Businesses newer to the market often stumble across basic designing issues like what is business card size and several other details. Business cards are one of those designing items that will never run out of fashion – or business. The handy, portable, and direct nature of a business card or visiting card makes it an extremely useful PR and marketing tool that has been in use for decades and is likely to stay in trend for a long time.
Before getting on to the reasons why business cards are so important, let us discuss what exactly a business card consists of.
What is Business Card Size and Basic Composition?
The standard business card design size is 3.5 inches by 2 inches but may vary slightly in dimensions based on the designing strategy and the business’s requirements. The one thing that is always kept in mind before identifying the business card size is that it must fit into the standard size of a wallet (or be no bigger than the credit/debit card size).
The composition of a business card is often in a landscape, but business cards in portrait mode (vertical) are becoming more common these days. The rectangle shape of business cards is followed as a standard throughout the industry. However, businesses belonging to the creative fields like creative agencies or designers often experiment with the shape and size of the business card. The designs vary from stencil-like cutouts to round-shaped or folding business cards. However, while creativity is always appreciated, remember not to complicate the design which would lead to the purpose of being dulled.
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Weight. Most business cards are printed on 80-pound cover stock.
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Finish. Of the three available-smooth, linen and laid-the smooth finish is the most popular.
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Color. Right now, two-color cards predominate. If you’re selecting from a catalog, there are between five and 15 standard colors to choose from. If you have another ink color in mind, your printer can show you a Pantone Matching System book, which includes every shade under the sun.
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Quantity. It generally pays to print more cards rather than fewer, because the printer’s cost is primarily in the setup. Entrepreneur
The main information or elements highlighted on a business card that stays common for almost all business card designs are:
- Person’s full name
- Business’s logo
- Person’s occupation
- Professionally used contact details (e-mail address and contact number)
- Company address
- Company details (website, official e-mail address, etc)
Why Makes Business Cards Forever Effective?
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Portability and Convenience of Contact:
Unconventional business cards are so popular mainly because they make it very easy to give out your contact details. In today’s professional lives, people don’t have time to write down contact details every time they meet someone (like a potential client or other PR sources). Giving business cards to people on the go is easy for you as well as the receiver as it fits right into a wallet, and everyone has wallets on them all the time which would allow them to contact you anytime they need you.
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Personal Interaction:
Exchanging business cards often involve personal interaction, face-to-face communication, or a mutual channel that delivers the contact as a reference. This personal aspect of business cards make it different from other business tools like a billboard design or a poster that you cannot interact with. Moreover, a business card lists each person’s details separately rather than just give the business details.
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Creative Impact:
Business cards are your first chance at making an impact on a potential client. If your business card is designed well and displays your business’s profile effectively, it can create a great first impression. Hence, being creative and effective with your business card is essential. One thing you can do to check your design before sending it for printing is to check your business card design on a business card mockup template to consider any final changes.
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Make Your Card Speak for Your Business:
Does your business card tell the customer what products or services you offer? If not, include some information that highlights what exactly your business does. A simple tagline like ‘Creative Marketing Solutions’ would do wonders at selling your business just by handing out your business cards. People open their wallets repeatedly during the day, and seeing your card there with the highlighted services you offer makes it easier for the customer to think instantly of you when they have a need that your services can satisfy.
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Reliability and Trust:
One thing that any business card must incorporate and promise is the building of a reliable and trustworthy image of the business. People tend to be online most of the time and often get their answers on the internet to what they should do, but when it comes down to choosing a business to satisfy one their needs, they often consider going to those businesses that they have business cards in their wallets of. That is mainly due to the people having met a physical aspect of the business (i.e. an employee of the business).
Business cards are a highly effective yet comparatively cheaper marketing tool and must be made full use of. A poorly designed business card results in a bad reputation for the business. Take care of the basic design elements listed above, use an online business card mockup free, and help your business grow.