Comments on: What makes a good business card?

By: David Airey

David Airey — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 08:57:38 +0000

It doesn’t Eli, but I recommend using no more than two different fonts. Too many variations will just look a mess.

By: Eli

Eli — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:43:37 +0000

Does the font of the company name have to be the same as the font of the information on the rest of the card? Or can it be somewhat iconic?

By: Mikie

Mikie — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:01:09 +0000

Your welcome Daniela. Ruth i would think about your target audience, if your target is rock bands i would consider maybe straying away from the standard and how about going with a sticker business card? Bands always have stickers on their guitar cases and equipment that way your clients (the photographer) info will always be around them. You can even tell your client to encourage his clients to stick it on their equipment.

Now if the bands he photographs are much more known and he is dealing with primarily agents you might want to consider something in the standard size, but maybe you can do a die-cut of a guitar something cool like that but i would try to keep the size relatively standard.

By: Ruth Fromstein

Ruth Fromstein — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 23:47:59 +0000

I enjoyed Mikie’s comments on business cards. I have another question to throw out to those more experienced designers…how do you feel about unconventional sized cards? For example, i am currently designing cards for a photographer who primarily photographs rock bands. i wanted to design a card that wasn’t a traditional size, but was concerned if it would be well received. your thoughts?
Ruth

By: Daniela

Daniela — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:26:44 +0000

Mikie, thank you.
An interesting explanation for normal people (people that needs a business card).
I think the same. A business cards is an important image of you or your company, and it must “speak” about you! Is not a steril paper, is a message!
First of all: eye catching!
To inform
To remind
Obviously, for me is very important also material, because also the different materials are a “message”, material says something of you. Evolution, style, essence.
Thanks for this great portfolio and thanks to people that add info!

By: Mikie

Mikie — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:11:11 +0000

Hello David, great post and feedback. I too am a graphic designer for a large print company and have created scores of business cards and print marketing materials for large companies. I agree with you David, the contact information along with your name should be easily readable, i also agree with Pudi that your card should have recall value. I also believe that including a short message on your business card about what your company does is essential since company names and/or logos on occasion are not very informative about the company or what it does. When people receive your business card they immediately think how can this person or their services help me, if they can not figure out what you do it has failed. Think about it like this: what if someone else gave somebody your card, or someone is reviewing your card at a later time from when they originally received it, if they can’t remember what you do or figure it out, you probably won’t get contacted back.

Having a lot of experience in this field, i hope you don’t mind if i give my opinion David. In regards to Peter Armstrong Pros of a fold over business card:

- they are great especially if you sell products because its large enough to include photos on there like a mini brochure.
- with the extra space you can have a note section, appointment booking space, quote fields, etc. (Just remember if you are going to want to write on your cards remember to have them uncoated or a matte finish, you will not be able to write on UV Gloss cards)
- It will stand out

Cons of a fold over business card:

- They are thicker than a normal business card so people might not want to store them in their wallets since they take up more space.
- Also if your business card is a dark color and you have it is UV glossed you might see cracking on the folded part.

Hope that helps Peter or anybody else considering fold over business cards.

There is also another method for getting people to keep your business card handy create something on the card that a person can use, for instance a tip chart, calendar, etc.

Hope that helps. :) Great site/portfolio David, Cheers!

By: David Airey

David Airey — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:30:47 +0000

Good luck with the final stages of your course, Ruth. I hope you get the result you’re looking for.

By: Ruth Fromstein

Ruth Fromstein — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:26:05 +0000

hi david,
i sure appreciate all the great information. i am a graphic design student, graduating in may, so i am in the process of creating my personal identity, designing my own business cards and logo. i’ll let you know what i come up with.
ruth

By: David Airey

David Airey — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:27:48 +0000

Most printers should be able to help you, Viet. Ask them about custom die cuts, and show them an image of the card you like.

By: Viet Nguyen

Viet Nguyen — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:37:27 +0000

Hello, I was wondering if you know of a website that does business cards like the first one you have on the page. I am starting up a photography business and my logo is a shutter, and I wanted to have the shutter part cut out of the card. Could you help me?