It’s the 21st century—there have never been more options when it comes to customizing your business cards. From clever design tricks that win a smile to creative colors and shapes that dazzle the eyes, there’s a lot to consider when designing your business cards.
That said, getting down to the nitty-gritty of the design work can feel daunting. How will you ever choose which direction to go? How can you know that it’s not too played out, or too bland? Here are 4 tips to help you as you set out on the business card design path.
Decide Which Elements You Want to Include on Your Business Card
Obviously you’ll include your name, the products or services you offer, your contact information, and your branded logo, but what else? That is to say, what other information or imaging could take your business cards to the next level.
For example, if you’re a graphic designer who creates book covers for a living, you could design your business card so that it actually looks like the cover of a book. Even better, you could use one of your own designs. Try to think of ways that your business card can go beyond simply being a token of contact information to something that subtly sells you, too.
Think About What You Want Your Card to Say About You
We’ve already established that your card will literally say who you are, what you do, and how you can be reached, but try to think more abstractly when it comes to design. Do you want your card to tell potential business connections that you’re creative? Highly professional? Minimalistic? All of this can be conveyed through design.
One of the most eye-catching ways you can hint at your industry in a fun way is through custom shaped business cards. Say you’re a cobbler—you can create a business card shaped like a shoe. Perhaps you’re a baker—design your card to be shaped like a pie. These methods tell those you interact with that you’re dedicated to your work but that you don’t take yourself too seriously.
Highlight The Important Components with Some Tricks of The Trade
The shape of your card and the colors or patterns you use on it are absolutely important, but there’s a final touch you can employ to really take your custom business card to the next level: foil. From gold and copper to holographic, the right foil can draw attention to your favorite parts of your card.
Bear in mind that you should use any foil sparingly. It’s a lot like light pollution—when you use too much of it, it loses its effect entirely. Sprinkle some well-placed foil elements over things like your business name, or a focal design point.
Don’t Sell Yourself Short
If you’re a creative or out of the box thinker, you may have yourself convinced that your ideas just aren’t possible for a business card, but think again. The right design partner can bring your wildest ideas to life.
Want bold colors? No problem. Want a highly unusual shape? Sounds great. How about using plastic instead of paper? Consider it done. Basically, remember when you’re designing your business card that the sky is the limit, so don’t rule anything out.
Our goal at Print Peppermint is to help you achieve the business cards of your dreams. Bring us your design ideas and we’ll bring them to life.