When it comes to designing a business card, there are certain elements that should be included and some that should be avoided. It's important to make sure that your business card is professional, eye-catching, and contains all the necessary information. This article will provide an overview of what not to do when designing your business card, as well as tips on how to create an effective and memorable card. Obvious contact information is a must.
Your business card should include your name, company name, phone number, email address, and website URL. Make sure that all of this information is clearly visible and legible. Additionally, you should include your logo on the card to help people identify your company. The standard size for a business card is 3.5 by 2 inches.
While it may be tempting to go with an odd-sized card, it's best to stick with the traditional size as larger cards won't fit in wallets or most cardholders and smaller cards can easily be lost or overlooked. Font size is also important. You want to make sure that the font size is not too small that it requires a magnifying glass to read. A good guideline is to use a font size of at least 7-8 points.
The name should be slightly larger than the other text on the card. When designed correctly, your business card should remind people of who you are and what you do, as well as encourage them to contact you or visit your website for more information. To achieve this, it's important to focus not only on the text and graphics you want to include but also on the space around them. This is often referred to as “negative space” and can help create a balanced and eye-catching design.
Your logo is an important element of your business card as it serves as a visual representation of your company and what it stands for. Make sure that you use a high-quality image at 300 dpi (dots per inch) so that the edges look sharp when printed. Additionally, your logo should work in both black and white and be scalable from stamp-sized reproductions to posters or banners. Be sure to give your name a prominent place on the card so people can remember it and create a personal connection with your company.
You may also want to consider including your logo on the back of the card for added reinforcement of your brand. In addition to basic contact information, you can also include the URL of your website or social media profiles on the card but choose the URLs you use most often in order to make better use of the small space available. When it comes to font size, it's best to keep it between 10 and 14 points in order for it to be legible and noticeable. Additionally, make sure that there is enough white space around all elements on the card in order for them to stand out and be easily readable.
Finally, always check your business cards before printing them in order to ensure that all relevant information has been included and is correct. When done correctly, a business card can serve as an effective branding tool and help people remember who you are and what you have to offer.