The Office Copier

I am fascinated by business cards not the plain black and white or simple print type but the more unusual designs and materials. One way that you can make your own business cards is starting with the business card layout using free business card programs available on the web. It is even possible to obtain free printable business cards but these require care as the standard can be poor.
Should you elect to print your own business cards you will have to find a supply of blank business cards which are micro perforated and can be used on the average quality ink jet printer or, now more frequently, a color lazer printer.
The content of the business cards text is important and various rules should be observed. The first rule is to always work with the graphic designers before the printers - a badly laid out business card will never look good no matter how creative the actual business card printer is.
Second. Sketch out the layout that you like - just use blocks of different colors until you have a business card look that you like. Be creative and use logos or actual product pictures, where appropriate, on the front. If you are for example a caterer show it by having your signature dish as part of the business card design. A picture tells a thousand stories and will make your business card memorable. Next choose your colors carefully and remember less is more. Where you use strong colors on the business card use small amounts to highlite paler colors.
Fonts on business cards are another danger area. How often have you been resented with a business card only to struggle to read the important information. This is a case where the function of the business cards should be nore important than the form. The business card is designed to remind the customer/prospect of you.
What information? Obviously your name, title, company then some means of contact. You do not have to list every telephone number on very business card or every address. Consider having a number of different business cards - a formal business cards when meeting with CEOs and perhaps a more funky business card for the lesser mortals.
Another way that your business card can be distinguished from other run of the mill business cards is in the materials used to make the business card. Years ago there was a ‘novel’ business card development which was a plastic card which had your company logo embedded in the business card apparently floating. One of the most memorable business cards I ever received was made out of metal. This business card had the message lazer etched! I used to find myself showing it to people that I was meeting and promoting the business of another company.
Don’t forget the back of your business cards! A business card can also be more memorable when it is practical. By putting data on the back that people will use the business card will become a tool The metal business cards I wrote about earlier had an area which was hardened and the engineers used the business card for testing various components. I have also received other business cards which had a calendar of important dates on the back.

Filed under: The Office Copier on April 25th, 2008