How to Make Your Business Card Stand Out
Business card design can be challenging. To make this process less challenging, here are some tips to make a better business card that stands out from the crowd.
There are a couple questions that need to be answered before the design process begins. Your answers will help make design decisions and build the overall theme of the card to match your business. After these questions are answered, begin the design process. Be sure to keep your answers to these questions in mind along the way.
First, what is the goal for your business card? This will help determine what information is needed on the card. Are you hoping to gain calls, drive traffic to your website, or sell more product? Answering this first question first will make the rest of the process simpler.
Second, how do you want your customers to see you? Are you bright and bold or clean and classic? Your business card design should give your customers a sneak peek into your business. Now, think outside the box. You do not have to follow the plain formatting of common business cards. You want something eye catching that will stand out in a heaping pile of other business cards. Here are some ideas to try:
Creativity: Explore a new font that others in the industry do not use. Incorporate colors, a pattern, photos, and more. Keep in mind the information still needs to be legible. You do not want to include unnecessary information or art but push the bounds and get creative!
Orientation: Change it up and pick a business card that is vertical instead of horizontal.
Weight: Use a different material such as cardstock or even just a different pound of paper. The traditional business card is 80lb. Try going thicker and upgrading to premium stock paper.
Shape/Size: Use a non-traditional shape and size for your business card. Try a square, a narrow rectangle, or a rectangle with rounded corners. Any of these styles will stand out from the default rectangle.
White Space: Leaving white space on your business card is important. Try to not overload your business card with information and graphics. Focus on the important information. This also leaves space to write a note if wanted.
Accents and Add-Ons: These options can add-on to the cost of your cards but make a big impact. Look into embossing, debossing, inquire about UV coating, or using spot UV, foil accents, or different finishes such as glossy or matte.
Material: Business cards do not have to be limited to paper. If it reflects your industry, consider looking into metal, wood, plastic, acrylic, or other materials.
There are an endless number of options you can explore to set apart your card in the heaping pile. The most important thing to remember is no matter what you choose, make sure it is a clear representation of you and your business.
