Have digital business cards taken over? Here at Townsend Design & Print, we say no! Nothing beats an ‘old-school’ business card!
You might be thinking that the printed business card has diminished in this digital era! But paper business cards still play a key role for in-person networking events. How much simpler is handing over a business card, rather than searching for countless Instagram handles or LinkedIn profiles?
(Top Tip: at the end of a networking event, you’re likely to have a stack of business cards. On the back of each card, we recommend you write the name and date of the event you met each person at. This will save you from having a bunch of random business cards that get forgotten about!).
With that in mind our blog this month is focused on top tips for creating a business card that’s impossible to forget!
Branding your business card
A business card can often be the first point of contact for your brand. After you hand your card over to someone, it carries on making an impression. It acts as a reminder of who you are, and what you’re offering to customers.
When someone thinks about your company, one of the first things they’ll think about is your brand identity. Your brand identity is one of the most important parts of your business as it is what sets you apart from the competition. Brand identity is a combination of all of the visible elements (your logo, colours, company name, tagline, voice and tone) that are used to communicate your brand to your audience.
It is important that you portray your brand through your business card, by including the visual elements listed above.
5 things to include on your business card
Our first piece of advice is ‘keep it simple’! A common mistake is including every single detail about yourself and the business. Too much information will only drown out the essential details.
- Company logo: Your logo acts as a keepsake for customers to remember you by.
- Name of your company: This is considered to be the most important piece of information on your card. Make it prominent as it is what people are most likely to remember!
- What you do: Avoid listing a full rundown of what you can offer clients. When a potential client has contacted you, then you can give them a detailed explanation of services and prices. Use a simple job title or tagline e.g., ‘Graphic Designer’ or ‘Brand Strategy’.
- A way to get in touch: Contact information is key for how people will get in touch with you (email address, phone number, website, or a combination of contact details). You may even opt to add a company address.
- Social Media Handles: Social media channels have become an indispensable part of business. Be strategic by only including channels where people can view examples of your work. Also, keep your social media listings professional by avoiding personal accounts (Your personal Instagram account is not relevant!).
By including these 5 things, you avoid trying to fit all of your company information onto one little rectangle!
(Top Tip: Don’t forget to use both sides of the business card!).
How many types of business card and what are they?
Now you’ve settled for a design and what to put on your business card, it’s time to decide what type of card you’d like to use.
Each card has a wide choice of finishing options, so you can choose the perfect card for your business!
- Matt Laminated Business Card
One of the most common finishes for a business card is a matt coating. A matt finish is the right choice for businesses who would like their cards to look professional as it creates a smooth coating which is durable for many years.
One thing to consider before choosing a matt coating is that ink cannot stick to it, (although a biro style pen is fine). If you like to write additional information (e.g., an appointment time on the back of the card), it would be best to choose an alternative finish.
- Gloss Laminated Business Card
A gloss finish is the perfect choice for those who want to stand out from their competitors. For those who wish to use images on their cards, using a gloss finish gives your card a luxurious look because the images will pop off the card and catch the eye of customers.
Gloss business cards hold a significant amount of durability, so they will last in a customer’s cardholder or wallet. However, a gloss business card is shiny and can make any text unreadable. During the design process of your business card, it is important to choose the right typeface and font that is readable. Again, these can be tricky to write on in ink.
- Soft Touch Laminated Business Card
Choosing soft touch lamination is the perfect option for companies who have chosen a high-end design. Soft touch provides a luxurious feel to business cards through a velvety look and feel. Clients won’t want to put your card down!
Like the other laminated business cards, soft touch lamination also holds durable qualities. Not only does the finish leave the card fingerprint free, but it is also non yellowing, and more scuff resistant.
If you opt for a matt or gloss finish, Townsend Design offer an Anti-bacterial Lamination to help prevent the spread of bacteria. This lamination allows you to easily wipe and disinfect your business card regularly, which is perfect for cards that go from hand to hand in today’s environment!
3 ways your business card can stand out from the crowd
- Foil Printing
One way of making your business card stand out from a sea of business cards is by adding metallic accents. A simple business card design can be improved by adding Foil to text, logos, or the design template of the card. A foil-like finish is an easy way to catch the eyes of prospective customers and there are many colour options!
- Card Thickness
Business cards are not just about the design elements, but also the card thickness. The thickness of a business card impacts both the look and the feel of a card. Opt for a card more than three times as thick as most with up to 920g triple bonded cards!
- Spot UV
Spot UV allows you to choose an element on your business card which can stand out. It can be added to both matt and soft touch finish. For business cards, this is generally the logo or the company name. This will stand out more than the rest of the information on the card and really pop!
Are you ready to create your own business cards, or fancy a business card upgrade? Check out our own range of business cards. From holographic foil, to spot UV, contact Ali to have a chat.
