Make a Business Card

Business cards are a great way to network and to keep in touch with work contacts. It's a good thing to have when you're out mingling and talking about work with like-minded people. You don't have to spend a lot of money or contact an expensive designer to get business cards, though. You can design your own, and then either print it at home or send it to a printing service. Whether you work on a more elaborate design or keep things simple, the process isn't too difficult.

Steps

Designing a Business Card

  1. Use a computer design program or hand draw a sketch of the card. Your business card should be dynamic and visual. Get into the visual state of mind by using a computer design program or a blank sheet of paper to create a rough sketch of the card.[1]
    • If you use a design program like Photoshop or InDesign, you can select a business card template in the program and work off of the template. You can also download free design templates for business cards online using a simple search for business card templates.
    • If you have a word processing program, like Microsoft Word, you can use a business card template in the program to Make-Business-Cards-in-Microsoft Word.
    • If you use a sheet of paper, make sure you draw the sketch large enough to see the details of the card. You can then use this sketch as a draft and recreate it in a computer design program.
  2. Structure the business card around Make-a-Business-Logo. Your business card should feature your business logo prominently, as your logo is representative of your business as a whole. Your logo should be the largest element on your business card, showcased in the center of the card or on the card in a bold and graphic way.[2]
    • Depending on the style of your logo, the logo may look better in the center of the card if it has rounded edges or a compact design. If the logo has square edges or a more fluid and open design, it may look better off center or printed in a smaller size as a pattern all over the card.
  3. Include your name, title, company name, and contact information. No matter the style or design of your business card, it should include your basic information, including your company name, your name, your title at the company and contact information like your email, your social media, and your phone number.[3] Do not cram too much information into the card and only include the essentials, as you do not want to overwhelm the customer.[4]
    • Your company name may already be integrated into your business logo. If so, do not repeat it again. You may also decide to make your name and title larger on the card so it is clear and easy to spot.[5] You many want to make your email or phone number prominent on the card as well.
    • Try to customize the basic information on your business card with the needs and expectations of your clients and customers. If you are more of an online based business, you may only provide your email and your social media, as this is how your clients will likely contact you. If you are more of a brick and mortar business, with a physical location, you should include the address of the physical location on your business card so your customers know where you are located.
  4. Consider a non-traditional shape for the card. Most business cards are a standard 2 x 3.5 inches or 55 x 85 mm, which is not a lot of space for design. Get creative by using a non-traditional shape for the card that fits your business or company. For example, you could use a teddy bear shape for a daycare business card or a camera shape for a photography business card. These non-traditional shapes can grab your customer’s attention and make your business card memorable and interesting.[6]
    • Try to use shapes that are easy to hold and that are free of sharp corners. You do not want your client to cut themselves on your business cards or find the cards awkward to hold or grab. Look for shapes with rounded edges and smooth lines so your card is memorable in all the right ways.
  5. Choose one to two complimentary colors. Business cards are often most effective when they are bold but simple. Limit yourself to one to two colors on the card, perhaps one neutral color like white, gray, or black, and one bold color like blue, red, or green. Stick to one to two colors to avoid overwhelming the customer and creating a card that is too busy or hard to read.[7]
    • If you already use color in your business logo, integrate these colors into the rest of the card’s design.[8] You could start with a simple color design of two bands of color on the top and bottom of the card, and then add small details or tweaks to the design from there. You may decide that having a neutral background and your business logo in color may be enough to keep the card interesting but not overwhelming.
    • Avoid using color combinations that are associated with holidays or seasons, such as green and red for Christmas or black and orange for Halloween, unless the seasons relate to your business in some way. A Christmas tree business, for example, may use red and green to associate the business with the season. But a photography business should avoid red and green on their business cards, unless they specialize in Christmas photography.
  6. Select an easy to read typeface. Though fun and interesting design is important, the information on the business card is the most important element on the card. Make sure your basic information is in an easy to read typeface that is not too small or too faint on the card. Use a dark font color on the card to ensure the type is easy to see and does not blend into the background.[9]
    • You may want to experiment with different typefaces in the design template before you select one. Try to keep all of the text on the card in the same typeface, with variations like bolding or sizing. If you are setting the typeface against a color on the card, make sure you can still read the text clearly and the font does not clash with the color.
  7. Include images on the front or back of the card. Images are a good way to add a simple visual element to the business card. Because the business card is small, you may want to use one large image on the front or back of the card, especially if your business is tied to images or visuals.[10]
    • You may decide to have an image on one side of the card and then your business logo and contact information on the other side of the card. This will give the card balance and ensure it is not too busy or overwhelming.
    • A photography business, for example, would be well showcased with a strong, interesting photograph on one side of the card, or a portrait photograph that illustrates the high quality work done by the photography business.
  8. Use embossing and thermography on the card’s design. Think about how the card’s design will appear on the cardstock and consider options like embossing and thermography. You can emboss your business logo or your contact information to give your cards more visual appeal.[11]
    • You can also apply thermography to the card’s design, which is a process that creates raised typeface or images on the card. You could have your business logo appear raised on the card so it is prominent and catches the customer’s eye.
  9. Look over the business card as a whole. Once you have sketched out a basic design for the card, you should sit back and view the card as a whole. Ask yourself if there are any other design elements you can add to give the card more impact, or any design elements you can remove to make the card more elegant and clean.
    • You may want to consider a bolder color combination for the card or more interesting font for the typeface. You may also replace a blank side of the card with an image or photograph that well represents your business.
  10. Select high quality paper for the cards. The paper quality of your business card can be very telling to customers, as they will notice the texture and weight of the cards when they take them from you. The weight and texture of the card stock can be a design element in itself and add an extra element of interest to your business card.[12]
    • Consider using textured paper in a lighter shade that compliments the card design. Look for textured paper that feels appealing and is easy to hold.
  11. Print you cards, or have them printed. Once you have finalized your card design and your paper type, you can send your card mock up to a card printing service, or try home printing for smaller batches.
    • Card printing services and professional printers can be cost effective if you're ordering large batches for a whole company or plan to re-order and update your cards in the future. Many also offer online ordering where you enter in your card design and your paper type as part of your order. They may also offer high quality details like embossing and thermography. You can often ask for samples of the company’s previous work before you put in your order to ensure the company can produce the cards based on your specifications.
    • Alternatively, if you have a high quality printer at home and are prepared to cut a lot of cards, you can print off the business cards yourself. You can load your printer with textured cardstock and print the cards off in batches. You will then need to cut up the cards so they are standard card size using a large cutter to ensure they are evenly cut and symmetrical.

