If you have just started your business, you may be trying hard to stick to a budget until you feel you are making enough of a profit to justify the purchase of your business cards.
After all, you’re a newbie in the business world. You don’t really need business cards just yet – or do you?
The First Impression Counts !
Yes, indeed you do! Business cards are vital if you want to be successful. You should think of your business cards as a portable advertisement for your goods and services, and for you as well.
When you hand out your Business Card to people, in a sense they are carrying away a little piece of you and your business. In a way, the essence of what you are doing is concentrated in that card.
A business card is a way for people to remember you and what your business is all about.
Stop and think for a minute. If people do not remember you and your business, how can you ever expect to get that business off the ground?
Your own little Branding Advertisement
Some people are of the mistaken opinion that business cards are expensive.
Sure, people have been known to pay quite a bit for some very fancy business cards, but you don’t have to do that in order to have a Business Card that will state who you are, what your business is, and how to get in touch with you.
Your business logo, if you have one, should also have a place on your business cards. This is so people will begin to associate your name with your logo.
Use it as a Business Tool, and realise it creates Clients
Your business card is a type of promotion for you and your business. When people look at and read your card, they will remember your products and services.
Then, when they have need of your products or services, they will remember your name and your business and get in touch with you.
That’s the beauty of a business card. Such a small piece of card stock can have an awful lot of potential when it is placed in the right hands!
How much are Business Cards anyway ?
Business cards do not have to be expensive. Check around online at some of the business card printing companies that have their own website. You will see that the design of your business card does not have to be plain and drab just because you are sticking to your budget.
Often, you can get a fixed quantity of business cards for a price that will surprise you. There will be times when business card color printing will not be out of your price range.
Online printing companies run Business Card specials at times, especially if you are a first-time customer. At the time of writing, you can get decent Business Cards (1000 qty) for under \$100 !
What Different Types of Card Finishes can I get ?
Business Cards have main types of laminate special finishes you can get – Matte Business Cards, Gloss Business Cards and Velvet (Soft Touch) Business Cards.
Business cards with a Matte laminate finish are suitable when you want to have a non-glossy finish. The matte lamination gives it an elegant and sophisticated look.
Gloss Business Cards on the other hand, have a glossy coating which makes colors pop while giving your business card an attractive shine that will stand out from any stack of cards.
Velvet Business Cards, which sometimes called Soft Touch Business Cards, are perfect for those who want their business cards to stand out from the crowd. It has a smooth finish that feels like velvet to the touch, which has a very modern feel.
What Design Tools are Available for Business Card Design ?
Canva is one of the best online design tools available for free. It offers custom templates and an online library of graphics and fonts. Be aware though – with Canva, when creating your own design you need to ensure bleed and resolution is set properly. Use CMYK, not RGB, and make sure there is at least 3mm bleed. Print creative has differences in setup from screen images.
If you want to create a more complex design, Adobe Illustrator is the best option for professional-looking results. It offers many features to help you customize your business cards with intricate designs.
Make sure you design your Business Card to the correct Business Card Dimensions, so they are the perfect fit for your prospective clients. 90x54mm or 90x54mm are the most common but dont shy away from a slimline template (90x40mm) to create a visual difference. Your brand – make it make unique. Your Business Card size can make people look twice.
Should I get a Single or Double Sided Card ?
Double Sided ! Why not, you are still paying for card stock, so create a design on double sided cards that maximises your message. You can add additional contact information, QR codes or even create a unique design on the back.
For more complex designs, double sided cards allow for an innovative and cohesive presentation of your brand message.
They help convey professionalism and attention to detail which increases trustworthiness in potential customers.
Plus they are far more memorable than single sided business card! So go ahead and make the most of your double sided cards.
What Materials are Used in Business Cards ?
Business Cards are traditionally printed on cardstock paper but modern printing technology now allows for business cards to be printed on a variety of different materials, such as plastic, metal and even wood.
Paper stock is the most popular material used for business cards. It is available in various thicknesses and textures like glossy or matte coated (paper stocks that re coated, not laminated), round corners and UV-coated finishes.
Plastic Business Cards make an impression with their glossy finish and are available in thick and thin varieties. Metal Business Cards have an eye-catching finish and can be printed with UV or laser etching for a unique look.
Finally, Wood Business Cards have a professional look that is perfect for eco-friendly businesses due to their sustainable nature. They come in different thicknesses and are often made from bamboo.
No matter which material you choose, it’s important to always make sure your Business Cards are printed with the highest quality. That way they will look their best for years to come and help ensure that potential customers remember your brand.
Online versus Retail Business Card Provider ?
Purchasing your Business Cards online is a much better solution than trying to print a business cards yourself, or having a small retailer do them. A smaller retail shop simply doesn’t have the same Business Card Printing Services that good online suppliers do, nor the delivery infrastructure.
And DIY isn’t really a good idea. It isn’t as easy to do as some people would have you believe! Ink can smudge, card stock can get jammed in your printer, and the business card template you selected can be the wrong size for your card. Most desktop printers don’t have the ability to print custom business cards, and the print quality is far inferior.
If you are looking for vibrant colours, or extras like rounded corners, Silver Foil or Gold Foil, differing shapes or premium stocks, you need printing services that have the equipment and expertise to produce this and get a quality result that will represent your company effectively.
It’s much easier and more cost-effective to let a printing professional do the job for you. Remember, a business card represents both you and your business.
First impressions mean a lot, so make sure your business card is designed to please.
