Creating a business card is an intricate and important step for any growing business.
Why is it so important?
When surveyed, 72% of people said they judged a business based on the quality of their business card. This means your business card isn’t only your first impression, it’s also what people use to judge your professionalism.
You already know you’re a professional — now you need to make sure your customer knows it too. Your business card is your first, and potentially only, impression on a potential client. Make sure they choose you over the competition.
Let’s talk about what embossed business cards are, how they are different and some approaches you can take to make a unique and professional first impression.
What are Embossed Business Cards?
Embossing is the process of punching text or images into the cards so they are not flush with the rest of the card. This allows you to create a raised design or text element on one side of your business card’s layout.
Adding embossing to your business cards is just one way to grab a client’s attention with design. There are many special finishes you can use to beautify your cards and create a lasting impression.
In addition to getting embossed business cards, have your cards printed with some of these other design components. Make your business cards next level in their uniqueness by adding:
There are obviously a ton of unique and interesting finishes you can put on your business cards in addition to having them embossed.
But before you get to finishing touches, how do you create a design with an overall lasting impression?
There are some basic steps you can take to guide you through the process of creating a card. These steps will ensure your business cards have a professional vibe and leave a memorable impression.
How to Create the Perfect Embossed Business Card in 5 Simple Steps:
Your company is ready for customers! Now it’s time to start spreading the word and creating a name for yourself. This is where business cards come in.
Here’s how to create a design that truly represents your company, stands out from the crowd, and ultimately gets clients.
1. Decide on Your Concept
Is your business classy? Quirky? Trendy?
There are often a couple of keywords that define your brand.
Choose an overall graphic design impression you’re trying to portray with your cards. Make sure it is true to your brand and concept. Of course, it needs to be professional… but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun!
Think about your target demographic in addition to your brand. Keep your customer in mind throughout the entire design process to make sure your card will catch the eye of potential clients.
2. Think Practicality
An ultimate balance needs to be achieved in your design.
The optimal business card will not only be unique and trendy so it leaves a memorable impression, it will also not get thrown in the bin.
To be honest, this is no easy task… 88% of business cards will end up getting thrown away in the first week.
So what can you do to make sure yours doesn’t?
Here are some useful suggestions to prevent your business cards from being a statistic:
- Use a practical size. If your business cards are too small or too big, they won’t properly fit in a wallet (which is where most cards end up). The standard size for a business card is 90x55mm, so try and stay close to that.
- Communicate your unique selling point. Make sure the message is clear on your card — tell them why your company is different. This will make people hang on to it because they will think “I may need this service someday, I better not get rid of this card.”
Your business cards need to send a message about what your company does. There is no point in them being pretty if they don’t say who you are and what you do!
In addition to clearly stating your companies name, services, and contact information, you can use these strategies to make sure your message is clear.
3. Use Legible Fonts
If your potential customer is having a hard time reading your card, how are they supposed to call you? Or distinguish what you’re all about?
Make sure to use clean, legible fonts to send your message. Here are some tips to make sure your words can be read loud and clear:
- Don’t use smaller than 8 point font. No one wants to get their reading glasses out just so they can read your business card!
- The best fonts are bold but also subtle. You don’t have to stick to boring traditional fonts like Times New Roman to make your message readable but stay away from cursive fonts that are hard on the eyes.
Don’t be afraid to branch away from traditional fonts. There are a ton of unique but also easy to read fonts that will stand out while also sending a clear message.
4. Be Yourself
Your business cards are your chance to tell your potential clients who they’ll be working with.
Make sure they send a message that’s true to you! Use your own language and create a design that you find attractive. Business cards don’t have to be boring. In fact, it’s beneficial if they aren’t.
Let your personality shine through so your cards portray why your company is unique and different from the competition.
You’re Ready
You now have the tools to create amazing embossed business cards that set you apart from the standard.
Business cards are still common practice. In Australia, the market for small businesses looking to get professional cards printed saw double the traffic last year… so you need to make sure you have a great design and that it’s different than the rest.
Before you create cards follow the guidelines from this article. Be confident you are getting business cards printed that are a perfect representation of your company, your brand, and you.