When you start a new job, you need many things to look and feel like a professional. This includes items such as briefcases and business clothing, but one of the most important items is a professional looking and attractive business card. A business card is necessary for networking, increasing your business, and letting everyone you know that your business or career has officially begun. These cards provide a variety of functions and come in many different styles, colours, and sizes, but regardless of the ones you choose, they are a necessity in today’s business climate. Nothing makes more of a statement than a professional business card, particularly when you consider the low cost of most of these cards.
Although a business card is an important item, it is sometimes difficult to choose from the many different options available. From size to colours to designs, the options are endless. Cards can be black and white with little information on them, full colour with a lot of information, or anything in between. Some are more professional looking than others. However, the variety available enables you to find the card that is right for you, regardless of your occupation or the image you wish to portray.
Types of Business Cards Available
Cards come in a variety of sizes, but most are approximately 85 x 55mm. Most are viewed in a horizontal manner; however, occasionally cards will offer a vertical design for a little variety. They also come in a variety of options that include:
- Finishes that are either matte, gloss, or a natural uncoated finish for a more rustic look
- Thicknesses that range from 300gsm for more classic looking cards, or a more premium design that is approximately 400gsm
- Loyalty cards that will keep customers coming back; these are usually 280gsm and are perfect for coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, or spas
- Appointment cards used as a reminder of the customer’s next appointment; these are usually 300gsm and are excellent for hairdressers or dental and other health appointments
Many companies also offer a recycled card that is usually 350gsm. Often these cards are recycled uncoated matte or gloss cards. These high-quality cards look quite similar to most higher-priced cards. Usually, customers will not be able to tell that the cards are made from recycled materials and will just consider them regular business cards. This is a less expensive but practical way to get highly effective cards.
Cards are usually full colour, but can also be either black and white or use just two colours. When a card is printed in just black and one other colour, such as red, it results in a striking and stand-out design that will attract the attention of anyone who receives it. Whether you choose a natural uncoated finish, matte, or gloss finish, cards can be printed on both sides or just one side and are almost always laminated.
Regardless of the size, type, or design you wish your card to be, there are many ways to order this most important business item.
How to Order Cards
Cards can usually be ordered quickly when ordering on the Internet. Online websites contain detailed descriptions of all their cards, including professional, full-colour photographs, as well as information on prices, card stocks available, additional fees such as taxes and shipping costs, delivery times, and design options. These days, if you already have your design completed, you can often simply upload the design directly onto the company’s website so that it goes directly to the graphic arts department. This cuts down on the design time and allows your cards to be finished sooner.
If you have no design available, most companies have a design department that will assist you in producing the perfect design for your card, or allow you to choose from hundreds of ready-made templates that can then be uploaded onto any card on the website. The design or logo on a business card is what enables the card to appear professional, funny, informative, or any other image you wish to portray to the potential customer.
Thanks to today’s technology, it is also very easy for the card company and the customer to send and receive drafts of what the cards will look like. Drafts are usually sent in some type of PDF or JPEG format and can be easily sent back and forth via email. Email messaging allows for the communications between the company and the customer to be ‘in writing,’ so to speak, so there are no misunderstandings along the way. After all, you want your business card to be free of grammatical and typographical errors, so examining the proposed design of the card is of utmost importance. You can even print out the email, to further examine the document and make sure it is what you want before placing your order.
What to Look for in a Card Company
Like most companies these days, business card companies usually have professional websites that describe all their services and products. However, they should also offer other services, such as:
- The ability to easily contact them at any stage of the process, including phone numbers, email addresses, and online enquiry forms
- An online presence on social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or LinkedIn
- A blog or message board that you can go to and see what other customers think of the company
- A list of other products available, such as flyers, brochures, postcards, banners, and posters
Finding the right company is usually very simple. Once you find them, the entire design process can usually be summed up as: selecting a product or template, uploading your completed design or using the company’s own design tool, and clicking to place your order! These days, ordering business cards is simple. Ordering online saves money, allows for hundreds of possible designs, and gets your cards to you quickly. Ordering cards online simply makes sense.