Do's & Dont's of Business Card Design

Hello creative beings! I hope you’re as psyched as I am because today I will be sharing some awesome tips about business cards that will clue us in on what can help us strengthen our brand image through offline marketing and what doesn’t.

If your business is like mine which is online, then you might also have overlooked the part where we do offline marketing. We must not put aside our potential customers offline because they are equally as important as those we get online. And so apart from fliers, posters, newspaper advertisements and other print materials, one of the most effective marketing is using your very own business card. It’s also a way to bring in more traffic to your site or online store so designing a creative business card that resonates your business personality is something you want to put time into.

You can put in the following details or even add or subtract items that are not applicable:

Name – This can be nickname or whichever you are comfortable using.

Contact numbers

Email address

Website address or URL

Store address – If your store is in your home and do not wish to publicize your home address, you can skip this part.

Slogan – If you have any.

List of services – Many people include their list of services in bullet form but this may not be necessary especially if you have a website.

Remember to keep it clean and simple otherwise the recipient will not be engaged enough to read through your business card. Refrain from making your business card a flier. haha

What Works

– Include your official logo and use your corporate colors or at least shades that actually match your logo if you don’t have corporate colors as of yet.

– Find the right text size for the contact details. You wouldn’t want the recipient to squint his eyes while reading your card, now would you?

– Use basic fonts that are readable. You don’t need a very complex font that is unreadable. More simple and straightforward, the better.

– Make your card stand out from the rest of the pack by using bright colors or employing a very creative execution of ideas. But if you are going to do this, make sure that it is still in line with your brand image. There are many creative design inspirations you can find.

What Doesn’t Work

– Don’t use clip art for the graphics. Most likely, many people have used that clip art and will not make you look as professional as you would like to be.

– Don’t use unusual or too decorative fonts as this will make it hard for your contact details to be read.

– Don’t use unusual shapes like triangles or polygons. Stick to the basic 3.5 x 2 inch size and just creatively design the card using different graphic executions.

You can learn more on how you can make your own business card through these resources:

Business Cards

How To Make Business Cards Using Microsoft Word

Make Business Cards

Lastly, don’t let this do’s and dont’s limit you in your creative process. Just have fun and bring out the real you! Thank you for joining me in this month-long graphic design series!

GRAPHIC DESIGN & BRANDING SERIES:

1. Graphic Design Tips To Improve Brand Recall

2. Logo Design Tips: Create A Logo That Works

3. How To Make Website Buttons And Blinkies Using Photoshop

4. Business Card Design Tips: What Works and What Doesn’t

I’m Issa and I am a firm believer of using creativity in our everyday lives. A freelance graphic designer, an entreprenuer and a budding vegetarian cook are just few of the things that I am. As I continuously cultivate my inner child, I discover a zest for creating and making things such as crafts and other digital products like party invitations.

Join me at Issa Sarza: Creative Living and catch great creative freebies and ideas on how to live an inspiring and artistic life!