Even in the age of Twitter, LinkedIn, and other digital networking tools, the business card remains one of the most important tools for getting your information to your client. Business cards are a very direct way to express the passion, care, and consideration you have for your business.
Considering the role that business cards can play in promoting your business, it’s surprising how often we see designs in need of more than a few corrections. With that in mind, here are a few mistakes you will want to look out for when you prepare your cards for printing.
1. Text is way too tiny
Be kind to the person receiving your card and make it easy to read. Generally speaking you shouldn’t have any text smaller than 8pt on your business cards. You might be able to get away with 7 pt., but definitely nothing smaller. The smallest fonts are usually for one’s address with your name slightly larger, and a company name larger still.
2. Poor quality paper
Ugh, how we dislike seeing a business card, even one with a nice layout, on a cheap piece of paper. Business cards aren’t digital, they are a physical and tactile object. When you hand one to a customer the feel of a paper can say as much about your company as the graphic design. You take time deciding on fonts, colors, and the layout of a card. You should spend at least that much time when choosing a paper. Paper is an idea after all.
3. Information runs right to the edge of the card
As printers, we tend to take for granted the fact that a business card is a manufactured object and goes through a production process. There is no specialized printer that spits out business card size paper. It wouldn’t be cost-effective if there was. Your pocket-sized business cards start out as large sheet which is cut to fit a printer and then cut again to the finish size after printing. All this means that if you don’t design with this process in mind, your design might be left behind – literally. It is essential that you leave some space between your design and the edge of the card. This forms a safety zone around your design. This way even if something shifts slightly in the process of printing or cutting, it won’t tear into some important information. At a minimum, it is best to leave an eighth of an inch open around your business cards’ design. This is also a good rule of thumb for other stationery products you might have printed.
4. Clutter clutter everywhere
Yes, these are the days of ubiquitous communication. You’re on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Linked-In, you’ve got 3 phone numbers and a fax, two offices, and on and on. It’s all a little much, isn’t it? Seriously, we have seen cards come in that look more like government forms than a business card – filled with lines and lines of information. But as Santayana said, insanity is redoubling your efforts while losing sight of your goal. And your goal with a business card is to communicate your information to a customer in a simple and clear way. So avoid the clutter and keep your information trimmed to the essentials.
5. Full on the front, empty on the back
The back of the card is very often left untouched in a number of business card designs. What a shame. A whole field of opportunity to say or express more about your business and its mission. Consider adding a few more lines about your company, or perhaps it’s a good place for all those social media accounts. It is also perfect to use for including a coupon or discount on the services you offer.
Many people are much more likely to keep a business card around if they think it has direct value like a coupon. That means more opportunity to remember you and your company. Some of our customers also use the back of the card to make an artistic statement. They make variant designs of their logos as a unique and fun way to help their business stand out.
Of course if you need help putting together your business card and related stationery, we would be happy to help you. No matter if it is a simple card or a design masterpiece. If you have questions or want to discuss your options then feel free to stop by or give us a call.
