circle, leaf, oval, vertical, or slim. Choosing the right one according to the profession/ business is important. Eg: Houdini had a triangular card.
- Size: The standard size of a regular business card is 85mm x 55mm. This is the size that fits in most wallets and card holders, and therefore easier to keep/store.
- Paper: The kind of paper stock to be used for printing would depend upon the desired weight, finish, and impact. How sturdy does the paper need to be, what colour and finish are you looking for? Matt, glossy or uncoated? Each of these choices make a different impression.
- Font: The correct combination of size, style, and colour is to be chosen to avoid the card from being overcrowded or confusing.
- Bleed Area: This is the portion that will get trimmed off during the final cutting of the card. If you’re looking for your image to extend to the edge of the card, then you’ll need to provide a full bleed.
- Technical points: Make sure that all the text is embedded or outlined correctly. Remove colour schemes or guidelines that have been used. The best way to save a design is as a vector-based PDF. This will retain crisp lines and high print quality. But most printers will accept several file formats.
- Professional Printing: This is your best best for optimal results. From high-quality printing, to finishing, to cutting, the professional shop will deliver top-notch cards.
- Innovate: Within the common constraints of business cards, innovation stands out. Die-cut cards could work well for a specific industry; for example a bone-shaped card for a pet store. Different materials are also offered at various shops. Eg: Steve Wozniack used a metal card.
These are some of the commonly used techniques for making a business card stand out, if you’re a celebrity.