Common Mistakes to Avoid When Designing Your Business Card

Even if it’s small, your business card is one of the most important tools in your arsenal when it comes to networking. A well crafted card is able to create an impression as it is able to do more than just give contact information. What impression will you make by handing out cards that look cheap, are chaotic, or, worse, are unreadable? Undeniably the last impression that you would want to want a client to have! Really, what would a business card with such objectives be like? Such business cards can be big corporate ambassadors if done right. So what we are going to do is understand some of the more frequently made business card design errors and their solutions. This should help you design a cool card that conveys your message, emits professionalism, and is hard to forget by the audience.

Mistake #1: Overloading with Information

In essence, it might be possible for business cards to feature all relevant information about the business, for example, when a person is engaged in conglomerate businesses. But for most people, cramming too much text on a small card is a definite no because it will only confuse clients. Think of it this way: suppose you are meeting someone you have never met before; there is no need to hand over your CV. All that has to be done is to politely increase curiosity in the other person and hope that they will engage you in a conversation.

Stick to the Essentials:

• Your name (the person behind the card!)
• Your job title or main role
• Key contact info (phone, email, website)
• Maybe a logo and a tagline if it’s concise and relevant

Tip: In case there are other details that you absolutely need to include, consider putting them on the back of the card. Maintain clarity on the front and make it attractive while other details like social media handles or QR code can go on the back of the card.

Mistake #2: Using Low-Quality Images or Graphics

Nothing screams unprofessionality more than a blurred or pixelated logo or any other image. These graphics will make your business appear to be unprofessional and cutting costs. It is not uncommon that the visuals of your card will be the first thing to attract some attention. Therefore, they should be clear and sharp.

Choose Quality Graphics:

• Make sure that the images or the logos used on your card are high resolution (at least, 300 DPI for print).
• Keep your logos in vector graphics because they can be made larger without destruction of the image.
• You do not need to worry if you are not an expert because non-experts can easily access templates and features available in apps such as Canva.

Tip: In many cases, do a test print if such is an option available, since the quality of the print may differ. Just because it is crisp on a screen does not mean that it cannot be blurry when printed and the pixels are low.

Mistake #3: Choosing the Wrong Font

Fonts are essential when it comes to wording as they do not just provide readable text, they also add character. A styling or script font, for example, has the connotation of grace whereas bolder sans serif fonts will give off a more modernized feel. The wrong typeface can confuse and complicate the message your card tries to convey.

Choose Fonts Carefully:

• Legible and simple fonts should be used (e.g., refrain from excessively curled, tiny or ornamental fonts).
• The maximum number of font styles wholesalers should use is one or two. This will enable the wholesaler's business cards to have a uniform appearance instead of being chaotic.
• Make sure that the font sizes are big enough to be read, about 8pt or larger should be adequate.

Tip: When you’re not sure which font to use, there is always a possibility of choosing a font into ‘sans-serif’ or ‘serif’ simply because it would feel safe doing so. These are practical, universal, and easy to read.

Mistake #4: Ignoring Color Contrast and Legibility

Color can bring a lot of character to your business card. However, avoid using colors that may reduce contrast between text and other elements. This is illustrated with a pale-yellow written text on a white background which cannot be seen in dim lighting. Similarly, using conflicting colors on a card may lead it to appear quite unprofessional as well.

Use Contrast Thoughtfully:

• Use a sensible combination of colors which look good and have a good contrast (light text on dark background or dark text on a light background).
• Ensure that such images and patterns are not used in a way that can overlap text content.
• Try matching colors with the help of Adobe Color and Coolors.

Tip: Always print your working samples so that you can check your colors. Inconsistent colors can alter the entire outlook of a project. This is where proofing or test printing comes in handy.

Mistake #5: Inconsistent Branding

Recognition and Trust come from consistent branding on every material. If the design of their cards is completely different from a client’s website or social media, their clients may feel lost or that they are dealing with a dis-organized brand. Having one prominent look allows a business to look highly professional and one that has a lasting impression on the audience.

Stick to Your Brand Guidelines:

• Always keep the same color scheme, fonts, and logo across the entire brand without any aberrations
• What is the overall feeling of the Brand? Is it modern and fun, or old and boring? Do incorporate this in your card design.
• In the absence of any branding guidelines, opt for a clean and smart appearance that can be consistent as the business develops.

Tip: Consider your card as a component of a cohesive whole and broader brand. Consider the other marketing tools you have and see if there is some form of synchronization amongst them.

Mistake #6: Skipping White Space

The white space or ‘negative space’ is the blank space between the elements of the card. It may sound strange, but this area is essential for the proper functioning and look of your card. Stuffing every card with words or pictures makes it too hard for the eyes to take in everything in one go.

Embrace Simplicity with White Space:

• It’s not necessary to use every inch of the page to the hilt from edge to edge with type or images.
• Apply it in such a way that the most critical facts such as your name or your contact details shout out at the viewer.
• Place it so that there is an even amount of space between the elements in the design to give the overall look a neat and planned feel.

Tip: White space is not to be confused with the color of the paper; it can be of any color and is simply a section left out of the design to provide space.

Mistake #7: Using Unconventional Sizes or Shapes

Odd sizes and shapes can be used to give a more individual flair to your card, but too many can be a problem as well. Unique cards may sit awkwardly in normal business card slots which can be annoying for people to carry around. If card letters are not in their respective pockets, it is hard to remember them.

Stick to Standard Sizes:

• A typical business card is 3.5 by 2 inches in length and width. It is easy to tuck away in a wallet as it doesn’t take up a lot of space.
• If you want to add your own touch, go with rounded edges or opt for some vertical angle but within regular size.
• Additionally, try more substantial card tokens, patterns, or surfaces to make an impression, without being excessive in dimensions or contours.

Tip: If you want to stand out from the crowd in the first place, it is more effective to concentrate on more expensive materials or interesting details than shape itself.

Mistake #8: Skimping on Print Quality

After spending time on creating a design, do not choose the printing option that is cheapest. You will work for something great, put a lot effort, and quality prints may spoil good designs with weak colors, poor paper, or inaccurate cutting.

Invest in Quality Printing:

• Use good quality paper or cardstock for that professional touch.
• Try to avoid those who can not provide at least paint spray an image with matte or gloss or other required finished features.
• Be prepared to pay a little more for nicer, tougher-looking cards that will make your company look more professional.

Tip: Contact different printers and ask for samples so that you can look at quality. Often, many printing establishments are willing to send a couple of tests to their clients so that one can see it for oneself.

Mistake #9: Forgetting Contact Details

It seems obvious, however, sometimes in the haste of designing people tend to skip fundamental issues. You are handing someone a business card to give them your contact information. Go over your information and make sure you have all the details and that they are clearly visible and easy to locate.

Include the Must-Haves:

• Write your name and your title
• Add the phone number, the email address and the site link
• Social media handles if relevant

Tip: Be sure to do a final overview of the card to ensure that all details are correct. Nobody wants to give away a card with incorrect email details!

Conclusion

Don’t consider your business card as just a piece of card – it represents you, the owner of the company on the go. Create a card that is display and enhances your brand by escaping these common pitfalls. Do not clutter your card, have it printed on a good quality material, and do not deviate from the branding. Shape your card properly and add anything which is of use to the card. In the event where the card is the first part of an interaction which you are not accustomed to, feel free to try ideas, look for better options and seek opinions.

The beauty of a well-designed and beautifully crafted business card is the fact that it has got the power to actually change lives – the peple whom it reaches get intrigued and are sorry to forget. So go ahead and do this, all the advice given here, all these tips, can be used in order to design a card which is attractive and target oriented.