Business card and its proper design. Rules for creating the right selling business card
Business cards are a popular topic of discussion and there is no doubt that they are extremely important. The Internet is full of examples of a wide variety of layouts. Today it is not difficult to buy creative business cards, both ready-made and original ones. Therefore, too ordinary a design becomes a problem.
Today I would like to give you some tips on how to choose the right business card design that is both impressive and effective. Your business card should work for you. To avoid hurting the designers' feelings, I asked a designer from CrazyPixels to create some samples. Of course, he did his best to draw attention to the details that I am about to talk to you about. The result is an incredibly modern and interesting business card design.
Pictures on a bright background
So here's the first design:
Bright and stylish business card. Attracts attention at first sight. If you? creative person such as photographer or designer, this business card will be the best choice for you. The image on the back can showcase your professional creativity and this business card can be part of your portfolio. You can create several versions of these business cards with different photos and give potential clients the opportunity to choose the one they like best. I'm sure they will remember you.
Here are some examples of great business cards with great photography and vibrant colors:
Use of colors
Just look at the design of this business card:
The pattern on a business card doesn't matter. These can be stripes, squares, circles or triangles; the appropriate color scheme remains decisive. Like the previous model, this business card attracts attention with its design, but at the same time it is not one-color, but represents a whole range of colors. I also want you to notice the QR code on this business card. The dots on the QR code are made in the same color scheme as the entire card. It's a small thing, but it adds meaning to the design and makes it more interesting.
Review of business cards with interesting colors:
Minimalist design
A completely minimalist logo designed in one color while creatively using the white space on the front of the business card? a great way to make a stylish card. You can place a logo or any other image on the front side, and all the necessary information? on the back. This could be a name, a key phrase, or contact information. There are many options for creating similar designs:
Business cards with minimalist design:
Embossing (letterpress effect)
Embossing? This is a way of using a stamp to create a raised design of different shapes on a business card. This effect gives your business card texture, style, and a classic look. Does this allow you to only use one color? the original color of your business card paper. This makes the business card look modern and elegant.
Embossed business cards:
Adding QR codes
QR code? This is a modern version of encoding information that can be recognized using a smartphone. The code may redirect you to a website, online portfolio or resume. This is a great way to bridge the gap between your business card and your online work. Make sure your target audience is able to use this communication tool before you make yourself business cards with a QR code.
Creative business cards with QR codes:
Font design
Font design is a popular trend that is worth paying attention to. It can be difficult to find the right font, but there is a huge amount of choice available, so you'll be sure to find the right font...
Business cards based on font design:
Transparent business cards: a new idea
Examples of transparent business cards design:
Black and white
Black and white business cards will be an excellent choice for businessmen, economists, lawyers and all those who are considered “serious business”. If you're looking for a simple, elegant, classic design, black and white business cards may be what you're looking for.
Black and white business cards:
Unusual shapes
These business cards have unusual shapes and in most cases they are individual designs. Business cards with unusual shapes are more expensive than regular ones. They may make a bigger impression, but your customers may be quicker to throw them away due to the odd shape that doesn't fit their pockets. You should think about this option from the perspective of a potential client.
Here are some examples of unusually shaped business cards:
Logical conclusion
When it comes to creating business cards, try to do something unusual. There is only one chance to make a first impression on potential clients. Try this and you will see what works best. Your business card should represent your brand and your name. I hope this collection has inspired you to create unique and creative designs for your own business cards.
Business card is an integral part of business relations in the modern world. Business partners always exchange business cards during their first business meeting. You could even say that a business card is an attribute of business ethics. For example, in a business environment it is customary to hand over a business card after a partner has handed it to you. If you don’t have a business card with you, then apologize and say that you will send it by mail as soon as possible. A business card plays a huge role in attracting potential partners. Therefore, even if you didn’t succeed in concluding an agreement this time, leave your business card.
What should a business card look like?
There are a number of requirements for the design of business cards that must be observed.
Requirements for business cards:
- the back of the business card should be blank so that you can write the necessary additional information there
- You should not print your home address and phone number on a business card, since it is solely the face of the company you represent. If you wish, you can indicate your home phone number by writing it on the back of the business card. Thanks to this, your partner’s trust in you will increase significantly.
- The business card should contain elements that relate directly to your company
- on the business card you must indicate the full name of the company, the position of the employee, his last name, first name and patronymic, company address, work phone number, fax, email address, official website
- business card size is 90*50 cm
Should you be creative when designing a business card?
