Do You Need a Business Card in the Digital Age?
As a printer who has been in the industry for more than 35 years, I frequently get asked for my opinion on the need for printing in the 21st century. In recent years, I am asked if people are still using business cards? The answer is yes! While letterhead has dropped in popularity, business cards still make up the majority of business marketing printing. Business cards are usually one of the first investments a new business will make. Many entrepreneurs even purchase business cards before they are officially open for business.
To obtain continuing business, your name, company, and contact information must be in front of the people, other businesses and the community on an on-going basis. Your business card is one of the best ways to accomplish that task. It is your introduction to potential customers as well as keeping existing customers aware of you. You business card also reminds them that you would love referrals. If you hand out two at a time, one for your contact to keep and one to pass on, you can benefit from passive networking. Certain events promote the use of your printed business card: networking events, Chamber of Commerce mixers, client meetings, promotional mailings, and especially social functions.
The Well Designed Business Card Can Get You Noticed and be a Conversation Starter.
When you have your business card designed, several guidelines come into play: your budget, how you will use them most often, the type of business you are advertising, and your personal taste.
I will be using a lot of printing terms in this blog. Since you are not expected to know them all I have included a glossary at the end of this post.
When I work with you to create your business card, we always begin with a discussion of budget. That ties in closely with the use of your cards. For example, if you want to print 5000 cards to enclose in a direct mail campaign, your main priority may be to have an economical card. In which case, the emphasis can be put on the design to make sure your business card captures attention without costing a lot to produce. On the other hand, if you want to market to a particular industry or clientele your business card may be more effective if you upgrade to a premium option.
Regardless of your budget, your business cards represent you and the difference between a stock card and a unique, high quality business card can be an insignificant investment.
Next, the type of business that you are promoting can guide you in your design choices. Traditional industries like doctors, lawyers and accounting offices usually stick to a traditional design that conveys serious professionalism. But traditional does not mean your business card has to be boring. Thermography (raised ink), foil stamping or embossing, textured stocks, and simple typography and clean design are examples of ways that you can dress up your traditionally designed business cards. Working with Peacock Print Co. we will create a business card that gives the right impression.
If you are in a more creative industry, you probably want a more unusual design. Logos, trending color schemes, photos and premium finishes are becoming more popular as businesses strive to stand out. Spot gloss and raised gloss UV, raised foil, special finishes, painted edges, double and triple thick card stocks, laser cutting and alternative shapes, like circles, squares, or ovals, are just of a few of the premium options Peacock Print Co. offers. Do you want to convey an eco-friendly and green company culture? We can help you with that too.
What do most people do with their business card?
I can certainly answer that question, but what I usually add to my response is “Do you know what you like?” If you follow your idea or preference, you are more likely to have a business card that you will love. Consulting with a professional like Peacock Print Co. ensures your ideas for design will turn out the way you expect. We can also make suggestions and provide guidance on the best printing processes and options to make the most of your design. After all, do you really want the business card “most people” have?
What do most of your competitors NOT do?
In his book, 49 Stupid Things People Do with Business Cards, and How to Fix them, best-selling author Hank Yuloff discusses that one thing most business owners do wrong is that they try and make their business card a one-size-fits-all situation. By having Peacock Printing Co design 2 or 3 different cards, you can pass the correct card to the right target market. For example, a photographer may have a business card that discusses weddings and another that discusses their availability for portraits.
Gather your ideas and let us help with creating a distinctive design for your business card.
If you want to make your advertising and business printing something that you can be proud of, email me at mary@peacockprintco.com or call me at 562-PEACOCK (732-2625).
Mention offer “BCYES” and receive a FREE consultation to review your business card design AND $10 OFF your first order of business cards. (500 minimum)
GLOSSARY of Business Card Terms
Thermography: a printing process where a resin is sprinkled onto wet ink and then exposed to heat causing the resin and ink to fuse together which raises the ink.
Embossing/Debossing: a method of pressing an image into paper or cardstock to create a three-dimensional design using metal dies.
Spot Gloss and Raised Gloss UV: smooth glossy flat or raised areas that create contrast with the finish of the stock.
Foil Stamping: a metallic paper (foil) is used to create different shiny designs and graphics using metal dies, heat and pressure. Foil stamping gives the stamped design a shiny and high-end look.
Raised Foil: the same as foil stamping but with a three-dimensional feel
Painted Edges: extra thick paper stock is painted on the edges to create an eye-catching effect
Laser Cutting: computer directed cutting of paper to create intricate and custom designs
Typography: letter and typeface design elements that can be applied to the letters and text (as opposed to, say, images, tables, or other visual enhancements)
