Many small businesses try – and fail – to design business cards for themselves. It takes a special talent to balance both the art and science of business card design. Fortunately, in a pinch, you can design business cards on your own. Just be sure to keep some of these tips in mind so that you business card printing endeavors are not a waste of time and money.
Know your customers
First and foremost, you must know your customers. Are they expecting a simple, elegant, classic business card? Are your customers expecting to see a wild, crazy, unique business card? Before you really dive into designing your own business cards, you must know what your customers expect. If they expect something classic and you hand them something crazy, you might turn them off to your business.
Color selection
Full color business cards are somewhat standard. This does not necessarily mean that you have to print entirely in color, although you should strongly consider it. When choosing the appropriate colors, you should first look to your own brand. If particular colors are associated with your logo or company print materials, reach for these colors first. If there are no particular colors that your business uses, keep your color design very simple. A common mistake for amateur designers is to use too many colors, so restrict color selection to 2-4 colors at most.
Font formats
Your font selection is very important because you have to balance the tone of your business card with readability. Funky fonts create the perception of high energy and excitement. Classic fonts say that you care about professionalism. In either case, the fonts must be legible. Avoid fonts that will make the customer squint or that are difficult to read. Additionally, 8 point fonts are the smallest you should use.
Creative freedom
Now that you have the basics covered, don’t be afraid to mix it up. Try rotating your business card design 90° for a vertical business card view. Try putting a full color photo of yourself so that customers can have a face with a name. Use the back of the business card for detailed product information. There are many ways to stay within the realm of a professional design while also being creative. Don’t be afraid to play but make sure you know your customers and what they expect, you choose the appropriate colors, and you use fonts that are readable.
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