The business card is an extension of you and the company that you represent. Designing a high-quality card takes time, effort, and thoughtful planning. Having a great business card can do wonders for your business, attracting the admiration of the people who receive it.
However, designing a business card can be a tricky thing. Finding the best design can take multiple tries. A poorly designed business card can cause irreversible damage to your company. For this reason, it is important to know the ins and outs to avoid any mistakes.
To help you spot and prevent any mistakes, we will be discussing the characteristics of a badly designed business card.
Table of Contents
Poor-Quality Card Stock
While a great design can do wonders, having a high-quality card stock is just as important. If you give your client a light and flimsy card, you might give them the impression that your business provides low-quality products. With a top-notch card stock, you will impress the people you are handing your business card out to.
Here’s a tip from us: Don’t skimp out when it comes to the quality of your business card. You might want to invest in a business card made of premium paper. These types of cards can cost you a bit more but it will be more than worth it. Your clients will also be in awe of the quality of the business card you’re giving out.
Illegible Text
This is another common mistake that many make when thinking about their business card designs. Here’s the general rule: If you need a magnifying glass to read the text on your card, then you will need to increase the font size. The smallest font size recommended is size 6 and even that may be too small for your clients to read.
While you want to put as much information and detail into your business card as possible, it is meaningless if it isn’t recognisable.
Choosing a Bad Font
The font style can make or break your business card. Having one that isn’t appropriate for the industry you’re in can turn off potential clients and business partners. It is crucial that you do your research about what font style is standard or popular in the industry. Discussing with a professional designer can save you a lot of trouble a bad font style can cause.
There are many articles online that will teach you about what font style fits what industry. So take your time and gather all of the information you can before printing your business cards.
Taking a Gimmick Too Far
In recent years, people have been getting creative with their business card ideas. A creative business card can catch the attention of people who may not have heard of you or your company. While this is great for creating hype and intrigue, you also have to be mindful of the message your card is sending out.
A bad gimmick can cause your reputation to take a hit and drive people away from your business. If you want to be creative, make sure that it is in good taste and won’t offend the audience you are trying to attract.
Information Overload
While providing your clients with information is important, there is such a thing as too much information. Putting too much info on the card can cause it to appear cluttered and disorganised. You only need to put your important details such as your name, title, phone number, and email address. Be sure to put in your website’s URL or the address of the physical office too.
You should be creative in presenting the information you’re providing. A golden rule to business card design is defined by this acronym: Keep It Simple, Stupid (KISS).
That’s the end of the guide! Keep in mind that these tips aren’t the end-all be-all. There are multiple strategies to market yourself and your business. So don’t hesitate and get out there! We recommend trying different business card materials to keep your operation looking fresh and modern.
