The Steps to Creating a Business Card Business Card Design The Steps to Creating a Business Card

Objectives Students will describe the process of designing a business card. Students will create an unique and effective business card design. Students will demonstrate proper knowledge of the tools of industry, standard software for modification of digital images at a proficient or advanced skill level for preproduction, production and publishing.

Purpose of a Business Card The main purpose of a business card is to convey your contact information to a potential client. Most business cards contain your business name, your name and title, your telephone number, an email address, and a street address. If your company has a website, include its address so that customers can receive more detailed information through it. It could also include contact information like your Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, etc. Be careful not to put so much information on the card, that it becomes hard to read. A business card also: Helps Customers Remember You – A business card is something tangible you leave behind that helps customers remember you after the first meeting. Some people put their photo or a personal message on the card also to help customers remember them. Reflects Your Company's Values – A business card should convey the company’s values and approach to business, through the use of the logo, color and design elements. Differentiates You From Competition – A business card should be unique and creative so it can differentiate you from the competition. CFU: What is the purpose of a business card?  What information should be included on a business card?  How could a business card help a customer remember you?  Why does a business card need to differentiate you from the competition?  Give an example of how you could use color to portray your comapny's values?

Steps to Creating a Business Card Design Step 1: What is the size? Step 2: What information needs to go on the card? Step 3: What is the purpose of your card? Step 4: Branding - How will you make it match your logo and/or other business materials? Step 5: What design elements might you include to make your business card more interesting? Step 6: Are you going to print on the front and back of the cards? Step 7: How will you make your business card appeal to your target audience?

 Step 1: Size The standard size of a business card is 3.5” wide x 2.0” high or it can be flipped to 2.0” wide x 3.5” high. Your images and color can go to the very edge of the paper. When you set up the design you will actually have to have them go outside the box by a ¼ of an inch. This is called a bleed and allows for the printing company to print the card with out white space being left at the edge. Generally you don’t want any type that needs to be readable to go to the very edge of the card. You want to keep it at a minimum of an 1/8’ away from the edge, but to be safe a 1/4” would be better. 2” wide 3.5” wide CFU: What is the standard size of a business card? Why can’t you have type go all the way to the edge of the card? What is a bleed?

Step 1: Odd Sized Business Card Some people design different size business card or specialty cards.

Step 2: Information Information for the Business Card Business Name (if not on logo) Name of the person the card is for Title (Owner, Manager, etc.) Address: City, State, Zip Phone Fax Email Website Other contact information: You Tube, Twitter, Facebook, etc.

What is the purpose of your card?  Step 3: Purpose What is the purpose of your card? • Do you want to promote your business? • Do you want to give it to people so they can contact you? Your purpose will affect how much information you put on the card and what the design looks like. For example if you want people to contact you then you want to put a lot of contact information on your card. If you are using it more for promoting your business then you might want it to look more flashy with only important information. CFU: Why should you know the purpose of your card? Give an example of a purpose of a business card.

 Step 4: Unity Branding: How will you make it match your logo and/or other business materials? If the company logo uses specific fonts and colors then the business card should use those same fonts and colors. If the company uses similar design elements in their logo and advertising then those should be used in the business card also. CFU: Why should the business card match the logo and other materials of the business?

 Step 5: Design Elements What design elements might you include to make your business card more interesting? Are their images, photos or elements of your logo you could use as graphic elements in your business card design? Adding design elements to your card can make it more interesting and eye catching. CFU: What are some examples graphic elements, photos or designs you could use in a business card design?

 Step 6: Front and Back Are you going to print on the front and back of the cards? If yes, what goes on the front and what goes on the back? Printing on both sides of the cards adds cost to the printing. However, it is an effective way to put more information on the card. Many companies put the logo on one side of the card and the contact information on the other side of the card. CFU: What would be the benefit of printing on both sides of a business card? Why wouldn’t you want to print on both sides?

How will you make your business card appeal to your target audience?  Step 7: Target Audience How will you make your business card appeal to your target audience? This is an important question. Who is your target audience? Are you using colors, designs and images that would appeal to that target audience?   CFU: Give an example of how you might make a business card appealing to someone of your age and/or gender.

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