Business cards work like digital identities which entrepreneurs share with potential clients and acquaintances. You cannot make any mistake on the significant elements of your enterprise.
Countless mistakes take place during the distribution and printing of business cards. Hence, you must be cautious of these mistakes so as not to bring you embarrassment.
Over the years, people have worked hard to compile a list of typical business card mistakes people make when designing the first business card. Remember that your business card is your identity card. It works as a piece of paper that reveals your products and services.
The common mistakes, which people make when working on the business card, are the following:
- Going for a small font size
- Applying low-resolution images
- Going for thin paper
Avoid these blunders to do well in the market.
Never choose thin paper
According to CTN News, Most novice entrepreneurs want to save money when working on a business card. Hence, go for cheap options of paper stock. It’s a typical mistake when working on a business card.
There is nothing worse than getting a business card that flips in your hand like a piece of paper. If your clients feel that you go for cheap options and do not value them, it will create a poor impression. Experts recommend going for thick papers to avoid floppiness.
Use high-resolution images
When designing the business card, it’s critical to go for a high-resolution image. What does it mean? The high-resolution image is clear and vibrant. When you go for low-resolution pictures, the business card looks pixelated, and the picture is not clear.
Hence it does not create a good look. Computer systems display 72 dots per inch images based on the screen size. These are too low for printed media. Hence, you have to go for photos that are above 72 DPI.
It will give a good appeal and vibrant feel. When you work on artwork and logos, make sure that the image resolution is 600 DPI. It makes the image look crisp and clear.
When designing the business card, use various Photoshop applications to create the card size and specify the DPI in inches.
Don’t go for small texts
Novice entrepreneurs often work on their business cards in their computer systems without zooming in on the font size. It is a dangerous step that can cost you your business reputation. Remember that you will end up with business cards where the text is unreadable.
If you don’t want to endure this kind of problem, go for a business card that is easy to read and vibrant at the same time. A standard business card uses 3.5 * 2 inches resolution. The text must be large and readable.
It is not only decent for normal individuals but those with eyesight difficulty. When you make changes in the design, ensure to zoom out to understand the layout of the business card.
Choose high contrast
The way colors appeal on the computer screen is very different from that on printed paper. Monitors make different intensities of green, red, and blue for creating shade. You may use the print alternative on the computer for using the color wheel.
Also, professionals help you with various color options for your card. They have the expertise and knowledge to accomplish this task.
Print media utilizes four and more colored inks for creating the correct color. Also, the computer screen shows color at optimum lighting level. Hence, the way it appears on the computer screen is very different from how it appears on printed media.
Keeping in mind these slight modifications and alterations, you have to choose a shade or texture for the background.
For fixing the issue, you must check the color profile with the printing company.
Further, ensure that it is less distinguishable on the business card. Various professionals can help you choose the best contrast for creating the right appeal. They have years of knowledge and expertise working with different tints and tones.
Moreover, they know which color will go with which brand.
CTA makes a difference
CTA or call to action in your marketing material, website, or email signature is necessary. There are various creative ways of using CTA in the business card. These are effective ways of grabbing the clients’ attention and making a lasting impression.
Moreover, it’s a creative way of conveying your message to the crowd. Never be afraid of experimenting and adding CTA to your business card. Remember that it has the potential of converting your potential clients into loyal customers.
Look at the safety line, cut line, and bleed
When creating the business card, the cut line, safety line, and bleed are significant elements to consider. If you do not pay attention to these, you will be displeased with the finished product.
Before unleashing your innovation and creativity, ensure that you are familiar with each element and how to use it. When you work on your business card, you have to be cautious of these three areas because that will make every element on your card stand out.
For example, if you want to place the text outside the safety line, you may find that the content is not on different sides when the business card gets cut. Safety lines give way to slight variation when the card gets cut.
Look at color profiling from PDF to Photoshop
When working on the business card in several applications, pay attention to the layout, design, background, and font. Ensure that you save space for printing the text. If you are not cautious of this area, some colors may change, and you would never want it.
In different applications, they come with general guidelines. You must follow these when working on the business card.
- Ensure to create the document with color mode
- When saving the document in PDF format, go for press quality
You can choose no conversion. These are some practical ways of ensuring that there is no color loss. Moreover, when you convert the file to PDF format, your card is ready to print.
Grammatical and spelling errors
If you are not sure of this step, you are probably mistaken. Remember that it is the most vital step in creating a business card. Before submitting the card for printing, ensure that you proofread the sample to look for grammatical and spelling errors.
It’s embarrassing to get printed cards with a spelling mistake. Remember that you are going to expose your business to the crowd. Hence, sending wrong information is something you would never want.
It is significant for individuals who are serious about grabbing new customers.
Go for a transparent background
When you provide images to the designer, ensure that the background is transparent. When you go for the transparent background, it creates the correct contrast. You can go for a darker background with a light image and make the right impression.
Moreover, you must provide pictures with transparent backgrounds wherever possible. It is a lot easier to work with these and create business cards that are long-lasting and aesthetic.
Printing techniques
Every business card does not get printed equally. The corners can peel off when you go for business cards with a glossy finish. Hence, curved edges are required. If you want to go for a gloss business card, be cautious of this area.
There are multiple cases where people go for low-quality business cards, which do not create the right impression. If you don’t want to encounter such an embarrassment, you must work with a reputable agency to find out more about business card printing services.
Every company has different ways of printing business cards. You must know about these in detail before choosing one. You may take the help of the internet for this information. Moreover, there are non-standard styles of business cards.
These are not that bad, but you need to know more about their pros and cons.
Choose less
Remember, business cards are small pieces of paper. Hence, compressing information is vital. Go for only the information that is required to reveal your brand. You must limit the information that you print on the card.
Most branding agencies advise going with a point format. Remember that the business card must have your name, position, company name, logo, office number, website, and email address.
These are significant areas that you cannot compromise. Apart from this, there is no other thing required. A business card can break or make your venture. Reputation plays a crucial role for any firm. Here business cards can make a lot of difference.
Hence, choose a trendy design, eye coaching, and unique. It should amalgamate all vital areas.
When you go for color variation and texts on the business card, it makes the right impression. Using several color modes will better understand what impression it creates. Remember that you cannot do this alone.
You need the help of professionals because they have years of knowledge and expertise in this field. Moreover, they are knowledgeable about printed versions and draft designs. They will help you with various strategies required for an error-free business card.