There’s a rumor circulating that business cards are dead, made irrelevant by the dawn of the digital age. But it’s just a rumor. Business cards are still alive and well. In fact, distributing 2,000 cards can increase a company’s sales by up to 3%. That’s a pretty high ROI for one marketing tactic.
What has changed is business cards’ appearance. Today’s cards look nothing like their past ancestors. Instead of contact info on a piece of paper, they’re creative, cool, and quirky. They can be original shapes, functioning tools, or even tasty treats.
Now it’s time for you to create your own custom business card to dazzle your clients. This handy guide from Company Folders shows you how it’s done.
Step 1: Choose contact information
Cramming too much contact info in one place clutters your card and overwhelms readers. It’s best to use 1-3 contact methods that are most popular with your target audience.
Step 2: Include images
Since the human mind can recognize pictures faster than words, custom photos or graphics will make your card more memorable. Just be sure your images are relevant and professional.
Step 3: Select materials
The days of flimsy paper business cards are over (thank goodness). Today’s cards can be made of almost anything—like wood, metal, cloth, or even beef jerky. The paper cards that have survived are made of recycled materials or sturdy paper stock that won’t tear.
Step 4: Shape your card
Shaped cards can remind clients of your products. The trick is to find a relevant card: a cupcake might be a nice touch for a bakery, a laptop for a web developer, and so on.
Step 5: Select an imprint method
The imprint method helps set the tone for your business card—and your brand. Consider CMYK inks for detailed images. Or create texture with embossing, letterpress, or foil stamping to give your card a cool feel. (Just a heads up, your imprint methods may be limited by the materials you choose.)
Step 6: Choose color and typography
After selecting major features, you’re ready to think about details like type and color. Now is a good time to emphasize your existing brand color sand font. If you don’t have any, go wild and create something new!
Step 7: Lay out your design
If your business card is cluttered, it’ll get shoved in a junk drawer or garbage can. Declutter your design with plenty of white space and elements sized to create visual hierarchy.
Step 8: Finalize the format
A correctly formatted card will save you (and your printer) a lot of hassles. Be sure to include bleed areas, proofread for mistakes, and follow any guidelines the printer gives you.
Conclusion: It’s time to update your brand image with an amazing business card that will wow your clients. With these eight steps, you’re well on your way to designing the perfect custom business card.