A business card is one of the most basic marketing materials for any business. Learn how to design a business card that will grab attention and help people remember you, your business and what you do.
Watch the video below to learn what NOT to do when creating a business card, what TO do, what your business card should include and how to create one in Visme. Then get started creating your business card .
11:19
Beginner
There may not be a more powerful marketing tool spanning the course of decades than the business card . It’s up to you to design them with intrigue.
Hello world! Mike Ploger here again with Visme — the reliable online design tool that is changing the way we communicate. Believe it or not, cardstock still has a place in the digital age. Sure, millions of professionals now network through LinkedIn and various web platforms but business cards are still that old trusty friend that we can rely on.
However, with the increase of digital networking has come increased pressure to create a memorable business card . What’s going to drive curiosity? How can a small, maybe seven square-inch card persuade someone to explore an individual or business further? That’s where we come in. And in this video, I’ll share some tips to help you design the perfect card for your business.
I’ll also share how Visme can help make the design process easy. Shall we?
Before we dive into what TO include into your cards, I first want to discuss what NOT to do. I can’t stress these enough, so find a hammer and nail this into your brain — just not literally, of course.
First, avoid boring. Simple, yet too often we see business cards with plain text and no color — like we have here. There’s nothing to be desired.
Black and white, same font throughout with the exception of Stuart Hill Photography being bold, there’s quite a lot of information and I’m likely forgetting who Stuart is the first time I pull this card out of my wallet.
But Kathy, hers is simple yet elegant. It’s a similar color scheme of just black and white but uses her KB logo front and center. Flip it over and she includes just the pertinent information needed with a touch of design. Soon, Stuart’s card is in the trash and Kathy has my business.
Moving on, where do I begin with this disaster?
First thing you notice is the wolf. Okay, maybe he works in wildlife? Nope! He’s a software developer. The wolf has absolutely no place on this business card. It might’ve even taken you a minute to find he’s a software developer.
That’s because he has a different font for each line of text. One part is even sideways. Don’t overdo it.
Zach’s kept his pretty minimal, which can also be very effective. If you want to be creative, that’s great, but keep it within the lines of your brand.
Including photos in business cards is a common practice. And it’s wise in order for a stranger to remember who you are.
With that said, make sure you have a professional photograph. A photo from your Facebook or your Instagram page isn’t meant for a business card. Frank’s Halloween costume looks great, but it doesn’t exactly instill trust.
Maria used the professional headshot for her business card. She appears friendly and trusting, and that’s just what a home buyer is looking for.
We just touched on what not to do and now let’s discuss what to include in your business card. Of course, the most important aspect is your content. What information should you include in your card?
The basics include your name, your company’s name, your title, a logo (whether your own or your company’s), the best email and phone number to reach you, a website URL and any social media profiles that you want to push.
If you want to differentiate yourself, try these ideas:
Try to decide which of these you feel are most important. Using all of them would make for a very cluttered business card. So, only try to pick out a select few that you think will make the biggest impact.
It’s time to go over some tips on what TO do when it comes to designing your business card.
When you receive someone else’s business card, how long do you look at it? Maybe two seconds?
That’s how long you have to make a strong first impression. It’s even more important to impress someone if you didn’t have the chance to in conversation. So make your cards memorable.
You can do this with the shape of your card, diverting away from the standard rectangle cards or if that doesn’t fit your style, there are a few other options. The feel of your card can make it unique in itself. Printing with texture is a great way for cards to stand out.
Take a look at our example. First, you have a standard everyday business card or you can have a card with a spot UV effect, which makes the design pop off the paper. It’s everything that a boring card isn’t.
As we’ve seen with some of our poor examples already, clutter is a problem. This card is another example. Five different pictures, multiple colors and an entire paragraph of information — that’s not okay.
The vitals of a business card are your name, title, company and a way to reach you. That’s it! All the extra stuff that I’ve already mentioned is just extra fluff. It should be carefully considered if you’re adding it to your business card.
So, wipe out that ugly card and bring in a card with a more simple approach. Name, title, address, phone number and a colorful image on the other side to make it memorable. Channel your inner minimalist. Don’t get too fancy.
Each element in a card should be placed with a purpose. That purpose? Maintaining balance.
Take a look at this poorly balanced business card. The balance seems okay at first glance until you notice that his title and name is placed right there in the middle, slightly off center. It’s kind of like the designer just slapped it there with his eyes closed.
Bring in the new example where each element is strategically placed, and the balance is very easily visible to the viewer as each piece of text or image is properly aligned. Try using a grid to help your alignment when designing.
Or, just head on over to Visme where the snap-to-objects tool makes achieving balance a walk in the park.
Next, it’s time to think about what makes you YOU! Or maybe what makes your company unique compared to other competitors. Then, bring that to life in your business card. Get creative and don’t think that any idea is too far-fetched.
This designer made mini yoga mats, even rolled them up to sell their yoga services. If you’re a photographer, create a see-through card that resembles a lens. If you work in beer, create a card that doubles as a bottle opener.
You can really take it as far as you want. There’s no limit when it comes to being creative with your business cards. Card designing can actually be a fun process. But, if you want some help with your designs, check out PsPrint, Rock Design, Plasma Design or Jukebox for some inspiration.
Now, if you have an idea of what you want and all you need to do is bring it all together, Visme has the tools to help. With several proven templates available to use right now, all you have to do is plug in your information and transform the colors to fit your brand.
Each template consists of two sides, or slides as you’ll see them in the editor. A two-sided card may be more pricey when it comes to printing, but being able to use one side for design and the other for information is well worth it.
As you begin designing, don’t hesitate to come up with a few different drafts. You can do so by duplicating a side then altering whatever you like in the new slide. Your original will still be there.
Then, once you have a few ideas you really like, show them to your co-workers, family or friends. Obtain some feedback from those you trust the most. And if you don’t think they’ll provide an unbiased opinion, try asking strangers. After all, that’s who you will likely be giving the cards to anyway.
If you’re not sold on how Visme can help, watch this video. It’s under a minute and can show you exactly how Visme’s services can help you create a one-of-a-kind business card.
When it comes time to print, you can print your business cards at home but we don’t recommend it. Your best options are either going to a local printer or finding a printer service online.
If you want to support local business or want the reassurance of what your card will look and feel like, find a local printing service. You can provide the design on a PDF file and express how you’re looking for the perfect card.
The shop should have a handful of options of cardstock from different thickness to types of finish, whether matte or glossy. The employees at the shop should be able to lay out what prices will be for different products. It’s then up to you to decide what matches your brand and style but also fits in your budget.
Or another option is you can stay right where you are and order from the comfort of your own chair. Three reliable options for online printing are Vistaprint, PsPrint and Moo.
PsPrint offers cards in special shapes and sizes while Vistaprint and Moo allow you to choose the texture and finish that you are hoping for. Each website will of course provide a different price estimate so try each one and see what fits best in your budget.
Printing hundreds of business cards is nothing to take lightly. That’s likely why you’re here watching me in the first place. So, do your research when finding the printing service that’s best for your card.
Ladies and gentlemen, that is all I have. Now it’s time for you to activate those creative juices and bring your ideas to life in the form of a handheld business card.
Remember, Visme has all the tools for making designing easy. You can hop right into the builder and implement whatever colors, logos, graphics, icons, texts directly into your business card. It’s just a few clicks away right now at visme.co.
Thank you so much for watching! Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel to see how else we can answer any of your design questions. For now, I’m Mike Ploger with Visme, helping you Make Information Beautiful.
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