The Basics of Business Card Printing

Business card printing is a cheap yet effective way to market your brand. Whether you’re manufacturing a product or offering a service, it will help spread the word about your brand, legitimize your business in the eyes of your customers, and help you achieve your most immediate business goals.

But how exactly did the process of distributing business cards start? They used to be called trade cards, and were utilized as a form of advertising and sort of a map system in 17th century England. From there, the popularity of trade cards soared and they were used to promote everything – from formula milk to patient medication. Trade cards indicated the name of the business, its products, business address, and contact information. Nothing much has changed from trade cards to business cards – they are still being used as a form of print advertisement up to this day.

Now that you already have an idea about the history of business cards, let us take a quick look at the factors that you need to consider when looking for printing service:

  • The cost and quality of service

There are two types of printing service available: digital and offset. As compared to digital printing, offset printers offer six to eight times better quality – so it pays to invest in this type if you want to get good quality prints.

  • The design and layout of the card

Of course, you also need to think about the design and layout of the card. Do not overcrowd the small space you have with too much information. Depending on your target client, you can come up with a design and layout that will appeal to them. Consider even the smallest details – from the colors to the font, as well as the image and the way that the contact information is laid out.

  • The material used

Lastly, consider the material used. You can take your pick from plastic business cards; thin or thick paper which has 15% to 75% the thickness of a credit card; or laminated paper which can give a fabric-like effect to the card. Premium cards like suede business cards or silver/gold foil will make a great first impression to customers.

 

 

 

Counting Down the Most Important Factors of Business Card Printing

What do you think are the most important factors when it comes to business card printing? The simple act of distributing business cards is a good enough form of advertising, not to mention inexpensive. As such, you must pay attention to even the smallest details of printing the cards. Here, we will be counting down the most important factors when you’re printing regular or premium plastic business cards.

5 Factors to Consider when having Business Cards Made

When having business cards made, here are the top five factors to consider:

  • Type of printing: digital or offset?

There are two types of printing processes available for products like business cards: digital and offset. Digital printing companies are a dime a dozen, while there is a lesser number of offset printing presses. Quality-wise, offset printing produces better prints than digital and it’s a bit more expensive – something that you definitely have to consider when having business cards made.

  • Size: standard or non-traditional?

The standard size of business cards is 2” x 3”. There are slightly bigger and smaller versions but the downside of taking the non-traditional route is that the card might not fit wallets or purses. If it’s too small, it might get lost inside women’s bags. If it’s too large, people might find it too much of a burden to keep. It’s entirely up to you to decide whether you want to go for the standard, smaller, or bigger-sized business cards.

  • Paper thickness: thin or as thick as a credit card?

Most people like the feel of thick business cards on their hands, although others opt for the more elegant thin, textured linen cards. For the thick business cards, there are materials which have anywhere from 15% to 100% the thickness of credit cards.

  • Material: paper or plastic?

Thin linen, fabric-like suede business cards, silver or gold foil laminate, plastic – these are your options when it comes to the material that the card is made from.

  • Design: conventional or out-of-the-box?

Finally, make sure that the design of your business card suits the image that you’d like to project for your brand. If you have an older clientele, choose a design that will appeal to their tastes. For a younger audience, you can have an out-of-the-box, edgy, or creative business card design.

Take these factors into consideration and make sure to include a call to action when having a business cards designed and printed out for your business.

 

Looking for a Business Card Print Service Provider? Here’s Why You Must Include Social Media

If you are looking for a business card print service provider, you are on the right path because it is very difficult to introduce your brand to a new customer without it. It may be an old school form of advertising, but it is as effective today as it was several centuries ago. Just imagine how awkward it must be if a potential customer asks for your office number and you have to read it manually to her so that she can save the contact information on her phone. Not only are you asking her to do all the work, but it makes you look unprofessional.

Fortunately, there are many ways for you to modernize the design of color business cards while still allowing you to foster human connection. One way is to incorporate your social media handles on your business card layout. Take a look at the advantages of doing so:

  • Social media makes it easier for customers to ‘find’ you.

Whether you have classic or plastic business cards, the fact that you are including your social media handles on your contact information makes it a lot easier for customers to find you. If you are a practically unknown name in the beauty industry, for example, but you have handmade products which you think women will really like – the first thing they’ll do is look you up on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. Instagram in particular is very visual so once they see gorgeous pictures of your products on the site, they are bound to tell their friends about it.

  • It’s a cheap and effective way of reaching out to your target audience.

There are practically no costs involved in creating the most popular social media accounts, so you get free advertising and exposure. It is also an effective way of reaching out to your target audience. The more likes your posts get, the more widespread your brand information will be. 

  • You can get instant feedback about the products or services you are offering.

If you are offering a new product to your customers, you can use social media as a way to get instant feedback. You can create polls or survey, or posts which will literally ask them for feedback. To sweeten the deal, you can make commenting fun by giving freebies to those who will answer your survey questions. 

  • Social media engagement builds trust and customer loyalty.

More importantly, social media engagement is one way to build trust and boost customer loyalty. Since your social media accounts are there for everyone to see, it makes it easier for your target audience to put their trust in your brand. They become more familiar with the products or services you’re offering as a company. They can also rely on these social media accounts as a way to easily get in touch with you.

As you can see, there are numerous benefits to including your social media handles as part of your contact information on your business cards, so have a set printed out for yourself right now!

 

Top 5 Designs for Your Next Business Card Print Service Order

There are dozens, probably even hundreds of options when you’re looking for a business card print service provider. If so, what will make your business cards stand out? It all boils down to design. Prior to that, you have to make sure to choose the right material and printing process. Take your pick from either digital or offset printing. With offset printing, you get up to eight times better quality than digital so if you want professional-looking prints, this is definitely what you should choose.