Making Basic Business Cards at Home

  1. Go into Microsoft Office Publisher. If you don't have the program, you can download a trial version for free.
  2. Choose a design. Click "Design sets" and find the format of business card you like. All business cards are in the far left column.
  3. Fill out the proper information on the business card. Make sure you have a company logo on your computer and paste it in the appropriate area (the area will vary depending on the format of the card).
  4. Print as many copies as necessary on card paper. You can get packs of card paper at your local office supplies store.
  5. Cut the cards. Cut out your newly made business cards with scissors or a paper cutter if you have access to one.
  6. Enjoy your cheap business cards!

Using an Online Service

  1. Choose an online service. You can easily and cheaply purchase business cards online. Some services will provide 200 cards for less than $20. That is likely cheaper than printing them at home (as card paper is often expensive). If you need a large number of cards, this is an especially smart option.
    • There are several reputable services. Some include Zazzle, TechMix.xyz, Moo, and Vistaprint.
  2. Choose your design. All business card retailers have a number of designs from which you can choose, which take on whatever information you enter in the customization process. Choose one that is appropriate to the kind of work you do.
    • Some retailers also allow more design freedom, allowing you to enter and place your business logo in addition to your information.
  3. Customize your information. Make you sure enter everything correctly.
  4. Order the correct number of cards. Be sure your order the right number of cards. It's better to get too few and order more later.
  5. Pay attention to your timeline. If you need card in time for a convention or meeting, make sure you order them soon enough or get appropriate shipping so that they arrive on time.

Warnings

  • Save your business card file, so when you run out of cards, you don't have to play a guessing game trying to re-create the file.
  • Be aware of copyright restrictions. Don't use another's company's logo. Unless you work for them and you're allowed.

Related Articles

References

  1. ↑ http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/225962
  2. ↑ http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/225962
  3. ↑ [v161755_b01]. 31 March 2021
  4. ↑ http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/225962
  5. ↑ [v161755_b01]. 31 March 2021
  6. ↑ http://www.creativebloq.com/graphic-design/how-design-business-card-10-top-tips-9134291
  7. ↑ http://www.creativebloq.com/graphic-design/how-design-business-card-10-top-tips-9134291
  8. ↑ [v161755_b01]. 31 March 2021
  9. ↑ http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/225962
  10. ↑ http://www.creativebloq.com/graphic-design/how-design-business-card-10-top-tips-9134291
  11. ↑ http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/225962
  12. ↑ http://www.creativebloq.com/graphic-design/how-design-business-card-10-top-tips-9134291

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