The Lazy Guide to Business Card Design

The real deal about designing business cards has always been a tedious process. You could make them yourself or find one of the many sites that give away free business card templates. 

But there’s one thing everyone seems to be forgetting: design is all about your personality, too! That’s why we are here to teach the basics of designing a unique and creative business card from scratch with no time or stress wasted! 

The Importance of Business Cards

Business cards in the Philippines serve multiple purposes for the professional’s primary needs: advertising, brand recognition, call-to-action, and contact details. When appropriately designed, business cards can reveal a memorable impression.

Your professional relationships are just as important as your business acumen. And there’s no better way to make an impression than to start with a well-designed business card that stands out from the bunch and boasts your personality. 

Designing Business Business Cards 

For a well-designed business card, the design must be unique and creative. 

The design of a business card acts as a first impression. Start by researching and absorbing information on what your audience wants and needs. 

Afterwards, develop a design that gets them curious and expresses who you are as a brand by implementing different elements such as photography, fonts, color schemes, textures, and shapes. 

Invest on quality of the paper. 

An unprofessional and cheap business card makes a negative impact on the receiver. A thick, sturdy card stock (anywhere from 10pt to 24pt) is recommended for a lasting impression that will attract clients over others with flimsy cards.

Choose your size.

The business card size must be standardized according to the country or region’s format. But on average, its dimensions measure 3.5″ x 2″ if the bleed area (the margins surrounding the card’s edge where printing is impossible) is not present.

Meanwhile, if the bleed area adds to the card, its dimensions will be increased to 3.75″ x 2.25.” And that area must be included when applying color on the card. 

Also, always consider factors like the trim line and safety line. The trim line is the target line for cropping business cards. In contrast, the safety line is the limit for cutting the card, as anything outside that line is prone to cutting fiascos. Business details and logos must not reach outside the safety line.

Add the logo and other graphics.

The logo must be the focal emphasis of the business card layout, followed by graphic design styles and secondary graphics. 

If possible, use a sly tactic to allow one side of the card to primarily show the logo and reserve the other side for revealing the person’s contact details. Moreover, it is also a plus point to place the logo back-to-back on the card to strengthen its integrity.

Add more creativity and brand symbolism. Extra graphics can highlight the brand’s background through visual icons and colors without overtly portraying the business meaning. 

Mind the typography.

The right typography shows legible details and makes an exceptional impression. Be careful in choosing font styles and sizes. The easiest is to use the classic types like serif and sans-serif, but it also pays to have various typography effects. 

For signatures and texts, go for something clean and clear–spacing that feels right to the eyes!

Apply the brand color of the business.

If you are using a business card printed regularly, it is recommended to use the same color codes of your company/business logo to avoid confusion. 

However, if your business card will have its signature combination, then having a brand color from the start is highly encouraged. 

Use Free Business Card Design Templates From ID Card PH

Too busy to design a business card from scratch? Need something cool and easy to use?

ID Card PH offers free business card design templates! We have the perfect B2B or B2C business cards, marketing and logo cards, holiday cards, and more. For more info, email us at inquiry@idcard.ph.