Make Your Business Card Stand Out

Business cards are used in networking with other companies. Traditionally it is a piece of card with a person's company details, including address, contact name, website and telephone numbers. At social gatherings, events or meetings people swap business cards so they have each other’s contact details on hand.

There is a fair amount of design work involved when creating a business card. The information must be clear and be a good representation of the company. When designing a business card, look into the different types of formats that can be used. There are limitless options of paper types, fonts, colour and styles. The goal in the design would be to make it a memorable card so that the person will remember it.

Design the card around the industry you are in. For example, if you are a dentist, consider creating embossed teeth on the design. If you need inspiration, look for items or ideas that are associated with your industry. Ask someone who is not involved in your business what comes to his or her mind.

If you can’t draw creativity from the industry, look at your logo. Try and incorporate the different colours or textures you have from the logo and implement them into the rest of the design. For example, if your logo is a cat, extend the tail longer than the card size.

Material is another element that should be looked at. There are various different types and colour of cardboard to choose from. A popular idea is to have two different colours for the back and front of your card. Your business card doesn’t have to be a standard shape either. The card could be folded or bent to create a 3D business card.

Investigate in options such as other types of material than cardboard. If you are a panel-beater by trade, look into printing business cards out of metal. An option for a toy-store shop owner is to make their business cards into a puzzle. You can print on plastic or even cloth.

A business card does not have to be completely solid either. Business cards could have a punch hole or a cut out. For example, if you are an acupuncturer by trade, create a design with pinholes..

Consider printing a combination of elements. You could start off with a standard card and add another feature to it. For example, if you were in textiles, wrap rustic string around the card to add that special, eye-catching element.

Business cards are passed from one person to the next. The more innovative your card is, the more people are going to show it and pass it around. Business cards have been around for years and are an important element of viral marketing to a company. It adds credibility to the company's name and professionalism. If you design your card right you give potential clients an innovative reminder to use for future partnership.

Celeste writes for Circle Leaflet Printing, who specialize in professional printing in the UK.