So, you have started your own business! Congratulations! There are many ups and downs to owning a business, and there is so much room for a business owner to demonstrate creativity. Although, if your brain isn’t wired artfully, some details such as website design, brochure design, and business card design may seem more like a down than an up.
You can definitely invest in a graphic designer to design and print your business cards for you, but that may cost an amount of money you cannot afford to spend if your business is new. So sometimes, the best way to start with business cards is to design them yourself.
So what exactly is needed on a business card? You want to convey so much information and personality through a tiny 3.5” x 2” piece of cardstock. So what should be included, what should be left off, and what can you add to make your cards stand out from the competition?
Business name
Quite obviously, the name of your business must be included on the card so that your clients know exactly who you are at first glance. You can add the business name to both the front and back of the card and print on both sides through a graphic tech company. That’s right! Do not leave the back of your card blank unintentionally. Create something visual on the back that pleases the eye.
Logo
Speaking of visually pleasing, adding your logo to the card is a big must. If you have those extra design skills, a logo can be added to the front and/or back of the card and can even become part of the background.
Your name/employees’ names
Adding names to business cards gives a sense of personalization and trust for the client it is given to. A card with your name tells them who you are and that you are available for them with any questions they may have. Include one name per card, do not overstuff with all of your employees’ names.
Job titles
Underneath your name, you should have your job title. That way, the client knows exactly who they are speaking to and what they can do for them. If they forget your job title, they can look at your business card and be reminded of who you are concerning your business.
Website
Include a short link to your website’s home page so your clients can easily find you. Sure, they could just Google you, but it is nice to have a physical address just in case.
Contact info
Since your card isn’t a direct line of communication, include all of your contact information under your job title, This includes email addresses, work phone numbers, extension, and work landline if you have one.
Social media
If you have any social media, you can add icons to the bottom of the card along with your usernames. Social media is an excellent way for customers to see what you are accomplishing daily and connect with you on a more personal level.
Tagline
If your company has a tagline, include it with your company name or logo. This also can be added to the front or back of the card.
Colors and textures
One way to spice up your business cards is to add an eye-catching color or texture. Play around with color shades and figure out fun ways to incorporate them in your cards. For example, if your cards are printed on thick enough paper, you may be able to add color to the edges of your cards, which is something rarely seen on an average business card.
Some print shops can even add different textures, such as metallic accents, bumpy accents, matte backgrounds, glossy backgrounds, and more. Once you have your design, contact your local print shop to see all of your printing options and, eventually, print out physical copies.
One graphic tech shop located in Ephrata, PA, is Cornerstone Graphic Technologies LLC. Cornerstone Graphic specializes in all print products essential for the small business. They are a team of professionals who work directly with you to ensure you receive physical copies of your project that look even better than you imagined them. Cornerstone Graphic Technologies LLC employees have 300 combined years of experience, so your business cards will be in great hands with their experts.
Your custom-designed business cards will be a source of pride for your business. If you are still worried about designing yourself, look for online templates or a second pair of eyes to help you out. You are fully equipped to create your own cards! You’ve got this!
Ready to have your cards printed? Head over to Cornerstone Graphic Technologies to start the process today.
