Regardless of your job industry or type, you need a well-designed business card, one that is appropriate for your trade. A business reflects your skills, professionalism and attracts clients and customer. Therefore it is absolutely vital to have a business card that brings more clients not turn them away. Keep the seven sins of business card design listed below in mind when you design or have a business card designed for your business. Avoid these seven pitfalls, and you are well on your way to creating an unforgettable business card.

1. Not Including Logo

Not adding logo on a business card is equivalent to inviting friends over for cocktails and serving them no food. It is not the image that you want to project as a first impression. It can devise a lot of bad impression such as : you have not defined your business in your own mind, you are a spendthrift and cut corners at every possible turn or it can signal your inattention to detail. Logos are an integral part of your brand, and therefore, must be included on all printed materials in order for the brand to become associated with you and your business.

2. No Personalization or Personal Name

This is a no brainier. Have you seen business cards without any personalization, or worse, the ones with a blank line for the employee to write his or her name? If you are not going to personalize the business card with a name printed on it, do not bother. The negatives far outweigh the advantages. Also, if you have been in business for a number of years, include a statement that says something like “serving the area for X number of years.” Sometimes, an ill-conceived idea is worse than no idea at all so spend some time personalizing your business card.

3. Full-Color Printing vs Black &White

Certain businesses, such as photography, art galleries, etc., require full-color printing on the business card. Remember that the business card is an extension of you and your business. Color creates interactive, dynamic  and visually appealing business cards. Some people will stick with black and white business card which acceptable depending on the niche, industry and design.  Simply define your audience and then design your card. If you are graphic designer or illustrator it will be best to design something that expresses your knowledge about colors.

• Business Cards – Full Color Or Black and White – What Should You Choose?
• The Simplicity and Elegance of Black & White Business Cards

4. No Bleeds

If you include a photograph on your business card, be sure to bleed the photograph to the edges of the card. Without a bleed, you will have a border all the way around the card. Not only is that unattractive, but the business card is so small that you want to take advantage of every millimeter of space when including a photograph.

• Getting Illustrator files print ready
• What Is a Full-Bleed Business Card?
• Business Card Specification

5. Cheap or Thin Card Stock

When someone extends a limp, sweaty palm for a handshake, you almost expect that a cheap, thin (flimsy) business card cannot be far behind. And, nothing screams cheap like a flimsy business card. If you do not care about your business card your do not care about your business and therefore the clients. Today, there are several ways to choose stock finishes and sometimes a material other than card stock, such as leather, metal or plastic, may be appropriate for your business. You can also get creative with the design and appearance. Design a card that will make people go ” Oh that is clever .” If you are not sure what we mean check out the link below.

• Creative business cards

6. Difficult To Tell What You Do

Take nothing for granted when you design your business card. Often, people will distribute business cards for “mystery” business, businesses that are difficult to identify. Make sure that your business card is designed to leave no question about what your business does!

7. Incomplete Contact Information

Your business should be approachable, and that means that people should have no trouble contacting you. Your business card must list all forms of contact, including your email, website and cell phone, if applicable, in addition to the usual phone and address.

Related

• 30+ Business Card Design Ideas That Will Get Everyone Talking
• 25 Calligraphy Fonts for Typographic Business Card Design

In conclusion, you want to be proud of your business card, something that people will show to others. If you are in any way reluctant to hand out your business card, it is time to go back to the drawing board and start over. Remember that your business card acts as a stand-in for you and your business.

Lead image credit

Girish Jaju is a printing expert and owner of High Quality Prints a leader in discount brochures printing and much more.