Action Steps to Get the Most from Business Card Printing Services
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Talk to business card printers to get an idea of your options

Your business cards don't have to look like everyone else's, although they certainly can if you think this will work best. However, don't be afraid to step outside the mold.

I recommend: Go to Vista Print's website. This company has thousands of traditional designs to choose from and you can add your own custom image or logo if you'd like. Then,check out Zazzle's collection of unusual business cards so you can compare and contrast. Both of these companies have contact information on their sites. If you decide you want to go al-out wacky, see [Re]Encoded for inspiration.

Learn how to make your business cards worth keeping

Whether they're unusual or mainstream, your business cards need to contain useful information. If not, there's really no point of anyone holding on to them. Some organizations choose to include simply a telephone number or email address, but others also put in a summary of what the business does and even a list or key terms. Don't forget, you'll have more real estate if you use the front and back of the card.

I recommend: Read Creative Latitude's article on this topic and discuss it with management or your employees to determine what you want to put on your cards. Also, seriously consider images, especially if your business is involved in the visual arts. Fotokard has some great photo business cards worth checking out.

Decide if you want to make your own business cards

If you have design software, there's no reason why you can't make your business cards in-house. Just be sure you're able to achieve the look and feel you want. If not, go with an outside vendor.

I recommend: Create draft business cards on your office computer using a design program such as Microsoft Publisher. Templates will include all business cards basics. Microsoft has an article on how to do this on its website. If they turn out to your liking, simply send your design to a printing company, like iPrint. If not, you'll still have a prototype to show to a designer. Be aware that you might have to use a specialty printer if you want die cut or raised print business cards.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't use your office printer for printing business cards unless you have the ink, paper and resolution to make them look professionally produced. Otherwise, you're not doing your business any favors.

Guide to Getting Great Business Cards

Your best advertising tool is one of the smallest investments

By Jenni Simcoe

1. Serve as a silent salesperson. Long after the customer has received it, the card is a reminder of a product or service.
2. Provide superior customer service to clients. A properly executed card saves the customer time by putting them directly in touch with the right person.
3. Communicate a message to customers about your business.
4. Create repeat customers since they have a reminder in their card file of your business.
5. Be a word-of-mouth marketing tool if you ask every customer to pass on your card to friends and colleagues.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Decide on a concept

Your card should reflect your image. You may prefer a straightforward design with a logo and contact information. If you're in a creative field, you'll need to show some personality on your card. In other professional industries, such as real estate, a photograph may be appropriate.

I recommend: Check out business cards online gallery to see how other companies like yours have designed their cards or swipe a design idea from "The Best of Business Card Design 6".

Include all the details

Your business card design should include all of the information you want your clients to have, but beware of making the card look like the fine print of a credit card. It seems obvious, but oftentimes the business card is the first thing that small business owners set up, before they have a physical address, website or email address.

I recommend: For a comprehensive checklist of what to include on your card, take a peek at magazinedesign.weblogsinc.com or check out tips from marketing coach Veronika Noize. Before you print business cards, take the quiz "How does your card rank?"

Design and print business cards online

There are hundreds of online print shops that produce high-quality cards with a fast turnaround.

I recommend: One of the easiest business card printing services to navigate, gotprint.com, provides ten templates to let you design business cards online and insert your own logo. Designyourowncard.com also lets you design business cards online with different fonts and ink colors. If you want to take care of your business card printing locally, you can design with Microsoft Publisher. Find more business printing services at Business.com.

Don't forget about the back in business card printing

Print business cards on both sides to add marketing messages, directions, coupons and more.

I recommend: Get ideas for the back of your card at greatfxbusinesscards.com and businesscarddesign.com. You can also order a custom logo online.

Look for free business cards online

You’ve probably seen the offers for 250 free business cards online. There may be a catch: The back sides of free business cards may carry advertisements for business card printing services.

I recommend: Compare offers for free business cards online at free-business-card.org or try the free offer from business card printing services giant VistaPrint.

Be sure they keep it

Even the most beautiful business card design is useless if people toss the card in the trash.

I recommend: Discover what makes people hang on to business cards and what you can do to make sure they keep yours at greatfxbusinesscards.com.

