The history of business cards can be traced back to the seventeenth century when they were referred to as trade cards in England. Cards are the primary means of advertising for many businesses as they feature a name, an illustration to identify the business, and other relevant details. They used to be something you would get made, and they still are, you can find a publishing and printing company to help you do this. However, you can also look at something like a Duplo DC-516 Cutter Creaser or similar which you can use not only to make business cards but also other print marketing techniques like booklets and brochures. This is a popular investment, however, you can also find online sites to help you make these cards as well if you have a look online. Anyway, I bet you’re wondering where to start with them? What to put on them? Let’s have a look at some of the questions surrounding them.
The advent of lithography in the 1830s led to emergence of color cards. Today, a wide range of business cards are available. Here are some business cards design tips and ideas:
#1: Your business card should have essential information such as your name, company’s name, mailing address, title, telephone and fax numbers, and your website as well as business email address.
#2: Should you provide your cell phone number on the card? Most people include it, but you need not if your work is such that you need to do it with a lot of concentration or you’re simply not the kind of a person who want’s be surprised by unwanted phone calls. Provide your cell phone number only to those who are in your inner circle, say, colleagues and people you you do business with on regular bases.
#3: You can get the logo designed professionally. If you are an artist, you can do it yourself. Otherwise, it makes sense to hire a professional. You must come up with a logo that will reinforce your brand. You can insert the logo on each and every card that you print, your website and even all the promotional material that you create. Some work better when compared with others. For example, the logo of the United Way (a helping hand uplifting a person towards a rainbow which symbolizes hope after a storm) tells its entire story.
#4: You may also make use of desktop publishing programs. Microsoft’s M.S. Publisher can be the starting point for you. Professional printers prefer to get files in new Adobe InDesign or QuarkXpress.
#5: In terms of price, the difference between color and black and white printing is not much. Your business card stands out if printed in color. If you are either a photographer or a graphic designer, it is important that your business card is printed in color. However, for most businesses, black and white cards that use color as an accent may still be acceptable. If designed professionally, they can look pretty trendy.
#6: Get your business cards printed professionally instead of trying to print it on your own using your cheap inkjet printer. Thermography is a printing process that professionals use to bring about the engraving effect for the printed matter.
#7: You can leave the back of the card plain. This is because most people don’t see the backside of a card and it can cost you more as well.
#8: It is a good idea to go beyond just providing the essential information. For example, you can superimpose the essential information over a picture in the background. If you are an award winning photographer, you can even design your business card as a CD-ROM business card that can hold up to 100 MB data.
#9: Whatever is the design that you decide on finally, create a sample with the actual size, i.e., 3.5 × 2 inches. You can show it some of your friends to ascertain that it effectively represents your business and you. Do not get stuck with your design. Be ready to play with it before printing large numbers. This is because you can have only one chance to create an impression.