Size: Before designing your business card it’s important to get the size right. A fairly standard business card size is around 90 x 55 mm, but they will vary slightly. You can also use a smaller size (half the size a standard business card) and while they may look cute for the right market; they are in danger of getting easily lost in a wallet or purse.
If you are just going to show basic contact information like name, position, telephone and address, then a standard business card will work well for you. But there are other options you could consider:
You could look at a folded business card that is of a standard size but opens up to give you double the space. You can use this to bullet point some of services you offer, almost like a mini advert.
On a card like this another possibility is to include a good quality photograph of yourself on the inside so people remember who you are when they see your card. This is ideal if you do a lot of face to face networking.
Simplicity
Keeping your design simple is usually the best way to go:
Choose colours used in your logo for the text on your business card. Stick to two main colours.
Keep the number of fonts you use to a minimum
Make most of the text the same size (7 or 8pt is a good guide to go by), perhaps just pick out your name and telephone number in a slightly larger or bolder font.
Use simple fonts
Avoid fonts such as comic sans or handwriting style fonts.
Styles
let’s take a closer look at that 2 by 3 and a half inch piece of card you are about to give to a potential client, and check out the 8 designs styles which in my humble opinion would hit the spot and quite possibly clinch the deal you handed it over in the first place for.
This finish of this card is great, the bright colours engage you, but perhaps most importantly it looks the same as Rinzens’s website too, thus reinforcing their branding. Nice Job!
Apart from the fact that this business card is designed to be a movie ticket which in itself is a stroke of genius, the detail of the type, the die cutting and perforation make it one of the best business cards I have seen for a long time.
Clever + Simple = A Good Design
As soon as you see the card you get it – Chris Colhoun is a developer. How do you know this? Because the top-left corner appears to have been pulled back to reveal the workings of the business card (code), which also is an obvious metaphor for Chris’s profession. Very clever.
A really easy way for people to remember your calling card is to change the shape. Chef Burger do this well, turning their cards into handy coasters, and at the same time using a memorable and vivid design. The only downside of an unusual shape might be the fact that people might not be able to keep the card with their others – for example in a wallet
This design is right up my street – I like everything about it, the finish of the card, the rounded corners, the colours work well together, it is simple and uncluttered, the dotted typography and logo give an indication of what Dave actually makes (he is a digital designer), I could go on, but I am not going to.
How about this for a great (but perhaps rather costly) idea? At first glance this business card might appear a little dull and uninspiring. But pull back the perforated strip and it all becomes clear, a very novel way to reveal the details of graphic designer Junge Schachtel, and the choice of using the bright pink gives it that really funky edge, a direct nod to Schachtel’s visual style.
Another slightly questionable company name, but all is forgiven because the very clever use of bringing the strapline of their primary application (Search) together with the material used to create the card works perfectly. Because it is semi-transparent acrylic, it will not bend or crease like a conventional card would – bonus!
You Cannot Be TOO Clever, Can You?
This is a very simple and intelligent business card idea – at first glance you see the words ‘hi’ – very friendly, but not exactly useful, but wait! If you move the card around in the light a little you will be able to read the rest of the message (which is hidden – the very name of the company itself), and the penny drops. What a brilliant use of gloss (UV spot) printing!
About the author: This is a guest post contributed by Neeru. She works in marketing and design for Print Express, they specialise in catalogue printing and business cards. Print Express is made up of many talented designers and developers who love to share their work and design trends they are passionate about. The look, feel and information on a business card help people determine how they view you and more importantly, if they will even remember you. I have gathered together some fantastic points to help you create successful business card.
You Might Be Interested In Our Other Related Posts:
Truly Executive Plastic Business Card Designs
15 Beautiful Folded Business Cards Design
25 Amazing Professional Vector Business Cards For Inspiration
25 Most Unusual Yet Beautiful Transparent Business Cards Designs
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I like the designs of these cards, black color with some combination suits best for business cards and round shape of the card is more attractive.
amazing design, just superb
Superb!! The above designs provide me inspiring ideas with some general, yet important, inspiration. However, the unique touch added to these concepts defines your company/brand and will make all the difference.