Learning About Printing Services

Creative Ways To Make Your Business Card Help You Stand Out From The Crowd

30 October 2015

Kenzi Alvarez

Even in the age of paperless offices and online networking, handing out a business card remains one of the best ways to make an impression and give out your information to new business contacts. However, you want to stand out from the crowd and grab people's attention when you hand them a card. If you need help with brainstorming ways to design a unique business card, the following guide can help you drum up some ideas.

Use a Non-standard Shape

While a standard-sized rectangular business card with text and images in landscape orientation can convey your marketing message and contact details, it will do little to make a lasting impression on new business associates and potential clients.

If you are in the entertainment, food or recreation business, you can order cards in the shape of a circle to resemble records, compact disks, food items or sports balls.

A square-shaped card will also stand out from traditional-shaped cards. Other shapes you should consider include ovals, diamonds, triangles, hexagons and octagons. If you want to stick to the traditional card shape, ask your printer to give the cards rounded edges to make them stand out more.

Some printers will also provide custom shapes that look like cutouts of items such as leaves, word bubbles or keys.

You can also order cards that fold over to create small table tents that can sit on a client's desk, look like a tiny book or serve as a mini brochure outlining your business offerings.

Include Schwag and Useful Information

People love free stuff. A creative way to make your business card memorable is to include schwag with the card. You can order cards that have a slot for the schwag or an area where items are glued to the cards.

Fun, small items to attach to the card include small USB thumb drives, writing utensils, small keychains or wrapped candy. Some unique cards include information like maps, useful infographics or edges with measurements to provide clients with a mini ruler.

Since cards are two-sided, use one side for your basic contact details and the other for practical information such as industry statistics or fun facts about your field.

Forget About Traditional Card Stock

Business cards generally come in boring, uncoated matte card stock that is slightly thicker than resume paper. However, when it comes to designing your new business cards, think out of the box when it comes to what type of material will be used to print the cards.

The possibilities for unique printing medium include cardboard, plastic, wood and a wide variety of thick paper stock.

With these non-traditional materials, you can add elements like metallic finishes, stencils, raised letters, serrations, holes and more. You can also request that a business card be printed on magnet material so potential clients can use it on refrigerators or file cabinets, keeping your business info visible long after your initial contact.

Other Ways to Make Your Cards Stand Out

When you work in an industry crowded with competitors trying to claw their way to the top of the field, you want clients to have a "wow" moment when they view your business card. You can do this by adding elements to your business card such as:

• Wax seals of your logo

• Fine photography of your products

• Stickers that peel off

You can also offer a card that includes tools used in your industry. If you own a bar, restaurant or beverage company, you can hand out metal cards that include an edge that also serves as a bottle opener.

If you are a landscaper, make cards that look like envelopes and include seeds for an easy-to-grow plant. If you are a seamstress, include a swatch of fabric on your card.

You may have to spend a some extra dollars when you order non-standard business cards, but you will reap the benefits of that investment when you grab the attention of new contacts who decide to do business with you. If you need inspiration, browse magazines that cater to your industry or leading design magazines. For more information, contact a business such as 4 Color Print.

Share

Search