Consider a digital card

In these days of ever-accelerating technology, cutting-edge self-promotion options, like mini CD's, are becoming increasingly popular.

I recommend: Check out Business.com's digital business cards listings for links to vendors.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  For your permanent card, don't be tempted to buy those perforated cards that you run through an inkjet printer. They are an instant give-away that you scrimped on something that is important — your image. The best use for the DIY kit is to test your business card design or to print up temporary cards.
• •  Choose a high quality card stock. It will stand out among other cards in a filing system.
• •  Cards larger than 2' x 3 1/2' or vertically printed cards may set you apart, but if you want the card to be stored in a Rolodex, think twice. Vertical cards will be harder to read at a glance and larger cards won't fit.
• •  Most business card printing services offer an overall discount when you print business cards for all your employees at once. Consider providing all of your employees with a card when you open the doors, and you may be able to save money in the long run.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Take business card design seriously

It can be tempting to go with just any business card company to get the printing out of the way, especially if you're constantly hiring new employees. However, you need to resist this temptation. Low quality or unimaginative business cards will not do you any favors in the long run. Once you have a template established, reprinting is pretty easy.

I recommend: Consider embellishments, like raised print business cards to make yours stand out from others. Check out Toxel's collection of creative business card designs. Allbusinesscards has magnetic or sticker cards available for order. If you want, you can design your own business cards. Just make sure your cards' design have something to do with your business. Don't go out on a creative tangent.

Include vital information on your business cards

Once you've got your business card design picked out, don't shoot yourself in the foot by making them useless to potential customers. If you leave out important contact information -- or worse, it is incorrect -- you might as well just throw them in the recycle bin.

I recommend: Read Small Business Brief's article on what to include on your business cards. Then visit Executive Travel Magazine's site to learn what you should red line before your cards go to the printer. You don't want to include too much information either, or the client won't have reason to call and ask questions. Finally, always proofread.

Work on using business cards for networking

Of course you want to keep a good supply of business cards in the office to give to interviewees and potential clients who drop by. It is just as important, if not more so, to have them with you when you're on the go. They may be the most important networking tool you have since they tell customers how to find you.

I recommend: Make sure each employee has a business card holder or designated area in his or her wallet that protects cards from getting soiled or creased. Consider giving out holders as a holiday gift that also serves as a gentle reminder. Executive Gift Shoppe has a great selection of products. Then check out Business-networking-techniques' article on networking effectively with business cards.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't use multiple business card printers. It can be hard to match colors and sizes and could dilute your branding.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

USP/UCA

Your unique selling proposition (USP) or unique competitive advantage (UCA) defines your company's distinct features that are appealing to your target market. Your USP should be placed on all marketing and promotional materials, including business cards.

I recommend: Learn more about the importance of having a USP/UCA at Fast Forward Marketing.

Logo

A logo is simply a unique way of displaying your company name or initials on your business card. Using a logo is a good way to gain notoriety for your business. A logo should represent your company's image.

I recommend: Learn more about using a logo on your business cards at Southworth.

Coating

You can choose from a variety of business card coatings, including matte, glossy and recycled stock. Matte coating has a dull, satin-type finish that works well with inkjet and laser printers. Gloss coating has a glossy finish that is water-resistant. Recycled business card stock is eco-friendly and usable in inkjet and laser printers.

I recommend: Get more details about business card coating at Digital Room.

Type style

Type style is the font used on business cards and is one of the most important elements of the card. The type style is what makes a lasting impression, so you should choose your type style wisely.

I recommend: Find out more about business card type style at Dynamic Graphics Magazine.

Layout

Business card layout addresses how your card will be printed, either horizontally or vertically. Horizontal layouts are typically more traditional, while vertical layouts may provide more creative options. When choosing a layout, you should consider the amount of content you want on the card, cost and the option that would be most appealing to your target audience.

I recommend: Read more about layout at Free Business Cards.

Bleed

Many printed business card designs include bleed. The bleed area is an additional 1/8-inch of space (for background and design components) that goes beyond the finished size of the card. A business card with bleed is printed so that the design appears to 'bleed' off of the page instead of having a white border.

I recommend: Find out more about business card designs with bleed at PrintingForLess.com.