Your business card says a lot about you and your company...in fact, it literally does just that :) When deciding on your business card, keep in mind what the most successful companies in the country would want for their business card and follow suit. There are various things to be aware of when choosing your business card, but these are my top 5 and what makes one legit.
1. Paper Thickness (AKA Stock weight)- This is what I look for first when it comes to my business cards. I have seen a business person take someone's card and immediately bend it to see how thick it was. Maybe this is a gut reflex, but it's real. My business card is a 28pt stock and I'm very pleased with it because it feels luxurious, professional and legit. I recommend using a stock of at least 16pt or 110 lb.
2. Cardstock/Finish- The cardstock is the type of paper that your card will be printed on. Choose a cardstock that is timeless. This means no gloss. Glossy business cards look more like club promotional flyers. Unless you are a club promoter, I recommend sticking with matte or uncoated finishes. Keep it simple.
3. Dimensions- The standard dimensions of business cards are 3.5x2 inches. I think it's best to stick with these dimensions because it's also the size of business card holders. I have seen smaller business cards using dimensions of 3.5x1 inches and 1.75x2 inches which cuts the card in half. This is creative and cute, but you loose valuable space and risk the card getting lost in a sea of other larger cards.
4. Design options/ no limitations- There are so many deals out there for inexpensive business cards, but a lot of these deals come with limitations. For example, you may get 100 business cards for $5, but the printing company's name and website will be listed on the cards. Also, it will just be printing on one side of the card, so valuable space on the other is being wasted. Lastly, you are limited to customization options, so if you have a specific font that is used in your logo, if it's not in the company's library, you won't be able to use it. It's best to go with a card that you can actually customize to fit your brand. In some cases it may be best to work with a Graphic Designer to create a unique business card for you. The cost of business cards vary, but they can be custom and professional while still being affordable.
Tip: Even if your card is a little more on the pricey side due to certain customizations/upgrades that you want, just remember that this is a business expense and can be included when filing your business taxes as a deduction!
5. Taking advantage of both sides of the card- A business card at minimum should include your name, title and at least one form of contact information. Why limit yourself though? There are two perfectly good sides of the card to be used and the cost to print double-sided isn't much more than single-sided. One side of my card is strictly my logo and the other side has my name, contact info, URL, social links and email. If I tried to squeeze this all onto one side, the card would look rather busy.
So tell me, if you have a business card (if you don't, you need one now), what were the key factors in your selection?
