Thursday, October 1, 2009

Business Card Design: Fact or Fiction



Business card design is one of the most overlooked marketing technique in modern advertising. Oftentimes, designers simply slap contact information and a symbol on a business card or, even worse, cram it with so many images and colors that the design becomes gaudy and overshadows the card's intent, which is to convince prospective clients of one's knowledge and professionalism and encourage them to initiate contact.

Facts about business card design

Here is an overview of business card design fact and fiction. A great business design will most definitely produce the results you are looking for and this success can be achieved by following these basic guidelines.

Fiction
To get more sales uses more graphics.


Fact
The use of graphics can turn a business card design from a good to a great one, but graphics should be restricted to an emblem and a photo. Any graphic besides an emblem and a picture will serve only to encumber the card and overshadow the crucial information intended for the potential customers. The use of white space is very vital to making the most important elements stand out.

Fiction
The more information you can fit on the card, the improved chance you have of getting a response.


Fact
A business card should give clients painless access to information. Do not include promotions, sales, etc.., because the card might be carried in a wallet or filled away in a Rolodex for weeks, months or even years before a buyer initiates contact regarding your service. If you make this mistake, you may have to honor a promotion even though it might be discontinued. A well-designed business card contains these elements:
* The card-issuer's name
* The card-issuer's title
* The name of the company or organization
* Address
* Phone number(s)
* E-mail address
* Website URL
* Tagline
* A brief list of products and/or services
* Logo
* Optionally, a business card can include a photograph or company hours

The card should be easily readable; you should use font like Arial and Times New Roman.

Fiction
All business cards should look identical.

Fact
You can have different business cards depending on whether you are dealing a person, a company or an industry. You can always single out a well-designed business card from a crowd. The key to making a business card stick out is by using a rare blend of colors and design elements. A simple line under a specific section can go a long way in having a notable business card. Products, storefronts and even real estate can be used as design elements. If your business works on a schedule (i.e a radio station), you can add extra information on the back of the card to set the business card design apart. You can include product-offering list and extra, if your business card design is a folded card.
Business cards can be designed both horizontally and vertically; thus you can be as creative as possible in a 3.5-inch by 2-inch space.


Fiction
I can use any paper, I want.


Fact
Your prospective clients' opinion of your business card is cheapened by using flimsy paper, perforated edges and paper company brand names. Well-designed business cards are always made from professional papers. 13-point matte paper or 14-point gloss paper is what the professional use and you should too.


Fiction
I can print the business cards myself.


Fact
You will be doing yourself a disservice, if you decide to print your business cards on home printers, like inkjet, deskjet, and copiers; they just don't have the quality of professional printing ink. Just like paper, the quality of your business card ink denotes the quality of your service, and the two work hand-in-hand to make your clients take you seriously and boost your return on investment. Professional ink is bright and full, fade-resistant and works with the rest of your business card design to leave a lasting and professional impression on prospective customers.