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Even in a digital age where social media and websites are increasingly popular, a business card is arguably one of the first impressions potential clients get of you and your business. Most businesses have them – but some pay more attention to what they hand out than others do. This traditional marketing method can be overlooked as one of the less important yet essential components on the business inventory – yet in fact they are an still incredibly important tool to have in your marketing arsenal and with that in mind, they have to reflect your business perfectly to ensure you’re sending out the right impression.
There are several factors when it comes to producing a high-quality business card. Weight, type of paper, print quality and design are the key elements which, when all executed properly, come together to create a fantastic impression of your business.
Branding and design
The first thing your potential clients and fellow business people see is the colour and design. This is what initially draws them to look at your card; and if it’s too busy, poorly thought out or lacking in innovation or creativity you’ll undoubtedly turn off potential clients and won’t project the appropriate image for your business. Make sure you choose a good graphic design company who will work with you to finalise your design. It may also be a good idea to conceptualise designs for other materials like letterheads, compliment slips and marketing literature at the same time. If you already have branding in place, they should be able to work with it to create something with the right colour scheme incorporating other elements of your logo and branding to achieve a slick, cohesive design. If you’re a new business, think about how your logo will look across the whole of your literature and not just on signage and the obvious elements.
Weight and quality of paper
It’s not just how your business cards look that is important, it’s also how they feel that creates an overall good impression of your business. A flimsy card made from poor quality paper says a lot about your business – yet a solid card with a good weight to it speaks volumes about your reputation and success. There are also so many different finishes of card available – matte, gloss and laminate to name but a few. With different textures and colours available (such as bevelled, embossed, textured and rustic ‘handmade’) you can really go creative and ensure that your card stands out from the crowd. Have a think about the design of your card and what type of paper will compliment it – but remember to keep it simple; sometimes a bright, plain white card is the best option.
Print quality
So you’ve got a fantastic design, you spent loads on expensive good quality paper – but your printing in Melbourne just isn’t up to scratch and you’re left with a disappointing product despite all the effort you’ve put in at the beginning to make sure it’s right. The quality and experience of your printer is crucial; because even if you get everything else right, if the print is poor, the impression you give will be no better than if you went with a substandard paper or a design that just wasn’t good enough. Always take a look at recommendations from previous clients before you choose a printer – and ask to see examples of their work for other businesses to give you the peace of mind that you’re in safe hands.
It’s not difficult to get a good quality business card, and the results of handing over something with the wow factor will certainly ensure you get your moneys worth.