Of course, you want to make sure that your company’s business card stands out among the rest. How can this be achieved? Let us immediately note that no need to change the shape of your business card. It should be rectangular. Otherwise, it may not find a place in a business partner’s standard business card holder. And all your originality will go unnoticed. Therefore, strictly adhere to the rules.
Don't experiment with too many colors. In a business environment, it is customary to the business card combined no more than three colors. Although, in reality, you can find business cards that represent all the colors of the rainbow. But usually these business cards are made not for large companies, but for shops, hairdressers, taxis and other small organizations.
If you intend to adhere to business ethics, then use classic colors. Best of all, don't skimp on the quality of the paper. Despite the fact that the design of your business card will be simple, the quality of the paper should be such that it does not lose its original appearance after a short time.
How should you exchange business cards?
Exchange business cards if you are seeing each other for the first time. The most optimal moment is start of negotiations. The business card must be presented to the person in such a way that he can easily immediately see what is written on it. For example, in Japan, a business card is given and received with both hands to show deep respect.
If you are sending a package of documents to your partner, you can include several business cards in the letter. If the business card is transferred by a third party, then according to the rules the left corner is folded.
As you can see, the design of business cards and their use in the business environment is a rather delicate issue that requires detailed study.
So, in this guide, we will talk to you about creating the right business card. The right business card is a selling business card, that is, a business card that either facilitates and speeds up the sales process, or ideally does it without your participation.
The good news is that most business people have no idea how to make proper business cards. Most people think that a business card is a square of paper on which the name of the organization, your first and last name, contact information, and logo are written. This is actually the wrong approach.
In order to understand which approach is correct, we will look at the business card of photographer Pavel Potashnikov as an example, analyze its mistakes and try to create the correct business card ourselves.
Two notes: first, I fully understand that your business may not be related to photography, but the general principles and common mistakes are the same.
Secondly, I have no complaints about the photographer Pavel Potashnikov himself, he is a good professional, I only have complaints about his business card. It is its shortcomings that we will analyze.
So, let's move on to the business card itself. Let's see. At the top it is written: professional photography, studio and on location, under the inscription there is a squiggle pattern, then - photographer Pavel Potashnikov, website address, phone number, email.
Below them is again a squiggle pattern, and then the services that the photographer provides are listed - he is ready to realize all your desires in photography, portfolio, portrait, children's photography, advertising photography, photography for interior decoration, object photography for catalogs and websites, wedding and love photography stories, photography of significant events, photography of interiors and real estate, reporting (events, advertising campaigns, competitions, clubs, concerts, etc.) and other types of photography of any complexity.
So what's the problem here?
There are two main mistakes here.
What should a business card look like in order to fulfill its role as such a paper seller?
Let's try to figure it out and create your own business card!
So, at the top we will put in large letters: photographer Pavel Potashnikov, then I was not too lazy to go to the photographer’s website and see what awards and achievements he has.
He is the winner of the title “Best Photo Yousmi Web-JournalismAwards 2009” and “Best Portrait” - 2009 according to Drive magazine. If you have any awards and regalia, put them on your business card! If you have nothing like this, take care of this issue.
In any industry there are a lot of exhibitions, seminars, conferences and other such events, and you can visit them and receive some kind of certificate, diploma, award, or even win. You should reflect all this on your business card.
We will do the same on the photographer’s business card, placing this information at the very top. I even placed a cup next to it so that it would be clear that the photographer is such a certified photographer with awards. Next, under the photographer’s name, there is a squiggle pattern as a design element.
What should go next on the front of the business card? Here we must put the reasons why we should contact this particular photographer. Based on how I know Potashnikov, these reasons could be the following: a photo studio in the city center, further below it, professional equipment.
However, I don’t just put “professional equipment” and then list some complex technical names that mean nothing to anyone, I indicate in parentheses that the same cameras are used to shoot for Playboy and Cosmo.
Ninety percent of the audience of photographers in this case are girls who want to make a portfolio for themselves, and such a description of professional equipment will be more understandable and more attractive to them. Further below it are special photo sessions for Odnoklassniki and VKontakte.
What can you do here? Here you can simply stretch the background, this is a matter of technique. You can look on the Internet, where there are very interesting examples of business cards. For example, a business card that looks like a piece of photo tape is good for a photographer. I repeat, this is a matter of technology. At this stage you can invite a designer.
What other points would you like to make here?
The first note is that you should have separate business cards for each line of business.
The second point is that in addition to business cards, you should also have CDs, flyers, catalogs, and brochures. Business cards are not the only tool for the job.
