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9 Designer’s Tips for the Perfect Business Card

9-tips-for-the-perfect-business-card

We’re living in the digital era, dismissive of the many paper-based or analogue forms of advertising. “Who uses business cards today?” is often muttered in different circles and while we understand the thought, we must say that could not be further from the truth.

In fact, business cards are here to stay as professional mementos to personal encounters. They serve to evoke the feeling of that encounter and to inspire the recipient to contact the giver. But before that happens, the recipient needs to be interested and at the very least a little bit impressed.

This is where the good design comes in, our favourite means of expression that transcends all media, effective in print as it is in the digital world. We believe that a perfect card is simple, elegant, unique and makes a striking first impression on those on the receiving end.

So, when planning a new batch of business cards, we’ve gathered 9 essential points to consider.

1. Mind Your Brand

Before representing your person, your business card represents your brand. It needs to best illustrate your business identity and to mark it memorable, but also to be in line with the rest of your marketing material – from memos to websites. And do not forget to feature your logo prominently!

1 make logo prominant

Logo up nice and big on Bespoke Bathrooms business card design

2. Think Impact

The vast majority of business cards have an extremely short lifespan – 88 percent of them are trashed within a week of receipt. To avoid such a destiny, your card needs to stand out. Know your industry’s best practices when it comes to design and twist them to your advantage by using the boldest solutions in a smart and elegant way.

Translucent business card design for Aussie Boat covers

Translucent business card design for Aussie Boat covers

3. Less is More

Business card content is of vital importance, but people can get confused with what to feature. There is a hierarchy in presenting the right information and it starts with your name, title and contact information. Stay relevant and selective while listing your credentials, by keeping them compact, without generalisations. Following your name and functional title, your business card needs to have your phone number and professional email address. Website and social media profiles are a standard addition, but they should be included only if they are used and updated regularly. Do not feature neglected profiles or old web pages – that is counterproductive. Physical address needs to be there only if relevant and there is an actual business space in use.
Remember that the business card needs to be clean and clutter-free, so any excess information should be treated as excessive.

Simple and to the point. Business card design for Tania Lee Photography

Simple and to the point. Business card design for Tania Lee Photography

4. Size is Important

In Australia the standard business card size is 90mm by 55mm ( or approx 3.5 inches by 2 inches). This is the most common variation and it is the easiest to prepare and print. Still, if your business is creative, casual or entertaining, you may consider the non-standard sizes or cuts of your card. There are thousands of options, where a card can mimic your product in shape or suggest a tool of your trade without being tacky. Whatever you like or decide, mind that a card must not be too big or too thick and when unsure, simple is usually the best way to go.

Friends come in all sizes! One corner cut off, ribbon shape and two rounded corner special cut business card designs.

Friends come in all sizes! One corner cut off, ribbon shape and two rounded corner special cut business card designs.

5. The Font

The font gets its own space because it is at the very core of your design. No logo or image can help a card with a bad, unreadable, too fine or dated font. It’s like shoes – it can make or break the business card style and it needs careful consideration. Luckily, there are many readymade fonts available today, and your designer will surely have some suggestions. Plus your company font will always be a frontrunner for continuity.

Clean typography and font choice for Marguerite Picard Family Lawyer business cards

Clean typography and font choice for Marguerite Picard Family Lawyer business cards

6. Colour, colour, colour

Use colour to your advantage! If your logo is already in colour, you can play with hues of your visual identity, as long as you keep the palette simple and limited. But if your business is in the realm of art and creative industry, images, paintings, drawings and similar additions might work on the back of your card. There are also options such as coloured paper, metallic letters, or painted paper edges. If the base of your business card design is black and white, you can print several differently coloured batches, or play with new colours every season.

5-gold-foil-cards

Gold foil and different coloured business card design for Milkbar Digital

7. Go Creative

Unique design is what will mark your business card special, but with its many rules, it is a challenge in creativity. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and suggest bold ideas to your designer. Avoid cliches, steer away from kitschy or bland solutions. What do you want your card to achieve? If you have a reaction in mind, let that be your guide to a sharp solution.

6 big bold lip shape

Premium lip shaped business cards with 400gsm specialty stock and UV gloss varnish for Zoe karlis

8. Invest in Quality

Quality costs more, of course, but would you want to contact someone who gave you a cheap business card? So, using a quality cardstock and quality print is essential. You can play with the tactile properties of the card, adding texture, embossing, debossing or luster typography, as long as you don’t use every one of these features – that would be overkill.

High gloss plastic business card printing for Richmond Panels

High gloss plastic business card printing for Richmond Panels

9. Do the Proof Print

Once you are happy with the design, do the proof print of your card. It feels very different looking at the digital solution and holding an actual paper item in hand and you may want to make a few changes or additions at the very end. Once you feel comfortable with the proof, feel free to hit the print button and most importantly – start handing them out!


No Grey Creative takes care of all types of Business Card design and printing. Make an enquiry with us today about how we can get your business card working for you!

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