Your business card is an integral part of your branding. A good business card design makes your brand stand out, shows your business to the world, and makes your customers remember you. But how do you design a business card?
These business multi-tools fulfil many of the professional’s basic requirements: brand recognition, advertising, call to action, and contact details. When designed correctly, these pocket-sized billboards can create a long-lasting impression and make life-long customers from passing strangers.
A business card is a small printed card, usually a credit-card-sized paper card, that holds your business details, such as contact details, name, and brand logo. Your business card design is an important part of your branding and should work as a visual extension of your brand design.
In this blog, we will walk you through everything you need to know about business card design so you can explain to your designer what you want. Furthermore, we have mentioned some simple steps that will help you in making a card on your own.
How to Design a Business Card in Simple Steps
Designing a business card can be creative and fun. A small business card helps people remember who you are and what your business does. It has your name, contact information, and job. When designing a card, you want to make it look nice and show off your brand. Business card printing is an important step in making sure your design is brought to life with high-quality results. Here are simple steps that will help you in creating a business card.
1. Decide Your Shape
Before you begin designing your business card, think about the shape you desire to have. Most brands have it in rectangles, but you don’t need to follow others. You can stand out by picking a fun shape for your card.
For instance, you can make your card a circle, square, or even a shape that is related to your business, like an object or animal that shows what you do.
Some cards have rounded corners, which look friendlier and softer. If you want to be artistic, you can use a cutting technique called die-cutting. This lets you create any shape, but this approach is a little expensive. If your brand is in the formal field, like finance or law, keep it simple and opt for a rectangle.
2. Choose Your Size
After deciding the shape, you must decide how big your business card will be. Most countries have a fixed size, so knowing what is preferred in your area is better. In the USA, the standard size is 3.5 inches wide and 2 inches tall. It is slightly different in the UK, usually small and easy to fit in the wallet. When designing your card, you need to pay attention to these critical lines:
- Bleed Area
This is the outer part, which will be trimmed. - Trim Line
The card will be cut on this line. - Safety Line
The line inside the trim is where your logo or text should stay.
3. Add Your Pictures And Logos
Now is the right time to add your pictures and logo. Your logo is the most essential part part of your card because it shows people who you are. The logo should be large enough to shine out but not too big that it takes over the card.
You can add other designs or pictures that match your brand. If you desire to show your brand’s personality, you can add fun and colorful graphics relevant to your brand. You can also put the contact details on one side and the logo on the other. Also, you can put the logo on both sides. Check where your logo looks the best. The goal is to make it simple for people to recognize your brand.
If you want to make your card more interesting, add extra pictures.
4. Mention Your Information
Your business card needs to have the correct information. What you mention depends on the type of business you have. Here are some details you can include:
- Your Name
This must be easy to read so people can know who you are. - Job Title
If you have a particular job, like an Artist or Manager, mention it on the card. - Phone Number
This will help those who want to call you. - Email
People can question you about work via email. - Website
If you have a website, then mention its address on the card. - Social Media
If you have social media for your business, like Facebook or Instagram, you can add links.
5. Choose Your Font
Now that you are clear about what information to put on, it’s time to decide on their fonts, letters, and style. Your font should be simple to read, but it also shows your personality and style.
Here are some elements to think about:
- Font Size
Make sure your text is large enough to be readable. The critical text is your name; should be more significant than other text. - Font Style
Pick a font that fits your brand. If you want to look professional, choose a simple font. - Font Color
Decide a color that works well with the background of your card. You don’t want the text to be hard to see.
6. Consider Specific Finishes
Once your card design is ready, consider special finishes. These are added details that can make your card look extra special.
Here are some finishes you can consider:
- Embossing
This is where the parts of your card are raised so they can give the feel of 3D. It makes specific parts of your card pop out. For advanced 3D effects, you may desire to explore 3D printing companies in Dubai for unique and high-quality results. - Letterpress
This makes the text look pressed into the card, giving a professional and fancy look. - Foil Stamping
This adds a shiny metal effect to some parts of your card, like your logo or name, so they outshine.
7. Choose A Designer
If you want a professional business card, consider hiring a designer. A designer is someone who helps transform your ideas into sound design. Look for a designer who understands what your business is about and what type of style you want.
It is helpful to look at their past work to see if their style matches yours. Once you get the right designer, tell your ideas clearly so they can make the perfect business card for you.
8. Finalize Your Design
Before you send your card off to print, have a final look at it. Make sure everything looks good and that there are no mistakes. Check these things:
- Text
Is the text simple to read? - Colors
Do all the colors look good together? - Spacing
Is everything spaced out correctly? - Order
Do your eyes move in a flow from name to contact info?
It is the right time to print your card if everything looks perfect.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I make business cards at home on my own?
Open Canva and search for business cards.
Browse all the readymade templates.
Customize your design in a way that truly represents your brand.
Get artistic with more design elements.
Order your prints.
- Can I make a personal business card?
Yes, you can absolutely have your personal business card even if you don’t have a business. It can incorporate your contact information, professional skills, and academic credentials, working as a convenient way to share your details in different networking situations.
- How to successfully get started with your business?
Starting a business may seem a lot, but following these steps will ensure you are successful:
Create a business plan.
Secure funding.
Stay in the right company of people.
Follow the legal procedures.
Decide a location.
Create a marketing plan.
Build your customer base.
It’s a wrap!
In summary, designing a business card is a good way to show off your brand. Make sure to include your contact details, name, and job title. You can also include special finishes like foil stamping or embossing to make your card look more distinctive. If you desire something extra special, you can opt for professional help for cool 3D effects. These simple steps will help you in creating a card that is both memorable and special.