In addition, you should have a complete set of marketing tools that will hit you more accurately in different cases. And you need to devote time to all this. This is not something you can just give to a designer to do. Therefore, spend two hours, or better yet two days, and make yourself the right business cards, this will distinguish you very favorably from other competitors.
A business card is an integral part of the image of any entrepreneur. This is not only an advertisement for your goods and services, but also the face of the company, so the production of this business tool should be approached with all responsibility, and we will help you with this.
A business card is not an advertising brochure
This is worth remembering for every person who is going to make their own cards for the employees of their company or for themselves personally. Pay attention to what format the future business card will be. Examples of sizes are varied, but it is worth choosing the standard 5 by 9 centimeters. This will be quite enough to place important information, not to “blow the mind” of the future client with unnecessary trifles, and to place the card in the most compact wallet.
There should be a minimum of information. Conciseness and information content, that is, the phone number and address of the company, what you do, the first and last name of the employee, position. All. You shouldn’t cram in information about all your products and services, list the names of employees, and even less push in a map to your office. Most of these overloaded business cards end up in the nearest trash can before they even have time to warm up in the hand of a future client.
Variety of languages
One wrong decision can completely ruin your business card. Examples of incorrect business cards include putting information on them in different languages. If you decide to attract clients from other countries or you have business partners in different countries, then spare no expense in producing a batch of cards for foreigners.
By printing in different languages on the same business card, you will ruin the company's reputation and will be known as greedy people. In business, this should not be allowed to flourish, and not to overwhelm the whole business with the wrong “face of the company.”
Rainbow of colors
Not so long ago, business cards were more fashionable if they had a variety of colors in their graphics. The fact is that even 10 years ago, using a color printer was a status symbol. Now this method is not relevant, and the era of minimalism has come. She touched on everything, including the business information cards.
Just looking at the examples of business cards (photo below) with the wrong choice of colors, you want to close your eyes, because it seems that you are holding in your hands not business information, but a dancing gypsy camp. Few people will want to cooperate with a company whose business cards have no meaning or taste.
Remember the three rules of an elegant card: minimalism, conciseness, and information content. This also applies to the colors chosen for decoration. Use your company's color scheme (if you have one), making sure that all the tones are compatible. Business cards, the design examples of which are correct, have no more than three or four colors that are completely in harmony with each other.
Also, the font color should be business black. You cannot write in a new shade on every line, even if you offer to buy paints.
How to arrange the elements?
Business cards, the design examples of which inspire admiration, differ in the arrangement of all elements.
To make the card truly work, order several types of printed business cards, this is the only way you can identify their shortcomings. Take the phone in one hand, and an informative “piece of paper” in the other, then swap them. If in any case the contacts were covered with your finger, then change the arrangement of the elements.
The company logo should be placed in the upper corner, or you can completely abandon it so as not to clutter the information view.
Materials for business cards
A business card does not have to be exclusively cardboard. Examples of materials for manufacturing: leather, wood, plastic, rubber, exotic base and others. It all depends on your imagination. But keep this point in mind: the raw materials for making cards must correspond to the line of business of your company. It would be unethical to give out business cards made from animal skin when you are raising funds to save rare species.
Companies involved in the production of business cards offer a lot of options for applying fonts: embroidery, burning, and simple application of information with paints. To ensure that the base of the card is in harmony with the method of applying letters and numbers on it, think carefully when choosing this or that design proposal.
Example of the right business card: professional production
To avoid being branded as a redneck and a person who does not respect business partners, never make business cards yourself. It is clear that everyone is chasing savings, but this should not affect the company’s reputation.
Nowadays, all offices have color printers, and you might think that it is possible to make cards yourself. If you are not a professional designer, then do not undertake to create, print, or even cut out business cards with scissors. This is poor quality, possible bad taste, incorrect design. As a result, we saved two rubles, but lost a million by missing out on clients. Order business cards from professionals.
Business card holder
If you think that allocating money to purchase a business card holder for storing cards is a waste, then you are very mistaken. Would you personally like it if you received a business card from someone who took it out of his back pants pocket? I think not very much. First of all, it's unethical. Secondly, the card will be in terrible condition.
A person can sit down several times during the day. Thus, business cards become wrinkled and worn out, losing their entire appearance. Jacket pockets are also not able to preserve the original appearance of the card, so it’s worth purchasing a business card holder to store them. It will not only keep the “face of the company” intact, but will also emphasize the style of a business person.
A business card, the design examples of which we have provided you with, should become a business tool for attracting clients and partners, so do not spare any expense on its production!