Take Your Pick from these Top 5 Business Card Designs

Next, when it comes to design, how can you make sure that your business card is eye-catching? With numerous options and templates available, the one thing to keep in mind is that the card should be a reflection of your brand’s image. The design elements should also work together, and appeal to your target audience.

To give you an idea about how to choose the perfect business card design for your business, here are our top 5 picks:

  1. Put a twist on the classic.

There is absolutely nothing wrong in going with a classic business card design – but how about putting a twist to it?  Color business cards with one-of-a-kind typography is one example. Since you can only squeeze in a minimal amount of information on the card, you can put the focus on a customized font. You can also go for a unique laminate that will give the paper a fabric-like effect: how about suede or silk? For something shiny, gold, copper, or silver foil can be laminated on paper to come up with a unique, glittery effect.

  1. Be bold with your colors.

If the product or service you’re offering is geared towards a younger clientele, go for bold colors. Neon, a deliberate splash of paint on the card, a pastel color palette – opt for hues that will appeal to your target market.

  1. Be edgy.

Instead of paper, why not go for plastic business cards? The see-through material will make the recipient of your card do a double take. Or, if you want the classic thick cardboard material, choose a rounded edge design.

  1. Go eco-friendly!

Your chosen printing company should have an eco-friendly paper option. These are usually made from recycled material and the green-friendly theme is something that most of your customers will like about your brand.

  1. From landscape to portrait.

Majority of business cards are designed with a landscape orientation, so why not go for portrait? The vertical orientation will give you more leeway to personalize your design. Just make sure that the information is still readable, and the text should not look too crowded – given the limited space that you have.

Aside from these five, there are many more business card designs that you can choose from, so make sure to choose a final design that will truly represent your brand.

 

 

 

 

Business Cards Online? Is It Still Worth Ordering It?

If you think that in today’s business environment, there is no need for you to order business cards online anymore, think again. Almost all industries have become highly competitive, making it even more crucial for you to make use of a still-effective form of advertising: business cards printing.

To start right off, here are the reasons why it is still worth it to take advantage of a business card print service provider:

  • When a client, supplier, customer, or anybody you’re doing business with asks for your contact number, you still need to pull out a classic business card.

Just imagine how awkward it is for you to scribble down your name and telephone number on a piece of paper if a person asks for your contact information. Not only is it difficult, but it also lessens your authority as a business owner in the eyes of the person you’re talking to. Not having a business card makes you look unofficial. If you cannot even put together the effort into having a set of silk business cards made, for example, how can you expect a client to place his or her trust into your brand? Why would customers take advantage of the product or service you’re offering if you do not even have an official business card?

  • Print is still an effective form of advertising.

Aside from business cards, there are other printed material that you can use as part of your print advertising campaign. You can have a set of plastic business cards printed out along with brochures, flyers, notepads, envelopes, letterheads, and banners.  Despite the prevalence of online advertising, print is still an effective form of promoting your brand. It’s inexpensive, too!

  • Having physical cards will make people remember your business name for a long time.

Finally, just like physical books which may never be replaced by e-books, there is a certain sentiment associated with having physical business cards. People can use it as a bookmark or keep it along with other business cards that they have. Even if they have bookmarked your website on a browser, having a physical card is one way to make people remember your business name and brand for a long time.

These are the reasons why you should take advantage of the business card printing services provided by companies like BlockbusterPrint.com. The premium business cards that they print are sure to leave a lasting impression to your clients and network of contacts, so have a set made for yourself right now.

Color Business Cards: Tips for Choosing the Right Paper Thickness

When ordering color business cards, remember that the overall look and feel of the card relies on your attention to detail. The standard size of a business card is 3.5” x 2” – which is a very small surface to place all your business information in. As such, you need to maximize the space and make sure that the card itself will leave a lasting impression to your clients.

So what are the things that you need to consider when it comes to business card printing? First, make sure that the font or typeface, logo, design, and colors on the layout of your business card are well-thought out. It should reflect the image that you want to portray for your brand. Considering the size of the card, the design should not be too cluttered – and the colors should suit your design perspective.

Second, choose the material that you want for the business card. There are business card print service which offer a wide variety of paper and plastic materials to choose from. BlockbusterPrint.com, for example, has silk business cards, plastic business cards, linen business cards, textured linen, pearl metallic, brown kraft, suede, and other premium business cards.

Aside from the type of paper, you should also consider the thickness of the material used. At BlockbusterPrint, here are your paper thickness options:

  1. Very thin business cards

Just because the paper is thin does not mean that the quality is sacrificed. Linen business cards, for instance, are considered very thin but when you look at the texture of the card, it feels elegant to the touch. Go for this paper thickness if you want a no-fuss but still elegant set of business cards.

  1. Medium thickness business cards

The most popular business cards are of medium thickness. The size ranges from 50% to 60% the thickness of a credit card. Some of the paper varieties of medium thickness cards are premium, suede, silk, and uncoated.

  1. Ultra-thick business cards

Finally, there are ultra-thick business cards with a size ranging from 63% to 100% the thickness of a credit card. These are plastic, luster, and three-layer cards with a black edge. These cards are perfect for those who would like to make a big impression on their clients.

Whether you’re going for the popular or not-so-popular option when it comes to the thickness of the business card, what’s important is to really pay attention to even the smallest details. This way, you can come up with a design for a business card that’s truly worthy of representing your brand.