A Beginner's Guide to Making a Business Card

While a lot of networking today happens online, if you're going to be a business professional, chances are good that you'll find yourself needing printed business cards. Business cards are still an effective tool to help you connect with others in your field and make a good impression, but creating your business cards can seem daunting. The goal is to highlight what you do and your personality while still looking professional. Following some basic steps, you can create a good business card design to help you put your best foot forward.

Use Free Online Design Tools

You don't have to be a graphic design pro to make your business cards, and you don't have to own expensive software. You may not need any software at all. You'll find that online custom printing services offer free tools and templates that can help you start creating your own business cards.

Choose a Template

Browse various business card templates to find one that fits the image you want to project. A well-designed layout will reflect your brand personality while still being easy to read and understand. Test out several designs until you find one that suits your needs. And remember that a business card should make a good impression of your business, not just yourself: You might like pink flowers, for instance, but if you're an accountant, that might not be the right aesthetic for your business cards.

Choose Your Card Shape and Size

Most business cards are rectangular and are 2 inches tall and 3.5 inches wide, and this is generally a good size and shape to use, as it fits neatly into a wallet or pocket. But you can get more creative with size and shape if you'd like. For instance, some people make square business cards, while others choose cards with rounded corners. Some people prefer to use smaller cards, which can be eye-catching just because it's different. You might see business cards cut into unique shapes, like an oval or cupcake.

If you want your card to be a bit different from the rest without doing anything too dramatic, you might also consider turning it on its side: There's no rule that the wide edge of a business card has to go on top. Printing your cards with a vertical design can be a unique touch that sets a conventional rectangular card apart.

Customize Your Text

Fill in your template to create your card, ensuring that all text is easy to read. If the text is too small or uses an elaborate typeface that's hard to decipher, it won't effectively convey the information to the reader. Try to stick with one typeface, preferably one that fits with the branding of your business. If you want to use a fancier typeface, use it sparingly and make sure that it's big enough to be easily read; for instance, you might set just your name or the name of your business in cursive script and the rest of the text in a simpler style.

When choosing the information to include, start with your name, job title, and company. Make sure that your job title and company name are consistent with what's on your company's website, your LinkedIn page, and other marketing materials. If you have a company logo, you'll probably want to add that as well. Then, add the most important contact information that people can use to reach you, like your email address, phone number, and website. Keep it simple: You don't need to put in your physical address if you work entirely online, and you don't need to list every social media handle you have. The more text you add, the smaller that text will need to fit on the card, so try to limit the text to only what's necessary.

Pick Your Paper and Stock Type

Paper weight and thickness play a significant role when designing a business card. The most common paper for business cards is either 14-point or 16-point card stock. A heavier weight makes for a more durable card, but it also makes the card bulkier, so it's harder to fit into a wallet. You can also opt for plastic cards, which will be sturdier, more eye-catching, and more expensive to print.

Decide on Special Coatings and Finishes

Most traditional business cards have a glossy finish, which is more durable and makes the colors pop more. But a matte finish can have a nice, modern look and be a bit easier to read since you won't have to worry about glare. You might also consider using embossing, foiling, UV coating, or lamination techniques to add flair to your card design.

Print Out a Sample for Inspection

If possible, print out a sample of your card to inspect. That way, you can check out the quality and feel of your new business card before having them printed in bulk.